Lost Battle or Lost War

Thought I'm largely in favor of the anti government sentiment that's out there today, I am in favor only if the process used to combat it is in itself lawful.  Those of us who love our freedoms must understand that we cannot violently break the law to uphold or recover the law.  There may be some justification for civil disobedience; but it must be civil disobedience--not uncivilized.

We must recognize that this is not a battle of gun control, it's a battle of control.  Over the last century or so our national state and local governments have slowly--in some cases not so slowly--worked their way into so many areas of our lives that we don't even recognize where our freedoms have been taken.
Our tax money goes to things many of us will not support, and over time that becomes normal.  That, folks, is taking our freedom to earn and spend as we choose. Newer and increasing taxes further reduce those freedoms.
Our right to speak our minds is being silenced.  If I speak up against someone or something I dislike, I'm a hater or a bigot.  Those whose behaviors or ideal I dislike can call me a hater--and that's OK.  The right to speak your mind largely depends on which side of the fence your on.  That's the new normal.
Our freedom of religion is quite surely being eroded.  Many years back, the supposedly wise justices of the Supreme Court found a "penumbra" (shadow) of separation of church and state around the amendment giving us freedom of religion.  Over the years, that has given our nation a freedom from religion that most of us find disturbing.  Interestingly, Christians--protestant and Catholic--are the ones taking the biggest hits on this; but anyone who firmly stands on a religious principal is attacked in some way.  As an aside on that, note that as the ideals (Bible based ideals) upon which our nation  was founded have been pressed into the background, our society has slid into all manner of immorality and decay.
All these, and more, have become so firmly entrenched in society that they are now the norm.  Those battles have been lost.
Now the right to keep and bear arms is being attacked.  One police chief has said that we are but one generation from being a disarmed nation!  He might be right.  Around here, only a generation ago, guns were in the corners of kitchens and living rooms in most homes.  Everyone knew where they were, knew where the ammo was and knew how to use the guns.  Kids tended their trap lines going to and from school and left their guns in the principal's office.  Most pickups had a gun rack with a .22 or a.pump shotgun and the trucks were generally unlocked. Then it became fashionable and "safer" to lock up our guns and ammo in separate places--the new normal.  Now we have gun safes; even my own guns are locked up! We wouldn't dare pick up a child at school with a deer rifle in our vehicle for fear of being arrested.   That's the new normal.
Now, New York has a ban on magazines with more than seven rounds--only days ago, it was 10 rounds.  If I understand correctly, pistol permits once valid for life must be renewed every 5 years--that's the new normal.
With some time spent in the books and newspapers, I'm sure I could come up with more examples, but I think the point is made.  Gun control is but one battle in a war of ideology that's been raging for over a hundred years.   I fear that the tide has turned so far that it may now be past the point of no return.

So back to my original thought.  Our battle ground at the moment is the ballot box and the mailbox (though social media has largely replaced mail--a good thing for spreading the word).   We must spread facts, not innuendo.  If you're going to pass something on, make sure your information is right.  Though it's good to show emotion, don't let the emotion overrun the argument.  If you're going to put something in print, get it right--check spelling, grammar, etc.  Educated people won't read poorly written arguments and those folks must be reached and persuaded.
Our battle today is not, and I cannot stress this enough, not by means of the ammo box as some seem to be advocating.  I'll be rooting for you--and working by way of the ballot box and mail box--but I'm afraid I'd betting against you if I were a betting man.  I fear that the war has been lost.  I pray that I am wrong.

