Fellow Servant-Warriors:
We had a great time at our group "movie event" last week viewing the powerful new film Act of Valor. As stated previously, this is NOT a "Christian" film nor does it have an overtly "Christian" message in the line of Courageous (Now out on DVD and Blu-Ray, by the way!). However, as I pointed out in the recap to my Life of Valor study a couple of weeks ago, the movie's powerful message and subject matter IS a great "hook" to reach unsaved officers and combat military personnel/vets who might not otherwise go see a film like Courageous. Accordingly, we are urging you to use this "hook" as an op to share Christ with those who do not know Him as Savior have otherwise "fallen away."
The difference between "man's view (Act of Valor) vs. God's view (Courageous) is HUGE and is powerfully expressed in Scripture: true and lasting victory comes not by man's valor, strength or skills but rather by trusting in God -- the greatest warrior -- to lead us into battle and defeat our (His) enemies for by His power as opposed to leaning on your own (Zechariah 4:6).
Take the time to review and apply my "A Life of Valor" teaching (found in the Feb. 29th post on our website) on this subject along with the great resources put together by Christian SEALs Jeff Bramstedt and Clint Bruce on their Life of Valor website.
______________________________________________
Today's "Armor for Cops:" Trading Complacency for Expectation
Georgia State Trooper-turned-minister Brian Stewart is the Director of Simple Message Ministries and puts out a terrific email devotional called Daily Armor for Cops (get signed-up). Inasmuch as we didn't have a regular meeting/Bible study last week, I am taking the opportunity to share one of Brian's messages from early this month.
Trading Complacency for Expectation
2 Peter 3:1-4
"A rookie fresh out of the academy and eager to hit the street usually doesn't have to be reminded to beware of danger. As I remember my rookie days I was always on alert, always wore my vest, and anticipated trouble on every traffic stop, domestic, and alarm call. However, as the years passed by I found that it took more focus to keep myself alert to danger and prevent complacency from setting in. As you look around your department chances are that you see other LEOs who have gradually given in to complacency, and without them realizing it they have taken on a deadly "it will never happen to me" attitude. Many times it is also these same LEOs who tease the ones that are mentally prepared and make fun of their tactics. I'm not throwing rocks at these guys because I have probably been on both sides of the fence at different times in my career, however, I think we all have to admit that we need to be ready at all times because we never know when things are going "south."
Just like we need to be prepared on the job, in a much more urgent way we also need to be prepared for our Lord's return. The topic of Christ's return is one that draws sharp criticism and mocking from many who don't believe. In today's text Peter addresses this and also exposes the argument that many scoffers use: that since He has not come back after all this time, why should we believe that He will return in the future. The truth is that "He is not slack concerning his promise" (2 Peter 3:9), and that He WILL return as He said. For this reason it is critical that we maintain a heightened awareness and keep ourselves prepared at all times. As long as we are clothed in this flesh we are prone to mistakes, but our greatest fear should be that we would grow complacent and begin living in such a way that we are ashamed when we see our Lord face to face.
Peter reminds us in verses 8-9 of this chapter that a day is the same as a thousand years with God, and that His delay is a demonstration of His desire for all to come to repentance. However, Peter quickly follows this up in verse 10 by saying "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night" which indicates the surprise of His return. Are you prepared for that day? It could happen any moment, and the single most important factor that we need to have settled beforehand is that we have repented of our sins and placed our faith in Him as Lord and Savior. [see below for more]
Finally, the next most important factor is to make sure that we have used this life He gave us in such a way that we are not ashamed, but have instead brought Him glory and honor."
Well said, Brian! So where are YOU at? Are you complacent or are you in rapt expectation of what is to come? If you've never settled that "single most important factor," then Brian and I both urge you to do so today. Click here to learn how.
______________________________________________
News, Prayer Requests & Announcements...
...are posted on our website and updated regularly. This newsletter will also be re-posted on both our website and Facebook pages.
Please respond to God's COMMAND ("The Great Commission" -- not "suggestion") to share the Good News of the Gospel by passing on our newsletters and emails, inviting a colleague to church or a police Bible study in your area, taking them to lunch or -- as stated above -- to see a warrior-relevant film like Act of Valor. Since it's now out on video, we also strongly suggest passing along the Courageous DVD or other resource available via the Courageous website.
This week (Thursday, March 15th) I'll be teaching a powerful, profession-relevant message at Calvary Chapel AURORA based on our signature passage from Romans 13:1-7. Entitled "God, Cops & the Military," this study will provide you with the biblical foundation for our God-ordained profession(s). It will also help our "civilian" spouses, family members and others understand the unique call our TRUE "Commander and Chief" (the Lord -- not an elected politician) has given us. As always, I'll provide a detailed RECAP in next week's newsletter for our world-wide readership that you can adapt and use in your own devotions and studies. Stay tuned!
Finally, don't forget that Denver PD Officer Rob Parks will be sharing his testimony and a special message on police marriages next week at our March 22nd meeting at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. Please bring your spouse and join us if you're in the area. I'll of course post a recap of Rob's message in the following week's newsletter for everyone else around the world.
Training Tip: Check out the articles and resources at LawOfficer.com
____________________________________________
That's a wrap for this week -- time to "10-8" and get back in the fight. Don't forget to exercise solid officer safety out there while at the same time being bold, radical followers of Christ our Captain. As always, please feel free to contact me at thecenturionministry@yahoo.com if I can be of service.
Det. Sgt. & Chaplain M.C. Williams
Director, The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
Vice President, Fellowship of Christiain Peace Officers - USA
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Prayer Request Update and Meeting Reminder
UPDATED 03/16/2012
Just a quick reminder to check out the updated Feb. 27th and 21st prayer request posts...and then join us in praying for our own.
