Josh "WhiteRvier" and -=A=- accepted a invite to a Buddy's group that meets over at his house.. The Leaders and boys were not in the yard so we went around back and found them at a neighbors garage looking at a home built double ended canoe. The builder stood and answered every question the men asked.. about construction techniques and every question the boys asked about "what are you going to do with it?<G>" *It was beautiful sitting there with fresh epoxy over a mahogany plywood hull.. and old growth straight grain "rails" of Doug fir. We asked about the plans he used.. we asked about the material, the glue, the screws... The builder answered them all with *pride<G> The longer we looked.. the more we got used to it and we began to see little faults and flaws, and as quick as they were found... the builder explained that he was not perfect.. or particularity a boat builder..! We chuckled.. when he told a boy it was a boat and not a piece of furniture<G> It seemed.. that the function and enjoyment he had in building it.. had "evened out" the flaws,drips and runs.. and he admitted the next one would be better.. "I learned a lot with this first one" But even on this boat... the "finnish will cover most of the flaws, and what remain I will choose to love" The group thanked him and left... they had another task to put "care packages" together of food to give to homeless people... and as they did other boys gathered some kindling to build a small fire in a bar-b-q... As we stood by a small fire.. the leader called for "reflection on the spiritual application of the Boat and the boat builder.." A voice said: "God creates us as raw material, and in the hands of the master..we find purpose!" "The bonds of friendship are but with trust.. and that is like the glue that seals the boats seams" "The builders conform to the qualities of the water, buy shaping a boat to get along the easiest, way" "Love can cover a lot of flaws and disappointments, and is like the "finninsh" we constantly apply to re-new the sparkle.." This went on for some time<G> What followed was a time of prayer, for every boy, every man, every family and helpmate member.. Josh shared concern for his school and the "Meet you at the Pole rally" *This went on for some time<G> (I stand in these circles often as a Ranger... but this circle was filled with people I didn't know or didn't know me.. *I had the strangest sense of our "Faith" in Jesus being a brotherhood larger than the "known and expected") As the praying proceeded.. God lifted some weight off my heart for my Outpost and church, and I felt good<G> *I shared that the night was a success and now I wanted to build "another boat" for seeing what this man had done.. I was compelled to join in his "dream" Someone then said" That is what Pastors do for us.. they share what we already know in such a way that what was old becomes new and we are lifted to a higher plane of desire for the things of God!" *I thought: "With GOD's help...I will do my best" What a GREAT TIME! *Thanks "straight path" -=A=- _______ To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Eat the hay & spit out the sticks! - A#1's mule" RTKB&G4JC! http://rangernet.org Autoresponder: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
