Fellow Sheepdogs:
As a reminder, there will be NO MEETING this week as we will be out-of-state with family. Our next meeting will be Thursday, July 23rd, starting at 1900 hours.
We had a great time of LEO fellowship, Bible study and prayer last Thursday on the subject of "Rising to the Call of Leadership." To recap, we asked the question, "Are you a leader or just the person out front?" A study of Saul's life sheds a very bright light on the difference between the two. In brief, Saul clearly had awesome gifts and even greater potential. He was huge -- a powerful physical specimen; good looking; intelligent; a tremendous warrior; and so much more. In fact, he was the obvious choice to take on Goliath (leading from the front). However, Saul failed the test of true leadership. Instead of listening to God's clear instructions and leading His people in complete obedience, Saul chose the path of partial obedience (following his own will instead of God's) and even blamed the people for his poor decisions. God and Samuel both held Saul -- not the people -- accountable for disobeying God's clear instructions to destroy the evil Amalekites and everything associated with them. Why? Because God called Saul to be a leader and not just the man out front. As a result, God choose another leader who would lead from the front: David. See 1 Samuel 16:1-13 for more!
What about you? Do you accept responsibility for your failures as a leader or do you put the blame on others? Are you committed to obeying all of God's commands or just the ones that are convenient? Do you have a true servant's heart (servant-leadership)? The truth is that the vast majority of the morale problems that plague our profession stem from a lack of true leadership -- both at the bottom (line officer) and the top. If you have been blessed to be a chief, commander, sergeant, etc., do you consider your people before yourself? Do you outfit your own unit with the "latest and greatest" before taking care of your officers? Do you drive the best unit while your line staff is stuck with a cruiser that should have been replaced long ago (safety issues)? Do you fight for your people when it comes to budget? Do you look to reward your troops (or just reprimand)? In short, are you a Saul or a David? Your answers to these and related questions determine whether or not you are being the leader God has called you to be -- and rest assured -- He IS calling YOU to to LEAD!
We'll expand on this further at our next meeting -- hope you'll join us!
PRAYER REQUESTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
(1) Dep. Mike Dye (author of The Peacekeepers, see www.christianlawenforcement.com)
writes, "Have you ever stopped to think about praying for the welfare of your city, county, or state? How about just simply praying for your patrol area of responsibility? Even if it's a jail, courthouse, or a 12-block patrol area. Believe it or not, it is a biblical commandment as found in Jeremiah 29:7. We as law enforcement officers must do more than just merely 'serve and protect' the people of the cities and towns where we work. We must pray for its well-being too. Let's transform our cities, communities, and our areas of responsibilities by praying a simple prayer. Something like this one: 'Father God. I ask you in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, to transform my city for your benefit and glory. God, I ask that you take the evil from my street corners, bars, etc. as I claim my area of responsibility for you, Lord. In everything that I do or say, may my prayers and requests be given to you only to uplift and glorify your name. In Jesus Name, Amen.'
This is no magic prayer and it is not intended to be used as such. It is simply following biblical principles as outlined in God's word.
'...BUT in EVERYTHING BY PRAYER and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.' Philippians 4:6.
'...and Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.' 1 Chronicles 4:10.'
'Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.' Psalm 127:1.
Trust me when I say. If you pray and ask the Lord God to watch over your city, protect it from evil, and to remove the evil from it God will hear your prayers. Let's start praying today!"
Well said Mike!
