EVER SEEN HALO GLOWS or FOXFIRE?

Stephen Bly

Copyright 2008

Cowboys and farmers and such mostly live outdoors. They witness lots more of God’s splendors than folks who hunker banker’s hours in buildings. One winter morning, I ran with the temp 10 degrees around the frozen lake across the way from my place. The sunrise began at deep purple and orange. Then mellowed into bright pink clouds that scooted across a crispy blued sky. As the clouds stacked, half the expanse lighted up fluorescent orange. This lasted five minutes, max. Seemed like the Lord setting off fireworks in the excitement of a new day.

Reminded me of the foxfire on cattle drives in the Old West.

As they drove those big herds north across the plains during the 1870s and 80s, electrifying summer thunderstorms hit in Indian Territory and Kansas. Lightning flashed. The smell of suffocating sulfur hung heavy in the air. At night, the cattle’s horn-tips, horses’ ears, and cowboy hat brims shined with phosphorescent light. An eerie glow right out of a science fiction story. . .or bad dream. They called it foxfire or St. Elmo’s fire.

One old timer said, “Ever’ once in a while the circle crown of some cowboy’s hat would glow and it sure enough looked like a halo. ‘Course it only stayed a few seconds. We used to kid ‘em and say that’s about as close to bein’ an angel as they’d ever come.”

We may never wear halos. But we do have a chance at a crown. “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:4).

Now, I’m pretty much stuck on wearing cowboy hats myself. But I’d gladly trade mine for a heavenly crown. That comes as a reward. . .not for living a perfect life—sure can’t do that. But it’s for those who worked hard to obey the Lord’s lead after the life-changing moment of trusting Him as Savior. We’ve got a better hat to wear in that next life. And I’ve got an inkling that the other glories up ahead will make cold morning sunrises and foxfire on cattle horns seem like a dull, faded memory.

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Throw The Devil Off The Train

COMING MAY 2011:
Throw The Devil Off The Train

She's got to escape. He's determined to get revenge. They collide on a train headed west. Can they make a truce long enough to try to throw the devil off the train?