** Pray for a chief's family member who is suffering from kidney disease.
** Family members of one of my locals here in Denver are dealing with a plethora of health issues. Please keep them (and her) in prayer.
** FCPO Pres. Paul Lee writes,
Dear Saints,
We just received a prayer request from one of our members (Edwin Duncan) in Houston, Texas asking for prayer for his Lieutenant’s wife who just found out she has cancer. Her name is Laura Carlyle and her husband is with the Roman Forest PD.
Please take a moment and stop what you are doing and pray for Laura Carlyle and her family.
Also please keep our 11th Annual FCPO/Sgt. John Baker Golf Tournament in your prayers. Once again let me encourage each FCPO Chapter to be a $100.00 hole sponsor. We will place a sign on the golf course advertising your chapter to all the players. Your $100.00 donation goes to the FCPO/USA National Ministry. The tournament is March 30, 2012 so please let us know if you plan to be part of this National Fund Raiser for FCPO.
Personal donations are welcomed also and are 100% tax deductible. Email me (thecenturionministry@yahoo.com) or the FCPO home office (fcpo@fcpo.org) for more info or to obtain a copy of the brochure.
** Lt. Kermit Stokes with the Georgia State Patrol sends the following concerning a Tennessee trooper:
A Tennessee trooper was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer last night. Sgt Lowell Russell is from the Knoxville district. I am told that he has a brain bleed, fractured skull, broken neck, broken back, and second degree burns. The doctors say that he is registering brain activity and that is a definite good sign. Please keep this fellow Trooper in your prayers.
** Please pray for the family and officers of Alma (CO) Police Chief Charles "Mac" MacTaggart who passed away suddenly last week. I attended his funeral today and it served as yet another reminder that we must have an sense of urgency in both being right with God ourselves and in sharing his love and plan with our fellow servant-warriors. Mac was only 55.
** We saw Act of Valor as a group last Thursday and I'm again convicted that we need to be in prayer for our active duty and veteran military brothers and sisters.
REMINDER for my Denver-area regulars and visitors: Don't forget that we'll be in AURORA (Calvary Chapel Aurora) this week. See the meeting schedules (left side of this website) for more.
Just a quick reminder to check out the updated Feb. 27th and 21st prayer request posts...and then join us in praying for our own.
** Pray for a chief's family member who is suffering from kidney disease.
** Family members of one of my locals here in Denver are dealing with a plethora of health issues. Please keep them (and her) in prayer.
** FCPO Pres. Paul Lee writes,
Dear Saints,
We just received a prayer request from one of our members (Edwin Duncan) in Houston, Texas asking for prayer for his Lieutenant’s wife who just found out she has cancer. Her name is Laura Carlyle and her husband is with the Roman Forest PD.
Please take a moment and stop what you are doing and pray for Laura Carlyle and her family.
Also please keep our 11th Annual FCPO/Sgt. John Baker Golf Tournament in your prayers. Once again let me encourage each FCPO Chapter to be a $100.00 hole sponsor. We will place a sign on the golf course advertising your chapter to all the players. Your $100.00 donation goes to the FCPO/USA National Ministry. The tournament is March 30, 2012 so please let us know if you plan to be part of this National Fund Raiser for FCPO.
Personal donations are welcomed also and are 100% tax deductible. Email me (thecenturionministry@yahoo.com) or the FCPO home office (fcpo@fcpo.org) for more info or to obtain a copy of the brochure.
** Lt. Kermit Stokes with the Georgia State Patrol sends the following concerning a Tennessee trooper:
A Tennessee trooper was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer last night. Sgt Lowell Russell is from the Knoxville district. I am told that he has a brain bleed, fractured skull, broken neck, broken back, and second degree burns. The doctors say that he is registering brain activity and that is a definite good sign. Please keep this fellow Trooper in your prayers.
** Please pray for the family and officers of Alma (CO) Police Chief Charles "Mac" MacTaggart who passed away suddenly last week. I attended his funeral today and it served as yet another reminder that we must have an sense of urgency in both being right with God ourselves and in sharing his love and plan with our fellow servant-warriors. Mac was only 55.
** We saw Act of Valor as a group last Thursday and I'm again convicted that we need to be in prayer for our active duty and veteran military brothers and sisters.
REMINDER for my Denver-area regulars and visitors: Don't forget that we'll be in AURORA (Calvary Chapel Aurora) this week. See the meeting schedules (left side of this website) for more.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Annual FCPO/Sgt. John Baker Golf Classic
FCPO President Paul Lee asked me to post this ref. our annual national fundraiser for the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers. My FCPO chapter (#217) and The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry have contributed to this year's fundraiser as well. Please consider joining us in this worthy endeavor.
Paul writes,
"The 11th Annual 2012 FCPO/Sgt. John Baker Memorial Golf Classic will be held March 30, 2012 in Chattanooga, TN (Brochure: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wApdCeZ68_REtGa2NpVFNRTy1mUmZUR3NjVlRHQQ/edit?pli=1 online).
This tournament is organized by the FCPO Chattanooga Chapter #121. The very first tournament was held for FCPO member and Chattanooga PD Sgt. John Baker and his family. John was suffering from inoperable cancer and the tournament provided much-needed funds to help his family with their bills. Starting this year we will also be honoring another FCPO member, CPD Sgt. Tim Chapin. Tim played in all ten FCPO tournaments, including our last one on Friday April 1, 2011. Sadly on Saturday April 2, 2011 Tim was killed in a gun battle with an armed robber. These are just two examples of why the FCPO national ministry is so important. As Christ followers we are "there" not only for each other here in Tennessee, but for also for all our brothers and sisters throughout the country.
