Month: January 2026

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

We can scare ourselves into insanity if we don’t get a hold of ourselves and shake the cobwebs off. It takes courage to live this life.”

                    –Ken Pratt  (The Gypsum Creek Massacre)

       “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”
                    –Acts 16:25 (NIV)
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Listen, get real!  Quit using the excuse when you sin, “I’m only human.”  If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times.  Yes, we are all human.  We all make mistakes, pursue bad decisions, and fall into sin and the reason is that we are human.  But don’t use that as an excuse, just know it as a fact.  Then, do something about it.
     If, and when, we sin we do not lose our salvation, know that for a fact, but as Francis Schaeffer puts it, “we do have separation from my Father in the parent-child relationship.”  There is an estrangement from the Father; we remember what we had and now sin has brought tension, strife, perhaps turmoil to our relationship.  It must be taken care of as soon as possible.  I have often thought of Adam as he was walking out of the Garden.  Stepping out, he stopped, looked back to see the cherubim take their posts with flaming swords to guard the entrance to make it impossible for Adam to get back in.  There was no way back in, there was no way for Adam to have the same relationship with a holy Father.  Gone were the days when he could walk in the Garden with God.  Paradise lost–indeed, Adam and Eve were no longer welcome in the presence of a holy God.
     Woe is mankind, woe is me.  But wait!  John writes to believers, to those who have accepted the redeeming grace of Jesus that relationship can be restored.  The way is to admit that we have sinned.  It cannot be excused, it cannot be blamed on someone or something else.  We must not say, “I’m only human,” or “I’m not perfect,” but go to God.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NKJV)  Relationship is now restored; God walks with us.
     Let me say this.  In the midst of suffering and sorrow; when we have given into sin–repent, try again, and do not stop rejoicing at any time.  Read the Psalms.  In David’s woes, trials, battles, and sin did he stop playing his harp at any time?  Philip Comfort reminds us that, “We too can stop in the midst of life’s tumult and disappointment and offer this prayer:  ‘Come, thou fount of ev’ry blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace.'”  Think of the times that Paul tells us to rejoice, rejoice.  We are not like Adam, the relationship can be restored.  Continue to praise and rejoice as you repent and know–know that the Father is there.

               “No ear so dull, no soul so cold,
               That felt not, friend not to the tone,
               Till David’s lyre grew mightier than his throne!”
                    –Lord Byron

     Let 2026 be known as a year of rejoicing in the Lord!  No matter the situation, no matter the circumstance, no matter the storm, no matter the battle–rejoice in the Lord!

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Apprenticeship’s over, and so is schooling. Time to be a man.”
                    –Chris Bennett  (Road to Revolution)

       “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
                    –Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
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We see here beginning in chapter 10 of Proverbs what is called antithetical parallelism.  This is a positive phrase followed by a negative phrase.  Mike Leake adds that these proverbs are the “path to truth in a misinformation age.”  I might also add that most translations use the term “son” where it does mean child of either sex.  As we see in verse 1, the NLT translates, “the wise child…”

          –“A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.” –NKJV
          –“A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.”  –ESV
          –“A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.”  –NLT

     It would be an interesting study of the Bible to see the stories of wise and foolish sons.  Sons who either blessed their parents or cursed them; bring joy or grief.  This begins at the beginning with Adam and Eve.  Cain brought a curse, Seth a blessing; Esau a curse, Isaac a blessing; and on down to David, Absalom a curse, Solomon a blessing.
     With verse 1 there is a need to keep in mind Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10:  wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.  “All wisdom flows from that spring.  The foolish son despises the Lord and His instruction.  And so it is in our relationship to the Lord that we bring our parents’ joy.” (Bob Beasley)  It is important to remember that the parents are to give godly instruction to their children, but it is still the decision of the individual child to choose to take it to heart or not.
     Grief versus gladness is the reality of life.  The words that the parents speak are important, but as J.L. Flores points out, “whether parents shall have gladness or grief in their children depends not so much upon the excellence of their words as upon the godliness of their lives.”  Our lives dictate much of what our children will perceive and hang on to.  Words and life go together and as Mike Leake points out, “The more a lie is shared the more it feels true.”  A child is to be given the truth, shown the truth and the child must choose the world’s view or the truth of God’s Word.  “The babbling fool comes to ruin; his reality isn’t grounded in truth.” (Leake)
     Know this, “The child’s behavior affects both parents.  Both parents find their joy or sadness in their child who demonstrates skill in life.” (NKJV Study Bible)  Therefore, as children of Father in heaven, our greatest calling then is to bring our heavenly Father joy.

 