(2) OFFICER IN NEED (from Englewood Officer Jason Pearson, State Criminal Investigator Jimmy Wattles, and Lone Tree PD Sgt. Candice Mullins):
"I am sure many of you have never heard of Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado. However, Craig Hospital is a very special place, and one I would like to tell you about. Craig Hospital is one of the best spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation centers in the U.S. Patients are flown to Craig Hospital from all over the country for extensive and ground breaking treatment, including an Englewood Police Officer who was paralyzed in an on-duty motorcycle accident several years ago. And since we are on the topic, Police Officers from all over the country who are injured on duty are also flown to Craig for treatment. The Englewood Police Department, along with Denver P.D., have an outreach program where Officers go and visit the fellow officers and their families who are shipped hundreds of miles from home in a city where they don't know anybody. Yesterday, I got to meet Officer Densey Cole of the Chicago Police Department at Craig Hospital. Densey was responding to a robbery call when another motorist slammed into the side of his patrol vehicle and shoved the police car into a light pole head-on. Densey had been launched out of his seat belt and went airborne inside his C.P.D. Chevy Tahoe. He knew immediately he had broken his neck and was laying in his seat paralyzed, unable to use his arms to call for help on the radio. As Densey was trying to assess the situation he was in, a local ex-felon entered the police vehicle, shoved Densey into the passenger seat, took Desney's wallet and gun, and began beating Densey over the head with his own pistol. Officer Densey was unable to move and could only lay motionless, sure that he was going to die. The criminal left Densey alive, but took his gun and wallet with him. Densey was eventually rescued and taken to the hospital, and later transferred to Craig Hospital here in Colorado. Densey and his long time girlfriend married while he was hospitalized in Chicago, and Densey has children from a previous relationship. Densey is a 16 year veteran of the Chicago P.D. and knows he will never return to work. Densey has been able to move his left arm since coming to Colorado and his spinal cord was not completely severed, giving hope of at least a partial recovery from his injuries. He and his new wife are here in Colorado and could really use some visits. Craig Hospital (http://www.craighospital.org/) is right next door to the famous Swedish Medical Center in Englewood. If you are not here in Colorado, I would bet the Cole's would love to receive some cards or letters from people around the country. I am asking that we show Officer Cole that we care, and thank him for what he has done and sacrificed. For security reasons, I cannot give out Officer Cole's room number, but ask that cards and letters be sent through the Metro Area Graffiti Task Force of Denver, P.O. Box 2223, Englewood, CO 80150-2223. MAGTF will make sure every letter and card is hand delivered to this outstanding hero. Thank you,
Ofc. Jason Pearson,
Director, Metro Area Graffiti Task Force of Denver
P.O. Box 2223
Englewood, CO 80150-2223
www.magtfdenver.org
(3) From Denver PD Detective Danny Vieth:
"This morning a Dallas PD officer was flown from Gunnison to Swedish hospital when it was determined he had blood clots in his brain. The 22-year-old officer was in Gunnison to support Dallas PD Explorers in a national competition. The officer's wife, with the assistance of 4 agencies, was driven from Gunnison to Swedish early this morning.
The officer underwent surgery this morning and two blood clots were removed. He has some bleeding within his head and is recovering in ICU at Swedish.
His wife, in the meantime, is going to be staying at the Mariott (I-25 and Hampden) so she can take a shower, get some sleep,... She is awaiting family to fly in from Texas later tonight.
Does anyone have a spare vehicle we could loan the officer's wife and family, so they can drive to and from the hotel and hospital?
Please call me on my Nextel if you can help: 720-641-0208.
Thanks for any assistance you can provide for this officer's family during a difficult time!"
(4) Pray for a brother officer who is dealing with some challenges in fighting for visitation/custody issues with his ex-wife. She is very bitter and not being godly in her actions. Ask God to intervene on his behalf. Also pray that this brother will be obedient in his own walk.
(5) Pray for my family and I as we travel to Texas this week to visit my mom and brother in the wake of my father's death last month. I will also be sharing the Gospel with my brother -- pray that the seeds planted will bear good fruit (that my brother will accept Christ as his Savior and Lord).
(6) Praise Report! Thanks for all who prayed for us in reference to the OMG rally in Fairplay last weekend: no major incidents! Thanks also to OMG guru Jimmy Wattles and gang taskforce member Jason Pearson for their assistance and support.
See ya next week!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Rising to the Call of Leadership
Last week we looked at what it means to “run to the battle” in terms of both our spiritual lives AND as it relates to what we do in law enforcement. The lyrics of Steve Camp’s song by the same title read (in part), “Some people want to live within the sound of chapel bells but I want to run a mission a yard from the gates of hell…” God has called us to this profession and Romans 13 gives us our authority. We run to the sound of battle because that is what God made us for (and who He made us to be). Rest assured that we are in a war against the forces of darkness not only from a law enforcement standpoint but spiritually as well. Moreover, the devil wants nothing more than to see those of us “in the breach” be defeated on a personal level. 1 Pet. 5:8 reads, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” But our Father has given us powerful weapons to combat evil in this world that go far beyond what we carry on our rigs or in our units. Psalm 144:1 reads, “Praise be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” Here’s the gist: We will never experience God in powerful ways by acquiring biblical knowledge alone. It is only when that knowledge is used in the heat of battle that you will know what you’ve learned in the Word. Otherwise, it remains only an exercise --training that yields little fruit. We can practice and train all we want but it is when we put that training into practice – with the added pressure of the “real deal” (the battlefield) – that we see how truly prepared we are. David became a great warrior and a LEADER of a nation at an early age. His training ground was his job protecting the sheep from wild beasts (hmmm – sounds familiar). That training ground prepared him for his combat with Goliath – and it served him well (but remember that God is the ultimately the one who fights before us).
Are you watching from the sideline? Retired on duty? Or are you actively engaged in the battle? Are you faithful and obedient in your personal life? Have you prayed with others in public? Have you taught a Bible study? Have you served others for the sake of the Gospel? Do your colleagues KNOW that you are a Christian by the way you live? Ask God to give us the grace to “get into the fight” both spiritually and in our jobs as well.
