A Very "Mighty" Christmas to All!

Fellow Sheepdogs:

I just wanted to take a moment to wish you and your families a very Mighty CHRISTmas. “Mighty?” You bet! Reference the very old Christmas carol, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman," the words that were sung long before publication held a very different meaning than they do now. In the Middle Ages, the term "merry" did not mean simply "happy." Rather, "merry" was used to describe armies, soldiers, and rulers in the context of “great,” “strong,” and “MIGHTY.” In addition, the word "rest" in the song's title did not mean to relax and take a nap! It meant "make." Thus we have "God Make You Mighty, Gentlemen.”
The unknown author wanted to convey the power of the message behind Christ's birth and how salvation becomes our strength. This bit of Christmas trivia should convey much to those of us serving in the military and law enforcement.

Mountain View PD Chief Mark Toth sent the following piece entitled,
“A Police Officer’s Christmas Story” (authored by an “unknown” officer):

“In 1974 when I first joined the department, I knew there would be holidays I would be apart from the family. The celebrations I missed those first years depressed me, and working on Christmas Eve was always the worst. On Christmas Eve, 1977, I learned that blessings can come disguised, and honor is more than just a word.

I was a one-man patrol on the 4-12 shift. The evening was cold. Everywhere I looked I saw reminders of the holiday, decorated trees in front windows and houses adorned with lights and figures. It all added to my funk. The shift had been relatively quiet, nothing to make the time pass any quicker.

Shortly after 2200 hours, I got a call to assist an elderly, terminally ill man. I arrived at the location and parked the patrol car in front of a simple Cape Cod style home. I walked up the short path to the front door and was greeted by a woman about 80 years old. She led me through a living room furnished in a style I had come to associate with older people to a back bedroom. We entered the small room where a frail, old man lay in bed with a blanket covering him and pulled up to his chin. He had a frightened look on his ashen face. His breathing was shallow and labored. He seemed barely alive. I looked at him, and he stared intently at me. He seemed to relax, and I did not understand the sudden calm expression. As I looked around the room, I saw the trappings of illness all around. The nightstand was littered with pill vials, and oxygen equipment was nearby. Along a wall was a dresser and on top were some memorabilia and a wooden jewelry case. I also noticed several framed photos. One caught my eye as it showed a young man in a police uniform. It was unmistakably the man in the bed.

I again looked at him, and he motioned me toward the bedside. I went to him, and he slid a thin arm from under the cover and took my hand. I looked at his face, and there was no look of fear, only peace. I knew then why I was there. He knew he was dying and was afraid of what was about to happen. He wanted the protection of a fellow cop on his journey. A caring God had seen to it that he would be delivered safely. The honor of being the escort fell to me.

At the end of my tour that night, the temperature seemed to have risen, and all the holiday displays made me smile. I no longer felt sorry for myself having to work on Christmas Eve.
I chose an honorable profession. I pray that when it is my turn to leave this world there will be a cop there to hold my hand and remind me I have nothing to fear. I wish all my brothers and sisters who are serving, and have served the law enforcement profession all the Joy and Peace of the Season.”

With all due respect to the author, I am compelled to add that this fellowship exists, in large part, to SHARE the truth, hope and love of the Gospel with those who have not trusted Christ as their Lord and Savior. The whole meaning of Christmas is that our Father sent His only Son to us as a babe born fully human yet fully God under the most humble of circumstances to ultimately do what we as officers can most certainly understand – to die in our place! Moreover, we understand that while it is God who called us to this “honorable profession,” being a cop does not “save” us any more than being a Baptist, Catholic (pick one), or “good” person does. Rather, it is only through a saving knowledge of the risen Savior that we can be saved. That said, let's not "hold a brother's hand" without at the same time doing all we can help them come to Christ. After all, isn't that what it means to "serve and protect" our own?

For "the lost" this Christmas, please don’t reject the “gift” that is Christ and what he did for YOU and I. Come to Him now and never look back (see the “How to Know Christ as Savior” links on our website or just get in touch with me – we’ll go to God together)!

Finally on the subject of Christmas (no silly PC “Happy Holidays” here), fellow FCPO national board member/retired Chicago PD Lt. Chuck Urgo sent the following based on Luke 2:8-9 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.

