Month: August 2025

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Those who love money will never have enough.  How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness!”  –Ecclesiastes 5:10(NLT)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
    Parson Chapman and I were enjoying a piece of pie at the diner.  Molly was in back with Marta and Emelda doing inventory.  Molly had been trying to remove herself from the daily operations of the diner.  We were chatting when through the front door came Doc Jones.  He walked wearily over to the table.
    “Howdy, Doc.  We’re havin’ some pie, should I get you a piece?”
    He shook his head and waved his hand then pulled out a chair.  “I will take a cup of coffee.”
    As the preacher greeted him I got up grabbing a cup from the shelf and poured Doc a cup, then proceeded to refill the preacher’s and my cup.
    Doc slowly reached for his cup, then took a long draught.
    “Doc, if you don’t mind me sayin’ so, you look kinda haggard,” I stated, watching him carefully.
    “Hmpf,” was all I got as he concentrated on his coffee.
    I glanced over at the preacher, who shrugged, then forked another piece of apricot pie in his mouth.  My piece was gone, and so quickly.  I could eat another piece, but I didn’t want to bother the ladies at work.
    “Reverend, Miles, to tell you the truth, I’m tired.  I can’t keep it up.  Durango is growing and I can’t keep up with all the patients,” then he stopped, eyeing me.  “And the ones that you, the Sheriff, and Mateo bring me.”  He stopped, finished his cup and slid it toward me on the table.  I guess that meant he wanted another cup.
    After bringing him a fresh cup, he said, “What I’m trying to say is that Durango is big enough for two doctors!”
    “Do you know of another one?” questioned the parson.
    He shook his head, then scratched his ear followed by rubbing his chin.  “There is a man in Kansas City, not a doctor but a pharmacist who might know of someone,” he said, his eyes lighting up.
    “Send him a telegram,” suggested the parson.
    “Sure, go ahead, get some help, that way you might not be so grumpy,” I said, kidding him.
    I reckon he didn’t take it as a joke, for I received a frown and a tart reply to which he added, “By the way when are you leaving?  Get you out of the way and maybe some of this bloodshed will stop.”
    He saw my expression drop as he knew my real feelings on that matter.  “Sorry, Miles, like you say I’m just a grumpy old man.”
    The preacher, always ready to use anything as an excuse to pray, reached out his hands.  He then led us in a prayer, asking the Lord to give Doc strength and a helper.  After the prayer I relayed my news.
    “I’m supposed to meet with the Governor’s representative when I pass back through Pueblo regarding the Colorado Rangers.  From what Blasco wrote to me, they are breaking up the state into regions and there is a possibility that I could be placed in charge of the southwest region.”
    Doc eyed me, but it was the preacher who spoke, “Would that mean you would be traveling only in the Southwest?” he asked, then added, “they wouldn’t pull you up to Denver to protect the Governor?”
    “I can’t truly answer that.  Hopefully the meeting will answer questions like that.  Molly gave me a list of things to ask and I’ll mull them over in my mind on the trip.  I don’t think McGinnis will be any problem.”
    “Hmpf, he won’t if he knows what’s best for him.  Five years is quite different from a hangman’s noose,” muttered Doc.
    The next morning, Mateo helped escort McGinnis to the train.  As we boarded, he grinned looking at the Greener in my hand.  “Think he’ll need a thump?”  “I doubt it, but I always try to be prepared.  You take care of things.”

      I moved on into the car, situated McGinnis, and myself.  We each had a full seat to ourselves.  I looked the car over, then…

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

No more did he listen to the rush and roar of the thunderstorm. For with the touch of clinging hands and the throbbing bosom he grew conscious of an inward storm—the tingling of new chords of thought, strange music of unheard, joyous bells, sad dreams dawning to wakeful delight, dissolving doubt, resurging hope, force, fire, and freedom, unutterable sweetness of desire. A storm in his breast—a storm of real love.”
                    –Zane Grey  (Riders of the Purple Sage)

       “‘…Hallelujah!  Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments…’  Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:  ‘Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns.'”
                    –Revelation 19:1, 6 (NIV)  
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In preparing for this morning‘s devotion I came across this by F.W. Boreham, “God said, ‘Let there be light!’  And there was light.  He had no need to say, ‘Let there be song!’ because He was; and since He was, the morning stars sang together.  Whenever and whoever created things have stood face-to-face with their Creator, they have burst into song.”  We read from the Book of Job, “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (38:7, NKJV)  Think of what it will be like in heaven when we sing the songs of praise and songs of victory, “…”Alleluia!  For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!  Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory…” (Revelation 19:6-7, NKJV)  For now, we must be content in singing and in the music we have today; turn your attention to Psalm 150.

