Author: Ira Paine

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

He had never allowed himself to dwell on the darker times, for to live them once had been more than enough.”
                    –Elmer Kelton  (The Good Old Boys)

       “As God’s messenger, I give each of you this warning:  Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you.”
                    –Romans 12:3 (NLT)
————————-
Are you feeling poorly?  Got the blahs?  The mulligrubs?  Are you chanting the old ditty, “Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, guess I’ll go eat some worms?”  Take heart then–you might be on the right track.  But let the Holy Spirit be involved.  You don’t beat yourself up, that is a form of narcissism.  Psychologists say that devaluation is one of the four types of narcissism which is not a trait of the Spirit.  However, recognizing our sinful state is a step towards the kingdom of heaven.  Proper evaluation is a good thing; knowing our condition in life actually depends upon the Lord.  I normally do not use the CEV translation, but I like the way it puts this beatitude.

               “God blesses those people who depend only on him.  They belong to the kingdom of heaven!” (Matthew 5:3)

     To be poor in spirit is to recognize our need of a Savior, of a Sustainer, of a Guide through this life.  It is the poor in spirit who receives grace, for he understands his condition before God and bows before Him in humble recognition that he is a sinner who is in need of repentance.  Thomas Watson said that, “A man never comes to himself until he comes out of himself.”
     Before going further, recognize that poor in spirit is not spiritually poor.  Actually the poor in spirit are spiritually rich.  John wrote in Revelation, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’–and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked–” (3:27, NKJV)  The spiritually poor person has no sense of his poverty while on the other hand the poor in spirit knows his condition.  Renouncing wealth, and other such things as the monks did does not make one poor in spirit.  Being poor in spirit is not self-denial.  “To be ‘poor in spirit’ is to acknowledge our spiritual bankruptcy before God.” (John Stott)
     The poor in spirit have nothing to offer to God, nothing to plead, nothing with which to buy the favor of heaven.  Gone are indulgences! (That is true legalism.)  The “poor man” is one who is afflicted and unable to save himself and must turn to his only source of help–GOD.  Then we see true humility begin to develop.
     It is the poor in spirit, this truly humble person who bows in delight, yet wretchedness before the Lord that will have the kingdom of heaven.  The poor in spirit have learned to trust and obey and that obedience makes us a citizen of heaven.  Watson calls this the “jewel of poverty,” that we are citizens of heaven.  We are entitled not to all of Christ’s riches, and we are safe and secure in His will.  Basil, who was a fourth century bishop and church leader said this, “The hope of a kingdom should carry a Christian with courage and cheerfulness throughout all his afflictions.”  It is the poor in spirit who have a proper sense and perspective of this evil world, yet it is they who receive the kingdom.
     Let the words of Peter get you out of those mulligrubs and don’t go out swallowing a bunch of worms, leave that to the fish.  Peter declares, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NKJV)  The poor in spirit are rich in the Lord–he is part of the chosen generation, a special person to the Lord.  D.A. Carson confirms this when he says, “The natural conclusion is that, though the full blessedness of those described in these beatitudes awaits the consummated kingdom, they already share in the kingdom’s blessedness so far as it has been inaugurated.”

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Warm coffee is very good for cold bones. We have had a long, icy ride before getting here.”

                    –Chris Bennett  (Insurrection)
 
