Author: Ira Paine

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.”  –Ecclesiastes 5:18(NLT)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     McBride’s telegram simply stated, “All set, welcome aboard.”  I was in the process of opening Blasco’s when a down-on-his-luck miner burst through the doorway.  “Marshal, come quick.  He’s killin’ them!”
     I stood up, grabbed the Greener, then asked, “Killin’ who?”  
     “A big guy up at Death’s Door was stompin’ ol’ Gus, when the deputy tried to stop him,” the man stopped looking at the floor.  “Poor guy,” he muttered.  
     Lucas, and with that thought I rushed out the door.  Running up the hill, I then cut behind some buildings as the saloon mentioned was on the back street.  Not a well-to-do place.  Mateo was out of town checking on some stock at Thompsons.  I prayed as I ran.
     The saloon loomed in front of me so I slowed to a walk so I could get my breath back.  I sure didn’t want to be going into a fight short of breath.  Stopping at the bat-wing doors I breathed deeply a couple of times then peered over the doors.  The man was right, a big man was kicking the life out of a man on the floor.  I didn’t see Lucas at first, but then spotted a leg sticking out from under a table.
     It was time to end this.  “If you kick that man one more time I’ll blow your kneecap off!” I barked, leveling the shotgun.
     He turned and snarled at me.  Whooeee, he was a big-un; made at least two of me.  “Now step back and take off that gunbelt.”
     I started toward him.  He grunted, “Big man with a shotgun.  You put that down, we’ll fight even.”
     “You just do what I say!  Now, or I might have to thump you.”
     The distance had closed between us, but I knew to keep enough space where he couldn’t grab the Greener.  He feigned to unbuckle his belt, but lunged at me instead.  I was half expecting something and instead of retreating I advanced, using the barrel of the shotgun like a bayonet.  I plunged it hard into his gut.  He groaned, giving out a muffled shriek and fell to his knees.  I was tempted to thump him on the head for spite.
     I looked around for a familiar face, but didn’t recognize anyone but the barkeep.  “Fenny, here, hold this on him.”
     Tossing him the shotgun I hurried over to Lucas lying on the floor, unconscious.  He was breathing and I didn’t see any blood on him.  I slapped him lightly on the cheek.  Nothing.
     “Marshal,” hollered Fenny, “Copper just slugged him, then kicked him.”
     By that time Doc had arrived.  He rushed to Lucas, then opened his bag.  He had a little vial that he waved under Lucas’ nose.  Lucas gave a jump, then tried to sit up.  His eyes were open, but they were groggy.  “Easy, easy there boy.  You just lie back and get your bearings.”
     Doc looked at me, “Now what did you do to that big fellow?  You didn’t thump him did you?”
     “No, he ran into the barrel of my gun.”
     Doc, stepping over to the man.  “The Greener I suppose?  Help me get him into that chair.”
     “Doc,” came a deep moan, “I feel busted up inside, I…”

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Death sometimes had a majesty.”
                    –Zane Grey  (The Border Legion)

       “Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
                    –Psalm 44:22  (NKJV)
——————————–
Here we see in 2 Timothy 2:11-13 another little hymn of the Church that some call the “Hymn of Christian Commitment.”  Paul gives us a little introduction to this hymn telling us to remember.

          8 — Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel,
          9 — for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.
        10 — Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  (NKJV)

Going into this holiday season I would encourage you to look at these words of Paul.  Remember, Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.  Barclay reminds us that this is not just a one time event, a single day in history, “but a continued state which lasts for ever.”  It is more of do not just remember the day He rose from the dead, but be more mindful that He is our risen and ever-present Lord.  “We do not depend on a memory, however great.  We enjoy the power of a presence.” (Barclay)  
     We are to remember that Jesus was born of the seed of David.  He was a man, He lived the same life that we do.  He saw the problems of life and lived them.  He faces the struggles that this life brings, and He even died to end His life.  He was “the Christ who knew the desperate struggle of being a man and followed to the bitter end the will of God.” (Barclay)  Finally, we are to remember the gospel.  Hold firm to it, guard the truth presented.  Follow the direction that it gives.
     Now to the hymn–contemplate these verses for there is much in them:

        11 — This is a faithful saying:
                For if we died with Him, We shall live with Him.
        12 — If we endure, We shall also reign with Him.  If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
        13 — If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.  (NKJV)

