Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on October 29, 2025

The answer was romance, adventure, the call of the unknown, the unconquerable spirit of man to roam, to seek, to find, and never to yield.”
–Zane Grey (The Great Trek)

“But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.”
–Matthew 6:33(Amplified)
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Proverbs 8:17, such a wonderful verse. Notice that it again comes from the first person. We can easily see Jesus speaking here.

“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” (KJV)

Paul certainly understood those words when he wrote in Galatians, “The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (2:20, NIV) Here we see the grace of God. He loved me; He gave Himself for me; He died on the cross for my sins. The fool does not seek wisdom, that is one reason the road he travels leads to perdition. We read in Psalm 14 that the Lord looked down from heaven to see if there were any who sought Him. The same is seen in Psalm 53. He is the desire of our heart, and as Dan Dick states, “When something is the desire of our heart, it should possess us totally.” When I first started dating Annie I wanted to be with her, in fact, the first semester we dated there were only three days that I was not in her presence. There was no way she was going to get out of the loop I tossed over her, and you know what, she wanted to be with me as well.
Notice the last phrase of the KJV, “those that seek me early shall find me.” Woe is me, do I have to get up? That’s what so many think of the new day. But they fail to realize that it is a day that the Lord has given them; not only that, it is a day to come to be in His presence again. We break our fast at breakfast time, but we also break away from the sleep that has kept us away from Him as well. To get up early tells how much an individual, or a thing means to you. One of the greatest memories I have, one that is etched deep in my heart and mind is the fact that when she was not working, Annie would always get up and prepare breakfast for me. There was a desire to be with me; a desire to please me. Charles Bridges writes, “Take care that God is the first person we speak to; that we see His face first before any other; else will our lamp be untrimmed, our soul estranged from His presence, our heart unready for His service.”
Wait a minute! I hear you say it. The KJV translates it wrongly. Let’s look at a few translations of that verse.

“I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.” (NKJV)
“I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.” (NASB)
“I love everyone who loves me, and I will be found by all who honestly search.” (CEV)

This is not a contradiction or necessarily a poor translation. To get up early is to be diligent about what you are going to do. To get up early means that you are serious about what is going to take place that day. But I like the term “diligent”. It shows perseverance, audacity, industriousness, conscientiousness and working towards a goal or outcome. To get up early shows discipline on your part and the hunger that you have to be with the Lord. It could be translated “earnestly.” We are to earnestly seek Him and that is determination. Are we determined to know the Lord more?
One more thought. We see in this verse the idea of mutual love. Parents love their children–the children love their parents. There is mutual love between husband and wife. Christ loves us–we love Him. There is the mutual idea of love and to do that we must come to know the person toward whom our love is directed. It is not just a whim, not just a fancy moment, but a dedicated, diligent time seeking the good of one another. Know that! The Lord seeks good for us, and we serve a loving heavenly Father.
James tells us “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (1:5, NKJV) In other words, if you lack wisdom, ask for it. If you lack wisdom, get up early and earnestly seek His face.

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on October 28, 2025

Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.” –Ecclesiastes 5:18(NLT)

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

McBride’s telegram simply stated, “All set, welcome aboard.” I was in the process of opening Blasco’s when a down-on-his-luck miner burst through the doorway. “Marshal, come quick. He’s killin’ them!”

I stood up, grabbed the Greener, then asked, “Killin’ who?”

“A big guy up at Death’s Door was stompin’ ol’ Gus, when the deputy tried to stop him,” the man stopped looking at the floor. “Poor guy,” he muttered.

Lucas, and with that thought I rushed out the door. Running up the hill, I then cut behind some buildings as the saloon mentioned was on the back street. Not a well-to-do place. Mateo was out of town checking on some stock at Thompsons. I prayed as I ran.

The saloon loomed in front of me so I slowed to a walk so I could get my breath back. I sure didn’t want to be going into a fight short of breath. Stopping at the bat-wing doors I breathed deeply a couple of times then peered over the doors. The man was right, a big man was kicking the life out of a man on the floor. I didn’t see Lucas at first, but then spotted a leg sticking out from under a table.

