Author: Ira Paine

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

He was following a duty, and this duty impelled him to make his greatest effort.”
                   –James Oliver Curwood  (River’s End)

       “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.”
                    –1 Timothy 6:6 (NKJV)
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Murmuring, whining, complaining, bad attitude, negative, these traits have no place in the life of a Christian.  Oh, there may be bad times, but we need to take inventory of ourselves when we are in that condition.  A couple of questions to ask:  Why am I in the place I am?  What is the duty of the circumstances God has put me into?   A child of God is never in a place just by happenstance.  He is either paying the consequences of poor decisions and is facing chastisement, or God is allowing the circumstance to come into the life.
       It seems that whenever we find ourselves in poor circumstances we tend to become bitter or angry.  We blame others, we blame God.  Job had no idea what was happening in the spiritual realm, but he would not blame God.  He would continue to worship Him despite the circumstances.  In the midst of trials, storms or the like do not think thoughts that further disturb you.  If you do you will become even more discontent.
       What would you have done if you were placed in the lower part of the dungeon for being a Christian?  Would there be despondency?  Maybe anger at the way you were being treated at the hands of men, and where was God anyway?  Or would you praise Him like Paul and Silas and to the duty that was required of the circumstance?  In the midst of turmoil what is your response?  The great preacher of days gone by, Jeremiah Burroughs said, “You should labor to bring your heart to quiet and contentment by setting your soul to work in the duties of your present condition.”  
       I read last week of David.  We remember him as the giant-slayer, or the man who committed adultery.  Which was the real David?  He was called a “bloody man” and yet he was a man “after God’s own heart.”  Acts 13:36 points out a very important fact regarding David, “For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, and was buried among his fathers and underwent decay.” (NASB)  The HCSB translates it thus, “For David, after serving his own generation in God’s plan…”  The KJV and NKJV, translate it this way, “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God…”.  And I will give you one more version, then get to my point.  From the RSV, “For David, after he had served the counsel of God in his own generation…”.
       Did you pick up on the life of David?  In spite of his failures and sin, he served God throughout his life.  He served God’s purpose–His will.  He listened to God’s counsel and fulfilled his duties of life in the will of God.  It should serve as a reminder to serve God in whatever circumstances we find ourselves–the good, the bad, and even the ugly.  God knows where you are; He will not forget about you.  However, He is waiting for you to serve Him in that situation in life.  Do not be like the children of Israel upon escaping slavery and begin to complain and lose your way–a lost generation.  Learn the lesson of Paul, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”. (Philippians 4:11, NKJV)

 

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on
I worked waiting tables for three days, until Edith thought safe to return to work and leave Marta alone.  I won’t say that the baby, Charles Lorenzo Gold, was the spitting image of his father, but he was a cute little rascal.  I was sitting at the table, sipping coffee when Doc ambled in.  He had been rather busy the past week or so, and plopped himself down in the chair.
       “Don’t bother to get up, Doc.  I’ll get you a cup of coffee,” I said sarcastically for which I received a scowl.
       He continued to glare at me until I set the cup down and he reached to pick it up and take a sip.  Then the scowl diminished with a slight moan escaping him.  “You didn’t make this!” he stated.
       I wanted to lie and tell him I did, but decided to tell the truth.  “No, Emelda did.”
       “Thought so,” he mumbled, then added, “I thought Molly was going to hire some additional staff.”
       “Doc, you need to take a day off.  Go fishin’ or somethin’; you’re as grouchy as an ol’ bear.”
       “I wouldn’t be if you wouldn’t be shootin’ up everyone you meet,” he barked, then saw the pain that momentarily came across my face.  “I’m sorry, Miles, you’re right, why with the emergencies and my regular duties I’m just tuckered out.”
       “Lucas is back working at the jail, and I don’t think Dover or Doner will give us any trouble.  They may have chosen the outlaw trail, but I think they’re sorry for their choice.  I think they could be useful citizens if given the chance.”
       For that I received a grunt then he sat his cup down.  “I went up to see Wilson Foster yesterday.  Pitiful, just plain pitiful.”
       I threw my hand up against my head.  “Dummy!” I said out loud.  “Darnelle asked me to go see him, and with working for Molly I plum forgot.”
       He picked up his cup and took the last swallow.  “You better hurry up, he won’t last much longer.  Could go anytime,” he paused, holding out his cup.   I got up to grab the coffeepot to refill both our cups.  When I sat back down, Doc continued with his thought.  “Miles, the good Lord has only allotted us so many days in this life.  Some more, some fewer.  Most of the time, we don’t know when our last day will come, or how, but it’s one appointment for which we’ll not be late,” he paused again to take a sip of the hot coffee.  “The Lord knows our coming and going.”
       Molly had finished with her tables, and came over to where we were sitting.  “Sit down, young lady,” ordered Doc.  “When are you going to hire additional help?  I don’t like to see Miles out there with an apron on; it’s not good for the image of a peace officer.”
       “With Marta at home, Emelda is helping me interview a person tomorrow,” Molly informed us.
       “Molly, why don’t you go to the school and see if any of those young girls would like a job?” questioned Doc.
       He had just finished his remark and before Molly could answer Charlie walked into the diner.  “What are you doing here Charlie Gold?  You need to be back with your wife and child,” snapped Doc.  He seemed to be in a delicate mood this morning.
       “Time to head up to Silverton, check things out,” he replied, motioning for a cup.
       “You’ll do no such a thing!” declared Doc.  “Marta had a rough time, and she’ll need you around for a spell.”
       I wasn’t about to say anything, but Molly looked over at me.  “Why, Charlie, let Miles go on up to Silverton,” she suggested.  “He needs to get out of town for a while anyway.”
       It didn’t take me long to respond.  “Is it urgent?  And if not I’ll ride Hawk up.  I haven’t been over the mountains in quite some time.”
       He told me what I needed to know, but then there are always surprises…

