Pard, I made the coffee extry strong this mornin’ for what I’ve got to tell yuh.  Go ‘head, take yur first swaller, the a deep breath.  My mercy, some of the things I’ve read this week is beyond common sense, but then I don’t understand much these days nohow.

     Here’s the first one.  “Gen Z is getting ‘tramp stamps’ to feel more empowered.”  Goodness, why not just develop some backbone.  Empowered??  What does that mean?  It will give you the ability to get up for work?  It will give them ability to stick to a job?  Maybe, this is it, Pard, it will help them become a contributor to society.  Just a little tattoo will add to your mental and physical strength.  Deception!  I will never understand the attraction of a tattoo, and I just don’t know why a person would want to put graffiti on the temple of the Holy Spirit.

     Tolt yuh, we needed the coffee strong this mornin’.  Here’s one that’ll frizz yur hair.  Get yurself another swaller.  Pard, yuh tell me–tell me why four women sittin’ on with those long black robes on in the high court would want to vote to keep that heinous Venezuelan gang in the United States.  The five men upheld the President’s rulin’, but the women said they could/should stay.  Don’t make no sense for sure.  Those women aren’t interested in justice nor in protecting the public.  Yuh know, Pard, when I read Jeremiah, Amos, and the other prophets, one thing is clear – makin’ the judgment of God necessary.  That is the perversion of justice and the corruption of the legal system and purpose.  Sure, it was not the only thing but it is on the list.

     Here’s the last one, that’s enough for today.  That’s plenty for any day.  Take another deep swaller.  Oh, yuh need yur cup filled up first.  Here yuh go, now slurp away.  Number three for this week.  “Nextgen Sexuality”, a webinar about gender confusion and what to do about pronouns.  My mercy, this was under AG Youth Ministries.  Pard, we’ve come a long way an’ I’m ‘fraid it ain’t upward.  Why, right off’n the bat yuh can see it’s about confusion.  I tell yuh, Pard, God is not the author of confusion, to quote the ol’ Apostle.  Ol’ Slewfoot is that bein’, confusin’ the mind, confusin’ the life, confusin’ the truth.  Pard, if’n there’s confusion around be lookin’ for the ol’ devil.

     One more thing Pard since the pot is empty, and we’ve got to be on our way.  Stick to the doctrine of the Bible, don’t be led ’round by the nose and don’t be puttin’ no ring in it for someone to be grabbin’.  Many out there fit the bill–their thinkin’ became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened; claimin’ to be wise, they became fools.  Pard, drink yur coffee strong, keep yur mind on the Word, yur gun oiled, and check yur cinch and yu’ll be on the way to a good week.  Don’t be waverin’ or even totterin’.

     Vaya con Dios.

                     –Nathan Wright  (The Return)

 

Whooeeee, I can understand that.  Pard, yuh don’t have to be a-worryin’ ’bout my coffee.  It’s sure strong enough to delight yur gizzard.  But Pard, honestly, I’ve had some folk say that my coffee was a little on the strong side, they even went to add water to it.  Now, the way I figure it, if’n yur gizzard ain’t stout enough, yuh can always add water, but what does a ‘poke do with weak coffee?

     I remember one time, back a few years, I was in St. Louis.  It was early mornin’ hours and I had a bus layover.  I wandered about the city a spell, but then came back to drink some coffee.  Yuck!  Those old vendin’ machines made some of the worst coffee, but like the ol’ puncher said, the onliest thing worst than bad coffee is no coffee.  I mean some machines and some folk make it so weak, and then yuh add the taste.  Something that’s hard to describe….sorta like someone stirred it with their big toe.  Ptui!

     Pard, yuh remember ol’ Pole Vinski?  I remember the tale he tolt of the ol’ cook on the trail, or maybe it was in the line camp.  Anyhows, he didn’t keep cups around as they was always gettin’ broke, so he kept tomato and peach cans.  There was this fella that came to the camp beggin’ for a cup, but if’n yuh can believe it, he wanted sugar in it.  Ol’ Pole handed him the sugar tin and the guest poured a handful in his cup, then motioned for ol’ Pole to stir it for him.  Yuh talk about gall.  Ol’ Pole, not one to get riled, pulled out his gun and stuck the barrel in the can to stir it.  Ha, the guest got the idea, and slurped that coffee right down.

     Yuh know I had some things to say this mornin’ that came to mind this week ’bout some of the imbecilic things I’ve seen an’ heard, but they’ve done gone an’ slipped through my noggin’.  But I will be tellin’ yuh this since I was talkin’ about coffee that’ll gag yuh, there’s some preachin’ services out there that’ll do the same.  Well, I use that term preachin’ delicately.  Folks want to be waterin’ down the truth just like they do their coffee.  I call it “Cino” preachin’.  Pard, yuh just can’t be followin’ Christ with cino religion, it’s got to be the real thing, strong and pure–undiluted.  Yuh can’t get to those Pearly Gates with cino religion, there’s a price to be payin’ and a cross to be a-carryin’.  

     So take a sip, see if’n it ain’t to yur likin’.  Ahhh, makes yuh want to get up an’ say “Howdy!”  Pard, it’s gonna be a good day, as long as yuh remember to check yur cinch.  Yuh best be on yur way an’ don’t be drinkin’ no watered down, toe-stirred coffee this week.

     Vaya con Dios.

