Dear Servant-Warriors:
What an incredibly busy summer I’m having – and no free days (or nights for that matter) in sight. Thankfully, our heavenly Captain has the helm. That said, here is this week’s newsletter…
Right off, don’t forget (for our locals/visitors), there is NO MEETING tonight as a number of us will be providing protective services for the Joel Rosenberg presentation at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. In addition to being an award-winning/best-selling author, Joel is also a “must-see” speaker. His presentation tonight supports his parents’ ministry – Ministry Architecture. See http://www.calvarycsd.org/, http://www.ministryarchitecture.com/, and/or http://www.joelrosenberg.com/ for more. Hope to see you there.
Speaking of meetings and services, a number of those who attend our weekly "cop church" services (aka "meetings") have also begun attending Calvary South Denver's unique Tuesday Night Dialogue -- aka "TND" (the "dialogue" is with God). Our own Matt Wallenburg has been exceedingly faithful in dragging along a young ICE Agent (Lee) to our meetings for over a year now and to TND of late. Lee is a deep thinker and something of a skeptic who firmly resisted coming to Christ. Well, Tuesday night Lee finally said "yes" to Jesus!!! Praise God Almighty!! I'll have more on this in next week's newsletter...but please join me in welcoming Lee into the fold. The entire host of Heaven is in celebration!
Our next local meeting will be August 5th. Make sure to also check the updated July 27th post on our website – http://www.thecenturionlawenforcementministry.org/ -- for the latest prayer requests, late-breaking announcements, and meeting schedule. Check back frequently!
MESSAGE RECAP:
Last week I taught our latest lesson in Christian leadership as it applies to our lives as a whole and to the law enforcement profession in particular. The focus of our discussion was the concept of biblical servant-leadership and how that concept applies to the law enforcement profession. In truth, God’s word (the Bible) contains a veritable treasure trove of applicable leadership principles.
So how is biblical leadership different from the world’s standard? The primary difference lies with the word “servant.” Jesus urged his followers to be servants first. He said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28; see also Matthew 23:11-12 and Mark 10:42-45)
Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as an example of the way in which we are to serve each other (John 13: 12-15). God also tells us in Philippians 2:1-7, "Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the spirit, any affection or mercy, complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity each of you should in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave1 by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death-even the death of the cross!" (The NET Bible.)
Secondly, it is important to point out that Christian servant-leadership is not based on any inherent or acquired authority. Rather, Christian leaders must see themselves as mere instruments of Christ and doing all in His name (Matthew 16: 18-19, 18:18-20, 28:18-20; John 20:21-23).
So what does it mean to act in the name of Christ? Clearly, only when we act according the “mind of Christ” do we act with His authority. However, we must also remember that this authority is NOT about power or position but rather about a life modeled after that of Jesus Christ, Who lived for the express purpose of serving others.
How does one fully adopt this kind of radically different leadership philosophy? The answer is that we must embrace a thoroughly biblical, Christian worldview. What is that? Greg Laurie provides a very succinct answer when he said, “So what is a Christian worldview? Simply put, there is a living God, and He has revealed himself in Scripture. Therefore as Christians, we believe that we can find absolute truth from the Bible, regardless of what is politically correct, regardless of what we feel is right or not right. We base our beliefs on what the Bible teaches. That is what it means to have a Christian worldview.”
Ergo, that very same worldview must be applied to the manner in which we serve (lead) in law enforcement, and the only way we can effectively do that is by KNOWING the Author of the Book on which our worldview is based. How can we “know” Him? By turning from our sin and trusting Christ as Savior and Lord of our lives. It is ONLY though that personal relationship and the study of His word that we can have the “mind of Christ.”
The negative morale issues in our profession are less about what we deal with on the street than they are about the internal stresses we deal with from within due to poor leadership. Let’s seek to radically change our God-ordained profession from within by being the radical servant-leaders He has called us to be. By doing so, we'll also draw other unbelievers and "fence-riders" into the fold.
ANNOUNCEMENTS!