The Chattanooga Chapter has continued this tournament for the last ten years in John's honor. 2012 will mark a new chapter in the tournament's history as we add Sgt. Tim Chapin to the honoree's in this National FCPO-USA fundraiser. Ninety percent of all local proceeds will be donated to the FCPO-USA National Ministry to aid in reaching law enforcement across the United States for the cause of Christ. The remaining ten percent of all local proceeds will be used by the Chattanooga Chapter to minister to law enforcement and people in their area.
Again, it is very important to note that 100% of proceeds received from FCPO Chapters and members outside the Chattanooga/Hamilton County area will go directly to the FCPO-USA National Ministry. No amount of these proceeds will be kept by the local chapter.
As National President I encourage every FCPO Chapter across the country to be a $100.00 hole sponsor in support the National FCPO outreach. You will have a hole sign advertising your Chapter placed on the course. It is so wonderful to see signs advertising so many different FCPO Chapters across the nation. The Chattanooga Chapter is leading the way by purchasing their hole sign already. Please help keep this most needed ministry going. Please contact the National Office (www.FCPO.org) with any questions.
God bless,
Paul Lee (Retired Captain, Chattanooga PD)
President, FCPO-USA
Paul writes,
"The 11th Annual 2012 FCPO/Sgt. John Baker Memorial Golf Classic will be held March 30, 2012 in Chattanooga, TN (Brochure: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wApdCeZ68_REtGa2NpVFNRTy1mUmZUR3NjVlRHQQ/edit?pli=1 online).
This tournament is organized by the FCPO Chattanooga Chapter #121. The very first tournament was held for FCPO member and Chattanooga PD Sgt. John Baker and his family. John was suffering from inoperable cancer and the tournament provided much-needed funds to help his family with their bills. Starting this year we will also be honoring another FCPO member, CPD Sgt. Tim Chapin. Tim played in all ten FCPO tournaments, including our last one on Friday April 1, 2011. Sadly on Saturday April 2, 2011 Tim was killed in a gun battle with an armed robber. These are just two examples of why the FCPO national ministry is so important. As Christ followers we are "there" not only for each other here in Tennessee, but for also for all our brothers and sisters throughout the country.
The Chattanooga Chapter has continued this tournament for the last ten years in John's honor. 2012 will mark a new chapter in the tournament's history as we add Sgt. Tim Chapin to the honoree's in this National FCPO-USA fundraiser. Ninety percent of all local proceeds will be donated to the FCPO-USA National Ministry to aid in reaching law enforcement across the United States for the cause of Christ. The remaining ten percent of all local proceeds will be used by the Chattanooga Chapter to minister to law enforcement and people in their area.
Again, it is very important to note that 100% of proceeds received from FCPO Chapters and members outside the Chattanooga/Hamilton County area will go directly to the FCPO-USA National Ministry. No amount of these proceeds will be kept by the local chapter.
As National President I encourage every FCPO Chapter across the country to be a $100.00 hole sponsor in support the National FCPO outreach. You will have a hole sign advertising your Chapter placed on the course. It is so wonderful to see signs advertising so many different FCPO Chapters across the nation. The Chattanooga Chapter is leading the way by purchasing their hole sign already. Please help keep this most needed ministry going. Please contact the National Office (www.FCPO.org) with any questions.
God bless,
Paul Lee (Retired Captain, Chattanooga PD)
President, FCPO-USA
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
"Act of Valor" Event! TCLEM/FCPO-Denver Newsletter
We had an outstanding time of fellowship, prayer and profession-relevant Bible study at last week's Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry & FCPO-Denver "Cop Church" meeting. Our own Jim Wattles led an very interactive and thought-provoking message that he entitled "Expected Virtues." As always, I've posted the recap below and encourage you to adapt it to your own devotions and studies.
This week's "meeting" will be a group event to see the new movie, Act of Valor. If you're in the south Denver area, please consider joining us for the 6:45 PM showing at the AMC Highlands Ranch 24 theater just south of C-470 and Broadway (103 W Centennial Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO). We'll meet at 6:15 inside the main entrance at the bottom of the escalator.
For everyone else around the country, we're encouraging you to see this movie with your spouse, a fellow officer, service member and/or your those in your local fellowship. As stated previously, this is NOT a "Christian" film but, as detailed in last week's newsletter, it DOES serve as a "hook" for that officer or military brother/sister who may not know Christ as Savior and would not otherwise see a movie like Courageous: it opens a door for you to share!
As I reported last week, two former Navy SEALs have formed a companion website to Act of Valor called Life of Valor (www.lifeofvalor.com) that DOES have a powerful biblical message. Accordingly, review their site, last week's newsletter for more.
Message RECAP: A Cop's "Expected Virtues"
Here is Jim's recap from last week's message:
What is your reputation? What are your personal virtues? Do you sometimes feel like there is too much expected of you to the point that you find yourself asking, "Who do they think I am...some sort of superhuman?"
Cops are "expected" to carry out duties that quite literally come from real-life biblical figures. Among just a few of those things cops are "expected" to have are the:
* Strength of Samson
* Wisdom of Solomon
* Patience of Job
* Aim of David
* Leadership skills of Moses
* Foresight of Noah
* Honesty of Jesus
* Mercy of God.
A cop's reputation may be both favorable and unfavorable, depending on who is expressing their opinion. Our reputation is most generally decided by how we are viewed in terms of our character, honesty, reliability, strengths, weaknesses and achievements. Most of those character traits are developed by one's personal virtues, or moral character. Cops are "expected" to possess the highest of moral standards as they carry out their duties but most of us fall far short of the ideal. However, the "Good News" -- especially for the Christian officer -- is that many of these virtues can be learned and improved upon.
