It is quiet, but I like the stillness.”
–Louis L’Amour  (Rustler Roundup)

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
–Psalm 46:10 (NLT)
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Sorry, this is later than usual.  I was up at 5:00, ready to write, but the computer wouldn’t work.  Something to do with the internet system at the house.  This highly technological man didn’t know how to repair it.  Now, I do know how to fix it–a hammer.
Harvey is on the way!  At least that is what the media and weather bureau is saying.  It could be quite a storm, especially in the area of rain.  Those in flood areas, watch out!
Now in my age, this ol’ fence post has weathered some storms.  Why, I get up in the morning and those days I look in the mirror, and I say my mercy, what has happened to that once beautiful face?  Storms!  I’ve seen a few:  hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, thunderstorms, hailstorms; I’ve been through them all in my life.  If you’re unprepared, they can bring havoc; even when folk are prepared there can be disastrous results.
I was out this morning, doing my morning walk, and it was nice.  Very quiet, a nice cool breeze, a person would never know that Harvey is on the horizon.  But after the storm, what then?  If it is bad, do you pick up an move, lie down and quit, or get it back together and go on with life?  
Let me tell you one thing though.  There are worse storms out there than Harvey.  Those are the storms that wreck havoc with your soul.  The storms that come your way in the realm of the spirit.  Sorrow, depression, despair, pain, and hardship may accompany the storms of life.  Do you lay down and quit?
As believers we can rest secure in the Lord.  He knows the storms.  He chided His disciples one time when a storm arose on the sea and He was asleep.  Why worry about the storm when He is there with you?

“And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.”
–Isaiah 4:6 (NKJV)

After the storm there can be a time of refreshing.  I remember in the spring the crocus, daffodils, and tulips peeking up through the snows that ravaged the winter.  How about that wonderful fragrance and refreshing after a thunderstorm?  After the spiritual storms, the may be some debris that will need to be cleaned up, but the Lord will lead you beside the still waters.
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Book News:  Several have asked when the Elias Butler sequel will be out.  I had hoped for a September publishing date, but it looks more like November.  Don’t worry, that would be a good time to purchase Mal de Ojo (Evil Eye) for Christmas.  I’ll keep you informed when it is published.  Elias is sent to check out a town on the Rio Grande–the town is Mal de Ojo.

Most humans kept their principles in a hazy background while they continued to follow the whims of impulse.”
–Charles A. Seltzer (West!)

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
–1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT)
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Maybe you’ve noticed in the news all the problems in the last few years with our ships colliding with other ships. Now, come on, what’s up with that? I can understand the occasional occurrence in a crowded harbor, but on the open sea? Something is definitely wrong here; there has to be someone to blame. Sure, sure the captain is the ultimate person. Whatever happens on ship is his ultimate responsibility, but the mistakes were being made someplace else. May I suggest training!
I’m sorry, but boot camp, or basic training is not quite the same as it used to be. The demands are not quite as stringent. Makes me wonder how many wash out during training? Does everybody pass? Some say there are stress days given; but I would say why? If people are under so much stress, why are they not being taught how to handle the stress? Mistakes do happen, but is attention given to detail? I’m not sure what it is, but there is a problem.
Over the years, but especially in the last half dozen or so, I had students tell me, “I’m so stressed out.” I shook my head. How can you be stressed out? You have everything given to you. Perhaps you don’t have your priorities straight, perhaps your attitude is not in the right direction.
In this day of snowflakes, where is the toughness–mental, physical, and spiritual? Be sure and keep a spiritual idea in what follows as well as the physical. Toughness has always been a “must” factor in the life of a military man. Norman R. Oke said this, “Paul considered it [toughness] so essential that he listed it as ingredient number one. He put it bluntly: ‘Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.’ This toughness is to be both physical and moral; without both of these there can be no Christian soldiering.”
Whether we like it or not, God sends all His new recruits to basic training. This is the place where you learn “the utter necessity for quick obedience–obey God or lose your soul. It is the place to learn that Christian soldiering is not a long summer afternoon lounging in a hammock, but a sweaty climb over an obstacle course. God develops the muscle for the long march; He enable you to find deep delight in Christian discipline.” (Oke)
If Paul understood it, why is the church so soft and in those pews sit a bunch of cupcakes? If you don’t have spiritual toughness there is a chance you’ll not endure in a wicked, temptation-ridden world. Maybe there needs to be some callouses put on “spiritual hands.”

“Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
–2 Timothy 2:3 (RSV)
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I would laugh if this wasn’t so stupid. You have probably heard that ESPN has released one of their sportscasters. Oh, they had good reason–his name was Robert Lee. In our moronic state the media has absolutely gone mad. Add to this the fact, that he is Asian. Where are the outcries of racism?
Folks, this country is in the process of losing its mind and soul. I was looking through some notes and came across this quotation by Jane Healy, “The way people use language is braided together tightly with the way they think.” Or maybe in this case, they don’t think at all.

We did what was right.  I have no regrets for that.”
  –Dave P. Fisher (Where No Man Rules)

“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
–Micah 6:8 (NLT)
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How much faith do you have?  Has it really ever been tested?  I know many people speak of faith and most of the time it is that high-faluting, blab it and grab it faith, but will that get you through the test of time?  Much of faith is enduring, not just waltzing through life.  Faith is what takes you through the valleys and across the ravines and into the camp of the enemy.  Faith is when the enemy attacks and there is a fierce fire-fight, and when the smoke clears you are still standing.  Faith gives us the victory.

