Strength & Honor!

Greetings, fellow Warriors! This week's newsletter is ready for your review -- enjoy.

WORSHIP (a great way to start both our studies and the weekly e-newsletter):

Check out this great video of Mark Schultz’s awesome new song, “He Is!” Very uplifting way to get into this week’s newsletter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1dElIkD3hU.

Speaking of worship, we hope to have our own Matt Wallenburg back soon to open our fellowship with some awesome worship music!


UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULE:

3/4/10 1900 Calvary South Denver in Littleton (http://www.calvarycsd.org/), Rm. #7.

3/11/10 1900 Same place/time as above.

3/18/10 1900 NO MEETING


RECAP from last week and PREVIEW of tomorrow’s study:

Last week we continued our current series on leadership by taking a hard look at an example of a leader who had “super” potential but failed miserably due to lack of integrity. In Samson (Judges 13:24-16:31), we see a “leader” (Isreal’s final judge) who had incredible God-given gifts of physical strength yet was taken down by his overt disobedience (SIN) in the areas of pride, lust, arrogance, ungodly anger, deceit, lack of wisdom, and being unequally yoked to an unbeliever (to name just a few). Moreover, Samson was a warrior who personified the “Lone Ranger” mentality. Sound like any of us (hmmm)? Finally, when utterly broken and defeated, Samson called on God to strengthen him only to carry out personal vengeance (more sin) instead of truly repenting for the right reasons. See http://www.rayfairman.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=62&Itemid=9 to get the full picture of a leader to whom God gave every possible gift to effectively serve and protect the people of Isreal but who in the end died utterly defeated and alone.

This week we’ll take a short detour from Col. Fairman’s leadership series to explore what it means to lead a truly value-centered life – one of godly “strength and honor!” Please join us and invite a friend or colleague.


NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT BIBLE STUDY GROUPS in Metro Denver!

God has been answering prayer by continuing to raise up leaders who are starting new LEO Bible study groups right here in Metro Denver! This is a big area and, clearly, not everyone can make the drive down south to our meetings on a regular basis. A big part of our “mission” is to pray for godly servant-leaders willing to say “yes” to Christ reference our mandate to share the Gospel with our brother and sister officers. Here is what I know about so far (please contact me if I’ve missed something):

(1) Denver PD Ofc. Derek McCluskie has started a group that meets at 1100 hours on Wednesdays at Panera Bread (yum – good choice), 3700 E. Quebec Street in Denver (Stapleton area). Derek's email address is dmccluskie@gmail.com.

(2) Pastor and DPD Chaplain Lonnie Trujillo of Legacy Christian Fellowship in Westminster (http://www.legacychristian.org/) continues to meet with officers at 1230 on Tuesdays at Brooklyn’s near downtown Denver. Email Lonnie at legacychristian@mac.com for more information. Lonnie rocked at the IACP conference!

(3) Finally, our own Officer Jason Pearson is being called to help lead the “Iron Men” (As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17) Men’s Ministry group at Creekside Bible Church in Castle Rock. Jason is also healing well from his recent knee surgery – thanks to all who prayed for him!

If you have a law enforcement Bible study going in your area, please let me know and I’ll post it here and on our website. Speaking of same, see the links to various other Christian LEO groups meeting all over the country (FCPO, POFCI, etc.).

Speaking of godly law enforcement leaders and warrior-relevant Bible studies, Deputy Mike Dye’s (author of The Peacekeepers: A Bible Study for Law Enforcement -- found at http://www.christiancop.com/) latest blog has been posted and highlights some great truths on the dangers of legalism in the Church. The post also served to teach me a new synonym for the proper application of police discretion: GRACE! Check it out: http://christiancop.blogspot.com/.


