Campfire Stories

I'm not some Grizzly Adams or Jeremiah Johnson - but I've lived in the middle of the Rockie Mountains all my life - With so many years of association with scouting and youth camps, I've sat around hundreds of campfires in my days. There's always a couple of concerns or objectives when it comes to the fire - whoms the pyromaniac in the group? Its usally easy for me to watch him - since it's me! That doesn't make it better - I've always been my own worse enemy. (Read story called Fire.) I'm sure these kind of events have been happening since the dawn of time. The caveman talking about the one that got away - the pioneers or trappers entertaining each other and relaxing after a trying journey. This was their stage, their entertainment, an opportunity to share their views, goals and dreams - mixed in with a few tall tails.

This is a time to get to know each other in a different setting, it's also a wonderful time to teach and have a memorable moment. Since most of my experience around a fire are with church groups or family - I have always used stories from the scriptures - the ones where fire is part of the story are always the best. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego - and the fiery furnace of King Nebuchadnezzar, that's a keeper. Elijah challenging the priests of Bail, it's great when a prophet mock or makes fun of his competition - of course he backs it up when he calls down fire from heaven burning up the sacrifice, this material is priceless, you just need to use some emotion for the presentation. My favorite campfire story from the Old Testament is the story of Elisha and the chariots of fire in the mountain - "they that be with us are more than they that be with them." The lesson is that those that are righteous are given assistance, and that angels of God - are watching out over us." This is when their eyes get about the size of saucers. What little kids wouldn't like to envision chariots of fire surrounding their campsite.

There are great visuals when it comes to the fire it's self - but make sure that the other leaders are on board. I had one lady at a girls camp that wasn't so happy I was playing with the fire. After the fires is blazing and there are a lot of glowing embers - I put another stick or thin log on the fire, but you need to make sure it's longer than the rest and that half of it isn't in the fire at all. Like I said - this isn't normal and can be dangerous - and she wasn't very happy with me. As it begins to burn like the rest of the wood you can talk about how each of us in a group are like this fire. The logs share their heat and flame and keep the fire burning - then you pick up the part of the stick that isn't burning (that's an important part - I'm sure you can understand why) and talk about when one of you step away from the group the fire starts to die - as the stick loses the heat around it - it starts to go out. This also happens to each of us - we need each other and the fellowship and support of our family and friends to stay strong and bright. There are a lot of references of the fire of the spirit and how it burns within us.

Most of these stories are the enders - the ones that you tell just before you go to bed. You always want to end on a good note. The ones before are the funny ones the scary ones the one that are the tall tails. There is just no better setting to shot the breeze and pass on some of your heritage - this was all most of our predicessors had, no TV, cell phones, video games or I-pods - by the time someone reads this who know what else will be around. But we should always take a step back and try to make a moment or two where the simple thing of the past come shinning through.

Infirmities

During our time here on earth, all of us individually or through someone close to us, will be burdened with difficult afflictions or imperfections. Those that suffer aren't the only ones that have a hard time with these circumstances. Many times these difficulties bring sorrow or worry to those that love and watch over the afflicted.

Some of our friends just found out that their twenty-year-old daughter has thyroid cancer. The success rate for a complete cure with such an early detection is extremely high – but any kind of cancer is a concern and there is always a possibility of side effects, something that could hinder her ability to live a normal life or to have a family. My mother-in-law experienced sorrow and discouragement when her last child was born with Down Syndrome. If we had only dwelt on the fact that there are certain things he would never have the opportunity to experience, we could have missed the wonderful loving qualities that he has brought into the family. Now he is a great blessing to all of us. These positives were hard to recognize twenty-five years ago when she and her two oldest daughters were expecting children at the same time.

These infirmities are difficult and taxing to the individual or a family. How we face and handle these challenges can change the possible outcomes and its eternal consequences. A friend became mad at God because his daughter was stricken with diabetes. From a medical standpoint this disability doesn't seem as devastating as the other two examples – but it doesn't minimize the difficulties that could be imposed upon his child. This raised questions about her future and the possible complications that could follow this condition. Another man questioned the existence of a just God as his wife was diagnosed with cancer for the second time within a few short years.