Simon Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:5-7, But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. The first thing Peter tells us to add to our faith is virtue -- an essential trait in making us more effective in living like Christ. Pastor Charles Spurgeon said, "The two most important things in our holy religion are faith and life." He added there is "an intimate connection" between the two and "they shouldn't be severed; God hath so joined them."
Does your reputation and "expected virtues" differ within the ranks of your fellow officers and those held among members of you family, your church and the community where you serve? Yes they do. Many officers who enjoy a great reputation and are considered to be virtuous by their fellow officers, family and church may have quite a different reputation among those in the community they serve in that the latter may see us as hateful, prejudicial, brutal, unforgiving, lying or just generally untrustworthy. This reputation is often the result of one or more incidents of cops using offensive language, losing their temper or displaying otherwise improper behavior, which then becomes the generalized reputation of officers everywhere. Do we as LEOs sometimes abuse the powers given to us by God as revealed in Romans 13:1-7? While God has been given us the authority to take a life, liberty and property, that authority sometimes be abused.
When most of us were sworn in, we took an oath, placed our hand on a Bible (?) and may have repeated the words, "So help me God." Romans 13:1-7 reveals that even if those four words are omitted and the Bible no longer present, we were still making a promise to God along with the responsibility to honor that promise.
Whether you view your law enforcement position as a "calling" or just a job, we all need to realize that we are under the watchful eyes of God, those of our fellow officers, our families and the citizens we serve. Go back to the advice of Simon Peter and ask the Holy Spirit to help you to improve your faith, moral excellence (virtue), knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, kindness and love. Watch how your life and the lives of others will change around you. See if it doesn't make your life more effective and useful to Him, to the citizens you serve and to the family you provide for. Serving as a Christian officers is by no means easy but stay encouraged by Galatians 6:9 -- And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
I would add the following to Jim's final line: for the believer, we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
The latest PRAYER REQUESTS, announcements, local meeting schedules and more are posted here on our website and updated regularly. This newsletter will also be posted on our Facebook pages. Please respond to God's COMMAND ("The Great Commission") to share the "Good News" of the Gospel by passing-on these newsletters, inviting a colleague to church or a police Bible study in your area, or -- as stated above -- taking them to see a warrior-relevant film like Act of Valor and then using it as a "tactical op" to share God's love and plan for their lives.
-- Next week (Thursday, March 15th) I'll be teaching a powerful, profession-relevant message at Calvary Aurora based on our signature passage from Romans 13:1-7. Stay tuned for details in next week's newsletter that will also include a great short devotional, news and more for all our fellow officers around the world.
-- Finally, Denver PD Officer Rob Parks will be sharing his testimony and a special message about police marriage at our March 22nd meeting. Please bring your spouse and join us if you're in the area. I'll of course post a recap of Rob's message in the following week's newsletter for everyone else around the world.
That's it for this week folks. Let's exercise solid officer safety out there while at the same time being bold, radical followers of Christ our Captain. As always, please feel free to contact me at thecenturionministry@yahoo.com if I can be of service.
Det. Sgt. & Chaplain M.C. Williams
Director, The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
Vice President, Fellowship of Christiain Peace Officers - USA
This week's "meeting" will be a group event to see the new movie, Act of Valor. If you're in the south Denver area, please consider joining us for the 6:45 PM showing at the AMC Highlands Ranch 24 theater just south of C-470 and Broadway (103 W Centennial Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO). We'll meet at 6:15 inside the main entrance at the bottom of the escalator.
For everyone else around the country, we're encouraging you to see this movie with your spouse, a fellow officer, service member and/or your those in your local fellowship. As stated previously, this is NOT a "Christian" film but, as detailed in last week's newsletter, it DOES serve as a "hook" for that officer or military brother/sister who may not know Christ as Savior and would not otherwise see a movie like Courageous: it opens a door for you to share!
As I reported last week, two former Navy SEALs have formed a companion website to Act of Valor called Life of Valor (www.lifeofvalor.com) that DOES have a powerful biblical message. Accordingly, review their site, last week's newsletter for more.
Message RECAP: A Cop's "Expected Virtues"
Here is Jim's recap from last week's message:
What is your reputation? What are your personal virtues? Do you sometimes feel like there is too much expected of you to the point that you find yourself asking, "Who do they think I am...some sort of superhuman?"
Cops are "expected" to carry out duties that quite literally come from real-life biblical figures. Among just a few of those things cops are "expected" to have are the:
* Strength of Samson
* Wisdom of Solomon
* Patience of Job
* Aim of David
* Leadership skills of Moses
* Foresight of Noah
* Honesty of Jesus
* Mercy of God.
A cop's reputation may be both favorable and unfavorable, depending on who is expressing their opinion. Our reputation is most generally decided by how we are viewed in terms of our character, honesty, reliability, strengths, weaknesses and achievements. Most of those character traits are developed by one's personal virtues, or moral character. Cops are "expected" to possess the highest of moral standards as they carry out their duties but most of us fall far short of the ideal. However, the "Good News" -- especially for the Christian officer -- is that many of these virtues can be learned and improved upon.
Simon Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:5-7, But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. The first thing Peter tells us to add to our faith is virtue -- an essential trait in making us more effective in living like Christ. Pastor Charles Spurgeon said, "The two most important things in our holy religion are faith and life." He added there is "an intimate connection" between the two and "they shouldn't be severed; God hath so joined them."
