Author: Ira Paine

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Fear and faith couldn’t co-exist, they were like oil and water.”

                    –Dan Arnold  (Riding for the Brand)

       “‘Assemble the people, and I will give them water.’  There the Israelites sang this song:  ‘Spring up, O well!  Yes, sing about it!'”
                    –Numbers 21:16-17(NLT)
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                    “Spring up, O well, within my soul,
                    Spring up, O well, and make me whole,
                    Spring up, O well, and give to me
                    That life abundantly.”
                            –Phil Wickham

Joseph Parker writes, “The children of Israel had been having a hard time.  This is the way in which God makes men, by driving them from pillar to post, by making them live a long time in tents, and by commanding them to take up their tent and go on, no matter where; not for them to know, it is enough that God knows.”  A characteristic of the wilderness is the scarcity of water.  Now we see in Numbers 21:17-18, the digging of a well.  That takes time and effort, but the water was desperately needed.
     This time the water was there but the people had to dig a well.  It was dug by the leaders and nobles (interesting).  Moses didn’t strike the rock, there wasn’t a tree to cut down to make the water drinkable.  No, men had to get their hands dirty and dig into the dirt to dig the well that would bring the refreshing, reviving water.
     Take a moment and think of those who have dug wells to refresh and strengthen your life.  Parker says, “Woe to any nation that forgets the memory of its well-diggers.”  Digging a well requires effort.  Who were those who made the effort to dig wells for your life?  Who has encouraged you, who has strengthened you, who has taught and trained you?
     Teaching a child to read is digging a well (Parker).  Instructing them in the Word of God is digging a well.  Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were well-diggers and their stories we kept in front of the people to remember.  Remembering those who dug wells in the past is digging a well.  Then when the water gushes forth sing praise to the Lord.  When water is found and the soul is refreshed, sing a song of praise.
     One of the purposes of deconstruction (postmodernism) is to distort, obscure, destroy, or deny the well-diggers of the past.  Distort the exploits of Joshua, deny the courage of David, destroy the teachings of Paul.  “Give me liberty or give me death”–those words do not count for Patrick Henry owned slaves.  The “Star-Spangled Banner” must be discarded because Francis Scott Key owned slaves.  Washington, Jefferson, Madison were all slave holders, therefore their contributions are tainted.  Columbus, the exploiter of the natives, or the one who brought hope through Christianity, and a new world was founded that would change the globe.  Warp the purposes of the leaders, misrepresent the purposes and dwell in their faults but never in their faith.  Destroy the well-diggers.
     A final thought–open your eyes and see God.  See the well He has provided in your own life.  Drink from your own well; the water is provided.  Share the water with others in acts of kindness that may bring hope.  You are a well-digger.  Read the chorus above again.  The first part of it goes like this.
                    “I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me,
                     Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see,
                    Opens prison doors, sets the captives free.
                    I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me.”
     Hmmm, perhaps you will have to be like Isaac and uncover the wells of his father.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on
No human creature entered a desert oasis without joy, nor left it without regret.”
                    –Zane Grey  (Wanderer of the Wasteland)
 
