Author: Ira Paine

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

But nature never wavered. If you messed up or just got unlucky, nature would drown you, freeze your blood, or cook you with lightning no matter how you begged or bargained.”
                    –John Deacon  (The Provider 2)

        “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
                     –Matthew 24:27 (NIV)
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          “The fear of the wicked will come upon him, and the desires of the righteous will be granted.  When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation.”  –Proverbs 10:24-25 (NKJV)
          “What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.  When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.”  –Proverbs 10;24-25 (ESV)

What is the deep-seated dread of the wicked?  They may deny, disregard, and even show contempt for the idea, but it is that God will ultimately overtake them, judge them, and send them to perdition.  Therefore, they attempt to escape in one form or another until that day.  Bob Beasley writes, “People hide themselves in religion, good works, temporal wealth and position, revelry and promiscuity, drugs and alcohol, and other diversions.  But whatever they try will not extricate them from the coming storm of God’s wrath.”  We read in Acts, “Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained…”. (17:31, NKJV)  There is an appointment awaiting everyone.
     Ironically, the righteous desire the same as the wicked dread–to meet God face to face.  Yes, we all have to stand before the Almighty, but the righteous stand redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ.  Right from the beginning, Adam and Eve tried to hide, escape the face of God.  Why?  Their sin made it so they could not stand to face God.  They knew they had broken His commandments, sin had entered.  Man continues to hide in one form or another, but there is no use.  Paul writes that, “They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts.  Their consciences confirm this.  Their competing thoughts will either accuse or excuse them.” (Romans 2:15, HCSB)
     Dan Dick says that “the future of the evildoer is similar to that which lies in the path of a tornado.  In its time, it will be swept completely away, and after the coming of the Lord, it will be as if it never existed.”  I felt the fear of the tornado on the ground, seeing its wicked tail begin to form in the sky, ever twisting and moving downward.  A once peaceful valley, sun shining and normal life going on.  Then the sky darkens, the greenish evil-looking sky becomes menacing and in a matter of seconds what was once peaceful and serene is in the throes of an angry destructive tornado.  They are the same we see then, the wicked and the whirlwind as both are destructive forces. This is in direct contrast to the righteous.  They will remain after the storm.  “When our foundation is the Lord of all creation, there is nothing that can destroy us.” (Dick)  
     It isn’t fair today–but there is a coming day when the fears of the wicked will be realized and justice will prevail.  I recall what Luke wrote about the rich man on earth who lived in luxury every day.  Near his house there was a beggar named Lazarus who was covered in sores, hungry, even willing to eat what the rich man threw away.  He was in such a poor situation that the dogs would come and lick his sores.  Now there is justice, both died.  Lazarus went to Abraham’s side, he was now in complete comfort.  The rich man, however, went to hell and was tormented.  One shunned the other on earth, now a great gulf separated them.  The rich received his comfort, though temporal on earth while the beggar Lazarus, though tormented on earth, was now in the comfort of godly saints. (Luke 16:19-31).
     The best way to have our wills satisfied is to be godly.  “Our will must be agreeable to God’s will, the desire must be holy, and seasoned with the Spirit; and not carnal and corrupted by the flesh.” (John Dod)  Nothing can be built upon the whirlwind, the hopes and desires and lusts of the wicked will be blown to kingdom come.  “Thus righteousness is a constructive force in the world–a foundation without which society cannot exist.” (J.L. Flores)  Think of what the righteous, the church, does to calm the destructive forces of evil and sin on earth.  All of the world benefits, but my friend a day is coming–there is an Appointment.  When the Lord returns for His saints, the world will rush into havoc and chaos.

