Author: Ira Paine

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on
The one law that does not change is that everything changes, and the hardship I was bearing today was only a breath away from the pleasures I would have tomorrow, and those pleasures would be all the richer because of the memories of this I was enduring.”
                –Louis L’Amour  (Galloway)
 
      “My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those given to change.”
               –Proverbs 24:21 (NKJV)
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My mercy, I looked in the mirror on Friday, and I was surprised at what I saw.  I figured that there would be the dashing, athletic person of yesteryear, but what I saw was that age had creeped in.  Why some of my hair was gray, and so was my moustache.  My blue eyes must have faded (probably due to overwashing my face) because I remembered them as a deep blue.  Age had made some changes.
     I can remember diving for ground balls, and sliding headfirst when taking an extra base on a hit.  Now, sometimes the old  hips ache when crossing the room.  Working hard all day was no problem, now I need a nap between each job, and mostly they are little jobs.  Hiking through the wilderness, man I could move, but now it’s hard to hike to the kitchen.  Age, yep, it’s made some changes.
     My eyes are still good, my hearing is good (at least to my way of thinking, I’m not sure if Annie would agree).  If needed, my reflexes are still fairly good, but depending on the move I may feel it hurt some later.  Age does that; it has a way of creeping up on you.
     While I’m at changes, you may have noticed that I’m using a new email provider–gmail.  I’ve been having so many problems with my old one, earthlink since they changed and updated their system that I decided to change.  We’ll see what happens.
     Listen, change is inevitable, but also get this:  change is not necessarily good, and at the same time it is not necessarily bad.  All change must be looked at with proper lenses.  If someone asks you to change or compromise something contrary to God’s Word, that is bad–do not do it!   There are many clamoring for Christians to buy into the changes of cancel culture, woke, BLM, and other nonsensical things that are not Biblical.  In fact, because of that you might find yourself changing acquaintances, careers, places you shop, types of entertainment.  Change will happen.
     As we are led by the Holy Spirit we should see changes in our lives.  We might see changes in vocation, and we might change some of the ways in which we think.  However, be sure the change called for is from the Holy Spirit.  He will always be in line with the Bible.
     One more thought about change.  We serve a God that never changes.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  In fact, there is not even a shadow of turning in His actions, His words, His promises.  We can live in this world of change knowing that we have a God that never changes and that is true for eternity.

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

We’ll face it then. Nobody lives their life without having to face things from time to time.”

               –Louis L’Amour (Hondo)

 

     “My heart is in turmoil and cannot rest; Days of affliction confront me.”

               –Job 30:27 (NKJV)

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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World

Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” –1 John 5:19 (NASB)

 

Know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we are to be righteous in the evil world. Those in the world need to see the light even though they may fight against it. Know also that we are to have fellowship and communion with God as we travel through the world. One more thing that is essential; we are to have fullness of joy. If for no other reason it will make our enemies scratch their heads.

     To have true fellowship with God; to have a true relationship with Him we must have righteousness. If we are to be God’s companion we must walk a righteous life; we must walk as He walked. Since we are children of God we are to be righteous. Everyone who is born of God doeth righteousness.

 

          “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him. See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”

                    –1 John 2:29-3:1 (NASB)

 

     Notice, as children of God we are to practice righteousness. This in not merely morality or living right, but righteous means the quality, the kind of life that was lived by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Will we be perfect? Never in the sense that Jesus was, but that does not mean that we cannot live a life for Him. It should bring shame to us when we look at those in the world and see some living a more righteous life than the child of God.

     They may look at us strangely when we don’t do the things they do, go the places they go, say the things they say. We are children of the Most High. We have a certain position and a certain relationship that people of the world cannot understand. We have a blood relationship to God and a legal relationship with Him—He is our parent. We truly can sing, “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God…”

     A child is like his parent. He has similar characteristics and personality. To look at a child a person can see the parent in them whether it be attributes or actions. There is another important aspect a child has—they carry the name of the parents, hence the name Christian–”Christ-like.” We are not of the world, we are of our Father. Our manner of living should not be the same as those in the world.

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on

We arrived too late in the evening for me to send a telegram to Marta. The place hadn’t changed much since the last time I had traveled to Farmington. That was about four or five years ago. A couple new saloons, some signs changed, more Anglo than in the past.

     I sat in the saddle looking around pondering the situation. The region was pretty dry, so that would mean a dry camp, or we could spend the night in the hotel.

     “Senor, is there something wrong? You’ve been shaking your head,” inquired Lucas.