As always, the latest prayer requests, meeting schedules and announcements are posted on the website. Check back frequently.
-- The 1st Annual Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry BBQ is set for August 14th at our place in Highlands Ranch. Contact me via email for further or – better yet – attend our next (Aug. 5th) meeting for complete details.
-- I had the honor of giving the closing prayer in Fairplay last Sunday morning during the “Cowboy Church” service that is a big part of our annual Burro Days celebration – in full uniform and (praise God) no one trying to prevent me from praying in Jesus Name! I’ll have more on this and Singer (TX) Pastor Jack Blease in next week’s newsletter.
-- Our brother Chris Dewey continues to amaze (or more correctly, it is our Lord who amazes)! See the July 27th update on our website for further.
-- Tonia Harris, the widow of slain Sandoval County (NM) Sgt. Joe Harris, will be attending Calvary South Denver this Sunday! I’ll fill you in on our meeting next week. The pic of Joe standing in front of one of the lions at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC is posted on our website (scroll down). It has been just over one year since Joe was shot and killed in the line of duty while working an assignment in the mountains east of Albuquerque. Please keep Tonia and their family in prayer.
-- Pray for me as I do yet another wedding this Saturday morning.
-- The 2010 Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) National Conference is set for September 10-12 in Gulfport, MS. See http://www.fcpo.org/ for details, cool video, and more. I’m scheduled to attend and hope you will consider joining us as well.
-- Ten-Four Ministry’s Capt. Travis Yates (Tulsa PD) has a new radio show called “Centurion Radio” and Travis has asked me to be his guest on August 12th. See http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries for more.
-- Let’s keep our brothers and sisters in Arizona and NC in prayer – see http://www.odmp.org/ and http://www.policelink.com/ for the latest “Officer Down” news.
More in next week’s newsletter and on the website – STAY TUNED!!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Latest Prayer Requests and Updates
Here are the latest updates, meeting schedule and prayer requests. Remember (for our locals/visitors) -- NO MEETING this week. I'll have the newsletter with a recap of last week's Bible study out in a couple of days. Don't forget to check back frequently for the latest updates and announcements.
UPDATED (072910) PRAYER REQUESTS:
(1) Arkansas ("Ar-Kansas," not "Arkansas" like the state), Kansas Chief of Police and fellow FCPO Board Member Sean Wallace sent the following prayer request to us regarding one of his officers, Dan Huntley. Sean writes, Hi guys...I do not know if you remember Dan Huntley from my department who attended our last conference in Co. Springs. His dad is ill with cancer. Please see his e-mail to me and other Christian officers below and keep him in your prayers.
Dan writes, You guys might keep my dad in prayer as he has gone to a cancer doctor and has found a 3 cm tumor on his pancreas and black spots on his liver. The doctors are pretty confident that it is cancer so were trying to figure out our options on treatment, etc. My dad is 76 years old.
(2) From another fellow FCPO board member -- Paul Lee -- of Chattanooga PD, TN:
Please keep Chattanooga, TN PD Officer/now mother Sheila Blankenship Jetton and her newborn daughter Elizabeth in your prayers. Elizabeth has had some problems since she was born (extended stay in 2 hospitals) and I know it has taken a toll on mom and dad. Please keep all of them in your prayers. Also click on the link below and read Elizabeth's story. Then take the time to sign the guest book to let Ofc. Jetton know you are praying for them especially all who are outside the Chattanooga or USA area. Let Officer Jetton know this thin blue line of prayer goes around the world. Please pass this prayer request on to all of your prayer warriors to.
A note from Officer Jetton: I have received numerous emails and phone calls regarding my daughter. And felt that an email would be the best way to share the information with anyone who wished to know what was going on with her. My 7 month old daughter Elizabeth was diagnosed with a rare lung disease and pulmonary hypertension at birth and has spent 2 1/2 of the last 7 months in the hospital. After being referred to and seen by a specialist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital last week, we were sent to Vanderbilt and she was admitted to the hospital again.
