Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on March 13, 2025

Dull boy, dull knife.”
–Elmer Kelton (Llano River)

“But they are altogether dull-hearted and foolish; A wooden idol is a worthless doctrine.”
–Jeremiah 10:8 (NKJV)
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3.7 — Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.
.8 — It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. (NKJV)

.7 — Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
.8 — It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (ESV)

I used two versions because I liked the way the ESV used verse 8; the NASB is very similar. I know that at times my old bones feel weary, and the cold easily seems to seep into them. The idea of refreshing the bones, and I don’t mean artificial joint replacement, is soothing and novel.
Remember that this is a father giving instruction. Oh, how many times have I had to deal with “know-it-all” kids. Often they knew so much that they got themselves in trouble and hurt. A person who has this attitude about life is heading for trouble. The last verse of Judges tells us, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (21:25, NKJV) Then I think of King Uzziah who “sought God…and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.” (2 Chronicles 26:5, NKJV) But then, he became too big for his britches. “But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.” (2 Chronicles 26:16, NKJV) The priests withstood this irreverent king, verse 18, “…Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the LORD God.” (NKJV) Uzziah became furious, self-conceit maybe, “and while he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead…because the LORD had struck him.” (19, 20) A man who once served the Lord became lifted up, did not fear Him, and was then put to the point where he could no longer worship in the temple. “King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He dwelt in an isolated house, because he was a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD…” (26:21, NKJV) Did he repent? We are not told.
Three things we see in verse 7: don’t think you’re wiser than you are, fear the LORD, and depart from evil. We have first an exhortation to humility. Know this – that self-conceit is dangerous. This was a root charge against the Pharisees–they knew it all. Edward Plumptre warns us, “The greatest hindrance to all true wisdom is the thought that we have already attained it.” Add to that the smug attitude that if they don’t know it, “just Google it.” Listen–you can’t Google salvation!
Then we “fear the LORD,” for this is part of the whole duty of man. Fearing the Lord begins with knowledge of who God is. If a person is self-conceited they really don’t care to know who God is; that is, until it’s too late. We live in a time of mockery, apathy, and indifference to the Lord. I have often said that if the church really knew who God was that most of the problems in the church would disappear. J.L. Flores wrote, “A knowledge of the character and wisdom of God will produce reverence.” When this happens, “self-conceit cannot live where there are right views of God.” But do we really want to know who God is?
To truly know God puts us in our place and we most definitely would turn from evil. “If we honor the Lord, we will hate sin.” (Beasley) We would never dare to stand in the presence of an almighty God, if we knew Him, and mock Him. We would know Him in a better and true way. As Bob Beasley says, “God’s love always seeks what is best for us. Sin does not.” Sin is a plague, the bones ache, the body falters. Think of it this way, “Sin breaks the bones of a man’s spirit; the consciousness of the Divine favor which flows from a reverential walk with God makes them ‘to rejoice.'” David said, “Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.” (Psalm 51:8, NKJV) He will heal, He will rejuvenate, He will bring refreshment. “Vice saps the health both of body and mind.” (Arnot) Oh, what a truth that is!
We need to let God begin to heal us and refresh our bones. We begin by knowing and fearing Him, then we hate the things He hates. Matthew Henry says, “The sorrow of the world dries them [bones], but hope and joy in God are marrow to them.” Someone describe this as muscles from “aching labor” and dried bones that bring “horrible despondency.” Know God, worship Him reverently and the Holy Spirit will refresh us, especially in the spiritual sense, but often physically as well. When the soul is healthy there is a good chance that the body will be also.
Therefore, don’t be haughty, don’t be a know-it-all, but recognize your place before the Lord. Honor Him properly and shun the vices, wickedness and evil of the world.

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on March 12, 2025

There’s times when cold biscuits taste like sweet ambrosia.”
–Elmer Kelton (The Pumpkin Rollers)

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.”
–Philippians 4:11(NLT)
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“To be a fool in God’s eyes is to have missed the point of life,” so states Gary Inrig. If you are following our study in Proverbs you will find that God speaks very harshly of the fool. There is a parable regarding the fool found In Luke 12 that I want to spend some time examining.
Perhaps I should start by asking, how do you measure affluence and success? Usually people will say money and wealth, or fame and power, or prosperity and influence are the ways to describe success. Can possessions actually be a mark of success in the eyes of God? We read in Luke, “So, likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (14:33, NKJV) Further in Luke, chapter 16 we read, “…For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (vs 15, NKJV) Ouch, harsh words. Is it that the Lord detests the things we aspire to gain, or need to live? It is surely more than that, for it is a question of attitude and motivation as well as that of possessions.

