All,
A few weeks ago I wrote of going to the International Worship Institute in
Dallas, Texas during the first week of July. I promised that I would send
later posts talking about how blessed it was to be there.
With all the "friendly fire" flying back and forth on the 'Rnet these last
few days I would like to start with these thoughts.
Each day at the Worship Institute consisted of a morning general session of
worship and teaching, followed by a block of workshops, lunch, a midday
general session, break, afternoon workshops, dinner, evening general
session, late-night youth "Jam."
At the Thursday morning session, Bishop Joseph Garlington of Pittsburgh
spoke, a VERY anointed man of God - funny, down-to-earth, incisive.
He was sharing a story with us.............
It seems he was at a large aquarium (it may have been the National in
Baltimore, I'm not sure, my notes don't say) and there was an exhibit of an
African Rock Fish. He looked and all he could see was this lump lying on the
bottom of the tank. Hmmmm......Where is this rock fish?
Then the lump moved and he saw, in his words, the ugliest fish he had ever
seen."
No sooner were these words, "that's the ugliest thing I've ever seen," out
of his mouth when God's Spirit spoke in his heart......"Didn't make it for
you.,"followed by the text from Revelation 4:11 ".........for Thou hast
created all things, and for Thy pleasure they were created......."
We go to church, sit in the pew, say "ok, I'm here, feed me."
Worship is something to get us to the sermon.
We don't like the beat, the bass is too loud, why don't they play more of
the hymns, why do they play so many of those old hymns, why are they taking
so long, why is it going so fast, I can't believe they've got Congas in the
Praise band.
Got news for you, the worship ain't for you or about you, it's all about
ministering to Him and it's all good.
God's not there to serve us on Sunday, we're there to serve Him.
Well, I'm sure I'll get plenty flamed over that, so be it.
I said all that to say this.......Duane, Clint, Jose, Ade, Kelly, et al....
Royal Rangers is not about us. It's not about Commanders or their likes or
dislikes. It's about boys (and girls for some) and making them into the
image of Christ.
We are only the tools that God uses for HIS pleasure to effect that goal.
That's ALL we are. I don't care if you've got every training patch there
ever was and Johnny and Fred both called you by your first name. Don't even
matter if you were there in '62 like Duane or '88 like me. We are HIS tools.
I've talked to leaders who have been in churches where this new program is
being tested and guess what, the boys love it, it works for them.
I'm not going to sit here and tell you that change is comfortable. It never
is. But you know something? I don't want to be comfortable. LAODICAEA was
comfortable. I want to be on the leading edge of everything God is doing.
That's a dangerous prayer. Sort of like Moses asking God if he could see His
face. The closer I get the more ugliness I see in me but the more I see of
Him and the more I'm changed into His likeness. So be it, I'll take that
pain just to get that glory.
I've looked at this new program and looked at it. I've got the Powerpoint
presentation on my computer, both the program and the new Advancement Trail.
I've looked at the training changes for the leaders. I say bring it on.
I'm not going to buy into the idea that these men who have been so godly
that they have been deemed worthy to serve at the highest levels, suddenly
have gone clueless. They've All served at the outpost level. The have heard
from the field. They also have a Christian responsibility to listen to the
heads that God has placed over them AND they pray.
Maybe we should do more of that (pray) and less complaining. Oops, God may
tell us to shut up.
The boys are excited at what I've shown them, good grief isn't that the
point?
I might as well step on some more toes while I'm at it. Let's cut the Boy
Scout bashing and the subtle slams at the Missionettes.
Yes, the BSA is paying for their "inclusiveness" and the accepting of public
funds which places them at the public's disposal, but............
they've been producing good young men for a long time. I can personally
vouch for that.......my pastor is an Eagle, so is my Sectional FCF Rep
(gasp!!!), and my Pioneer Lt. Cdr. I've got two copies of their Handbook and
a copy of their Fieldbook. I love picking their brains.
The Missionettes were sending godly young women to the mission field before
Royal Rangers was a gleam in Johnny Barnes' eye. I work with these ladies at
my church and they are just as passionate for "their girls" as we are for
"our boys"
You want everything perfect? All you have to do is die and go to Heaven.
It's all good up there. Down here you're going to have to deal with sin and
flesh and egos, etc. etc. etc. And that's just US never mind the world,
parents, undisciplined boys, National Staff, and (gulp) GPH.
You want to flame me, flame me. Call me a heretic if you will. But remember
this.......once upon a time someone said it's more than just about rules and
regulations. It's about the heart and wanting God more than anything else
and wanting to see Him reflected in his children. Nobody wanted to change
then either. Except the ones who were willing to just for the chance to see
Him move in others and perhaps them as well. They were called believers
then, disciples, Christians.They changed the world.
The rest got left behind, a footnote in history.
Submitted with love, passion and
In His Service for the boys,
Gary " Burning Heart" Rothwell
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