A man should be strict with himself.”
–Louis L’Amour (Down the Long Hills)
“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”
–Psalm 119:15-16 (ESV)
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What is it that you find your mind thinking about? When you drive, where is your mind, your thoughts? Before sleep finally overtakes you, what are your last thoughts of the day? When morning comes is it the proverbial “good morning Lord,” or is it, “good Lord, morning”? What are your thoughts as you prepare for the day? I could go on and on with examples, but the question is, where do you keep your mind?
Contemplate deeply for a few minutes on the words of the Psalmist, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2, NIV) The CEV puts it this way, “Instead, they find happiness in the Teaching of the LORD, and they think about it day and night.” I would now ask, how much time do you think about the Lord? How much time do you think about His Word, or pray unceasingly? Look at the same verse from the TLB, “But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely.”
Who is this person? Go back to verse one. They are the individuals who shun sin, stay away from those in the system of the world, and do not walk in darkness. What do they do? They “walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” In other words, they walk the way of righteousness, they stand firm in their faith, are courageous and strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)
How important is it to keep our thoughts on the things of God? Andrew Murray gives us some thoughts to ponder. “It is in meditation that the heart holds and appropriates the Word. Just as in reflection the understanding grasps all the meaning and bearings of a truth, so in meditation the heart assimilates it and makes it a part of its own life. We need continual reminding that the heart means the will and affection. The meditation of the heart implies desire, acceptance, surrender, love. Out of the heart are the issues of life; what the heart truly believes, that it receives with love and joy, and allows to master and rule the life. The intellect gathers and prepares the food on which we are to feed. In meditation the heart takes it in and feeds on it.”
Resolve, in your heart and mind, to dwell upon the Word of God.
Month: July 2026
Coffee Percs
He built a fire, boiled some coffee, fried some corn fritters, beans and lean salt pork. They ate under a desert willow growing near a small spring.”
–R.O. Lane (Will Fain: West Texas)
Greetin’s Pard, hope yur doin’ fine. Been thinkin’ ’bout yuh this mornin’ an’ trust that yur gettin’ yur coffee somewhere or brewin’ yur own. Time’s shor does changes things. Not only does it affect my purty looks and enthrallin’ personality, but the way it’s brewed.
Gone are the days when I used to carry a pot and a bag of coffee in the ol’ steel mount. Gone are the times when we would eat out lunch on the road an’ I could brew up a small pot. Gone are the days of a sterno stove or the little tripod for a hexamine tablet. The ol’ starter’s startin’ harder, an’ the ol’ gettin’ is gettin’ got.
Gone are the days of ridin’ up to the high country, doin’ some fishin’ an’ brewin’ coffee over a fire or the Coleman. Bacon by the lake, along with eggs, biscuits, and strong coffee are part of the memory now. Good memories! Gone are the times of sittin’ in a tent, sippin’ coffee and listenin’ to the rain beat on the canvas or watchin’ it hit the once burnin’ campfire causin’ it to sizzle.
May yur belly never grumble,
May yur heart never ache,
May yur hoss never stumble,
May yur cinch never break.
May yur coffee always be strong,
May the pot never go dry,
May you continue to amble along,
May yur table always be filled with plenty of pie.
The Lord be keepin’ yuh ’til our trails cross again. Ride tall in the saddle, don’t be takin’ no wooden nickels, remember, not only is the Lord directing yur steps along the trail He is already around the bend ‘for yuh get there.
Vaya con Dios.
Echoes From the Campfire
Men who were used to working on a ranch didn’t have to wait for directions or orders. They just did what was necessary.”
–Cliff Hudgins (Viejo and the Outlaw)
“…Let me see your face; let me hear your voice. For your voice is pleasant, and your face is lovely.”
–Song of Solomon 2:14(NLT)
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“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
–Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
“I’m desperate for You,” is a song that is often sung. Hmmm, but is the person who sings really desperate? Singing and talking is one thing, but is there purpose and real desire behind it, or is it something that is just sung? Charles G. Finney wrote about his experience. “I found I could not live without enjoying the presence of God; and if at any time a dark streak came over me, I could not rest, I could not study, I could not attend to anything with the least satisfaction or benefit, until the medium was again opened between my soul and God.” –I’m desperate for You.