Pard, git yurself in here; don’t yuh know it’s cold outside?  My mercy, shut the door!  I’ll be gettin’ the coffee poured in a second.  Made it shor enough strong this mornin’, figured yuh’d need it after ridin’ over in the cold.  Whew, we made it through one cold snap now it looks like we’re facin’ another couple of days.  Poor folk in some areas have been without power for quite a spell.  One can bundle up, but with our high-falutin’ lifestyles now it’s hard to be without electricity.  Folks with gas have it some better.  An’ to think I used to work out in that stuff…brrr, makes me shiver to think ’bout it.  Cold toes I can do without.
     That makes me think of those fools in Minneysota out in the cold doin’ their so-called peaceful protests.  An’ Pard, while I’m at it I don’t recall readin’ anywhere in our Constitution where folk have the right to protest or riot.  It states that they have the right to peaceful assembly.  I hear them politicians and the media huffin’ and puffin’ about the right to protest and all I can do is shake my head and their ignorance and stupidity.  Yuh know to be out in that cold makes me wonder if they not bein’ paid to do so.  I shor do like the new term for the media–they are “full-diaper media morons.”  Shor does fit, and if’n it fit wear it.
     Ahhh, that coffee is like gettin’ kicked by a mule, or should I say horse.  Yep, it’s kickin’ horse coffee.  It gives yuh a real jolt, guess that’s why it’s called “kickin'”.  Back to those “full-diaper media morons” I recall the words of the ol’ Apostle to Timothy, “But mark this:  There will be terrible times in the last days.”  He gives a whole list among it is, “lovers of themselves, proud, abusive, ungrateful, unholy, without self-control.”  Get the picture?  Now look at those doin’ all that “peaceful” protestin’ — my mercy, they would fit in with a Halloween party, but the shame of it is that’s the way they look an’ they are proud of it.  See, many of them are not only cold because of the weather, their innards are cold as well.  Nah, Pard, not their liver or gizzard, but their hearts.  They have a cold, cold, hard, bitter, evil, and hateful heart.  One that has been given over to their sinful desires.  Pard, yuh be watchin’ out for them.
     See, Pard, that’s one of the reasons why we get together for coffee.  Not only for the pleasurable atmosphere of my company, ha–but for the buildin’ up and exhortin’ of one another.  Yuh see, there’s a real purpose for me to be tellin’ yuh to check yur cinch an’ keep yur gun handy, an’ ride tall in the saddle.  Someone has to tow the line, uphold decency and honor, an’ yur one of the hombres to do it.
     Well, Pard, we did it.  We done emptied another pot.  Time for yuh to be gettin’ on down the trail.  Think I’ll do some readin’, prop my feet up in front of the stove, and contemplate the goodness of the Lord whilst the fools go at it.  Yuh take care, now yuh hear?
     Vaya con Dios.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

In this country, age didn’t necessarily determine seasoning.”
                    –Donald L. Robertson (Return of the Star)

       “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
                    –2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)
————————–
Several months ago I wrote three devotions concerning what it means to work out your salvation.  Paul tells us emphatically, “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12, NIV)  If you remember we looked at three ways in which we do that:  Fulfill our duty as Christians; to be diligent in our walk without wavering; and to pick up our cross daily.  I want to mention another way; one that is shunned and that is found in 1 Peter 1:16, “Be holy, because I am holy.” (NIV)  There it is!  Straight forward, and though some of you may cry “legalism” it is the Word of God.  I agree with Dr. Lednicky when he says, “Much of the conversation today about ‘legalism’ is nothing more than the flesh seeking an acceptable method for approval and self-justification.”
     Holy!  Only God is holy, yet He tells us that we are to be holy.  How is that possible?  It takes effort, self-discipline, and a walk with the Lord.  It takes self-sacrifice, devotion, and being submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Lednicky states, “Your responsibility is to discipline your life to scriptural obedience.”  Today I want to use a hymn to help us in working on our “holy life.”  It was written by William Dunn Lonstaff

          Take time to be holy, Speak oft with thy Lord;
          Abide in Him always, And feed on His Word.
          Make friends of God’s children; Help those who are weak;
          Forgetting in nothing His blessings to seek.

