Author: Ira Paine

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

It takes very little to make one comfortable.”
                    –Louis L’Amour  (Under the Sweetwater Rim)

       “Then they were glad because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.”

                    –Psalm 107:30 (RSV)
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Psalm 131, what a psalm and prayer to begin the month of December with!  It speaks of a quiet and calm spirit, a trusting soul, and a simple faith.

          1 — LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty; neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me.
          2 — Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
          3 — O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forever.  (NKJV)

What a simple pronouncement of faith.  It was John Bunyan who said, “Hope is never ill when faith is well.”  If our hope wavers or despairs it is because we are weak in our faith.  Perhaps our faith is weak because we hope and put our trust in the wrong things.  If that is so, it is idolatry.  Listen, there are things that you’re never going to have in life, places you’re never going to go, and dreams that are never going to be fulfilled.  The things once thought important are no longer attainable for one reason or another.  As David implies in this psalm, let go of things that do not matter, things that hold you down, things that are not really all that important.  In other words, get rid of self-centeredness and focus on God.
     Focus not on the things that you cannot control, but on God and the things that are under your control.  There is a great little prayer that AA use, but it is fitting for all of us.  “Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”  David purposes to be still and quiet before God.  He waits upon the Lord in calm expectation–He is there.  Like a child who has been weaned, he still must depend upon his parents to bring him proper nourishment.  He still must trust his parents for everything.  As Steven Lawson points out, “This is to be the position of the believer, quietly submissive and trusting in God.”
     Lawson writes, “Childlike trust always has an element of hope.  As a person trusts in God, a positive confidence in God regarding the future floods his soul.”  Our hope is in the Lord, that must also be where our faith rests.  The foundation of faith and hope is found in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (NKJV)  I recall the words of the grand old hymn:

          “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
          I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”
                    –Edward Mote

     Our contentment is not in circumstances or material goods, or gain in our career.  Our contentment is to be in the Lord.  Our hope must be based in Him from this time forth and forever.  J. Oswald Sanders said, “There is no conceivable situation in which it is not safe to trust God.”  God is always worthy of our full trust.

          “He came down to earth from heaven
          Who is God and Lord of all,
          And his shelter was a stable,
          And his cradle was a stall:
          With the poor and mean and lowly
          Lived on earth, our Savior holy.”
                  –Cecil Frances Alexander

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Then he took the steaming black liquid in the tin cup in both hands and sipped it. ‘That’s good coffee. I’ve missed cow camp coffee.” 

                    –C. Wayne Winkle  (Gideon Parnell: The Beginning)
 
My mercy, Pard, that poor hoss of yur’s.  How much pie did yuh eat?  Four pieces or four pies?  I know there was plenty of food and the folks sure filled their plates.  Yuh wasn’t one of them that hit the dessert table first were yuh?  Hmmm, my missus made four pies: two apple, a pumpkin, and a sweet tater.  I know there was also a chocolate one around.  From the looks of yur girth yuh did yurself proud.
     Really nice weather down at the lake, sitting ’round the fire for a few days, eatin’, drinkin’ coffee, an’ watchin’ the flames flicker.  Spent some time jawin’ with folks I see only once a year.  Yep, it was a nice time.  Was sittin’ there one time, sippin’ on the hot coffee that was just boiled at the fire and heard something.  At first I thought it was just the wind comin’ cup and whisperin’ through the tree tops, but then I recognized that it was an “Echo”.  Yep, I could hear it comin’ off the lake, beginnin’ at one end and movin’ quietly over the waves.  It weren’t nostalgia, but the sound of rememberin’ and reflectin’ on how good the Lord has been to me through the years.
     Made me realize the there are fewer days left in front of me than behind me.  Need to be makin’ most of the time left.  No tellin’ when the Lord may call a person home, or when He might be comin’ in on the clouds.  In fact, when I heard the wind in the trees I wonder if’n that’s not the Holy Spirit a whisperin’ sayin, “He’s comin’, be ready for the sound.”
     Sure did enjoy my time ’round the fire.  Coffee was good.  I’d forgotten just how good coffee boiled on a campfire tasted.  Ahhh, not that what we’re a-drinkin’ this mornin’ is bad.  Just something ’bout bein’ out in God’s great cathedral, enjoyin’ His creation, and swallerin’ good coffee that hits the soul.  But Pard, yuh best lose those pounds for this is the Christmas season an’ jist because yuh enjoyed a feast on Thursday don’t go fillin’ yurself everyday.  
     For sure the Lord is good!  He is faithful to His children an’ sure good to know that I’m one of them.  Be sure durin’ this time of year that yuh do plenty of ponderin’ on all that He has done for you.  Enterin’ Christmas be thinkin’ of why He came down to this ol’ earth.  Make His comin’ personal.  An’ in the hustle and bustle of the season, when yuh go out don’t forget to be checkin’ yur cinch or when yuh fall on yur noggin’ yu’ll see all sorts of colorful lights.  
     Speakin’ of lights, tonight they light up the town square.  Nice time and it’s a blessin’ to see a community still showin’ that Jesus is the reason, not only for the season, but for our lives.
      Vaya con Dios.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Sometimes we have to be content with small blessings.”

