The CENTURION Law Enforcement Ministry: Broken Toes and Other July 4th Fireworks

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Broken Toes and Other July 4th Fireworks

I’ll try to keep this short as it is late and a very busy week. First off, we’ll meet this Thursday (July 10th) from 1830-1930 at Calvary Chapel South Denver in Littleton for an hour of profession-relevant Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. See the following for more.

MEETING SCHEDULE for the next month (plan ahead and pass it on):
(1) Thursday, July 10, 1830-1930
(2) Saturday, July 19, 0900-1000
(3) Thursday, July 24, 1830-1930
(4) Saturday, August 2, 0900-1000

We had a GREAT study last Thursday on the subject of false accusations and related. How should we react? 1 Peter 2:23 (among others) provides great guidance on the subject: "When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly."

Os Hillman has a companion study on the subject that is both very short and well worth the read: http://www.christianitytoday.com/workplace/articles/devo-remaining.html.

This week we’ll jump back into The PeaceKeepers study with a look at “God’s Purpose for our Work” (with the “work” focus being law enforcement). I’m really looking forward to sharing God’s plan, purpose, and place of “work” as it relates to the “calling” that is law enforcement. I think you’ll be somewhat surprised!

PRAYER REQUESTS
Do you need prayer or just a fellow warrior to talk to? Send me your prayer requests and I’ll post them here as appropriate. I am also available to pray and talk with you in person or by phone – shoot me an email or call me at 720-371-1022 if it’s an emergency (that’s what I’m here for folks).

(1) A former peace officer and current pastor in NC has requested pray for wife and marriage. This brother’s wife has not embraced (not supportive) his ministry and calling. We NEED our spouses at our sides – especially in ministry. Please pray that she will seek forgiveness and come along side him. Pray for him as well as he is struggling.

(2) An officer from my agency dropped a trailer tongue on her toe whilst unhitching. The pics are not for the faint of heart (even gave her boyfriend, an EMT, the “willies”): email me if you want to see them! Be in prayer for her as she had to have surgery to deal with the crushed and splintered bone.

(3) Pray for me as I apply for what I seek God direction for my future/career AND for this ministry.

(4) Pray for fellow officer (administrator) whom I think is on the verge of accepting Christ as Savior. Pray also for a colleague who is dealing with some cultic teachings.

(5) Continue to pray for Scott Hinshaw as he still has a long way to go in terms of recovery. The good news is that I truly believe God will use this tough situation to bring others to Him through Scott.

Hope to see you Thursday!

Denver-Area Meeting Schedules

* Please check back frequently for the latest updates!

-- Thursday, February 16th, 7:00 PM, Calvary Chapel AURORA (http://www.calvaryaurora.org/ for directions).

-- Thursday, February 23rd, 7:00 PM, Calvary South Denver (www.CalvaryCSD.org for directions) -- probably in HS room or Cafe.

-- Thursday, March 1st, 7:00 PM, Calvary South Denver in Littleton.
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In addition:

(1) A number of us participate and serve at the Tuesday night service held at Calvary South Denver in Littleton (7:00 PM). We are currently working through the Book of Revelation. Bring your spouse and invite a colleague to join us for this unique and powerful service. We have changed direction somewhat in that every message will close with an invitation to accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.

(2) Officers are meeting for Bible study at Brooklyn's near Invesco Field each Tuesday at 1230 and at the DIA chapel each Saturday AM. Contact Mark Roggeman at MRoggeman@aol.com for more info.

TCLEM Mission Statement

The mission of The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry (TCLEM), is to educate law enforcement officers (police, deputies, troopers, investigators, parole/probation, corrections, military, etc.) about God's unique call on their lives as outlined in God's word (Bible) and to lead officers and their families to a saving knowledge of and close personal relationship with our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Through same, we also seek to positively impact our profession by raising up Christian servant-leaders and reduce our historically high rates of divorce, alcoholism, depression, suicide and related issues.

Law enforcement is a God-ordained ministry of service and protection for our society as outlined in the Bible in Romans 13. Inasmuch as our very authority as peace officers is given to us by God, TCLEM seeks to affirm our calling as servant-warriors ("sheepdogs") and leaders while at the same time developing the our spiritual, family and personal lives through Bible study, peer fellowship, and group accountability along with active involvement in a solid Christ-centered/Bible-based church. We also seek to infuse our profession with godly leaders who will in fact LEAD (aks "servant") from a biblical world view.

What We Believe (Statement of Faith)

(1) WE BELIEVE the only true basis of Christian fellowship is Christ's sacrificial agape love, which is greater than any secondary differences we possess, and without which we have no right to claim ourselves Christians.

