UPDATED: Four of our colleagues ambushed/killed in WA

Folks, in case you don't already know, we lost four officers this morning in Lakewood, WA. They were meeting in a neighborhood coffee shop at the start of their shift (day shift, Sunday morning, coffee shop...) when they were ambushed. Here is a reliable source for the story: http://policelink.monster.com/news/articles/127405-update-four-seattle-area-officers-killed-in-ambush. This is the second ambush-type attack on cops in the last two months in Washington alone, and more are likely to come!

I'll have the complete newsletter out this evening but, right now, please join me in praying for the families (natural and "blue") of our brothers and sister who "gave all" this morning. Let's also pray that the suspect is taken into custody before he can hurt anyone else.

At the same time, let's use this tragedy as an opportunity to be more and more vigilant -- at home, driving, shopping, and of course at work. We're SHEEPDOGS folks -- not sheep -- and the wolf will prey on us just as soon as we allow ourselves to become sheep! Our fellow officers were targeted and executed! Think about how that could happen, remember our training, stay alert, and carry off-duty and at home (ALWAYS).

Florida Deputy Mike Dye, the author of The PeaceKeepers Bible study that forms the basis for many of our own studies, sent the following out today in response to this morning's events:

Many years ago, while working in Los Angeles , a Godly co-worker had a prophetic word. He said; "You know, we are never going to need more Godly law enforcement officers than the day nearer Christ return". This started an hour long conversation that I have never forgotten. We spoke about how in a conventional war, one of the goals of the enemy is to infiltrate the lines in order to break up the ranks. If the enemy can cause confusion and doubt among the troops then the lines of engagement are blurred and thus the enemy can begin to take out the troop’s one at time. There were perils drawn to the Vietnam War. Our talk then turned to the tribulation / pre-and post tribulation and the role of those law enforcement officers that were left behind. Both of us agreed, that neither one of us, wished to be left behind. This conversation took place in the summer of 2005.

Here is my question to each of you. Could we now be seeing a glimpse of things to come? Could we begin to see more attacks on our nation’s law enforcement authority as we erode the last of our nation’s morals? Could what we have seen happening in the West of our nation over the past year explode nationwide as law enforcement officers find themselves smack in the middle of a spiritual battle that they are not prepared for. Are you ready for a spiritual battle? Are you ready to be left behind? Don't be left behind! Make a stand on the side of good, make a stand for God. Be a spiritual strong and Godly law enforcement officer. Just as today's killings illustrate, it can happen anywhere at anytime. Are you praying for your city? Are you performing as the watchman in your town, just as thousands of years before when the watchman Ezekiel stood at the city walls?

Sergeant Sean Gill of McComb MS wrote this poem at my request back on November 19th. I was planning on releasing this poem on the inside of cover of the follow up book to the Peacekeepers, but I believe it is both timely and prophetic for this e-mail and I am releasing it here early.

Ezekiel 22: 30 “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.”

“Watchmen are We”
Just as our ancient Kinsmen, standing on Jerusalem ’s wall,
Though Peace Keepers, Watchmen are we.
Standing in the gap rebuilding after the fall
Against the attacks of darkness protecting all,
On the City's wall, Watchmen are we.
Standing on our City’s wall watchmen are we, praying
For the city’s prosperity all to God’s glory.
Standing on Jerusalem ’s wall Peace Keepers, Watchmen are we.

Though we are Peace Keepers, “servants of God to do good, and an agent of His wrath on the wrongdoers” Romans 13:4, Watchmen are we. This, He tells us in Ezekiel 3: 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel ; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.”

As watchmen on the walls of our Cities He tells us this, “O Jerusalem , I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord.” Isaiah 62: 6. Then Jeremiah 29:7 tells us to, “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

Protecting the cities, all that is in our jurisdiction physically, one can see. He has placed as Watchmen on the wall of righteousness that guards the land. In the gap we are to stand, as the tide of darkness attacks, praying for the City’s prosperity, all to His Glory.

Are you ready? Are you praying for your city? Are you speaking life to the citizens with whom you are entrusted to protect and watch over?

May God Bless each one of you, and may he keep you, watch over you and protect you!
In Jesus Name, AMEN!
Mike Dye

Accordingly, it is vital that those of us who know Christ as Savior share the "Good News" with our colleagues and others. If you already know Him as Savior but are not walking in a way that truly reflects His lordship, then get right with Him NOW. If you are reading this and have not repented (turned and asked God to forgive you) and accepted Christ as your Savior, I encourage you to do so NOW. There are two very helpful links right here on our website that explain what it means to be "Saved" and how to get there. Bottom line is that there is no special "get out of Hell free" card for those of us who serve and protect. On the contrary, we are all lost without Christ. Come to Him today -- He is MIGHTY and true to save!

More later...let's stay frosty ALL the time -- and watch your brothers' backs!