We’ll build on these concepts further this week by asking more tough questions. Are you a true servant-leader or just the person out front (if you are in the front at all)? Are you another in a long line of supervisors who has failed to truly lead? Are you a line officer who is content to stay in the background or do your rise to the call of leadership (leadership has NOTHING to do with rank)? If you lead, do you do so from a biblical world view? We’ll answer these questions and more at Thursday’s meeting (see below).
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
(1) MEETING UPDATES: We will be meeting this Thursday (July 9th) from 1900-2000 at Calvary South Denver in Littleton.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE (subject to change of course…keep an eye on the website and be sure you are getting our e-newsletters – shoot me and email at fullarmor911@yahoo.com if you are not):
-- Thu, July 9th, 1900-2000, Calvary South Denver
-- NO MEETING the week of July 12-18
-- Thu, July 23rd, 1900-2000, Calvary South Denver or TBD (stay tuned).
-- Sat, August 1st: Promise Keepers! See below!
-- Saturday, August 8th, 0900-1000+, TBD
(2) PROMISE KEEPERS is coming to Boulder July 31-August 1, 2009. We will not have a Saturday, August 1st meeting in deference to this life-changing event. Guys – take your wives (women are welcome and encouraged to attend)! This year marks the return of Coach Mac to PK and this year’s rally is supposed to be incredible. Entitled “A Time to Honor,” it is very much in line with God’s call on our own ministry. Check out the PK website for more:
PRAYER REQUESTS:
(1) From our Chief Investigator (State): “Please pray for a man named Christopher. We came upon a very severe one car accident on the 4th and stopped to assist. He seemed OK when I left the scene; but yesterday we received a call from his mother and she said he was in ICU and not conscious. That family and the victim need God’s grace, comfort and healing."
(2) Traveling mercies for my family and me as we fly back to Texas next week to spend time with my mother in the wake of my father’s recent death. My brother will be in town as well. Texas in July – pray also that we survive the heat and humidity!
(3) Be in prayer for a brother in Dallas who is dealing with some tough, all-too-common issues stemming from a duty-related shooting. He has emailed me and asked for prayer…let’s hold him up! His story is detailed at http://www.policeone.com/patrol-issues/articles/1836536-One-survivors-post-shooting-mission-more-respect-between-cops-and-security/.
(4) Keith Adams in Cary, NC writes, “I just want to thank you for your ministry Brother! Here in Cary NC, our Bible study started out with two now has grown to now include members of our command staff, and we are hosting it at the PD! We are currently using Mike Dye's book, The Peacekeepers.” Let’s keep Keith and his brother/sister officers in our prayers!
See ya Thursday!
Are you watching from the sideline? Retired on duty? Or are you actively engaged in the battle? Are you faithful and obedient in your personal life? Have you prayed with others in public? Have you taught a Bible study? Have you served others for the sake of the Gospel? Do your colleagues KNOW that you are a Christian by the way you live? Ask God to give us the grace to “get into the fight” both spiritually and in our jobs as well.
We’ll build on these concepts further this week by asking more tough questions. Are you a true servant-leader or just the person out front (if you are in the front at all)? Are you another in a long line of supervisors who has failed to truly lead? Are you a line officer who is content to stay in the background or do your rise to the call of leadership (leadership has NOTHING to do with rank)? If you lead, do you do so from a biblical world view? We’ll answer these questions and more at Thursday’s meeting (see below).
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
(1) MEETING UPDATES: We will be meeting this Thursday (July 9th) from 1900-2000 at Calvary South Denver in Littleton.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE (subject to change of course…keep an eye on the website and be sure you are getting our e-newsletters – shoot me and email at fullarmor911@yahoo.com if you are not):
-- Thu, July 9th, 1900-2000, Calvary South Denver
-- NO MEETING the week of July 12-18
-- Thu, July 23rd, 1900-2000, Calvary South Denver or TBD (stay tuned).
-- Sat, August 1st: Promise Keepers! See below!
-- Saturday, August 8th, 0900-1000+, TBD
(2) PROMISE KEEPERS is coming to Boulder July 31-August 1, 2009. We will not have a Saturday, August 1st meeting in deference to this life-changing event. Guys – take your wives (women are welcome and encouraged to attend)! This year marks the return of Coach Mac to PK and this year’s rally is supposed to be incredible. Entitled “A Time to Honor,” it is very much in line with God’s call on our own ministry. Check out the PK website for more:
PRAYER REQUESTS:
(1) From our Chief Investigator (State): “Please pray for a man named Christopher. We came upon a very severe one car accident on the 4th and stopped to assist. He seemed OK when I left the scene; but yesterday we received a call from his mother and she said he was in ICU and not conscious. That family and the victim need God’s grace, comfort and healing."
(2) Traveling mercies for my family and me as we fly back to Texas next week to spend time with my mother in the wake of my father’s recent death. My brother will be in town as well. Texas in July – pray also that we survive the heat and humidity!
