On Being a "Righteous" Leader

My Fellow Servant-Warriors:

We’ll meet at our “normal” time/day/location for this week’s study. Those who have not attended before please take note:
Saturday, 3/21/09
0900-1000+
Calvary South Denver
9052 West Ken Caryl AvenueLittleton, CO 80128

Last Saturday we reached out to our brothers and sisters in the east side of the Denver Metro by meeting at Calvary Aurora. Thanks again to Pastor Ed Taylor and Darrel Wilmoth for the use of their facilities.

In addition to our own study, we were able to catch the tail-end of Denver PD Chaplain/Legacy Christian Pastor Lonnie Trujillo’s message to Calvary Aurora’s monthly men’s prayer breakfast. Lonnie teaches a weekly Bible study for Denver PD and other LEOs each Tuesday at Brooklyn ’s (2644 E. Colfax). Contact Lonnie at legacychristian@mac.com for more information.

To recap, my message last Saturday centered on the biblical characteristics of a Christian leader. Our text was 1 Timothy 3. While some may think that this passage is only for “church” leaders, Paul’s full intent was that these characteristics should apply to ALL those called to leadership. Who is God calling to lead? ALL OF US – and law enforcement personnel in particular!! Folks, we need to rise to the occasion and be the spiritual servant-leaders God is calling ALL of us to be.

This week we’ll conclude our latest series on leadership by exploring God's call on us as law enforcement officers to be RIGHTEOUS IN AUTHORITY (leaders). Does that describe you? Join us Saturday and we’ll work on it together (HINT: Take a look at Proverbs 29 as a starting point).
NOTE: Grant Wolf of Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers sent me an outline on this topic and I believe it was Holy Spirit inspired...hope you can join us!


SUPPORT FOR DEPUTY IN ALABAMA

As reported last week, Chief Dave Gottschalk in Fairplay (CO) put up a $100 donation to assist Geneva County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Myers who lost his wife and child in the recent shooting rampage there. More to the point, Dave, an Alabama native, is challenging others to do the same. Donations can either be sent to me at the Centurion Ministry for disbursement to the Joshua Myers Family Fund or directly to that fund at any Alabama Telco Credit Union. In the meantime, please continue to be in prayer for Josh, his surviving children and family, and all those affected by this terrible act of evil.

PRAYER REQUESTS (A central part of each week’s study is a time of prayer. Send me your prayer requests and, if possible, join us and we’ll go to God together).
(1) Colorado State Patrol Trooper Scott Hinshaw who is holding up well despite his ongoing battle to recover from the terrible injuries he sustained in a line-of-duty incident in 2007. However, he is facing more major surgery in April. Despite the pain and setbacks, Scott remains faithful and is increasingly involved in his church, working out, etc. Please continue to pray for Scott as he fights the "good fight."
(2) Pray for a co-worker who has been dealing with a litany of health issues.
(3) Please pray for our brothers with Commerce City (CO) PD who had to use lethal force against two armed car-jacking suspects last week. I’m confident it will be ruled a righteous shoot but these detectives need our prayers and support regardless (many of us can fully relate to what they are going through as they wait to be cleared, IA and lawsuit issues, etc.). See http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_11928809 for more. Good news is that the DA cleared a Denver officer involved in a shooting on Feb. 26th and is back on the job.
(4) Praise Report! Denver PD officer and author (“A Bulletproof Life”) G.T. “Todd” Gentry reports that daughter Emma was born last Saturday. Mother and child are fine! Thanks for all those who have been in prayer for Todd and his family. Check out the pics and posts on his website: http://www.tntgentry.blogspot.com/.
(5) A fellow LEO is asking for prayer concerning her marriage. Her husband, who is also an officer, is reportedly facing many “distractions.” They are currently separated but she desperately wants to see their marriage restored (which is most definitely God’s will). Please pray that both will humble themselves and act in obedience and love so that God can restore their marriage. Folks, this is a major reason why we exist as a ministry and why we need to be STEP-UP in prayer and service to our own.
(6) Continue to pray for a Christian colleague who recently lost his job over a duty-related incident and may face further repercussions as well.
(7) I got an email from a ranking Aurora (CO) PD officer concerning the ongoing trial of Michael Washington for the murder of APD Detective Mike Thomas. The case is currently before the jury and they are reportedly wrestling with an insanity defense. Our brother is asking that we pray that God will give the jury discernment and that justice will be done. He correctly writes, "Judgment belongs to the Lord, not to an earthly man or our legal system.” Let’s also be in prayer for our Aurora brothers/sisters as well as Mike’s family.
(8) Finally, continue to pray for me and this ministry as we start reaching out directly to area law enforcement agencies.

Stay in the Word, take care of your families, watch each other’s “six,” and finish strong this week!