Concealed Carry

When I took my Concealed Carry handgun class in Texas a couple of years ago I learned something very important. People who have a CCH license are probably some of the most gun-safe people around. Not only that, the regard for human life is ratcheted up a notch after taking that type of course. Why?  It’s pretty basic, if a person is going to carry a concealed firearm, they better come to a decision under what terms they would and would  not use deadly force.  That’s a question many people never grapple with.

Last week, at the store where I work, the assistant manager was robbed at gunpoint. All the thief took was a laptop computer, but he used a gun to do it. Now, I’ve thought a good deal about that incident. At times I think about it from the perspective, “what if it were me being robbed?” Other times, “What if I were in the store as a customer when the robbery took place and I was armed?”   These are the kind of questions people licensed to carry a firearm MUST ask themselves all the time. Why? Because it is imperative to know under what circumstances you would use your weapon. 

Here’s my conclusion. If I were in the store at the time and was armed. I would NOT draw my weapon since the bad guy was only stealing not shooting.  A human life is much more valuable than a computer. I would probably follow him but that would be all.  However, if he had fired his weapon at the manager or any other person in the store, that would change the scenario completely.  (As things go, today at work, there was a narcotics officer in the store and we talked about the robbery. His response was an exact mirror of what I had said. It made me feel good that I was thinking the right way.)

Now some may say this is a crude argument and even thinking in these terms is unchristian and moronic. However, let me post this scenario. You are in a store and a man comes in and starts beating on a woman, you later learn is his girlfriend. Would you stand there and do nothing?  Would you yell “stop!” at the guy hoping he would comply with your request? Would you simply call 911 and hope the police arrive before he beats her to death, or would you intervene with anything available to you to use as a weapon?

If you were in the nursing home in Carthage, NC at the time the man was walking the halls killing residents at random. Would you do nothing? Yell “stop”? Call 911 and get behind a desk? Or, would you attempt to stop the shooter any way you could? Or hope someone visiting there had a concealed firearm and could/would stop the bad guy?

There were times in our country when senseless violence was a rare occurrence. Now, it’s not so rare – but still senseless. As citizens, neighbors, and friends, thinking through what we might do in certain types of situations is imperative. Yes, we all would hope it NEVER happens, but being at least mentally prepared if it did is important.

Pardon the pun, but there are no magic bullets when it comes to self-defense or defending others when appropriate. Nevertheless, isn’t there a certain responsibility we all bear when it comes to “creating” a safe environment?  Yes, we can pray. We can love. We can turn the other cheek if necessary. And yes, we could ask “What would Jesus do?” The bottom line, in my mind is this, can we – will we – should we – do whatever is in our power to stop bad people from doing bad things to us or those we love?

Gospel – Good news or More?

If someone asked you to define “gospel”, what would you say? 

Gospel is a term we throw around a great deal both in the church and outside. It’s something that rings hallow on many occasions as people use it for things it was never intended to describe, for example “the gospel of the second coming.”  Defining it is not easy, that’s true. However, coming to an understanding of what the gospel is carries a good deal of weight when it comes to understanding faith and the message of the Bible (note, not the message of the gospel).

The gospel, as it’s used by Paul appaears to be decidedly different than the gospel as it might be defined by Jesus.  For Christ, it appears the emphasis might be on the kingdom of God (Matt 5-7). For Paul, it seems more focused on the death and resurrection of Christ (Rom 4:25).

On one of the blogs I follow, Scot McKnight offers his “definition” of the gospel.

“The gospel is not a call to follow Christ’s example or his teachings. It is not a proclamation of his kingly reign. It is not an invitation to enter the Church. It does not include a promise of his return. These are all aspects of Christian teaching. But the Gospel, very specifically, is the starting point that prepares for the teaching. The gospel is the good news that Jesus came to save us from our sins by dying on the cross and rising from the dead.”

I’m not certain it’s an accurate definition but it does cause one to wonder. Is there a difference that is definitive when it comes to “teaching” and “gospel” as good news? I suspect there is a decent argument for this description. After all, Jesus’ teaching is what brought people to an awareness of the gospel. Then again, as pointed out regarding Paul, until there was a death and resurrection, there may not have been a gospel. An incarnation for sure. A teaching of righteousness, a description of second birth, and a forth telling of death and resurrection. However, death and resurrection did not appear to be a part of the Christ’s gospel.

If you’re taking time to read this, it would be interesting to hear your thoughts about Scot’s “definition” and what you think the gospel  is. If someone were to ask you, “what is the gospel.” How would you answer them?

The Second Amendment

There are a good number of things at risk under our current government’s power grab.  One of the many important issues is that of the second amendment and the current administrations – as well as that of the liberal media’s- attempt to dismantle the fundamental right to keep and bear arms.

I follow a good many blogs on the subject. I belong the NRA, the GOA (Gun Owners of America) and the United States Conceal Carry Association.  Consequently I hear a good deal and read a good deal about this issue. But there is perhaps no more poignant defense of the second amendment than that you will find here…

Now I don’t expect everyone to agree with this woman’s testimony or even her conclusion, as correct as it is. However, it does point to the grave imbalance between what people believe the issue is around guns and how that perception skews reality.

I also don’t expect that every law biding citizen will see the value or the need in either owning guns or carrying a concealed weapon for self defense. Nevertheless, that should not now or ever deny me or any one else that right under the constitution.

You may hear it only as a cliche but it is a fact. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.

Remember, in the vast majority of situations, the police don’t prevent crime, they simply investigate what has already happened.  That should send a chill down your spine.