 

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on
Don’t eavesdrop on others–you may hear your servant laughing at you. For you know how often you yourself have laughed at others.”  –Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 (NLT)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     The district attorney Luther and I discussed the situation further.  He said five years would probably be the most he could get and that Davy Logan might get probation due to the amputation of his hand.
     “Listen, Counselor, I have two concerns.  The young bucks think that they have a personal warpath against the Navaho.  Both Ignacio and Coloraw have for all practical purposes kicked them out.  They are on their own and it seems like they have a personal vendetta.  Something they must prove, at least to themselves.  My other concern is that Charlie Two-Face will take it upon himself to bring justice to these renegades.  There are two families without anyone to care for their needs, plus the means in which they were killed.”
     “Miles, what do you want me to do?”
     “Can you give me another week?  I’d like to talk with the two men some more.  Blackhand is a dilemma,” I requested, then got up to get the coffeepot.
     Luther was shaking his head, then a smile appeared.  “People think the law is easy.  But there are sometimes situations such as this, that there is no right solution.  Most likely, “he paused, taking time to stroke his goatee before speaking again, “they should be tried for murder.  But without witnesses…” he shrugged, “what can I do?”
     He looked my direction.  “We could take a chance.  Hope that the jury will find them guilty and at least put them in prison,” he paused to repeat his actions with the little beard.  “Of course, they may just request Judge Klaser to listen to the case and bring judgment, and…” shaking his head, “I know the Judge will want witnesses.”
     “I don’t know what I can do, but at least a week.”
     “That I can do without making a formal charge.  But then we have to decide.”
     Reaching out my hand, we shook.  “Thanks Luther for taking the time to see me.  I’m not happy with the way things are turning out.  I’m convinced that they are guilty, and I’m not sure that any rehabilitation is possible.”
     The rest of the week I moved in and out of the jail, speaking with the two men held there.  Logan was in a stupor most of the time with the laudanum that Doc had given him.  However, from time to time I could see his eyes flash full of hatred when he looked at me.  Billy Blackhand, he could be amiable at times, then the hatred came forth from him as well.
     Finally, I laid it out in front of them.  “There’s a chance you may be set free.”  Billy’s eyes lit up.  “If you’re free to walk out of here, what will be your plans?”
     He didn’t hesitate, “I will find Coloraw and ride with him as he fights and kills the white men.”
     At least he was straightforward.  “You won’t go back to fighting the Navaho?” I questioned.
     Hesitating, I could see him working his jaws.  “Only if Coloraw attacks them.”
     I nodded, then I had to ask, “What will you do if Coloraw doesn’t accept you back?”
     He turned his back, looking at the wall, then down at Logan.  “Then you will see, lawman, you will see.”
     Sighing I left the jail.  Lucas glanced at me as I entered the office.  I met his eyes and just shook my head…

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

I suspect everybody wants to have it all when they’re young… Maybe a man shouldn’t have it when he’s young. It robs him of something, giving him all he can have when he’s too young to know what he’s got.”
                    –Louis L’Amour  (The Man From the Broken Hills)

       So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
                    –2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV)
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          “Oh! to be like Thee!  
          Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.”
               –Thomas O. Chisholm

Last week we looked in our study on the Beatitudes signs of an impure heart.  Phillips translates Matthew 5:8, this way, “Happy are the utterly sincere, for they will see God.”  Sincerity in its completeness.  When we sincerely want God’s image to be our image, when we want Him stamped “deep on our hearts” then we are utterly sincere.  So how do we become, and remain pure?    
    Psalm 32:2 reminds us, “Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.” (NIV)  The pure heart, one with no deceit in it.  It is sincere, and one way to think about it, the heart breathes after purity.  Sin is vile and foul to the pure in heart, and they refuse to entertain it at all.  They do not even want the hint of sin to be around them.  They abhor sin and will avoid the appearance of evil.
    Separation is a key, as we have already discussed earlier.  To be separate from evil is to have a pure heart.  We prepare ourselves and guard our hearts by watching our steps, our actions, our mouths.  With a pure heart there will be outward signs, one of which is a deep reverence for the things of God.  Paul reminds us, “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1, NIV)  There are things for us to be doing.  It is not magical, but it takes effort and discipline.  No, it is not self-flagellation, but a desire to be like God.
     Where do we start?  With the Word of God.  We must look often into the Word of God.  Sometimes it might be a brief check as we leave the house, other times, we must spend time in front of the mirror of God’s Word.  Thomas Watson declares that, “The Word is both a looking-glass to show us the spots of our souls–and a laver to wash them away!”  We have already been made pure (justification) by the blood of Christ, but we should never forget that we should often bathe in the Word of God.  
     Faith!  Faith is always one of the key elements in any part of the Christian’s walk.  We read in Acts, “And made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” (15:9, NKJV)  Faith helps us purify our hearts.  We walk by faith, we work by faith, we serve by faith, we sleep by faith–in other words, our life should be marked by a life of faith.  Then we breathe after the Holy Spirit.  As Chisholm wrote, “Stamp Thine own image…”.  The image of Christ, or the image of self as we walk through this world.  Do not be close to the world, that will do nothing but tarnish the heart, not purify it.  “Beware of the society of the wicked,” warns Thomas Watson.  Yet, so many seek the thrills, the haunts, and the seeming excitement of the places of the world.  Walk, my friend, with those who are pure, not with those who are sordid, not with those who would sully your heart.
          O to be like Thee!  Blessed Redeemer,
          This is my constant longing and prayer;
          Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
          Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.
T.O. Chisholm suggests that to be like Christ we must forfeit earth’s treasures.  Not just forfeit them, but “gladly” do it.  A pure heart–stay away from ungodly people, stay away from the stench and stain of evil, and then breathe in the freshness of the Holy Spirit and walk with those who are themselves pure in heart.

