“…my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

Submitted by Pastor Tottingham on Tue, 10/25/2022 - 11:43am

2 Timothy 2:1

TRUE STORY…

My handgun was held at the low ready in my right hand.

I came out the front door of the church and rolled around to the right, to the corner of the building.  It’s an awkward position to keep going around corners to the right, but the adrenaline was pumping and I didn’t think to swap hands.  I cleared that corner and went down the left side of the building.

It was dark, the evening service had just finished.  I knew the threat i.e., the guy with the gun, was somewhere around the outside of the church.

I quickly cleared the next corner and ran in the shadow along the back of the church to the final corner.

Just as I got there, a huge man stepped out and he had me in his sights!

He looked down at me and said, “Frankie, I told you boys not to bring your guns to church anymore.  Give it to me.”

At four years old, what could I do?  I handed my gun up to that giant of a man who was my pastor, and never took a gun to church again.

My point is:  Pastor Gordon Silcox was the most gentle, kind, giant of a grandfather figure to me!

This Sunday it will be Father’s Day here in Australia and I have been so blessed by my own father, and other men who have taught me how to be a God-fearing Christian.  They’ve taught me that it’s more important to take my Bible to church than it is to take my gun.  Even though I did do a little weapons training later on in my life…

P.S. The “bad guy”, the other kid, Jeff was his name, he got away!  He never got his gun taken off him!  And years later, I was at Pastor Silcox’s house and I found… MY GUN IN THEIR TOYBOX!!!

“…my son

be strong

in the grace

that is in Christ Jesus.”

(From my FB post 30 August 2022)

 

My Weapons Training later on…

 

  1. M16A2
  2. Berretta 9mm
  3. Browning 9mm high power
  4. Mossberg (pump-action shotgun – skeet & slug)
  5. M249SAW light machinegun
  6. M60E machinegun
  7. M79 – “bloopgun”/grenade launcher
  8. M203 grenade launcher
  9. 60mm mortar
  10. 81mm mortar
  11. Mk19 (“Mark” 19 automatic grenade launcher)
  12. 50cal machine gun
  13. AT4 rocket launcher
  14. M72 LAW antitank weapon
  15. Mk 153 SMAW rocket launcher
  16. M47 Dragon
  17. Grenade
  18. Plastic explosives (C4)
  19. Det Cord (C4)
  20. “Front toward enemy ”Claymore mine