–Louis L’Amour  (Conagher)

 

That’s the way it is, Pard, with life, with coffee, with Christmas, that is — we might mutter a thanks, but we really don’t look up from what we’re a-doin’, especially since most have a phone in their hands.  But Pard, we should really take time to say thanks–thanks to the good Lord for His blessin’s; thanks to Him for the gift of His Son on that night so many years ago.  Yuh know He could have let man go on to his destruction, but instead he provided a Savior.

     Joseph, and especially Mary, were weary from their travels.  The day had been long, the animal was tired, and now they couldn’t find a place to stay.  Go ‘head, Pard, yuh can be drinkin’ whilst I’m talkin’.  The was finally a place found, not really conducive, but it got them out of the elements.  Joseph got Mary all situated, as comfortable as she could be in her situation, then proceeded to take care of the donkey, put some hay in the manger, where in a little while he’d be layin’ the heavenly child.

     I don’t know if Mary was ponderin’ these things in her heart right then, or whether she was just wantin’ the baby to be born.  Sometime during that night, she delivered.  The baby was born and was named Jesus!  There doesn’t seem to be any hoopla in the stable, maybe it was a silent night, ‘ceptin’ of course the cryin’ of the baby.  ‘Course He could’ve been unusual, as He was, an’ “no cryin’ He makes.”

     Ahhh, that is good coffee this mornin’, ha did yuh thank yur ol’ fence post, the coffee-maker?  Nah, but don’t be frettin’, I know that down in yur cold heart that yur thankful for those few swallers.  Ha, good to be sharin’ with yuh.  Now, back to the baby Jesus.  It may have been quiet in the stable, except for the sound of the animal eatin’, but somewhere, not far away the shepherds heard a commotion, “Glory to God in the Highest!”  Pard, that must have been somethin’!  When they heard the news they took traipsin’ off to find the baby an’ when they arrived He was lyin’ in a manger.  The faithful donkey had eaten his fill, Joseph probably cleaned up around it and replenished the hay and the shepherds found Him lyin’ there.  Now, for sure, Mary begins to ponder.

     Little was known about what would happen to the Babe.  He was Immanuel, He was to be the Savior of the world, but unless one really understood the words of the Old Testament they didn’t know all that awaited the Child.  There must have been thousands of angels around that stable in the spirit realm.  Here was the Lord God incarnate, helpless as a baby with Joseph to protect Him.  Pard, I’m just wonderin’ if ol’ slewfoot was around to take a peek.  It would have been a sight for him as well.  

     Pard, the coffee’s gone, that means yuh got to be along yur way.  It would do us all good to ponder the birth of Jesus in our hearts and minds.  Don’t be so distracted by yur marbles rollin’ in yur noggin’ that yuh forget to check yur cinch.  Yuh do that an’ yuh might be doin’ yur ponderin’ from the hospital bed.  Hmm, we sure need to be ponderin’ the Lord before we get ourselves in that situation.  Be havin’ a Merry Christmas!

       Vaya con Dios.

                    –Louis L’Amour  (Silver Canyon)

 

“Christmas time’s a-comin’ — Yeehaw!  Get yurself ready, Pard.  And no, we ain’t gonna have no eggnog, nor some fancy-dancy punch, but good ol’ black coffee.  Pard, yuh might remember the times when we spent the night drinkin’ coffee and eatin’ donuts in our fellowship.  Now, let me set myself straight.  I don’t mind eggnog, as long as it’s tasty, and I’ve had some decent punch over the years, but overall, nothin’ beats a good, strong cup of coffee.

     Hey, Pard, drink up, that coffee is roasted right here in Coldspring.  Yep, the good folk at Spring Ridge Roasters do a fine job…ahhh.  That’s good stuff.  Don’t let it burn yur guzzle when yuh swallow or yu’ll not be fit for all the Christmas cookies and other goodies that are comin’ up.  

     Sure hope yur keepin’ things in proper perspective this special season that we celebrate the birth of our Lord.  Things in the heavens must have sure been in a commotion that Christmas so many years ago.  I read something just the other day, and though it ain’t real Christmasy it has a good message.  “You can water a cactus, but don’t expect it to grow roses.”  Ha!  Don’t be expecting no fancy presents from me despite the fancy wrappin’.  

     Sometimes we give a good gift, but with wrong motives.  Why, I know folk who give just so they’re accepted instead of just bein’ themselves.  Some folks give ’cause they haven’t given anything all year.  Others will give thinkin’ that it will make the past all better and bright.  And there are some who give because they don’t know to give of themselves.  Then there are some who give just ’cause they enjoy givin’.  Yuh know, that last one sorta fits our heavenly Father.  He gives blessin’ after blessin’ after blessin’…  And the best gift was that of His Son on that first Christmas.  A gift that can never be matched!

     Yuh be havin’ a good week, Pard.  Keep smilin’….hmm, let that be a gift to someone along the way.  

      Vaya con Dios.

                    –Donald L. Robertson  (The Savage Valley)

 

Don’t do it much anymore, but still try to watch the sun rise.  Back in the day of my teaching I would get up at 4:30, but now it’s an hour later and sometimes on the weekends I’ll spend a little longer under the covers.  With one of them fancy coffeepots and I can have it set and ready to go in the mornin’ unless I take a notion to perk some on the stove.  Yep, memories of days gone by.

     But I’m up, ready to have yuh come to my door for coffee.  It’s hot, strong and ready for yuh.  Come on in, Pard.  Trust yuh had yurself a good week.  Ahhh, how ’bout that brew this mornin’?  Say, Pard, I read something this past week, I’m not quite sure about.  Some bureaucrats said that Biden should pardon, and they used the words, “preemptive pardon” those that President Trump was goin’ to bring to justice.  Doesn’t that mean they’ve already committed a crime, or are in the process, or will do so in the next eight weeks?  ‘Course them liberal bureaucrats have some new angle goin’ all the time.

     Pard, Christmas time’s a-comin’.  Ha, ha, do yuh need one of them pardons for the past year?  Are yuh sittin’ on Santy Claus’ naughty list?  Sure hopin’ not, but if’n yuh are remember that we do have a preemptive pardon.  Yep, all was taken care of once and for all at the Cross.  I like that verse in 1 John, it brings me comfort ’cause I’m not like you yet–I haven’t made the perfect stage in life.  I need to lean, sometimes more than others on the words of that ol’ fisherman, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1:9, NIV)  

     Ahhh, that swaller tasted mighty good.  Yuh know, Pard, that is a present that comes wrapped in the blood of Jesus Christ.  Never doubt it, for it is one that will last throughout this life an’ on into eternity.  It’s one of those promises that keeps on givin’.  ‘Course we should be doin’ our best to be livin’ the life of righteousness, but once in a while we fall in the mud, or slop around in it if not actually fallin’.  Why Pard, it’s like you not checkin’ yur cinch and fallin’ on yur noggin’.

     So, a good time to be prayin’ and thankin’ the Lord for His marvelous gift of His Son and the salvation that He brought it while yur saddlin’ up and checkin’ that cinch.  

       Vaya con Dios.

                    –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.