Fellow Servant-Warriors:
This last week has been, to say the least, exceedingly busy. That said, it has also been one that has brought about a plethora of lessons for all of us in the law enforcement profession (as follows).
BIBLE STUDY:
We’re back on schedule for our regular Saturday AM law enforcement Bible study this Saturday from 0900-1000 at Calvary South Denver in Littleton . Please join us for a great time of LEO fellowship, profession-relevant Bible study and prayer.
“OFFICER DOWN” UPDATE:
In the midst of our annual PPCT/defense tactics training in Fairplay this past weekend, I also had the honor of attending the police funeral for Eagle County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Gregory Dean Thompson. Greg became ill and died after coming in contact with a meth lab operation. While I must thank all those LEOs who attended, I was truly saddened by the overall turnout. This brother paid the ultimate sacrifice yet less than a hundred officers attended his funeral. I find it egregious that we only turn out in force when a brother or sister officers goes down from a gunshot, stabbing, MVA, etc. (as if that kind of death is somehow “sexy” in comparison to line-of-duty incident that results in a lingering and painful death). Sad indeed.
As most everyone from the Metro area is already aware, Aurora Code Enforcement Officer and former police officer Rodney Morales was shot to death and his memorial service was well-attended by local LEOs.
Regardless, the deaths of our brothers serve as yet another reminder that we need to be “ready” in terms of our relationship with Christ: service as a LEO does not give us a “get out of jail free card” from hell. Our loving Savior is perfectly clear: HE is the only way in. Are you ready? Do you know Him? See http://www.pofci.org/knowJesus.htm to learn what it means to trust Christ as your Savior and KNOW where you will spend eternity.
LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERSHIP:
Those who follow my blogs and attend our Bible studies will recall the series I did last year on Christian LE leadership. I recently had the pleasure of attending a law enforcement leadership seminar taught by former LEO Dr. Jack Enter, Ph.D. I’ll have more on this in an upcoming newsletter and on the website but I emphatically recommend his outstanding class. Jack is strong Believer (He gives credit to Christ in the dedication of his book on law enforcement leadership: Challenging the Law Enforcement Organization – Proactive Leadership Strategies) and his presentations are a must for anyone in our profession who seeks to be an effective leader. That Jack could double as a stand-up comic is an added plus (he’s hilarious). As I’ve said in the past, we all know that the real stress in our profession comes not from what we deal with on the street but rather from poor leadership within. Learn more from http://www.jackenter.com/. Thanks to Chief Dave Gottschalk for sending me!
REVIEW OF “The Shack:”
Given the book’s popularity, I’ve had quite a few questions about The Shack (Yes, cops can and do read from time-to-time!!). In brief, let me just say that I cannot in good conscience recommend this book to ANYONE. Quite simply, the “god” of The Shack is most certainly NOT the God of the Bible (heresy). I’ve included the following trustworthy and authoritative apologetic reviews on the book and encourage you to inform yourselves and therefore be able to defend our faith: http://www.insight.org/site/PageServer?pagename=shack and http://www.calvarycsd.org/resources.php?p=87#k87.
PRAYER REQUESTS (as always, send me your prayer requests or, better yet, come join us on Saturday so we can pray for and with you).
(1) Please pray for the families and colleagues of slain officers Greg Thompson and Rodney Morales.
(2) Pray for two local LEOs who are trying to get on with agencies in California (God’s will, provision, etc.).
(3) Continue to pray for a colleague who is dealing with some very tough issues reference his family and finances.
(4) Pray for an Arapahoe County deputy who suddenly lost his mother earlier this week.
(5) Pray for an officer who is in the midst of a deep depression.
(6) Pray for a local officer and his family who are grieving over the suicide of a young family member.
(7) Keep this ministry in your prayers and yes, hold me accountable!
Remember to help us get the “WORD” out by passing on our newsletters and website “411” to others. Hope to see you (locals) Saturday morning!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Colorado Officer Dies in Line of Duty
In case you have not heard, Eagle County (Colorado) Sheriff's Sgt. Gregory Thompson died Saturday from complications stemming from a line-of-duty incident. While full details have not yet been released, I have learned that Greg became extremely ill after responding to a report of a suicidal party and, while investigating same, found himself in a full-blown active meth lab. The exposure ultimately proved fatal (and a most unpleasant way to go).
