Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on March 28, 2025

Even while laughing with them, there was a quality and a strength to him that made him, without trying to be, more than they were.”
–Clair Huffaker (Cowboy)

“Only God! The God who equips me with strength and makes my way perfect.”
–Psalm 18:32 (CEB)
——————————–
LENT: a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter; a period of fasting and regret for one’s sins that is observed on the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter. At least that is what I found on the internet. I’ve not been one to get involved with “Lent”, the main reason being, shouldn’t we always be preparing ourselves, regretting our sins and repenting? Why only at this time of year? It wasn’t practiced by the early Church and from what I’ve read it wasn’t formalized until the Council of Nicaea.
However, on the other hand I have no problem with those who practice what is suggested during Lent. It can bring one’s mind to focus on Jesus Christ and all that entails. This morningI want us to ponder the life of Jesus. We know that He lived in a world where the local ruler, Herod, was paranoid and violent. Read his reactions when the Magi did not return. Also, during the boyhood of Jesus, the area of Palestine was under Roman rule. This was the beginning of what is known as “Pax Romana” and in one aspect it was good, but the Jews hated the dominance of Rome.
James Stalker writes, “It is enough to know that He grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. He was a real child and youth, and passed through all the stages of a natural development. Body and mind grew together, the one expanding to manly vigor and the other acquiring more and more knowledge and power. His opening character exhibited a grace that made everyone who saw it wonder and love its goodness and purity.” Do not! I repeat, do not get caught in the wild tales that some tell of His boyhood. These are nothing more than “worthless and blasphemous fables.” (Stalker)
His earthly father, Joseph, was responsible for the training of Jesus, especially in giving Him a trade. Since Joseph was a carpenter (or stonemason as some say) it would follow that Jesus would be one as well. But before He was old enough to begin as a trade there was the responsibility of Joseph to properly train Jesus. Remember, the dreams of Joseph. He knew that Jesus was the Son of God; he also recognized the responsibilities of a father. It was his job to protect the young boy. Joseph knew and recognized the voice of God. I bring your attention to Matthew’s Gospel:
“Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.” (2:16, NKJV) But we must back up to see the faith of Joseph, “Now then they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.'” (2:13, NKJV) Jesus most likely would not understand what was happening. He could be at least two years old when this happened, so at an early age His life was disrupted and the family moved to Egypt until the death of Herod. Certainly as He became older Joseph and Mary would tell Him of this dream, this event, and the escape to Egypt. I wonder what He thought of that event knowing that many were killed to get at Him.
We know that Mary was chosen to be His mother, and she would perform all the motherly duties. She must have been well-versed in Scripture and had a tremendous faith in God. “She was no miraculous queen of heaven, as superstition has caricatured her, but a woman exquisitely pure, saintly, loving and high-souled… Jesus grew up in her love and passionately returned it.” (Stalker) There were His brothers: James, Joses (Joseph), Jude, and Simon as well as an unknown number of sisters. We know nothing of their boyhood relationship with Jesus. Perhaps their attention was on His siblings and that was the reason they didn’t notice that Jesus was missing when they were returning from the Passover when Jesus was twelve. It could be that He was somewhat older and therefore did not form a strong bond with His brothers and sisters. Also this would be the last mention of Joseph, His father and it would be the time when He was accepted into manhood. The words of Luke give us the following: “And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” (2:40, NKJV)
He grew, physically, mentally, and spiritually. He must have spent much time in the Holy Writ devoting Himself to it. Did He find Himself within the writings? Most likely He did. “It formed the food of His mind and the comfort of His soul.” (Stalker) Jesus grew up in Nazareth, a town that did not have a very good reputation. It was notoriously wicked and the question was asked one time regarding Jesus, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”
In this season, whether or not you recognize “Lent,” take time to focus on the life of Jesus. Concentrate and focus your efforts on some aspects of His life. Read a “good” book on the Lord. Take time to pray–to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior. Understand that He was definitely a man for His times, but also know and understand that He was a man for all time.

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on March 27, 2025

Hitting the trail and having at it, taking your licks, and pushing through. Driving through whatever the trails throws your way.”

–John Deacon (The Provider 2)

“For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

–James 1:3 (NLT)
———————————-
3.11 — My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD or loathe His reproof,
.12 — For whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. (NASB)

3.11 — My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,
.12 — for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (ESV)