For anyone who wishes to follow her progress her website is www.caringbridge.org/visit/elizabethjetton My family and I greatly appreciate the concern and support that everyone has given us.
Officer Sheila Blankenship Jetton 1048 Fox 2nd Shift
(3) Pray for a colleague (spiritual and physical) who is recovering from hip replacement surgery (not me again -- there are many others).
(4) A deputy *("Brad") asks that we pray for his son who has been sent back to prison.
(5) Pray for a colleague (Les) who has accepted a contractor position in Afghanistan.
(6) Here's the latest on Dep. Chris Dewey. His wife Emily wrote the following TODAY (Thu, 072910) on there Caring Bridge site (www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisdewey):
I can't believe it's been nearly a week since I've updated this site. It feels like it could have been one day or one month.... We continue to be in a holding pattern of sorts, keeping Chris comfortable, praying with him, and enjoying each and every moment that the Lord is granting us. As difficult as this time is, I still have such a God-given peace about all of this. However, it has been over a year since I've had a good "ugly cry" and I know it's coming..... :)As always, thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers. I truly can feel the prayers in my heart; I know I couldn't have the peace I have without them. God Bless! Emily
I plan on attending the funeral if I can...but let's keep praying NOW for both of them.
(7) Dennis Casida has asked that we be in prayer for his son Chad and his family. Chad is deploying to Iraq on 072910.
Check back frequently for the latest updates...and check the previous prayer requests as well.
UPDATED SCHEDULE:
Thursday, 072910: NO MEETING (see above)
Thursday, 080510: Regular meeting -- 1900 hours, Calvary South Denver (http://www.calvarycsd.org/ for directions).
Thursday, 081210: Regular meeting (same time/place as above).
Saturday, 081410: 1st Annual Centurion Ministry BBQ!! 1600 hours to ?? at our place in Highlands Ranch. Call, email or (better yet) come our next meeting for details, directions, etc. We're providing the meet -- you folks can bring the beverages and sides.
UPDATED (072910) PRAYER REQUESTS:
(1) Arkansas ("Ar-Kansas," not "Arkansas" like the state), Kansas Chief of Police and fellow FCPO Board Member Sean Wallace sent the following prayer request to us regarding one of his officers, Dan Huntley. Sean writes, Hi guys...I do not know if you remember Dan Huntley from my department who attended our last conference in Co. Springs. His dad is ill with cancer. Please see his e-mail to me and other Christian officers below and keep him in your prayers.
Dan writes, You guys might keep my dad in prayer as he has gone to a cancer doctor and has found a 3 cm tumor on his pancreas and black spots on his liver. The doctors are pretty confident that it is cancer so were trying to figure out our options on treatment, etc. My dad is 76 years old.
(2) From another fellow FCPO board member -- Paul Lee -- of Chattanooga PD, TN:
Please keep Chattanooga, TN PD Officer/now mother Sheila Blankenship Jetton and her newborn daughter Elizabeth in your prayers. Elizabeth has had some problems since she was born (extended stay in 2 hospitals) and I know it has taken a toll on mom and dad. Please keep all of them in your prayers. Also click on the link below and read Elizabeth's story. Then take the time to sign the guest book to let Ofc. Jetton know you are praying for them especially all who are outside the Chattanooga or USA area. Let Officer Jetton know this thin blue line of prayer goes around the world. Please pass this prayer request on to all of your prayer warriors to.
A note from Officer Jetton: I have received numerous emails and phone calls regarding my daughter. And felt that an email would be the best way to share the information with anyone who wished to know what was going on with her. My 7 month old daughter Elizabeth was diagnosed with a rare lung disease and pulmonary hypertension at birth and has spent 2 1/2 of the last 7 months in the hospital. After being referred to and seen by a specialist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital last week, we were sent to Vanderbilt and she was admitted to the hospital again.
For anyone who wishes to follow her progress her website is www.caringbridge.org/visit/elizabethjetton My family and I greatly appreciate the concern and support that everyone has given us.
