–Grady Bryant  (Preacher and the Bounty Hunter)

 

Come on in Pard, yuh do realize that this is the last Saturday in April.  My mercy, one third of the year has already gone past.  Whoopee, and what is there to show for it?  That’s why I like readin’ Ecclesiastes for it tells the truth ’bout life.  Pard, I was thinkin’ some, not much, the ol’ graymatter don’t work in deep thoughts much any more, but here’s what I had on my mind.  Yuh know how I always teasin’ly remind you to check yur cinch.  Well, it’s in fun, but there is some truth there.  We just don’t know what might be come our way or what might be on the trail a-waitin’ for us.  Pard, yuh come be drivin’ along one of these asphalt roads and from four lanes away some fool takes off and runs right into yuh.  Why it almost happened to me the other night.  The missus and I were drivin’ home from the daughter’s and this truck came from nowhere, in the midst of traffic, goin’ close to a hundred and almost clipped me.  I had to haul up on the ol’ steel mount or he most likely would have got me.

     I tell yuh straight out, Pard, the wife and I sure were thankin’ the Lord.  Whooeee, it was a close one.  Gave me somethin’ to chew on for the rest of the way home.  What if the Lord hadn’t sent an angel to help me gather in the ol’ steel strawberry roan?  What if’n He decided it was time to go on up to that heavenly ranch in the sky?  Pard, we just don’t be a-knowin’, we do our best, and that’s all we can be doin’.  Why, I’ve come to realize that not all days are sunshine and waterin’ holes; Pard, let me tell yuh, there are those days that are mud, sweat, and blood.  The broncs yuh ride, well, Pard, some of them have a mind of their own, an’ yuh can get left high in the saddle and plunk down on the earth.  Why I heard one ol’ boy a tellin’ someone that he’d never been throw’d, but had himself some fanciful dismounts in his time.

     Now let me tell yuh one more thing whilst yur sippin’ on that coffee.  Good, some of that Black Gold.  Yuh do know that Folgers was the first major coffee company out in California to take care of those Forty-Niners?  But that’s another story for another Saturday.  Pard, the truth of the matter is like that ol’ bronc-buster who had the delightful dismounts; it’s all in the way yuh look at things.  Why that ol’ boy who wrote that the coffee was so bad he had to spit it out had an issue.  Was it bad coffee ’cause it was too weak, or too strong?  Maybe it was a cino, or full of cow juice, or bee’s fixin’s.  See Pard, I’ve learnt up to a point, still workin’ on it, that God is in control and He has everythin’ under control, even when yuh don’t check yur cinch.  So much of what we do, how we feel, and how we go about the day depends on how we deal with the obstacles or the wrecks or the hostiles that may come our way durin’ the day.  One thing we must never forget Pard, God don’t make no weak coffee; He’s there to make all things possible if’n we keep trustin’ in Him.

     Yuh needs to be on yur way, I know.  I notice yuh didn’t spit out none of my coffee.  Ahhhh, smile, drink it with the right attitude, and just because the good Lord is lookin’ out for yuh is not reason not to be a-checkin’ yur cinch.

      Vaya con Dios.

                    –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.

 

     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.