     William Petersen relates the story of newlyweds James Calvert and his wife that were sailing from England to the Fiji Islands.  The inhabitants of those islands are not like they are today; back in 1838 they were fierce cannibals.  What a honeymoon!  Calvert, his wife, along with others were going to the natives with the gospel of Christ.  The captain of the ship tried to warn them when he learned of their proposed endeavor.  “You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages!”  Calvert responded boldly, “We died before we came here!”
     Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31).  To live is Christ.  We need to understand that this world holds nothing for us.  Upon accepting Christ and picking up His cross we affirm our death to this world.  As Barclay puts it, “The Christian inherits Christ’s Cross, but he also inherits Christ’s Resurrection.”  If we endure, we shall reign.  In other words we are to remain loyal no matter the cost.  “Endure” according to Gordon Fee means, “holding one’s ground patiently in trouble or affliction.”  We read in Mark 13:13, “…But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (NKJV)
     There is a negative thrown in here.  “If we deny Him, He also will deny us.”  What did Jesus say in Matthew?  “But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (12:33, NKJV)  Barclay puts it this way, “Jesus Christ cannot vouch in eternity for a man who has refused to have anything to do with him in time; but He is forever true to the man who, however much he has failed, has tried to be true to Him.”  Now, is the day of salvation.  Live for Christ, now, today and He will be with you through eternity.  “God will never fail the man who has tried to be true to Him, but not even He cannot help the man who has refused to have anything to do with Him.” (Barclay)
     God’s character is firm, there is not a shadow of turning with Him.  He is Who He is!  He is the I AM!  We have hope and assurance because “He cannot deny Himself.”  It is impossible for Him to do so; we have that wonderful, calm assurance that He is with us.  Jonathan Edwards said one time, “I go out to preach with two propositions in mind.  First, every person ought to give his life to Christ.  Second, whether or not anyone else gives Him his life, I will give Him mine.”
     So go out this week singing the song of the early Church.  What a doctrinal statement!  What a testimony!  What a promise!

               “‘Take up thy cross,’ the Savior said,
               ‘If thou wouldst my disciple be;
               Take up thy cross with willing heart,
               And humbly follow after Me.'”
                    –Charles W. Everest

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

He saw the coffee pot still on the stove, grabbed a cup from the table and poured some steaming coffee into the tin cup, and started drinking, unmindful of the hot liquid.” 

                    –B. N. Rundell  (The Road to Redemption)
 
Come in this kitchen, Pard.  Things are a-doin’.  Coffee’s plenty hot and strong enough to give yur innards a kick start.  Ha, sure do need that some these days; sometimes the old starter is startin’ harder.  Reminds me an ol’ 1952 Ford pickup I drove while workin’ landscapin’.  Yuh had to park it on a hill to get it started.  Let it roll some, then pop the clutch.  Shore was a cold thing, but it ran fine once it was started.  Guess that’s like I am.  Let my big toe touch the floor an’ I’m up, but ’til then…
     Ahhh, yep, tastes mighty good, an’ makes the ol’ gizzard smile.  Pard, have yuh ever wondered where some of these people come from, especially those liberal nuts.  Just like cockroaches that seem to crawl out of the woodwork.  There’s one runnin’ for Congress who said that if a Republican bullied her she’d slit their throat.  Mercy…don’t think there will be much talk ‘cross the aisles with her.  ‘Course their ain’t much now either.  Delusional–yep for shore an’ that tells yuh who they belong to.  An’ speaking of the father of lies, did yuh see that the photo of the Boston no king rally was rigged.  It was a photo, I think from 2017.  Lies, lies, and guess what, after the Lord returns these same folk will follow the man of lawlessness and his lies.
     See, that’s why they’ll sellin’ cinos and other such things an’ callin’ it coffee.  Lies, delusion, just a simple subtle thing to get yuh to believin’ somethin’ that ain’t so.  Pard, an’ ol’ poke from the Cowboy Site wrote some words that we need to be hangin’ on to.  Let me be passin’ them on to yuh.  He said that “bad folks ride every trail–some wear a grin while they twist the knife.”  See, Pard, I’m not the only one a-tellin’ yuh to ride wary an’ keep yur gun near.  This puncher goes on to say, “Yuh can’t change their ways or reason ’em right.  All yuh can do is keep yur boots clean and yur word solid.  The only cure for evil is refusin’ to join it.”  That tellin’ how the cow eats the cabbage!
     Yuh ever watch some of those folks bein’ interviewed?  My mercy…they haven’t a clue of what their doin’; it’s a wonder they can put their shoes on in the mornin’.  But then, that’s the crowd that ol’ slewfoot has in his back pocket–confused, angry, bitter folk full of hatred.  Our job is doin’ the right thing, helpin’ out in the place where we find ourselves, and bein’ the person the good Lord wants us to be no matter what trail we find ourselves a-travelin’.  Don’t be joinin’ that evil crowd!  Stay true to the Word an’ be standin’ firm, and if ridin’, sit tall in the saddle.  Keep the joy of the Lord, an’ be checkin’ yur cinch.
    Vaya con Dios.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