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

She crossed the room from the wood stove and held out a steaming mug in front of her. ‘Here you go, strong enough to lay railroad tracks on its own.’” 

                    –James Leonard  (The Marshal)
 
“Ol’ Dan Tucker was a fine ol’ man; he washed his face in a fryin’ pan…”  Well, howdy-do, Pard, an’ good mornin’ to yuh.  My, half-way through May already.  Got the coffee on, an’ don’t be a-feared, I don’t plan on wastin’ it throwin’ on the floor to see if’n I can use it for a foundation.  Don’t think it’d make good varnish even, but it might be good for refinishin’ some furniture if’n I was still doin’ that sorta stuff.
     Tryin’ my best to stay from politikin’ as it makes me grumble, and adds some extra juice to muh innards.  Can’t do much about it, exceptin’ to pray.  It’s all in the Lord’s hands, but in the meantime a person can get stirred up ’bout some of the foolishness and lack of common sense.  Why I was readin’ what that ol’ sage of the past wrote.  Yuh might remember him, rode the riverboats for a while.  Twain was his name, he spoke a truism, “No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot.”  Now ain’t that the truth!  Take that to the halls of Congress and into the court rooms.
     Speakin’ of courts.  The shysters are a mess.  Judges and lawyers alike an’ some of them don’t care ’bout justice at all.  Play with the system, dilly-dally around with the truth in front of them.  Run by their own agenda rather than the code of law.  If’n yuh ever read the Prophets, yul find that one of the indictments against Israel by most of them is a crooked and perverse justice system.  The “alleged” shooter of Charlie Kirk….I would ask where is the speedy trial.  Instead the shysters play at their shenanigans.  Hmmm, wonder who’s payin’ his legal fees.  Pard, let me be a tellin’ yuh, an’ I got this from a pard on that thar social media.  It’s taken from Proverbs 11:3, but put down to language liken yuh can handle.  “A crooked man don’t need the dark to hide.”  Ain’t that the truth!
     We need more like ol’ Dan, and perhaps use the fryin’ pan to be knockin’ some sense in the noggin’ of some of them polecats.  Ol’ Miles, from time to time, has been able to smell the aroma of the Pale Rider, well, I’m a-thinkin’ it ain’t jist smog we’re a-smellin’ or the garbage left in the streets.  It’s the odor from them legal and political shysters.  Pard, tighten that cinch down, or yuh jist might come out to find yur saddle missin’.  Taken by one of them illegals, or given to some bum, by one of them shysters.
     Breath deep, but beware yuh jist might come up with an aroma that might cause yuh to turn green.  No matter what, as I already tolt yuh, the Lord’s in charge.  The fools are all around and in various places thinkin’ they got it under control, but they’re doin’ nothin’ but a-foolin’ themselves.  Yep, there’s plenty of them fools fools out there.
     Yuh keep ridin’ straight and for the brand of the Lord.  Don’t be dilly-dallyin’ no place yuh don’t belong.  Gun oiled an’ handy, Bible read an’ ready for use.  An’ Pard, besides the coffee in the mornin’ don’t be leavin’ without be prayed up.  Varmints, hostiles, imps, an’ skunks are lurkin’ about.
      Vaya con Dios.