Month: December 2024

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

How many campfires have you built? Enough that you can have a good fire going in just a couple of minutes.”
                    –Robert Peecher  (Through a Lan Accurst)

       “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.”

                    –Matthew 5:6 (Amplified)
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     This will be the last “Echo” of 2024.  Another year has gone by and as you look back was it a year of milestones, of reaching onward and upward, or one filled with regrets?  A year presents all types of problems and scenarios, and how we react to them often determines how they affect us in the future.  Grasp on to the nuggets that were found in 2024, let go of the woes, especially if they do not contain a lesson.
     How much of the year do you actually remember?  Was it all routine?  I dare say that to most of us, the daily events are like the wisp-o’-smoke that rises from the campfire.  It may come in your direction, burn your eyes and even cause you to cough, but that is soon over as it dissipates and floats away.  Much of life is that way; we don’t really take time to inventory what happens, to draw upon the day and reflect on the blessings of the Lord.
     Most likely this little note will be like that wisp-o’-smoke, a vapor that floats away.  Even as James writes that our life is like a wisp-o’-smoke (mist) “that appears for a little while and then vanishes,” (4:14, NIV) we should strive to make it meaningful.  As the smoke rises and is soon gone; we are to make sure our life is not just a puff of smoke, but a flame–a campfire–that warms the hearts of others, that shines and brings light in the darkness, that will echo throughout the year and years to come.
     As the year draws to an end stir up the coals, throw another log on the fire, rekindle the gifts and fruit of the Spirit, and continue to grow in grace.  Seek to know your Redeemer; that is a choice.  “Those who apply Jesus’ words to their lives are given more spiritual truth, making their lives richer.  Those who do nothing with His words, lose what little spiritual understanding they already possess.” (David Jeremiah)
     Regrets in 2024?  I’m sure there are some.  If so, learn from them, then press forward.  From my notes I took last January 1, are the words of Ray Stedman, “If you are content with what you are today, then you will never be any better than you are now; you may become worse.”  And from that same day I wrote, “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12, NASB).  We have 365 days, the Lord willing, and we should be using them for His glory and for the Kingdom of God.
     So as we close 2024, let us seek to draw closer to the Lord, to know Him better, and to obey His Word.  Be ready–here comes 2025!

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

He had been greeting the day with a cup of coffee for a lot of years.” 

                    –Brad Dennison  (Wandering Man)
 
Here it is, Pard.  We knew that this day would one day arrive and thar ain’t nothin’ we can do ’bout it.  We just have to take it as it comes; it’s the last Saturday of December, that means the last Saturday of 2024.  Ponder that, Pard.  It means that this is the last Saturday we’ll be sharin’ coffee and palaverin’ ’til next year.  So yuh had better enjoy that cup.  Drink it with kind affection.
     Pard, we all should be takin’ time in the next few days to reflect back on the past year.  It’s gone, but what we need to do is remember the lessons that hopefully were learned, and store the grand memories it provided.  Yuh can’t be goin’ back to relive any of it, an’ that’s a good thing.  Last year was and is just that–last year.  Tomorrow is where we look now, but not too closely or too far ahead.  The ol’ ‘postle James warns us not to count your chickens before they hatch.  Actually he put it a little more clearly–“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'” (4:14-15, NIV)
     Pard, go ‘head, finish that cup an’ I’ll pour yuh another.  See, the Lord doesn’t promise us another cup next Saturday in 2025.  Now, get this, He is not against plannin’ ahead or workin’ out a schedule; in fact, we should do that.  But He is tellin’ us that thar ain’t no guarantee that it will come to pass.  Things happen along the trail…  One thing that is a guarantee an’ that the Lord will be travelin’ with us through 2025 an’ will be keepin’ us just like He has in all the past years.  Some folk didn’t make it to see the comin’ of the new year, an’ there will be those who will not see 2026, but the good part is that the Lord is with us in life and in death, and all the junk in between.
     Plan then on bein’ here next Saturday.  The Lord willin’ an’ the creeks don’t rise I’ll have the coffee on.  In fact, even if’n the creeks rise an’ don’t wash us away I’ll have the coffee on.  Thing is Pard, will yuh be here to join with me?  Plan to be here, an’ that means checkin’ yur cinch, but leave it in the Lord’s hands.
     Vaya con Dios.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

The manger’s message is one of liberating mercy. God has wondrously taken the initiative and come to rescue us through Jesus.”
                    –Alistair Begg

       “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.”
                    –Hebrews 2:14(NKJV)
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The flickering flames from the year 2024, are fast going out.  Soon 2024 will be but an “echo” to remember.  In the next couple of days, ponder the coming of the Lord Jesus.  He came as a babe to Bethlehem.  The shepherds heard the chorus of angels, the magi saw the star.  The next time He comes there will be signs in the heavens, but there will not be a heavenly choir, but the sounding of the trumpet — be ready!