13 — Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 — But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” (NKJV)

It was common to bring disputes to a rabbi for clarification. Whether this was a trap set by the Pharisees or a voice from a concerned man wanting his full inheritance is one of debate. But notice, this man didn’t want a proper judgment, he wanted the Lord to take his side. He didn’t want justice, he told the Lord what to say. As Inrig points out, “he wants Jesus to meet his monetary needs.” He has missed the purpose and mission of Christ. Man’s purpose is not to accumulate, to search for wealth, riches, or fame. Man’s purpose is to seek God.

15 — And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (NKJV)
for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions. (NASB)
“Don’t be greedy! Owning a lot of things won’t make your life safe.” (CEV)

Jesus is calling to attention the spirit behind what is being said. The man’s desire is to have more wealth than he needed. Barclay translates this verse, “Watch and guard yourself against the spirit which is always wanting more.” This man was not content with what he had, he wanted more. “More–more–more” is the cry of the greedy heart. Greed, wanting more, is like a man drinking sea water. The more a man drinks the thirstier he becomes.
People miss the purpose in life, and that’s a shame. Sometimes when I see the greed of the bureaucrats and how they lie, cheat, and steal to gain more I get upset. Then the Spirit taps the shoulder of my heart and I grieve. Don’t they know that all will be lost? Don’t they know that there is more to life? Don’t they know that there is eternity and judgment waiting? When death comes, what then? They miss the purpose, and as Leon Morris said, “He [Jesus] came to bring men to God, not property to man.” The Lord is not in the midst of prosperity despite what some preach. He is not there to bring wealth, abundance, and prosperity. “Owning a lot of things won’t make your life safe.”
The Lord is giving a warning. Watch out for greed. “It is the very opposite of contentment that accompanies true godliness.” (Inrig) There is no doubt as to the meaning of the Lord in these verses. “God alone is the source of life; God alone controls life; God alone gives life.” Paul wrote to Timothy words that we should hearken to, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Timothy 6:6-7, NKJV)

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on March 11, 2025

And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.” –Ecclesiastes 3:13, NLT

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Molly was putting the CLOSED sign on the front door. Mateo had escorted Lola home after he came back from taking Thornton to jail; she had settled down some by that time. I was up by the stove filling my cup with coffee. It had been a traumatic day. We still hadn’t heard from Doc on how his patient was faring.

Motioning with the pot, I asked, “Want some coffee?” Molly was walking back toward the table where I was sitting.

“I’d prefer some tea right now,” she muttered wearily.

“I’ll get a pan, it won’t take long to get some water heated,” I informed her.

“Don’t bother,” she began, but I cut her off.

“No bother, sit yourself down. I’ll be right back.” I went on back to the kitchen where I found a small tea kettle. On the shelf above there was a jar of tea and a strainer. I filled the strainer, put water in the kettle and headed back to the table. On the way I spotted a jar of honey so I grabbed it. She gave me a half-smile as I put the kettle on the stove next to the coffeepot.

Pulling the chair out I sat down, “Tell me what happened in the kitchen,” I implored her while waiting for the water to get hot.

“Emelda was over at the stove finishing up some enchiladas, Lola was standing near waiting to plate them when that man came in the back door. Oh, Miles, if you could have seen the look on his hideous face. He looked at me, smiled, then over at Lola. The scream you heard was when he started to approach her. I reached in my pocket for my pistol, pulled it out and told him to stop. He just turned, saw the gun in my hand then lifted his arm toward me pointing his gun. When he cocked the hammer and sneered, I pulled the trigger. I don’t know exactly where the bullet hit but it shocked him. His eyes widened and rolled back showing only the whites.”

She shuddered, but I encouraged her to continue. I knew where the bullet hit, right above his breastbone. He was a dead man as soon as that bullet hit.

“That’s when his gun went off, firing up in the air. He started staggering and went out of the kitchen. I followed to make sure he wouldn’t shoot anyone out there. That’s when he fell, and the commotion started.”

Commotion was a light word for what took place. “Miles, that was the man who grabbed me walking by the park.”