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on
A good reputation is more valuable than the most expensive perfume.  In the same way, the day you die is better than the day you are born.”  –Ecclesiastes 7:1 (NLT)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
     I was trudging back through the deep snow that had fallen the past three days after checking on the horses.  They were comfortable in their stalls, but I had to spend some time mucking them out after the storm.  It was clearing and that meant the temperatures would drop.  I figured it would get down ’round zero tonight so I placed a couple of blankets on the backs of Hawk, Star, and Two-Bits, fed them some grain and oats and made sure they had plenty of water and hay.  Tomorrow I would let them out to romp in the snow.
     It was cold and the night would be even colder.  Before I entered the cabin, I picked up an armload of firewood.  That would save me at least one trip outside.  Entering the blast of warm air hit me, as well as the aroma of coffee, and biscuits.  Glancing over at the stove I saw that Molly was making sausage gravy for the biscuits.  She turned, smiling, holding up two eggs.  “These are the last two until I can get down to the diner.”
     Placing the wood near the fireplace I checked the kindling for the stove and saw that the box was almost full.  I then poked around the logs in the fireplace, moving them a bit then added a couple of the large pieces I brought in.  It was sure comfortable inside compared to being out in the cold.  My morning cup was still on the table.  I glanced in it, then went to the stove to retrieve the pot sitting there.  Molly was just finishing up so I headed to my chair at the table.
     Molly brought two platefuls of biscuits and gravy each with an egg on top.  We bowed our heads, and she offered the blessing for the food, for the life the Lord had provided, and for the coming year.  When she said that I had forgotten that we were now in a new year.  My mercy, where does the time go?  Had it really been fifteen years ago since I left Texas and the Rangers?  Don’t seem hardly possible.
     “There’s plenty of wood,” I mentioned before taking a large bite.  “I need to walk down to the jail to check on the prisoners.”
     “Do you really have to go?” she questioned.  “Isn’t Lucas staying there?”
     “I wouldn’t go, but they are federal prisoners.  Lucas is there and feeding them,” I stopped to laugh.  “I don’t know how good a cook he is, but for sure his coffee is terrible.”
     Molly gave a little cackle.  “Miles, anyone can heat up a can of beans.”
     “I probably would have let Lucius out, but he needed to care for his brother.  It was a good thing too, as Doc wouldn’t have been able to make it up to the jail.  I imagine with the snow no longer coming down that he’ll try today.”  I paused to take a swallow from the cup then hoisted another forkful of gravy with biscuit to my mouth.  After chewing and swallowing most of it.  “If they weren’t federal prisoners, the trial would have already been over.  I don’t know when the district judge will get here with all this snow.”
     “You go do your duty, and maybe, just maybe I’ll have us a butterscotch pie ready when you get back,” she informed me.
     My eyes lit up.  “A fella could get fat an’ lazy sittin’ ’round the house, nice and warm and cozy.”
     “Hmpf,” came the sound from her.  “No pie until you chop some more wood.  Leave the plate and get going.  The faster you get outta here, the sooner you’ll get back.”
     Within minutes I was on my way to the jail.  It took time with the heavy snow on the road.  I noticed on my walk that there was no one out.  The streets were full of snow and no one had ventured out.  I was pleased to see Lucas in front of the jail shoveling snow from the boardwalk.  
     He saw me approaching as he looked up from his work.  “Senor Marshal, I am so glad you are here.  The man, Mort, he has gone loco.”
     “What do you mean?” I asked opening the door.
     “Kid!  Is that you?  I need some help!” came the sound from the cell.  
     I opened the door to the cell room and saw Lucius sitting on top of his brother.  “Marshal, am I glad to see you…”

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

To be a man was to be responsible. It was as simple as that. To be a man was to build some-thing, to try to make the world about him a bit easier to live in for himself and those who followed. You could sneer at that, you could scoff, you could refuse to acknowledge it, but when it came right down to it, Conn decided it was the man who planted a tree, dug a well, or graded a road who mattered.”
                    –Louis L’Amour  (Conagher)

       “But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation.  The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
                    –Luke 6:49 (NIV)
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I have greatly enjoyed watching The Chosen over the seasons.  One item that I disagree with is when Jesus is “preparing” for the Sermon on the Mount.  The film shows Him anxious, even fretful; He says He has to make it right.  It is my humble opinion that Jesus was not anxious, nor fearful of making a public speech.  We read several places in Scripture not to fear, nor to have anxiety.  This was His calling, part of His great purpose.  Jesus is the message–the message is Jesus.
     The Sermon on the Mount, oh my, what a series of life lessons, of ethics in which to guide one’s life.  John Stott says, “Here is a Christian value-system, ethical standard, religious devotion, attitude to money, ambition, lifestyle and network of relationships–all of which are totally at variance with those of the non-Christian world.”  If we have trouble with them, then check to see how close to the world we are living.  
     There are two main views regarding this “Sermon.”  One is that it was one sermon given on one day.  The other is that it is a set of sermons preached throughout Jesus’ ministry and Matthew simply placed them together as a whole.  There are some, of which I agree, that believe it could have been one sermon, but that they were also taught throughout His ministry.  I have started a study, as you can see, on what we call the Beatitudes.  One thing I have not noticed before now is the eschatological aspect of these verses as well as the practical meaning.  Keep that in mind as we look at them together.
     John Stott writes, “The beatitudes set forth the blessings God gives to those in whom He is working such a character–blessings given not as a reward for merit but as a gift of grace.”  The writing of Matthew simply begins, “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.  Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:” (Matthew 5:1-2, NKJV)  When “He opened His mouth” is used as a solemn, grave, and dignified utterance.  The Greeks thought of it an “oracle”–a weighty saying.  In other words–LISTEN!  Listen, take to heart the words of Jesus.  According to William Barclay, this means that, “A person is really opening his heart and fully pouring out his mind.  It is used of intimate teaching with no barriers between.”
     To close out this introduction I want you to think of the setting and Jesus opening His heart to the disciples and to the multitude that had gathered.  Contemplate, ponder, meditate simply on the words of these two simple verses.  Then I want you to get into the imagery that Thomas Watson portrays:  
          “Here is a garden of delight, where you may pluck those flowers which will deck the hidden man of your heart.  Here is the golden key, which will open the gates of Paradise!  Here is the conduit of the Gospel, running wine to nourish as are poor in spirit and pure in heart.  Here is the rich cabinet wherein the Pearl of Blessedness is locked up.  Here is the gold pot in which that manna which will feed and revive the soul unto everlasting life.  Here is a way chalked out to the Holy of Holies.”