     “No,” I replied with a laugh. “Just thinkin’ how my Molly has spoiled me over the years.”

     Now he gave a laugh. “That is for sure. She makes you a pie almost every day .”

     That deserved a scowl, so I gave him one. “Not every day!”

     My reply only made him laugh harder.

     “Let’s get the horses put up. Remember not to call me ‘Marshal,'” I ordered. “I don’t want anyone to know who I am.”

     At the livery the hostler looked us over. “What yur doin’ with a Mex kid?” he asked.

     I didn’t care much for his attitude, but I didn’t want to make him mad and not take care of the horses so I simply replied, “Travelin’.”

     “He is my uncle,” spouted Lucas. “His brother married my mother. They are dead–Apaches. He now is taking care of me.”

     The look I gave Lucas, well I hoped the hostler didn’t see it. “Lucas, you can sure tell a whopper,” I thought to myself.

     “Tough kid,” responded the man taking the reins of Two-Bits. “Apaches are mean critters. I had a run in with them when I lived down at Lordsburg. One reason I moved up to this part of the Territory.”

     I took care of Hawk while Lucas began to unload the pack animal, the hostler already had the saddle off Two-Bits. “All right to leave my gear here?”

     “Shouldn’t be a problem, though I can’t guarantee it,” he stated. “I sleep here and keep the door locked so reckon it will be all right.”

     He looked at the shotgun in my hand. “Yuh always carries that thing around?”

     Looking in his direction, I replied. “Can’t hardly go to sleep without it by my side. It’s just reassurin’ company.”

     Nodding, I put my hand on Lucas’ shoulder to guide him out. “Cantina across the street serves good food,” came a holler from back in the stalls.

     We ate then went to get a room at the hotel. Lucas had never stayed in one before so it was an experience for him.

     The night went by slowly, but I noticed that Lucas didn’t have any trouble sleeping. That’s just not right; he should have a guilty conscience for running off and telling that big lie to the hostler. Morning came and I reckoned the bedbugs didn’t get me. I woke Lucas and we went out to eat breakfast at the cantina; I had huevos rancheros on my mind. Well, they had eggs–they must have been quail or from pullets they were so small. But the tortillas, fresh side, and beans were good.

     From there we went to the telegraph office. Lucas stayed outside while I went in to send a telegram to Marta. At least I wouldn’t have to hear her chew me out. “Marta–Lucas is with me–I take care of him–Miles.”

     I paid the operator and as I turned I heard, “Kid, get out of my way!” Then heard the sound of Lucas bouncing off the office wall.

     Sighing I went out…

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Never get in a hurry when you don’t have to. A man in too big a hurry makes mistakes he can’t afford.”

               –Elmer Kelton (The Buckskin Line)

 

     “Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”

               –Mark 4:39 (NKJV)

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Life doesn’t always go the way we would like. For the most part, it is a series of up and downs; somethings things go smoothly while at other times the ride seems quite bumpy and full of obstacles. Our minds, being what they are, tend to remember the bumps more than the smooth ride. In fact, we are told to remember some of those hard times as a memorial. We just did that a few days ago, and yesterday we took time to remember D-Day; that day in 1944 when Allied forces came ashore at Normandy. Hitler’s might Reich was on the way to defeat. It would be another year, but the end was in sight.

     David saw that his enemies had set a trap for him. The road he was to take had a deep pit, but instead of trapping David, his enemies fell into the pit. Let’s take a moment to read the second part of Psalms 57.

 

         6 — They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me; Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah

7 — My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.
8 — Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn.

9 — I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations.
10 — For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, And Your truth unto the clouds.

11 — Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory beabove all the earth. (NKJV)

 

     One of the most important things we can do is to learn that in the tough times, in perilous situations of life that we must continue to praise the Lord. Because of previous experiences, because of a relationship with God, because of God’s Word, David proclaims that his heart is steadfast. Out of that steadfast heart he sings and gives praises unto God. I like verse 8 in the New Living Translation, “Wake up, my soul!” Sometimes we have to tell ourselves to wake up. Maybe even slap ourselves a few times to help us get a proper perspective on the day.  

     Every day is a new day–wake up! God’s mercies are new every morning–wake up! He has given another day to you–wake up! Face the day, whatever may come your way. The Lord is with you whether you are down in a cave, or upon a high summit overlooking a wonderful vista.

 

          “My heart is fixed on thee, my God!

          I rest my hope on thee alone,

          I’ll spread thy sacred truths abroad,

          To all mankind thy love made known.”

                       –Francis Wrangham