     “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
                    –John 1:1-5 (NKJV)

     “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
                    –2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV)

     “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
                    –John 3:16-17 (NKJV)

     “But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
                    –Philippians 2:7-8 (NKJV)

 When I think of Christ, leaving heaven to come to earth — I am amazed.  When I think of Him putting aside His glory — I am in marvel.  When I think of Jesus coming to die for me — I am humbled.  Oh what a Savior we have!  Oh what an opportunity that is ours!  Make Him real in your hearts and minds this Christmas.

       “And if that isn’t love
       The ocean is dry
       There’s no stars in the sky
       And the little sparrows can’t fly.
       If that isn’t love
       Then heaven’s a myth,
       There’s no feeling like this
       If that isn’t love.”
               –Dottie Rambo

This will be the last “Echo” until after Christmas.  I am not sure right now when I will write again, hmm, maybe not even until 2025.  Until then I will tell you that my new book–Lawman–is available for purchase at Amazon.  
From my home to yours — have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Somebody poured coffee into his cup and he muttered a thanks without looking up.”

                    –Louis L’Amour  (Conagher)
 
That’s the way it is, Pard, with life, with coffee, with Christmas, that is — we might mutter a thanks, but we really don’t look up from what we’re a-doin’, especially since most have a phone in their hands.  But Pard, we should really take time to say thanks–thanks to the good Lord for His blessin’s; thanks to Him for the gift of His Son on that night so many years ago.  Yuh know He could have let man go on to his destruction, but instead he provided a Savior.
     Joseph, and especially Mary, were weary from their travels.  The day had been long, the animal was tired, and now they couldn’t find a place to stay.  Go ‘head, Pard, yuh can be drinkin’ whilst I’m talkin’.  The was finally a place found, not really conducive, but it got them out of the elements.  Joseph got Mary all situated, as comfortable as she could be in her situation, then proceeded to take care of the donkey, put some hay in the manger, where in a little while he’d be layin’ the heavenly child.
     I don’t know if Mary was ponderin’ these things in her heart right then, or whether she was just wantin’ the baby to be born.  Sometime during that night, she delivered.  The baby was born and was named Jesus!  There doesn’t seem to be any hoopla in the stable, maybe it was a silent night, ‘ceptin’ of course the cryin’ of the baby.  ‘Course He could’ve been unusual, as He was, an’ “no cryin’ He makes.”
     Ahhh, that is good coffee this mornin’, ha did yuh thank yur ol’ fence post, the coffee-maker?  Nah, but don’t be frettin’, I know that down in yur cold heart that yur thankful for those few swallers.  Ha, good to be sharin’ with yuh.  Now, back to the baby Jesus.  It may have been quiet in the stable, except for the sound of the animal eatin’, but somewhere, not far away the shepherds heard a commotion, “Glory to God in the Highest!”  Pard, that must have been somethin’!  When they heard the news they took traipsin’ off to find the baby an’ when they arrived He was lyin’ in a manger.  The faithful donkey had eaten his fill, Joseph probably cleaned up around it and replenished the hay and the shepherds found Him lyin’ there.  Now, for sure, Mary begins to ponder.
     Little was known about what would happen to the Babe.  He was Immanuel, He was to be the Savior of the world, but unless one really understood the words of the Old Testament they didn’t know all that awaited the Child.  There must have been thousands of angels around that stable in the spirit realm.  Here was the Lord God incarnate, helpless as a baby with Joseph to protect Him.  Pard, I’m just wonderin’ if ol’ slewfoot was around to take a peek.  It would have been a sight for him as well.  
     Pard, the coffee’s gone, that means yuh got to be along yur way.  It would do us all good to ponder the birth of Jesus in our hearts and minds.  Don’t be so distracted by yur marbles rollin’ in yur noggin’ that yuh forget to check yur cinch.  Yuh do that an’ yuh might be doin’ yur ponderin’ from the hospital bed.  Hmm, we sure need to be ponderin’ the Lord before we get ourselves in that situation.  Be havin’ a Merry Christmas!
       Vaya con Dios.