Standin' in the Smoke of the Brandin' Fire

This year at the music/poetry gathering in Alpine, TX, Allan Chapman presented a new song which has not yet been recorded. It is entitled “Standin' in the Smoke of the Brandin’ Fire”.

I am writing you tonight, dear, from east New Mexico, where the grass is getting’ greener and the Rio Frio flows.

I guess you gave up on me some time ago, while I was standin’ in the smoke of the brandin’ fire.

I know this cowboy life I lead, never appealed to you.

There’s always something needin’ doin’, before another thing gets through.

Well, I hear you’re getting married and this letter’s overdue, 'cause I’ve been standin’ in the smoke of the brandin’ fire.

I’ve been keepin’ my pony fed… and stretchin’ wire.

Wish I could tell you somethin’ different, but I’m not that good a liar, ‘cause all I know is punchin’ cows and smoky brandin’ fires.

The nights are gettin’ warmer and it rained just yesterday.

I’m starting three new mares this week, the best one is the bay.

Well, I’m wishin’ you and yours a good life, that’s what I mean to say, while I’m standin’ in the smoke of the brandin’ fire.

The song tells of a cowboy who could not give up the lure of the cowboy life and culture long enough to claim the heart of his lover. ‘The smoke of the brandin’ fire’ was just too alluring for him to turn away, even for the love of his life.

Some of us have been standing in the smoke of the brandin’ fire. We have allowed the lure of our culture to pilfer our hearts while our first loves – Jesus Christ and his church – have been stolen from us by the lure of the culture. We have been seduced. Our commitment, courage and loyalty are not what they used to be. Core values are quickly eroding. Our first love is still out there. The core values which we first embraced are still out there. Jesus, church and country still call to us to come back to our first loves. Our calling is to commitment, courage and loyalty in the face of great testing. But the smoke of our culture is blinding many, even in the church.

Some of us have been blinded by the lure of today’s culture. For some the things of this world and the bottom line are more important than living by the grace of Jesus Christ. Some have given up their first loves. Some of us are standin' far too deep in the smoke of the brandin' fire. God’s grace and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit provide the only way out of the smoke.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ lead you out of the smoke and keep you clear of the brandin’ fire.