Now I've heard everything!

Since when did it become necessary to "pack heat" to attend a worship service? Apparently, at least one Georgia pastor and pro-weapons advocate think it is and are upset by a federal judge's decision to uphold the state's law which bans. weapons in churches, mosques and synagogues. Said Ed Stone, former president of GeorgiaCarry.org and member of the Baptist Tabernacle in Thomaston "they (worshippers) should be able to arm themselves 'for the protection of their families and themselves' without fear of arrest and prosecution on a misdemenaor charge." The church's pastor, Jonathan Wilkins, agrees saying he wanted to have a gun for his protection while working in his office at the church. Apparently these arguments didn't sway U.S. District Judge Ashley Royal who wrote his opinion  that "the Thomaston church had not claimed its' members belief requires that any member carry a firearm, into the Tabernacle, whether during worship services or otherwise."

[Link to GeorgiaCarry.org: http://www.georgiacarry.org/]

Instead of agreeing with the judge, church members feel their efforts to practice their faith has been "impermissbly burdened". I'm not sure at all what that means so I'm guessing it means the judge didn't have their permission to burden them with his ruling. Just as confusing to me is a statement written by Mr. Stone in a filing with the Court: "In very large part, my motivation to carry a firearm as a matter of habit derives from one of my Lord's last recorded statements at the Last Supper, that 'whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one' . . . I believe this injunction requires me to obtain, keep, and carry a firearm wherever I happen to be." The verse Mr. Stone is quoting is found in Luke 22:36 and is Jesus' instructions to his disciples when the are on the road about His business . . . not when they are in His house.

Until next time . . .

My service: answering God's call

When you encounter opportunities to serve God, how do you respond? Let me list some of the wrong reactions:


1) I can’t.

2) My schedule is too busy.

3) I don’t know how.

4) I’m just a layperson, not a pastor.

Those knee-jerk reactions slam closed a door before we’ve discovered whether or not the Lord wants us to go through it. You’ve probably never thought of a refusal to serve God as idolatry, but that’s what it is—bowing down to self instead of submitting to Him.

The Lord desires that His servants first be willing to do anything and then seek His specific plan for them. He uniquely gifts followers to serve according to His will. But when we’ve already decided what we can’t do, won’t do, or are ill-equipped to do, then we’re acting by our own will. That isn’t going to work.

You may serve the Lord as a godly parent, as a factory worker who shares the gospel with coworkers, or as a friend who listens to those who are hurting. There is no restriction on what God can do with a willing helper. The strength of His Spirit overcomes human limitations. Don’t have enough courage? God can fix that. Don’t have the right skills? God can fix that.

Laying down our excuses is the wisest thing we can do to serve the Lord. Trust that He will empower you to do whatever He calls you to do—and will see to it that you are properly equipped and trained (Eph. 2:10; 2 Tim. 2:20; 3:16-17). All He asks of you is that you say yes.

Copyright 2010 In Touch Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. www.intouch.org. In Touch grants permission to print for personal use only.

*Before reading any further, stop and let the message above soak in*

I learned early in my Christian life to never give God any of the excuses listed at the beginning of the message because he will show you otherwise. Something else that I learned early on was the gift he had bestowed upon me and that was service to others . . . something that I've done willingly as a firefighter, EMT, and now as a Disaster Assessment Specialist for the Red Cross. Along the way - when I wasn't busy with something else - I've also found time to serve others as a Sunday School teacher and an Amateur Radio operator. Was it easy? No, but then, nothing worth doing ever is! Did I ever consider myself ill equipped for the job? Yes, and that's when I prayed and then went on about God's business.

The point I'm trying to make is, next time God asks you to do something, remember Phillipians 4:13 which says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," and answer with an enthusiastic "Yes Lord, send me!"

Until next time . . .