(3) Be in prayer for a brother in Dallas who is dealing with some tough, all-too-common issues stemming from a duty-related shooting. He has emailed me and asked for prayer…let’s hold him up! His story is detailed at http://www.policeone.com/patrol-issues/articles/1836536-One-survivors-post-shooting-mission-more-respect-between-cops-and-security/.
(4) Keith Adams in Cary, NC writes, “I just want to thank you for your ministry Brother! Here in Cary NC, our Bible study started out with two now has grown to now include members of our command staff, and we are hosting it at the PD! We are currently using Mike Dye's book, The Peacekeepers.” Let’s keep Keith and his brother/sister officers in our prayers!
See ya Thursday!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Independence Day Tribute & Meeting Reminder
I was going to write my own piece about Independence Day but felt that the four great essays done by PoliceOne authors (see below) say it far better than I. I have had the privilege of having met three of them and all are outstanding individuals and public servants. That aside, let me add that, with the recent passing of my own father -- CMSgt. Lonie C. Williams, Jr., USAF Ret -- a 2-tour Vietnam veteran (and more), I should not have to tell anyone in our profession what this "holiday" should mean. I also place committed LEOs in the same vein as I do our own military when it comes to the 4th. As such, I thank you ALL for your service to our nation in defense of the Constitution and those we serve and protect. Have a safe Independence Day!
MEETING UPDATE: Just a quick reminder to my Denver Metro locals and visitors that we will meet from 1900-2000 tonight at Calvary South Denver for our regular time of fellowship, prayer and Bible study. Let's run to the battle...(awesome video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL7cL_p5_84!
EMERGENCY PRAYER REQUESTS:
(1) From Lupe (ICE Intel):
US military spokeswoman says insurgents have captured an American soldier in eastern Afghanistan. Capt. Elizabeth Mathias said the soldier has been missing since Tuesday. She said she could not provide further information. Mathias said the military was using "all our resources to find him and provide for his safe return." The soldier was not taking part in the major military operation launched in the southern Taliban stronghold of Helmand early Thursday.
(2) Josh with Aurora PD has asked us to continue praying for Darci who is not a Believer and is in desperate need of "spiritual deliverance and healing." Josh writes that he has "never prayed more in my life" as he has for this sister. Let's join him in that effort.
Independence Day Messages from www.PoliceOne.com
American Policing: Born on July 4th
By Lt. Dan Marcou PoliceOne Columnist.
One of the blossoms of that seed of freedom planted on July 4th, 1776 which is still blooming today is American Policing. Policing such as it’s done in America today never existed in the entire history of the world before 1776 ... Full article Read more columns by Lt. Dan Marcou
July 4th: What's it all about?
By Dave Smith PoliceOne Columnist.
July 4th is always an interesting day for the law enforcement community. It’s a time for ordinance violations, loud bangs that are almost indistinguishable from firearms, drunks at large parties, and all the attendant attitudes ... Full article Read more columns by Dave Smith
On July 4th, a wake up call for American cops
By Sgt. Betsy Brantner SmithPoliceOne Columnist.
As American law enforcement, we have an obligation to the men and women who fought and sacrificed to form this great nation, to our children and grandchildren who will carry on, and to our citizens who have the right to live freely and safely ... Full article Read more columns by Betsy Brantner Smith
Proud (to the piont of singing) on July 4th
By Lt. Jim Glennon PoliceOne Columnist.
Display the flag — ....wave it at the neighbors. Thank God every day you are who you are and live where you do. And remember those who died during this nation's birth and in every war since in order to preserve this Union. Happy Independence Day ... Full article Read more columns by Lt. Jim Glennon
Hope to see you tonight!
MEETING UPDATE: Just a quick reminder to my Denver Metro locals and visitors that we will meet from 1900-2000 tonight at Calvary South Denver for our regular time of fellowship, prayer and Bible study. Let's run to the battle...(awesome video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL7cL_p5_84!
EMERGENCY PRAYER REQUESTS:
(1) From Lupe (ICE Intel):
US military spokeswoman says insurgents have captured an American soldier in eastern Afghanistan. Capt. Elizabeth Mathias said the soldier has been missing since Tuesday. She said she could not provide further information. Mathias said the military was using "all our resources to find him and provide for his safe return." The soldier was not taking part in the major military operation launched in the southern Taliban stronghold of Helmand early Thursday.
(2) Josh with Aurora PD has asked us to continue praying for Darci who is not a Believer and is in desperate need of "spiritual deliverance and healing." Josh writes that he has "never prayed more in my life" as he has for this sister. Let's join him in that effort.
Independence Day Messages from www.PoliceOne.com
American Policing: Born on July 4th
By Lt. Dan Marcou PoliceOne Columnist.