(2) WE BELIEVE in all the fundamental doctrines of orthodox evangelical Christianity as detailed in God's word (Bible).

(3) WE BELIEVE the sixty-six books of the Bible (i.e. Old and New Testament) comprise the totality of Holy Scripture and is inerrant in the original text, and remains inerrant, inspired, and infallible in all its substance, and therefore, it is the supreme and final authority in faith, theology, and life.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:11, 89, 105.

(4) WE BELIEVE that our Lord has called us to share the Word of God in such a way that its message can be applied to an individual's life and, in particular as it relates to our service in the God-ordained calling of law enforcement. We also believe that it is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek to make growing disciples. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8.

(5) WE BELIEVE there is only One true, eternally existent God. He exists in three co-equal persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The triune God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and is worthy of worship and obedience. Deut. 6:4-5; Genesis 1:31, Luke 3:21-22; Matthew 28:18-20, Rev. 4:11.

(6) WE BELIEVE in one God who is Creator of heaven and earth, Spirit, personal, transcendent, sovereign, life, love, truth, almighty, simple (i.e. one without parts), timelessly eternal, unchangeable, wise, just, holy, relational, dynamic and infallible in all things.

(7) WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human, possessing two distinct natures which are co-joined in one person, that He was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless and miraculous life, provided for the atonement of our sins by His vicarious substitutionary death on the Cross, was bodily resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit, physically ascended back to the right hand of God the Father in heaven, and lives to make intercession for us. After Jesus ascended to Heaven, He poured out His Holy Spirit on the believers in Jerusalem, enabling them to fulfill His command to preach the gospel to the entire world, an obligation shared by all believers today. John 1:1-3,14; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-9; Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 1:11.

(8) WE BELIEVE that all people are by nature separated from God and responsible for their own sin, but that salvation, redemption, and forgiveness are freely offered as a gift by the Lord Jesus Christ to all based on His grace alone. When a person sincerely repents of sin and accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, trusting Him to save, that person is immediately born again and sealed by the Holy Spirit, all his/her sins are forgiven, and that person becomes a child of God, changed, and destined to spend eternity with the Lord. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21.
(9) WE BELIEVE in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Scriptures, and that they are valid for today, and should be exercised within scriptural guidelines, seeking to exercise them in love that the whole Body of Christ might be edified. John 14:16-19; 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 8:9,11; Titus 3:5.

(10) WE BELIEVE in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church, and we believe that the physical second coming of Christ with His saints to rule on the earth will be personal, premillennial, and visible. This motivates us to holy living, heart-felt worship, committed service, diligent study of God's Word, regular fellowship, and participation in the two ordinances the Lord gave the church - adult baptism by immersion and Holy Communion. Revelation 3:10, Thessalonians 5:9.

(11) WE BELIEVE there is a real personal devil of great evil, cunning, and power, who seeks to tempt, kill, steal, and destroy, yet his power is limited by God to only what God permits him to do; that the devil has been defeated positionally at the cross of Christ, and will be defeated practically at Christ's glorious second coming which will ultimately eventuate in the quarantine and punishment of the Satan (aka the Devil, Beast, and False Prophet, etc.) in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone where they will be tormented day and night forever (what has been traditionally called "Hell"). Luke 10:18; Matthew 4:10; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11, etc.

(12) WE BELIEVE that our Lord is clear that there is ONLY ONE WAY to Christ and that is through a life-changing personal relationship with the Risen Savior. Jesus told his disciples, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). He did not merely point the way to God. He himself claimed to be the only way to the Father and the source of eternal truth and life. The way to God is through personal faith in Jesus Christ. Intellectual acceptance of Christ is not enough. You must come to him determined to turn from what displeases him, with a total trust in Christ's saving power for you.

Are you ready to receive Christ today? If so, right where you are you can pray something like this: "Lord, I know that I have sinned and need your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ died for me and rose from the dead. I invite you into my life to be my Lord and Savior."

If you sincerely put your faith in Christ, God promises not only to forgive you, but also to receive you into his family. It's the greatest discovery you will ever make!

Donate to TCLEM/FCPO?

We do accept donations to support our ministry and outreach, including but not limited to leading officers to Christ, support for wounded officers; "officer down" outreach; chaplain and counseling services; speaking engagements; website expenses; ministry apparel, etc. Donations can be made out to The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry and/or FCPO-Denver and mailed to

P.O. Box 630854
Littleton, CO 80163

Donations are tax-deductible through our affiliation with the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers 501(3)(c). That said, support your church first...and then donate if the Holy Spirit inspires you to do so. Thanks in advance for your support.