Author: Ira Paine

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on
Believe me, no man knows what it means to be scared until he has to think of others besides himself. . . those he’s supposed to care for and protect.”
                    –Louis L’Amour  (Fallon)

       “Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!'”
                    –Mark 9:24 (NKJV)
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As we look at the next portion of Psalm 107, I want you to ponder the words of Charles H. Spurgeon:  “Prayer is good in a storm.  We may pray staggering and reeling, and pray when we are at our wit’s end.  God will hear us amid the thunder and answer us out of the storm…  And when God makes peace, it is peace indeed, the peace of God that passes all understanding.”

          23 — Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters,
          24 — They see the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep.
          25 — For He commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves of the sea.
          26 — They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths; their soul melts because of trouble.
          27 — They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
          28 — Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses.
          29 — He calms the storm, so that its waves are still.
          30 — Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven.
          31 — Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!
          32 — Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, and praise Him in the company of the elders.  (NKJV)

     I’ve been through all types of storms, but I cannot imagine a raging storm at sea, especially back in the days of wooden ships.  When I read this section I can imagine the waves crashing over the bow, the ship reeling this way and that.  Sailors try to batten down the hatches, but the storm is so bad that it is to no avail.  I think of the storm with Jonah and then again of the storm where the disciples feared for their lives.  In both cases, they cried out to God as this psalm says to do.  In their trouble they remember Him.
     The storm ceased to rage, the NLT translates verse 29 like this, “He calmed the storm to a whisper…”  The angry waves were now calm, as were the spirits within the men aboard the ship.  But that was not the end, God then brings them safely to their “desired haven.”  He doesn’t leave them out on the open sea, another storm could arise, but he brings them to harbor–where they needed to be.
     That’s the second thing I want you to ponder.  As you think of the fierceness of the storm, make it personal.  Apply it to the storm that rages within your soul.  Some may have never called upon the Lord.  I read about John Newton, who was a foul man who found the Lord in the midst of a raging storm.  His ship was being torn to shreds and he struggled not to drown, but the storm caused him to cry out to God.  It may be that you are going through the trials of life like you have never seen them before.  It seems that your very soul is being torn to shreds by the storm.  There was a song that I heard then evangelist Mike Purkey sing (perhaps it was written by Squire Parsons),
 
               “One night upon the sea, a ship was tossing to and fro,
               Breakers dashed on every hand, angry winds around them blowed,
               All on board were filled with fright, as the mighty billows rolled,
               Then they called upon the one, who the winds and waves controlled.
   
               When He reaches down His hand, billows cease at His command,
               Wind and waves obey His will.  When He says to them ‘be still’
               What Man is this they all did say, that the wind and sea obey,
               He’s the one who sails with me, He’s the Master of the sea.”

     When it seems that you are sinking deep into the sea of despair, call upon the Master.  When the house crumbles around you because of the tempest call upon the Master of the storm.  When, like Job, everything is taken away and you cannot see or understand why, call upon the One who cares for you–your Redeemer.  When the pestilence of disease strikes, hope seems feeble, turn to the Master of your faith who will bring hope to you.

               “Thy way is on the deep, O Lord!
               E’en there we’ll go with Thee;
               We’ll meet the tempest at Thy word,
               And walk upon the sea.”
                        –James Martineau

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

They’ve just brewed a fresh pot of coffee, and if you’ve been out long in this weather, I’d imagine you could use it!”

                     –Chris Bennett  (Sedition)
 
Mornin’ to yuh, Pard.  Yuh got yur longhandles on?  Sorta shake my head at the notion, but I remember when we used to ride that north country.  Why, we wore them all the time through the winter.  Don’t even own a pair anymore, but lookin’ at what the weather seers are sayin’ I might be needin’ them.  Not only that, my ol’ body thermostat don’t work so well anymore; I get cold quicker and stay that way longer.  I’ve heard of some folk havin’ ice water in their veins, but I’ll be having a spa right now.
      If’n the electricity goes out, I’ll just find another blanket.  Went and purchased a two-burner camp stove, just in case; that way I can keep the coffee on.  A couple of years ago we were without electricity for a day or so, and the kitchen and dinin’ room flooded because of the hot water heater.  Not expectin’ no troubles this time like that.  
     Pard, I had somethin’ profound to be speakin’ at yuh this mornin’, but plum forgot what it was.  That happens from time to time nowadays.  At least I remembered to get the coffee on.  Made some from a roaster called “Abeantogo.”  How ’bout that for a handle?  It was taken from that youngster who faced the fiery furnace back in ol’ ‘Nezzar’s day.  Mighty tasty coffee.  Hot coffee–sure is good on a day like today, an’ expect to be makin’ several pots over the next week.
     Yuh know, it’s one thing to sit by the fire and listen to that cold north wind a howlin’ in the trees.  It’s shore another thing to be out in it.  The chilly fingers of freezin’ temperatures will slowly strangle the warmth out of the body.  Why I remember the times I was so cold that my bones actually hurt, especially in the finger and toes.  Makes me think of all those “cold” souls out there walkin’ around when they could be warmed by the “fire” of the Holy Spirit.  There’s a reason that fire is one of His symbols for it is the Fire that brings soothin’ warmth to the cold spirit, similar to that hot cup of coffee yur a-holdin’ in yur hands. 
     Pard, stay warm as yuh can, don’t take no unnecessary trips.  Be sure and warm up yur hoss’s bridle and tighten that cinch.
     Vaya con Dios.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

I don’t praise a man after he’s done the very thing I’ve warned him not to do.”

