2023-09 Prayer From A Foxhole

Between December 11th and December 18th, 1942.  A battle was being waged in the Western Desert Campaign of World War II where the Allied forces were pushing back the Axis forces through Northern Africa.  I have this imagery of sand and tanks with soldiers marching and fighting. Almost like in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Except this campaign actually happened unlike the search for the Holy Grail by the great Dr’s. Jones. 

During this Battle of El Agheila, there were an estimated 450 Axis soldiers taken prisoner, 25 large guns and 18 tanks destroyed. The second Zealand Division reported 11 killed and 29 wounded.  Of those members who were killed, one soldier was found within a foxhole with a scrap of paper on his body.  This is what was written on that scrap of paper.

Stay with me, God. the night is dark, 
The night is cold; My little spark 
Of Courage dies. the night is long; 
Be with me, God, make me strong. 
I know that death is but a door. 
I know what we are fighting for; 
Peace for the kids, our brothers freed, 
A kinder world, a cleaner breed. 
Help me, O God, when death is near 
To mock the haggard face of fear, 
That when I fall - if fall I must - 
My soul may Triumph in the dust.

(Found on the scrap of paper on the body of a soldier and a foxhole in Tunisia after the battle of El Agheila) 

2023-07 The Story of a Good Turn

How good must a Good Turn be to be GOOD? The answer is best given by telling you the story of how Scouting came to America. It shows that it isn't the size of the Good Turn that counts. It's the doing of it, whether large or small.

A GOOD TURN TO AN AMERICAN.

One day in the year 1909 the great city of London was in the grip of a dense fog. An American businessman, William D. Boyce, stopped under a street lamp to locate himself. Out of the gloom a boy approached him and asked if he could be of help.

"You certainly can," said Boyce. He told the boy that he wanted to find a certain business office in the center of the city.
'I'll take you there," said the boy.
When they got to the destination, the American reached into his pocket for a tip. But the boy stopped him.
"No thank you, sir. I am a Scout. I can't take anything for helping."
"A Scout? And what might that be?" asked Boyce.
And so the boy told the American about himself and his brother Scouts. Boyce became very interested. After finishing his errand, he had the boy take him to the British Scout office.
There the boy disappeared.

At the office Boyce met Baden-Powell, the famous British general who had founded the Scouting movement. Boyce was so impressed with what he learned that he decided to bring Scouting home with him.

And so, on February 8, 1910, in Washington, D.C., Boyce and a group of outstanding men founded the Boy Scouts of America. Ever since then this day has been known as the birthday of Scouting in the United States.

What happened to the boy? No one knows. He was never heard of again, but he will never be forgotten. In the British
Scout Training Center at Gilwell Park, England, a statue of a buffalo was put up in honor of this "Unknown Scout." His Good Turn had brought the Scouting movement to our country.

One Good Turn to one man became a Good Turn to millions of American boys. Such is the power of a Good Turn. You never can tell...

2023-06 Not A Man's Footprint

Today we are celebrating Scout Sunday,  which typically is held on the Sunday prior to February 8th.  In reality, you can celebrate Scout Sunday on any Sunday during this month. So, with that in mind, we will be focusing on one point of the Scout Law for the whole month, Reverent.

There is one thing that happens every single day that most of us take for granted, the rising of the Sun.  There’s some mornings where I appreciate the Sun more than usual.  Having the Sun finally rise as I’m  keeping my  hands warm over the camp stove cooking breakfast during a winter campout is one of those mornings. Another, is while on a 14 mile night hike up to the top of Mount Timpanogos located in Utah. Where we reached the top of the mountain to watch the sun rays break through the darkness as the sun peeked over the horizon.

Some fun facts about the Sun. It has 8 planets that orbit around it. It takes 27 Earth days to rotate on its axis. Its radius is 432,690 miles (to give you some comparison, Earth’s radius is roughly 4,000 miles). It would take 1.3 million Earths to make up the mass of the Sun. How can we explain the creation of the Sun along with everything that orbits it within this solar system? If we were told the process of how everything was created, could our minds even comprehend it?

An old Scouters Minute crossed my mind as I started to think about this subject.

A man was crossing the desert with an Arab guide. Day after day the guide never failed to kneel on the burning sand and call upon his God. At last one evening, the man said to the Arab, “how do you know there is a God?” The guide fixed his eye upon the scoffer for a moment and then replied, “how do I know that there is a god? How did I know that a camel and not a man passed last night? Was it not by the print of his hoof in the sand?” And pointing to the sun whose rays were fading over the horizon, he added, “that footprint is not of man.”

As we attend campouts and explore on day hikes, let us all be alert and recognize all those little and big things out there that reflect the footprint of the Creator.

