I say I prefer to use the Word. But sometimes you have to get their attention before they’ll listen.”
                    –Elmer Kelton  (Badger Boy)

       “But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward.”
                    –Jeremiah 7:24 (NLT)
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I know that on Tuesday there is usually a story about Miles Forrest.  Since I’m on vacation and Miles is speaking with Holly McBride of the Colorado Mounted Rangers I thought I’d leave him alone.  He sent me a telegram and one to Molly saying that there were tracks down and he was going to be held up for a few days.

I have been tempted to stop my series on Miles, but I get enjoyment from doing it.  It is a way to convey a truth of life or from God’s Word in story form.  I attempt to write it in the form of the old magazine or radio serials.  Miles has given me fun, and helped me produce four novels.  Miles may be back next week, but if not, look for him in October and be ready for another exciting adventure in those days of yesteryear in the Old West.

     I thought I’d just throw out a few thoughts.  I watched most of the Charlie Kirk memorial service.  Quite stirring.  I heard some good preachings from the politicians and leaders of our country; better than what is coming out of many pulpits.  Now time will tell…  Who knows, only God, but this could be the last great chance for America to turn back to God.  God places men and governments in position to use for many reasons, one of which is to help straighten out a nation, to bring it back to godly morality and righteousness.  We must not let this chance go by.  Many times in the Old Testament we read where God sent prophets to warn the people and for the people to repent and come back.  Now time will tell…
     There is an old saying that you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.  I saw recently something added to that–You can show a person the truth but you can’t make them think.  Hmmm.  Two more things for today.  The first is, when you see people cheering over the death of others and mocking them, that is a sure sign of demonic activity.  Beware of these people!  The second is that when God opens the door for revival, the choice is given.  It can bring refreshing and renewal to those who seek God, but for those who reject it, it could mean the hardening of their hearts.  Pharaoh had the opportunity to listen, but his heart was hardened.  Paul writes that God will give those who do not turn to Him over to a debased mind (Romans 1:28)  We also read in 2 Thessalonians that God, during the Tribulation, will send a “strong delusion, that they should believe the lie. (2:11)  If the people do not want to repent, to change, to believe then they are in grave danger.  It will not get better with them, but they will become more bitter and there will be more hatred stirred in their hearts.
     As believers we are to rejoice as we travel this life.  The old song says, “Keep on the sunny side of life.  It will help us every day; it will brighten all the way…” (Ada Blenkhorn)  Stand firm, be a model for others, be a light along the way, and continue onward and upward on the glory trail.

A snake ain’t dead until you cut off its head.”
                    –Donald L. Robertson  (Tortured Season)

       “He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock.”

Do right! Always do right. Sometimes that means helping others to make things right.”
                    –B.N. Rundell  (Naches Trail)

       “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
                    –Luke 19:10 (NKJV)
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Jeremiah tells us, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (33:3, NKJV)  Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NKJV)  The call is, “come to Me!”  Then know that help is available.  There is so much that man can do in the physical and intellectual realm that often they do not realize that there is a higher Power who they can come to.  In the arena of the spiritual, though, it must all come through Jesus.
     Man can endure much.  I have read many accounts of POWs and what they had to endure, but even in those trying circumstances most would say that it was hope and faith in God and in our country that aided them and gave them strength.  When the early Christians marched into the Colosseum they could do so only in the strength of Christ.   When man tries to be good in his own self their ending is frustration and no matter what, man can never be good enough.  Paul reminds us of this, “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” (Romans 7:19, NKJV)  Then he shows his frustration–“O wretched man that I am!…”(Romans 7:24, NKJV)
     I came across a little story that is told of a highly successful businessman who was once asked by a reporter if he considered himself a self-made man.  “Yes,” he replied.  Then after a thoughtful moment he added, “But if I had it to do over again, I would call in some help.”  Humorous, yes.  Thoughtful, yes.  Truthful, a resounding, yes.  A self-made man in the eyes of the world may be on their way to Perdition.  There will be no self-made men in heaven in regard to their spiritual well-being.  Yes, we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, but we do not save ourselves.  Yes, we are to do good works, but those good works do not save us, we do them because we are saved.
     In the midst of turmoil, where is our help?  When terror strikes, a bullet seeks a victim, a person overdoses, a marriage fails–where is our help?  In this lostness of time in which we live we cry–“O wretched man that I am!”  Now, to the good part.  When we cry out there is a loving Savior there, with hands outstretched ready to help.  To finish up Paul’s frustration, “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24, NKJV)  Go ahead answer…Jesus!  Where does my help come from?  Jesus!  Who can I turn to when there is no human solution?  Jesus!  When I need a Savior, when I need a friend, who is there for me?  Jesus!  He is the God who is there!  

A disciplined calmness seemed to permeate the man.”
                    –Henry McLaughlin  (Journey to Riverbend)