Author: Ira Paine

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Being a cowboy meant knowing how to work, how to prepare to work, and how to do the actual work.”
                    –Bobby Cavazos  (The Cowboy From the Wild Horse Desert)

       “Let us not allow slackness to spoil our work and let us keep the fires of the spirit burning, as we do our work for God.”
                    –Romans 12:11(Phillips)
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(First, I need to fix a mistake I made in Monday’s “Echo.”  Call it old age, a senior moment, blatant disregard, or just an oversight, there was an issue that changed the meaning of what was being written.  I wrote, “Let me remind you here that we are speaking of perfectionism.”  It should have said, “Let me remind you here that we are NOT speaking of perfectionism.”  However, there is a lesson here.  What I wrote was not perfect, I left out a word.  That did not mean that my thoughts were wrong, or that my motive was wrong, or that my heart was impure.  See, even in my mistake we see how we can be pure in heart and yet at times fail in our daily lives.)
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In every culture there is a need for wealth of some kind.  Money, they say, makes the world go round, it is not love.  Wealth, then oftentimes, becomes an obsession with so many. The meaning of wealth is the total value of all assets, minus the debts.  Today’s proverb is a wonderful way to look at proper wealth.  We read from Proverbs 10:22, “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” (NKJV)  I need to ask now, what makes one rich, what is richness?  Sometimes we equate wealth and money with being rich.  Look at the Living Bible paraphrase of this verse and we see a closer meaning.  “The Lord’s blessing is our greatest wealth.  All our work adds nothing to it.”  Much of this verse depends on what we mean by wealth.
     Proverbs 10:4, says that the “hands of the diligent bring wealth,” but here we read that it comes from the Lord.  Which is correct?  I would have to say, both.  We, in our daily life, work together with the Lord.  Bob Beasley sheds light on this, “It is the combination of our diligence and God’s blessing.  The slothful person seeks wealth without diligence.  The practical atheist seeks wealth through his own diligence.  But God distributes wealth as He sees fit.”  
     No matter how hard a man works, and that is needed, industry is needed by man; he cannot expect wealth without honest work.  However, we also need to realize that God is the true source of wealth.  We work diligently as we are supposed to, but ultimately the results are God’s.  If we practice proper stewardship, are diligent in our work habits and ethics, we will find that wealth can be a blessing, not a curse.  But then true wealth–is it really money?  Dan Dick reminds us that, “A good relationship with God is the path to true wealth, and it is a richness that nothing can destroy.”
     Wealth–money or life fulfillment?  Fortune or satisfaction?  Success in life?  Ah, but then what is success–more money?  I have often used the quotation by the “Wizard” of basketball, John Wooden, “Success is peace of mind which is the direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”  It goes back to your purpose in life and whether you are serving the Lord to the best of your ability.  J. Vernon McGee states, “There are those who live in pleasure and think they are living it up.  But as they get closer to the end, they find life unbearable.”  Riches now often means perdition later.  McGee continues, “The contemporary Christian by his indifference to moral and doctrinal wrong, and by his laxness in his way of living, is missing a great deal that God has for him.”  Have you noticed that it goes back to true worship and proper stewardship?
     John Trapp, the 17th-century theologian speaks of the three “vultures” in regard to wealth.  There is the care of getting, the fear in keeping, and the grief in losing.  Those who depend upon monetary wealth may spend it all if they come down with a life-threatening sickness.  His wealth gone, along with his health, and all that is left is the grave and in that he loses it all.  Let me say in closing, that wealth is not money to the Christian.  We are rich in whatever way the Lord blesses us, and that is so in many ways.  John Piper warns us that “Life is wasted when we do not live for the glory of God.”  I figure I’ve done a good job not becoming a millionaire, but I have riches abundant in the Lord.  A large bank account, what will happen?  One of the vultures will come for it, and at the end of life what do I have.  Do I stick a dollar bill in my pocket as a tip for the mortician?  
     Remember the story of Gehazi, the servant of Elijah.  In his desire for wealth, his greed and dishonesty, the leprosy of Naaman came upon him.  Now, what good was his wealth, when his health was gone? (2 Kings 5:27).  Read again today’s proverb from the CEV,  “When the Lord blesses you with riches, you have nothing to regret.”  No regrets.  Let Him give you what is needed for you to work in His kingdom.  Enjoy His blessings, don’t whine and murmur that you don’t have enough.

