Author: Ira Paine

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on
So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work.  That is why they are here!  No one will bring them back from death to enjoy life in the future.”
–Ecclesiastes 3:22, NLT
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     He fired!  Too quickly.  I had learned through many years of experience to make the first shot count–which I did.  My return shot hit him, but I couldn’t tell where.  My second shot found its mark on his lower left side.  The man sagged, eyes glaring to the floor of the wooden porch.  With the shots I looked around, but guns fired in Silverton was not a big thing.  
     The door opened and Doc Minton hollered out, “What in tarnation….”  Then he looked down to see the body on the porch.  I moved his direction as he stooped down to examine the body.  “Here, help me get him inside.”
     Holstering my pistol, I set the Greener by the front door and helped the doctor lift the man into his office.  The man was moaning as I turned to retrieve my shotgun leaving the doctor with him.  Upon my return I heard the man in whispered voice, “I don’t want to die.  Help me…”
     “Son, I won’t lie to you.  You’re in bad shape and there’s not much I can do for you,” replied Doc Minton.
     I looked at the man who I could see was a bloody mess.  The doctor looked at me, shaking his head.  “That one bullet hit his gun, taking the hammer off making it a piece of shrapnel tearing into his chest,” he informed me.  “The second one, well, you know what it did.”
     The man was trying to talk, but words were not coming out.  Finally, he put a hand to the pocket on his shirt.  “My mother’s address, tell her that, that, I died a good man.  She doesn’t know that I went to the bad.”
     “Listen,” I leaned forward hoping that he could hear me, “if you’re not right with the Lord you best be doin’ it quick.”
     “Let him die in peace, for goodness sake!” exclaimed the doctor.  
     Not taking my eyes from the dying man, I simply stated, “That’s what I’m tryin’ to do.”  He was a young man, not more than twenty, if that.  “Ask Jesus to save you, then you can go in peace.”
     He reached up, gripping me by his good hand, eyes widening.  “Really, that’s all…”
     “That’s all,” and upon saying that, there was the hint of a smile on his face and then the light of life went from him.
     “What are you?” snapped the doctor with bitterness in his voice. “A preacher or a lawdog?  Is that how you get your peace, shoot them then try to save them?”
     I took the hand from the man grasping onto my jacket and lowered it to his chest.  “Doc, I take no joy in takin’ the life of anyone.  I take even less joy in knowin’ that I might send them to their Maker unprepared to meet Him.”  Straightening up, I asked.  “Do you know him?”
     The doctor shook his head, then started going through the man’s pockets.  He found the letter in the pocket addressed to a Mrs. Doris Wingate of Canton, Ohio.   He glanced at the letter inside, looking first to the signature.  It read, “Your darling son, Colin.”
     “Colin Wingate?” I questioned in a solemn tone.
     I wasn’t expecting an answer, so I turned to go back to my duty.  “I’ll be back, see if you can gain some information about the man.  If you don’t want to write the letter to his mother I will.”
     The doctor muttered something I couldn’t make out, then said.  “If you’re going after McGinnis, he won’t be as easy as this.”
     I nodded, gave a slight smile and answered, “Most likely not.”  Then walked to the door.  “I’m sorry to say, but you need to be expectin’ more business,” and with that I walked on out to only what the Lord knows.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

If a man is something and somebody, he doesn’t have to show off.”

                    –Louis L’Amour  (Tucker)

       “And He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?'”
                    –Luke 24:38 (NKJV)
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     The poor, the downtrodden, the despised they are all around us.  The homeless, the persecuted, those in the midst of despair for one reason or another, they are there, some of them only God knows where.  However, that is the truth of the matter, He does know and He is with them, waiting for them to turn to Him.  This morning we finish with Psalm 140 and instead of doom and gloom, David prays for deliverance, not only for himself, but for those who are the down and out of society.

          9 — As for the head of those who surround me, let the evil of their lips cover them;
        10 — Let burning coals fall upon them; let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
        11 — Let not a slanderer be established in the earth; let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
        12 — I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor.
        13 — Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence.  (NKJV)

     We live in a sin-sick society, and there is no human way out.  No matter the programs and the money that man puts into projects of all sorts, they will ultimately fail because there is not a heart change.  David wants the wrongdoers to have a taste of their own medicine, which eventually will happen.  Paul tells us, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:7-8, NKJV)  There is a time coming.
     God will restore and take care of His own.  He will deal harshly with those who persecute His loved ones.  Zephaniah writes, “Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame, And gather those who were driven out; I will appoint them for praise and fame In every land where they were put to shame.” (3:19, NKJV)  Focus for a minute on verse 12, from the NIV:  “I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.”  God is watching; He is watching that men do right by others.  We can rest in the assurance that God does all things well.  
     It is the duty and obligation for the righteous to live upright lives and to continually give thanks unto the Lord.  We call upon God to deliver, yet we thank Him in all situations for we know that He is in control and cares for us.  Don’t doubt, know that God is there; there in the midst of trials, troubles, and afflictions.

               “Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
               E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me;
               Still all my song shalt be,
               Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee.”
                     –Sarah F. Adams

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

They sat quietly drinking their coffee and watching the light go from the sky.” 