Funny how some things linger in the mind and never leave. I can remember that hot June night waiting, waiting, and then hearing the “click, click, click” of boots wearing taps. The drill instructor appeared. Tension was already high, but it climbed even higher, just like the hot, humid night. For the next several weeks we were trained, and disciplined, to do what we should do and were oftentimes severely reprimanded if we did not. Quickly we learned, most of us, that we needed to pay close attention to the instruction given to us. The CEB puts verse 11 this way, “Don’t reject the instruction of the LORD…”.
At the beginning of this time of training the job of the instructor was to tear down the old facade that we carried. The attitude of “I’m going to do my own things” was quickly erased or the recruit was booted out. In the military there is no room for autonomy. In fact, there is no room for it in the life of a Christian. To have this attitude is to put oneself up on a pedestal–to become an idol. Discipline, instruction are a must and we must understand the why of it. In fact, the writer of Hebrews says, “If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate…”. (12:8, NIV)
We are on this earth to do the Father’s will; to do that we must be properly trained. We are then not to make light of His discipline. Part of proper training is discipline, doing what is right, over and over. We are to understand what the will of the Father is and that comes from the Scriptures and His correction. Notice this part of 2 Timothy 3:16, “useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character”. (CEB) I like the way this is put. God disciplines us, chastens, not for punishment. Discipline is not punishment; criminals are punished, sons are admonished and trained. We need to understand that “if they [afflictions] were intended as mere punishments they would have been made more destructive”. (Spencer)
Overall, I didn’t mind basic training. I understood the purpose and I understood the need for discipline. We were pushed, we were admonished to finish the task at hand; to do it right and to do it right the first time. Oh, at times the affliction seemed hard to bear, but understanding the purpose of it made it bearable. J.L. Flores states, “The pain itself is that which renders us unable to see the connection between it and the benefit it is to work out.” Don’t let feelings get in the way, realize the hand of the Lord in His discipline. It is important for us to recognize the difference between the miseries of life that come because of sin and that of God’s correction. Do not confuse correction with rejection. This correction/discipline shows that we are children of God. Woe unto that parent who does not discipline their children for they are setting them up for a fall. Someone wisely has said, “God’s strokes are better than Satan’s kiss and love; God smites for life, Satan caresses for death”.
Hebrews tells us the purpose of God’s discipline, “For they [parents] disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness”. (12:10, NASB) We are called, “My son…” meaning we are recognized as individuals and one of God’s children. God knows what we need and when we need it, and how much discipline is needed. “God discerns the needs of His children.” (Flores) I remember speaking with a parent who spanked their child for every infraction, and I asked him what he would do if the child ever did something seriously wrong?
The purpose of discipline/instruction is for training, for education. There is a reason behind proper discipline. Even if it is rebuke or chastising for sin, the purpose is to eradicate sin–that develops character. There is significance in the idea of discipline. It shows relationship, son-ship. God is presiding over our training. And I smile as I now write, “No pain–no gain.” We are to “look beyond the pain to the hand that chastens.” (F.B. Meyer) A slogan from the Navy SEALs puts discipline in perspective, “The only easy day was yesterday.” Friend, the Lord loves so much that He is not willing to let you go your own way. He is keeping close watch and if need be bring His hand of correction on us. The words of Job should bring us hope, “Behold, how happy is the man who God reproves, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For He inflicts pain, and give relief; He wounds, and His hands also heal”. (Job 5:17-18, NASB)

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on March 26, 2025

The fruits—I’ll read ‘flowers’–of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control, and some of these grow only in the canyon.”
–Ralph Connor (The Sky Pilot)

“Instead, rejoice as you share Christ’s suffering. You share his suffering now so that you may also have overwhelming joy when his glory is revealed.”

–1 Peter 4:13 (CEB)
—————————————
I want to throw a few things at you to ponder this morning and throughout the day. We’ll start at Acts 16, with Paul and Silas arriving in Philippi. They were having success in ministering, so much so that it was threatening local businesses and the leadership of the city. When Paul cast a demon out of a girl who was a wage-earner, the men became outraged and drug them before the city officials who then had them whipped and thrown into prison.
There is so much to this story, but I want us to concentrate on verse 25, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (NKJV) They were not singing the blues, they were not moaning and groaning over their situation. See, they understood that the steps of a righteous man are ordered by God and thus were singing His praises for He was with them in the midst of their woes. They weren’t singing the theme-song of so many, “Gloom, despair, agony on me…”. More likely it was something like, “There’s power, power, wonder-working power…”. There was enough power to cause an earthquake and release them from their chains. Even in the worst of circumstances we can rejoice in the Lord. “When the pressure is on, you don’t have to run or retreat. You can rejoice, smile, skip, and clap your hands because you know that God is with you, always.” (James Merritt)
Praising the Lord in prison while at Philippi. Rejoicing in the Spirit despite their circumstances. Friends, if circumstances dictate our attitudes, especially towards the Lord, we have a poor relationship with Him. But now, fast forward ten to fifteen years, Paul is again in prison, not in Philippi, but he has the Philippians on his mind and so writes them a letter–a letter of rejoicing. Right from the start, his pen moves under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and he writes, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for all of you with joy.” (1:3, NKJV)
Prison again, and while there is some debate as to whether this was Paul’s first or second imprisonment in Rome, it doesn’t matter. He has no idea of what tomorrow may bring; it could be his execution, but while waiting he writes this wonderful letter to the Philippian church about rejoicing. Lydia would have heard it, perhaps the girl that was freed from the demonic spirit was there. Surely, Paul thought of the old jailer who came to the Lord and brought his family. He would be smiling, thinking of that night many years ago when he heard two men singing praises instead of cursing in their prison cells. Paul sang in prison, now he writes a letter from another prison.
He writes, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord…”. (3:1, NKJV) It is important that we grasp the concept here. Rejoicing was not just a happenstance with the Philippians. Rejoicing was part of the lifestyle of Paul, part of his character. Life was not going to get him down, the devil was not going to defeat him, instead he was going to rejoice. He wrote the Thessalonian church to, “Rejoice always.” (5:16) In his letter he admonishes the Philippians, and thus to all believers everywhere, to “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (4:4, NKJV) In the midst of all difficulties, in the midst of all situations, we are called to rejoice! Jack Graham says, “Find your joy in God’s blessings, not your immediate circumstances.” In that same vein, Matthew Henry states, “It is our duty and privilege to rejoice in God, and to rejoice in him always; at all times, in all conditions. There is enough in God to furnish us with matter of joy in the worst circumstance on earth.”
So rejoice! Again I say rejoice!