 

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on
A wise person is stronger than the ten leading citizens of a town!”  –Ecclesiastes 7:19 (NLT)
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(I noticed that spellcheck changed the name of Billy Blackhand to Billy Blanchard.  Sorry for not noticing it until now.)
     Doc took a sip of coffee, then began shaking his head.  “That young man must of been a quite a bit of pain.  I can’t imagine it, why to think of that bone protruding…my, my, my.”
     “I did the best I could, Doc.  I didn’t put pressure on it, but covered it; that’s the reason for the tourniquet.  I couldn’t figure out another way to stop the bleedin’.”
     “You did right, Miles.  I’m not questioning that.  I just sorta feel sorry for the young man going through all that pain.  How’s the other man doing?”
     “Shame of it, Doc, most likely they’ll get off,” I replied. “So much anger in both of them.”  Then I gave a little shrug.  “Blackhand, it’s like he’s two different people.  One time I see him he’s very morose and angry, the next time he seems interested in what I’m tellin’ him.”
     Molly walked up on our discussion.  She keeps saying that she is not going to do much work at the diner, but here she is, almost every day doing something.  I stood up to pull out a chair for her, then grabbed a cup and poured it about half full of coffee.  “What are you two looking so downcast for?” she asked, then thanked me for the coffee and took a sip.  A grimace appeared on her face.  “I can see why if it’s about the coffee.”
     “Did I hear you say, they might get off?  Didn’t they kill those sheepherders?” she asked, trying another sip.
     “I talked with Luther yesterday.”  Luther was our district attorney.  “He said that if there were no one willing to testify that he really couldn’t charge them with anything.  I told him that I doubted that I could get the wives to come to Durango to testify, and that Charlie Two-Face really didn’t see the crime.”
     “Well, I hate to see boys that young hang,” Molly replied, “but on the other hand I feel bad for the widows and their children.”  She glanced at me, then turned to Doc.  “Why is it that justice is sometimes hard?”
     He scratched at his eyebrow, then the side of his face.  “I wonder sometimes the same thing in the medical field.”
     “Billy seems interested, at times, and I emphasize that, about Christ.  Then he’ll get angry and curse.  I did take the Parson to see him, and he threw his supper at him.  Wouldn’t talk to him at all.  Not thirty minutes after he left, he told me to tell the man of the cloth that he was sorry.”
     Molly took a deep breath.  “Sounds like something right out of the Bible.  You know Miles, that the Spirit of God will either convict a person or enrage him.  Sounds like both of these things are happening to this young man.”
     “Do you think they’ll go back to Coloraw, if they’re released?” questioned Doc.
     Clearing my throat, I answered, “I think that’s part of the problem.  I think he kicked them out.  I don’t think they measured up to his standards as a warrior.”
     “Because they’re half-breeds?” Doc remarked with a puzzled look on his face.
     I shook my head, “I think it goes deeper than that.  When I confronted them at times, they seemed to cower away, and then put up a front that they were great warriors.  No, something happened within the tribe for Coloraw to expel them.”
     “Well, you be careful,” urged Molly to which Doc agreed.  
     Smiling I replied, “I’m always careful, but with that type more so.”
     I looked up, to just see out the window a palomino go by.  Jumping up I ran to the doorway…

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Small decisions can have a big impact for good on many peoples’ lives.”
                    –Troy C. Wagstaff  (.44 Caliber Preacher)

       “Who may climb the mountain of the LORD?  Who may stand in his holy place?  Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.”
                    –Psalm 24:3-4 (NLT)
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          “Blessed are the pure in heart:  for they shall see God.” — Matthew 5:8 (KJV)