It was time to end this. “If you kick that man one more time I’ll blow your kneecap off!” I barked, leveling the shotgun.

He turned and snarled at me. Whooeee, he was a big-un; made at least two of me. “Now step back and take off that gunbelt.”

I started toward him. He grunted, “Big man with a shotgun. You put that down, we’ll fight even.”

“You just do what I say! Now, or I might have to thump you.”

The distance had closed between us, but I knew to keep enough space where he couldn’t grab the Greener. He feigned to unbuckle his belt, but lunged at me instead. I was half expecting something and instead of retreating I advanced, using the barrel of the shotgun like a bayonet. I plunged it hard into his gut. He groaned, giving out a muffled shriek and fell to his knees. I was tempted to thump him on the head for spite.

I looked around for a familiar face, but didn’t recognize anyone but the barkeep. “Fenny, here, hold this on him.”

Tossing him the shotgun I hurried over to Lucas lying on the floor, unconscious. He was breathing and I didn’t see any blood on him. I slapped him lightly on the cheek. Nothing.

“Marshal,” hollered Fenny, “Copper just slugged him, then kicked him.”

By that time Doc had arrived. He rushed to Lucas, then opened his bag. He had a little vial that he waved under Lucas’ nose. Lucas gave a jump, then tried to sit up. His eyes were open, but they were groggy. “Easy, easy there boy. You just lie back and get your bearings.”

Doc looked at me, “Now what did you do to that big fellow? You didn’t thump him did you?”

“No, he ran into the barrel of my gun.”

Doc, stepping over to the man. “The Greener I suppose? Help me get him into that chair.”

“Doc,” came a deep moan, “I feel busted up inside, I…”

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on October 27, 2025

Death sometimes had a majesty.”
–Zane Grey (The Border Legion)

“Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
–Psalm 44:22 (NKJV)
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Here we see in 2 Timothy 2:11-13 another little hymn of the Church that some call the “Hymn of Christian Commitment.” Paul gives us a little introduction to this hymn telling us to remember.

8 — Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel,
9 — for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.
10 — Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (NKJV)

Going into this holiday season I would encourage you to look at these words of Paul. Remember, Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. Barclay reminds us that this is not just a one time event, a single day in history, “but a continued state which lasts for ever.” It is more of do not just remember the day He rose from the dead, but be more mindful that He is our risen and ever-present Lord. “We do not depend on a memory, however great. We enjoy the power of a presence.” (Barclay)
We are to remember that Jesus was born of the seed of David. He was a man, He lived the same life that we do. He saw the problems of life and lived them. He faces the struggles that this life brings, and He even died to end His life. He was “the Christ who knew the desperate struggle of being a man and followed to the bitter end the will of God.” (Barclay) Finally, we are to remember the gospel. Hold firm to it, guard the truth presented. Follow the direction that it gives.
Now to the hymn–contemplate these verses for there is much in them:

11 — This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him, We shall live with Him.
12 — If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
13 — If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. (NKJV)