Officer Sheila Blankenship Jetton 1048 Fox 2nd Shift
(3) Pray for a colleague (spiritual and physical) who is recovering from hip replacement surgery (not me again -- there are many others).
(4) A deputy *("Brad") asks that we pray for his son who has been sent back to prison.
(5) Pray for a colleague (Les) who has accepted a contractor position in Afghanistan.
(6) Here's the latest on Dep. Chris Dewey. His wife Emily wrote the following TODAY (Thu, 072910) on there Caring Bridge site (www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisdewey):
I can't believe it's been nearly a week since I've updated this site. It feels like it could have been one day or one month.... We continue to be in a holding pattern of sorts, keeping Chris comfortable, praying with him, and enjoying each and every moment that the Lord is granting us. As difficult as this time is, I still have such a God-given peace about all of this. However, it has been over a year since I've had a good "ugly cry" and I know it's coming..... :)As always, thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers. I truly can feel the prayers in my heart; I know I couldn't have the peace I have without them. God Bless! Emily
I plan on attending the funeral if I can...but let's keep praying NOW for both of them.
(7) Dennis Casida has asked that we be in prayer for his son Chad and his family. Chad is deploying to Iraq on 072910.
Check back frequently for the latest updates...and check the previous prayer requests as well.
UPDATED SCHEDULE:
Thursday, 072910: NO MEETING (see above)
Thursday, 080510: Regular meeting -- 1900 hours, Calvary South Denver (http://www.calvarycsd.org/ for directions).
Thursday, 081210: Regular meeting (same time/place as above).
Saturday, 081410: 1st Annual Centurion Ministry BBQ!! 1600 hours to ?? at our place in Highlands Ranch. Call, email or (better yet) come our next meeting for details, directions, etc. We're providing the meet -- you folks can bring the beverages and sides.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Another Status Update, Late-Breaking Prayer Requests, and a Praise Report
I've been on duty all weekend working a packed Burro Days celebration in Fairplay that included some Holy Spirit-directed ministry ops as well. I'll post more in the newsletter later this week so stay tuned.
(1) If you've been following Chris Dewey's saga, it is amazing to see what God is doing with our fellow warrior's life (and how our Lord is NOT on OUR schedule but rather His own perfect one). See www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisdewey/journal?jid=5836388 for the latest. Continue to keep both Chris and Emily in prayer.
(2) Secondly -- for our locals and visitors -- don't forget that there is NO MEETING this week as a number of us will be working executive protection for Joel Rosenberg (http://www.joelrosenberg.com/) this Thursday (07/29/10) at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. That said, we are encouraging our regulars and visitors to attend Joel's presentation. For more see http://www.ministrysync.com/event/home.php?template_id=2631. Our next regular meeting will be August 5th. Don't forget to check back frequently for details and updates.
(3) A fellow state criminal investigator and his wife will be going to court tomorrow (Monday, 072610) at 1300 hours CMT to fight for their daughter's welfare. Battling a very secular state child protection "system" can often be extremely difficult. Pray that "Vanessa" will be able to go home, that our Lord would protect/heal her, and that He would grant her parents perfect strength and wisdom. All are born again believers.
(4) Pray for a sergeant who is having surgery this Friday for a duty-related leg injury. Pray for his salvation as well.
(5) Pray for a colleague who is dealing with some very difficult issues at home with her family (illness, PTSD, etc.). She is overwhelmed.
(6) Finally (on a positive note), DPD Ofc. Allison Casias has been cleared to return to light duty! Praise God indeed!! Please continue to pray for her (spiritual and physical). See http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/allisoncasias/journal for complete details.
More as I have it both here and in the newsletter later this week. In the interim, let's stay the course and finish strong in Christ!
MC
(1) If you've been following Chris Dewey's saga, it is amazing to see what God is doing with our fellow warrior's life (and how our Lord is NOT on OUR schedule but rather His own perfect one). See www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisdewey/journal?jid=5836388 for the latest. Continue to keep both Chris and Emily in prayer.