One of the blossoms of that seed of freedom planted on July 4th, 1776 which is still blooming today is American Policing. Policing such as it’s done in America today never existed in the entire history of the world before 1776 ... Full article Read more columns by Lt. Dan Marcou
July 4th: What's it all about?
By Dave Smith PoliceOne Columnist.
July 4th is always an interesting day for the law enforcement community. It’s a time for ordinance violations, loud bangs that are almost indistinguishable from firearms, drunks at large parties, and all the attendant attitudes ... Full article Read more columns by Dave Smith
On July 4th, a wake up call for American cops
By Sgt. Betsy Brantner SmithPoliceOne Columnist.
As American law enforcement, we have an obligation to the men and women who fought and sacrificed to form this great nation, to our children and grandchildren who will carry on, and to our citizens who have the right to live freely and safely ... Full article Read more columns by Betsy Brantner Smith
Proud (to the piont of singing) on July 4th
By Lt. Jim Glennon PoliceOne Columnist.
Display the flag — ....wave it at the neighbors. Thank God every day you are who you are and live where you do. And remember those who died during this nation's birth and in every war since in order to preserve this Union. Happy Independence Day ... Full article Read more columns by Lt. Jim Glennon
Hope to see you tonight!
Monday, June 29, 2009
"Trained for Warfare" + Emergency Prayer Request
Fellow Sheepdogs:
I received the following from Ron Leonard after publishing last night's newsletter. Please pray for our wounded brother ("Warfare" folks!).
Sergeant Mark Chesnut is in critical condition at Vanderbilt Medical Center with multiple internal injuries as the result of being shot at approximately 1 p.m. yesterday afternoon while conducting a "routine" (!!! NOT) traffic stop... Chesnut, a 22-year police department veteran, underwent surgery at Vanderbilt yesterday afternoon and additional surgery will be required this morning... Mississippi prison escapee Joseph Jackson has admitted to shooting Chesnut. Jackson said he didn’t want to go back to prison. Jackson will be charged attempted murder, stealing a Mississippi correction officer’s gun, unlawful gun possession by a convicted felon, and being a fugitive from justice. Jackson’s accomplice, Courtney R. Logan of Louisville, Kentucky, has been charged with attempted murder and unlawful gun possession by a convicted felon. Chesnut, who is assigned to the Interstate Interdiction Unit of the Special Investigations Division, stopped a rented Dodge Magnum for a traffic violation and was seated in his police car checking the tag and Logan’s license when Jackson walked up to the police car and opened fire from the passenger side door. Chesnut, who was wearing a bullet resistant vest, received gunshot wounds to his abdomen through a part of his body that was unprotected.
Through the use of detail recorded by Chesnut’s in-car camera, a description of the Dodge Magnum and its license plate was quickly broadcast. Undercover Detective Matt Dixon spotted the car, which evidently quickly exited the interstate after fleeing the shooting scene, and followed it into downtown where it was blocked by other police units."
According to the Mississippi Department of Corrections, Jackson, who was serving a life sentence for two aggravated robberies and aggravated assault, escaped during an optometrist appointment in Greenwood, Mississippi at 8 a.m. yesterday. The escape was aided by an armed accomplice who entered the office, fired a shot in the air, and ordered everyone in the office to get down on the floor. Jackson and his accomplice, presumed to have been Logan, himself a convicted robber in Kentucky, fled Greenwood in a dark colored Dodge Magnum, which was rented Tuesday from Thrifty Car Rental in Louisville. Shackles and handcuffs were visible inside the Magnum when Logan and Jackson were taken into custody by Metro officers. A semi-automatic pistol was also recovered from the car. Logan had two magazines of ammunition on his person when he was arrested.
Any lessons to be learned here? Let's ask God to heal our brother so that he can get back into the fight.
MEETING UPDATES:
I want to update our upcoming meeting schedule for the month of July (note the change from last week). We will in fact be meeting this Thursday (7/2) but are moving the starting time up to 7 PM so that folks can have time to eat and/or spend extra time with their families. I also intend to keep the meeting to an hour (but I will be available afterward for anyone who needs more time). Here is the tentative schedule for the rest of the month -- we'll get back to our Saturday meetings in August (note -- all meetings this month are tentatively set to be held at Calvary South Denver -- http://www.calvarycsd.org/):
Thursday, 7/9, 7-8 PM
Thursday, 7/16 or Saturday 7/18: NO MEETING
Thursday, 7/23, 7-8 PM
Last week we dug into what it means to be "RIGHT WITH GOD." Here is the recap for our readers who either missed or do not live in the Denver Metro area:
How are we to live after accepting Christ as Lord & Savior? 1 John 1:5 through 2:6 gives the best answer. The passage describes people who are RIGHT WITH GOD and explains that, although saved, they will still struggle with and/or fall into sin at times. While it is Christ who cleanses us from all sin, the passage qualifies how Believers must first live to apply this promise to themselves through the terms "walking in light" and "walking in darkness." The big issues here are FOUNDATION, MOTIVATION, and CONSISTENCY. If our foundation is the Word of God (the Bible), and if our motivation is is being like Christ, and if we consistently seek to live like Him, then we know that Jesus covers our sins and we are still RIGHT WITH GOD (see also 1 John 5:13). However, if we say that we know Christ as our Savior and yet remain disobedient (walking in "darkness"), then God says that we are liars and the truth is not in us. Bottom line is that when we make to a decision to accept Christ, we need to understand that it is a lifetime commitment toward seeking to be like Christ in everything (the very way we live). That is what staying RIGHT WITH GOD is all about -- becoming more like Christ. Is that you? If not, ask Christ to forgive you and get RIGHT WITH GOD today.
