Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on July 14, 2022

Sad, how quickly a man’s name got lost.”

–Elmer Kelton (The Good Old Boys)

“Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.”
–1 John 3:24 (NKJV)
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There used to be a television show where a panel of celebrities would try and guess “who” the person was. So my question is, who are you–really? I guess that is a question that is being asked by today’s woke society. Not only do people not know who they are, but they do not know what gender they are. My mercy…it doesn’t take a magnifying glass. But no matter what, no matter who they think they are, no matter what sex they are, no matter how wealthy they are–death comes to all. The rich will die just like the pauper. Oh, there may be some fanfare, but in the end it won’t matter. The clods will fall on both of them.
Mark Twain once said, “Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.” However, there are those who chose to live in darkness whether spiritual or natural. They think darkness will cover their evil deeds. One of my favorite books is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Dr. Jekyll is a good man who goes about doing good for people, but there is something sinister deep inside him, Mr. Hyde. The more he allows Mr. Hyde to reveal himself the more Dr. Jekyll becomes like him. And notice, Mr. Hyde only appears in the darkness; he does his evil deeds at night. Finally there comes a day when Dr. Jekyll is no more for he has given himself over completely to become Mr. Hyde.
We must choose the right and shun the evil. But today, what is right and truth…what is false and evil? Confusion abounds…some of it purposely. There is a fight in every one of us–the war between the spirit and the flesh. Many have never tasted of the Spirit, they live only for the flesh. Even Christians find this fight to be hard and fierce at times. There is a war against the flesh, and a battle for the mind. I recall “Johara’s Window.” Man is shown to have four parts, the window. There is a part of what you know about yourself, there is a part that only others know about you, then there is the facade…the face or faces you show to others, and finally there is part of you which you do not know nor do others. You can add one more appendix to that part, the subconscious.
Many people live in the facade, not wanting to face up to who they are, and not wanting others to really see who they are. They put up a facade, a front. Many nonChristians rebuke believers saying that they are only hypocrites. I venture to say that they are the hypocrites. They do not want to remove the facade. They do not want to really see who they are. As believers in Jesus Christ we should rejoice in the fact that we are a new creature. Paul writes, “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” (Romans 6:6, NKJV) He continues in verse 11-12, “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.” (NKJV)
In other words, you no longer live on the dark side. Some key words: “slaves of sin,” and “do not let sin reign.” There is a vast difference between being a slave and being free, between failing and letting sin reign.
Friend, you must believe that you are a child of the King. His royal blood runs through your veins. Your helplessness now becomes filled with hope. Eternity will not blot out your name. Sing aloud, sing in your soul the old chorus written by C. Austin Miles and know who you are in the Kingdom of God.

“There’s a new name written down in glory,
And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine!
And the white-robed angels sing the story,
‘A sinner has come home.’
For there’s a new name written down in glory,
And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine!
With my sins forgiven I am bound for heaven,
Never more to roam.”

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on July 13, 2022

He was one of those supercilious young idiots that make the most of such small power as ever drifts down to them.”
–William MacLoed Raine (Wyoming)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.”
–Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
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I have had the good fortune that during my lifetime I was able to spend twenty years working with Royal Rangers (Assemblies of God, boy’s organization). At Outpost 7, old Freeway Forest in Houston, I had the privilege of working with eight Gold Medal of Achievement recipients. That was back in the late 1970s through the 1980s. That was quite an achievement for an outpost for the Gold Medal was something earned, and not easily.
We had a great senior commander, Wilton Christopher, and he made sure the boys stayed on track. We had some kind of training or outing every month come rain or shine. Every summer there was an extended camping trip for those who earned the privilege. In our outpost we had two items that were developed. One was a very large, and I mean very large pacifier and the other was a tug-of-war rope tied into a knot. The pacifier was for the kid who whined on a campout. He had to wear it around his neck until there was another whiner or complainer. The knot was worn around the neck for those who had been “knotty.” It was transferred in the same manner as the pacifier. Woe to the Ranger who was “knotty” just before bedtime for that knot was hard to sleep with. (Imagine doing that today with the twinkies and snowflakes).
In saying the above, I came across a little poem a couple of weeks back and it seems apropo to use now. It’s called, “The Knots’ Prayer.” I do not know the author, so I’ll just give him that famous name, Anonymous.

Dear God:
Please untie the knots that are in my mind,
my heart and my life.
Remove the “have nots,”
the “can nots” and the “do nots”
that I have in my mind.

Erase the “will nots,”
“may nots,” might nots”
that may find a home in my heart.

Release me from the “could nots,”
“would nots” and “should nots”
that obstruct my life.

And most of all
I ask that You remove from my mind,
my heart, and my life all of the “am nots,”
that I have allowed to hold me back,
especially the thought that I am not good enough.

I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen

There is much to tempt us in this world to be knotty (naughty), but we are to avoid those things. We are not to partake of the evil and lusts of the world as we journey through it. Let the Lord remove that rough, coarse knot from around your neck that weighs you down. Put aside those things that easily tempt, those things that might ensnare us. Pray that the Lord gives us grace and shows us mercy and removes the “knots” from around our necks.

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on July 12, 2022

Phooey!” yelled Marshal Udall. “You can tell me down at the office. What about these others, Doc?”

The doctor looked at his future patients, then muttered, “The others need to come down to my place so I can work on them properly. These two men have lost quite a bit of blood, so has Mr. Green.”

“Forrest, you come with me,” ordered Udall with a snarl.

I looked at the men; they may have lost blood, but I know what a cornered skunk can do. “Who’s goin’ to see after this men? Take their testimony?”