(2) Secondly -- for our locals and visitors -- don't forget that there is NO MEETING this week as a number of us will be working executive protection for Joel Rosenberg (http://www.joelrosenberg.com/) this Thursday (07/29/10) at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. That said, we are encouraging our regulars and visitors to attend Joel's presentation. For more see http://www.ministrysync.com/event/home.php?template_id=2631. Our next regular meeting will be August 5th. Don't forget to check back frequently for details and updates.
(3) A fellow state criminal investigator and his wife will be going to court tomorrow (Monday, 072610) at 1300 hours CMT to fight for their daughter's welfare. Battling a very secular state child protection "system" can often be extremely difficult. Pray that "Vanessa" will be able to go home, that our Lord would protect/heal her, and that He would grant her parents perfect strength and wisdom. All are born again believers.
(4) Pray for a sergeant who is having surgery this Friday for a duty-related leg injury. Pray for his salvation as well.
(5) Pray for a colleague who is dealing with some very difficult issues at home with her family (illness, PTSD, etc.). She is overwhelmed.
(6) Finally (on a positive note), DPD Ofc. Allison Casias has been cleared to return to light duty! Praise God indeed!! Please continue to pray for her (spiritual and physical). See http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/allisoncasias/journal for complete details.
More as I have it both here and in the newsletter later this week. In the interim, let's stay the course and finish strong in Christ!
MC
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
News and Updates
Updated 07/22/10:
Here's the latest on Dep. Chris Dewey's status:
I just received an update on Chris's condition that has been posted on their Caring Bridge site (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisdewey/journal?jid=5836388). Our brother is indeed a fighter! Praise God for each day -- and take note of the photo of Chris with Emily! They welcome your comments on their site and, as always, covet our prayers. Know that I'll put the "word" out as soon as I hear anything new.
I encourage you to check back frequently for updated prayer requests and other news. Speaking of which -- let's keep our brothers and sisters in Mississippi and Chicago in your prayers -- they've each two go down over the past few days (see http://www.odmp.org/).
Secondly (for our locals and visitors), don't forget tonight's Centurion LEO fellowship meeting (aka "Cop Church"). See below for details. See you then and don't forget to pass the word!
Here's the UPDATED Meeting SCHEDULE:
* Thursday, July 22, 2010 Regular service (see above)
* Thursday, July 29, 2010 NO MEETING. See upcoming newsletter for details.
* Thursday, August 5, 2010 Regular service (meeting).
* Thursday, August 12, 2010 Regular meeting. Erv Meyer will be the guest speaker -- really looking forward to that (not to be missed).
OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT BIBLE STUDIES in the Metro area:
Lonnie Trujillo, a Denver PD Chaplain and pastor of Legacy Christian Fellowship church (http://www.legacychristian.org/) in Thornton, is currently teaching two Bible studies for Denver-area LEOs and is planning to start a third on Saturdays out at DIA. Lonnie can be reached through the church website or via email at legacychristian@mac.com. Here is his current schedule:
Tuesday, Brooklyn's @ 12:30 PM
Thursday, Panera Bread @ Stapleton 11:00 AM
In addition, at least three other fellowships were reportedly in the works: one in Wheat Ridge, another in the eastern side of the Metro area, and one in Centennial. I'll see if I can get an update on them and will post the info here. For all those in other parts of the country, please continue to check http://www.fcpo.org/, http://www.pofci.org/, and Dep. Mike Dye's PeaceKeepers site (http://www.christianlawenforcement.com/studyLocations.html) for a study in your area. Mike's site indicates that there are also studies in Arvada and Westminster but I have no details yet on these. Regardless, the Lord is moving on our God-ordained profession! Praise God indeed!
Here's the latest on Dep. Chris Dewey's status:
I just received an update on Chris's condition that has been posted on their Caring Bridge site (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisdewey/journal?jid=5836388). Our brother is indeed a fighter! Praise God for each day -- and take note of the photo of Chris with Emily! They welcome your comments on their site and, as always, covet our prayers. Know that I'll put the "word" out as soon as I hear anything new.
