Fear is a weapon to be used by you if you control it, by your enemies if you do not.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Proving Trail)
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.”
–Proverbs 3:24 (NKJV)
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Greetings! Welcome to 2021, and welcome back to the Echoes From the Campfire. Just sit there for a moment, take a deep breath and let your imagination begin to move. Can you smell the smoke from the burning wood? Listen to the crackle as the flames burn deep into the wood. Now open your eyes, and gaze into the fire, notice the coals glowing as the wind breathes on them.
Not real, you say. Well, let me disappoint you again. The number assigned to this year, 2021, isn’t magical. The date on the calendar might have changed, but there are still the same problems. There is still the “virus” to contend with, there is still violence on the streets, there are still foolish and power-hungry bureaucrats lurking around. The same hatred and bitterness looms as larger now as ever.
Does that depress you? Don’t let it for I’ve got some good news. I was reading in Matthew toward the end of last year and a phrase stuck out to me.
“But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.'”
–Matthew 28:5-6 (NKJV)
Focus on the phrase: “do not be afraid.” If you are saved, if you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ–do not be afraid! There is comfort in those words. I have in the front of one of my Bibles a quotation by Joseph Parker, “Fear God, and no other fear will ever trouble you.” It is time for Christians to walk in the confidence and assurance of God. He is with us, what comes our way He knows about.
Perhaps you have phobias. Some of them are understandable, yet some are part of our vivid imagination. I want to share a little with you from Charles Spurgeon.
“Did the earth quake? Fear not: God can preserve you though the earth is burned with fire. Did the angel descend with terrors? Fear not: There are no terrors in heaven for the child of God who comes to Jesus’ cross and trusts his soul to Him who bled thereon. Poor women, is it the dark that alarms you? Fear not: God sees and loves you in the dark, and there is nothing in the dark or in the light beyond His control. Are you afraid to come to the tomb? Does the grave alarm you? Fear not: You cannot die. Since Christ has risen, though you were dead, yet shall you live.”
Many people, including Christians are living in fear. Fear is the grand tool of the devil. God uses love, Satan uses fear. It is one of his choice weapons; therefore, do not let it control you.
There are so many voices out there, you better listen to the right One. Listen to the guiding of the Holy Spirit. Don’t run into 2021 with false expectancy or with fear in your heats, but go into it with confidence that the Holy Spirit is guiding your steps. Be cautious and alert for the devil is there to destroy you by any means possible. Trust in the Lord and in His might. Let me finish this first Echo with words from Charles Spurgeon.
“The past you need not fear, for it is forgiven. The present you need not fear, for it is provided for. The future is also secured by the living power of Jesus. ‘Because I live, you also will live’ (John 14:19). Fear! How can it remain when Christ has risen from the dead?… What is it you fear? If an angel bids you to not fear, why will you fear? If every wound of the risen Savior and every act of your reigning Lord consoles you, why will you fear? To be doubting and fearing, now that Jesus has risen, is an inconsistent thing in any believer… Therefore, do not fear.”
Go now with confidence, the new year is here. What it holds only the Lord knows, but do not tremble as you walk into the year. Know that He is right beside you–have no fear.
Author: Ira Paine
Coffee Percs
The coffee was hot and strong enough to stand by itself, without any cup. I drank it and liked it.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Proving Trail)
Welcome, Pard, welcome. Woooeee, we’ve got a new year in front of us. Let’s climb aboard and see what kind of ride we’ll have this year. Yeehaw! Powder River let ‘er buck!
Whew, enough of that. I don’t want to get worn out right at the start. Coffee’s on; it’s hot and strong. Fact is; its downright black. I received a gift of a new brand out of San Antonio, Texas–Gonzalez Garrison, and it’ll catch yur attention, but this mornin’, due to yur delicate nature I stuck with my regular blend–strong.
Looking back over the years, I’ve come to the conclusion that though it is a New Year, nothing is really new. Same ol’ stuff from December 31st is followin’ us into the year. Fact of the matter, I heard that the virus has mutated in Colorado, and there’s a new one found in China. My, can you believe that? Ha, ha, the world is wringin’ their hands, that is, except for those in charge.
Me, well, I’m thinkin’ that right now the best I can do is sit down, watch the birds flitter on the branches, and sip my coffee slow and easy. Ahhh, not much I can do about the world’s situation, and I’m surely not goin’ to get in a frenzy over a virus whether it’s natural or man-made. One way or the other, the Lord will see me through. He’ll see me through the troubles of 2021, or He’ll see me over the Great Divide and into those pearly gates.
Thanks for joinin’ me this first Saturday of 2021. Always enjoy yuh stoppin’ by an’ always have time to swaller some coffee with yuh. Don’t yuh be forgettin’ yur resolutions! Check yur cinch! See, some things don’t change.
Vaya con Dios,
Echoes From the Campfire
Every man or woman who is genuinely American should read the signs of the times, realize the crisis, and meet it in an American way. Otherwise we are done as a race.”
–Zane Grey (The Call of the Canyon)
“You have shown Your people hard things; You have made us drink the wine of confusion.”
–Psalm 60:3 (NKJV)
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The year is coming to an end. Many are ready to say goodbye to 2020, but I have a notion that it, or rather the things that happened in 2020 are going to leave us. It is always good, at the end of the year, to look back, to reflect and to engage the lessons that should have been learned.
There has been much discussion concerning the “pandemic” or the “virus.” Some say it was from China (and maybe they are giggling at us), others say from the hand of God. I want to say that I do not think this plague was sent by God. Evil, death, confusion and chaos all come from the devil. He did not create a virus, but he has been able to use it for his purposes. However, in saying that, I believe that God takes what was meant for evil and uses it for good.
