I often meet well-meaning Christians that ask why I carry a gun. Their thoughts being that I must not trust the Lord to take care of me. If I really believed in the
Sovereignty of God I wouldn’t need to carry a weapon.
 Here is my answer to them and why I have no objections if others want to come to church or anywhere else armed.

We do live in the wonderful state of Idaho that understands the Constitutional and God given right to carry firearms, whether open or concealed, without a permit (government permission).

There are any number of reasons that I go armed and encourage others to do so.

First, I go armed because it is my God-given, unalienable right as a man. The Scriptures confirm the right of self-defense time and again. In particular, our Lord instructed His disciples to arm themselves. In fact, it was such a priority that He told them to sell their coats, if need be, to procure those arms. (Luke 22:36,
 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.)

Second, I go armed because it is my duty as a husband, a father and a grandfather to protect my family to the utmost of my ability.

1 Timothy 5:8 
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

According to Strong’s Concordance, the word translated provide, literally means: “to consider in advance, that is, look out for beforehand.”

This includes more than just financial provision. It necessarily includes provision for the security, the safety and the general well-being of a man’s family.

My wife, my grown children and my grandchildren see me go armed almost all the time. They know that I am doing all that I can to guard them and to ensure their well-being. I have considered “in advance” what might be necessary for their protection and have made provision for it.

Third, I go armed as an example and encouragement to others.

I want to encourage my family, our church members and my friends and acquaintances to go armed, not only by my words, but also by my actions.

I am very pleased that my adult children see this necessity as well and have armed themselves for the very same reasons I am listing here. A close call incident with a shooter helped them in making this decision.
Philippians 3:16-17 
Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. (17) Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Fourth, I go armed because there are evil men who would do me or mine harm.

Mark 3:27 
No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

One cannot read the newspaper or watch the TV news without realizing that we live in a wicked and sin-cursed world. We must be prepared to deal with wicked men.

 Because of the current climate of "BLM" and the radical leftist agenda many of our Police Officers are in fear of taking action lest they be falsely accused, demonized or they themselves be arrested for doing their jobs. I cannot rely on a police respone knowing that while I wait lives are in the balance. (While I believe we should be law-abiding I find that often our Police Departments are often overbearing and heavy-handed in the ‘enforcement’ of the law and our Government out of control in making lawful Citizens criminals by the stroke of a pen. DRH)

Many of you will remember March 6, 2016, when a local Pastor, Tim Remington of The Alter Church, was shot and critically wounded in the parking lot of the church.

The shooter had been in one of the church services and surveilled the church at least two days preceding the incident. The attack was pre-planned, and the shooter had no connection with the church.

I am very pleased that the armed man was apprehended, and that Tim Remington survived the incident.

July 4, 2019. A gunman fired upon police in the Coeur d Alene Park during a Fourth of July Celebration. There were tens of thousands who were present in the Park, including my children and grandchildren. During this confrontation, my family members took shelter near some parked cars and came away with only emotional injuries. Thankfully there was a strong police presence, and the man was apprehended quickly.?

It is a sobering though, what if he decided to shoot at my family and not the police?

Fifth, I go armed to confirm my own mindset of resistance to criminality and to tyranny and to openly manifest it to others.

I am prepared spiritually, mentally and physically to confront evil men who would harm my family or who would seek to destroy our way of life, be they petty criminals, deranged psychopaths or governmental tyrants. (Yes, I realize that those three categories often coincide with one
 another).

I stand with my Baptist forefathers, who during the First War for American Independence took as their mottos: “Resistance to Tyrants is Obedience to God” and “No King, but King Jesus.”

Finally, I go armed to demonstrate to would be tyrants that I will not comply with their diktats to register my firearms or to surrender them to government bureaucrats.

I stand with the Spartans of 480BC, with our ancestors at the beginning of the First War for Independence, with the Texans of Gonzales in 1835, and with many other brave souls through the years.

I say to the tyrants, if you want my arms: Molon Labe -- “Come and Take Them.”

Pastor David Hethorn

I encourage anyone who carries for self-defense get insurance. If you were to engage/shoot and offender you will be held accountable for your actions. Best to have people on your side if you are ever involed in this unforturnate sitution. I recommend USCCA for the proper insurance and training.
  Based upon an article originally written by Pastor Greg Wilson, Archer, FL