Oh my, this is a tough one.  Ponder a minute before going on.  Pure in heart.  What does that mean?  Is my heart pure?  Oh my…  When we look at the meaning of the term “pure” it makes it even harder.  The Greek is katharos and it means clean, washed clean, purged of chaff, to drink unadulterated with water or metal with no tinge of alloy; it means to be entirely guileless; and the expression of inward purity is there–the quality of those who have been cleansed from moral defilement.  Thomas Watson states, “Morality does but wash a man, grace changes him.”  To continue, the word means “heart-rightness” rather than “rule-rightness”; singlemindedness with its reference pointing to sincerity.  “Freedom from defilement and divided affection,” states Arthur Pink, “it is sincerity, genuineness, and singleness of heart.
     Oh, Lord, how can I keep my heart pure?  I understand part of this, being cleaned and washed, for it is the blood of Christ, but then as I go through life I want to keep a pure heart.  If you have noticed in our study that the Beatitudes reflect a process of sanctification.  Our life is to be pure as John Stott relates, “The pure in heart have their whole lives, public and private, transparent before others.  Their very heart–including their thoughts and motives–is pure, unmixed with anything devious, ulterior, or base.”  See purity stands diametrically opposed to whatever defiles.  Read the rules of the tabernacle.  Yes, we are not under that law, but understand the reasoning behind those laws–purity.  Do not meet with God without having a pure heart.  “Blessed in the man whose motives are always entirely unmixed, for that man shall see God.” (William Barclay)  That is why Paul tells us that we can not be mixed with Belial, and John states that we cannot be part of the world system.  
     Let me remind you here that we are speaking of perfectionism.  If we tend to lean in that direction for sure legalism can seep in.  The Pharisees looked to external purity, forgetting the heart.  We are to look inwardly and from the heart will flow an expression of gratitude and love towards God.  John writes, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7, NIV)  We are reminded that we are not holy in seeking God, but after we are born again we are holy because we have found HIm.  Watson states, “A pure soul is cast into the mold of holiness.  Holiness is a blood that runs in his veins.”
     One more thought this morning.  Paul declares that we are now the Temple of the Holy Spirit.  Where was the heart or foundation of the Temple located?  It was in the holy of holies.”  If we are the “temple” then our hearts most certainly ought to be holy.  Peter tells us, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'” (1 Peter 1:15-16, NIV)  No, try to be holy.  Or, be holy if it fits your agenda.  Or, in my liberty I can choose how to be holy.  No!  We are to be holy in all we do, for He is holy.  Whom do you serve?  You must be free from ulterior motives in your service.  Why do you do what you do?  If the heart is holy, our affections will be, our duties will be.  It is not easy, and Barclay says, “To examine one’s own motives is a daunting and a shaming thing, for there are few things in this world that even the best of us do with completely unmixed motives.”
     Before taking communion we should examine ourselves.  Check the purity of attitude, motives, and actions.  “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28, NIV)  Look in the mirror, the spiritual mirror of the Word of God and we will find that we do not measure up.  “The truth is that one of the most conclusive evidences that we do possess a pure heart is the discovery and consciousness of the remaining impurity that continues to plague our hearts.” (Arthur Pink)  Our prayer should be as that of David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24, NKJV)
         
            “Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
            Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts I pray:
            See if there be some wicked way in me:
            Cleanse me from ev’ry sin, and set me free.”
                  –J. Edwin Orr

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

She held out a mug of coffee for him and then took a drink from her own. Curls of steam rose off the bitter brew, twisting like small ghosts. She stared at the black coffee like it was a mirror.”
                    –James Leonard  (The Sun Never Sets)

Pestilence is coming Pard.  No, don’t be a-lookin’ in yur cup, that’s pure delight.  I wouldn’t be givin’ yuh no poison to be drinkin’.  But Pard, yuh remember that thing they were callin’ COVID?  Say what yuh want about it, folks got scared, did crazy things, and many did die.  A forerunner of what is to come?  Could be, but it does show the state of people and the power of the government and the press.  Get them all a-frenzy, promise a solution and they’ll grasp for it.
     Yuh keep a-starin’ in yur cup.  Don’t be frettin’, go ahead an’ take a sip.  Ahhh, see it’s downright good.  But back to this year’s thought of pestilence.  I read that there’s a new screwworm workin’ its way towards Texas.  No, I’m not speakin’ of the liberal politicians though they have the same effect.  This new pestilence is supposed to be devastatin’ to wildlife, pets, livestock, and even human beans.  The symptoms are a stinkin’ bloody mess from the wound, and irritated behavior, head shakin’ and the like.  Hmmm, the more I think of it the more I see it already infectin’ us two-legged species.  My mercy, Pard!  Are those folks infected with a spiritual screwworm?  Look at ’em.  They have the symptoms.  What was it that ol’ John wrote in the Revelation.  “And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.” (6:8, ESV)  Ol’ Miles Forrest said that he could at times smell the rider of the Pale Horse.  Take a whiff.  Listen, with all that poison bein’ spewed and the lies, don’t be surprised if’n yuh don’t start smellin’ the rider of the pale horse.  Pestilence is part of his arsenal.  Again, not to be alarmin’, but is this another wake up call?

     Pard, yuh don’t be drinkin’ none of the poison that’s bein’ offered yuh.  Don’t be a listenin’ to all them lies tryin’ to get yuh on their side.  Compromise has no place in our lives.  Pard, these left-wing folks are not a pretty blackbird, but a hideous buzzard ready to pluck out yur spiritual eyes.  Evil is out there to get yuh, to trick yuh, to connive yuh.  Look at them, listen to them–they spew the very vile from the pit.  Some of them are even tryin’ to take spiritual overtones, a sorta pseudo-Christianity.  Don’t be fooled by the sweetness that seems to come from their lips for in the end it will be worse than strychnine. 
     Hey Pard, what’s that smell?  No, it’s not yur armpit, it’s something far more sinister.  Is the Pale Rider mounted and ridin’ this way?  Pestilence, beware, watch who yuh bump into along the way, as they could infect yuh.  But ride tall in the saddle, be wary, and keep goin’ onward and upward.  
    Vaya con Dios.
  
P.S.  Don’t forget to check yur cinch.  That could be one of the ploys of the pestilence.