Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on January 22, 2025

It’s never a pleasant thing to watch a man step off into eternity unprepared for the afterlife. To stand before his Just, and Holy Creator, defiant and unrepented.”

–Russell M. Chase (Blessed Are the Peacemakers)

“But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”

–John 5:40 (NKJV)
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Amos now begins to give his prophecies through a series of visions. The first is that of locusts.

7.1 — Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, He formed locust swarms at the beginning of the late crop; indeed it was the late crop after the king’s mowings.
.2 — And so it was, when they had finished eating the grass of the land, that I said: “O Lord GOD, forgive, I pray! Oh, that Jacob may stand, for he is small!”
.3 — So the LORD relented concerning this. “It shall not be,” said the LORD. (NKJV)

After the king’s mowing, the first harvest was a tax, locusts would swarm devouring the rest of the harvest. Amos realizes that “the locusts are not a fluke of nature, but are an act of divine judgment, the consequences of Israel’s sin.” (Peter C. Craigie) God has a plan as He showed Jeremiah, “…Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way and make your ways and your doings good.” (18:11, NKJV) We sometimes get out of sorts when we see that God “fashions disaster.” It would do us good to remember that when it does strike somewhere. Perhaps a warning from God?
Amos shows his humility and compassion as a prophet interceding on Israel’s behalf. Gary G. Cohen says, “Amos’s reason for wanting a softer judgment upon Israel is his compassion for the weakness and frailty of his fellow Israelites. He made no argument based upon their goodness or merits. The answer to prayer was based wholly on God’s grace.” In response to Amos’ interceding God stayed His decree. “God loves to be entreated. He delights to answer when He hears the cry of such as bear His needy people on their heart.” (H.A. Ironside) We must keep God’s character–His attributes–in mind. Albert Garner tells us, “This change was not in the mind of God, but in the outward effects. God is unchangeable. He does what is just, and responds to intercessory prayers.”
This should be a grand lesson for us, showing the importance and power of intercessory prayer. One never knows how it might touch God. Amos was grieved over the plight and judgment that God pronounced upon Israel. Seeing this vision, and Amos being a farmer, he was greatly concerned. How much can we learn that when we are prompted to pray, either by the Holy Spirit or by what we see, we should do so for it very well could touch the heart of God.
The second vision is that of fire.

7.4 — Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, the Lord GOD called for conflict by fire, and it consumed the great deep and devoured the territory.
.5 — Then I said: “O Lord GOD, cease, I pray! Oh, that Jacob may stand, for he is small!”
.6 — So the LORD relented concerning this. “This also shall not be,” said the Lord GOD. (NKJV)

This is a deadly, intense fire that water cannot extinguish. I am reminded of the fire that came down from heaven when Elijah confronted the priests of Baal. The fire of God consumed the sacrifice, the altar, and the water. The fields were dry and nothing would be able to stop the destruction brought about by the flames. Again, Amos intercedes and the Lord hears and relents.
The third vision is of the plumb-line.

7.7 — Thus He showed me: Behold the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand.
.8 — And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said: “Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore.
. 9 — The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste. I will rise with the sword against the house of Jeroboam.” (NKJV)

Here God is seen making careful and precise preparations for the coming punishments of Israel.
Ironside states that “God’s unerring word is such a plumb-line. Unmistakably it tests every soul, manifesting every departure on the violator of it.” God measures to see “how true the people are to the pattern of His Word, and if they are of upright character and conduct.” (Warren Wiersbe) We should well understand that all of us will be judged by the Word of God.
“I will not pass by them anymore,” declares the Lord. Nothing has changed, even with Amos’ intervention the people continue in their wicked ways. Amos no longer prays for God to relent–enough is enough. The evil and apathy and apostasy is too great. Craigie states, “There comes a point of no return, Israel, in its dedicated pursuit of evil pushes Amos beyond the capacity to intercede and precipitates God into final commitment to judgment… Judgment is the final result of mercy refused; it is invited by the persons judged.”
Is the Lord devising a plan? Yes, of course He is. The day of the Lord’s judgment is close at hand and it is planned and will be precise in its carrying out. But what about America, what about each individual? If there is not repentance there is a plumb line being lowered, a precise plan of action being readied. Today, now, is the day of salvation. Maybe the Lord will relent.

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on January 21, 2025

There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to rebuild.” –Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 (NLT)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The windows of the entrance were blasted out with the shot flinging glass and buckshot everywhere. Barnes caught a good bit before we had time to react. A few pieces found their way to me, but nothing serious. Watching where the glass was I half-crawled to the doorway. There was no one there but a few onlookers across the street. I stood up then went outside to see if I could spot anyone. In the far distance, up at the end of the street I saw a horseman pounding away.