                    –Elmer Kelton  (The Pumpkin Rollers)

       “Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!”
                    –Psalm 147:7 (ESV)
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          “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
          Praise Him, all creatures here below;
          Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
          Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”
                    –Thomas Ken

As I was sitting around the campfire yesterday, pondering on what to write, the words of the above hymn kept flowing through my mind.  Simple song, yet the words are full of meaning.  “Praise!”  WOW, what a meaningful word and often used in a trivial way.  We give praise far too often to mediocre individuals and events.  But then, perhaps the person voicing the praise is one of those mentioned in Proverbs, and I’m not speaking of the person of wisdom.  
     The Oxford Dictionary isn’t much help–“the expression of approval or admiration for someone or something.”  It doesn’t really do God honor and justice.  God is worthy of praise.  It refers to lifting Him up in our mind; an action and purpose of the will.  We have to will ourselves to praise God.  Someone said this about praise, “It is the joyful recounting of what God has done for us.  Praise and Thanksgiving go hand in hand…  Praise is the acknowledgment of all the wonderful, righteous deeds of God.”
     One of the most important aspects of praise is that of thanking God for His blessings in our lives.  We could spend hours discussing all that He has done from us from our first breath to where we are currently in life.  Oh, some may scoff at this and say that God has never done anything for them, but they think too small.  Breath, gravity, the systems of physics and the body–the natural world declares His wonder and without them life could not exist.  I wonder, and I include myself, if we have ever thanked God for gravity.  I’m sure Sir Isaac did, but imagine life without it.
     Thank Him for His creation, thank Him for the starry sky and the wonders of the heavens.  Thank Him that He is your heavenly Father and He cares for you.  Thank Him for the Son, Jesus Christ, and what He has done for man to bring him back in relationship to God by offering Him redemption.  Thank Him for the promise of the Holy Spirit who is sent to guide us into all truth.  With each of these we could spend hours thanking God and there have been countless books written about theology.
     One more thought–as you sit down to partake of the bounty that will be set before you on Thanksgiving, use it as an opportunity to thank God for the “blessed hope.”  One day we will be at the great supper in heaven united once again with loved ones and friends.  Talk about fellowship and feasting, but I would implore you now to thank God of what is to come.  The words of Revelation 19:9 end thusly, “These are the true words of God.” (NIV)
     This will be the last Echo until December.  Take time this Thanksgiving season to be thankful for all that God has blessed you with.  Take time to ponder, not merely voice words.  In closing this morning‘s note I leave you with Psalm 113:1-3 (NIV), and perhaps it wouldn’t be too far wrong after you read it the first time, to read it again substituting “praise” with “thanks.”

          1 — Praise the LORD.  Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
          2 — Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore.
          3 — From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets the name of the LORD is to be praised.

