Youth Pastors Encouraged to Learn Self-Defense

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Tue Mar 10, 2009 3:04 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

We deal with a situation even today, another horrific church killing on Sunday. If we are to do as many of the replies in this forum advise then the men and women that wrestled the gunman to the ground to prevent further attack should be reprimanded instead of made into heroes. That's what happens when we pay attention to only one scripture like "Turn the other cheek"

The peace officer at New Life in Colorado Springs not only did not turn the other cheek, but she shot the man dead on the spot. We need to realize that not instances where self-defense is needed is a position that would justify being called a martyr. Should she have told the man that she would not denounce Jesus and then let him proceed to kill possible tens or hundreds more simply to make sure she was abiding by that one scripture? I am sure that sounds as ridiculous as it feels writing it.

God's people have never been helpless, and for anyone that thinks that the disciples did not carry swords and that Jesus was referring to the word of God when he sent them out, I have one question. What cut the ear off the man in the Garden?

There are appropriate times to defend yourself, and Jesus even points that out in the Garden, He says(paraphrase), stop, quit fighting I could take care of it if I needed, but this is what needs to happen to fulfill what the Father has for me. Notice he did not say, "stop, defending yourself is bad, you must turn a cheak in every instance."

God is the same yesterday today and tomorrow so we must also look to the old testament. In the story of David and Goliath, God used the most unlikely of people to DEFEND the Israelites and defeat Goliath. Please take note that God did not tell them to turn their cheek, lay down and martyr themselves. In this instance God was glorified. David trained to defend his flock from bears, wolfs and other predators was part of God preparing David for this incredible feat. A pebble to a sword fight, who would have thought? God can use even the craziest sounding ideas to influence millions of people to trust in His strength, might, and dedication to protect His people.

The second we put God in a box and think we know exactly what He wants for every one of us is the second we no longer believe in God, we believe that we are God and that's even scarier then the devil. After all wanting to be God is what got him kicked out of Heaven in the first place.

I pray for those impacted by this tragedy and those shepherding over our future generations. I long for the day I get to spend eternity with Jesus, hanging with the Holy Spirit, and long for even a glimpse of our Father. I hope you do too. Be Blessed!

Franklin Graham Responds to Ill. Church Shooting

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Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:32 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

This is a horrible tragedy and I think we should help prepare everyone to defend themselves in every situation.

I find it amazing that there are posts in this forum that are talking about the right to bear arms as a method of defense protecting the innocent from criminals like this man, yet in a previous article there were people saying that teaching missionaries to defend themselves with their bare hands was bad.

I just want to make sure I have this right, the people who stopped this gunman from killing many more people are heroes, but youth pastors teaching their kids to defend themselves are in the wrong?

Youth Pastors Encouraged to Learn Self-Defense

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Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:55 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

We deal with a situation even today, another church killing. If we are to do as the scripture say and turn the other cheek then the men and women that wrestled the gunman to the ground to prevent further attack should be reprimanded instead of made into heroes. What about the peace officer at New Life in Colorado Springs, should she have told the man that she would not denounce Jesus and then let him proceed to kill possible tens or hundreds more? If that is the only scripture that we are going to go by we shouldn't even have police officers and court systems. How ridiculous does this sound?

God's people have never been helpless, and for anyone that thinks that the disciples did not carry swords and that Jesus was referring to the word of God when he sent them out to witness to people, I have one question. What cut the ear off the man at the Garden while Jesus was being arrested? Did he speak the words, "In Jesus' name I cut your ear off?" There are appropriate times to defend yourself, and Jesus even points that out in the Garden, He says(paraphrase), stop, quit fighting, this is what needs to happen to fulfill what the Father has for me. Please read that section of the bible and see if He said, "stop, defending yourself is bad," "Peter where did you get the sword, how many times have I said that we are to be pacifists?"

Please also remember that God is the same yesterday today and tomorrow so we cannot discount the old testament. I think there was this giant that was being used to defeat God's people. God used the most unlikely of people to use physical force to DEFEND the Israelites and defeat Goliath. Please take note that God did not tell them to turn their cheek and die for God. God was glorified by little David defeating Goliath. Which brings me to the point about bringing hands to a gun fight.

Martial arts won't help. High kicks, "kia's" and bowing can't get you much more than a belt in an octagon these days. But let me say that being prepared to fight bears, wolfs and other predators was part of God preparing David for this incredible feat. A pebble to a sword fight, who would have thought? God can use even the craziest sounding ideas to influence millions of people to trust in His strength, might, and dedication to protect His people.

My last point. I think God is more concerned with the heart of people who are judgmental then those who are trying to protect and serve our families. He will judge their intentions and heart on the Day of Judgment, it is not our responsibility to do that. The second we put God in a box and think we know what His judgment will be is the second we no longer believe in God, we believe that we are God and that's even scarier then the devil trying to take our lives.

I long for the day I get to spend eternity with Jesus, hanging with the Holy Spirit, and long for even a glimpse of our Father. I hope you do too. Be Blessed!