I pointed to the couple across the street to come over to me. As they began to approach I went back inside to check on Barnes. He was bleeding from several spots, but from a casual observance I didn’t think any of them posed a severe threat to life. I helped him up to a chair, then went to the bar to grab a couple of towels. “Use these to stop the blood, until Doc gets here,” I ordered, then turned my attention to the couple.

“Everyone all right?” questioned the man quite concerned.

Nodding, I replied, “Nothin’ serious. You’re the Hansens right?” He seemed proud that I remembered. “Linda and Cory.”

He was gloating a little, then answered, “Proud you remembered us. Yes, we own the leather and cobbler’s shop down the street.”

“I saw you were across the street when the blast occurred. Did you see the man who fired the shot?”

He began to shake his head. “We were hurrying to get to the shop as we’re some late in opening up this morning. I wasn’t paying attention until after the shot, then I grabbed Linda and we got down close to boardwalk,” he said then smiled. “Sorta to make ourselves as small as possible.”

“I understand that. But you can tell me nothing about the man?”

Continuing to shake his head, “I’m sorry Marshal. All I know is that he was wearing a brown coat and riding a bay horse.”

“His spurs,” blurted Linda. “He was wearing those Mexican rowels. I saw them when he spurred his horse to ride off.”

My hand went to the side of my face where I felt the same type of spur a month ago. I wondered if it was the same person. Someone with a vendetta. “If either of you think of something else, come see me.”

They both nodded, but before they turned to leave Cory asked, “How are the boots holding up?” I remembered that I took a pair of boots to him for new soles.”

“Fine, fine. You do good work.”

That made both of them beam and as they left Linda patted me on the arm. “I pray that your day goes much better.”

“So do I, “Ma’am, so do I.”

As they walked off I saw Doc scurrying up the street as fast as he could in the slush and mud. He glanced at me upon approaching and I pointed for him to go inside. I followed.

Barnes was gone.

I followed the drops of blood out the back. Doc was coming behind me. The trail was hard to spot, but every now and then there was a drop of blood. Wish the snow had stayed on the ground longer. We walked down the alley cautiously. I had already been startled once today and didn’t want a similar occurrence to happen.

The trail moved from the alley to the back of a warehouse where I saw that it went between two buildings. “You stay here until I say it’s clear,” I ordered Doc.

“You say he was hurt badly?” came his question.

“Not that I could see.”

He muttered something I didn’t quite hear, then spoke up. “That blood is getting brighter. I’m wondering if an artery wasn’t nicked.”

I looked at him, then started moving up between the buildings. A nice set up for an ambush if ever there was one. No place to go if a shooter appeared.

It was like I was prophesying. A voice sounded in front of me, but in the dark of the shadows I couldn’t see anyone. “You’re as good as dead, Forrest.”

Stopping in my tracks I flung the Greener up…

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on January 20, 2025

Sometimes in life, situations are simply out of our hands, and all we can do is trust God and give him room to work without us getting in the way.”
–Kenneth Pratt (Emerson Solstice)

“…Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.”

–Genesis 6:9 (NIV)
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Psalm 135 was the last Psalm that David Livingstone and his father shared together before Livingstone sailed for Africa. This psalm is often called the “big God” psalm. Read it, then read it again slowly. Many believe that it was written after the exile in Babylon. Today, we will look at the first part; though we won’t get to verse 21, note that the psalm begins and ends the same.

1 — Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD; praise Him, O you servants of the LORD!
2 — You who stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,
3 — Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.
4 — For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure.
5 — For I know that the LORD is great, and our Lord is above all gods.
6 — Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places.
7 — He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries.
8 — He destroyed the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
9 — He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 — He defeated many nations and slew mighty kings–
11 — Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan–
12 — And gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to Israel His people. (NKJV)

George Wood states, “This psalm contains not even a hint of trial or sorrow. The battles have all been fought and won. God’s work is complete, and His ways have been found perfect.” This psalm lifts us out of despondency and tells us that His work in us will one day be complete. I want to share a story about Billy Bray, who was a somewhat unconventional Methodist minister.