          1 — Praise the LORD!  Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty firmament!
          2 — Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
          3 — Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the lute and harp!
          4 — Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
          5 — Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals!
          6 — Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.  Praise the LORD!  (NKJV)

     As we have been going through the psalms we have assuredly found ourselves reflected in them, perhaps many times.  There has been despair and triumph,  depression and victory.  As in our own lives we see in the psalms great personal problems and issues, deeply staining sins, tragic misfortune, illness, advancing age, enemies and adversaries, valleys and mountaintops. (Wood)  Now we come to the end and we are to sum up our reading of the Psalms as well as our lives–it is to be in praise!  We are to praise God in each and every situation of life, in each and every emotional and mental issue that we may have.  George Wood relates that “Saints are those colorful and transparent people who, in the many-hued circumstances of life, keep letting the Son shine through them.”
     We need to learn how to worship, realizing that it is not only singing, but it is our whole life.  True worship is awesome, so should our lives be.  Steven Lawson defines worship as, “the proper response of the entire person–mind, heart, and will–to all that God is–Creator, Ruler, and Redeemer.”  When I was coaching I would use this psalm as an analogy of a football player.  The halfback runs, dancing through the opposition; the lineback, the loud cymbal crashes into the receiver as the linemen with clashing cymbals thrust through their opponents.  The trumpet, the loud leader of the team–the quarterback.  Oh, it is a grand psalm, come up with your own analogies, but the thing is that we should be praising the Lord in all circumstances and all seasons of life.  F.B. Meyer states, “Each of our emotions and faculties may be a musical instrument in the best sense.  Praise Him with the sound of your love!  Praise Him with hope and faith!  Praise Him with meekness and patience!  Praise Him with courage and strength!  Praise Him in work!  Praise Him when tied by pain and weariness in a sickbed.”
     I really enjoy good music, however, I’m not the best singer (except in my own mind) and I’ve tried to play instruments but to little avail.  I can read music, but I cannot hear it to play it on an instrument.  In fact, I found an instrument that boasted, “For the musically hopeless.”  It was a harmonica, and you’re right I couldn’t play it either.  However, I did learn to worship in my work, in my attitude, in my joy, in my dedication to my career, to my calling from the Lord.  “All ends well in God.  Life has a successful resolution.  God kept His word and worked for your good in your life.  There were days when you did not see where He was taking you or what good He was doing for you–but now eternity makes it all so plain.  Nothing but joy awaits.” (Wood)  Harmonica get ready for I’m going to send a melodious blast through it in heaven.
     Oh there is so much more that I could write regarding this psalm, but I’ll shut down this devotion with the last verse:  “Let everything that lives sing praises to the LORD!” (NLT)
All should praise the Lord, all the time for the Lord is good, and He is good all the time.  We need to use our instruments–our gifts, our talents, and all aspects of our being–to praise the Lord.  I know of people who use their smile to praise Him, others have a way with words to encourage, and we all can praise Him by living an obedient life.  PRAISE THE LORD!

          “Blessing and honor and glory and power
          Be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne
          And unto the Lamb
          Forever and ever.  Hallelujah!  Amen”
                –George F. Handel

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

He dried his hands on his apron and picked up the coffee pot. Without speaking, he filled a thick white mug with coffee and put it on the table. The kitchen smelled of woodsmoke, steam, and the fresh coffee.” 

                    –Louis L’Amour  (Guns of the Timberlands)
 