I encourage you to check back frequently for updated prayer requests and other news. Speaking of which -- let's keep our brothers and sisters in Mississippi and Chicago in your prayers -- they've each two go down over the past few days (see http://www.odmp.org/).
Secondly (for our locals and visitors), don't forget tonight's Centurion LEO fellowship meeting (aka "Cop Church"). See below for details. See you then and don't forget to pass the word!
Here's the UPDATED Meeting SCHEDULE:
* Thursday, July 22, 2010 Regular service (see above)
* Thursday, July 29, 2010 NO MEETING. See upcoming newsletter for details.
* Thursday, August 5, 2010 Regular service (meeting).
* Thursday, August 12, 2010 Regular meeting. Erv Meyer will be the guest speaker -- really looking forward to that (not to be missed).
OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT BIBLE STUDIES in the Metro area:
Lonnie Trujillo, a Denver PD Chaplain and pastor of Legacy Christian Fellowship church (http://www.legacychristian.org/) in Thornton, is currently teaching two Bible studies for Denver-area LEOs and is planning to start a third on Saturdays out at DIA. Lonnie can be reached through the church website or via email at legacychristian@mac.com. Here is his current schedule:
Tuesday, Brooklyn's @ 12:30 PM
Thursday, Panera Bread @ Stapleton 11:00 AM
In addition, at least three other fellowships were reportedly in the works: one in Wheat Ridge, another in the eastern side of the Metro area, and one in Centennial. I'll see if I can get an update on them and will post the info here. For all those in other parts of the country, please continue to check http://www.fcpo.org/, http://www.pofci.org/, and Dep. Mike Dye's PeaceKeepers site (http://www.christianlawenforcement.com/studyLocations.html) for a study in your area. Mike's site indicates that there are also studies in Arvada and Westminster but I have no details yet on these. Regardless, the Lord is moving on our God-ordained profession! Praise God indeed!
Latest Update
Nothing new yet on Dep. Chris Dewey's status -- I'll post an update as soon as I know more. Check back frequently and keep our brother and his bride Emily in prayer.
(1) "Cop Church" MEETING REMINDER: This week's newsletter has been posted (below) and we're set for tomorrow's service/fellowship meeting: Thursday, July 22nd, starting at 1900 hours at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. Please join us for a great time of worship/music (Matt Wallenburg will be playing guitar and leading worship again -- powerful), profession-relevant Bible study, prayer and positive warrior-fellowship. Don't forget to pass the word!
(2) Here's the UPDATED SCHEDULE:
* Thursday, July 22, 2010 Regular service (see above)
* Thursday, July 29, 2010 NO MEETING. See upcoming newsletter for details.
* Thursday, August 5, 2010 Regular service (meeting).
* Thursday, August 12, 2010 Regular meeting. Erv Meyer will be the guest speaker -- really looking forward to that.
(1) "Cop Church" MEETING REMINDER: This week's newsletter has been posted (below) and we're set for tomorrow's service/fellowship meeting: Thursday, July 22nd, starting at 1900 hours at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. Please join us for a great time of worship/music (Matt Wallenburg will be playing guitar and leading worship again -- powerful), profession-relevant Bible study, prayer and positive warrior-fellowship. Don't forget to pass the word!
(2) Here's the UPDATED SCHEDULE:
* Thursday, July 22, 2010 Regular service (see above)
* Thursday, July 29, 2010 NO MEETING. See upcoming newsletter for details.
* Thursday, August 5, 2010 Regular service (meeting).
* Thursday, August 12, 2010 Regular meeting. Erv Meyer will be the guest speaker -- really looking forward to that.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Another Lesson in Servant - Leadership
As many of you have heard by now, Mahnomen County (MN) Deputy Chris Dewey is very close to "end of watch" (being called Home with our Lord.) Several of us regularly visited and prayed with Chris and his bride Emily during their lengthy stay at Craig Hospital in Englewood and they became “family” in a very literal sense. Emily’s inspirational and powerful love and devotion to her warrior-husband is very much a picture of God’s love for us. Please keep them both in prayer and know that I will keep everyone posted as I receive status updates.