Does your reputation and "expected virtues" differ within the ranks of your fellow officers and those held among members of you family, your church and the community where you serve? Yes they do. Many officers who enjoy a great reputation and are considered to be virtuous by their fellow officers, family and church may have quite a different reputation among those in the community they serve in that the latter may see us as hateful, prejudicial, brutal, unforgiving, lying or just generally untrustworthy. This reputation is often the result of one or more incidents of cops using offensive language, losing their temper or displaying otherwise improper behavior, which then becomes the generalized reputation of officers everywhere. Do we as LEOs sometimes abuse the powers given to us by God as revealed in Romans 13:1-7? While God has been given us the authority to take a life, liberty and property, that authority sometimes be abused.
When most of us were sworn in, we took an oath, placed our hand on a Bible (?) and may have repeated the words, "So help me God." Romans 13:1-7 reveals that even if those four words are omitted and the Bible no longer present, we were still making a promise to God along with the responsibility to honor that promise.
Whether you view your law enforcement position as a "calling" or just a job, we all need to realize that we are under the watchful eyes of God, those of our fellow officers, our families and the citizens we serve. Go back to the advice of Simon Peter and ask the Holy Spirit to help you to improve your faith, moral excellence (virtue), knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, kindness and love. Watch how your life and the lives of others will change around you. See if it doesn't make your life more effective and useful to Him, to the citizens you serve and to the family you provide for. Serving as a Christian officers is by no means easy but stay encouraged by Galatians 6:9 -- And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
I would add the following to Jim's final line: for the believer, we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
The latest PRAYER REQUESTS, announcements, local meeting schedules and more are posted here on our website and updated regularly. This newsletter will also be posted on our Facebook pages. Please respond to God's COMMAND ("The Great Commission") to share the "Good News" of the Gospel by passing-on these newsletters, inviting a colleague to church or a police Bible study in your area, or -- as stated above -- taking them to see a warrior-relevant film like Act of Valor and then using it as a "tactical op" to share God's love and plan for their lives.
-- Next week (Thursday, March 15th) I'll be teaching a powerful, profession-relevant message at Calvary Aurora based on our signature passage from Romans 13:1-7. Stay tuned for details in next week's newsletter that will also include a great short devotional, news and more for all our fellow officers around the world.
-- Finally, Denver PD Officer Rob Parks will be sharing his testimony and a special message about police marriage at our March 22nd meeting. Please bring your spouse and join us if you're in the area. I'll of course post a recap of Rob's message in the following week's newsletter for everyone else around the world.
That's it for this week folks. Let's exercise solid officer safety out there while at the same time being bold, radical followers of Christ our Captain. As always, please feel free to contact me at thecenturionministry@yahoo.com if I can be of service.
Det. Sgt. & Chaplain M.C. Williams
Director, The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
Vice President, Fellowship of Christiain Peace Officers - USA
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
A Cop's "Expected Virtues"
Fellow Sheepdogs and Supporters:
We had yet another powerful time of servant-warrior fellowship, prayer and profession-relevant Bible study as I taught on what it means to live "A Life of Valor." As stated previously, the inspiration for this study was the new film Act of Valor that opened last Friday. Now to be clear, this is definitely NOT a "Christian" film but is nevertheless being recommended -- albeit with some reservations -- by a number of respected Christian groups because there are a plethora of "teachable moments" for us. Moreover the film is a "hook" for the Christian officer/military personnel to share God's truth's with our unsaved and "fence-riding" colleagues. See my RECAP (below) for the details!
This Thursday, March 1st, our own Jim Wattles (retired Denver PD detective and Colorado State Investigator-turned-chaplain with the Colorado State Patrol) will be teaching a message he's entitled "Expected Virtues." What the Holy Spirit has led Jim to share has tremendous applicability to both what we do as cops AND in our Christian "walk" in general. If you're in the Denver area, please join us starting at 7 PM at Calvary South Denver in Littleton and don't forget to bring your spouse, a friend and/or a colleague. I'll of course post a detailed recap of Jim's message in next week's newsletter for our world-wide readership - stay tuned! As always, I encourage you to adapt the teachings to your own devotions and group studies.
Speaking of recaps, don't forget that I always share this newsletter on our FACEBOOK pages (scroll down the left side of this website to the links). In addition, don't forget about the latest prayer requests (scroll down), local meeting schedules, national news and announcements, a plethora of terrific resources and so much more. Please check back frequently.
FREE Centurion LE Ministry Apparel!
I'll have a free TCLEM t-shirt (or sweatshirt, caps or polo) along with a plethora of free literature, CDs, etc.) for any officer who attends a meeting (Yes, you gotta show to get one -- let me know your size ahead of time if at all possible.). Scroll down to the pics at the bottom of our website to see an example!
Message Recap: A Life of Valor
Both as peace officers and/or as combat military personnel, the concept of valor carries great meaning with us. That said, one does not have to an elite operator to live a life of valor. In fact, the Bible reveals that God is calling each of His children to be mighty men and women of valor - to live bold, radical, sanctified and victorious lives for Him regardless -- even in spite of -- our circumstances, trials and tribulations.
Let's define the word from a biblical standpoint: both the Hebrew (chayil, pronounced khah'-yil) and the Greek (arete -- ar-et'-ay) words for valor have virtually the same meaning and carry with it significant military/law enforcement connotations to both physical and spiritual warfare. While the Bible uses the word in conjunction with martial might and prowess, it is almost always with the understanding that it is God who provides the strength and power as opposed to man relying on his/her own skills.
The primary passage God gave me for this study is II Samuel 23:8-39 along with a quick re-visit (from recent studies) to Judges 6:11-12.