     “Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again.  But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.  But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.'”
                    –John 4:13-14 (NKJV)
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     How many bones lie just a hillside away from the oasis, the spring of life?  How many, with just a little more effort, would have made it over the rise to see the refreshing water below?  How many, if they would have just endured a little longer and not given in to the struggle of life, would have made it to the reviving waters?  How many, how many, if they would not have parted from the way; would not have become disoriented; would have made it from one water tank to another?  Oh, the stories that could be told from the bones lying bleached in the wilderness.  Stories that will never be told unless a person happens to come across their dry bones and attempt to surmise what might have happened.
     Water, that vital elixir of life, is often found missing when trekking through the wilderness.  You may notice a dryness in your spirit as you drag your feet through the rocks, gravel, and sand, avoiding the spines of the cacti and cholla.  The canteen is dry, but you still continue to carry it in hope, in faith; you didn’t throw it away when you took that last drop.  The struggle is real, the heat, the dryness, and then, over the rise–look.  No, it can’t be, it must be a mirage, one of those devices of the devil.  Look again, and the heat waves seem to still for a moment.  There is green from the vegetation causing hope to rise in your heart and you move a little faster.  Those feet that were dragging in despair are not lifting off the ground.  Because of your weariness you stumble, but only for a moment; for coming into view, is the refreshing water.  The soul is craving water; the body is trembling at the thought to soothe the parched lips.  Soon, the cool, refreshing water will trickle down your throat.  There is plenty.  Throw yourself in, restore yourself in its freshness.
     Once you have satisfied your thirst, reflect as you sit there, on the edge of the pool, now splashing those tired, hot feet in the coolness of the oasis.  Ahhh, sweet relief, wonderful relief.  Water, to reinvigorate the body and soul.  But remember it is only a stopping point in your journey.  The purpose is to have water, relief from the blast and dryness of the wilderness, to continue the quest onward.  No matter how you came to the wilderness, whether it was by trying to escape a situation of life or being driven by the wind of God; you now seek to survive and you need water.
     Water is essential.  It may be the natural water of a desert oasis, or one of those tanks hidden in the cleft of the rocks along the rugged plateau.  It may be the spiritual water given by the One who said, “I AM, the living water.”  It was needed to keep you alive, just as the spiritual water is needed to help you make it to the land of promise, the land of relief.  The water was provided, you have refreshed yourself for the continuation of the journey.
     You have tasted the water provided by the Lord.  Perhaps now is the time to take a good look at what you have been drinking trying to quench the spiritual thirst.  Know this, only the heavenly water that flows from Jesus will quench that thirst.  Just as when you have been extremely thirsty you sought the natural water to quench that thirst and to revive your body, you need to taste from the overflowing fountain that Christ provides.
 
(Much of the above was taken from my book, Trails in the Wilderness)

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Every man is responsible for his own actions. Whatever he does or says, it’s his choice and no one else’s.”
                    –John Deacon  (Yonder)

       “The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.”
                    –Proverbs 1:7 (Amplified)
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Chapter 8 of Proverbs starts out with the cry from wisdom.  This is the cry of reality, the cry of reason.  No, not man’s reason, nor man’s relative reality.  The wisdom of God is pure in its nature, and as I have written many times the words of Francis Schaeffer, “True spirituality comes all of reality.”  Then listen, listen to the cry of reality–the cry of wisdom.  Bob Beasley says that, “Godly wisdom is truth.  That which is not wise is crooked and perverse.”  As you read, note also the Messianic tone.

          1 — Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding life up her voice?
          2 — She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, beside the way, where the paths meet.
          3 — She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors:
          4 — To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.
          5 — O you simple ones, understand prudence, and you fools, be of an understanding heart.
          6 — Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips will come the right things;
          7 — For my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
          8 — All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them.
          9 — They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
        10 — Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold;
        11 — For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.  (NKJV)