TRAINING CORNER:

PoliceOne has posted a great article about a female sheepdog who stayed in the fight and won. Outstanding behavior!
http://www.policeone.com/close-quarters-combat/articles/2007023-Pa-cop-fought-for-her-life-before-shooting-suspect/


PRAYER REQUESTS! Lots to put out this weekend – please take the time to read and pray:

(1) Dep. John Reynolds with the Fresno County (CA) Sheriff’s Department sent the following:

“Prayers are requested for the families and colleagues of Fresno County Sheriff's Deputy Joel Wahlenmaier and Reedley Police Officer Javier Bejar. Wahlenmaier lost his life and Bejar has been taken off life support following a gun battle last week with a barricaded suspect in eastern Fresno County. The suspect later took his own life. Deputy Mark Harris received injuries in the exchange of gunfire and was released from the hospital. There are many individuals that were involved in this fierce gun battle that are "heroes", although they may not feel like it right now. Their names have been kept quiet from the public, but the Lord knows who they are and they too need our prayers as they cope with the loss of one of their own and recover from the effects of the incident.

This brings up the point that "we" should know where those in our sphere of influence stand with God. Whether they are believers, unbelievers, seeking or whatever, we should have them all triaged and pray and/or witness to them accordingly."

Well said John…well said!

(2) Pray for former Chicago PD Officer Louise Cole (mother of wounded CPD Officer Densey Cole) who is battling cancer. Keep Densey in prayer as well (both healing and that he will come to Christ on Christ’s terms rather than his own).

(3) From fellow Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) board member Chuck Urgo in Chicago regarding the line-of-duty death of CPD Sgt. Al Haymaker (please keep his family and colleagues in prayer):

For those who may have missed the local news on Friday, here is a link to the ABC Chicago report on the funeral of our brother in Christ, Sgt. Alan Haymaker --
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=7299372


(4) From fellow State Investigator Jimmy Wattles (of Gangland fame):

"Please continue to pray for my fellow State of Colorado investigator, who just underwent a second surgery to repair a leg injury. He suffered a complex compound fracture of his left leg during a jet ski accident in August. There were also other internal injuries, and he spent 12 days in the hospital. Earlier this month, he underwent a second surgery on his leg, which removed plates and a piece of bone that had died. He now has 5 pins holding the bones apart and is scheduled for yet another surgery on March 5th, so put a rod in his leg and to take bone from his pelvis and fuse it in his leg. He had complications after the previous surgery from the spinal epidural and infections following the first surgery. Please pray his next surgery goes well and the healing process can begin."

(5) Englewood PD Officer Shane Ellison’s 5 y.o. daughter Tayler continues to battle brain cancer and is home again after a recent emergency situation. Please, please join us in praying for this little warrior! Go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/taylerellison for more (password is “taylerellison”)

(6) Pray for a Christian prosecutor in NM who has been dealing with ungodly, poor leadership in the DA’s office. As God to show her HIS perfect will for her life and career.

(7) The son of a Colorado chief whom I know well has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Please pray (healing and other issues)!

(8) From Vito Ancona with FCPO in Maine:

"My wife’s mother has gone home to be with the Lord – very peacefully with almost no medication to help her on her way. Please pray for my wife and family (it's been a hard 5-1/2 months with the loss of my father's sister, my father, and a month later my wife’s mother)."

(9) As many of you know, Mahnomen County (MN) Deputy Chris Dewey is now back in Minnesota. Sadly, there have been some complications concerning the new rehab hospital. Please pray for Chris, his wife Emily, and her family as they seek God’s will and direction as it relates to Chris (and Emily’s) future and care.
See http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisdewey for more.

(10) Sgt. Keith Adams of the Cary (NC) PD is asking for our prayers concerning Franklin County (NC) Dep. James Williamson who was critically injured in an assault. See http://news14.com/charlotte-news-104-content/video_stories/622681/franklin-county-deputy-seriously-injured-in-fight?ap=1&MP4 for more.

(11) Pray for a NM officer who is undergoing some pretty severe testing/trials as she deals with poor leadership in her agency.

(12) Finally, please be in prayer for the family of one of our regulars (Michelle): they are dealing with what can only be described as “Job-like” issues. Pray for healing and strength. More issues here but God knows what is needed. Our course is to pray and support!

Our Lord could come for us at any time. Are YOU ready? Do you KNOW where you will spend eternity? You can! Don’t be “left behind” (see http://www.gotquestions.org/left-behind-rapture.html). Let’s stay the course and finish strong with honour!