In the first passage we see who David chose to be his personal Mighty Men of Valor. They included just thirty-seven "elite operators" who would faithfully charge into battle against impossible odds and defend their king until the very end - even "unto death." Were these men perfect? Not by a longshot. However, like the elite Navy SEALs, David's mighty men possessed a sense of loyalty and service that transcended all else in their lives.
An example of this loyalty is found within the events that occurred between King David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11. Bathsheba's husband -- Uriah the Hittite -- was one of David's elite "SEAL Team" members -- one of the aforementioned Mighty Men of Valor. When David attempted to cover up his sin with Bathsheba by bringing Uriah home from the front so that he could sleep with his wife, Uriah showed his loyalty and sense of duty by instead sleeping at the king's door rather than with Bathsheba because he felt it was not right to be with her while his own brothers-at-arms were still in harm's way. Uriah's loyalty, combined with David's sin, ultimately resulted in this mighty man of valor's untimely death.
It is interesting to note that God knows our abilities and talents to be His Mighty Men of Valor prior to us identifying them. In Judges 6:11-12, we find God clearly telling Gideon that he is a mighty man of valor: "The Angel of the Lord (speaking for God) came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites [hiding in fear]. When the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty man of valor."
It is safe to say that Gideon didn't "feel" very mighty or had much valor (or as the New International Version says, mighty warrior) when the Lord gave him his marching orders. On the contrary, just the opposite appears to be true.
So what is the lesson(s) for us here? When we look at scripture in context the picture becomes clear: God's standard for his elite warriors is often very different from "man's" standards and He goes out of His way to insure that His servant-warriors understand that their power, their skills, their "might" and their success all come from Him and not of themselves (II Samuel 22:33 - God is my strength and power... -- KJV).
Part of the SEAL Code is:
•Loyalty to Country, Team and Teammate (you never leave your "swim buddy").
•Serve with Honor and Integrity.
•Ready to Lead, Ready to Follow.
•Never Quit!
•Take Responsibility for your actions and the actions of your teammates.
•Excel as warriors through Discipline and Innovation.
•Train for War, Fight to Win (our training is never complete).
•Defeat our Nation's enemies.
These principles have a correlation in scripture in that God is calling His mighty men of valor -- the Christian peace officer and Christian in general -- to be:
•"All in" in our loyalty and obedience to Him. Being a Christian means giving ALL of ourselves to the Lord.
•We can't go it alone - we are COMMANDED to be part of a team - to be united and strengthened in fellowship (church, our weekly meetings, etc.) with one another. Like a lone SEAL or the officer without cover, the all- alone Christian is a sitting duck for the enemy (for the SEAL, being alone equates with death). Team integrity and unity are absolute essentials.
•Serve Him with honor and integrity with the understanding that we are NEVER "off duty."
•God is calling us to true servant-leadership and true servant-hood (followers of "The Way").
•We too are to never quit (or, to quote Eliot Ness's character in The Untouchables, "Never stop, never stop fighting till the fight is done."). There is a spiritual war raging and we have been given spiritual armor that should never be removed (Ephesians 6:10-20).
•Take responsibility for our sin and seek repentance from the ONLY one who can give it. Be accountable for your own actions and for those of our partners and teammates - both cops and other Christians alike.
•Pursue excellence in all we do for His glory (1 Cor. 10:31 and others).
•Train relentlessly through the study of His Word (the Bible), prayer and Proverbs 27:17 fellowship). Understand that our training will never be complete so long as we have breath.
•Stand firm in the power of the Holy Spirit to defeat our enemy (Satan and his legions) with the conviction that the battle is His (2 Chronicles 20:15 and others) and our victory sure (1 Cor. 15:57-58).
Two former Navy SEALs who are also committed Christians have formed an evolving new companion ministry called Life of Valor (www.lifeofvalor.com) to the Act of Valor film that provides some excellent resources to help you understand "the mission" and call of the Christian servant-warrior. Take the time to check it out, write your code, pray for God's guidance and get in "the fight." With these tools in hand, also pray about seeing this film through a biblical "lens" and then discuss it with your teammates and those in the FCPO chapters or PeaceKeeper Bible study groups in which you serve and lead. This film can in fact serve as a powerful "hook" to share Christ with others. In fact, my FCPO-Denver chapter will be headed "to the movies" on March 8th to do just that!
Again, one does not have to be a SEAL, part of a Special Forces unit, SWAT team or even a regular LEO to have valor. On the contrary, God is calling YOU -- all of us -- to live a life of valor for Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. How? That kind of valor comes only from being in a life-saving/life-changing RELATIONSHIP (not "religion") with God in Christ. Are you ready to be "all in" for the Lord - to be one of His chosen few? Know that Christ Himself is knocking on the "door" of your heart and waiting for you to answer so that you can begin the grandest adventure of all. Scroll down the left side of this website to the links under How Can I Be Saved (aka True "Officer Safety"). Feel free to email me at thecenturionministry@yahoo.com if I can help in any way or to let me know you've made a decision to begin your "training" as one of God's mighty men of valor.
Additional resources? See www.lifeofvalor.com/resources
PRAYER REQUESTS, MEETING SCHEDULES & ANNOUNCEMENTS...
...are posted here on our website and updated regularly. Please take the time to review, pray for one another, and take advantage of the many resources available to you. If you have an announcement, prayer request or praise report, don't hesitate to email me with same.
That's it for this week folks. If you're in the Denver area, join us this Thursday. If not, shoot me and email and let me know how we're doing -- we love hearing from you! Let's stay "frosty" out there yet "cookin" in our walk with Christ.
