Warrior Ethos vs. the Christian Walk

Dear Fellow Servant-Warriors:

Sorry the newsletter is coming out a day late but I’ve had an extra-busy week of ministry, training and work responsibilities. Regardless, we’re back on track!


MEETING REMINDERS

Our upcoming meeting will be on Thursday, May 7th from 1830 to 1930 at the same location. This gives us a bit more time with family over Mother’s Day weekend – “If Momma’s not happy, then nobody is happy!” Seriously – let’s be sure we do something special for the mothers in our lives that weekend.

This week’s study will center on exactly what it means to be a “warrior” from a biblical perspective. In light of recent events, God seems to giving me a strong prompting to teach on this and, while I’ve touched on it the past, it appears prudent to approach it again albeit from a new and fresh perspective. We’ll go right to the heart of who and what we should be as officers. Don’t forget to invite your spouses, friends and colleagues. Military personnel are encouraged to attend as well.


LAST TEACHING RECAP

For all those who missed our last study and/or don’t live in Denver Metro, last week’s topic dealt with what it really means to make Christ LORD. Who or what is truly first in YOUR life? A well-known pastor and Bible teacher that I trust wrote the following and, in a few short words, sums up our study in a nutshell:

“Do I believe it is possible to be 'born again' and not have Jesus as Lord? Yes. I know that some teach strongly against this, but really, it's arguing against reality. In a sense, Jesus is automatically someone's Lord when they are born again. That's a given. Whether they live that way or not is another story. Do believers fail? YES. Does that mean Jesus isn't Lord? NO. It just means I'm a ‘knucklehead’ There were carnal believers in Corinth; Paul struggled (Romans 7); the prodigal son ran away; Peter denied Jesus; the disciples ran away...

Now, with that being said, is it ok for a believer to just live however they want and still say they are a believer? NO! I would call that person to account for their actions and compel them to consider their ways before a holy & righteous God. In the end, whether they are saved or not is not my realm, but taking them to Jesus is and that's what I (and you) should do!”

"Knucklehead!" Now there is a word, used in this context, that describes a great many of us (and one we as cops can certainaly relate to). Our brother says that, biblically, we (Believers) are to "...call that person to account for their actions..." That is exactly what we mean by accountability. That is why we disciple one another. Bringing unbelievers to Christ aside, that is why this ministry exists.

I find it poignant that there are no instances in Scripture where Christ's apostles address him as "Jesus." Rather, "Lord" was perhaps the most common name and indicated both authority and the meaning of "master." Regardless, the following link provides but one "food for thought" take on the subject and includes sound scriptural references: http://www.gospellessons.info/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/christourlordandsavior.pdf.

Are you a Believer living as if Christ is anything but Lord of your life? If so, it is time to get off the fence, repent, and come "home." God can and will give you the GRACE to do just that. See below for more.


TRAINING & OFFICER SAFETY CORNER

(1) I just finished attending the Calibre Press Street Survival seminar (http://www.calibrepress.com/). Like many in attendance, this was not my first time through (it has been a decade) but it was even better than before. Highly recommended in terms of officer safety and our warrior ethos (and many related topics as well). Sadly, the latter concept is often misunderstood and poorly applied in today’s society and, even more sadly, by many law enforcement administrators (it should be REQUIRED for LE management). The seminar is definitely not for the faint of heart nor is it tame in terms of language or visuals but the message is extremely important and timely -- and a whole lot of fun to boot. The instructors are outstanding and truly “cop’s cops.” In fact, check out some of SS instructor and police Lt. Jim Glennon’s articles on PoliceOne.com: http://www.policeone.com/writers/columnists/jim-glennon/.

(2) Swine flu precautions! My chief sent out the following and, hopefully, other agencies are following suit. Let’s do what we can to exercise an extra degree of common sense out there.
“Please be aware of persons exhibiting the following symptoms: body aches, fever, cough, muscle aches, fatigue, respiratory difficulties, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Use all necessary precautions when contacting individuals exhibiting these symptoms. Please use good common sense when conducting traffic stops and dealing with the public. Assess the drivers and passengers carefully before reaching in and taking their information. Likewise assess any contacts, or calls for service for these symptoms as well. Use gloves and masks if necessary. But as I said, again use good common sense and good judgment when contacting the public. We are providing an extra supply of gloves, masks, and anti-bacterial wipes for your use. Remember not to re-use gloves and wipes after a contact. It is very important that we maintain a high level of vigilance during this crisis and work safely to prevent infection.”

Good advice for all of us.

PRAYER REQUESTS! As always, send me your prayer requests (or, if local, show for a meeting and well go to God together). I'll post them here as appropriate.

(1) Be in prayer for a former officer in Florida who has been offered a LE position in DC but is need of some financial help getting there. More importantly, pray that our brother comes to accept Christ as Lord and Savior and that his broken marriage will be restored (healing, obedience to biblical principles, etc.). His wife knows the Lord but I'm not sure where our brother stands.

(2) With several more officers going down in the line of duty in the past few days, this year is shaping up to be a very tough one for us. Let’s be in prayer for the families of those who “gave all” while at the same time asking God’s protection on all of us who go into harm’s way.

(3) Ask God to give us opportunities and boldness to share the Gospel with others who don’t know Him. Being “religious,” being “raised Catholic” (or Baptist or any other denomination), being a “good person,” etc. does NOT grant us eternity with the Lord. God, via the Bible (our only TRUE “policy and procedure manual”) is very clear on this. Only by repenting from our sin and asking Christ to be our Lord and Savior (being “born again”) can we be saved. The only way to get to Heaven is to be PERFECT and, since NO ONE is perfect (sin), Christ paid the price FOR you if you will but turn from your sin and accept Him as Lord.

Is that YOU? Do you KNOW for sure where you will spend eternity? See http://www.christiancops.org/policetragedy.htm and http://www.christiancops.org/eternity.htm for more! The choice is yours: eternity with Christ or eternity in hell (eternal torment – including but by no means limited to living forever with the most evil criminals in history – and much worse).

(4) Speaking of opportunities, please pray for a well known officer with whom I shared the Gospel on Tuesday. Our conversation was clearly Holy Spirit inspired but God does not force us to do anything. Pray that the seed fell on fertile soil and that this warrior will accept Christ as Savior & Lord! God has a plan to use this brother for His glory!

(5) We have a prayer request from a chief in MA who is going before his city council in budget hearings and fighting to prevent officer layoffs. This would be a good time to pray over similar situations going on all over the US . Regardless, praise God for a Chief who seeks God’s guidance and is fighting for his people.

(6) Continue to pray for CSP Trooper Scott Hinshaw (recovering from latest surgery) and for Erv Meyer (recovering from pneumonia).