Author: Ira Paine

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on
Marshal Forrest has finally gathered evidence against Amos Martin and is furiously tracking him before he can get to the ranch where Javier and Agatha are living and working.  In the midst of tracking Martin, Miles is attacked by a puma and now has come across a horde of buzzards.  What is behind those rocks where the buzzards are feasting?  Come with me for another adventure in the Saga of Miles Forrest and join him as he scouts to find what the buzzards are feeding upon.
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     At first glance I saw the remnants of a fire, then saw the swarm of buzzards gathered around a body.  Picking up a stick I threw it at them, but only one paid attention.  Drawing my pistol I fired into the air, then again.  The second shot drove them away, into the air, but a few gave me hungry looks.
     The body, or what was left of it, was that of a man.  His face was nearly eaten away, and he had been partially skinned.  My stomach turned over and I thought I was going to be sick.  I hadn’t seen such mutilation since I was in the Texas Rangers many years ago fighting El Diablo.  I was pretty sure it was Martin.  A renegade bunch of Jicarilla had gotten to him, and now the buzzards were finishing the dismembering.
     Evil was in the world, and perhaps I could give this over to the fact that this bunch were a pagan lot, but no matter…it was gruesome.  I got closer to make sure it was Amos Martin.  Was this some kind of retribution to what he caused in Durango?  Perhaps…  I wasn’t about to take his body back with me, and I didn’t have a shovel to dig a grave.  Looking around, I saw where I may be able to topple some rocks down to cover his body; it would at least keep it from the predators and those awful birds.  I say awful, but they just give that appearance for they serve a definite purpose.
     I searched the body for anything that may be on it, papers, money, a watch, and the like, then drug what was remaining over to a large rock where several rocks were sitting on top.  I covered the body with rocks from the ground then climbed to shove off those rocks onto the grave.  It took some time and effort, but a man, no matter how evil he was, deserves a burial.  I  know he had already met his Maker, but it was still the right thing to do.
     His horse was gone, either to be used by the band of renegades or eaten.  However, his saddlebags were there, untouched.  Rifle, pistol, and anything else that may be of use to the Jicarilla was gone.  I looked up to see the buzzards flying around and a couple of the birds settled on the boulder next to where I buried Martin.
     All the while I was working, I was keenly aware of my surroundings.  I didn’t reckon those Indians would be back, but it doesn’t pay to get lax.  If I did I may be the next meal for those scavengers.  
     At least Agatha and Javier didn’t have to worry about Martin interfering with their marriage and life.  When I got back to Durango I’d send a letter to them informing them of what had happened in a more genteel manner, and also that they needed to decide about the store.  As far as I knew Agatha was the only family that Martin had.  His wife died of the fever a few years back.
     I went back to Star after my work was done.  I wasn’t about to stay there that night, not with the renegades prowling in the vicinity and the sickening reminder of the grave and what had taken place.  I felt like I needed a bath, not only a physical one, but a good spiritual washing as well.  In my job, I had seen a lot of mayhem and evil, and I knew what it was to get dirtied spiritually.  If it wasn’t taken care of it could take a toll on a person’s soul.
     Mounting Star, I rode away not looking back.  We would ride until dark, that would put me just under a day’s ride back to home.  I chuckled, causing Star to look back at me.  I still had some of the food that Molly had packed for me.  It wouldn’t do me any good to go back with excess food as next time she might decide to cut back on the fixings.  
     That night I slept lightly and restlessly.  I didn’t think the renegades would be around, but one never knew.  Their days were numbered, and I could understand their anger at losing their land, whatever that was, and their livelihood.  People have to live, but all need the Lord, whether American or Indian or any other people.  I’d pray that the Lord would send a proper missionary to the Apaches.  One that had a heart of compassion, not of assertion.
     The next day I allowed Star to run when he wanted.  The road was good and we came across only a few freighters and traders.  Besides the ordeal, it was good to get out in God’s great cathedral.  The was the blessed quietness with only the sound of the winds and the thudding of Star’s hooves.  I could see by the sage that rain was coming soon; I hoped we’d get some in Durango.
     Topping the last rise before moving down to the town, I stopped Star.  A quick trip, not satisfying in what I found.  I wished I could have brought Amos back alive, but it wasn’t to be…Providence had a different notion.  Looking down at Durango it was time for me to get back to normal, whatever that was.  I was missing Molly, and hoped that she had the coffee on and maybe a piece of pie in the kitchen.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

We were born to discover and to build, you and I, for the others who will come after us. They will live in a richer, sweeter land, but we will have made the trails.”
                    –Louis L’Amour  (The Man From the Broken Hills)

       “But I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and My soul; and I will build him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed always.” 