What is it that might distract us? What is it that keeps us from seeking Him wholeheartedly? What is that keeps us from serving Him with undying devotion? Do we truly hunger and thirst after righteousness? –I’m desperate for You. Read the words of Augustine and see his heart beating to have more of the Lord Jesus Christ. “I tasted, and still hunger and thirst. Thou touchedst me, and I burned for Thy peace…. And now my whole life is nothing but in thine exceeding great mercy. Give what Thou commandest, and commend what Thou wilt.”
Don’t make excuses that you didn’t know the way. It isn’t hidden, it is plain to see. The Holy Spirit is our Guide, follow His directions, step in His steps. Get a grip, get a firm grip on the way that you should go. Don’t waver! “Settle this point then, first of all, and let no suggestion of doubt turn you from a steadfast faith in regard to it, that Divine guidance has been promised, and that, if you seek it, you are sure to receive it.” (Hannah Whitall Smith) –I’m desperate for You. I like the way the NLT puts the above Psalm,
“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Assurance, confidence, trust, faithfulness–it is all there, He will…!
“…Let me see your face; let me hear your voice. For your voice is pleasant, and your face is lovely.”
–Song of Solomon 2:14(NLT)
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“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
–Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
“I’m desperate for You,” is a song that is often sung. Hmmm, but is the person who sings really desperate? Singing and talking is one thing, but is there purpose and real desire behind it, or is it something that is just sung? Charles G. Finney wrote about his experience. “I found I could not live without enjoying the presence of God; and if at any time a dark streak came over me, I could not rest, I could not study, I could not attend to anything with the least satisfaction or benefit, until the medium was again opened between my soul and God.” –I’m desperate for You.
What is it that might distract us? What is it that keeps us from seeking Him wholeheartedly? What is that keeps us from serving Him with undying devotion? Do we truly hunger and thirst after righteousness? –I’m desperate for You. Read the words of Augustine and see his heart beating to have more of the Lord Jesus Christ. “I tasted, and still hunger and thirst. Thou touchedst me, and I burned for Thy peace…. And now my whole life is nothing but in thine exceeding great mercy. Give what Thou commandest, and commend what Thou wilt.”
Don’t make excuses that you didn’t know the way. It isn’t hidden, it is plain to see. The Holy Spirit is our Guide, follow His directions, step in His steps. Get a grip, get a firm grip on the way that you should go. Don’t waver! “Settle this point then, first of all, and let no suggestion of doubt turn you from a steadfast faith in regard to it, that Divine guidance has been promised, and that, if you seek it, you are sure to receive it.” (Hannah Whitall Smith) –I’m desperate for You. I like the way the NLT puts the above Psalm,
“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Assurance, confidence, trust, faithfulness–it is all there, He will…!
Echoes From the Campfire
Ain’t chairty. It’s called hospitality. I’ll never deny a man a cup of coffee or a drink of water.”
–Brad Denison (The Long Trail)
“For I am not aware of anything against myself; however I am not vindicated by this, but the one who examines me is the Lord.”
–1 Corinthians 4:4 (NASB)
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Several years ago, during the summer, instead of Daily Paines or Echoes, I wrote A Taste of Cool Water. Oh, that is wonderful relief for a parched throat. I remember the days when I worked landscaping. The water hose was always available and the water was cool and refreshing. How many gallons did I drink over the summer? Today, there is a drought of water, of cool refreshing water in the land. The Word of God is here in plenty, yet not adhered to, obeyed, or listened to. Christians even do not drink from the fountain of Christ–they do not obey, or listen to, or seek the Word. Soon, I fear that the words of Amos will come to pass in our country.
“‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but shall not find it.'” (8:11-12, NKJV)
One day, a person will find they are so thirsty for the Word of God and will look for it for naught. There will be plenty of things to drink, most not nourishing, but that cool water that flows from the Lord will not be found. They will wander from here to there, seeking refreshing water. They will come upon an oasis only to find it dry. Now is the day of salvation, know this, grasp this, for the day is coming when it will be too late.
Self-deception is keeping many from drinking from the waters from above. That man thinks he can work out his salvation. No, salvation comes from Christ alone, then the works come. Seek the refreshing water of the Spirit–NOW! Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “Who stands fast? Only the man whose final standard is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom, or his virtue, but who is ready to sacrifice all this when he is called to obedience and responsible action in faith and in exclusive allegiance to God.”
Drink deeply of the cool water of the Holy Spirit. Ahhh, the refreshing water…