We had yet another powerful time of servant-warrior fellowship, prayer and profession-relevant Bible study as I taught on what it means to live "A Life of Valor." As stated previously, the inspiration for this study was the new film Act of Valor that opened last Friday. Now to be clear, this is definitely NOT a "Christian" film but is nevertheless being recommended -- albeit with some reservations -- by a number of respected Christian groups because there are a plethora of "teachable moments" for us. Moreover the film is a "hook" for the Christian officer/military personnel to share God's truth's with our unsaved and "fence-riding" colleagues. See my RECAP (below) for the details!
This Thursday, March 1st, our own Jim Wattles (retired Denver PD detective and Colorado State Investigator-turned-chaplain with the Colorado State Patrol) will be teaching a message he's entitled "Expected Virtues." What the Holy Spirit has led Jim to share has tremendous applicability to both what we do as cops AND in our Christian "walk" in general. If you're in the Denver area, please join us starting at 7 PM at Calvary South Denver in Littleton and don't forget to bring your spouse, a friend and/or a colleague. I'll of course post a detailed recap of Jim's message in next week's newsletter for our world-wide readership - stay tuned! As always, I encourage you to adapt the teachings to your own devotions and group studies.
Speaking of recaps, don't forget that I always share this newsletter on our FACEBOOK pages (scroll down the left side of this website to the links). In addition, don't forget about the latest prayer requests (scroll down), local meeting schedules, national news and announcements, a plethora of terrific resources and so much more. Please check back frequently.
FREE Centurion LE Ministry Apparel!
I'll have a free TCLEM t-shirt (or sweatshirt, caps or polo) along with a plethora of free literature, CDs, etc.) for any officer who attends a meeting (Yes, you gotta show to get one -- let me know your size ahead of time if at all possible.). Scroll down to the pics at the bottom of our website to see an example!
Message Recap: A Life of Valor
Both as peace officers and/or as combat military personnel, the concept of valor carries great meaning with us. That said, one does not have to an elite operator to live a life of valor. In fact, the Bible reveals that God is calling each of His children to be mighty men and women of valor - to live bold, radical, sanctified and victorious lives for Him regardless -- even in spite of -- our circumstances, trials and tribulations.
Let's define the word from a biblical standpoint: both the Hebrew (chayil, pronounced khah'-yil) and the Greek (arete -- ar-et'-ay) words for valor have virtually the same meaning and carry with it significant military/law enforcement connotations to both physical and spiritual warfare. While the Bible uses the word in conjunction with martial might and prowess, it is almost always with the understanding that it is God who provides the strength and power as opposed to man relying on his/her own skills.
The primary passage God gave me for this study is II Samuel 23:8-39 along with a quick re-visit (from recent studies) to Judges 6:11-12.
In the first passage we see who David chose to be his personal Mighty Men of Valor. They included just thirty-seven "elite operators" who would faithfully charge into battle against impossible odds and defend their king until the very end - even "unto death." Were these men perfect? Not by a longshot. However, like the elite Navy SEALs, David's mighty men possessed a sense of loyalty and service that transcended all else in their lives.
An example of this loyalty is found within the events that occurred between King David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11. Bathsheba's husband -- Uriah the Hittite -- was one of David's elite "SEAL Team" members -- one of the aforementioned Mighty Men of Valor. When David attempted to cover up his sin with Bathsheba by bringing Uriah home from the front so that he could sleep with his wife, Uriah showed his loyalty and sense of duty by instead sleeping at the king's door rather than with Bathsheba because he felt it was not right to be with her while his own brothers-at-arms were still in harm's way. Uriah's loyalty, combined with David's sin, ultimately resulted in this mighty man of valor's untimely death.
It is interesting to note that God knows our abilities and talents to be His Mighty Men of Valor prior to us identifying them. In Judges 6:11-12, we find God clearly telling Gideon that he is a mighty man of valor: "The Angel of the Lord (speaking for God) came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites [hiding in fear]. When the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty man of valor."
It is safe to say that Gideon didn't "feel" very mighty or had much valor (or as the New International Version says, mighty warrior) when the Lord gave him his marching orders. On the contrary, just the opposite appears to be true.
So what is the lesson(s) for us here? When we look at scripture in context the picture becomes clear: God's standard for his elite warriors is often very different from "man's" standards and He goes out of His way to insure that His servant-warriors understand that their power, their skills, their "might" and their success all come from Him and not of themselves (II Samuel 22:33 - God is my strength and power... -- KJV).
Part of the SEAL Code is:
•Loyalty to Country, Team and Teammate (you never leave your "swim buddy").
•Serve with Honor and Integrity.
•Ready to Lead, Ready to Follow.
•Never Quit!
•Take Responsibility for your actions and the actions of your teammates.
•Excel as warriors through Discipline and Innovation.
•Train for War, Fight to Win (our training is never complete).
•Defeat our Nation's enemies.
These principles have a correlation in scripture in that God is calling His mighty men of valor -- the Christian peace officer and Christian in general -- to be:
•"All in" in our loyalty and obedience to Him. Being a Christian means giving ALL of ourselves to the Lord.
•We can't go it alone - we are COMMANDED to be part of a team - to be united and strengthened in fellowship (church, our weekly meetings, etc.) with one another. Like a lone SEAL or the officer without cover, the all- alone Christian is a sitting duck for the enemy (for the SEAL, being alone equates with death). Team integrity and unity are absolute essentials.
•Serve Him with honor and integrity with the understanding that we are NEVER "off duty."
•God is calling us to true servant-leadership and true servant-hood (followers of "The Way").
•We too are to never quit (or, to quote Eliot Ness's character in The Untouchables, "Never stop, never stop fighting till the fight is done."). There is a spiritual war raging and we have been given spiritual armor that should never be removed (Ephesians 6:10-20).