Will of God – Continued

Following the last couple of posts, I’ve been thinking a good deal about this concept and where I come down on it.  Over the past several days I have tried to be aware of my thoughts or inclinations that might reflect the idea of the “will of God.”  Often, while waiting for sleep to come, I think about choices I’ve made in the past, choices I make now, and what kind of choices I might be, or need to be, making in the future. It is not uncommon for me to wonder, “Lord, are you aware of these thoughts?  Is there something I should be doing? Have I drifted from your will?”  Etc., etc..

Then I come to a conclusion. There is no clear conclusion about any of it. Intuition could be a tool of the Almighty and many of my choices were made based on intuition. Then again, many choices were made on the basis of hard evidence or clear dynamics that dictated certain decisions.  Yes, I’ve done a bit of casting lots and laying out the “fleece”. Nothing really seemed to be trustworthy. Of course, casting lots is what it is. Based on “heads or tails”, short straw or long straw, a decision follows.  Unless of course, I doubted the results and went for the best two out of three!

I am not naive enough to think I am alone when it comes to employing any of those processes. Those true seekers of God’s will may not ever admit it, but I suspect they do these same exercises.

Another aspect of this whole discussion is balancing two modes of thought; those positive thinkers – “What you believe you can achieve” and those similar to Abraham who are in the “going without knowing” camp.  Those in the positive thinking camp operate under a very simple principle – thinking it or “seeing” it will make it happen.  The biblical side of that is those who act on faith – moving forward without knowing what lies ahead.   Often, both have the same result simply different starting points. It is all a matter of perspective.

Then there is the well known “self-fulfilling prophecy” group. Everyone gets wet with this bucket of water at one time or another. We experience failure because we anticipated failure. Or, we experience “blessing” because we expected blessing.

Here’s my bottom line. God has certain specifics in mind for me – for all of us, I suspect. His will, which becomes my responsibility, is “take up my cross, daily, and follow him.”  Put simply, what God requires of me is “…to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8).”  What that looks like is seen in how I exercise my gifts for the benefit of the body of Christ. Anything more – well, I’m not sure there is anything more. The only exception might be found in those who are “called” to fulfill a certain ministry for the Kingdom.

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Is 35:10 ESV)

Gotcha!

Does God wait in the wings hoping to pull off a “gotcha” when we do something wrong or act contrary to our normal routine of devotion?

If I am not exactly in God’s will, is that shameful?

If I don’t read my Bible as often as someone else does, or pray with the same regularity that someone else does, am I out of the will of God?

If I don’t believe God cares whether I wear briefs or boxers, eat Wheaties or Cheerios for breakfast, am I some how out of touch with God’s sovereign will and his “plan for my life?”

I remember when I came to Christ back in 1968. One of my first encounters with the “gospel” was the Four Spiritual Laws. Back then Law #1  was “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.”  Now it is “God loves you and offersa wonderful plan for your life.” The proof text they use is John 10:10 where Jesus said, “I came that they might have life and have it abundantly.”  After years of reflection, study, and actually living my life, I suspect that verse points to quality of life not a working out of life. It’s not a directive about a career path, it’s a description of an inner peace and joy that comes from knowing Christ – the good shepherd as it is in the context.  The reality, at least as I understand it, is it has nothing to do with God’s will as we normally think of it; what should I do, where should I go, who should I see, etc.

If Paul is right and “God causes all things to work together for good…” than perhaps the only true will of God is expressed in the second half of that verse, “…to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose (Rom 8:28).” [ "Called" referring to ones relationship to God through Christ.] Loving God, living out our call TO Christ and walking circumspectly in the world, may be the best way for anyone to flesh out the will of God in their life.

Now I will concede that a “calling” may be as close as one gets to an individual plan. A call to ministry is a role that can only be fulfilled through the power of God, just as the prophets of old were called of God. However, going beyond that is pure speculation and perhaps a fulfilling of personal desires not God’s desires.

Here’s some rather basic examples….

This is an email received on our family email:

God doesn’t give you the people you want,   He gives you the people you NEED-   To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be. Dear God: The lady reading this is beautiful, classy and strong, and I love her.   Help her live her life to the fullest.   Please  promote her and cause her to excel above her e expectations.   Help her shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love.   Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs you the most, and let her know when she walks with you, She will always be safe.

Now you’re on the clock!!!!

In 9 minutes something will make you happy…
But you have to tell 9 sisters you love them ,  including me.

I’m  not sure what God’s will, or even intended plan, is for people. But I’m fairly certain doing something in 9 minutes in order to have something happen that will make you happy is just plain odd. My goodness, just forwarding the email is likely to make each of the receivers and senders happy. So what’s up with that?

Then, I will use a very personal example. My wife taped a verse to our bathroom mirror. It’s a great verse…”I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: I will counsel you with my eye upon you (Ps. 32:8 ESV).”  Now it is for certain I am not David or David-like. Nor am I a king, even in my own castle. However, if one examines the context of the verse, it is rather broad in the sense that it is a response of David to his own sin, and a sweeping word of encouragement to all who sin and choose to confess it while God “may be found.”  For under the crushing weight of guilt ”they shall not reach him.”   All  of that is not simply directed toward David, but it is something that applies to all of us at all times.

Perhaps it is a bit presumptuous to think that God has an individual plan for my life, or any one’s life for that matter. If anything, as referred to in an earlier post, God’s will for our life is reflective of our role within the community of believers. Offering up or living out our gifts as they relate to the Church.

Any thoughts?