Udall had an angry look on his face. He turned to his deputy, “Case, think you can watch over those men?”

Deputy Case was in pain from where my shotgun crashed down on his arm breaking it. He glanced at the men now being carried out and down to the doctor’s office. “I imagine I can handle it.”

“Good!” exclaimed the doctor, as he was escorting Mr. Green to the entry. “Come over here and help me.”

“Doc, my arm’s broke,” he whimpered. “I can’t be helping anyone. It hurts just to take a step.”

The doctor stood with Mr. Green at the entrance waiting for all of us to leave so that Green could lock up his place. “You think it hurts now,” he snapped, “You just wait ’til I start working on it if you don’t get over here and help me.”

I had to bring my hand to my mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Here was the tough, boisterous deputy whining. I was just a-waiting for him to break out in tears. But then I looked at his arm beginning to swell. I reckoned it did hurt some.

Marshal Udall was outside with Adams waiting for the place to clear and for me and Elfego to walk out. We were the last to leave. I watched the doctor, along with the deputy and Green stumble over to his office.

“You two come with me!” commanded the Marshal.

“Go on along, we’ll be down shortly,” I told the Marshal.

“I said now,” he almost screamed. He put his hand on the butt of his gun.

When someone, like this belligerent marshal orders me to do something it sort of makes me want to tighten my cinch. I stared at him. “Marshal, that wouldn’t be a good idea. I said we’ll be along shortly.”

His hand stayed on his gun. I could see in his eyes that he wanted to pull it. Some things I don’t have a notion as to why people think the way they do. We were supposed to be on the same side, but if he pulled his pistol, I’d have to pull mine and the results would be ugly.

We continued our staring contest for several more seconds before the marshal moved his hand then pushed Adams toward the jail. “Just don’t be long!”

I allowed him the last word, then turned to Elfego. “Do you know these men?” I asked, my eyes boring into his.

“No, Senor, only that they watch you and they are some of those that pressure the comerciante,” he replied.

I took a step toward the jail, Elfego hesitated. “Come on, the Marshal wants both of us.” I could see fear in his face. That was the first time for he was as cool as a cucumber when the shooting started. “You were pretty slick with my gun,” I mentioned to him as I grabbed him by the shoulder and we started down the street. “How did you learn to shoot so accurately with a pistol?”

He gave a little shrug, then finally answered. “I don’t know. It just comes as, you would say, naturally.”

When we got there Adams was in the cell and Marshal Udall was waiting for us just inside the doorway. Anger was still etched on his face, then he snarled, “Kid, I ought to knock you into next week!”

He raised his arm back ready…

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on July 11, 2022

Money is not always the only consideration. Out here we place emphasis upon the basic virtues, and I have noticed that the more organized our lives become the less attention we pay to such things as courage and loyalty.”

–Louis L’Amour (North to the Rails)

“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”

–Joshua 1:6 (NKJV)
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Why, oh why, do we so soon forget? We ask God’s forgiveness which He so gracious gives, then we sin again. He provides for us in many ways, but we praise Him for a few minutes then continue on our way soon forgetting. Why? We look at the majesty of God in nature and get inspired, but as soon as we’re back in the rat-race of humanity, career, and society those thoughts are dimmed. John I. Durham said this, “The wonders of God yet excite men but temporarily; and God is too soon forgotten in man’s fascination with himself.”
Psalm 78 deals with the miraculous saving power of God yet also relates how He is soon forgotten and man goes his own way.

56 — Yet they tested and provoked the Most High God, and did not keep His testimonies,
57 — But turned back and acted unfaithfully like their fathers; they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
58 — For they provoked Him to anger with their high places, and moved Him to jealousy with their carved images.
59 — When God heard this, He was furious, and greatly abhorred Israel,
60 — So that He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had placed among men,
61 — And delivered His strength into captivity, and His glory into the enemy’s hand.
62 — He also gave His people over to the sword, and was furious with His inheritance.
63 — The fire consumed their young men, and their maidens were not given in marriage.
64 — Their priests fell by the sword, and their widows made no lamentation.
65 — Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty man who shouts because of wine.
66 — And He beat back His enemies; He put them to a perpetual reproach.
67 — Moreover He rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,
68 — But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved.
69 — And He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which He has established forever.
70 — He also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds;
71 — From following the ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance.
72 — So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. (NKJV)

One of the reasons we are told to remember the past is that we do not forget the wondrous works of God in our lives. We are to remember the times that He delivered us from one thing or another. Those who forget are to face His fury.
Israel, after seeing all the miracles and even though they moved into the Promised Land, continued to provoke God. It seems that it was easy to forget, that is why we “must engage in the discipline of remembering.” (George O. Wood) The people were enjoying life, the were enjoying the blessings that were provided and had forgotten God and the proper means of worship. In times of plenty, God was placed aside and worship was given in the way the people desired, not in the way God had instructed.
Then a man appeared, a hero if you will–David. David rallied the people. David brought them back to true worship. David shepherded them with skillful hands and with integrity. But alas, the people forgot, and they were led into captivity. They failed to remember. But then another man appeared, a hero if you will–Jesus. He broke the chains of sin, and offered the people a chance of eternal life. Now the choice is ours. We can grumble, complain, rebel and not turn to Him, or we can go to Him and place our lives in His skillful hands. Don’t fight God’s plans for you, but follow them.

“Down in the valley with my Savior I would go,
Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters flow;
With His hand to lead me I will never, never fear,
Danger cannot fright me if my Lord is near.”
–William O. Cushing