•Take responsibility for our sin and seek repentance from the ONLY one who can give it. Be accountable for your own actions and for those of our partners and teammates - both cops and other Christians alike.
•Pursue excellence in all we do for His glory (1 Cor. 10:31 and others).
•Train relentlessly through the study of His Word (the Bible), prayer and Proverbs 27:17 fellowship). Understand that our training will never be complete so long as we have breath.
•Stand firm in the power of the Holy Spirit to defeat our enemy (Satan and his legions) with the conviction that the battle is His (2 Chronicles 20:15 and others) and our victory sure (1 Cor. 15:57-58).
Two former Navy SEALs who are also committed Christians have formed an evolving new companion ministry called Life of Valor (www.lifeofvalor.com) to the Act of Valor film that provides some excellent resources to help you understand "the mission" and call of the Christian servant-warrior. Take the time to check it out, write your code, pray for God's guidance and get in "the fight." With these tools in hand, also pray about seeing this film through a biblical "lens" and then discuss it with your teammates and those in the FCPO chapters or PeaceKeeper Bible study groups in which you serve and lead. This film can in fact serve as a powerful "hook" to share Christ with others. In fact, my FCPO-Denver chapter will be headed "to the movies" on March 8th to do just that!
Again, one does not have to be a SEAL, part of a Special Forces unit, SWAT team or even a regular LEO to have valor. On the contrary, God is calling YOU -- all of us -- to live a life of valor for Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. How? That kind of valor comes only from being in a life-saving/life-changing RELATIONSHIP (not "religion") with God in Christ. Are you ready to be "all in" for the Lord - to be one of His chosen few? Know that Christ Himself is knocking on the "door" of your heart and waiting for you to answer so that you can begin the grandest adventure of all. Scroll down the left side of this website to the links under How Can I Be Saved (aka True "Officer Safety"). Feel free to email me at thecenturionministry@yahoo.com if I can help in any way or to let me know you've made a decision to begin your "training" as one of God's mighty men of valor.
Additional resources? See www.lifeofvalor.com/resources
PRAYER REQUESTS, MEETING SCHEDULES & ANNOUNCEMENTS...
...are posted here on our website and updated regularly. Please take the time to review, pray for one another, and take advantage of the many resources available to you. If you have an announcement, prayer request or praise report, don't hesitate to email me with same.
That's it for this week folks. If you're in the Denver area, join us this Thursday. If not, shoot me and email and let me know how we're doing -- we love hearing from you! Let's stay "frosty" out there yet "cookin" in our walk with Christ.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Latest PRAYER REQUESTS
See the February 21st post and those before it (scroll down) for additional...
UPDATED 03/09/2012
** Wounded Mobile (AL) Ofc. Chad Wynne is very much in need of prayer. See http://lawenforcementtoday.com/2012/03/05/mobile-alabama-officer-shot-off-duty/#comment-1111
** Pray for our fellow officers and all those impacted by this latest round of tornado activity in the midwest. Many communities devastated and officers who also lost homes or had major damage are working major hours keeping the peace and assisting.
** Please pray for Denver PD Officer Angela Smith who is hospitalized in serious condition after being crushed between two cars during a stop.
** Pray for an officer who just lost his mother followed close behind by his father's (a former state trooper) death. Our brother is having a tough time...
** Please pray for the officers of the Englewood Police Department who were involved in an OIS last week.
** From our brothers in LA via the FCPO Facebook page:
I'm asking for the FCPO body to please pray for my department (Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office) as we, along with LSP responded to that tragic accident on Tuesday. Four of my friends responded and three went into the water. As you can imagine it's been a difficult challenge for all involved to wrestle with the emotions of whether or not more could have been done. What's more, is that my wife and I attend and serve at church with the aunt and uncle of the little girls that lost their lives. The funeral was held Saturday at our church, The Church in St. Amant. The outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming. The Church had to turn people away from our newly built sanctuary that seats approximately 830 (up from 260). Donations are being accepted at Capital One bank and though I don't readily have the information handy, there's a link on the Gonzales Weekly Citizen's (local paper) website. Thank you in advance for your prayers!
UPDATED 03/09/2012
** Wounded Mobile (AL) Ofc. Chad Wynne is very much in need of prayer. See http://lawenforcementtoday.com/2012/03/05/mobile-alabama-officer-shot-off-duty/#comment-1111
** Pray for our fellow officers and all those impacted by this latest round of tornado activity in the midwest. Many communities devastated and officers who also lost homes or had major damage are working major hours keeping the peace and assisting.
** Please pray for Denver PD Officer Angela Smith who is hospitalized in serious condition after being crushed between two cars during a stop.
** Pray for an officer who just lost his mother followed close behind by his father's (a former state trooper) death. Our brother is having a tough time...
** Please pray for the officers of the Englewood Police Department who were involved in an OIS last week.
** From our brothers in LA via the FCPO Facebook page:
I'm asking for the FCPO body to please pray for my department (Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office) as we, along with LSP responded to that tragic accident on Tuesday. Four of my friends responded and three went into the water. As you can imagine it's been a difficult challenge for all involved to wrestle with the emotions of whether or not more could have been done. What's more, is that my wife and I attend and serve at church with the aunt and uncle of the little girls that lost their lives. The funeral was held Saturday at our church, The Church in St. Amant. The outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming. The Church had to turn people away from our newly built sanctuary that seats approximately 830 (up from 260). Donations are being accepted at Capital One bank and though I don't readily have the information handy, there's a link on the Gonzales Weekly Citizen's (local paper) website. Thank you in advance for your prayers!
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