                    –1 Samuel 2:35 (NASB)
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Psalm 127 seems to have two parts to this short psalm.  The first speaks of a house, a nation, an individual, the second with the family.  Let me relate what George Wood says in regard to this psalm.  “We are midway on the climb up to Jerusalem.  Your geographical location today may be different from the Psalmist’s; but if you have been journeying upward for some time out of a deep personal valley, you may just want to lie down and quit.  You’ve gone too far to turn around and go back, but you don’t think you have the stamina to make it the rest of the way.  You won’t survive unless help comes from outside yourself.”

          1 — Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
          2 — It is vain for you to rise up early, sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.
          3 — Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.
          4 — Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.
          5 — Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.  (NKJV)

     Look at your life, your family.  Has the Lord built it, or have you endeavored to use cheaper material–yourself.  It is vital that we all seek to build a life and a family of value.  It is also important that we are sensitive to the dangers that may be lurking nearby or that may be in the near or distant future–in other words, remain alert.  Read over this psalm again and note how it shows the priorities and practices of the family that is forged by faith.  
     Blessings of the home are gifts from God and they take work to nurture and develop.  A strong family, established in the Lord with godly principles is a great aid to the growth of the kingdom of God.  A home should/must be built upon the Word of God.  Matthew Henry wrote, “Where we have a tent, God must have an altar.”  Where there is a home, there must be the instruction from the Word of God.  A godly home and successful work cannot occur apart from the Lord’s blessing.  A home without God, is vain (empty, useless, meaningless, futile).
     God is also the divine protector of the home/city.  Unless the home is under His care the enemy will come in to destroy.  To strive hard without God in the center of one’s life is again in vain.  When we trust in the Lord, keep things in balance, strive to work hard, we will have the ability to lie down at night in peaceful rest.  “God gives inner tranquility and contentment to the person who works in humble obedience to Him.”  (Steven Lawson)
     This psalm, according to Wood, provides three vital truths about God’s personal care:  1) He builds your life, 2) He watches over you, 3) He provides for you.  Everything does not depend upon us; we need to depend and trust upon the Lord.  It is vital that the children living under the parent’s care are shaped and that their lives are directed in the ways of God.  The parents must provide a godly influence.  Arrows must be made and shaped.  They must be straight or they will go off course when they are shot into the world.  The feathers must be just right.  In other words, it takes time and effort to make an arrow, just as it does a life.  Lawson says that, “This involves biblical instruction, moral correction, firm discipline, and loving affirmation.”  One other word regarding arrows–they must be shot at a target not just fired up into the air.  Children must be ready to meet the world, and finally, the arrow must be released.  So many times it is not the child that has tied themselves to the apron strings (though more and more we see this) but it is the parents that hold onto the “arrow.”

               “O happy home, where Thou art not forgotten,
               When joy is overflowing full and free;
               O happy home, where every wounded spirit
               Is brought, Physician, Comforter, to Thee.”
                      –Carl J. Spitta

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

So we checked our weapons, loaded everything as full as we could get it, and made a pot of coffee.”