In the early 1800s Billy Bray was known as a no-good drunken miner in a village in Cornwall, England. Through the reading of John Bunyan’s book, “Visions of Heaven and Hell,” he became converted and he was never the same again. “I can’t help praising God,” he once said. “As I go along the street, I lift up one foot, and it seems to say, ‘Glory,’ and I lift up the other, and it seems to say, ‘Amen.’ If they would put me in a barrel to keep me quiet, I would shout, ‘Glory!’ out of the bunghole. Praise the Lord.”
Billy would often say about the Lord, “He has made me glad and no one can make me sad; He makes me shout and no one can make me doubt; He makes me leap, and no one can hold down my feet.” Shortly before his death, Billy was asked if he was afraid, and he answered, “My Savior conquered death. If I was to go down to hell, I would shout, ‘Glory, glory’ to my blessed Jesus until I made the bottomless pit ring again, and then old Satan would say, ‘Billy, Billy, this is no place for you; get out of here.’ Then up to heaven I should go, shouting, ‘Glory, glory, praise the Lord.'” (Petersen, William J. One Year Book of Psalms. Tyndale House, Wheaton, IL, 1999)

What actually is praise? First it is an act of the will. Then we see the Hebrew word “halal” which means “to boast”; therefore praising God means boating in the Lord or braggin upon him. (Steven Lawson) Listed in this psalm are several reasons for us to praise the Lord. We see first that the Lord is good which means “beneficial, positive, giving what is needed, dealing bountifully with.” (Lawson) This is an attribute of God. We praise Him because He is good (all the time and all the time He is good)! Both His character and the attribute are worthy of praise.
Note that He has chosen Jacob (Israel). We have no need to worry over the nation of Israel for it is in God’s hands. Praise Him for His keeping of His chosen people. But hold on, wait just a minute. Realize that He has also chosen you. Praise Him for He has chosen you. You do not have to worry, for He will keep you, protect you, and bring you home to glory. Then He deserves praise because of His authority and sovereignty. He is the great God; He does whatever pleases Him. Look at His power. One more aspect, look at His miracle-working power on behalf of His children. “Signs are clear evidences of God’s character. Wonders leave a sense of awe and terror in their hearts.” (Lawson) This is true not only for Israel but for you and me also.
We are God’s, we belong to Him. “You are chosen of God. You may not understand all the mystery of that; but for sure you are not some afterthought or a cheap nothing. You are God’s treasured possession.” (Wood) No matter what is happening in this world, or in your life, know this–He has control over all the events, and He is not concerned or surprised by them. Then when we realize that, why is it that we do not praise Him more? Lift one foot as the preacher of old said and proclaim “Glory” and then as it comes down and you lift the other declare “Amen”, and thus go through life with a “Glory–Amen” on your lips. Ahhh, what a way to live this life!

“His dress was always homely;
His dwelling somewhat poor,
But the presence of his Savior
Made up for that and more.”
(unknown, but written for Billy Bray)

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on January 18, 2025

Good morning, come on in out of the cold and grab yourself a cup of coffee. I got a fresh pot over there on the stove and it should be just above ready.”

–Nathan Wright (The Pursuit)

Brrr, it’s cold, an’ I’m afraid it’s gonna get colder. Coffee’s hot though an’ it’ll warm yur innards. Say, Pard, next week is settin’ up to be quite a week. Monday, a new President will take office. Out with the old, liberal, wokeism and hopefully in with some type of genuine, get-down-to-business plan. Let’s see what happens. We have an situation given to us by the good Lord to get back to the foundations–let’s see.

Feel that coffee workin’ its way down into yur core? Ahhh, even in the midst of the storms, we can still share a cup of hot java. Speakin’ of storms, that’s the second thing that’s settin’ up to happen. Supposed to get downright cold here in this part of Texas, well, in fact most all of the state. Predicticatin’ snow. That’ll be all right as long as the electricity doesn’t go out like it did a couple years ago. But we’ll face whatever comes with the Lord by our side.

I remember a few years back when I told someone the cold makes my bones ache. Why she almost threw a conniption fit. She said don’t speak those words. Now, I’ve been ’round long enough to hear hoo-doo and even some voodoo an’ that was what that was. Listen, Pard, the holy Scripture is not hocus pocus. We are to worship in truth, that means reality. We worship no matter the situation, no matter if the bones ache or not. Why that ol’ ‘postle Paul said that he bore the scars on his walk with the Lord. He didn’t testify them away. I saw that lived first-hand in the lives of my Grandma and Aunt Bern.

Sure hopin’ I don’t have to get out. Supposed to see the heart doc on Tuesday, that’s the day it’s supposed to snow. Might have to change my appointment. Not that I can’t drive in snow, but it’s the rest of these fools around here that concern me. Yuh, be havin’ a safe week, stay warm, and if’n yuh have to go out in the cold and weather for land sakes check yur cinch.

Vaya con Dios.