This week we'll contrast our ongoing law enforcement (and/or military) training with our Christian walk and calling. Are you TRAINED FOR BATTLE? Are you prepared to be victorious in terms of spiritual WARFARE? To be sure, we are in fact in a war, both in what we do as peace officers (combating evil and protecting the sheep from the wolves that would otherwise devour them) and in our walk as born again Believers. Our study passage is one of my favorites: Psalm 144 begins "Blessed by the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle." Are you a ROD ("retired on duty") or are you trained for battle/prepared to deal with the enemy? Join us this Thursday as we take on this subject via a great hour of spiritual training, prayer and warrior fellowship!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
(1) Chaplain Ron Leonard has started Christian Military Fellowship (http://www.cmfhq.org/) and has asked us to be in prayer for them and our military brothers and sisters (many of whom are also LEOs). With the 4th of July upon us, it is particularly relevant.
(2) Continue to pray for my mother as she grieves the loss of my Dad and works on being the woman God would have her be without my father at her side. We'll go back to Texas to see her for a few days in July.
(3) Pray for me as I am working a plethora of extra weekend hours this month (thus all the Thursday evening meetings).
(4) Continue to pray for this ministry and be active in forwarding our newsletters and website info to your friends and colleagues.
(5) Continue to pray for our country and our elected representatives -- many of whom are taking this Republic down a road towards socialism and away from our godly foundations.
Fly your flags this weekends folks! We who serve know all too well that our freedom isn't free.
In honor of what the 4th of July truly means, here is a great little tribute set to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA:" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q65KZIqay4E. See ya Thursday!
I received the following from Ron Leonard after publishing last night's newsletter. Please pray for our wounded brother ("Warfare" folks!).
Sergeant Mark Chesnut is in critical condition at Vanderbilt Medical Center with multiple internal injuries as the result of being shot at approximately 1 p.m. yesterday afternoon while conducting a "routine" (!!! NOT) traffic stop... Chesnut, a 22-year police department veteran, underwent surgery at Vanderbilt yesterday afternoon and additional surgery will be required this morning... Mississippi prison escapee Joseph Jackson has admitted to shooting Chesnut. Jackson said he didn’t want to go back to prison. Jackson will be charged attempted murder, stealing a Mississippi correction officer’s gun, unlawful gun possession by a convicted felon, and being a fugitive from justice. Jackson’s accomplice, Courtney R. Logan of Louisville, Kentucky, has been charged with attempted murder and unlawful gun possession by a convicted felon. Chesnut, who is assigned to the Interstate Interdiction Unit of the Special Investigations Division, stopped a rented Dodge Magnum for a traffic violation and was seated in his police car checking the tag and Logan’s license when Jackson walked up to the police car and opened fire from the passenger side door. Chesnut, who was wearing a bullet resistant vest, received gunshot wounds to his abdomen through a part of his body that was unprotected.
Through the use of detail recorded by Chesnut’s in-car camera, a description of the Dodge Magnum and its license plate was quickly broadcast. Undercover Detective Matt Dixon spotted the car, which evidently quickly exited the interstate after fleeing the shooting scene, and followed it into downtown where it was blocked by other police units."
According to the Mississippi Department of Corrections, Jackson, who was serving a life sentence for two aggravated robberies and aggravated assault, escaped during an optometrist appointment in Greenwood, Mississippi at 8 a.m. yesterday. The escape was aided by an armed accomplice who entered the office, fired a shot in the air, and ordered everyone in the office to get down on the floor. Jackson and his accomplice, presumed to have been Logan, himself a convicted robber in Kentucky, fled Greenwood in a dark colored Dodge Magnum, which was rented Tuesday from Thrifty Car Rental in Louisville. Shackles and handcuffs were visible inside the Magnum when Logan and Jackson were taken into custody by Metro officers. A semi-automatic pistol was also recovered from the car. Logan had two magazines of ammunition on his person when he was arrested.
Any lessons to be learned here? Let's ask God to heal our brother so that he can get back into the fight.