 

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on
Amen!  Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever.  Amen.”  –Revelation 7:12(NKJV)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     When I arrived at the depot, I saw Charlie behind some barrels just off the platform across from the baggage car.  There was a man and from what I could tell, a railroad worker lying on the ground in front of the car.  Steam was flowing from the engine causing me to grin.  Smart man, that engineer.  When the shooting started, he cut off the engine then he and the fireman hightailed it out of the area.
     I ran to where Charlie was watching.  “What’s the scoop?”
     “Robbery.  From what I can tell there are at least three men inside the….”  Shots were fired from the other side of the train interrupting his information.  We looked at each other, then came a shrill whistle.  “Mateo,” we said at the same time.
     He began where he left off.  “At least three men inside.  I’m not sure if there is another baggage man inside or not.  They shot one throwing him on the ground,” he pointed to the man with his gun.
     “Have they said anything?  Made any demands?”  Then came the shot from inside the car.  I didn’t like the sound of that; it could mean that they shot the other worker.  “Let me move over to your left.  Mateo has the other side covered.  Do you want to handle this, Sheriff?”
     Giving me a wry smile, “We’ll play it by ear.  When you get in position, I’ll move up to the train.”
     I scrambled away moving behind some crates twenty feet from where Charlie was situated.  I hollered, “You, in the train!  This is your only chance to surrender!  Throw out your guns and come out!”
     There was no reply, then the side door began to open.  Upon the sound I lifted the Greener in position to fire.  I was hoping that they would throw down their guns.  A hand appeared, holding a gun.  There was a quick shot at nothing in particular, then a face emerged.  I fired, blood spewed followed by a thump.  The door quickly closed.  When I fired Charlie ran to the train.
     Being in that baggage car they had no windows.  They didn’t know how many men were outside the car, or that Mateo had taken the men holding their horses.  I yelled again, “I’ll give you one more chance!  Throw out your weapons and come out!”
     “We’re coming!” came a voice from the car.
     Charlie leaned down under the car.  “Mateo, go to the rear, I have a feeling.”
     Moving from my position I ran to the side of the baggage car, that way I could cover the door or the sliding door.  They were coming out the door between where Charlie and I stood.  Two men, holding their guns up.  I didn’t like it.
     “Drop them!” ordered Charlie.
     A shot to my left splintered the frame, I turned to fire and at the same time I heard another shot.  The man who fired at me crumpled to the ground.  Then chaos broke out with the two men firing at where Charlie was standing.  He was safe, behind the passenger car, but dared not show himself.  We waited, they would soon empty their guns and had nowhere to run.
     Then a shot came from inside.  When that happened there was a lull.  Charlie and I both moved to the opening between the cars.  He fired at the men and I cut loose with the other barrel, then drew my pistol.  Suddenly it was quiet and it was almost haunting after all the noise.
     “Coming out!” hollered Mateo.  He had gone in through the door where the other thief had come out.  “Worker inside, shot and in a bad way,” he informed us as Charlie went up the steps to check on the men that we shot.  I went to the downed worker lying on the ground by the train.  He was bleeding and unconscious, but still alive.
     Doc Jones had left the diner right behind us, went to his office to get his bag and was now on the scene.  I waved at him to come check on this man.  “There’s another  one inside the car,” I informed him, then moved to check on the man that Mateo and I shot.
 
     Two hours later, Charlie, Doc, and I were sitting back in the diner.  Mateo had decided to go to see Luciana to let her know he was all right.  “Terrible, just terrible,” muttered Doc after taking a swallow of coffee.  “There was just no sense in them not surrendering.”
     “Desperate men do strange things, Doc,” remarked Charlie.  “They should have surrendered,” he paused, shaking his head.  “One of them would have been tried for the murder of the clerk inside the car, though.”
     “Four dead criminals, one railroad worker,” murmured Doc.  “At least one will pull through.  He was shot just over the hip, the bullet went straight through.  No vitals were hit.”
     “Shame this had to happen just before Thanksgiving,” said Charlie.
     “Killin’ is always a shame,” I stated matter of factly.  Then looking from one man to the other.  “But we can be thankful that we’re here and that Mateo is fine.”
     We were sitting at the table, quietly thinking of the morning, when Nick Parsons walked through the entrance…