Chuck writes, “Isn’t it cool to remember that the first announcement of the birth of Jesus was to a bunch of guys watching over the sheep and working Christmas Day! So for all you "working cops," have a great Christmas and get home safe to those who love you!”


MEETING RECAP:

Anyone who missed CSP Trooper Scott Hinshaw’s teaching last Thursday most certainly lost out on a truly momentous evening. I really wish we could have recorded his presentation but suffice it to say that Scotty knocked our socks off and the Holy Spirit was very much present. While we had a great turnout, the setting was still small enough to be “cop comfortable.” Much of Scott’s message was meant only for those present (suffice it to say that Scott lives what he preaches) but I can share that he taught on the true meaning of forgiveness and God’s “blessing” on our lives – and his. We’ll have Scott back to share again in the near future but I would strongly encourage everyone to hear our brother speak if you get the chance. Despite – or perhaps “because” of Scott’s horrific injuries -- God has a plan to use this brother for HIS glory and in ways Scott could never have imagined before the events of October 2007.

A big part of what I got out of Scott’s message was that we must be spiritually ready at all times. While it is clear that God’s plan for Scott’s life was much more powerful than the truck that plowed into him that Fall day two years ago, our Lord has used that experience to remind us that we do not know when this life will end or when He is coming back (see Mark 13:32-37, Matthew 24:36-51, Hebrews 10:25, 1 Thessalonians 5:4). Scott was not ready, yet God gave him a proverbial second chance. What about you? Would YOU be ready if “your time” was now? Without Christ we are lost and He is the ONLY way to salvation (John 14:6). God has given us free will to choose between HIS plan or our own. Rest assured, the former leads to eternal life in Him while and the latter leads to an eternity of unimaginable horror. Choose wisely!

Here are some of the other Scripture passages Scott referred to: Numbers 6:22, Matthew 10:8 (hmm), Genesis 50:20, and 1 Peter 5:5.

Let’s keep Scott and Susan in prayer as he still faces more surgery.


SCHEDULE UPDATE:

As a reminder, we will NOT be meeting this Thursday (Christmas Eve) or next (New Years Eve) for obvious reasons. Our next meeting will be January 7th. Regardless, know that we are here for you if you need prayer, to talk, etc.


CHRISTMAS POTLUCK REPORT:

JeffCo Deputy Art Briles and his bride Lonni did an awesome job putting together our 1st annual potluck party that also doubled as our way of honoring long-time TCLEF supporter Erv Meyer who is headed down to Arizona for health reasons. Please keep our ministry “Grandpa” in your prayers.


TRAINING POST:

The following PoliceOne training article speaks volumes. Check it out: http://www.policeone.com/less-lethal/articles/1878963-The-tale-of-two-videos-A-unique-training-opportunity/


PRAYER REQUESTS:

(1) Pray for a very ill colleague in Grand Junction and her department as a whole as they seek their next chief (ask God to put HIS man in a position of servant leadership).
(2) Pray for the son of a local chief who is dealing with some daunting personal issues.
(3) Retiring FCPO Director Grant Wolf sends the following: "Please be in prayer for Deputy Tom Cherry with the Tehama County Sheriff's Office in Red Bluff, California. Tom was in a single vehicle accident Saturday night. He was ejected from his vehicle and is in the hospital on a ventilator. Tom has severe brain trauma and has several broken bones. Please pray for his family, co-workers and doctors. He has youth and Jesus on his side.”
(4) From retired Manitou Springs PD Sgt. Mike Herst who now resides in Phoenix (regarding the trooper who was accidentally struck and killed by a colleague during a pursuit): http://www.abc15.com/content/news/phoenixmetro/north/story/DPS-officer-killed-in-horrible-high-speed-chase/jLlieI9B2UKs5Jz00NsNHQ.cspx. Let’s be in prayer for all those concerned!
(5) Pray for a CO chief who is facing potential throat surgery (healing/restoration).


Finally, given the true meaning of CHRISTmas, check out Christian artist Mark Schultz’s awesome video, “He Is” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBERiDmB6qg&feature=related
Merry/Mighty Christmas!