          “Encamped along the hills of light,
           Ye Christian soldiers, rise,
           And press the battle ere the night
           Shall veil the glowing skies.
           Against the foe in vales below
           Let all our strength be hurled;
           Faith is the victory, we know,
           That overcomes the world.”
                    –John H. Yates

Read Hebrews 11, the “faith chapter.”  It speaks of glorious victories, but also of those who faced the onslaught of the enemy and died.  Did they not have faith?  Perhaps their faith was greater, because even in death they fought on, never failing, knowing that even in death they would be with their Savior.  In fact, when you lay there, and death is waiting, all there is, is faith.  Yet today, we want to cheapen those who have gone all before.  Despite faults, there were men of faith.  They had their own types of battles to fight, so never mock the fallen soldier.

          “His banner over us is love,
           Our sword the Word of God;
           We tread the road the saints above
           With shouts of triumph trod.
           By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,
           Swept on o’er every field;
           The faith by which they conquered death
           Is still our shining shield.”

I see soldiers, officers of the law, firefighters; why do they go out each day in the midst of an evil, wicked world?  They know that on any given day, their life may be taken from them.  Yet despite that threat they have the faith to go out, face the world, and do their duty.  The forces of evil are to be found lurking on every corner.  They are armed, ready to attack and destroy, therefore, we must get out of our tents, that comfortable spot, and face the wickedness of this world.  It comes in many forms and God has given different battles and tasks to different individuals.  Don’t falter in what he has given you–in your faith comes the victory.

          “On every hand the foe we find
           Drawn up in dread array;
           Let tents of ease be left behind,
           And onward to the fray.
           Salvation’s helmet on each head,
           With truth all girt about,
           The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,
           And echo with our shout.”

Be sure you have studied and trained properly.  Make sure you know how to use the weapons that the Lord has given you to face the darkness of this world.  Disaster will not overcome you and in that day you will stand before Him that overcame death, hell, and the grave.  One day your battles will be over and you will stand with Christ, the great over-comer on the hills of glory.  Never falter, never yield, never quit.  As long as there is breath face the enemy and smile, for the victory is in your faith.

          “To him that overcomes the foe,
           White raiment shall be giv’n;
           Before the angels he shall know
           His name confessed in heav’n.
           Then onward from the hills of light,
           Our hearts with love aflame,
           We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
           In Jesus’ conqu’ring name.

                    Faith is the victory!
                    Faith is the victory!
                    Oh, glorious victory,
                    That overcomes the world.”

We are saved by grace, but ah, it is through faith.  We must believe–that is the first key to victory.  

He knew there was no easy way, and he was not looking for one.  It was his pride that he walked his own trail, saddled his own broncs, and fought his own battles.  And he earned his own money.”
–Louis L’Amour  (The Key-Lock Man)

“And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”
–Romans 5:4 (NLT)
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“History won’t let us go and keeps repeating itself, reminding us that human condition hasn’t changed.”
 –Richard Herman, Jr.

I read something the other day that sort of surprised me, mainly the source.  I won’t go into details but the question was asked, “Is there such a thing as intentional evil?”  This person said that evil people do not truly exist, that is, people who are evil at the core.  He then used a quotation from Protagoras, “No intelligent man believes that anybody ever willingly errs or willingly does base and evil deeds; they are well aware that all who do base and evil things do them unwillingly.”
Well, my friends, I am afraid that I am going to have to disagree with this.  People purposely choose to do evil all the time.  It started way back years ago, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5, NASB)  Man’s personal thoughts were always on evil.  Below are just a few verses that indicate that man is basically evil.  (All from NASB)

“Who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil,…” (Proverbs 6:14)
“Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil…” (Proverbs 12:20)
“And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, ‘Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?'” (Matthew 9:4)
“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”  (Jeremiah 17:9)  Another version says the heart is “desperately wicked.”

Man, because of the fall, will do evil.  That does not mean that man cannot make a morally good choice.  But contrary to the good philosopher, man does purposely do “base and evil deeds…willingly.”  That is why there must be a “born-again” experience.  They must be made new, the old must be done away with.
But Jesus said, that man will fall away and not listen or see the truth.  “For the heart of this people has become dull, With their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes, Otherwise they would see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.” (Matthew 13:5, NASB)
Man continues on a downward spiral.  He may cry for freedom, but in reality he is seeking anarchy.  True freedom comes with a price, man cannot be autonomous if he is free.  Samuel Rutherford wrote years ago that to be free, man must be under the law.  David Jeremiah writes, “In order for fallen humans to survive in an orderly society, a moral compass by which one navigates through life is absolutely essential.”
The more man moves away from a biblical standard, the more anarchy will come to the forefront.  The more man sets himself up as autonomous, the more evil will prevail.  Man must realize that he is a sinner and come to the Savior and only He can set them free. 
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“It’s a challenge.  An old teacher of mine once told me a man has to have one now and then just to know who and what he is.”
–Leonard B. Scott

This is for all of my former students.  Get it done!  The challenges of the classroom are nothing compared to the challenges that life may throw at you.  David was prepared to meet the challenge of Goliath, because he faced other challenges earlier in His life.  Part of accepting and then overcoming a challenge is to know God’s Word and use it in your life.