                    –C. Wayne Winkle  (Down the Long Trail)
 
Mornin’ to yuh, Pard.  I often think of this day, yuh know the one that took place the Saturday after the crucifixion.  I reckon the disciples thought that truly the light fell from their sky.  The Lord was dead, in the tomb, and they were runnin’ feared.
     It was a dark day in their minds, not knowing what was takin’ place in the spiritual realm.  It was quiet, perhaps some thought deathly quiet, but in the spiritual realm there was commotion, unrest, and triumph.  What the devil and demons thought to be a victory celebration quickly had turned into havoc for them.  Jesus was taking captivity captive, and Pard there’s plenty there to be contemplatin’.  
     Was Jesus preachin’?  Did He speak to Abraham tellin’ him it was time to finally reach that land where he was searchin’?  Did He go to Moses to point him in the direction of the Promised Land?  So much was goin’ on.  What about all those in the place of the dead who had never heard of the Savior, or Israel, or the Torah, the Law, and the Prophets?  Was Jesus speakin’ to them?”  Yep, the spiritual world was in commotion for sure.  The chains were ready to be broken, and He was ready to get out of that tomb.  So much mystery Pard, so much we don’t understand, nor do we need to.
     Understand this though, that coffee is sure tasty this mornin’.  Too bad ol’ James and John, with Thomas couldn’t have had a cup to help soothe their souls that Saturday long ago.  Things on earth were not quite the same.  Peter was grieving his betrayal, while Judas took matters into his own hands as he did in the garden, and committed suicide because of his betrayal.  Each betrayed the Lord, Pard, both were grieving, but there must have been some faith in ol’ Pete.
     The women no doubt were weepin’, the other disciples were fearful, some in hidin’.  I wonder if there were any of them together, or if they were facin’ this day alone?  Did Peter still have the dagger that was bloodstained from his episode in the garden?  It was wrong for him to slice off that ear, but another inch and Jesus would have had to raise the soldier from the dead.  But what of the other sword.  Who had it?  What happened to it?  Why didn’t that disciple, whoever he was, take action when Peter did?  So many questions…
     Sip that coffee and ponder, Pard.  This is the day for it.  The work was finished on Friday, Sunday, the day of the resurrection was still a few hours away.  Pard, sip is slowly and think of all that took place for you and me, an’ the rest of the world.  Maybe some of them, those more attuned to what was takin’ place, felt and heard the footsteps of a triumphant march down in the underworld.  Jesus for sure was causin’ a stir down there.  
     Mercy, almost gives me goosebumps thinkin’ of all that was possibly transpirin’.  Pard, think of it, our souls were redeemed!  Now, don’t lose yur focus so much that yuh forget to check yur cinch.  That coconut where yuh place yur hat can’t be takin’ too much more abuse.  Say, Pard, as yuh mount up, remember–Sunday’s comin’!
      Vaya con Dios.

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

The prime duty of a man was to live in such a manner that dyin’ would come easy to him.”
                    –Ernest Haycox  (Trail Smoke)


       “…And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
                    –Colossians 2:14-15(NKJV)
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     Perhaps I should have saved this for next week sometime, but the thoughts were in my mind, and I didn’t want to lose them.  Maybe, just maybe it is for someone today.  I know that Sunday is Resurrection Day–Easter.  Forty days after the resurrection Jesus ascends back to heaven, to His throne.  I don’t know what the disciples thought.  They didn’t think He would die the horrible death He did by hanging on the cross, and now that He was with them again, He is now again gone.  Did they think He would remain on earth with them?  Ponder the following verses from Acts 1:

          9 — Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
        10 — And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them, in white apparel,
        11 — who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (NKJV)

     There are some important things that Jesus said in Acts 1, but I want to focus on the words of the men in white apparel (angels), “Why do you stand gazing up into heaven?”  They were gawking up into the sky instead of following Jesus’ instructions.  I’m sure in the next ten days their thoughts went back to the cross, the empty tomb, and the ascension, as would be expected, but here there was an admonition pointed at them.
     “Why stand gazing?”  It is important that we celebrate this season, but don’t get too caught up in the symbols, and how important they are, and forget the meaning, the purpose, and the results.  Why stand gazing at the cross?  Jesus declared the work was finished.  Yes, it is because of the work at the cross that we are redeemed, reconciled, and in fellowship with God, but often the splinters from the cross become relics and idols to us.  Jesus declared that the work was finished; God, the Father had given His only Son.  Some wear what is called a crucifix that shows Christ still on the cross–No!  It is finished, the work is complete, He is no longer on the cross.  God’s wrath and justice was appeased and His mercy and grace poured out.  Why stand gazing at the empty tomb?  The victory over death, hell, and the grave is complete, over, finished.  
     One more thought for this Good Friday:  John records the following words of Jesus, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” (12:23, NKJV).  Jesus, not long before the cross prayed these words, “Father, the hour has come.  Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You.” (John 17:1, NKJV)  Jesus used this phrase, “the hour has come” several times in the book of John.  Someone rightly wrote, “It is more than just a time period; it’s a turning point in history.”  We remember the words of Paul in writing to the Galatians, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son…”. (4:4, NKJV)
     This “fullness of time” was one particular, specific time in history.  A time appointed, a time when it was just right for the event to occur, the only time it could occur.  Jesus was born in the “fullness of time.”  He was crucified for the sins of man and on the third day rose from the grave victorious–if I may say, in the “fullness of time.”  Hang on, go back to the words of the men in white apparel in Acts, “in the fullness of time” this same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
     There is a plan for man and the world.  It is not a haphazardly thrown together series of events.  It is a plan in the “time schedule” of God.  Jesus, in the fullness of times, when it is just right, will come back to earth.  Why stand gazing, get on with the work of the kingdom?  William Barclay writes, “The Second Coming is not a matter for speculation and for illegitimate curiosity; it is a summons to make ourselves ready for that day when it comes.”
     So celebrate this wondrous weekend in all that it includes.  Remember, however, to keep it godly, stay away from idols and the frivolity that the world offers.  Have fun, but do not let them deter you from the mighty event that took place in the fullness of times for our salvation and reconciliation to God.  Joyfully sing:
               “At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
               And the burden of my heart rolled away,
               It was there by faith I received my sight,
               And now I am happy all the day!”
                        –Isaac Watts