                    –Ralph Compton  (The Goodnight Trail)

       “Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
                    –Matthew 25:30 (NLT)
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There is a very pertinent verse that is often overlooked in the Gospel of John.  I have heard the story about the wedding in Cana, and I know that the mother of Jesus came to Him for help.  Jesus proclaimed to her that His time had not yet come, meaning that He was not entering into His ministry openly yet.  However, being the dutiful son, He will do what His mother requests.  Now, get this verse from the mouth of Mary:

               “His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it.'”
                         –John 2:5 (NKJV)

       This was great advice at the time, but it is so simple that we often don’t think much of it.   No questions, no hesitating on our part, it is very simple, do what He says.  Jesus says in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (NKJV)  Such a simple statement, but do we really keep His commandments, or do we begin to make excuses of one type or another?
       I was reading the other day and came across this by James Merritt.  He wrote that when we are going through a situation where you don’t know what to do God will test you.  He will test you in two main ways:  patience and obedience.  When He finally shows you what to do–do it.  “Whatever He says to you, do it.”  “God tests us by our faith, but He measures us by our obedience.” (Merritt)
       Perhaps the biggest challenge in life is doing what you already know to do.  James wrote, “Therefore to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (4:17, NKJV)  It is not hard, but we fight it.  Do right, but we end up failing so much of the time.  What would have happened if the servants had not obeyed Jesus?  The miracle would not have taken place; it is as simple as that.  Obedience is/was required.
       Read Romans 1 where Paul states that the people knew God, but they would not obey.  They did not want to retain the knowledge of God; they preferred to do what was right in their own eyes.  One reason for this is that man does not like to obey.  Oh, that we could pray the prayer of Jesus, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42) then go on and obey.  Jesus was obedient even unto death (Philippians 2:8) are we not to be obedient in picking up our cross.  “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
       Obedience shows our faith; it shows that we trust God.  In the little things–obey.  In the hard things–obey.  Walk daily in the truth of His Word, in other words–obey.  Obedience also shows character.  In the words of James B. Adamson, “The wind of tribulation blows away the chaff of error, hypocrisy, and doubt, leaving that which survives the rest…the genuine element of character.”  No matter the trouble, the trial, the situation or circumstance–“Whatever He says to you, do it.”  Perhaps the “biggest challenge you will face is doing what you know to do.” (Merritt)

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Your responsibility is to do what’s right. God help you if you don’t believe that.”
                    –D.W. Ulsterman  (The Irish Cowboy)

       “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”

                    –Proverbs 16:25(NKJV)
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The Bible is not afraid to not only tell us the grandeur of God and the blessings that He has for His people, but also it tells us of sin, disaster, and human mistakes.  There are many stories in the Bible regarding romance, courage, valor, but also of despair, discouragement, foolishness, and death.  One of the saddest events is regarding the life, or rather I should say the death of Uzzah.

          “And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled.  Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God.”
                    –2 Samuel 6:6-7 (NKJV)

       At first glance we shudder in horror and might even proclaim that this was unfair.  After all, Uzzah was only protecting the ark of God.  But in this there are lessons that we should heed and learn.  David was zealous to bring the ark to Jerusalem to make it the focal point once again of worship.  First of all, David did not inquire of the Lord.  He simply was following his own desires, and the problem was that even though the desires might be good, the way they were carried out was wrong.
       David, instead of following God’s instructions regarding how the ark was to be moved, did it his way.  He followed the example of the Philistines.  He brought thirty thousand of his men with him, and a new cart was built on which the ark was set.  God specifically had given directions that the ark was to be carried by Levites, descendants of Kohath.  Here we see that David is following the actions of the Philistines, people of the world, in carrying the ark.  He ignored God’s instructions of how it was to be carried.  It is important that we understand that we must follow God’s pattern, not that of the world.  “God’s work must be done in God’s way if it is to have God’s blessing” (Warren W. Wiersbe).
       We do not know if Abinadab or his sons, Ahio and Uzzah, were even of the tribe of Levi.  We do know that when the ark began its journey there was a celebration with singing and dancing.  The ark was on its way, but then perhaps because the road became rough, the oxen stumbled.  Maybe needlessly, Uzzah put out his hand to grasp the ark to stabilize it.  The reaction was one of haste and reflex, but it was a costly reaction.  Uzzah, by putting his hand on the ark, was in direct disobedience to the Word of God.  Why should God strike a person dead simply because he did a thing that was natural?  The ark could have fallen to the ground, then what would have happened?  The point is that the ark should never have been on the cart. (Redpath)
       God had commanded that the ark be carried by Levites (Numbers 4).  David, and the others were so zealous to get the ark, the presence of the Lord, to Jerusalem that they did it their own way.  They did what was right in their own eyes disregarding God’s commands.  Alan Redpath states, “So often we put forth our hands, but not our hearts.  We put forth our hands to the work of the Lord, but somehow our hearts have never really gotten under the burden of the Lord and begun, like the Levites, to carry it.”  Imagine, Uzzah falling dead under God’s judgment right next to the ark of God’s mercy.  
       David became angry.  Not at himself for his foolishness, for his carelessness.  He became angry at God.  In that anger, he became “afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, ‘How can the ark of the LORD come to me?'” (2 Samuel 6:9, NKJV)  He left the ark because of his fear to the house of Obed-Edom and it remained there for three months.  Needless to say that when David went back after the three months to retrieve the ark, he had it carried the way that God had instructed.
       We should learn from this that we need to “return to the Word of God for an understanding of the will of God.  No amount of unity or enthusiasm can compensate for disobedience.” (Wiersbe)  Many times, and this is becoming more and more common, we find the practices, methods, and programs of the church following that of the world rather than the Word of God.  When we imitate the world instead of obeying the Word of God we cannot expect the blessing of God.  Oh, yes, it may seem that the church is growing, there may be numbers added to it and applause, but is the applause out of obedience?  Do the methods have the approval of God?  “The way of the world is ultimately the way of death.” (Wiersbe)