Civilization is getting this country plumb ruined.”
–Eugene Manlove Rhodes (Bransford of Rainbow Range)
“Here indeed, in this [present abode, body], we sigh and groan inwardly, because we yearn to be clothed over [we yearn to put on our celestial body like a garment, to be fitted out] with our heavenly dwelling.”
–2 Corinthians 5:2 (AMPC)
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Just when the world can’t seem to get any more crazier–it does. If a person would stop, take a moment, and just try to reason some of the things that are happening they would be embarrassed. But then again, shame has been removed from our thinking. Maybe it’s my age, maybe it is the things I see going on, but more and more I’m looking forward to the hope of glory. Kenneth Osbeck calls it “the homing desire for heaven.”
“This world is not my home, I’m just a passing thru.
My treasures are laid up some where beyond the blue;
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”
–A.H. Howard
I mean, literally, people are stupid. More than two genders? Cows causing global warming? Illegals are legal and law-abiding citizens are second-rate? I have wondered what it was like for Lot to be sitting in Sodom. He must have maintained some vestige of righteousness or the Lord would not have sent angels to rescue him. “Christians are not citizens of earth trying to get to heaven–but citizens of heaven making their way through the world.” (Vance Havner)
“They’re all expecting me, and that’s one thing I know,
My Savior pardoned me and now I onward go;
I know He’ll take me thru tho I am weak and poor
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”
Pardon! The record is clean. Sins were bore by Jesus on the cross–all sin. The sins of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. That boggles me. He knows what is going to happen tomorrow; the issues and temptations that may come our way. He knows what we are going to do and if we succumb, He is there to accept our repentance for the sin was borne at Calvary. Beyond comprehension!
“Just up in gloryland we’ll live eternally,
The saints on ev’ry hand are shouting victory,
Their song of sweetest praise drifts back from heaven’s shore
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.
O Lord, You know I have no friend like You,
If heaven’s not my home then Lord what will I do;
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”
Whooeee, do I hear the hinges on those pearly gates groaning as they begin to open? We shout the victory down here, but when we finally get to Gloryland, well, the shout will cause the earth to tremble for we will know the fullness of our victory. This world is troublesome, but we have a Friend who walks the way with us. No matter our turmoil, trouble, toil, and despair He is there beside us leading us onward and upward.
Come on friend, we can’t just stop here, one more time before going on.
“O Lord, You know I have no friend like You,
If heaven’s not my home then Lord what will I do;
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”
Author: Ira Paine
The Saga of Miles Forrest
The shot stopped me in my tracks. I looked at the man who had fired it; he was smiling. The other man continued to move against the wall toward the door.
“Mister,” came a taunting voice, “don’t forget to fill my coffee cup.” Then then pointed to the cup with the barrel of his pistol.
I hesitated. He spoke again, “Now don’t try to become a hero and do something foolish. Just lay the shotgun on the table, get the coffeepot and fill my cup. There’s women and innocent people in here.”
“Miles, just do what he says,” ordered Doc. “Don’t be so hard-headed!”
Turning, I moved to the stove for the coffeepot. “Ah, ah, don’t forget to put the shotgun on the table.”
I glanced at him, then set the Greener on the table beside Doc. Grabbing the coffeepot I approached where the man was standing holding his pistol on me.
“Did I hear the man call you, ‘Miles’?” asked the man continuing to smile. “Why, just to think I have the famous Miles Forrest in my gunsights. Just a little tug on the trigger and he would be lying dead on the floor.” He raised his gun to point at my eyes, the smile disappeared. “My coffee.”
I reached his table and started to pour while trying to keep my eyes focused on him. “Don’t spill it!” he admonished.
“Get the woman!” he shouted to the other man who ran to grab Marta.
Molly flung herself in front of Marta. “No, leave her. Take me!”
The other gunman grabbed Molly and started toward the doorway.
I flinched, turning toward them. “Remember, no heroes!” said the man his gun leveled at my head again. “I don’t want to kill you, at least not now. I’m only wanted for robbery; don’t want to add murder to the list.”
He reached down with his free hand, picked up the cup and took a sip. “Ahh, too bad I can’t take the time to drink it. Much obliged.” There was a guttural sound of laughter then I saw him swing his gun.
I went down, hitting the floor hard. I didn’t go unconscious, but I was seeing stars. I heard the man rush to the door as Doc came over to see about me. Trying to push myself up, I fell back down burying my head in my arm.
“Easy, Miles, roll over if you can,” said Doc as he tried to aid me.
“I’ve got to get up; help Molly,” I moaned.
“You’ll do her no good if you can’t even sit up. Now take it easy, one step at a time,” ordered Doc. “Is the room swirling? Can you see my face?”
“No, and no, I don’t want to look in your haggard old face!” I muttered now able to pull myself to a sitting position.
Doc reached down to aid me, and then helped me to sit in a chair. I reached up and rubbed my head. There was some blood, but it was not bleeding badly. A few moments later, I felt a cool cloth soaked in water touching where I had been struck.
I heard someone trying to catch their breath and some sobbing. It was Marta, she was the one attending to my injury. “Marta, it’s all right.”
“She took my place,” she sobbed. “He was going to grab me and she stepped in front.”
Reaching for her hand. “Look at me, Molly will be all right. The Lord is with her, and soon I’ll be goin’ to get her. They didn’t seem intent on hurtin’ anyone.”
