As a young boy I was actively involved in the Boy Scouts. Our Troop was located in North-Central Georgia; a prime location for camping. Each summer held the promise of at least half a dozen campouts. But one in particular stands out in my mind.
On this particular campout the scouts were to take their dads with them. Well, my dad is no outdoorsman. So as we were packing up the car for a mid-summer campout I thought he was crazy to load the trunk with firewood. But no explanation of mine would faze him. The rear bumper of our Impala was almost dragging the ground as we left on our adventure.
We made it to the campground in the Northeast Georgia Mountains just before dusk, pitched our tents, and settled down for the night. As we zipped up our sleeping bags we heard the rain begin to fall. The light rain soon became a heavy down pour and continued until just before dawn.
As daylight broke, the battered scouts emerged from their tents to find a waterlogged campsite and an unuasually brisk chill in the air. Everyone was cold, wet, hungry, and unprepared.
As the scouts began to strike their flint rocks together it was easy to see that our situation was hopeless. But dad quietly disappeared down the trail that led to the car. He soon returned with an armload of firewood and a can of lighter fluid. In moments we had a roaring fire to rival the flames of hell, with an entire troop of scouts huddled around it.
My dad knew not to pack for the weather you have, but to pack for the weather you might get.
Preaching is the same way. Most of the sermons I preach are not designed for the day you are living in, but rather they are wood loaded in your trunk for an unexpected day in the future. It may be sunny and warm today, but a day of cold and rain are most likely on the not too distant horizon. I want us to be prepared for that day if and when it comes.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Mitch
On this particular campout the scouts were to take their dads with them. Well, my dad is no outdoorsman. So as we were packing up the car for a mid-summer campout I thought he was crazy to load the trunk with firewood. But no explanation of mine would faze him. The rear bumper of our Impala was almost dragging the ground as we left on our adventure.
We made it to the campground in the Northeast Georgia Mountains just before dusk, pitched our tents, and settled down for the night. As we zipped up our sleeping bags we heard the rain begin to fall. The light rain soon became a heavy down pour and continued until just before dawn.
As daylight broke, the battered scouts emerged from their tents to find a waterlogged campsite and an unuasually brisk chill in the air. Everyone was cold, wet, hungry, and unprepared.
As the scouts began to strike their flint rocks together it was easy to see that our situation was hopeless. But dad quietly disappeared down the trail that led to the car. He soon returned with an armload of firewood and a can of lighter fluid. In moments we had a roaring fire to rival the flames of hell, with an entire troop of scouts huddled around it.
My dad knew not to pack for the weather you have, but to pack for the weather you might get.
Preaching is the same way. Most of the sermons I preach are not designed for the day you are living in, but rather they are wood loaded in your trunk for an unexpected day in the future. It may be sunny and warm today, but a day of cold and rain are most likely on the not too distant horizon. I want us to be prepared for that day if and when it comes.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Mitch
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