MEETING UPDATES:
I want to update our upcoming meeting schedule for the month of July (note the change from last week). We will in fact be meeting this Thursday (7/2) but are moving the starting time up to 7 PM so that folks can have time to eat and/or spend extra time with their families. I also intend to keep the meeting to an hour (but I will be available afterward for anyone who needs more time). Here is the tentative schedule for the rest of the month -- we'll get back to our Saturday meetings in August (note -- all meetings this month are tentatively set to be held at Calvary South Denver -- http://www.calvarycsd.org/):
Thursday, 7/9, 7-8 PM
Thursday, 7/16 or Saturday 7/18: NO MEETING
Thursday, 7/23, 7-8 PM
Last week we dug into what it means to be "RIGHT WITH GOD." Here is the recap for our readers who either missed or do not live in the Denver Metro area:
How are we to live after accepting Christ as Lord & Savior? 1 John 1:5 through 2:6 gives the best answer. The passage describes people who are RIGHT WITH GOD and explains that, although saved, they will still struggle with and/or fall into sin at times. While it is Christ who cleanses us from all sin, the passage qualifies how Believers must first live to apply this promise to themselves through the terms "walking in light" and "walking in darkness." The big issues here are FOUNDATION, MOTIVATION, and CONSISTENCY. If our foundation is the Word of God (the Bible), and if our motivation is is being like Christ, and if we consistently seek to live like Him, then we know that Jesus covers our sins and we are still RIGHT WITH GOD (see also 1 John 5:13). However, if we say that we know Christ as our Savior and yet remain disobedient (walking in "darkness"), then God says that we are liars and the truth is not in us. Bottom line is that when we make to a decision to accept Christ, we need to understand that it is a lifetime commitment toward seeking to be like Christ in everything (the very way we live). That is what staying RIGHT WITH GOD is all about -- becoming more like Christ. Is that you? If not, ask Christ to forgive you and get RIGHT WITH GOD today.
This week we'll contrast our ongoing law enforcement (and/or military) training with our Christian walk and calling. Are you TRAINED FOR BATTLE? Are you prepared to be victorious in terms of spiritual WARFARE? To be sure, we are in fact in a war, both in what we do as peace officers (combating evil and protecting the sheep from the wolves that would otherwise devour them) and in our walk as born again Believers. Our study passage is one of my favorites: Psalm 144 begins "Blessed by the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle." Are you a ROD ("retired on duty") or are you trained for battle/prepared to deal with the enemy? Join us this Thursday as we take on this subject via a great hour of spiritual training, prayer and warrior fellowship!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
(1) Chaplain Ron Leonard has started Christian Military Fellowship (http://www.cmfhq.org/) and has asked us to be in prayer for them and our military brothers and sisters (many of whom are also LEOs). With the 4th of July upon us, it is particularly relevant.
(2) Continue to pray for my mother as she grieves the loss of my Dad and works on being the woman God would have her be without my father at her side. We'll go back to Texas to see her for a few days in July.
(3) Pray for me as I am working a plethora of extra weekend hours this month (thus all the Thursday evening meetings).
(4) Continue to pray for this ministry and be active in forwarding our newsletters and website info to your friends and colleagues.
(5) Continue to pray for our country and our elected representatives -- many of whom are taking this Republic down a road towards socialism and away from our godly foundations.
Fly your flags this weekends folks! We who serve know all too well that our freedom isn't free.
In honor of what the 4th of July truly means, here is a great little tribute set to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA:" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q65KZIqay4E. See ya Thursday!
Monday, June 22, 2009
On being RIGHT with God
My Fellow Sheepdogs:
I just want to take a moment to thank all of those who have prayed for us, called, sent cards/emails/texts, etc. regarding my Dad's sudden death. I had the honor of giving Dad's eulogy at his funeral last week and his body (his soul was already with the Lord) was buried with full military honors at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery (see new photo at the bottom of the website). Would make any sheepdog (military, law enforcement, etc.) proud!
A major part of my eulogy message centered on the fact that Dad was RIGHT with God before he died. Now CMSgt. Lonie C. Williams Jr. was probably the most far "right" person I've ever known (he made Rush look like a liberal) but -- far more importantly -- he was ultimately RIGHT with God. Our Lord allowed me the privilege of leading my Dad to Christ some years ago and he recommitted his life just last month. Dad's faith was genuine and we have great comfort knowing that this warrior is now with the Lord. In this life Dad earned a plethora of medals and honors. His 47 years of service to this nation (including 30 in the USAF) included two tours in Vietnam, other missions that he could never talk about (true "Homeland Security" issues), being severely injured by a bomb while loading a B-52, and he was the the last American serviceman to leave Iwo Jima when we -- sadly -- gave it back to the Japanese in 1968. The flag Dad took from the pole on Mt. Suribachi continues to fly daily at my parents' home in San Antonio.