Neuter the Geldings

A couple years ago, I heard a fellow at Iron Sharpens Iron talk about how we "neuter the geldings, then tell them to go forth and multiply."  It was a great quote and a good message, but I can't recall who the guy was.  As I searched for the quote on Google, this popped up: http://www.fathermag.com/005/FredReed/.  Though I can't agree with all of it, a lot of it is dead on.  In the name of equality, we've been killing off real men. Oh, we've still got lots of adult males; but where are the real men?  We've sacrificed them on the altar of equality.  The melding of gender identity is killing us.
Before going any further, let me firmly say that I have no problem with successful women, I've worked for a few over over the years.  Two of them did well; one was pretty bad.  The ratio is about the same for the men I've worked for, so there's nothing to be drawn.  The good women bosses I've had were women first--real women!  They were wives, mothers, etc-- and bosses second.   They had nothing to prove, and were  good at what they did.  The one who had something to prove was so intent on making a point that she never was much of a boss.  (I have to qualify this--I currently work for one of the good ones.)
But I digress--back to the topic of men.  Our culture has ever so so steadily reduced the value of manhood.  All too often the strong ones are usually shown in a bad light, they're evil in some way or incredibly stupid.  There always has to be a woman to keep them in line.
 The other all too common image of a man today is one who is perfectly dressed, perfect in form, has no callouses, nothing rough or tough about him.  He's without strength, without character. He might not be a total wimp; but he's rapidly on the road to it.  He also seems to need a woman to keep him in line, or at least straighten him out when he messes up.  In either case, a man is never capable of properly  raising a child without a woman's help.  
Happily for me, I've had some good role models.  Men who knew what it was like to sweat--not just at a gym; men who could think for themselves, knew what was right and kept their word--even when it was costly to them...the real stand-up guys we could learn something from. Some of them even reared kids successfully without a woman around.  There are still such men around, but they're getting scarce.  Young men would do well to search out such men.
Our culture is suffering for lack of real men--and real women--those truly understand what manhood and womanhood are all about.  Don't be misled by what the media tosses at us as men and women.  The images are skewed at best, outright lies at worst.

Grammar Nazi

The Grammar Nazi in me came to a quick "ach tung" or however it's spelled, when I saw the ad pop up for a "Track Meat."  It disappeared as quickly as it showed up so I had to hunt it down.
Much to my surprise I found something that really intrigued me: http://www.trackmeat10k.com/.   It's a run in which the competitors are both the hunted and the hunters.  I can't agree with the entire premise, but at least it's a race with real stakes--or is that steaks?

Government efficiency...sometimes

As much as I gripe about the way government reaches into our lives, and wallets, I must admit that they sometimes get things right.
I just used a government website to register for not one but two things I had to have in order to conduct our small business and do it entirely legally.  In spite of my dread, I found it rather workable and was completed with the process in about 40 minutes.  Not bad altogether.
The only problem is, once you're in the system, they've got an excessive amount of control over you.  That's not good thing.  There is just no way to conduct business and attempt to comply with the myriad of laws without getting aboard their system.
I guess efficiency leads to infiltrating our lives...now there's a surprise.

More sermon notes

I dropped a bit of bait into my message this morning, wondering how many, if any, would take it and run with it.  It was a reference to an obscure and rather difficult Old Testament verse.  I gave the reference, suggested that the folks make a note of it and look it up at their leisure.  

Much to my pleasant surprise one of the men took up the challenge and sent me a very thoughtful and pointed email about it.  That, of course was the response I wanted--hunger to check out the whole counsel of God's Word.  I was only too happy to address the question for him in a manner that was, I hope, satisfactory to him and accurate to the Word.  

Now to think of the next bait.  

Something actually relating to ammo--sort of...

A good friend of mine has a multifaceted business that, among other things, offers training to security guards.   As a firearms instructor, I've helped him out with many of the programs dealing with armed security.  It's amazing how many people, after having been told what to bring, pay the money for the course and still show up without the right equipment.  As he started to plan out the summer program, he asked me to write a short article for his website dealing with equipment for the beginning armed guard.  I figured I'd post it here, too.
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So, you're going to be an armed security guard, huh? Are you ready...I mean really ready?

The first thing you need is a handgun. If you're going already working for an agency and they have a policy, that might determine your choice of what to get, but if not you have to make that choice yourself. Will it be a pistol or revolver? What brand? What caliber? The next question is “Will it fit my hand?” More than one student has had issues with handgun fit and a bad fit might cause an inability to complete the class. Next comes holster, belt and ammo carrier choice. Once again, this choice may be taken away from you or limited by an employer and you'll have to work around that.

For the purpose of this essay, we'll figure that you're going to be using a 9MM auto pistol, you're right handed and will be attired in a formal uniform of some type, using a duty belt. All the equipment choices will be up to you.

To build a solid foundation for the duty belt your pants and trouser belt must fit properly. That means they must be snug. If they're too tight you'll never be comfortable and that will be a problem; if too loose, nothing will be right and your pants will be getting dragged down, pulling out your shirt all day long—trust me, I know. I'd suggest a trouser belt that is at least 1½ inches wide. The choice is yours as to leather or synthetic, but buy a belt that's meant for duty, not a department store variety that has no substance to it.

Your duty belt should also be a quality product. They're available from many sources and range from inexpensive to high-cost. It must have a degree of rigidity and be able to support all the equipment you'll be carrying. Get four good keepers—actually, buy a bunch because you'll lose a few over a short time.