Folks, I should not need to remind you that dealing with meth, meth labs, cookers, addicts, etc. is EXTREMELY dangerous. We are only now starting to realize the long-term effects of meth exposure (I'll have more on this later).
Finally, the media, public and (sadly) some in our own profession will no doubt paint Greg's death as being somehow less heroic (and thus less worthy of attending) than if he had been shot or stabbed. That is complete HOGWASH and must stop. Good officers are all-too-often succombing to the long and short-term effects of what deal with on the street. Their sacrifice is NO LESS honorable (and often far more painful and long-term) than sudden death incidents. PLEASE be careful and remember that officer safety means far more than just watching a suspect(s).
I'll have more on this later and plan to attend the funeral on Saturday. Until then, please keep Greg's family and LEO brothers and sisters in your prayers.
(Thanks to FPD Chief Gottschalk for bringing this to my attention last night).
Folks, I should not need to remind you that dealing with meth, meth labs, cookers, addicts, etc. is EXTREMELY dangerous. We are only now starting to realize the long-term effects of meth exposure (I'll have more on this later).
Finally, the media, public and (sadly) some in our own profession will no doubt paint Greg's death as being somehow less heroic (and thus less worthy of attending) than if he had been shot or stabbed. That is complete HOGWASH and must stop. Good officers are all-too-often succombing to the long and short-term effects of what deal with on the street. Their sacrifice is NO LESS honorable (and often far more painful and long-term) than sudden death incidents. PLEASE be careful and remember that officer safety means far more than just watching a suspect(s).
I'll have more on this later and plan to attend the funeral on Saturday. Until then, please keep Greg's family and LEO brothers and sisters in your prayers.
(Thanks to FPD Chief Gottschalk for bringing this to my attention last night).
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Cops & God's "300" (Part 2)
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
First off (for my locals), there will be NO MEETING this week due to duty and training requirements. Deputy Art Briles was going to teach in my stead but he too has been called to work this Saturday morning. I was considering holding the meeting this Thursday but figured those who attend regularly could use a break. We’ll pick it back up on Saturday, November 22nd.
That said, we had a terrific study last Saturday on the subject of “God’s 300” (Judges 7). So how does the story of Gideon and his 300 God-chosen warriors routing a Midianite army apply to EVERY Christian (and LEOs in particular) today? God literally used a man (Gideon) hiding in a wheat field and terrified of an oppressive enemy to become one His greatest examples of what it means to trust Him in all we do. Hebrews 11 tells us, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”
Gideon’s story can become OUR story when we realize that the key to victory in any circumstance of life is not the dissolution of the problem we face but relying on God’s Spirit to help us through any challenge we are experiencing. Our victory over adversity can be the same as Gideon's by following these three steps:
(1) Focus on God’s Word: Ephesians 6:17-18
(2) Resist sin: James 4:7-8
(3) Rely on God’s Spirit: Romans 8:12-13
The world’s solution – and our solution as LEOs -- is to all-too-often rely on our own efforts via superior training, conditioning and experience. But God’s perfect solution is that we rely (trust) on the One who can help you overcome the greatest fears and enemies in your life. Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
This story also tells us that God is looking for “a few good men” who will sacrifice and STAND for Him. Is that you? Are you going forward spiritually? Time will tell whether you are a true follower of Jesus Christ. With all that is happening in the world today, understand that your test will be on a battlefield and not in a church. How will you hold up when difficulties and persecution come (and it IS coming)? God is looking for men and women to enlist in HIS army – His devine SWAT team. Are you ready to stand in the gap for Christ?
POLICE FACEBOOK:
While I certainly can’t recommend all the links, Police Facebook is up and running and has LOTS of Christian law enforcement resources (including ours). Check it out at www.policefacebook.com.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
(1) In keeping with the above them, please continue to be “on your knees” for our country and those who lead/will be leading us. Remember our brothers and sisters serving overseas as well.
(2) Thanks to those who prayed for me last week: I’m feeling much better.