I got up to check the teapot. The water was hot and as I reached for a cup on the shelf behind the stove, Doc Jones came in. I was almost positive he could read, so he must have ignored the sign. “Pour me a cup while you’re standing there.”

“Coffee or tea?” I questioned holding up the tea kettle.

“Coffee!”

First I put Molly’s cup in front of her, then turned to get a cup for Doc. “Am I supposed to stir this with my finger?” she asked, mockingly moving her finger around the edge of the cup.

I went to where the utensils were kept, picked up a spoon to give to her. Then poured a cup of coffee for Doc who looked battered. As I handed him the cup, he stared at the dark liquid, then spoke. “I’m supposed to use these hands to heal people, not kill them.”

He was being battered for sure; battered by the demons that were attacking his mind. “Doc, you sure enough saved my bacon…”

Glancing at me, he gave a snort. I didn’t know if that meant “thanks” or “is your sorry hide worth it.”

Molly reached over the table to grasp his hand. “Doc, I’m thankful you did what you had to. By the way, how is the man who was shot?”

He took a sip before answering, making a frown, but only looking at me, not saying anything. “He’s fine, but he was supposed to go to work first of next month. There’s no way he can do a hard day’s work with that wound.”

“Where’s he supposed to work?” I questioned.

“North Star Mine, but Miles, he can’t do it, not at least for a couple of months.”

I took a long dreg of my coffee, finishing the cup, then answered, “I know Brewlinski. I’ll go up and talk with him.”

He gave a half smile, then put his head in his hands. Molly reached over, took his hands and began to pray…

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on March 10, 2025

A man must grow up in so many ways.”

–Louis L’Amour (“End of the Drive”)

“But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.”
–Isaiah 64:8 (NKJV)
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William Jones gives us a capsule of Psalm 138 when he says, “Grace will complete what grace begins. God does not abandon His work in an incomplete state.” What a wonderful psalm to follow 137. Lawson tells us, “Every believer should live with a bold confidence in the sovereignty of God over his life.” Or, maybe those grand words of missionary David Livingston should be our slogan, “I am immortal until the will of God for me is accomplished.” Let’s see what Psalm 138 has for us.

1 — I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You.
2 — I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
3 — In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.
4 — All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O LORD, when they hear the words of Your mouth.
5 — Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.
6 — Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.
7 — Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.
8 — The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands. (NKJV)

David begins this psalm declaring that he will praise from his whole heart, meaning his whole being. Remember, praise is an act of the will. It is something that you choose to do. The question is, “What is your response to the Lord on this particular day of your life? You can begin any day without praise, or choose every day to worship.” (Wood) What is the script that is laid out before this day? How will you respond, with complaining or with praise? We may not, at times, feel like praising, but still it is a choice. David proclaims “I will sing praises” not mumbling or grumbling, but overflowing.
George Wood writes, “When you turn your face toward Him you find the reality of His love and faithfulness. You walk in the confidence that the Lord’s exaltation of His name and Word above all things means that all His everlasting promises to you personally will come true.” The NLT translates verse 2, “…your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.” What He commands will come to pass.
Never forget that God’s love toward you and me endures forever. His purposes will be fulfilled even in the face of threatening foes. Our lives are resting in God’s hands, not in the clutches of our enemies. This is audacious faith, this is true worship God is there! He is with us in the midst of any kind of trouble. The NIV puts verse 7 this way, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life…”. David knew this from personal experience, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4, NKJV)
The final verse of this Psalm should bring us comfort and hope. It should give us that calm assurance that we go through this life under His guidance and protection. God will not forsake us. He was with us and delivered us in the past, and He will continue to do so, now–today, and also into the future of tomorrows. He will not take us so far then abandon us. He will “clench his fist” (vs 7, NLT) to save us from our enemies. Imagine God clenching His fist against those who threaten to harm us. His plan for us doesn’t ever stop. Paul declares, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, NKJV) The NIV states, “…he who began a good work in your will carry it on to completion…”.
To finish, look at the last verse from the NLT, “The LORD will work out his plan for my life–for your faith love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” He will work out His plan. He will complete and finish what He has started with your life–you can depend on it! Don’t ever despair, God is there! Working even when we cannot see any immediate results, know that God has you under His loving care.

“The work which His goodness began
The arm of His strength will complete.
His promise is Yea and Amen,
And never was forfeited yet.”
–Augustus Toplady