2023-01 Difficult Roads

Today we say hello to the very first day of the year 2023. For the past 2 years, rather than displaying ads for items that are on sale, our local grocery store has placed inspirational messages on the signs along the outside of the building. Yesterday as I pulled to get some last minute items for our New Year's Eve celebration, I read the following. “ Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.” I kept thinking about this sentence as I was walking through the isles and some of the beautiful destinations that I personally have explored this past couple of years.

Sequoia National Park comes to mind as the road to reach the park is one that will push your vehicle to its limits with the steep and windy road. But hugging one of those massive redwoods after enduring the long hard road is totally worth it.

Timpanogos Caves inside Mt. Timpanogos is another one that comes to mind. Even though the hike up to the cave is only 2.5 miles, it is a hike that will push your body to its limits. After you reach the cave opening, and catch your breath for about 20 minutes so your heart doesn’t jump out of your chest, the beauties of all the stalagmites and stalactites along with the Heart of Timpanogos will take your breath away again.

Ruth Lake is another hidden gem that we discovered inside the Uinta National Forest along the Mirror Lake Hwy. The elevation is pretty high up there which brings its own challenges with breathing, headaches, and fatigue and the trail is constantly up and down throughout the 3 mile round trip. But the blue high elevation lake is one that brought me one of my most relaxing days I have had in a long time as I took a nap in the hammock alongside its shore line.

These are all great destinations, and there are many more that I could talk about. But, my mind started thinking about some of the destinations that I have reached that are not necessarily found on a map. These are items that I have personally accomplished that may have been difficult to endure through. I think my son would have one of his personal destinations be planning and completing his Eagle Project.

New Years is one of those great times of the year that we can reflect on how we are personally doing, what we should be doing better, and some of the items we would like to complete on our bucket list. It’s a time for resolutions and goal setting. I personally do not have New Years resolutions, but I do set some goals that I would like to accomplish for myself personally along with some goals I would like to accomplish with my family.

These past couple of years have been very difficult for many people. Emotionally, physically, and mentally. I personally had the difficult time of losing my father in October of 2021. My kids would probably say that their school year this last year was really difficult. Difficult roads will always be part of our life. Whatever your difficult roads have been, take some time to reflect on how you are the person that you are now because of the experiences you have been through. Reflect on some of those amazing places that you have hiked to or camped at that were off the beaten path. Each difficult road that we endure through makes us a little more Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.

2022-22 Decoration Day

Decoration Day dates back to the 1860s, when local groups from the North and South laid flowers on the graves of the Civil War soldiers who fell in battle. The name Memorial Day was used with, or in place of, Decoration Day over the next few decades, and after World War I, the day came to honor veterans from all wars, not only the Civil War. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day to be a national holiday, to be observed the last Monday in May.

On May 30, 1868, a crowd of more than 5,000 gathered at Arlington National Cemetery for the first Decoration Day (now known as Memorial Day). Before strewing flowers upon the graves of the dead, the crowd listened to an address by President Garfield, then an Ohio congressman who had served as a Union major general during the Civil War. In this first of such annual addresses at Arlington National Cemetery and across the nation, Garfield set a standard by explaining what Decoration Day is all about and why it should be commemorated.

“...Hither our children’s children shall come to pay their tribute of grateful homage. For this are we met to-day. By the happy suggestion of a great society, assemblies like this are gathering at this hour in every State in the Union. Thousands of soldiers are to-day turning aside in the march of life to visit the silent encampments of dead comrades who once fought by their side. From many thousand homes, whose light was put out when a soldier fell, there go forth to-day to join these solemn processions loving kindred and friends, from whose heart the shadow of grief will never be lifted till the light of the eternal world dawns upon them. And here are children, little children, to whom the war left no father but the Father above. By the most sacred right, theirs is the chief place to-day. They come with garlands to crown their victor fathers.”

Everyone celebrates memorial day in their own ways. This Memorial Day as we place flowers, wave American Flags, and gather as families, let us remember those brave soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the principles and freedoms of this nation. They are truly patriots. Thank you to all who serve in our armed forces.

2022-07 God's Fiddle

The month of February we are continuing on with our Reverent theme.

A story is told of a conversation between a businessman and Sir Harry Lauder, the famous Scottish comedian, at a recent dinner held in New York. “I want to thank you for all the happiness you have given me, Sir Harry,” the man remarked. “I have looked forward to your American performances as one of the real joys of my life.” Harry Lauder without any thought of jesting responded, “don't thank me, laddie. God put something into me that seems to give pleasure to many thousands of people”, he said. “What it is I don't know, nor where it came from, nor when it may go. I don't seem to control it; it seems to control me. Thank It, Whatever It Is-not me.

John Bunyan, when congratulated on one of his sermons, uttered Harry Lauder's protest in different words. I am only God's fiddle! The instrument on which he elected to play His tunes.”

