Happy 100th, Boy Scouts!

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On February 8, 1910 the Boy Scouts of America was founded, and this year 2010 they are celebrating their 100th Anniversary! I am in my 10th year an Assistant Scoutmaster of troop 246 here in the Twin Rivers Council (yes, I even have the uniform).

The mission of scouting is reflected in the old Scout Oath and Law:

The Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my best
to do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
to help other people at all times;
to keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

When you consider these, I think you will agree that scouting is good for our young men and good for America. You can visit their national web site at http://www.scouting.org.

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By Grace Alone

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One of the best Christian authors alive today is Dr Sinclair Ferguson, theologian and pastor in Columbia, SC. His books are full of clear, biblical and warm insights into Christian belief and Christian living. They are immensely helpful, and among the most useful in my ministry with others.

Ferguson’s newest book, BY GRACE ALONE, (which I’ve just started reading) appears to also have these qualities. While there is a sweet simplicity to the organization and much of the content of this book, some paragraphs plumb new depths of insight that have caused me to pause and catch my breath! As chapter three (describing the passion of Christ) draws to a close, this section was one such:

The two charges leveled against Jesus were blasphemy (that He had made Himself equal with God) and treason (that He had rejected lawfully constituted authority).

Why were those two charges so significant? It was because these are the charges each of us faces before the judgment seat of God.

In that court, I am guilty of blasphemy, because I have made myself rather than God the center of the universe.

I am also guilty of treason, since I have sought to overturn His lawfully and graciously constituted authority over my life.

Blasphemy and treason were also the crimes of Adam. These are the age-old crimes of which every one of us — old and young, rich and poor, wise and simple, famous and infamous — stands accused. We are on the same charge sheet. We are all guilty.

But Jesus has come!
[page 44]

Amazing grace to such sinners. Amen.