PRAYERS AND POEMS FOR SCOUTS
The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start.
While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching tips of the branches with both hands.
When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.
Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier. Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't help having
troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again."
"Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there ain't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.
The Bridge Builder
Greater Alabama Council
An old man, going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast, and deep, and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned, when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim, near,
"You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way;
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide -
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"
The builder lifted his old gray head:
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth, whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm, that has been naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."
By Will Allen Dromgoole
Twelve Guidelines for Living
A biblical Perspective on the Scout Law
Detroit Area Council
In 1911, the "Official Handbook for Boys" was published by the then-fledging Boy Scouts of America. This book presented to Americans an organization with a framework of Duty to God and Country and a cornerstone of unselfish service to mankind. Undergirding this organization was to be a firm foundation called the Scout Law.
In the more than three-quarters of a century since the "Official Handbook for Boys" went to press, Scouting has kept pace with modern approaches while broadening its scope. Yet the foundation remains firm, offering to today's youth the same moral guidance espoused in 1911.
Upon studying the 12 Points of the Scout Law, Christians quickly recognize a well-balanced guide for living. Each of these 12 Points finds positive support from the pages of the Holy Bible. As evidence of this biblical support, a sampling of passages is provided.
I.
A Scout is Trustworthy - ICorithians 4:1-2 (NASV)- "Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy."
II.
A Scout is Loyal - Proverbs 19:22a (RSV) - What is desired in a man is loyalty."
III.
A Scout is Helpful - Matthew 25:35-36. For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in: Naked and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." Proverbs- 3:27 (Moffatt) - Never refuse help to your neighbor, when you can render it."
IV.
A Scout is Friendly - John 15:12-13 (NASV) - (Jesus said) "This is my commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."
V
A Scout is Courteous - 1 Peter 3:8 (KJV) - "Finally, be ye all on one mind, having compassion of one another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous."
VI
A Scout is Kind - Ephesians 4:32 (NASV) - And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
VII
A Scout is Obedient - Hebrews 13:17a (NASV) - "Obey your leaders and submit to them for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account." Ephesians 6:1 (NASV) - "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."
VIII
A Scout is Cheerful - Proverbs 17:22a (RSV) "A cheerful heart is good medicine."
IX
A Scout is Thrifty - (He does not wantonly destroy property. He works faithfully, wastes nothing and makes the best use of his opportunities. He saves his money so that he may pay his own way, he is generous to those in need and helpful to worthy objects.) - Proverbs 21:5a (KJV) - The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousnous.: Romans 12:10-11 (NASV) - Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, persevering in tribulation, devoted in prayer; Proverbs 28:27 (KJV) - "He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack."
X
A Scout is Brave - II Timothy 1:7 (NASV) - "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power and love and discipline." Joshua 1:6 (Mofatt)- Be strong and brave turning neither to the right nor to the left, so that you may succeed wherever you go."
XI
A Scout is Clean - Psalm 51:10 (NASV) - "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 24:3 - "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord and who may stand in His Holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation."
XII
A Scout is Reverent - Proverbs 19:25 (LB) - "Reverence for God gives life, happiness, and protection from harm." Psalm 34:9 (Moffatt) - Revere the Eternal, O ye saints of his, the reverent never want for anything."
Yes the Scout Law offers 12 quality guidelines for living, guidelines with biblical precedent. Millions of young people have been positively influenced by this foundation of Scouting. And, as long as you people are led in the Scouting adventure by Christians committed to the truths of the Scout Law, America has in store for her a bright future!
R. Chip Turner
Executive Committee Member
Association of Baptists for Scouting
Note: Translations/paraphrases used: King James Version (KJV); The Living Bible (LB), The Moffatt Translation (Moffatt); Revised Standard Version (RSV); and New American Standard Version (NASV)
The Boys
Mt Diablo Silverado Council
Boys are the nicest things that ever happen to me; those arrogant, self-assured, cocky little men, children who assume that all this great world revolves around them.
Who else can carry half a worm, one crushed daisy, a piece of scrap metal, a three-day-old apple core, and two cents, all in one pocket?
Who else can be a fireman, sword fighter, cowboy and deep-sea diver, all in the space of an hour; the solemnly hold a funeral complete with cross and box, for a shell of a turtle lost a month ago?
Who else can be cuter without teeth, meaner without malice, kinder without embarrassment, sillier without foolishness, and clean without neatness?
Me, I like Cub Scouts, THE BOYS! They smile when I need a smile; they tease when I'm somber; they keep me from taking myself too seriously. No, I don't wish that I were nine again. I just hope that somehow God will see to it that I always have someone nine years old near my house and heart.
(Great Rivers Council)
NATURE GAVE MAN TWO EARS BUT ONLY ONE TONGUE
WHICH IS A GENTLE HINT THAT HE SHOULD LISTEN MORE THAN HE TALKS.