Even good Christians have been fretting, they have been filled with fear over the virus. That is what the devil wants–fear. He wants to destroy faith, he wants to disrupt the relationship with God, he delights in seeing believers go into a frenzy and even at times show hatred and bitterness. In this year of the virus–Covid19–we should be looking at how we can come closer to the Lord. How we can be more like Him, and walk in faith. Not foolishness, but faith. This has been an opportunity to study God’s Word more, to pray more, to meditate and contemplate upon His Word more not to let the devil stomp on us with glee.
I sat out on the patio the other day, made a nice fire and began to think of the past year, but also began to think and plan for the coming year. Of course, no one knows what will happen from day to day, but as I watched the flames twist and fight one another and heard the crackling of the fire I looked at the coming year, not with dread, but with knowing that God is in control. As I watched the flames begin to dwindle into coals and ash, that’s the way I see the end of this year. The moments of last year cannot be repeated and soon the year will be like my fire–ashes. Oh, the memory of it is still there, and hopefully the knowledge of lessons learned, but nothing can be repeated.
Our hearts and minds should not be troubled. Dare to believe in God. Realize the He is in control, even when the devil would try to destroy and bring mayhem and havoc upon the world. Yes, the time of Jesus’ return is at hand, don’t let the devil steal that comfort from you.
This is the last Echo for 2020. I have been much in prayer for my writing in 2021. I’ve asked the Holy Spirit to help guide my thoughts as to how someone may be encouraged, inspired, uplifted, comforted, and at times convicted by what I write. These last days reflect on the Lord and what He has done in 2020, get out of a mullygrub or fretful state of mind. Let the Holy Spirit renew your heart, mind, and soul and prepare it for 2021.
The Saga of Miles Forrest
We made it back late on Christmas Eve. The weather was terrible, the snow way falling heavily, and if the wind had picked up we most likely would have found ourselves in a blizzard. I dropped Charlie off at Doc Jones’ telling him that I’d put his horse up.
There had been little traffic in the streets because of the heavy snow, most folks were holed up at home in front of a cozy fire. Charlie’s horse had wandered to the livery while we were in Rico, but the trip had worn him out. Even Hawk was mostly worn out. No lights were visible at the diner so I went to the livery.
Ol’ Mose Vexler was some put out with me getting him out of his little room at the barn. It wasn’t all that cold, upper twenties, most likely, but there was snow piled up and it took the two of us to push open the door. If the snow kept falling it would be a job to shovel it away.
After giving the horse over to Mose, I headed Hawk up to the cabin. I put him in his stall, rubbed him down, making sure he was dry, and threw some grain into his trough. I looked in for a few minutes to check on Star and Two-Bits. They seemed to be all right and had some hay in the trough. Moving it to the side, I added some grain; that should make them happy.
Glancing up at the sky all I got was a face full of snow. This was turning into quite the storm. It was hard to trudge to the cabin, but I knew that Molly would have it warm and the coffee on waiting for me. I was not disappointed.
Molly was up before me the next morning. She started a fire, and put on the coffee–she was a good woman! “Where are you goin’?” I asked stumbling to put on my pants.
“The diner; it’s Christmas.”
She and Marta always opened the diner on Christmas to feed any poor soul who didn’t have a place to stay. “No one will be out in this weather!” I exclaimed as I now tried to pull on my boots.
She gave me a look; she didn’t have to say anything. The diner would be open and that was that. I was mostly dressed by now, “Let me grab a cup of coffee and I’ll go with you.” I quickly gulped the coffee she had poured in the tin cup on the table. “Let’s go.”
Snow had piled up around the door, but I was able to push it so we could get out. There to face us was at least two feet of snow and it was still coming down. Now, however, there was a slight breeze which would result in drifting. The snow came up past my knees and I really struggled the four blocks down to the diner. The things I do.
It was cold inside. I went straight to the stove in the kitchen to get it fired up, then on into the eating area to light the stove that would serve to warm the customers, if there were any today. Molly was back putting coffee on, and fixing the pot for the stove in the dining area.
I went back to fix some breakfast for us as she began making some stew. It wouldn’t be much today, and I wondered if anyone would even show up. Just as I threw some bacon in the skillet there was someone banging on the door. The diner didn’t open for another hour.
“Could you get that, Miles?”
Leaving the bacon to sizzle, I went to the door. Outside was Marta and Charlie. “Charlie! What in the world are you doin’ out of bed?” I said quite harshly.
Marta sort of huffed as she went by me, saying something that sounded like, “Men!”
Charlie looked pale and haggard. He tried to give me a smile, but it was weak and forced. “Any coffee?” he muttered. We went over to my regular table, I poured each of us a cup of coffee while he took his seat.
I had forgotten the bacon so I rushed toward the kitchen. Marta was bringing out two plates of bacon with three eggs on each. “Good thing we brought most of the eggs in,” she said, “The ones on the back porch are frozen.”
It was easy to see that Charlie was weak and in pain. He took his time feeding himself and I finally told him, “You should be in bed.” To which I received a nod.
“Need to see Doc Jones, and didn’t want to bother him early. Figured I’d walk with Marta,” came his reply, then he added. “I think I’ve got some infection.”
The morning moved along slowly. There were no customers until about ten o’clock, then some bedraggled out-of-work miners began to show up. Marta and Molly filled plates with elk stew for them and gave them coffee wishing them a Merry Christmas. It must have been toward noon when I noticed a man creep in. He was bearded, with hair down on his shoulders, his hat pulled down tight. He was wearing a sheep-skin coat and what got my attention was that he walked with a limp, sort of drug his foot.
There was a quick glance from him before he sat down, his back to me. It was then that I saw he wasn’t a miner for his pistol stuck out from underneath his coat, ready for use…