(3) Pray for this and similar ministries as we continue to reach our fellow LEOs for Christ and make an impact in reducing divorce, depression, officer suicide, and more.
(4) Some weeks ago I wrote about the murder-suicide of two local officers after a child abuse charge was laid against them. There is now more on this and it’s disturbing. I noted that the local media did not bother to highlight the investigative error and the deaths that followed in the same manner as they first reported this case. Regardless, autopsy results indicate that the child had NOT been abused as originally reported but rather suffered from a congenital defect that prevents muscles from properly developing. The lesson here is that we need to be super-diligent in the way we conduct investigations to ensure that we get the TRUTH and not just arrests or convictions. This whole situation is incredibly tragic. Please keep the surviving families in your prayers.
(5) Finally, please continue to pray for the family of a Colorado Chief of Police who took his own life early this year. There is still a great deal of pain and discord that likely needs His intervention to bring about healing.
Remember to help us get the “WORD” out by passing on our newsletters and website “411” to others. Stay safe out there and let’s take care of each other!
First off (for my locals), there will be NO MEETING this week due to duty and training requirements. Deputy Art Briles was going to teach in my stead but he too has been called to work this Saturday morning. I was considering holding the meeting this Thursday but figured those who attend regularly could use a break. We’ll pick it back up on Saturday, November 22nd.
That said, we had a terrific study last Saturday on the subject of “God’s 300” (Judges 7). So how does the story of Gideon and his 300 God-chosen warriors routing a Midianite army apply to EVERY Christian (and LEOs in particular) today? God literally used a man (Gideon) hiding in a wheat field and terrified of an oppressive enemy to become one His greatest examples of what it means to trust Him in all we do. Hebrews 11 tells us, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”
Gideon’s story can become OUR story when we realize that the key to victory in any circumstance of life is not the dissolution of the problem we face but relying on God’s Spirit to help us through any challenge we are experiencing. Our victory over adversity can be the same as Gideon's by following these three steps:
(1) Focus on God’s Word: Ephesians 6:17-18
(2) Resist sin: James 4:7-8
(3) Rely on God’s Spirit: Romans 8:12-13
The world’s solution – and our solution as LEOs -- is to all-too-often rely on our own efforts via superior training, conditioning and experience. But God’s perfect solution is that we rely (trust) on the One who can help you overcome the greatest fears and enemies in your life. Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
This story also tells us that God is looking for “a few good men” who will sacrifice and STAND for Him. Is that you? Are you going forward spiritually? Time will tell whether you are a true follower of Jesus Christ. With all that is happening in the world today, understand that your test will be on a battlefield and not in a church. How will you hold up when difficulties and persecution come (and it IS coming)? God is looking for men and women to enlist in HIS army – His devine SWAT team. Are you ready to stand in the gap for Christ?
POLICE FACEBOOK:
While I certainly can’t recommend all the links, Police Facebook is up and running and has LOTS of Christian law enforcement resources (including ours). Check it out at www.policefacebook.com.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
(1) In keeping with the above them, please continue to be “on your knees” for our country and those who lead/will be leading us. Remember our brothers and sisters serving overseas as well.
(2) Thanks to those who prayed for me last week: I’m feeling much better.
(3) Pray for this and similar ministries as we continue to reach our fellow LEOs for Christ and make an impact in reducing divorce, depression, officer suicide, and more.
(4) Some weeks ago I wrote about the murder-suicide of two local officers after a child abuse charge was laid against them. There is now more on this and it’s disturbing. I noted that the local media did not bother to highlight the investigative error and the deaths that followed in the same manner as they first reported this case. Regardless, autopsy results indicate that the child had NOT been abused as originally reported but rather suffered from a congenital defect that prevents muscles from properly developing. The lesson here is that we need to be super-diligent in the way we conduct investigations to ensure that we get the TRUTH and not just arrests or convictions. This whole situation is incredibly tragic. Please keep the surviving families in your prayers.
(5) Finally, please continue to pray for the family of a Colorado Chief of Police who took his own life early this year. There is still a great deal of pain and discord that likely needs His intervention to bring about healing.
Remember to help us get the “WORD” out by passing on our newsletters and website “411” to others. Stay safe out there and let’s take care of each other!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