Mornin’, Pard.  Yuh know one of the finest words that can be spoken is “Coffee’s ready.”  I can tell by yur smile and holdin’ out the empty cup that yuh agree.  Let me get the pot an’ I’ll fill it up right quick.  
     Pard, I’m glad to see yuh have some common sense.  Yur careful with yur spurs.  Yep, the missus don’t care much for the kitchen floor to be gouged by a pair of spurs.  But the point of the matter is that all it takes is some common sense to do what’s right.  An’ let me tell yuh somethin’–common sense is a rarity in these days an’ it’s gettin’ even more rare.  Folks don’t know if they’re a-comin’ or a-goin’ and I reckon most of them don’t rightly care whichaway they’re a-walkin’.  Seems like ol’ Daniel said somethin’ ’bout folks runnin’ to and fro if’n I’m recollectin’ right.
     Here’s one for yuh Pard,  I’m tellin’ yuh I can’t be makin’ this stuff up.  One of them there celebrities, a star from what I’m tolt, but to tell yuh I can’t remember who.  Yep, the idea is that a marriage contract is good for only five years; it can then be dissolved, or renewed for another five years.  Goodbye to “death do us part.”  Well, Pard with all the divorce that concept is already on the way out.  Many just quit and give up when the goin’ gets a little rough.  Yuh know, it might just be the time that the other pardner needs the help of th’ other the most, then he or she goes and quits.  Just think if when we were havin’ ourselves a bad time, maybe we didn’t use common sense an’ check our cinch and we fell on our noggin’ an’ the Lord said, that’s enough.  Yuh just don’t learn.  Why, if’n I’m a-layin’ on the ground, the dust gettin’ up my nose an’ in my eyes, I need Him more than ever to reach down an’ pick me up.
     See, here’s what I’m a-seein’.  Folks just want to do what they think is right an’ not to be a-worryin’ ’bout the needs of others.  Take a drive an’ see how many folk out there obey the laws.  They drive like they want to, ignorin’ all the safety signs, and common sense in drivin’.  They jist want to be a law onto themselves.  Let me do my own thing–that’s their cry.  That’s why we see the victim often becomin’ the perpetrator in some of these events.  Right is what they want it to be, not what it is, an’ I’m a-tellin’ yuh Pard, it’s goin’ to come to a climax when that man of lawlessness gives them what they want–lawlessness.  Yep, there’s comin’ a day when the Holy Spirit won’t be guidin’ men’s thoughts an’ actions, and it’s goin’ to be sure enough anarchy.  That is, until the antichrist puts his own laws down.  Whoooee, Pard, sure glad I’m not goin’ to be around when all that pollutin’ stuff takes place, but yuh see now how we’re movin’ into it?
     Sorry, I’m been spewin’ so much this mornin’ but it’s ’cause I”ve been stewin’ in my mind over some of these tomfoolery things.  I see it didn’t stop yuh from guzzlin’ the coffee.  That’s alright, Pard, makes me smile; I’m glad yuh liked it.  Yuh be havin’ a good week!
     Vaya con Dios.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on
While it’s true we don’t often get to choose our battles, we can certainly decide how we’re going to fight them.”
                    –Andrew Weston  (Trouble on the Smoky Hill Trail)

       “For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.”
                    –Psalm 18:39 (ESV)
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          “There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
                    –Numbers 13:33(NKJV)
          “…We felt like grasshoppers next to them, and that’s what we looked like to them!” (NLT)

Ponder that verse for a little while.  Perspective!  Ten spies saw that they were little, incompetent, and small.  There was no chance for victory.  They wailed that the people there were so strong, and that their cities are walled.  Then came the report from Caleb and Joshua:  “Let us go up at once and possess the land!”  The difference was all in their point of view.  The difference was in their view of God.  Alistair Begg reminds us, “One aspect of our happiness relates directly to how we think and how we see.  Our thinking about reality shapes our lives, for better or for worse.”
    Faith must be tested.  Bill Wilson writes, “Tested faith produces power.  Tested faith brings boldness.  Tested faith creates character.”  No matter the age in which we live there are enemies and temptations, and fears, yes, even giants.  Wilson goes on to say, “Faith is an enigmatic thing.  It is a mystery.  Faith is rooted in your understanding of God and your trust in Him.  Faith is the willingness to do what others will not do.  Faith inspires you to look at things differently than those around you.  Faith enables you to defeat your enemies, conquer your fears, and survive your failures.”
     Here was a major test for the people of Israel, and guess what?  They failed it.  Failed it because of a different possession of the situation in front of them; failed it because of a weak view of an almighty God.  We are living in a time of passiveness, a time when the pundits cry for tolerance, yet at the same time promote lawlessness and anarchy.  Don’t they see the foolishness of their thoughts and actions?  We, as believers, are to be God’s army for fighting against the powers of the world that are settled here, vying for your souls.  War comes, if only to test those who had not been in battle, or prepared for battle.  I think of Judges 3:2, “He did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience.” (NIV)
     “The school of faith is the school of life” (Wilson).  As you go out into the world today you may face the imps from the Pit, or perhaps it will be a “Goliath” that looms up his evil head in front of you.  Are you ready to take on the battle?  Jack Graham says, “Don’t let your perspective deter you from obedience.”  Go forward, faith is the victory, but you must be willing to face the enemy, draw your sword, take the risk.  The battle is there in front of you–everyday.  Yes, you train, yes, you prepare, but there is a time to face and go into the fray.

               “Into valleys, into waters,
               Into jungles, into hell,
               Let us ride, let us ride home again
               With a story to tell.
               Into darkness, into danger,
               Into storms that rip the night.
               Don’t give in, don’t give up
               But give thanks for the glorious fight…”
                     –Frank Wildhorn

     A hopeless situation will bring out your character.  The fire of battle will determine the kind of person you are.  Yet, we shun it, we don’t want to face the inevitable–the fight will be there.  Run and hide, then face days and years of wandering in the wilderness or dare to face what is in front of you in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Reject the taunts and laughter from the world, put on the armor of God and go into the fire.  And I like what Bill Wilson says, “You do not get strength for a battle; you get strength from the battle.”  Norman S. Marshall of the Salvation Army has this little prayer as we face the giants and enter the battle, “O Lord, you can turn night into day, fear into faith, defeat into victory.  Help us to get our eyes off the evidence of despair and look to You for help.  You have never lost a battle.  Amen!”