Next comes the holster. Single most important feature is that you must not be able to get your finger inside the trigger guard while the pistol is in the holster. Closely related to that is the magazine release. You need to be able to hit the magazine release while the pistol is in the holster. That's necessary for safe unloading. Holsters are available in all levels of security. There should be at least one thing other than friction holding the pistol in. It might be a security level 1, 2 or 3 holster; but whatever you chose, you must be able to master the manipulation of the safety measures. Depending on the direction of the break of the holster, you may need to have it slightly forward or slightly rearward of your hip.

Following that comes the magazine carrier. In a uniform, you should carry 2 spare magazines. Be sure that they fit your pistol. Some of the one size fits all are pretty good; others, not so good so try them. I'd suggest getting a design that can be worn either vertically or horizontally so you can try both ways and see which works better for you. The carrier can be worn either gun side or opposite, but in a way so that you can quickly access your spare magazines.

When you put the duty belt on, it should be snug to the trouser belt which, as already noted, should be snug around your waist. One keeper should be directly in front of the holster, one directly behind it. One should be on the the opposite side forward of the hip and one to the rear of the hip. These can be moved around depending on what other equipment you will be carrying on the belt.

If you are forced by policy or economics to go with a revolver—which is not really a problem, the trigger finger issue still applies to the holster. For ammo carriers, I recommend two or three speed loaders of a type that you can easily master. Along with them would be appropriate carriers for them which will be all worn in a vertical manner, generally on the same side as the revolver, though it's a matter of preference and training; both work.

Those are the basics, there's much more to learn; but if you're coming to an armed security guard training course, come prepared. It will allow us as instructors to make you successful more quickly and more safely than if you come with improper in inadequate equipment.

Sermon notes

Last week I began filling the pulpit of a church that is now without a pastor.  I'll have the opportunity to preach there several times over the next few months.
In the first message, I worked from 2 Tim. 2, beginning with Paul's charge to Timothy in v.2: "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others," and moving on to the well known verse v. 15:  "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
The message title was the Solae, the Self and the Savior.
The Solae (Latin for alone) are the five items of the faith that are crucial to the Reformation.  Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone and glory to God alone.  On these 5 points all the reformers agreed, with faith (sola fide) being considered the central point of the Reformation.
As for Self, it's a matter of personal faith; no one else can have that faith for us.
Looking at the Savior is a reminder that we must look at God as who he is, with the attributes that Scripture tells us.  We cannot make up a God to fit our ideas, desires and perceived needs.
I framed this in the context of their church going into the process of finding a new pastor.  They need first of all to be sure that then next man--yes, I believe it needs to be a man--should have his personal doctrine in order. Certainly there will be points about which they can disagree; but his faith must be within the realm of orthodoxy and firmly held.  They must examine him, check his personal doctrine and look over the statement of faith from whatever school he attended.  It is the responsibility of the leadership of that church to assure that the doctrine Paul entrusted to Timothy--though largely lost for about a thousand years and recovered in the Reformation--be taught in their church.


This morning I preached this morning from Romans 1: 16-end.  It's a long passage and certainly cannot be dealt with completely in one message--probably can't have justice done to it in much less than 6 months, actually--but I gave a teaser for the congregation hoping it would stimulate a few to deeper study and give the better schooled a different view on things they probably had seen before.
The message title was Wrath, Reason and Respectable Sin.  Random thought pulled from the lesson:
God is entitled to His Divine wrath.  He's give us ample opportunities to learn from the events of the past, yet we continue to do that which displeases Him.
We engage in both debasing sins and respectable sins.  We seem to have a hierarchy on that; but for God, all have sinned and fall short of His glory.
Churches have failed to deal with the tough issues of the day.  Paul dealt with the tough issues of first century Rome in that letter, so the Church of today should not shy away from dealing with the same things--nothing has really changed.
The book of Romans is multi-cultural! It was written to a mixed bag of converted Jews, Romans, Greeks and anyone else who had come to the truth of Christ.
These last two points make us better understand that the Bible is a timeless document.  As The Teacher from the book of Ecclesiastes says: "There is nothing new under the Sun."  This, of course is contrary to the like of Piers Morgan who thinks that the Bible needs to be updated.
Another piece of the text speaks of redemption; and that was also included in the message; but adding it to the titled wrecked the flow of the words :-)
Beginning in this lesson, and moving on from here, I am also including an overview of the five points of Calvinism--TULIP.  This week I included the Total depravity of man.