Author: Ira Paine

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

If something is evil, then it is the duty of good men to stand firm and try to correct the situation.”

                    –D.C. Adkisson  (Mal de Ojo)

       “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.”
                    –Psalm 57:7 (NKJV)
———————————-
Our study in Proverbs this week takes us to 10:29-30:
     
          “The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth.” (NKJV)

The way of the Lord is a path of righteousness; do not kid yourselves if you think you can walk any other way and find the Father waiting to greet you.  It is a way in which our feet should be firmly planted, and our steps should be steady.  On our journey to glory we have the assurance that God is our strength (other translations use–refuge, stronghold, fortress) and as the psalmist wrote, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (46:1, NKJV)  This trek is taken one step at a time, daily by faith, and Charles Bridges reminds us, “The habit of grace increases by exercise.  One step helps on the next.”
          “Each step I take I know that He will guide me;
          To higher ground He ever leads me on.
          Until some day the last step will be taken.
          Each step I take just leads me closer home.”
                 –W. Elmo Mercer
     A great hope is ours as we journey.  As our steps are firm we have the comfort of knowing that no power or person can remove us.  Dan Dick gives us this reminder, “As we dwell in Christ over the years, we lay roots which form a foundation in which makes it impossible for us to be moved.”  I am reminded of the hymn by John T. Benson:
          “In my Christ abiding, I shall not be moved;
          In His love I’m hiding, I shall not be moved,
          Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
          Lord, I shall not be moved.

          I shall not be, I shall not be moved;
          I shall not be, I shall not be moved;
          Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
          Lord, I shall not be moved.”

     Wicked men, those in darkness, do not need or want the strength of the Lord.  They do not struggle within themselves (unless the Holy Spirit brings conviction).  In this time of evil we can take heart that it will not last.  All the demagogues in history have failed in their attempt to inhabit the earth for death surely comes.  They now await, in terror and fear, their eternal fate.  J.L. Flores states, “Unforgiven sin breaks the bones of the soul.”  It is not so much the sin that dooms the wicked, but that they have turned their back upon Christ; they have spurned the sacrifice and shedding of His precious blood.  “The message of love can never come into a human soul, and pass away from it unreceived, without leaving that spirit worse…” (Flores)
     Yes, the way may grow weary at times, but look up, glory is near.  The Lord is waiting to receive us at the end of the journey.  As Winston Churchill proclaimed, “Never, never, never give up.”

 

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on
I discovered that God created people to be upright, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.”  –Ecclesiastes 7:29 (NLT)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     There was a reflection of something, rifle barrel perhaps?  Leaving Star in the arroyo knowing that he could not be seen I moved along the wash around to the back of the boulders where the mysterious man waited.  There were  forty yards between the wash and the boulders.  If the man should look back over his shoulder he would surely see me.  All that there was between me and the rocks was a few clumps of yucca.  I moved slowly, for I knew rapid movement tends to draw attention, moving from plant to plant.
     Reaching the boulders I now had another dilemma.  The man was in front, half-way up in the rocks.  From where I was I could not get to him.  The rock where I was standing was too sheer to climb.  I decided to move to my left hoping that there may be a way up.  
     I was just a little ways around the rocks when a small slide of gravel came down.  Natural, or was the man moving or just shifting his position?  I could possibly make it up into the rocks but not holding the rifle.  Besides, it was too big for use in these rocks.  Setting it beside the rock, I frowned.  I would have to use both hands to climb, leaving me vulnerable.  Did the man know I was there?
     Quiet was the word.  Taking off my boots, I climbed with sock feet, praying as I hoisted myself to a level where three of the large boulders came together.  He had a rifle so I knew he would be in the same dilemma, not able to move it quickly among the rocks.  Moving between two of the boulders, I looked up and saw a boot, worn from wear.  It moved causing more gravel to fall, this time down on me.  Realizing I couldn’t go that way I turned to move off to my right.  Stopping I looked back with a smile.  I had an urge to shoot him in the foot, but I let it pass.
     My gun, still in the holster, as I moved trying to find handholds to pull me up.  If I could get up, I would be slightly above him.  That’s where I wanted to be.  I gave a silent grunt, while pulling myself up.  Keeping close to the rock I slid around where I could look down.  The man was in a little culvert between two rocks.  I didn’t recognize him.
     Quietly I pulled my gun, “Mister, if you don’t want to meet your Maker real quick, I’d drop the rifle.”
     He jerked, surprised by my voice.  There was no movement, but I could almost feel the screws turning in his head.  “I wouldn’t,” I warned him.
     It was to no avail.  He turned, firing, but his rifle barrel glanced against the boulder causing his shot to go way wide.  I fired, hitting him in the side, turning him.  He tried to bring up the rifle–I fired again this time hitting the receiver slamming the rifle from his hands.
     He realized then, without the rifle, that it was no use.  Putting his hand to his side, he removed it bloody.  “You’ve played hob!” he exclaimed, slumping down to sit beside the rock that had been in front of him.
     Holstering my gun, I slid down the rock to where he was sitting.  He saw that I did not have a gun in my hand.  I was helpless while he went for the one in his holster…

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

A man wants to see his neighborhood clean. People have got a right to live in peace.”
                    –Ernest Haycox  (Alder Gulch)

       “If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.”
                    –Matthew 10:13(NKJV)
———————————-
          “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”  –Matthew 5:9 (NLT)