In both of these cases they allowed the trials to drive them away from the Savior, becoming less-active in the church. Because of the sorrow or fear of the unknown it can be understandable that such difficulties could in reality make someone move away from the greatest source of truth and relief. Often it happens at the point when heavenly assistance and direction is needed the most. Why do some individuals react this way when others with similar or even harder circumstances draw closer to the Savior and the peace he offers? It’s not my intent to criticize or demean such reactions, sadly they are normal and heart felt emotions that all of us have experienced

These weaknesses may in reality be the lessons or blessings that we need or that will prepare us for the missions we're assigned to complete. These buffetings can give us the strength and guidance we need to succeed.

Paul to the Corinthians talked about the thorn or weakness that he was given and despite his attempts at pleading for relief, the Lord told him that these weaknesses would help him to be stronger.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

I don’t know how many times you have gloried in your infirmities, or “most gladly” accepted them. He did, and it brought him the power of Christ. These weaknesses helped him grow in a manner he couldn't have in any other way – “for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

This viewpoint or perspective is the first step in handling or accepting the difficulties we face: That an all knowing and loving God is in reality allowing us to experience these trials as part of our earthly test and progression. But as stated by Paul, we must remember the Saviors grace is sufficient to get us through our challenges and that his strength is adequate in making our weaknesses strong, enabling us to receive the power of Christ in our lives.

We must understand that our attitude will influence our perspective and direction in all facets of our lives. We may have all of our worldly possessions taken away or even lose our liberty, but how we react and what we do with our thoughts is our choice. Just think of the life of Job and the trials he faced in his life.

To ignore this process is also to ignore the continual blessings that the Lord has given to us. Our loving Father in Heaven has indeed given us all that we have and are. A lack of gratitude and thankfulness in such situations shows a selfish and greedy attitude. No wonder King Benjamin said the natural man is an enemy to God (Mos. 3:19). Such recognitions are made know unto us through the power of the spirit. Paul stated they are spiritually discerned and not available to the natural man, indeed they are foolishness unto him (1 Cor 2:14). Despite the fact that our challenges seem overwhelming and unfair – a closer look would reveal our continued indebtedness to our Father in Heaven. In the church song we are told to "count your many blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."

This recognition of the Lords hand in our lives can be the root of the faith and hope that we need and the assurance that He will continue to guide and direct us in our times of need. Despite our best effort, there are times that discouragement and doubt overtake our feeling of hope, bringing us down. Using the analogy that faith is like a seed (Alma 32), that assurance may start out small, then as we nourish it, it will begin to grow even to a perfect knowledge that God's purposes will be done and that we will not be allowed to suffer more than we have capacity to bear. During such moments of despair it’s difficult to take the opportunity to list the blessing we have received in your life. Even if we serve him with our whole souls yet we would be unprofitable servants (Mos.2: 21). Indeed, we will always in debit to God for the blessing we have received.

This action many times is easier said than done. In Paul's confession he admitted that he asked that his thorn in the flesh might be removed thrice. Thrice seems like a small number for the majority of us, there have been times I have seemingly prayed for years for the guidance and direction I felt that I needed. After his declaration he said of the Lord, "and he said unto me." Then is when he received his answer, no it isn't always the answer we thought it would be. But his grace is sufficient, and our weaknesses are strengthened as His will is achieved.

As I talked with the father of the young lady diagnosed with cancer, I was overwhelmed with an assurance that she would be all right. I marveled at their courage and faith in the power of the Savior, He was in control of the situation. This event was in fact a miracle, as a medical exam was being given in preparation for a possible mission. An opportunity to serve will need to be put on hold - but her strength and testimony has been multiplied as the power of the Savior's love has rested upon her. My testimony has grown by the manifestation of the spirit and the dedication of this wonderful family. Infirmities and challenges are a part of each of our experiences in this life, how we accept them and use them to draw closer to the Savior and his love is how our weaknesses are made perfect in Christ.