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on March 25, 2025

Whatever exists today and whatever will exist in the future has already existed in the past. For God calls each even back in its turn.” –Ecclesiastes 3:15, NLT

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

My hand went instinctively to my gun. I pushed Doc to the side, ready.

“Miles! You scared me!” cried out Luciana. “Mateo told me what happened and with the boys in school I thought I might come by to help the Senora.” She then looked over my shoulder to where Molly was sitting. “She is all right, is she not?”

I was a bit disturbed at myself, ready to draw, and shoot if need be and it was only Luciana. I nodded, “Thank you for coming. Uh, let me open the door so you can get inside.”

She stepped in, saw Doc and gave him a greeting and hug, then hurried over to where Molly was at the table. Molly gave me a little wave, so I went on out the door, closing it behind me.

“Let me go check on my patient. I’ll get back to you later,” said Doc, then he rushed on across the street.

Rushing up the boardwalk, I wasn’t paying any attention and almost ran over Betty Chapman. “Why Miles, you should be more careful and observant of your surroundings,” she muttered with concern.

She was right, of course. What was going on in my head? I apologized profusely, she took it, then gave me a smile, nodding her head as if she understood. I’m glad she did. She informed me that she was coming down to see Molly and help clean up the diner. I turned to watch her continue on her trek. Friends–that’s part of what life is all about.

Continuing on up to the jail, I entered to see Lucas closing the door to the cells. For some reason, my attention was drawn to the fact that he was wearing a gunbelt. I knew he did, but it really never caught my attention. “You gettin’ any good with that pistola?”

He gave me a slight smile. “Charlie says I’m getting faster each time he takes me out.”

Nodding at him, I remarked, “Fast is good, but you have to be able to hit your target. I’ve known several who were faster than the person they faced but are now lying beneath God’s good sod.”

“Faster than you?” his eyes opened in amazement. “Senor Miles, you’re the fastest I’ve ever seen.”

“Lucas my boy, you ain’t seen much, but one of the reasons I’m still standing is that I didn’t miss.” For some reason my hand went to my side, the location of one of my many scars. It became quiet, and I said, “I pray that you never have to use that against another man.” Lucas dropped his head, then gave a slight nod.

To break up the solemnity, I asked, “How’s the prisoner? I came up to talk with him.”

“He doesn’t complain, even at the coffee I bring him,” replied Lucas, then he chuckled. “He said it reminded him of drinking tar.”

I slapped Lucas on the shoulder, “Well, Lucas, I don’t ever plan to drink tar, so I won’t have to make the comparison.” He smiled as I took the keys from his hand to open the door.

“Okay, Thornton, or is it Short? I want some answers.”

“Marshal,” he muttered as he moved to sit up on the cot. “Are you really going to hold me here? I’m truly not wanted in Colorado.”

“How about Kansas? I was told you’re a wanted man there.”

“This Thornton fellow might be, but as my dearly departed friend told you, I’m Josiah Short,” he paused for a moment then continued. “My brother, Luke, ain’t gonna like you locking me up in here.”

“I know Luke and I don’t reckon he’ll be a bother.”

His eyes widened quickly when I mentioned that I knew Luke Short, then he quickly gained his composure. “Give me the names of the other two men,” I ordered sharply.

“Uh, the one with the fur was Frank Upton; the other one from the kitchen was Curly Coy. He was a crazy man,” he told me, shaking his head.

“This doesn’t sound like something Teeter would do.”

Before he answered Lucas came into the cell area with a telegram. There was concern etched on his face when he handed me the telegram. “Sheriff shot, Peters dead — STOP — need your help. Deputy Lucius Tanner.”

“I’ll get back to you,” I told the man in the cell, then followed Lucas from the cell room. “Don’t say anything to your sister until you hear from me! Got it?” I headed for the train station to check the time of departure…