>
> May I put on some skates?
*Plenty of room out on the frozen lake<G>
*I'm not looking to fall into HOT WATER but it does me good to hear
another perspective... mayby we'll get better as Commanders ;')
>
> I encourage my boys to earn the GMA. I support them 100% and I hope
they
all earn it. Something that I did not do as a young Ranger.
I believe in giving honor where honor is due,
but too many times these young men are put on a Pedistal.
---*X*----
*In our Outpost we have 2 GMA achievers... *It was the very first GMA's
in our section and region of SW Washington State... *We whooped it up for
Nic and Matt Dawson, their parents and our Outpost...
*There was a Dark hollow echo comming back from the extended church and
community, *I only mention that to admit that Royal Rangers has still a
ways to go in Public acknoledgement, and putting GMA earners on a
"pedistal".... *More likely, Nic and Matt can recieve a equal amount of
goodwill as a BSA Eagle can have... *But the boys will allways be
explaining their award for it's obscurity...
(I've come to find this a charming gift of heritage from Cdr.Johnnie...
an example is: No we are not Canadian Forest Rangers, ROYAL Rangers
because Jesus is the king and we are a *Christian based "scouting group")
>
> I hear many Commanders say to Rangers "The GMA is the ultimate award you
can get in Rangers." Hmmm, I thought the ultimate award in Rangers was a deep,
personal relationship with Christ.
>
Well... American Men relate well to *earning a medal to represent
*courage, *service, *honor... and it's just to be proud! PRIDE!
Even Pride...that can become a vice or hinderence...*also can motivate
achievement. Your observation is correct in the ideals we desire.. But
also points out the duel effects of *Program vs. *Ministry...(IMHO)
I enjoy people of strong Character.. who exude *empathy, and *wisdom...
the closest I come to seeing that around me<G> is at the top of a long
climb.. and we drop packs for a rest.
(Wise is the Ranger who suggests it.. Emathy is when everyone agrres
readily!<G>)
If the GMA is the top of the long climb in Ranger achievement.. then
looking in the eye of a GMA should show the shine of effort and of *Love..
The earning however of the GMA is not the top of the mountian, but just
the summit of one "manufactured" peak.... *the gold track!
> These young men work hard to earn this award and deserve recogniton but I
would hope there is more meaning than just getting a shiny medal on their
uniform. Is there any new understanding of Life and Christ that can be applied?
That's a personel question for every GMA to answer... I'd think the
achievement would signal a "call" to service, and to Christian conduct...
But it also means membership in a elete club.. The GMA might rightly
expect to be quized by a non-Ranger.. *But his GMA on his Uniform means
SOMETHING and I don't think he needs to held at a distance within our
fellowship. *When FCF started I stood at a camfire and "knew" every
single member as a trusted equal... *Today I have to TRUST the *program
to uphold the values and ethic of what being a member of FCF should mean.
>What about any insight or guidance of God's calling on their life?
Cdr.Johnnie granted a 14 yearold a great honor to be called out for FCF
in July 1966... *while I don't know about others.. It left a mark on my
life. *I came back.... It's hard to explain, but Low number GMA earners
also have that same special calling on their life, and that is a direct
result of RR mission statement being fulfilled... and in the early days we
had individual relationships with the founder...
Cdr.Johnnie was not *Christ... but I wonder if the deciples taught out of
knowing Jesus as a friend and carried a memory of a warm handshake and a
hug...
What about humility?
>
> Sadly,I have seen many of GMA'ers lifted so high that they fell very hard
away from Christ. Yes, I have seen many GMA'ers become oustanding Commanders
and Christian men and Praise the Lord for that, but I have also seen many
nonGMA'ers do the same including my best friend and my cousin, both Commanders
in my outpost.
It wasn't the GMA or the "High-Call" placed on them that made them fall...
I beleve... It is a relationship and a pledge that we *affirm as a boy
that adds meaning and honor to our lives even when the program changes and
others don't hold the line or raise the standard... *It's not what my
Commander told me.. *It's what I beleve and act upon.. and remember!
I can give Royal Rangers to my Outpost, my son, my wife... and still I
have it in my heart. I enjoy seeing it in others<G> ...again like the
"burn" in the legs from a long grind uphill ;')
Good Post...
*Thanks..
Cdr.Duane -=A=-
"Take it- EASY "
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NWOP207 For the BOYS! * For Mitch Silvers! FcF July '66
:: Duane -=A=- Wheeler * Portland,Oregon * Jesus is Lord ::
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