Victor et al
As Victor has I have asked the same questions. One difference is that I have
seen "bad" boys being allowed to go on camp outs, trips etc. and it has not
made a jot of difference. I have had nights when I have been left with 25
"rough" boys of Pioneer age and I was the greenest Commander there. I know I
blew it. I just pray that God will come through for those boys. However, I
am not a beliver in self flagellation. I attended church services and
organizations between being born (probably) and age 13 (approx). Within that
period of time NOBODY told me the gospel and I still remember during one
Sunday school lesson being told that the gifts died out with the apostles
and God had left us to fend for ourselves. Every fibre of my being cried out
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank God for the boys who do turn up and put
your all into reaching and teaching them. It has been said often enough that
most of the great evangelists received teaching from someone. You may just
have the next one in your group.
I also believe that the statement is too sweeping. How are things in the
Exploradores del Rey and Rangers in Asia? We are a body and have to play our
part. If the foot suddenly decided that it really should not be on the end
of the leg and really should be on top of the head what would happen then?
Also, do not forget Jesus's warning about pearls before swine.
I don't know what has rattled your cage, Victor, but I believe that it is an
attack from the enemy. From your posts and from things that I have heard, I
get the impression that you have done a good job in your part of Australia.
Always remember that YOU nor I can save anyone. A good friend of mine once
said that no-one has the right to hear the gospel more than once. All we can
do is give the gospel, sow the seed. The feeding and watering is God's. Make
the church attractive to young people through warm fellowship and
encouragement rather than trying to emulate the world. Someone has to do the
maintenance which is always easier than doing the repairs. God seems to give
a special calling to those who go into the situations which seem to trouble
you. Look at Glady Aylward, Jackie Pullinger (both women - how strange!)
David Wilkerson and even as far back as the apostle Paul. Rejoice in the
Lord in all things and appreciate the same seven boys who do turn up (for a
long time, it was 3 for me). Invest your time and effort, for if you don't
someone else will. Don't be discouraged we only see the back of the
tapestry, not the front.
Love
BoW.
-----Original Message-----
From: Victor Zalakos <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: 07 October 1999 22:44
Subject: [RR] On being fruitful
>What is it about the world of Rangers that we can strive and work very,
>very hard for little fruit? Why is it that we are satisfied to explain away
>our lack of fruit through such religious mutterings as "we're investing in
>the long term brother" or "but we're discipling the boys"
>
>Now don't get me wrong. I have devoted my life to developing children,
>discipling them, mentoring them, helping them become the men and women that
>God has predestined them to be. So I'm in your camp!
>
>What is the fruit that our Lord and Saviour will want to see from our
>efforts in this earth?
>
>Surely it includes populating heaven - seeing people saved.
>
>Why then are we content to explain away the lack of salvation fruit in our
>ministries? How can we stand up straight and believe we are doing a good
>job when week after week, month after month and year after year there is no
>fruit. It doesn't make sense.
>
>Now I can already hear you objecting: we do get kids saved.
>
>I would ask you this: who, when, and who's kids were they?
>
>If they are your own children, or the kids in your church making decisions
>at the age of 7 - they don't count.
>
>[Holds arms up to protect himself from blows that rain down]
>
>Of course they count.
>
>But not in this context of being fruitful. Those salvations are your duty.
>They are not fruit in the sense I am talking about. You are responsible for
>seeing your own children saved. Salvation is for you and your household.
>The children in your assembly - similarly.
>
>I'm talking about the kids down the street. In your sons class at school.
>The ones hanging out at the corner store. The ones ripping your letter box
>out on Saturday night.
>
>What impact are you making in the REAL world?
>
>Come on - why do we kid ourselves.
>We're doing a poor job.
>
>Please hear me - I am doing a poor job.
>
>How do we change it?
>How can we be really fruitful?
>
>Well here are a couple of suggestions:
>
>1) break the rules. Who cares how long it takes to earn the GMA? Who cares
>if you have to earn the blah awards before the fooey award. I mean - in
>eternity will it matter at all?
>2) change the game. The game isn't earning badges. The game is changing the
>world. The game isn't shiney shoes. The game is changing the world. The
>game isn't knowing the five logs of the FCF emblem in the right order. THE
>GAME IS CHANGING THE WORLD.
>3) shatter the myth. Are you the envy of the men and women in your church -
>or the laughing stock? Is parading around in front of 7 boys your idea of a
>successful ministry? Can doing dumb craft from the 1960's make a difference
>in todays world. WAKE UP RANGERS. You need to break out of the mould of
>complacency and pathetic self glorification.
>4) build the bridges. Do you take good and bad kids camping - or just the
>good ones. Why. How can you ever harvest lots of fruit if you don't take
>risks and don't go into the orchard?
>
>Now I know this is not true for everyone. Some see great fruit. Most don't.
>
>Take this [harsh] word and think on it. Pray on it. Seek the Lord on it.
>It's what's buning inside me.
>
>Yours not satisfied with the mediocre and the mundane,
>Victor.
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
> I see a Ranger program in every town in this country. An outpost in
every
> suburb. I see a program so pervasive that every child in this nation
will
> either be a Royal Ranger or know someone who is a Royal Ranger.
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
>
>Ps. Victor Zalakos
>
>Senior Commander, Blaxland Royal Rangers
>State Commander, NSW Australia
>
>Contact information:
> Post: PO Box 264 Emu Plains NSW 2750 Australia
> Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Phone: +61 2 4739-8211
>
> Create the "Perfect" outpost - find out how at
> http://fdnet.com.au/victor/rangers/contents.html
>
>This posting is copyright (c) 1997-1999 Victor Zalakos. You may not
>distribute, republish, post, or otherwise disseminate without prior written
>(emailed) permission. You may however, use it in your own outpost.
>_______
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