Live From Brush Poppin’ 2009 – Saturday Afternoon

Things are going well at our Shawnee Trail Brush Poppin’. Current attendance estimates are that we are approaching 90 in attendance at this year’s Brush Poppin’. At our morning devotional time, God moved mightily during our praise and worship time. Such old favorites as “Mansion Over The Hilltop,” “I’ll Fly Away,” and “Amazing Grace” helped lead us into God’s presence. Ron “Pure Heart” Goodnow gave our morning devotion and he spoke on the first portion of the FCF motto “to give and to serve.” His Scripture was out of Proverbs chapter 11 verses 24-25, “There is one who scatters and yet increases; but one who withholds just due comes only to poverty. The soul who gives freely shall be made fat; and he who waters shall also be watered himself.” Ron, in his devotion, made the claim, quite successfully, that you can’t be blessed if you hold back on giving. The more you give the more you open the doors to allow God to bless you exactly when you need Him to.

After the morning devotion, was a time of announcements during which, Art Sullivan made a couple of presentations. His first presentation was a blackpowder rifle and a box of other items. He presented these items to the Harrup boys out of Killeen. He has admired this group of boys that despite their circumstances and trials that have come their way, they have made the best out of their situation. The other presentation was to Gary “Wild Wind” Bierschwale for his many years of service to the Shawnee Trail as president. Gary “Wild Wind” Bierschwale was presented with a life time membership in FCF here in the Shawnee Trail.

Throughout the morning, I talked with different FCF members that have been in FCF for many years and I asked them, “What does FCF mean to you?” Here is what some of them had to say.

Sammy “Longhorn” Kellum talked about the mentorship of men and boys that he has been able to do through FCF. He talked about how you become bonded in times of prayer and need with your fellow brothers in FCF. When your are in that time of need, it is FCF members who you want to call upon. He has seen God work in miraculous ways through prayer and fulfillment of needs by FCF members. FCF is what keeps Royal Ranges going. Boys are able to learn by example through FCF by following and being mentored by men in FCF.

Art “Flintlock” Sullivan said that FCF is a tool. It is for mentoring young boys into young men. He also talked about servanthood one to another. He stressed how FCF should be a mentorship of boys into godly young men. Mentorship is an action, not just words or reading about it, it requires action on your part to consciously mentor young boys into young men.

Jeff “Sky Watcher” Kersey states that FCF is about the fellowship and helping your fellow men. It is about doing what you can for your brothers doing what you can. It is the fellowship of the brotherhood. FCF is also about being there for each other during their time of need. He talks about how FCF was there for him and his family during their time of need.

Harlan “Light Hammer” Dixon talks about how FCF is a place to get away from home and the stresses of life. He also mentioned the fellowship that he has with friends and good men. And as he says, the food isn’t bad either.

Rick “Moving Waters” Beebe likes how there is a lot of food since FCF has the best cooks. He talks about how FCF has the finest Christian men. They are also the best prayer partners and provide great fellowship.

Bill “Shoots Straight” Stuckey talks about how FCF is about servanthood and brotherhood along with fellowship with friends. FCF provides service to Royal Rangers and allows a time to try what out forefathers did. It provides a time and opportunity to get rejuvenated and refresh in the Spirit of God. Most of the men that you can count on are in FCF.

Jonathan “Big Foot” Trower talks about how the draw for him to FCF was the fellowship. It allowed him to fellowship with older men and it helped keep him interested and involved in Royal Rangers during his teenage years. He believes that the key to FCF today is still fellowship.