William Petersen relates the story of newlyweds James Calvert and his wife that were sailing from England to the Fiji Islands. The inhabitants of those islands are not like they are today; back in 1838 they were fierce cannibals. What a honeymoon! Calvert, his wife, along with others were going to the natives with the gospel of Christ. The captain of the ship tried to warn them when he learned of their proposed endeavor. “You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages!” Calvert responded boldly, “We died before we came here!”
Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). To live is Christ. We need to understand that this world holds nothing for us. Upon accepting Christ and picking up His cross we affirm our death to this world. As Barclay puts it, “The Christian inherits Christ’s Cross, but he also inherits Christ’s Resurrection.” If we endure, we shall reign. In other words we are to remain loyal no matter the cost. “Endure” according to Gordon Fee means, “holding one’s ground patiently in trouble or affliction.” We read in Mark 13:13, “…But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (NKJV)
There is a negative thrown in here. “If we deny Him, He also will deny us.” What did Jesus say in Matthew? “But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (12:33, NKJV) Barclay puts it this way, “Jesus Christ cannot vouch in eternity for a man who has refused to have anything to do with him in time; but He is forever true to the man who, however much he has failed, has tried to be true to Him.” Now, is the day of salvation. Live for Christ, now, today and He will be with you through eternity. “God will never fail the man who has tried to be true to Him, but not even He cannot help the man who has refused to have anything to do with Him.” (Barclay)
God’s character is firm, there is not a shadow of turning with Him. He is Who He is! He is the I AM! We have hope and assurance because “He cannot deny Himself.” It is impossible for Him to do so; we have that wonderful, calm assurance that He is with us. Jonathan Edwards said one time, “I go out to preach with two propositions in mind. First, every person ought to give his life to Christ. Second, whether or not anyone else gives Him his life, I will give Him mine.”
So go out this week singing the song of the early Church. What a doctrinal statement! What a testimony! What a promise!

“‘Take up thy cross,’ the Savior said,
‘If thou wouldst my disciple be;
Take up thy cross with willing heart,
And humbly follow after Me.'”
–Charles W. Everest

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on October 25, 2025

He saw the coffee pot still on the stove, grabbed a cup from the table and poured some steaming coffee into the tin cup, and started drinking, unmindful of the hot liquid.”

–B. N. Rundell (The Road to Redemption)

Come in this kitchen, Pard. Things are a-doin’. Coffee’s plenty hot and strong enough to give yur innards a kick start. Ha, sure do need that some these days; sometimes the old starter is startin’ harder. Reminds me an ol’ 1952 Ford pickup I drove while workin’ landscapin’. Yuh had to park it on a hill to get it started. Let it roll some, then pop the clutch. Shore was a cold thing, but it ran fine once it was started. Guess that’s like I am. Let my big toe touch the floor an’ I’m up, but ’til then…

Ahhh, yep, tastes mighty good, an’ makes the ol’ gizzard smile. Pard, have yuh ever wondered where some of these people come from, especially those liberal nuts. Just like cockroaches that seem to crawl out of the woodwork. There’s one runnin’ for Congress who said that if a Republican bullied her she’d slit their throat. Mercy…don’t think there will be much talk ‘cross the aisles with her. ‘Course their ain’t much now either. Delusional–yep for shore an’ that tells yuh who they belong to. An’ speaking of the father of lies, did yuh see that the photo of the Boston no king rally was rigged. It was a photo, I think from 2017. Lies, lies, and guess what, after the Lord returns these same folk will follow the man of lawlessness and his lies.

See, that’s why they’ll sellin’ cinos and other such things an’ callin’ it coffee. Lies, delusion, just a simple subtle thing to get yuh to believin’ somethin’ that ain’t so. Pard, an’ ol’ poke from the Cowboy Site wrote some words that we need to be hangin’ on to. Let me be passin’ them on to yuh. He said that “bad folks ride every trail–some wear a grin while they twist the knife.” See, Pard, I’m not the only one a-tellin’ yuh to ride wary an’ keep yur gun near. This puncher goes on to say, “Yuh can’t change their ways or reason ’em right. All yuh can do is keep yur boots clean and yur word solid. The only cure for evil is refusin’ to join it.” That tellin’ how the cow eats the cabbage!

Yuh ever watch some of those folks bein’ interviewed? My mercy…they haven’t a clue of what their doin’; it’s a wonder they can put their shoes on in the mornin’. But then, that’s the crowd that ol’ slewfoot has in his back pocket–confused, angry, bitter folk full of hatred. Our job is doin’ the right thing, helpin’ out in the place where we find ourselves, and bein’ the person the good Lord wants us to be no matter what trail we find ourselves a-travelin’. Don’t be joinin’ that evil crowd! Stay true to the Word an’ be standin’ firm, and if ridin’, sit tall in the saddle. Keep the joy of the Lord, an’ be checkin’ yur cinch.

Vaya con Dios.