I think me and you need some hot coffee. Come on, woman, let’s go to the house.”
–Elmer Kelton (The Time It Never Rained)
Now how many times have my wife and I enjoyed coffee together? Whether is was beside a campfire, or ridin’ in the steel mount, her pourin’ from a thermos, or just sittin’ ’round the house, we sure have put the coffee down together. Nothin’ better than sittin’ with yur honey, enjoyin’ each other’s company and sippin’ on that delectable brew. Ahhhh…now don’t be gettin’ yurself all upset. Yur fine company most of the time, but nothin’ compares to her.
What’s that? Yuh cayn’t be stayin’ long? Ha, forgot to do yur shoppin’, that’s figures. But don’t rush out jist yet, take a time for a few swallows. Now, some folk, like you, only get yur sweetie flowers on special days, but this ol’ fence post ain’t as dumb as I look. I’ve always tried to make sure the missus of the house has fresh flowers on the table. Haven’t always made it, but come close, an’ if’n that doesn’t work I get her coffee in a special cup that has flowers on it.
The Lord was sure good to me growin’ up. I reckon maybe I needed it, but I had three “moms.” Yep, my Mom–Marguerite, plus my Grandma and Aunt Bern. What was it that ol’ sage said, “a cord of three stands is not quickly broken”? Then He went an’ blest me with a gem of a wife. Why in a few weeks, she’ll have been workin’ on me and walkin’ beside me, and drinkin’ coffee along with me for forty-nine years.
Pard, I won’t hold yuh to more than one cup today, I’ll finish up the pot, or go wake the wife to help me start the day with a happy gizzard. Jist like yuh to wait until the last minute, and don’t yuh be givin’ me that quarantine nonsense. Yuh better make sure yur cinch is tight after yuh buy them flowers. Yuh shore don’t want petals fallin’ to the ground.
Author: Ira Paine
Echoes From the Campfire
Darkness is fear’s companion.”
–Forrest Byrant Johnson
“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
–John 1:5 (NKJV)
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There is a person who is being touted for the position of Vice-President who has in the past made the statement, “I have never been proud of America.” Another person, who served in a prominent position, asked a question scoffing, “When was America ever great?” I experienced a simple gesture of this country’s greatness the other day with almost 150 Texans while standing on a bridge over the San Jacinto River. For a few seconds the Blue Angels passed over; a simple gesture, but symbolic of those working on the front lines during this troublesome time. When was America great? When we looked up and saw those planes fly over and we cheered and ahhd.
Tyranny is almost always bad, especially if it represents a totalitarian regime. This date, 75 years ago, can be pointed to and shown as a time when the United States was great. It was V-E Day, Victory in Europe, victory over the tyrannical fascist regime of Adolf Hitler and all of his brutal and bizarre ideas. It was the end of a great struggle with the blood spilled by thousands of young boys. The final message regarding the surrender of NAZI Germany was delivered by Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower in a manner that was typical of his concise, straightforward style.
“The mission of the Allied Force was fulfilled at 0241, local time, May 7th, 1945.”
Simple statement, but look at the words that stand out. “Mission…was fulfilled.” Watching the flyover, reading those simple yet significant words, there is no doubt in my mind when America was great. There are pundits, revisionists who are now trying to say that what has been called the “Greatest Generation” should be changed to the “working generation.” The generation who went out to face the imperial forces of fascism, gave their blood, and now they call to take away this distinction–nonsense!
But let me remind you, that tyranny comes in other ways besides fascist/socialist governments. There may be the tyranny of addictions. The urge so strong that it takes a supreme effort to overcome it. There is the tyranny of evil that is rampant in many cities and locations where wicked men go out to bully and murder on a whim. There is the tyranny of racism and maybe even worse the tyranny of using racism as an excuse for actions or nonactions. There is a demonic tyranny of hatred and other forces that are running rampant, attempting to devour whomever it may. There is the tyranny of fear.
One day all of us will stand at the throne of God to be judged. Whatever tyranny one may have faced in life, whatever sorrows, sufferings and scars that may have been your lot will be on display. Did you show cowardice? Will you be able to say to the Lord and Master: “Here I am, mission fulfilled!”?