     If you wonder why there is so much chaos, so much perversion and immorality, it is because man does not heed the cry of wisdom.  We see that reason is making herself heard.  But who is listening?  Then too often, the voice of wisdom is silenced (i.e., Charlie Kirk).  “People create circumstances that are good and bad, and you and I have to deal with people and circumstances as we go through life.” (Wiersbe)  As we read through Proverbs, note the people that are seen–you’ll meet them throughout your life.
     It has become the purpose of higher education to silence wisdom.  They show a type of pseudo-wisdom–fake, false, man’s wisdom.  It has become the purpose of politicians to push a wisdom that does not line up with the Scriptures.  One reason for that, is that the Word of God is not taught, preached, or lived out.  With that, many pulpits, that sacred desk which should be crying out with the wisdom of God is silent and has become complacent or compromised.
     Let me add, no matter what we see–wisdom is calling; always placing man at places of decision.  Verse 3, says that she cries out where the paths meet.  The path divides, which do you take?  THE CHOICE IS YOURS.  I would advise listening to the voice of wisdom, not the progressive teaching of culture.  The wisdom of God is patient while modern culture “elevates quick fixes, instant gratification and self-centered pursuits.” (Mike Leake)  J. Verson McGee writes, “The problem is in the mind and heart of men.”  Look at the way, the paths come together, which will you take.  Wisdom has only one path–choose wisely.
     Quickly I want to give some thoughts.  There is so much to say on these verses.  Verse 4, the appeal is to all people, just as salvation is to all.  Who will listen?  Verse 5, if you are immature you should learn to be mature.  If you are foolish, you should learn to have sense.  What voice are you listening to?  Verse 6, Listen/Hear!!  We should follow the example given here and let “our words reflect the presence of God in our hearts.”  When you speak, what comes from your mouth?  The words of the wise, the godly or the atrocious speech of the wicked?  Verse 10-11, show the value of godly training and instruction.  It is far better than worldly wealth and gain.  I will add in closely, these verses present a path, a choice–who are you serving?  If serving God, how much energy and effort is put into that service?   Pursue God listening to the words of wisdom.

 

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on
There is another serious problem I have seen in the world.  Riches are sometimes hoarded to the harm of the saver, or they are put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost.  In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children.”  –Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 (NLT)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
     We were all enjoying a delicious breakfast at the diner.  By “we”, I mean myself, Mateo, and Charlie Gold.  Seldom are the three of us able to get together unless it is because of some crisis.  Mateo had Emelda’s wonderful huevos rancheros of which I had an order of myself.  It is always a hard decision, the huevos rancheros or biscuits and gravy of which the Sheriff was stuffing himself with.
     “Careful, Charlie.  Yuh better slow down some or you’ll be droppin’ a glob that gravy on your new shirt.  I don’t think Marta would be pleased.  I will say, however, that’s it’s nice to see you all dressed up.”
     Mateo stopped his fork halfway to his mouth and grinned.  “It’s ’cause he’s politicking.  Election is comin’ up in a few weeks.”
     I had been out of town and had plum forgotten that it was election time.  I was just getting ready to remark on it when Doc Jones walked into the diner.  “Well, sure hope there’s no crime taking place in town as the duly appointed law officers, and one elected one,” he said pointing to Charlie, “are all stuffing their bellies with food.  And from what I’m seeing if there was a crime they would be so full that they’d have to waddle to the crime scene.”
     “Doc, sit yourself down and quit your blabbering!” snapped Charlie.  “We were listening to Miles.  He’s got quite the decision to make.”
     “Heard you were back in town,” quipped Doc, then he surveyed our plates.  Shaking his head, he waved Lola over.  “Dear, I’ll have a piece of pie–chocolate if you have any.  If not, bring me any type of cream pie.”
     “I’ll get the coffee for him, Lola.  Go ahead and find something for Doc’s disposition to sweeten it up.”
     I got a glare from him along with a grunted, “Bah.”
     Standing I grabbed a cup from the shelf and poured Doc a cup of coffee, and then filled the cups of Mateo and Charlie along with my own.  As I was setting the pot back on the stove I heard Charlie warn Doc, “If you take the last piece of chocolate, you might just be having to fix yourself up.”
     “Come on, Miles, sit down and tell me what’s happening,” commanded Doc, before taking a sip.
     “I’ve been offered a position as a Colorado Ranger,” I simply told the three of them.
     “Does that mean Denver is in your future?” inquired Doc, sipping at the hot brew.
     “No, I’ll be assigned to Section D and will travel a circuit similar to what Charlie does as sheriff.
     Mateo was staring, and I could tell he was puzzled.  “Amigo, pardon my ignorance, but I have never, ever, heard of the Colorado Mounted Rangers.”
     “And what is Section D?” blurted out Doc.
     “Ask him what Molly thinks of it,” snickered Charlie.  I looked at him, smiling.  A large chuck of gravy had fallen on his new shirt.  The whitish color of the gravy showed up quite well on his maroon shirt.
     “Hold on…”