Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on April 21, 2025

If a man is something and somebody, he doesn’t have to show off.”

–Louis L’Amour (Tucker)

“And He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?'”
–Luke 24:38 (NKJV)
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The poor, the downtrodden, the despised they are all around us. The homeless, the persecuted, those in the midst of despair for one reason or another, they are there, some of them only God knows where. However, that is the truth of the matter, He does know and He is with them, waiting for them to turn to Him. This morning we finish with Psalm 140 and instead of doom and gloom, David prays for deliverance, not only for himself, but for those who are the down and out of society.

9 — As for the head of those who surround me, let the evil of their lips cover them;
10 — Let burning coals fall upon them; let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
11 — Let not a slanderer be established in the earth; let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 — I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor.
13 — Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence. (NKJV)

We live in a sin-sick society, and there is no human way out. No matter the programs and the money that man puts into projects of all sorts, they will ultimately fail because there is not a heart change. David wants the wrongdoers to have a taste of their own medicine, which eventually will happen. Paul tells us, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:7-8, NKJV) There is a time coming.
God will restore and take care of His own. He will deal harshly with those who persecute His loved ones. Zephaniah writes, “Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame, And gather those who were driven out; I will appoint them for praise and fame In every land where they were put to shame.” (3:19, NKJV) Focus for a minute on verse 12, from the NIV: “I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.” God is watching; He is watching that men do right by others. We can rest in the assurance that God does all things well.
It is the duty and obligation for the righteous to live upright lives and to continually give thanks unto the Lord. We call upon God to deliver, yet we thank Him in all situations for we know that He is in control and cares for us. Don’t doubt, know that God is there; there in the midst of trials, troubles, and afflictions.

“Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me;
Still all my song shalt be,
Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee.”
–Sarah F. Adams

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on April 19, 2025

They sat quietly drinking their coffee and watching the light go from the sky.”

–C. Wayne Winkle (Down the Long Trail)

Mornin’ to yuh, Pard. I often think of this day, yuh know the one that took place the Saturday after the crucifixion. I reckon the disciples thought that truly the light fell from their sky. The Lord was dead, in the tomb, and they were runnin’ feared.

It was a dark day in their minds, not knowing what was takin’ place in the spiritual realm. It was quiet, perhaps some thought deathly quiet, but in the spiritual realm there was commotion, unrest, and triumph. What the devil and demons thought to be a victory celebration quickly had turned into havoc for them. Jesus was taking captivity captive, and Pard there’s plenty there to be contemplatin’.

Was Jesus preachin’? Did He speak to Abraham tellin’ him it was time to finally reach that land where he was searchin’? Did He go to Moses to point him in the direction of the Promised Land? So much was goin’ on. What about all those in the place of the dead who had never heard of the Savior, or Israel, or the Torah, the Law, and the Prophets? Was Jesus speakin’ to them?” Yep, the spiritual world was in commotion for sure. The chains were ready to be broken, and He was ready to get out of that tomb. So much mystery Pard, so much we don’t understand, nor do we need to.

Understand this though, that coffee is sure tasty this mornin’. Too bad ol’ James and John, with Thomas couldn’t have had a cup to help soothe their souls that Saturday long ago. Things on earth were not quite the same. Peter was grieving his betrayal, while Judas took matters into his own hands as he did in the garden, and committed suicide because of his betrayal. Each betrayed the Lord, Pard, both were grieving, but there must have been some faith in ol’ Pete.

The women no doubt were weepin’, the other disciples were fearful, some in hidin’. I wonder if there were any of them together, or if they were facin’ this day alone? Did Peter still have the dagger that was bloodstained from his episode in the garden? It was wrong for him to slice off that ear, but another inch and Jesus would have had to raise the soldier from the dead. But what of the other sword. Who had it? What happened to it? Why didn’t that disciple, whoever he was, take action when Peter did? So many questions…

Sip that coffee and ponder, Pard. This is the day for it. The work was finished on Friday, Sunday, the day of the resurrection was still a few hours away. Pard, sip is slowly and think of all that took place for you and me, an’ the rest of the world. Maybe some of them, those more attuned to what was takin’ place, felt and heard the footsteps of a triumphant march down in the underworld. Jesus for sure was causin’ a stir down there.

Mercy, almost gives me goosebumps thinkin’ of all that was possibly transpirin’. Pard, think of it, our souls were redeemed! Now, don’t lose yur focus so much that yuh forget to check yur cinch. That coconut where yuh place yur hat can’t be takin’ too much more abuse. Say, Pard, as yuh mount up, remember–Sunday’s comin’!

Vaya con Dios.