Echoes From the Campfire
Remember—never forget who you are and treat all men as friends until they prove differently.”
–Bobby Cavazos (The Cowboy From the Wild Horse Desert)
“The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.”
–Proverbs 19:23 (NKJV)
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It was with concern that I read where the city bureaucrats of New York have finally forced Samaritan’s Purse from their domain. One of the most renown benevolent distributors have been rejected because of its founder, Franklin Graham. It is because Rev. Graham stands for the authority of the Word of God and the truth it presents. Folks this is dangerous.
“And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”
–Matthew 11:23-24 (NKJV)
And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
–Mark 6:11 (NKJV)
Have these people just sealed their doom? In Matthew, Jesus is speaking about Capernaum. It was not a spectacular city, but it was a place where he healed many, and had done miracles. They had seen His power and His compassion, but they were coming to a point of rejecting Him. This had been His home base during His ministry on earth.
In Mark, Jesus is speaking to any place that rejects the message of the Gospel. Sodom and Gomorrah were immoral cities; they were know for their perverted lifestyle. Yet Jesus makes reference to them and to the fact that those cities that refuse the hear the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would face eternal destruction. Sodom had not heard the message of Christ, but these places where the disciples are going are being given the Gospel.
If the message of Christ is not heeded, they were instructed to “shake of the dust from under your feet as a testimony against them.” It is good that we remember that the disciples’ message, the message of the Bible, is one that brings judgment as well as salvation. The Holy Spirit either convicts or condemns, then it is up to the receiver to choose. They can repent when they hear the Good News or they can choose to be condemned.
We live in perilous times; times in which the Word of God is being preached, and from what I understand thousands are coming to the Lord. Yet, at this same time others are rejecting the truth of God’s Word; they are falling away. I saw where one bureaucrat had a paper upon which was written, “how Jesus helped in the pandemic,” and below the title it was blank. Woe, for it will be better for Sodom in the day of judgment.
In this time, this current time on earth, rejoice! Again rejoice, for this is an opportunity for you to present the Word of God, not necessarily in your words, but through your actions and attitudes. Take comfort in His promises, trust always in Him, and to use that King James expression for the Holy Spirit–remember He is our Comforter.
Echoes From the Campfire
Sometimes I wonder if anything is ever ended. The words a man speaks today live on in his thoughts or the memories of others, and the shot fired, the blow struck, the thing done today is like a stone tossed into a pool and the ripples keep widening out until they touch lives far from ours.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Daybreakers)
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
–1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NKJV)
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I didn’t want to get out of my Monday and Tuesday routine, so I waited until today to discuss a milestone. A few weeks back, Kim asked what I wanted for my birthday dinner. My response was steak, either twice-baked potatoes or hashbrowns, green beans, and homemade bread. Annie asked if I wanted cake or pie. Now, my preference always runs to pie, so I got a little compromise out of her and she made me mini-pies for the weekend and a cake for my birthday. So, while I’m on the subject of food and my birthday dinner I thought I should put forth one of my favorite poems. It’s titled: “Here’s to Steak.”
Here’s to that steak
Thick and juicy and sizzlin’
Cooked in the camp tent
When the weather was drizzlin’
With scaldin’ black coffee
Ate that steak with my knife
Now…what’s better in life?
–Vance Wampler
If you want to imagine that juicy, luscious steak go ahead, or go my facebook page for a picture of pure delight.
So I reached that capstone birthday–70. That’s the days we’re allotted. Anything more is a bonus, but I reckon that the Lord has given me five years of bonus time already. This coming June, it will have been five years since my heart attack; I had 100% blockage, so from that time till now it has been bonus time the Lord has given me on this old earth.
“The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only of labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”
–Psalm 90:10 (NKJV)
For sure now, every day is a bonus. Five years since the old ticker went whammee, and now the big seventy. The Lord sure has been good to me through all those years. He has met all of our needs, and blessed in many other ways as well. My prayer is now that I don’t waste away the added hours and days; that they’ll go in serving Him one way or another.
Thank you all for the birthday wishes.