A Good Name and a Good Man

A good name is more desirable than great riches;
   to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Proverbs 22:1 NIV

I want to remember a friend of mine who passed away a week ago. His memorial service was this morning, honoring a good man who served others willing and with joy. Gary was a great guy and a skilled leader. I thank God that I had a chance to know him and serve with him in some small way.

Fist Pump for a Good Prayer

The Lord blesses us in different ways. I was really blessed this week end by my sons. I went with my youngest son to a Boy Scout event called The Great Pumpkin Smash, where boys (and adults who wish to participate) get to destroy pumpkins with anything from arrows to shot guns. 

After we got home yesterday we cleaned up, rested a bit and then went out to dinner. My two oldest sons came over and joined us. At the end of the meal they tried to pay. It was very nice. 

Psalm 127:3-5 says:

   Sons are a heritage from the LORD,

      children a reward from him.

   Like arrows in the hands of a warrior

      are sons born in ones youth.

   Blessed is the man

      whose quiver is full of them.

   They will no be put to shame

      when they contend with their enemies at the gate. 

At camp breakfast my youngest volunteered to say grace for the meal. He got a sincere "good job" from the Scout Master. He prayed sincerely and with thanksgiving. It may seem weird to sort of fist pump your son for praying well, but, it seemed like he was praying to the God he knows, not just the one I tell him about. I'm proud of that.

I thank God that I was blessed to sit with my family and eat a meal with genuine love. That's a good day to me.

Mr. Brow: A Scout is Courteous

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 

Romans 12:17-18 (NIV)

I decided to call him Brow. I thought about scowl, but, that would've been too obvious. You see last week my son went to Boy Scout summer camp at Forest Lawn Scout a Reservation in the San Bernardino Mountains. I attended as an adult leader for his troop. We arrived a week ago on Sunday. After checking in, setting up in our area, and taking the swim test we started mingling around the mess hall and talking to people from other troops. 

I noticed a guy giving me the dirtiest look, scowling at me like I took his sons ice cream cone just as he was about to take the first bite. My buddy, the assistant scoutmaster, said, "What's that guys problem? He looks like he wants to bite our heads off!" I gave a little nod and a smile. He kept scowling. I stared back. He finally turn away, still scowling. 

Because a scout is clean they have daily campsite inspections. My compadre and I volunteered to help. One day I went by the campsite for Brows' troop. Apparently he had demanded that my buddy ask for permission to enter the site the day before, so I announced myself before entering. I had a pleasant conversation about what needed to be done by his troop to achieve a top score. 

On Friday, we had steak (not filet mignon or New York cuts). We had a bottle of A-1 sauce on our table. Brow came by, asked if we we using it, we said no, and he snatched the bottle up, scowling all the way. I said, "You're welcome." A few minutes later he back, set it down rather firmly and declared, "Some words don't come out of my mouth!" As he abruptly turned and marched away. A scout is courteous. 

I saw brow many other times and he scowled even at a kind, "Hello".  My point is that it doesn't matter if someone else has an issue with you or everyone in general, the Bible tells us to live at peace with everyone. Even if, like my "friend" Brow, someone isn't kind or courteous, you still try your best to show the love of Christ. Remember, Christ didn't love us because we were nice, he first loved us when we were his enemies.

Father, help us to love even when we will only receive evil in return. Praise be to you in us today!

Having a great week in God's great creation at BSA Scout camp with my youngest son!

Scout Oath (or Promise)

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

Zip Lines, Stars and the Glory of God

The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
   night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
   no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
   their words to the ends of the world.
Psalms 19:1-4a (NIV)

This Fathers Day weekend I was blessed to spend it with my youngest son and his Boy Scout Troop. We were in the mountains and we went on a three and a half hour zipline tour! It was awesome! The zipline was great, although I still get a bit freaked out rappelling. One run was a quarter mile so there was time to enjoy the view of the mountains and the valley below. 

We spent the evening around the campfire, making smores and gazing at the stars. Psalm 19 says that the heavens declare the glory of God and night after night the skies display knowledge. Chance did not create such a universe. Aliens did not plant us here on earth. God created the world and everything in it. The heavens declare the glory of God and when I look out on the stars I am humbled. 

I know that some deny that God exist and insist that chance plus time equals the universe we live in. But, I have never heard an atheists tell me my they are an atheist without mentioning the God they say does not exist. God spoke. The heavens declare his glory! 

Father, open the hearts of men to see your glory in the heaven and give you glory in their hearts! Praise be to you in us today!

BOY SCOUTS AND GODLINESS / Titus 2:13-14

"While we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:13-14

My youngest son is in Scouting and he just transitioned from a Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. He had to learn the Scout Oath and Law. We had a Court of Honor meeting last night and our troop does a potluck. As we were getting in the car my son held the door open for his sister to get in first. That does not always happen. But, going to the scout meeting reminded him to act like a scout. I think that is kind of like us and the second coming of Christ. Realizing that Christ is coming should give us extra motivation to good. 

I think I should be eager to do what is good naturally. Unfortunately we do have a sinful nature that seeks self gratification without thought of the consequences.  It is worse than eating something that you know will give you heartburn later. It is worse because sin sometimes leaves a scar or a hook. But, doing what is godly, living a life of love in faith, never leaves a scar and doesn't hook you but frees you. When we do what is good, which is love as Christ loved us, we will reap the fruit of righteousness. 

Here's the to do: Be good to other people. How will you be good to your spouse today? Your kids? Your fellow workers or employees? Love as Christ has loved you...

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your love toward us. Thank you for your forgiveness, patience, grace and mercy. Your faithfulness is amazing! Help us to love as you have loved us! Praise be to you in us today!

YOU ARE AWARDED THE...: II Timothy 4:8

"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the  Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 
II Timothy 4:8

My youngest son has been in Scouts since first grade. He just bridged over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. He received the Arrow of Light award, which is the only patch that you can carry over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. So, now he starts his quest for Eagle Scout. One of the cool things about scouts is that along the way they earn patches and belt loops (Cubs) and then merit badges (Scouts). There are rewards. Paul knew there was a reward, the crown of righteousness awaiting him. There is one awaiting you and me too. 

Have you ever wished that Jesus could just be there at that moment? Have you ever just wished he would come today? I don't know how you could possibly come to Christ in any meaningful way and not wish to see him face to face. The Spirit of God just calls you. When you are church, singing, worshiping, listening to the teaching and serving, isn't that simply the manifestation of your desire to know Christ? It should be.

Hopefully you understand that when Paul says, "and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" he means you and I! We have a crown of righteousness awaiting us! Don't give up! Keep pressing on! God is faithful. He will accomplish though you what he wants to do. 

Father, thank you for your mercy and grace to not only save me but us me by any measure. Praise be to you in us today!