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on April 18, 2025

The prime duty of a man was to live in such a manner that dyin’ would come easy to him.”
–Ernest Haycox (Trail Smoke)

“…And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
–Colossians 2:14-15(NKJV)
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Perhaps I should have saved this for next week sometime, but the thoughts were in my mind, and I didn’t want to lose them. Maybe, just maybe it is for someone today. I know that Sunday is Resurrection Day–Easter. Forty days after the resurrection Jesus ascends back to heaven, to His throne. I don’t know what the disciples thought. They didn’t think He would die the horrible death He did by hanging on the cross, and now that He was with them again, He is now again gone. Did they think He would remain on earth with them? Ponder the following verses from Acts 1:

9 — Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
10 — And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them, in white apparel,
11 — who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (NKJV)

There are some important things that Jesus said in Acts 1, but I want to focus on the words of the men in white apparel (angels), “Why do you stand gazing up into heaven?” They were gawking up into the sky instead of following Jesus’ instructions. I’m sure in the next ten days their thoughts went back to the cross, the empty tomb, and the ascension, as would be expected, but here there was an admonition pointed at them.
“Why stand gazing?” It is important that we celebrate this season, but don’t get too caught up in the symbols, and how important they are, and forget the meaning, the purpose, and the results. Why stand gazing at the cross? Jesus declared the work was finished. Yes, it is because of the work at the cross that we are redeemed, reconciled, and in fellowship with God, but often the splinters from the cross become relics and idols to us. Jesus declared that the work was finished; God, the Father had given His only Son. Some wear what is called a crucifix that shows Christ still on the cross–No! It is finished, the work is complete, He is no longer on the cross. God’s wrath and justice was appeased and His mercy and grace poured out. Why stand gazing at the empty tomb? The victory over death, hell, and the grave is complete, over, finished.
One more thought for this Good Friday: John records the following words of Jesus, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” (12:23, NKJV). Jesus, not long before the cross prayed these words, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You.” (John 17:1, NKJV) Jesus used this phrase, “the hour has come” several times in the book of John. Someone rightly wrote, “It is more than just a time period; it’s a turning point in history.” We remember the words of Paul in writing to the Galatians, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son…”. (4:4, NKJV)
This “fullness of time” was one particular, specific time in history. A time appointed, a time when it was just right for the event to occur, the only time it could occur. Jesus was born in the “fullness of time.” He was crucified for the sins of man and on the third day rose from the grave victorious–if I may say, in the “fullness of time.” Hang on, go back to the words of the men in white apparel in Acts, “in the fullness of time” this same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
There is a plan for man and the world. It is not a haphazardly thrown together series of events. It is a plan in the “time schedule” of God. Jesus, in the fullness of times, when it is just right, will come back to earth. Why stand gazing, get on with the work of the kingdom? William Barclay writes, “The Second Coming is not a matter for speculation and for illegitimate curiosity; it is a summons to make ourselves ready for that day when it comes.”
So celebrate this wondrous weekend in all that it includes. Remember, however, to keep it godly, stay away from idols and the frivolity that the world offers. Have fun, but do not let them deter you from the mighty event that took place in the fullness of times for our salvation and reconciliation to God. Joyfully sing:
“At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!”
–Isaac Watts

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on April 17, 2025

Death is more certain than life.”
–D.C. Adkisson (The Shepherd)

“As righteousness leads to life, So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.”
–Proverbs 11:19 (NKJV)
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Tomorrow is what we call “Good Friday.” Stop, try to understand the depth of what took place. There was so much that happened, but concentrate for a moment on the concept of death. Dare to contemplate the chorus of this old hymn by Robert Lowry, that deals with Death.

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;
He arose a Victor from the dark domain…

Stop there, the dark domain–Death. We read the third verse of that song: “Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus my Saviour! He tore the bars away Jesus my Lord!” WOW! Death could not hold Jesus. Death, who takes all mankind and took the man Jesus, could not hold Him down. He tore Death apart!
We all die a physical death, but I do not know of a single person who was born to die. No one, except the Son of God was born literally to die. Man does his best to postpone death, but Jesus came to conquer death, to give hope to mankind. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones writes, “Our Lord came, then, into this world in order to rid us from the tyranny and from the power of the devil. It was on the cross that He did it supremely and finally.”
Right from the beginning, death was in the picture. Genesis 3:4 states, “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die.'” (NKJV) I’m not sure what concept of death that Adam and Eve had. Most likely the thought of death was very foreign. God did mention it when He warned them not to eat of the tree for if they did they would die. When they ate, something happened, death–physical (though not immediate) and spiritual was inevitable. Man was in need of a Redeemer! And the devil, off to the side, smiled as he shook hands with his cohort–Death.
Hebrews 2:14 is a wonderful verse, “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.” (NKJV) Hanging on the cross, when Jesus cried as He died, “It is finished,” He was saying His work was done. In the spiritual realm there must have been havoc, because this meant the end of Death and the devil. I really like the way Chad Bird puts it, “Death would be destroyed by death.” Christ died to give life, to win the victory over death.
One more thought, there definitely is something mystical and supernatural regarding death. We are told we must be born again, new life. Why? We read also in Revelation, “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (20:14, NKJV) Yes, death is still around us; it is inevitable for the human body, however, the death of the spirit has been defeated and ultimately the body will also resurrect. This is what the prophet Hosea proclaimed about the Messiah, the man who hung on that cross, Jesus, “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes.” (13:14, NKJV) “Hallelujah, Christ arose!”