Is it not well for us to pause in the midst of our tasks and success to pay homage to our Maker? We, too, are “God's fiddle”, even though we are so often out of tune with God's infinite plan.

This time of year we have many events for entertainment. We have the Super Bowl, which is today. Many award shows are this month, and the Winter Olympics are currently taking place. Many of these athletes and performers bring happiness and enjoyment into our lives as they entertain us on the screen or at live events. Yes, many of them have worked extremely hard to get to the spot they are in in their life to receive an award or take home a super bowl ring, or a Gold, Silver, or Bronze metal. It always brings a smile to me when you hear these entertainers thank their friends, families, and their God for their accomplishments. Remember, you never really do anything on your own. You usually have your support group, this could be your den, pack, patrol, or troop, leaders, family, teachers, coaches, etc. And most importantly, you have your Creator who always has your back. Let us always do our best to be an “in tune” fiddle for Him.

2022-06 What An Amazing World

This week’s Scouter’s Minute falls on Scout Sunday. Some of you may be asking, “What is Scout Sunday?” Well, back in the 1940’s, scouts around the world started setting aside the Sunday preceding February 8th as a day to reflect on the 12th point of the Scout Law, reverent. Some of you may now be asking, “what happened on February 8th?” Well, that is the date in 1910 that the Boy Scouts of America was born. But that is a different topic for another time. Cub Scouts and Eagle Scouts alike promise to do their duty to God. Is today the only day that your scout unit can celebrate Scout Sunday? No, you can choose to celebrate on any Sunday during the month of February. The same goes for Scout Sabbath and Scout Jumuah. This is a wonderful day that scouts and scouters can reflect on our duty to God and on being reverent. Back when I was a youth, I can still remember how cool it was to sit in the congregation at church while looking around to see my fellow pack and troop members in full uniform in a setting that usually involves white button-up shirts and ties.

During today, your Scout Sunday can include leaders and scouts receiving religious awards. It could involve a pack or troop display in the foyer of the church highlighting some of your activities and accomplishments. If your charter organization is your church, your day may include handing out programs or being a door greeter welcoming those who are attending the services.

Many times our outdoor adventures take us to some pretty amazing places in this nation. Some of my favorites include Arches National Park, Zion National Park, and Yellowstone. Many of these places that we visit in National Parks are considered sacred and holy. Stand at the base of Yellowstone falls with the 63,000 gallons of water roaring over the edge every second and you get the impression instantly that this place is special… The same goes for the “Narrows” located in Zion National Park. In 1858 Nephi Johnson with a party of Indian guides arrived at the mouth of the canyon, and due to superstition the Indians refused to enter the canyon. Nephi Johnson, alone, followed up river to the narrows and described it as a place “where the sun is seldom seen.” Returning to the mouth at nightfall, Isaac Buhannin, an early settler, seeing the spires, remarked, “Surely this is God’s first temple and should be called Zion.” One practice that I personally have when visiting a breathtaking spot in nature is to sit quietly and while taking in all the sights, scents, and sounds, I also reflect on it’s beauty and the One who created this amazing world for us.

As we experience some of these amazing and natural wonders of the world. Take some time to be reverent and reflect on your own parts of this world that inspire you and also reflect on the Higher Being that made this world for you and me.

2021-13 Palm Sunday

Today is the Sunday before Easter, which makes it Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week that commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. This event is mentioned in all four gospels in the New Testament.

In many churches today, Palm Sunday is celebrated by the blessing and distribution of branches that represent the palm branches that the crowd used as Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem. One tradition is for some of the churches to collect the palms after they are used for Palm Sunday and ritually burn them on Shrove Tuesday and then use the ashes on the following day, Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Eventually leading to Resurrection Sunday, which we celebrate as Easter.

As many of you celebrate this week, we invite all, no matter what religion or belief you have, to pause and reflect on those things that you are grateful for. Reflect on those who have help you in a time of need. Reflect how you personally have been there for someone who needed help.

In the well-known story, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, we encounter a world that has been enchanted by the evil White Witch. She has placed Narnia in a constant winter with no sight of Christmas. Upon the arrival of Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy; Aslan returns to Narnia along with Father Christmas. The Witch’s spell of “always winter and never Christmas” has ended. During this time, Edmund has been enchanted by the Witch and is under her power.  Edmund is rescued, but the Witch is demanding his life as a traitor and must be put to death. Aslan sees that in order to fulfil the law of Narnia, and keep Edmund alive, he must step in and offer himself to the Witch in Edmunds place.  The Witch is very pleased with this compromise and Aslan is killed. The following morning, he has risen from the dead.

Back to the current time and world. As the snow starts to melt, the flowers start to spout, and the trees begin to bud.  Let us all reflect on the renewal and rebirth of spring as we come out of our own personal winters.