My pork chop is on the grill!

"I can't go, my pork chop is on the grill!"

That's what one of my scouts told me last night when the whole troop moved out at 7 p.m. for an evening activity. The pork chop had all of the prospects of being a great meal. The coals were just right and the chop had just begun to sizzle on one side. The aroma was filling the air feeding anticipation as hunger pains churned.

Yet, despite the time an energy he put in preparing that pork chop, the call still came, "We have to move out, now!" Perturbed, the scout pull the pork chop off the grill and joined the procession.

Life has a way of calling us away to answer to higher orders. When sickness, tragedy or the unforeseen occur neither waits for an opportune time; they simply burst in uninvited. It doesn't matter what we are doing or how important it may seem, when life interrupts we must change our plans.

And when God calls us into his service or redirects our path we will stop whatever we are doing and follow that call.

In Mark 1:17 Jesus said, "Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men."

When God calls us into service or even if he calls us home, we won't have time to think about it; when he calls we will answer.

That pork chop looked tasty on the grill, but there was a higher call.

Pork chop or no pork chop, when God calls we must answer.

I went camping in a suit and tie!

I went camping in a suit, tie, and spit shined shoes!

I've been a Boy Scout leader for 43 years and in that time have encountered a chest of memorable occasions, among them are the times when I've had to go to camp a wearing suit and tie. Yesterday was one of those occasions.

Our troop scheduled to leave for camp on Sunday at 1 p.m. however, we had an unusually long worship. After fellowship and handshakes ended it was 11:45 a.m. before I left the church. There was no time to change because there would be 40 scouts waiting at 1 p.m. So, I showed up ready for the journey to the campground in a blue pinstripe suit, monogrammed blue and white shirt, cuff links and spit shined shoes.

My wife had packed changes for me, but that would be later. For the rest of the day I built fires, pitched tents, and cooked a delicious Hamburger Helper meal over the campfire, still wearing my necktie.

I'm sure it looked strange to anyone who may have seen me.

In a larger sense those involved in Christian ministry do many strange things and often undergo many strange experiences to reach out to others. It comes with the territory.

1 Peter 4:12 says, "Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you; as though some strange thing happened to you.' That means we really shouldn't be surprised at anything we have endure, anything we have to do or anyplace we have to go to reach others for Christ.

It may seem strange to others, but we shouldn't feel strange.

I have two more days to go with these youngsters, I won't look strange today.

Yesterday however, I was a sight to see.