“Marshal,” came a slow drawl. I looked toward the voice, it was Skinny Green, an old saloon bum who would eat in the diner most lunch days if he was sober. “I was sittin’ there and he said they’d drop Miss Molly outside of town.”
I touched my head, looked at Marta and winked. “Say a few prayers,” I said. Then getting up I went to get my hat from the table, picked up the Greener and walked out. The people in the diner followed me.
Normally, I keep either Star or Hawk saddled out front, but having just come back from Pueblo I hadn’t bothered. Going to the nearest horse, I mounted. “Tell the owner I commandeered his horse…”
Echoes From the Campfire
High country agreed with me. I seem to breath a lot easier where the air ain’t cluttered up with a lot of people and their ways.”
–Lou Bradshaw (Cain…Just Cain)
“For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”
–Isaiah 55:12 (NKJV)
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“Who is the King of glory? The Lord God Almighty in battle is He!” Thus is the answer given in the last verse of Psalm 24. But before that question can be answered we must look to the previous verses. They are essential if we are to learn to worship properly. Serving the Lord is not as you please, but as He commands. It is not the way you want and if others do not like it tough. No, worship must follow His guidelines. Notice that there are two places where the term “Selah” is mentioned. Do what it says, “Think on this!”
1 – The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord;
2 – for He laid its foundation on the seas and established it on the rivers.
3 – Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place?
4 – The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not set his mind on what is false, and who has not sworn deceitfully.
5 – He will receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 – Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
7 – Lift up your heads, you gates! Rise up, ancient doors! Then the King of glory will come in.
8 – Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle.
9 – Lift up your heads, you gates! Rise up, ancient doors! Then the King of glory will come in.
10 – Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah (HCSB)
First of all there is a clamor in the world about the condition of it. Global warming, environmental issues, toxic gases and on we hear. Remember, there will be a day of reckoning for man was to have dominion over the earth. It belongs to God and man was given the responsibility of being a steward. The earth is groaning due to the curse; there will be a day of reckoning.
Second, there is a prescription for proper worship. Who can stand in His holy place? It’s a short list, but all-encompassing.
1) He must have clean hands.
2) He must have a pure heart.
3) He must not think of falsehoods and false practices.
4) He cannot have sworn deceitfully.
There are the qualifications and they haven’t changed. This is not legalism but true worship. This is worship of the will for the qualifications to enter the Holy Place have to do with the will. The Scriptures continually point out that the outward will reflect the inward. Take heed.
George A.F. Knight makes this comment concerning entering the Holy Place of the Lord. It is NOT: Have you kept the Law? or have you performed the required sacrifices? Instead you MUST HAVE: clean hands, which mark outwardly the cleanness of the heart within and carefully avoid overt evil ways.
Finally, there is a grand finale. Who is the Lord of glory? Look! Contemplate! Take heed to Whom you worship and owe allegiance! Remember, the Lord of Host is the commander of the armies of heaven. There is so much about the Lord being a commander and fighting battles in Scripture, yet, perhaps we have, as Dorothy Sayers said, allowed our modern and enlightened society to successfully declawed the Lion of Judah. Don’t be mistaken, He is soon to roar!
“The king of glory! Who can tell
The wonders of his might?
He rules the nations; but to dwell
With saints is his delight.”
–Isaac Watts
Coffee Percs
She came with coffee and he sat down with his back to the wall and cupped it in his hands. Never had coffee tasted so good.”
–Louis L’Amour (Kilrone)
I know, I know, I’m late and burnin’ daylight. Pard, reckon I’m just becomin’ a lazy bum. But wait’ll yuh taste the coffee and it’ll make yuh forget that I was slow in movin’ round this mornin’. Ahhh, now tell me that ain’t good coffee. If’n yuh do, yur a-lyin’.
I’m still a little achy from that tumble I took the other day. No, it wasn’t ’cause I didn’t check my cinch, or that the wife was flirtin’ with me. I’d been doin’ some work, cuttin’ wood and had sat down to get the fire started so I could grill. Stomach was gettin’ upset so I figured it was somethin’ I et for lunch. I stood up, took a step, and then started my downward fall. Yuh know, I used to dive for ground balls, but now that ground seems harder and it comes up to greet yuh. Reckon I had a touch of heat exhaustion.
Beginnin’ to figure out I’m not as spry as I used to be.
Say Pard, did yuh hear that Starbucks, I think in Tempe, AZ, asked some police officers to leave because their presence was scarin’ a customer? Just throw it in the pile with the rest of the absurd things. Hmmm, I didn’t think yuh could refuse a customer. Let’s see bakers have been sued for not doin’ gay or transgender cakes. Listen, there’s just somethin’ wrong with this picture. More and more that scripture has been comin’ to mind. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20, NKJV). Look at that first word, “Woe”. Now, that’s a frightful word when the Lord uses it! Folks should be fallin’ on their knees to thank the good Lord for His patience.
My, yuh shore did guzzle that coffee down. Oh, ’cause I was late, yuh had to drink fast so yuh could get yur errands done. Okay, Pard, next week I’ll hopefully be back on track. Yuh be havin’ a good weekend. Be shore to visit the Lord’s house this Sunday, and don’t be takin’ a tumble like I did–check yur cinch.