Well, to say that it's been a while since I've blogged would be an understatement of considerable proportions. But I'm back and have an update to share with you all as well as some news that, like always, is its own mixture of controversial, troubling, and what I hope is provocative enough to inspire action on the part of citizens everywhere. Remember, just because you're not famous or well-funded, you can still make a difference in your community, and indeed your world, just by becoming informed about the issues and involved in how they affect your community.
A Great Day for Mr. Lay
Case in point: Though it has been nearly a month (17 September to be exact) since their trial, I am still trying to find the words to describe the outpouring of community support for Frank Lay and Robert Freeman. For those that are not aware or may have forgotten, Lay and Freeman serve as principal and athletic director, respectively, at my high school alma mater, Pace High School. Back in January, they were accused of violating a temporary injunction handed down by federal Judge Casey Rodgers prohibiting them from "promoting religion in school." Their "violation": saying grace before a meal during an after-school function.
In what amounted to nothing more than a one-day trial and a considerable waste of taxpayer money, Mr. Lay and Coach Freeman were acquitted of the charges, which of course was the right decision. And I, for one, am thankful to God for giving Judge Rodgers the discernment to see it as such and make that decision.
However, the ruling is just part of the story. As I said before, the real story is the community support that was thrown behind these two singular men of faith. Last time I checked, over $70,000 was given to a legal defense fund set up on their behalf, dozens of opinion articles were submitted to the Pensacola News Journal in their support, internet campaigns were mobilized, and countless t-shirts, signs and other memorabilia were printed and distributed.
At the end of the day, a "not guilty" verdict was handed down and a community was reminded that freedom is alive and well. Not only this, but we were also reminded that attempts to squelch freedom will not be taken sitting down when an informed and passionate citizenry is mobilized. Many thanks to those who volunteered their time, efforts and money to help these two courageous individuals and my personal congratulations to Mr. Lay and Coach Freeman.
http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/culture/family/1910-criminalizing-prayer
Profile in Courage
I like Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
For a while, I've been intrigued by the duplicity of liberals who claim the moral high ground when it comes to "obeying the law." For example, if a high school principal asks his athletic director to pray before a meal (sound familiar?) then it's a violation of the law in accordance with the injunction handed down by the court. But flip that argument around and make it about protecting the Mexican borders, and in the minds of some, it's fair game for Mexican immigrants to cross over our borders unhindered, commit crimes, and generally speaking make a bigger mockery of our laws than Frank Lay and Robert Freeman could ever dream of making.
Enter Sheriff Arpaio from Maricopa County, Arizona. His jurisdiction sits right on the Mexican border in Arizona and so his point of view is ground zero for observing just how big a problem illegal immigration has become.
Right?
Not if you believe the Department of Homeland Security, which has now handed down a new policy that effectively ties the hands of any local jurisdiction in helping to deter illegal immigration across the southern border. Never mind how acutely affected these local communities (many of which are vulnerable to violent crime) may be. Local sheriffs and law enforcement officials who attempt to arrest or otherwise deter illegal immigrants could now face prosecution for their actions. None of this, however, is going to stop Sheriff Joe who has vowed to personally drive any illegal immigrants back to the border himself if he catches them in his jurisdiction. Read the Fox News article below if you don't believe me.
This guy is certainly no stranger to controversy. He has been featured in the news before for his tough-guy approach to crime, forcing inmates to wear pink and work on chain gangs. And if this story is any indication, he's made a few enemies along the way also.
Predictably, the civil rights howlers have added their shrill voices to the debate and have attempted to cast Sherrif Joe as a modern-day Archie Bunker or Bull Connor whose claim to fame is simply trampling the rights of Latinos. My challenge to them is to successfully pitch that argument to the 76-year old female victim of Arnold Mancia-Morales (see link below). That is, of course, provided that they can actually get the poor woman to talk...you know, since she's been indefinitely traumatized from the 2008 breaking-and-entering/sexual assault that she suffered at the hands of Mr. Mancia-Morales, an illegal alien from Honduras.