          Take time to be holy, The world rushes on;
          Much time spend in secret With Jesus alone;
          By looking at Jesus, Like Him thou shalt be;
          Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

     Are you getting the picture?  If we are to be holy we must spend time with Jesus.  We must be diligent in reading, and not reading only, but studying His Word.  Yes, the world rushes, and tries to put undue pressure on us, therefore it is all the more imperative that we spend time with the Lord.  Instead of saying that “I am free and can do what I want” which is a selfish expression in itself we should be striving to be like Christ.  It is not how close to the edge, how close to the world I can be and still be a Christian; it should be how close can I get to Jesus and imitate Him.  Alistair Begg said, “We cannot love holiness without hating its opposite.”  How can we love the things of the world?  John writes, “Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:3, NIV).  John has already written, “Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15, NIV)  Then why make the world your friend.  Instead, we should:

          Take time to be holy, Let Him be thy guide,
          And run not before Him Whatever betide;
          In joy or in sorrow Still follow the Lord,
          And, looking to Jesus, Still trust in His Word.

          Take time to be holy, Be calm in thy soul;
          Each though and each motive Beneath His control;
          Thus led by His Spirit To fountains of love,
          Thou soon shalt be fitted For service above.

     Legalism?  Bah, you mean freedom to sin.  Listen, we are to work out our salvation and I am afraid that too many are forgetting the “fear and trembling” part.  “What is too often defined as legalism is nothing more than carnality refusing to be crucified.” (Lednicky)  Pick up your cross, discipline yourself and know that, “Holiness means to be completely separate from all that is common” (Philip Comfort).  Friend, we must take time to be holy.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

God made us in His own image, so it’s up to us to make the most of our gifts and seek a right relationship with our holy creator.”
                    –John Deacon  (Conn)

       “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”
                    –Romans 8:6 (NIV)
—————————
     Two quick thoughts–one positive, the other a little on the negative side.  The positive–as I have written often, I try to never miss a sunrise.  There is something about a new day, the opportunities that lay within it besides the wondrous artistic work of the Holy Spirit.  There is a freshness, a wonder, and a comfort knowing that God is there with me through each moment of the day.  “Each morning provides an opportunity for renewed spiritual awakenings.  Every believer can come to Christ anew and find His presence refreshing.”  (Philip Comfort)  It is a time to reflect on the love of God for Jeremiah tells us, “Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day.” (Lamentations 3:23, NLT)
     The negative aspect is that my feeble brain struggles with poetry.  Always did, still does.  Oh I can handle the little Ogden Nash poem, “Fleas,” which states, “Adam, Had ’em,” but so much I really have to focus and concentrate when I read.  Once in a while, however, there is one that I can grasp and this one fits this morning‘s writing.  It was written around 1827 by John Keble.

                Mornin Hymn
New every morning is the love
Our wakening and uprising prove;
Through sleep and darkness safely brought,
Restored to life, and power, and thought.

New mercies, each returning day,
Hover around us while we pray;
New perils past, new sins forgiven,
New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.

If, on our daily course, our mind
Be set to hallow all we find,
New treasures still, of countless price,
God will provide for sacrifice.

The trivial round, the common task,
Will furnish all we ought to ask;
Room to deny ourselves, a road
To bring us daily nearer to God.

Only, O Lord, in thy dear love
Fit us for perfect rest above;
And help us this and every day
To live more nearly as we pray.

     To waken each morning is a gift from God, yet do we see it that way?  We should devote and dedicate the day to the Lord and our lives to it.  All should be done to His glory, therefore, we should not dread the so-called mundane chores–those tasks of everyday life–but we can commune with God while carrying out our duties and be a good steward by doing them with excellence.  Dread doing the dishes, thank God that you have them and a sink and water to wash them.  Dread washing clothes, thank God that you have them to wear, and that you have the modern conveniences of cleaning them.  Get the picture?
     Let me close with these poignant words by Philip Comfort.  “As we awake each day, we can decide from the start to live for Christ, refusing to waste the day complaining or living for self-fulfillment.  By turning our heart and mind to Christ, we will not only gain a fresh knowledge of God but also mature in our faith and relationship with Him.”