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Justice can be a harsh taskmaster.”
                    –Louis L’Amour  (We Shaped the Land With Our Guns)

       “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”

                    –John 16:8 (NKJV)
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          8 — Understand, you senseless among the people; and you fools, when will you be wise?
          9 — He who planted the ear, shall He not hear?
        10 — He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, He who teaches man knowledge?
        11 — The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.
        12 — Blessed in the man whom You instruct, O LORD, and teach out of Your law,
        13 — That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked.
        14 — For the LORD will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance.
        15 — But judgment will return to righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.  (NKJV)

       Justice is coming!  Repent, forsake your wickedness, or face the consequences.  That seems to be the theme of Psalm 94.  We may wonder when the Lord will act, but rest assured He is acting right at this moment.  The wicked may scoff and point out that God has not punished or judged them.  In fact, they might think who does He think He is with the right to judge me.  “Think again fools!  When will you finally catch on?” (94:8, NLT)  God knows your thoughts for good or bad, for righteous or for evil.
       In this evil time that we are facing don’t be fooled into thinking that God is not there.  Don’t be like those who just don’t get it–God hears and sees and will judge.  We live in a time when some of the first words anyone might say to you could be, “Who are you to judge?”  “Stop judging others.”  Don’t you realize that this is the New Testament, God does not judge, He loves.  People better realize that in this life of sin and wickedness there is a pardon to receive, but only if we throw ourselves at the mercy of the Judge.  People of God should welcome His judgment because it is true and right.
       We should learn from the suffering we endure and see around us.  We should be aware of the Lord’s instruction, and never forget that He is aware of us and our affliction.  He is always in the process of training His people and will use adversity and suffering for their eternal good.  Don’t be alarmed, but recognize that justice is coming!  Judgment comes for the righteous.  Think of “Tombstone” with the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday walking down the street–Justice is coming!  God will take care of His people, He will not forsake them for they are His inheritance.  “Those who live right get rewarded.  Those evil crime bosses who think they can get away with murder have another thing coming.  God sees their deed and will see that justice is done.  The sheriff has arrived, and law-abiding citizens can rejoice.” (William J. Petersen)
                   
               “Arm of the Lord, awake, awake!
               Thine own immortal strength put on;
               With terror clothed, hell’s kingdom shake
               And cast thy foes with fury down.”
                        –Charles Wesley

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

He poured coffee and water into a shallow pan. The coffee was going to be strong and black, but it would taste good and cut the dust from parched throats.”

                         –J.S. Stroud  (The Old Rider)
 
Mornin’ to yuh, Pard.  Yuh still eatin’ them biled eggs from last weekend.  The wife and I went some real fixin’s last Sunday after church, and my, oh my, was there a feast.  I shore did load myself up on what they call “deviled eggs.”  The truth be known, they should be called more like the “fruit of the angels,” but reckon they’re called “deviled” ’cause yuh eat too many of them an’ then the devil works on yur innards.
       Well, Pard, I turned to technology to find out my answer.  Don’t who I talked to, Alexa, Safari, or Siri, or maybe to plain ol’ Google itself, but the story I found was that they are deviled because they are spicy.  Guess they originally had paprika or cayenne mixed in them.  Hmmm, some small pieces of jalapenos might be good.  Just wanted to give that little culinary lesson to yuh.  
       While we were partakin’ of the feast a youngster proceeded to my delight to make coffee.  It wasn’t none of that cino stuff either.  I waited for a spell, then sent one of the granddaughters off to get me a cup.  Should’ve known—it was weak.  Drinkable, but weak.  I grabbed the youngster later an’ told him so.  I didn’t want him to go through life thinkin’ he was makin’ good coffee.  He seemed to appreciate my suggestion when I told him to always put at least one more tablespoon of coffee than the cups yur gonna drink.  If’n yur drinkin’ five cups of coffee yuh put in six scoops.  Easy.  Made my day, knowin’ that I helped a yungun along life’s journey.
       Finally got my last book published on that their Kindle.  Usually I have some troubles but it went as smooth as that silk bandanna yur a-wearin’.  So if’n yuh want a good book look for Ticket to Danger.  Speakin’ of danger, yuh are readin’ the Good Book every day?  Best be guardin’ yur soul against the wiles of the devil.  He’d like nothin’ but t’ see yur face in the dirt.  Why he’s slicker than snot on a glass door knob with his deceivin’ words and ideas.  My mercy, I remember when a man was a man and a woman was glad of it, but now… Whewee, ‘nough said ’bout that sick wickedness.  Yuh be strong in the faith an’ don’t be led astray.  Yuh keep the Bible handy, yur gun oiled and ready, and be checkin’ yur cinch for times are gettin’ eviler and eviler.
       Vaya con Dios.