It is truly often quite difficult to determine which side these people are on. Do they really care more about the civil rights of those who have broken the law, or do they care about protecting the rights of innocent American citizens (many of whom immigrated to this country LEGALLY) while upholding the law of the land?
In any case, it is refreshing to see someone as principled as Joe Arpaio in a position of leadership, particularly where it involves protecting innocent lives of those he's sworn to protect. I'll support him in any way I can and I hope you will too.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/12/arizona-sheriff-vows-continue-immigration-sweeps-despite-federal-downgrade/?test=latestnews
http://www.alipac.us/article4539.html
"Go ahead. Make my (Sun)day."
I think I may have saved the most intriguing story in this blog for last. Thanks to the efforts of Pastor Ken Pagano of Louisville, KY, and others, a new initiative is under way to ensure that those attending houses of worship are protected from violent physical attack.
According to the Fox News story listed below, Pagano has resigned as pastor of New Bethel Church in Louisville, KY to pursue a career aimed at "keeping worshippers safe." Essentially, he is seeking to promote second amendment rights as they relate to churches and presumably to pastors and their congregants as they attend worship. The article does not specify exactly what measures Pagano is going to take, but presumably his efforts will be at least partially conjoined with those of the National Rifle Association as well as other organizations with similar interests.
Pagano has certainly not been shy about promoting gun ownership and second amendment rights among his congregation. For example, at their "Open Carry Celebration," congregants can enter their names in a raffle to win a free handgun. Whereas many congregations would look unfavorably upon "guns in church," New Bethel Church seems to welcome a Bible in one hand and a Glock .9mm in the other.
His church's pro-gun activity aside, it's Pagano's decision to become an activist for the second amendment that concerns me. Of course, I would be lying if I said that it didn't create a dilemma of sorts for me. Because on one hand, I'm an annually renewing member of the NRA and a staunch supporter of second amendment rights. Thus, I take a backseat to few when it comes to opposing anti-gun legislation and ensuring that the second amendment rights of American citizens stay intact. And like Pagano, I'm concerned (I should say INCREASINGLY concerned) about the safety of congregants and particularly pastors (see the "Global" link below).
But, again like Pagano, I'm also a minister of the gospel of Christ. And I can't help but wonder if his calling as an activist for gun rights is taking precedence over his calling to preach the gospel. In a day and age where pastors committed to their call from God to "preach the Word" are in increasingly short supply, and in a culture and world that is increasingly devoid of Judeo-Christian influence, is it more imperative that men like Pagano take on opponents of the Second Amendment or opponents (visible and invisible) of the Kingdom of God?
Yes, physical safety is important to every congregation. People should feel safe when they attend worship on Sundays. But it is the foremost and penultimate responsibility of the preacher to ensure the SPIRITUAL health and well-being of his congregation above all else. It is in fact his responsibility to ensure that, come what may, his people have a greater fear of Him who is "able to destroy body and soul" rather than of those who are able to "destroy the body, but not the soul" (Matthew 10:28).
Truthfully, I hope Pastor Pagano realizes that what is of utmost importance is not whether or not his people can defend themselves from physical attack. But whether they can face the day, when gun rights have been completely eliminated (which they might, despite his and others' best efforts), and they face the barrel end of a gun that isn't theirs. What will they answer when the person wielding that gun demands that they renounce their faith or be executed?
A lot of it depends on how faithful men like him and myself have been to our God-given calling to preach the gospel "in season and out" (2 Timothy 4:2).
I will certainly not get in the way of Pastor Pagano. I appreciate his concern for the health and safety of his church members and I'm on board with him 100% about the second amendment and gun rights. But I hope he's making the right decision from an eternal standpoint. And I hope he's as committed to preaching the Word as he is to defending the second amendment.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,564341,00.html?test=latestnews
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=9968925
Next Blog
I hate to say it, but it may be a while yet before I get to write again. If things go according to plan, I should be at Ft. Jackson, SC this time next week on temporary active duty orders from the U.S. Navy, where I'll round out the remainder of my training as a Navy chaplain candidate. Hopefully, however, it won't be as long as last time before the next entry, though. Have a great week and God bless!
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