He held the coffee-pot in one hand and tin cup in the other, then hailed his partner cheerfully.”
–William MacLeod Raine (The Sheriff’s Son)
“Get yur hide sanctified, it’s not too late. Brother get branded, step through the gate…” Yeehaw, Pard come on and join in now. “Get yur hide sanctified…” Oh, yuh need yur tonsils liquefied ‘fore yuh can sing. What do yuh mean, yuh don’t know that song? It’s by that ol’ puncher, Wylie from up on that northern range. Or are yuh one of them that don’t believe in sanctification? Whew, Pard, that’s a long word, and I’ll tell yuh the truth, it’s a long process. It takes a person their whole life, and since we don’t believe in that there reincarnation, yuh best be gettin’ on with it.
Pard, I don’t want to get all theological on yuh this mornin’, but sanctification is one of those almost archaic words in the church, yet it is so vital to our walk with the Lord. Yep, Pard, coffee’s good, but don’t be changin’ the subject. When we get that changed heart, are born again, we are sanctified, but then the process begins. We take up the Lord’s yoke, our cross, and we begin travelin’ the glory road. We have the Holy Spirit guidin’ and teachin’ us along the way how to be “in Christ” and how to “grow in grace.”
Yur right, this coffee is good, my ol’ gizzard is doin’ some flips of joy. But back to what I was a-sayin’, we wear the brand of the Lord now and the enemy, that grim face, evil-eyed one is after us. We’re safe, ’cause we’re wearin’ the brand of the Lord. The Holy Spirit has done sealed us, but that don’t mean there’s not a fight. That’s why yuh have to keep yurself primed, guns loaded and ready for any hostile action by ol’ slewfoot.
Yuh have trouble with sufferin’, it ain’t the Lord; it’s the devil tryin’ to blot out the brand. Havin’ toils, and woes, and conniption fits, that’s the ol’ troll tryin’ to steal yur joy, tryin’ to rustle yuh away from the Lord. Pard, hang tight, he can’t do it…yur safe in the Lord’s herd, that’s why yuh keep on workin’ on bein’ sanctified. Why Pard, I heard recently of someone I know that purposely was changin’ over to the devil’s herd. Said life was too hard, too much work and sorrow and sufferin’ and that they didn’t believe in God any more. My mercy! Life happens, an’ when the devil throws things on our trail that should drive us closer to the One who keeps us.
Yuh been listenin’ to me, Pard, or just sittin’ back enjoyin’ that wonderful brew I made. That’s all right, Pard, I know yur branded by the Lord, it’s just that sometimes yuh don’t use yur noggin’ and check yur cinch ‘fore yuh mount. That’s just leavin’ an openin’ for that sneaky troll to strike at yuh. Yuh be primed and ready and doin’ what yuh can. “Ohhhhh, get yur hide sanctified…”
Vaya con Dios.