                    –Lou Bradshaw  (Cain)
 
Git in this kitchen, Pard, the goblins will git yuh if yuh don’t watch out.  Ha, Pard, more like the liberals.  But don’t be a-frettin’, the coffee’s on the stove, hot and black.  Let’s enjoy the time rather than worry ’bout the vampires and the bats.
     Yep, that ol’ boy was right, we need to stay loaded, not only our weapons, but our minds and hearts with the Word of God.  Pard, next week is a “supernatural” day when folks think of evil things.  But let me be a-tellin’ yuh right now, they think that way every day.  An’ I’ll tell yuh another thing, there’ll be more “supernatural” demons and imps around a week from Tuesday.  
     Hold on, I need another swallow, then I’ll speak on.  Ahhh, here’s what I mean.  The Lord sets up an’ takes down governments, He’s in charge.  So, therefore, there is a supernatural element involved.  We don’t know what’s a-happenin’ in that spiritual world, thank goodness.  Come a week from Tuesday, those evil imps will be a hustlin’ about tryin’ to take over.  They can’t, but oftentimes the Lord gives the people what they want.
     I’ve started a study on Proverbs, figure anything like that is good for an’ ol’ fence post like me.  Right from the git go, I see two things:  common sense ain’t too common and that folk in their foolishness try to do away or ignore God’s moral laws.  People just don’t listen, and the Lord, Himself, said that those with ears are to be a-hearin’.  Thing is that too many people out there hear the wrong voices.  They hear the voices of evil, why that ol’ devil, he don’t stop his lyin’ and deceivin’.  
     Why, Pard, the best thing for us to do, besides finishin’ this pot of coffee an’ then git on with the day.  We can be trustin’ in the good Lord to be with us each step of the way and every hour of the day.  But, supposin’ Pard, just supposin’ it would do any good to be wearin’ garlic to ward off the evil of the liberals that want to do away with God?  Ha, might do yuh some good, put a sweeter aroma on yur personality.  
     Yuh be ridin’ tall and straight, ever onward and upward.  Be checkin’ yur weapons and yur cinch, and don’t give way to the devil or his minions.
      Vaya con Dios.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Sometimes you just have to turn away from the past and walk forward in life one day at a time.”
                    –Kenneth Pratt  (The Wolves of Windsor Ridge)

       “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.”

                    –Psalm 1:1 (ESV)
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               “And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”
                         –Genesis 5:24(NKJV)

What does it mean to “walk with God”? Hebrews 11:5 gives a little light on this, “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him, before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” (NKJV)  Walking with God means walking in faith; it means walking in fellowship and obedience.

          “When we walk with the Lord
          In the Light of His Word
          What a glory He sheds on our way…”
               –J.H. Sammis

     Walking with the Lord means to walk in the light of His Word.  “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105)  We must stay in and obey the Word of God if we are to walk with Him.  And, perhaps, there is more implied, for it is Jesus who is the Light of the world.  John Piper states, “Part of the whole process of walking in God’s call is the active engagement of our will in resolving to do righteousness.”
     Enoch was in fellowship and cooperation with God.  It is impossible to walk with someone unless you are going the same way they are.  Enoch had to be going in the same direction God was.  Something else we must consider here is Enoch was living in that perverse time before the Flood.  “Imagine how difficult it must have been to walk with God during those years before the flood, when vice and violence were prevalent and only a remnant of people believed God” (Wiersbe).  Imagine Enoch out walking with God, then put yourself in the same place walking with Him, and as Ray Stedman puts it, “A walk is a series of steps taken day, after day, after day, after day, with God”.
     As we walk this road, and at times it does get wearisome, often God will send someone to walk it with us along the way.  Note, people can walk with you, but they cannot walk it for you!  The words of this old song come to mind.  It is considered traditional, but it was first published by Woodie Guthrie.

          “You gotta walk that lonesome valley,
          You gotta walk it by yourself,
          Nobody here can walk it for you,
          You gotta walk it by yourself.

          There’s a road that leads to glory
          Through a valley far away,
          Nobody else can walk it for you,
          They can only point the way.”

     So many thoughts were going through my mind the other night when I was thinking about walking with the Lord.  It is a daily walk, step by step, and ongoing.  Thoughts were flitting, so maybe later we’ll take another look at walking, but take one more look at Enoch.  Stedman notes this, “Enoch’s life is a testimony to us, that if we walk with God we shall not see death; that the answer to barrenness, drabness and dullness is this daily stepping out by faith on the promises of God; this daily testing of His promises of His presence, and reckoning upon them.”  God is there as you walk through this world, and He is taking each step with you.  So think of those words by Kenneth Morris:

          “Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it Jesus, is my plea;
          Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.”