Russian Scout Knifes -

The Boy Scouts were started in England when Robert Baden-Powell decided there needed to be an organization that helped young men in their physical, mental and spiritual development, so that they may play constructive roles in society. Since that time there has been millions of participants world wide. Scouting is indeed a wonderful program that has helped the development and progression of young minds to change the world. I've either participated, served or sat on committees in scouting for more that thirty years. As an adult the hardest and most rewarding time I've served has been when I was a Scout Master. It's kind of like herding cats. For the most part Scouts love to finish awards or merit badges - but they would much rather eat and play games. So this required a little creativity and motivation to help them reach the final goal. When we were working on a merit badge I would announce that if we finished we'd go get a treat. Now quality isn't as important as quantity. A few scout could down a dozen donuts in nothing flat - they would put up with just about anything if there was a possibility of gorging themselves on some kind of high caloried creation. That worked every time - but then we found the ultimate motivation! I need to give a little more background - all great scout programs have multiple leaders and it's great if each of them have different talents. One of our assistants traveled for business all the time - now that isn't advantageous for meeting, but he had tons of great stories and trinkets. For some reason he went to Russia all the time. Of course every twelve year old thinks that someone that travels to Russia must be a spy or work for the CIA. When they asked him if he was a spy he would never deny it. One week he brought a Russia hat and the trinket of the year - Russian Scout Knifes! That wasn't what they were called and they weren't made for Scouts - but man they wanted one of those. When Scouts go camping they use knifes, axes, matches and a bunch of other stuff their Mom's wouldn't let them use at home. What if there was a knife that did it all? Well it didn't do it all - it had a two inch blade - was also a cigarette lighter and then it was a switch blade! To top it off it had some sort of Russia insignia attached - man I wanted one! Now the other assistant happened to be the chief of police - he told us that a switchblade is legal as long as it's blade is two inches or shorter. They would be legal once they earned them - and the blade could be used for the woodcarving merit badge, or what I can the thumb carving merit badge. I don't have to point out how many of the kids would want to start the fire every night. Our traveling assistant didn't see it as any kind of problem bringing them home on his next excursion - I'm sure that's because spy's can get through security without any problems. Now for the negotiations! There had to be at least one rank advancement and multiply required badges. The more we talked the more we required - the most important part of negotiations is to not let the other party know how bad you want your side of the agreement. It worked like a charm and they all worked themselves to death and all got the Russian Scout Knifes - now we had to explain to the parents that they were OK!

Friend or Foe?

I’ve done more to get people mad at me in my life - than they have for me to be mad at them. All of us have had people that we could consider our archenemies – man, I want to do better than or beat that guy. One of my biggest faults is that I’m to competitive. Sports were one of my greatest joys and vices. People on my team always seemed to like me – but apparently it wasn't as fun to be my opponent. Some people we played against so many times that the competition often was carried over to the next encounter – and was always more intense with friends. There was one group of friends that were great players – a couple of brothers we had known forever. I had a couple of my brothers on our team as well. When we played each other – I remember that we won more than we lost, but they might remember it differently. I don’t know who wore blue and who had on gray – but it definatly was a civil war. Most of our teams knew each other quit well – this association wasn’t just on the hard court, but just about in all aspects of our lives. But I had never considered what the newcomers or newbie’s thought was going on, honestly I think I didn't care. That’s where Eric comes in. This battle, war, competition had gone on for years. When he got involved we were in our twenties and trying to hold on to our youth. The brothers on the their team were guards as were my brothers – but Eric and I were a little bigger and liked to bag it out under the basket. None of these games were lopsided affairs – we were the two best teams in the league and every position was critical to the outcome. After the game we were once again the best of friends - well at least I thought so. I’m sure it was that way with my old friends, but the newcomers apparently didn’t share the same opinion. I had no idea this guy hated my guts! I heard later that there was no one he liked to play against less than me. This wasn’t the same feeling that I had – he was nothing more than an extension of the rivalry with our greatest foes of the hard court. The trash talk, banter and aggressive play had continued from one encounter to another forever. He was just getting some of the ash or fallout from the frequent eruptions. Now, I’ll admit I kind of have a Dr. Jackal and Mr. Hyde personality when it comes to sports. I actually thought I was a nice guy most of the time. Years later I heard that we both moved away - I went just a few miles south and he went to Washington D.C. . While in D.C. he met and fell in love with Amy, a young girl from New Mexico. After they were married they made their home together back in Logan. Amy was a convert to the LDS church in New Mexico, which was one of their greatest common bonds. One day one of the missionaries that had taught her the gospel come to Logan and looked her up. It was a great reunion, one of reminiscing and reflection of those early days in the church. The missionary pointed out that the other missionary that had taught her was originally from Logan. This was of great interest to Eric – who was that? Paul Champlin! No, not the evil foe – the devil of the hard wood, his most hated opponent. Could it be true that this beast had introduced, taught and baptized the love of his life? Their faith was part of the glue that bonded them together. I remember a few years later when we moved back to Logan, at a church function he approached me and thanked me for being a faithful missionary. He then explained our connection. I see Eric and Amy quit often and now we have a friendship – connection - a common bond. Our encounters are pleasant and cordial; of course we haven’t played basketball against each other for years!