That said, neither Dad's earthly honors or ours earn us a place in eternity with the Lord (what we call Heaven or Paradise)! On the contrary, God's Word (the Bible) makes it clear that it was Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross that paid our debt/sentence (sin/death) and there is NOTHING we can do on our own to "earn" eternal glory. Rather, it is ONLY by having a saving, personal relationship with the risen Savior (what the Bible calls being "born again") that we can be RIGHT with God and spend eternity with Him. Simply "believing" in God is not enough -- even the devil and his demons "believe" and "tremble" in that knowledge (see James 2:19). What about you? Are you RIGHT with God? That will be our topic at this Thursday's Centurion Law Enforcement Fellowship meeting -- hope you (locals/visitors) will join us. As always, I have a recap in next week's newsletter (for all those who can't attend or live outside the Denver Metro area).
Speaking of a man with awesome earthly honors, my previous TCM email detailed -- albeit with errors, the death of NM State Police Sgt. Andrew (Andy, Ting) Tingwall. Again, I apologize for not checking my facts first. I would have attended Ting's funeral but I was busy with my Dad's. There is a great short video about Andy on the NMSP homepage that I encourage everyone to check out: http://164.64.161.58/index.php. Something tells me that this former Marine, like Dad, was also RIGHT with God. Our brother is survived by his wife and two daughters and donations are being accepted at any Wells Fargo Bank under the Tingwall Memorial Fund.
PRAYER REQUESTS (as always, send me your prayer requests and I'll post them here as appropriate):
(1) Be in prayer for my mother and our family as we deal with the the loss of my father. My folks were married for nearly 53 years (what an example)!
(2) Pray for Erv Meyer as he deals with a grim medical prognosis.
(3) Continue to pray for this ministry as we strive to reach our brother/sister officers for Christ.
See ya Thursday!
I just want to take a moment to thank all of those who have prayed for us, called, sent cards/emails/texts, etc. regarding my Dad's sudden death. I had the honor of giving Dad's eulogy at his funeral last week and his body (his soul was already with the Lord) was buried with full military honors at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery (see new photo at the bottom of the website). Would make any sheepdog (military, law enforcement, etc.) proud!
A major part of my eulogy message centered on the fact that Dad was RIGHT with God before he died. Now CMSgt. Lonie C. Williams Jr. was probably the most far "right" person I've ever known (he made Rush look like a liberal) but -- far more importantly -- he was ultimately RIGHT with God. Our Lord allowed me the privilege of leading my Dad to Christ some years ago and he recommitted his life just last month. Dad's faith was genuine and we have great comfort knowing that this warrior is now with the Lord. In this life Dad earned a plethora of medals and honors. His 47 years of service to this nation (including 30 in the USAF) included two tours in Vietnam, other missions that he could never talk about (true "Homeland Security" issues), being severely injured by a bomb while loading a B-52, and he was the the last American serviceman to leave Iwo Jima when we -- sadly -- gave it back to the Japanese in 1968. The flag Dad took from the pole on Mt. Suribachi continues to fly daily at my parents' home in San Antonio.
That said, neither Dad's earthly honors or ours earn us a place in eternity with the Lord (what we call Heaven or Paradise)! On the contrary, God's Word (the Bible) makes it clear that it was Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross that paid our debt/sentence (sin/death) and there is NOTHING we can do on our own to "earn" eternal glory. Rather, it is ONLY by having a saving, personal relationship with the risen Savior (what the Bible calls being "born again") that we can be RIGHT with God and spend eternity with Him. Simply "believing" in God is not enough -- even the devil and his demons "believe" and "tremble" in that knowledge (see James 2:19). What about you? Are you RIGHT with God? That will be our topic at this Thursday's Centurion Law Enforcement Fellowship meeting -- hope you (locals/visitors) will join us. As always, I have a recap in next week's newsletter (for all those who can't attend or live outside the Denver Metro area).
Speaking of a man with awesome earthly honors, my previous TCM email detailed -- albeit with errors, the death of NM State Police Sgt. Andrew (Andy, Ting) Tingwall. Again, I apologize for not checking my facts first. I would have attended Ting's funeral but I was busy with my Dad's. There is a great short video about Andy on the NMSP homepage that I encourage everyone to check out: http://164.64.161.58/index.php. Something tells me that this former Marine, like Dad, was also RIGHT with God. Our brother is survived by his wife and two daughters and donations are being accepted at any Wells Fargo Bank under the Tingwall Memorial Fund.
PRAYER REQUESTS (as always, send me your prayer requests and I'll post them here as appropriate):
(1) Be in prayer for my mother and our family as we deal with the the loss of my father. My folks were married for nearly 53 years (what an example)!
(2) Pray for Erv Meyer as he deals with a grim medical prognosis.
(3) Continue to pray for this ministry as we strive to reach our brother/sister officers for Christ.
See ya Thursday!
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