Full Armor of God

We camped this weekend (January 14-16, 2011) at an Armory and had the opportunity to spend Saturday on an army base utilizing their M16 simulator.  Besides trying to "qualify" with our shooting skills, the exercise included a series of "shoot / no shoot" scenarios.  We had to make split decisions based on the rules of engagement.  Are you making great decisions on a moment's notice?  What are your rules of engagement?  


Our scripture for the weekend was Ephesians 6:10-18.  The "armor of God" message was very clear, and I am proud of our Chaplain Aides for producing Sunday morning's chapel service with 50 scouts and 15 parents in attendance.   


Quinn's illustration was very real.  In one corner of the armory, there was a fully armored Humvee.  The bulletproof glass must have been over 2-inches thick.  It was armored throughout to withstand an attack.  In the exact opposite corner, we see Mr. Foster's minivan.  Not much armor on that family truckster!  


Which would you like to take into battle?  Silly question, right?  You need the full armor of the Humvee to survive out there.  The Apostle Paul's God-breathed letter to the Ephesians says it clearly:  If we want to survive out there in our real world, we need to put on the "full armor of God."  Quinn encouraged us to be in the spirit, get to know our God, pray frequently, and read his Word.  


What are your battles that you're facing each day?  What are you doing in your own life to put on the full armor of God?  

You Versus Yourself

Our November 2010 camp-out brought us to Watkins Mill.  A popular beer commercial declares "tonight, it's you versus yourself."  Sounds like a strange struggle?  Reminds me of the Apostle Paul.

The message we selected for this chapel was based on Paul's letter to the Romans as he outlined his own struggles with sin in Romans 7:14-24.

Paul admits that he does what he shouldn't, and he doesn't always do what he should.  Like the Apostle Paul, we can struggle daily with our fight to be reverent scouts and fulfill our duty to God.  What decisions are you making daily that represent that fight?

Our worship music included Chris Tomlin's Amazing Grace and Kutless' What Faith Can Do.


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What Seed Are You?

October 2010's camp-out placed our troop on a farm in Kansas. We were reminded of the Parable of the Sower as told in Mathew 13:1-23. In the parable, a sower dropped seed on the path, on rocky ground, and among thorns, and the seed was lost; but when seed fell on good earth, it grew, yielding thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.

During our preparation and during chapel, our scouts discussed the parable and related the story to life as a scout. What are the thorns in your life that choke your effort to be a reverent scout? How do you manage your soil and conduct your life so that you can execute your duty to God without getting tangled?

What seed are you?


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