                    –Nathan Wright  (The Trail)

 

Good Saturday mornin’ to yuh, Pard.  Trust yuh had a good week.  Coffee’s on, strong and hot; it’ll tickle yur gizzard plumb right.  Made some of that espresso this mornin’.  Now, Pard, contrary to what folks think, I’m no conusseuer; I just know how I like my coffee.  Why some put on the package, a hint of grape, or lavender, or chocolate.  What I want to know is, does it taste good?  I can’t taste any of those hints.  I came across this coffee ’cause it was on sale and I’ll always try new coffee. Usually not too bad as long as it’s strong enough.  What did the ol’ puncher say, “Life’s too short for bad coffee”?

     Pard, since I’m ponderin’ coffee, I want to be tellin’ yuh that I’ve been ponderin’ a lot this week.  Yesterday I pondered what it must have been like when Jesus was a boy.  I do that quite often.  The good Lord must’ve had a reason to not include much of His young life in the Holy Writ.  Mostly probably, ’cause it has nothin’ to do with His task, His purpose, and our salvation.  Most likely I’ll ponder it some more.

     Just like I’m ponderin’ how yuh can drink that hot coffee so fast.  My mercy, it’ll burns the hair off’n yur tongue.  I reckon yuh done scorched yur throat down to yur gizzard an’ yur holdin’ yur cup out for more.  Pard, sometimes…

     But back to ponderin’.  I’ve pondered a lot of about Genesis, especially the early part.  My eldest daughter sent me a little thought, that caused to stop my slurpin’ and ponder.  Now, I’ve pondered most of this before.  Shem, yuh remember him?  Noah’s son.  Shem would have known Abraham, and I tend to believe that he was the man that Abraham gave honor to–Melchizedek.  Now get this, since Shem was before the flood, he also would have known Methuselah.  Now, go ahead an’ take a swallow, ’cause this is something I haven’t pondered until now.  Methusalah would have known Adam.  I wonder what ol’ Adam told Methuselah?  Think of all that Adam knew.  He walked with God, He talked with God.  He sinned and was tossed out of the Garden.  Did he tell Methuselah what the Garden was like, what the serpent was like, how life changed?  Something for sure to ponder.  But Pard, take it a bit further.  Since Methuselah knew Abraham did he discuss those same things with him?  

     Yuh go ahead and ponder.  Don’t be wrackin’ yur brains over it, but somethin’ interestin’ for sure.  Here’s another thing I ponder.  Why do I always have to be remindin’ yuh to check yur cinch?

     Vaya con Dios.

                    –William MacLeod Raine  (The Sheriff’s Son)

 

     “Get yur hide sanctified, it’s not too late.  Brother get branded, step through the gate…”  Yeehaw, Pard come on and join in now.  “Get yur hide sanctified…”  Oh, yuh need yur tonsils liquefied ‘fore yuh can sing.  What do yuh mean, yuh don’t know that song?  It’s by that ol’ puncher, Wylie from up on that northern range.  Or are yuh one of them that don’t believe in sanctification?  Whew, Pard, that’s a long word, and I’ll tell yuh the truth, it’s a long process.  It takes a person their whole life, and since we don’t believe in that there reincarnation, yuh best be gettin’ on with it.

     Pard, I don’t want to get all theological on yuh this mornin’, but sanctification is one of those almost archaic words in the church, yet it is so vital to our walk with the Lord.  Yep, Pard, coffee’s good, but don’t be changin’ the subject.  When we get that changed heart, are born again, we are sanctified, but then the process begins.  We take up the Lord’s yoke, our cross, and we begin travelin’ the glory road.  We have the Holy Spirit guidin’ and teachin’ us along the way how to be “in Christ” and how to “grow in grace.”

     Yur right, this coffee is good, my ol’ gizzard is doin’ some flips of joy.  But back to what I was a-sayin’, we wear the brand of the Lord now and the enemy, that grim face, evil-eyed one is after us.  We’re safe, ’cause we’re wearin’ the brand of the Lord.  The Holy Spirit has done sealed us, but that don’t mean there’s not a fight.  That’s why yuh have to keep yurself primed, guns loaded and ready for any hostile action by ol’ slewfoot.

     Yuh have trouble with sufferin’, it ain’t the Lord; it’s the devil tryin’ to blot out the brand.  Havin’ toils, and woes, and conniption fits, that’s the ol’ troll tryin’ to steal yur joy, tryin’ to rustle yuh away from the Lord.  Pard, hang tight, he can’t do it…yur safe in the Lord’s herd, that’s why yuh keep on workin’ on bein’ sanctified.  Why Pard, I heard recently of someone I know that purposely was changin’ over to the devil’s herd.  Said life was too hard, too much work and sorrow and sufferin’ and that they didn’t believe in God any more.  My mercy!  Life happens, an’ when the devil throws things on our trail that should drive us closer to the One who keeps us.

     Yuh been listenin’ to me, Pard, or just sittin’ back enjoyin’ that wonderful brew I made.  That’s all right, Pard, I know yur branded by the Lord, it’s just that sometimes yuh don’t use yur noggin’ and check yur cinch ‘fore yuh mount.  That’s just leavin’ an openin’ for that sneaky troll to strike at yuh.  Yuh be primed and ready and doin’ what yuh can.  “Ohhhhh, get yur hide sanctified…”

     Vaya con Dios.