Staying the Course and Finishing Strong

Greetings Fellow Warriors!

Right off (for my locals and visitors), don’t forget that there is NO MEETING tomorrow (Thursday, 031810). We’ll be back next week and don’t forget that I’ll have a special Easter message at our pre-Easter meeting on April 1st (no kidding). Check the schedule posted last week and next week’s newsletter for more -- and remember that our own Matt Wallenburg is back to open our meetings with some outstanding worship music (vital).

Speaking of meetings, we had a excellent turnout last Thursday as we explored the leadership style of Barnabas as detailed in Acts (4:36-37; 9:27; 11:24) and elsewhere in the New Testament. Tradition says that Barnabas was one of the seventy whom Jesus sent out in pairs "as lambs among wolves" into every city (Luke 10:1-24). That same passage reveals that the concept of delegation in leadership is passed down to us from our Lord Jesus Christ, who the tells us in verse 19, “Behold, I give you AUTHORITY to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall be any means hurt you.” (Note: “serpents and scorpions” is figurative for demonic powers – see Romans 16:20).

In truth, one of the greatest issues we deal with today in terms of those in positions of authority is a lack of leadership in the area of delegation. Those with the inability to delegate tend to be the insecure micromanagers that are the bane of all in our profession. By contrast, in Barnabas we have an example of a leader secure enough in his own capabilities and in his relationship with the Lord to encourage and empower others to act in his name. In fact, Barnabas’s name is literally translated “Son of Encouragement.”

So what kind of leader do you want? What kind of leader are you? Encourager/delegator or micromanager? Col. Ray Fairman writes, “The Lord sent seventy laborers out and told them they were as sheep among wolves, but most importantly he delegated an authority in Luke 10 verse 19 commensurate with the responsibility He placed upon them. Will He do any less for you? I think not. Therefore, can you do any less for those whom you lead? Again I think not!”

Let’s be the kind of leaders that God has called us to be and that we want ourselves! Ray’s complete chapter on The Art of Delegation can be found at http://www.rayfairman.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=65&Itemid=9.

Speaking of LEADERSHIP and true Christian servant-leaders in law enforcement:

Tulsa PD Captain Travis Yates of 10-4 Ministries (http://www.tenfourministries.org/) has put together a short “must see” video for all law enforcement officers. The video also serves as a great template for Christian officers to share their faith with their fellow warriors. Travis also speaks the TRUTH: that we in this profession must still come to Christ like anyone else in order to be saved. Our profession and service does NOT save us. ONLY a right relationship with the risen Savior can save us!
See Law Enforcement: The Best News You Could Hear at:
http://thecenturionpapers.blogspot.com/2010/03/law-enforcement-best-news-you-could.html or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J6dqrOjCks. TRUTH!


Author seeks YOUR stories for upcoming book:

From Police Chaplain Grant Wolf in reference to the book he’s writing with YOUR input:

“As of today, March 16, I have completed 200 stories. The first 100 took 50 days, the second took 25! Wow! Now it’s on to 300 and then to completion. Once more I’m asking for your help!
(1) Please continue putting the word out to all you know. I have about 25 stories yet to be edited, but need 140 in addition to those. “Keep those cards and letters coming, folks!”
(2) If you have additional stories, please send them on.
(3) Believe it or not, I’m not getting tired of doing this. My back and neck get tired, but reading and editing your stories is ever-new. I know there are thousands of good stories out there “among the troops,” but some are too shy to make it happen.
Thank you again for all you have done and are doing to make this book a reality. If I can finish by late April/early May, it will be on the shelves late this year in time for the reader to begin January 1."

Grant will edit, amend or clean up rough drafts. Just send in your 1 page story.
Grant can be contacted at police_stories@yahoo.com.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

(1) Pray for a Grand Junction PD officer suffering from some ongoing health issues. Pray also for a Western Slope colleague who is battling cancer.
(2) ANSWERED PRAYER/Praise Report(!): Las Vegas Metro PD Lt. Christopher Hoye has been nominated to become the next U.S. Marshal for Nevada. Pray that his confirmation goes smoothly. Chris is a committed Christian and outstanding servant-leader.
(3) Five year-old Tayler Ellison, daughter of Englewood PD Ofc. Shane Ellison, continues to improve and has completed her treatment for brain cancer (praise God). She has an MRI next Wednesday -- pray it comes back clear. This little girl displays a true warrior’s attitude and spirit. I’ll keep you posted.
(4) Pray for a Mountie (RCMP) who is facing some tough hurdles as he fights a false charge against him (justice, truth, etc.). Ask God to fight the battle for him and that justice will prevail.
(5) POLICE LAYOFFS: Pray for those of us all around the country facing pay cuts, furloughs and layoffs in this difficult economy. Pray especially for the Colorado Springs PD as they are in a “world of hurt” financially and may be laying off a bunch.
(6) Pray for a local officer threatened with dismissal from his agency by leadership that prefers RODs ("Retired on Duty" officers) to those willing to get into the fight and lead from the front.
(7) Pray for another officer who lost his full-time position and benefits. He needs discipline and guidance with his family's finances and God's help in getting on with another agency.
(8) Pray for me as I will be speaking and teaching at a conference this weekend.

Folks, let’s “Run to the Battle” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL7cL_p5_84) and lead – truly LEAD – from the front with Christ as our Captain (Joshua 5:13-15). Until next week…let's stay the course and finish strong!