As we did with Chris, some of us have been visiting Michigan officer Max Faistenhammer and now three (3) other officers who sustained serious spinal injuries for which they are all undergoing rehab at Craig. Please refer to the latest prayer request posts on our website (see PREVIOUS and following posts) for more on our wounded brothers and, if you are local, please take the time to visit.
Speaking of locals, we’ll meet as usual this Thursday (7/22) at Calvary South Denver in Littleton starting at 1900 hours (7 PM for everyone else) for a great time of worship music, profession-relevant Bible study, prayer and fellowship (essentially, “cop church”) -- read-on for details. In addition, the upcoming schedule along with the latest prayer requests have already been posted below -- please review and check back frequently!
For everyone else, here’s the RECAP from last week’s meeting:
Our primary focus at last week’s profession-relevant Bible study came from Luke 15:11-31 (parable of the prodigal son) and paints a picture of our heavenly Father’s love for us. The issue here is that, all-too-often, we launch out on our own without God’s full blessing (and therefore outside His perfect will and plan for our lives) only to fall flat our faces. When pride and a lack of humility enter our lives, it takes our dependence away from God and back on ourselves – and almost always with disastrous results (aka “FAIL!”). God repeatedly tells us in His word (the Bible) that we are to depend on Him and Him alone. The prodigal son, in his utter failure, learned a great lesson of grace with a true humility of the heart that would be with him for the rest of his life. In short, when we repent (turn) and place our trust totally in God, He will turn our failures into spiritual successes.
David's story is but one of many examples of a “prodigal.” At an early age, David came to know the meaning of the true “CALL” in his life and he knew the day the Holy Spirit began a special work in him (1 Samuel 16:13). In response, David sought to continually seek God’s wisdom, guidance and will in the decisions he made as a leader as opposed to relying on his own abilities. In turn, God saw to it that David never lost a battle despite facing serious consequences for the sin in his life.
God wants to do the same thing in each of us but only if we live His way instead of “my way.” True servant-leaders understand that we are only tools in the Master’s hand. The point is this: when we draw closer and closer to Christ, our will and God’s will for our lives will line up and become one in the same. David’s heart belonged to God. Is YOUR heart fully the Lord’s to do with what He wills?
I left time for Erv Meyer and recently retired DPD officer Mark Roggeman to share portions of their inspirational testimonies. Erv shared from Psalm 37:4 (spiritual brokenness) and John 12:26 (running to the battle). Both Erv and Mark will be speaking and teaching a profession-relevant Bible study in the near future – stay tuned!
Learning from David’s example, this week we will once again tackle another lesson in servant-leadership. Please join us if you can and don’t forget to “pass-on” this email to your colleagues.
ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-- Captain Travis Yates of Tulsa PD and Ten-Four Ministries is now on the radio! Dubbed Centurion Radio (no direct relation to us), this profession-relevant radio outreach can be accessed by going to http://www.sermonaudio.com/source_detail.asp?sourceid=tenfour or via their main website, http://www.tenfourministries.org/. Travis has asked me to be a guest for an upcoming program -- stay tuned for details (and I’m very humbled and honored)!
-- Announcing our “First Annual Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry BBQ” to be held at our home in Highlands Ranch! We’re tentatively scheduled the event for Saturday, August 14th, starting at 4:00 PM. Please email me and/or attend an upcoming meeting for more details -- and remember to bring your spouse!
-- Don’t forget that there is NO MEETING next week (July 29th) as several of us will be doing event security for world-renowned author and speaker Joel Rosenberg (http://www.joelrosenberg.com/) who will be speaking on behalf of his parents’ outreach, Ministry Architecture. Please come and support this worthy ministry if you can. Go to http://www.ministryarchitecture.com/ for more details and to so see how to support this cause even if you can’t attend this event.
Finally, be sure to check back frequently for the latest announcements, prayer requests, meeting updates, and more. I’ve also added a number of new links – check ‘em out!
It’s a hot summer but let’s stay “frosty” in Christ!