It’s when you get in the middle of something that you really know what you’re in for.”
                    –Mel Odom  (Shooter’s Crossing)

       “Bless His glorious name forever!  Let the whole earth be filled with His glory.  Amen and amen!”
                    –Psalm 72:19 (NLT)
——————————–
               “Tell me the story of Jesus,
              Write on my heart every word…”
                       –Fanny Crosby

These few verses that Paul writes in 1 Timothy chapter 3 are powerful.  They are words to Timothy regarding the church, and if you review what Paul has previously written, Timothy was to guard against and fight false teachers.  Now Paul refers to the Church and verse 16 is a “Hymn on Christ’s Adoration.”  First we look at his brief message to the Church.

          14 — These things I write to you, though I hope to come to your shortly;
          15 — but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.  (NKJV)

First we see the term “conduct.”  This is more than just a ritualistic behavior in church.  No, it is a man’s walk and conversation.  It describes his whole life and character.  It is who he is, and thus surrounds his conduct everywhere and with everyone.  Then we see his attention is directed to the Church.  It is the house of God.  No, not just a building, nor just a house, but the meaning goes deeper.  It is a home, a place where a family dwells.  It is a place where love exists–the love of a family.  The term for Church is “ekklesia” of the assembly of God’s people.  Those who have been called out, separated from the world.  It is those who have accepted the invitation of the Spirit.  Have you gotten this?  A place of love, a place where family dwells, a place where the people are separated from the world, not like the world.
     Two more things regarding the Church.  It is the pillar and ground (buttress or support) that can be seen by those in the world.  A city on a hill, if you please.  William Barclay says that the “idea here is that the Church’s duty is to hold up the truth in such a way that all men may see it.”  Many are building church buildings that look more like auditoriums or convention centers, or office buildings.  I read of a study done regarding this aspect.  People in the community said they wanted a church to look like a church.  They may not attend but they took comfort that it was in the neighborhood.  Now, I am not saying that the Church is a building, but buildings do represent it.  The duty, the responsibility then is to be a sign to those in the world that herein is truth.  Lastly, it not only shows the truth, it is the truth that holds it up.  “In a world which does not wish to face the truth, the Church holds it up for all to see.” (Barclay)

          16 — And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
                     God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.  (NKJV)

Now, we move on to the little hymn of the early Church.  Paul introduces it as the “mystery of godliness.”  William Petersen puts it this way, “This early Christian hymn depicts Jesus as a surprise package, the ‘mystery of our faith.’  He came as a humble babe in a poor manger–not a very impressive package on the outside.  He lived 90 percent of his life in Nazareth in the home of a carpenter.  His ministry was among humble folk; his first disciples were fishermen.”  After that Petersen exclaims that the “package explodes with surprises!”
     Look at this!  Manifested in the flesh–the Incarnation of the pre-existing One.  He was justified (vindicated) by the Spirit or as the NLT translates it, “shown to be righteous by the Spirit.”  He was kept sinless by the Spirit, He was guided by the Spirit, and through the power of the Spirit He rose from the grave.  “The Spirit is the power who proved Jesus to be what He claimed to be.” (Barclay)  Seen by angels–whatever this means it does show that “the work of Jesus is so tremendous that it includes both heaven and earth.” (Barclay)  The world heard the message of the Christ, and He went back to His throne in glory.  The story of Jesus begins in heaven and ends in heaven.  “He lived as a servant; He was branded as a criminal; He was crucified on a cross; He rose with the nailprints still upon Him; but the end is glory.” (Barclay)
     Now don’t lose the reason for this little hymn.  Paul had been instructing Timothy about false teachers, he will return to this subject.  This is an exhortation to Timothy to stand in sharp contrast to them.  “This hymn prepares for that censure by boldly expressing what the truth is all about, as a contrast to their demonic errors.” (Gordon Fee)  Now bring it home.  Do you look like the world or are you in stark contrast to it?  Do people see you living like the world and compromising with the world’s standards, or are you standing firm in the truth of God’s Word?

          “Who is He in yonder stall, at whose feet the shepherd’s fall?
          Who is He in deep distress, fasting in the wilderness?
          Who is He on yonder tree dies in grief and agony?
          Who is He that from His throne rules through all the world alone?
          ‘Tis the Lord!  O wondrous story!  ‘Tis the Lord!  the King of glory!
          At His feet we humbly fall, crown Him, crown Him Lord of all!”
                   –Benjamin Hanby