Most of you probably have never heard of Wild Bill Elliott.  He was one of my favorite cowboy actors from way back.  He had a saying that he used in most of his movies, “I’m a peaceful man,” but he inevitably found himself in all sorts of trouble.  However, in the end, he did bring peace.  To continue our study in this Beatitude, I want to start with a quotation by Thomas Watson, “Peaceableness is the ensign and ornament of a noble mind.”  It is honorable to try to bring peace, but the problem is how, and then we have already discussed that peace is not appeasement.
     A peace-maker seeks to establish right relationships.  We know that in this world there are trouble-makers and there are peace-makers, though the former have the latter greatly outnumbered.  For sure as we look around us and at the news in our country and other nations there are those who would destroy peace.  They belong to the devil and his dark world.  As Christians, we should seek to be peaceful, but as Watson reminds us, “Handle a briar every so gently–it may scratch.”  There are those who do not want peace, and Paul gives this advice, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18, NIV)  The key, “if it is possible.”  Listen, peace must not be bought with the sale of truth.  “Truth is the ground of faith, and the rule of life.” (Watson)  Martin Luther proclaimed, “It is better that the heavens fall–than one crumb of truth perish.”
     A peacemaker–a child of God.  That is because they are doing a God-like work.  Remember, first of all, this is for the spirit and soul.  Are you bringing peace to your soul?  To the souls of others?  It is not necessarily physical peace.  The real peacemaker has a deep inner peace that goes beyond understanding.  When God sees them working, exhorting, attempting to bring peace, as J. Vernon McGee says, “God shall own them as His own children.”  When we are born-again, we have the Fruit of the Spirit residing in us, Love, Joy, PEACE…, therefore by the actions of believers they are tokens, witnesses that they are the sons of God by doing all that is possible to bring peace.  Again, I emphasize, that means bringing others to a knowledge of Jesus Christ.  That is primary!  
     Jesus Christ, the Son of God, what is one of His titles?  Do you remember?  The Prince of Peace.  Yet He proclaimed in Matthew, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (10:34, NIV)  As discussed, this is not literal violence but a dividing of those who would accept Him (and have peace in their soul) and those who would reject Him and fight Him.  Be a compromiser you will not have peace, you will not belong to Him.  Complacency, selling truth for comfort and “peace” in this world, rather than peace in the soul and in eternity.  One more thought, those with the peace that the Lord has given them will love to be with other “children of God.”
     I wrote a few words from an old hymn last week, “Peace, peace!  wonderful peace.  Coming down from the Father above….” (W.D. Cornell).  If we have peace, that means we rest in His arms, we have a calm assurance in our soul.  If there is something raging in your heart and mind give it over to the Lord and grasp hold of His wonderful peace.
               “Blessed quietness, holy quietness,
               What assurance in my soul;
               On the stormy sea,
               Speaking peace to me,
               How the billows cease to roll.”
                     –Mannie P. Ferguson

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

It was well known about the town that the sheriff made coffee strong enough to rattle a skeleton’s gizzard. Not only did he make it strong, but he left it simmering on the wood stove in his office all day.” 

                    –Lynette Bonner (Honey From the Rock)
 
Mornin’ Pard, jist take a looksee at the calendar.  The year’s most half over, and the longest day of the year is approaching.  My, what has taken place already in this year.  The world is in turmoil, jist a-waitin’ for the man of lawlessness to appear.  I find myself lookin’ up waitin’ for the trumpet sound.  Well, let’s be grabbin’ yuh a mug, and I’ll be pourin’ yuh a cup.
     Have yuh been noticin’ how so many angry folk there seem to be out there?  Yep, plenty of hostility, that’s for sure.  Yuh know, if folks would jist accept the message of Jesus this ol’ world would sure be a lot better.  Yuh know, I’ve heard, of course the media stirs, that some folk say that Islam is a peaceful religion.  My, my, are they duped.  They don’t know the teachin’s of Islam or its history or they wouldn’t be sayin’ such things.
     All sorts of anger, an’ folks will use anything to vent it.  Right now the hot term is “racism.”  My word, I read where someone said that serving milk (white milk) in school cafeterias is racist.  That one made me scratch my head.  Pard, in this time of turmoil yuh need to be stayin’ close to the Lord.  See, you and I’s a-knowin’ that real peace is in Jesus, not in what the world offers.  Why, that’s one of the reasons why I have yuh over.  Sit down, Pard, drink some coffee.  It’s like an antidote one of them high-cost doctors would be offerin’ yuh, but I give it for free.  Take a seat–the coffee is perkin’.  Things will be alright, have a cup, and let’s talk about more pleasant things.
     Ahhh, but that’s good coffee this mornin’.  Speakin’ of hatred, we all know where that comes from.  Yep, yuh got it Pard, from the depths of the Pit.  It’s from ol’ slewfoot himself projectin’ his hatred of the heavenly Father onto man.  If’n he can’t get a person to be hatin’ God, he’ll get them to hatin’ God’s great creation of man.  What is it the Bible says, “Hate stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” I’m a-thinkin’ that’s found in Proverbs the tenth chapter.
     Try to be neighborly as yuh can.  I know the days are gone when yuh can leave the pot a simmerin’ on the stove and go help yurself.  Yep, it might be strong, but it’s the purpose and thought that counts.  Grandma always had a pot brewin’ jist in case someone might stop by.  Neighborly, friendly…
     But that don’t be meanin’ yuh should go off half-cocked.  Yuh be movin’ about waryly ’cause there is evil out there.  Yuh never know where it might be lurkin’ so yuh gots to be prepared and ready.  Gun’s oiled and loaded, I assume.  Prayed up, an’s while yur a-doin’ that keep yur eyes on the eastern skies, I’m a-reckonin’ that the Lord might jist be comin’ right soon.  Don’t be fallin’ off’n yur hoss ’cause yuh didn’t check yur cinch, and always be ridin’ with the Spirit.
     Vaya con Dios.