As we did with Chris, some of us have been visiting Michigan officer Max Faistenhammer and now three (3) other officers who sustained serious spinal injuries for which they are all undergoing rehab at Craig. Please refer to the latest prayer request posts on our website (see PREVIOUS and following posts) for more on our wounded brothers and, if you are local, please take the time to visit.
Speaking of locals, we’ll meet as usual this Thursday (7/22) at Calvary South Denver in Littleton starting at 1900 hours (7 PM for everyone else) for a great time of worship music, profession-relevant Bible study, prayer and fellowship (essentially, “cop church”) -- read-on for details. In addition, the upcoming schedule along with the latest prayer requests have already been posted below -- please review and check back frequently!
For everyone else, here’s the RECAP from last week’s meeting:
Our primary focus at last week’s profession-relevant Bible study came from Luke 15:11-31 (parable of the prodigal son) and paints a picture of our heavenly Father’s love for us. The issue here is that, all-too-often, we launch out on our own without God’s full blessing (and therefore outside His perfect will and plan for our lives) only to fall flat our faces. When pride and a lack of humility enter our lives, it takes our dependence away from God and back on ourselves – and almost always with disastrous results (aka “FAIL!”). God repeatedly tells us in His word (the Bible) that we are to depend on Him and Him alone. The prodigal son, in his utter failure, learned a great lesson of grace with a true humility of the heart that would be with him for the rest of his life. In short, when we repent (turn) and place our trust totally in God, He will turn our failures into spiritual successes.
David's story is but one of many examples of a “prodigal.” At an early age, David came to know the meaning of the true “CALL” in his life and he knew the day the Holy Spirit began a special work in him (1 Samuel 16:13). In response, David sought to continually seek God’s wisdom, guidance and will in the decisions he made as a leader as opposed to relying on his own abilities. In turn, God saw to it that David never lost a battle despite facing serious consequences for the sin in his life.
God wants to do the same thing in each of us but only if we live His way instead of “my way.” True servant-leaders understand that we are only tools in the Master’s hand. The point is this: when we draw closer and closer to Christ, our will and God’s will for our lives will line up and become one in the same. David’s heart belonged to God. Is YOUR heart fully the Lord’s to do with what He wills?
I left time for Erv Meyer and recently retired DPD officer Mark Roggeman to share portions of their inspirational testimonies. Erv shared from Psalm 37:4 (spiritual brokenness) and John 12:26 (running to the battle). Both Erv and Mark will be speaking and teaching a profession-relevant Bible study in the near future – stay tuned!
Learning from David’s example, this week we will once again tackle another lesson in servant-leadership. Please join us if you can and don’t forget to “pass-on” this email to your colleagues.
ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-- Captain Travis Yates of Tulsa PD and Ten-Four Ministries is now on the radio! Dubbed Centurion Radio (no direct relation to us), this profession-relevant radio outreach can be accessed by going to http://www.sermonaudio.com/source_detail.asp?sourceid=tenfour or via their main website, http://www.tenfourministries.org/. Travis has asked me to be a guest for an upcoming program -- stay tuned for details (and I’m very humbled and honored)!
-- Announcing our “First Annual Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry BBQ” to be held at our home in Highlands Ranch! We’re tentatively scheduled the event for Saturday, August 14th, starting at 4:00 PM. Please email me and/or attend an upcoming meeting for more details -- and remember to bring your spouse!
-- Don’t forget that there is NO MEETING next week (July 29th) as several of us will be doing event security for world-renowned author and speaker Joel Rosenberg (http://www.joelrosenberg.com/) who will be speaking on behalf of his parents’ outreach, Ministry Architecture. Please come and support this worthy ministry if you can. Go to http://www.ministryarchitecture.com/ for more details and to so see how to support this cause even if you can’t attend this event.
Finally, be sure to check back frequently for the latest announcements, prayer requests, meeting updates, and more. I’ve also added a number of new links – check ‘em out!
It’s a hot summer but let’s stay “frosty” in Christ!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
