Dumb, Dumber & One Smart Cop

We had a great time of fellowship, prayer and profession-relevant Bible study at last week’s Denver-metro local fellowship meeting. My message, entitled Dumb, Dumber and One Smart Cop, was adapted from a presentation given by Hamilton County (TN) Sheriff Jim Hammond at our FCPO National Conference in Gulfport earlier this month. Here is the RECAP for our followers around the US, Canada and the world:

II Kings 1:1-16

-- Set in the 9th century BC, we find king Ahaziah ruling over the tribes of northern Israel. Ahaziah is the son of the evil king Ahab and his equally notorious pagan queen Jezebel – both of whom met terrible fates for their sinful lives (see 1 Kings 16-21). As Jim pointed out, “The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

-- Ahaziah was injured in a fall (very likely whilst drunk given the custom of kings in that day) and, instead of repenting and calling out to God, he instead sent messengers to “consult” an idol in the form of the pagan “god” Baal-Zebub -- AKA "The Lord of the Flies." Again, overt SIN!

-- The prophet Elijah, whom God had previously used to deal with Ahaziah’s unrepentant parents, is sent by the Lord to intercept the king’s emissaries with a message for their ruler that he will die as a consequence of his sinful choices. In turn, a royally angry (Get it…royal…?:) king Ahaziah responded by sending a contingent of his police force to arrest Elijah with the ultimate goal of putting him to death for having the audacity to point out his sin and speak the truth.

-- DUMB Cop: Instead of showing respect for someone he KNOWS to be God’s own spokesman (and thereby God himself), the first police captain does just the opposite. As a direct result, he and his officers are “taken out” en masse by God (remember that it is the Lord who fights for us if we are following Him).

-- DUMBER Cop: Despite knowing what happened to his colleagues, the next captain shows even more disrespect toward God and his prophet and both he and his officers suffer an equally ignominious fate.

-- One SMART Cop: Having taken appropriate notice of the deaths of 102 fellow officers, captain #3 comes before Elijah with wisdom, respect and humility. Elijah, with God's approval, responds to this proper approach and voluntarily accompanies his "police escort" to deliver God’s message to Ahaziah in person. Elijah was protected through the power of the Holy Spirit, the cops were not killed and the prophesy was fulfilled with the king’s just death penalty. Smart cop indeed!

Lessons:

-- Proverbs 29:2 tells us, When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked man rules (as with Ahaziah), the people groan.

-- Micah 6:8 reveals a lesson in proper police discretion and the spirit of the law: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Did Ahaziah have a choice in whom he served and how he lived? Do you and I? If so, what should that look like? The potentially life-changing answer will be revealed as part of week’s tremendously all-important, profession-relevant study on the topic of True REPENTANCE and Real FORGIVENESS. Join us if you're in the area or, if not, I’ll have a full recap as part of next week’s newsletter. As always, the newsletters are also posted on our website. Speaking of…

The latest PRAYER REQUESTS & our updated local MEETING SCHEDULE have been posted here on our website (next post). I’ve also added a number of new links and resources. Check back frequently!


Trooper SCOTT HINSHAW Update!

Scotty and I had a great visit recently at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) HQ where he is now serving with our state Homeland Security unit. Scott will be speaking at an upcoming local chapter meeting later this year – stay tuned for details! As many will remember, Scott was severely injured in the line of duty in October of 2007 while assisting a motorist on I-76 near Denver. That same incident resulted in the death of Scott's partner, fellow CSP Trooper Zach Templeton. Trooper Hinshaw's "story" is truly one of miracles, faith, and character. Scott packed the house the last time I had him speak. Please look for details on this not-to-be-missed opportunity to hear Scott's powerful testimony and the latest updates on how God is using our fellow sheepdog.


BAPTISM Service!

If you are an officer in the Denver metro area who has come to know the Lord as Savior but has not been baptized since that time, please join us at tomorrow’s (9/30) meeting as we will be discussing our upcoming Centurion Ministry/FCPO baptism service. Remember that spouses as welcome and encouraged to attend.


TRAINING Corner!

Do you search before you cuff or the other way around? Here is our latest officer-safety lesson from the noted trainers with PoliceOne.com: http://www.policeone.com/police-products/duty-gear/restraints/articles/2717262-Search-first-or-handcuff-first-Neither/?wwparam=1285783490.


FCPO Canada!

From our brothers in the “Great White North” (“Eh?”): http://www.fcpocanada.com/ and http://www.bluenosefcpo.com/. I hope to attend their annual conference in Nova Scotia next August!


Police Mission Trip to Muldova

Sheriff Jim Hammond (TN) is planning a police mission trip to Moldova for next June. If you are interested send Jim an email at fcpo2@hotmail.com.


Stories of Faith & Courage!

Grant Wolf sent the following reference his forthcoming compilation that a number of us contributed to: Stories of Faith and Courage From Cops on the Street is a groundbreaking devotional book that demonstrates the vital difference men and women of faith make in law enforcement. As this is a date-specific daily devotional, stories that relate to a specific date or event (9/11/2001, major weather catastrophes, “line of duty” deaths, etc.) are strategically placed on or near the date the event occurred. This Battlefields and Blessings devotional book serves two purposes:
(1) It offers a glimpse into what it’s really like to be in law enforcement while demonstrating the spiritual side of the law enforcement community
(2) It presents law enforcement in a positive light as a career path filled with men and women who care deeply for the communities they serve.

Here is the weblink: http://copsonthestreet.com/.


WANTED: Stories from Women in Law Enforcement

John Wills, author, former Chicago Police Officer and retired FBI Agent, writes, I’ve written several books and published more than 100 articles on officer survival and training. Presently, I’m working on a book, an anthology consisting of true stories about women in law enforcement. The stories can be funny, tragic, filled with emotion, war stories, oddball, etc. It will be a collection that will allow the public to see what really happens in the world of female LEOs. More information can be found at my website: http://johnmwills.com/id13.html. I hope you can pass the word to anyone who cares to share their stories in the book to be published in 2011. Thank you.

John can be reached at: jmwills@hotmail.com and via http://www.johnmwills.com/.

That’s it for this week’s newsletter. Please pass it on to others and MAKE the time to be to be with your families and in fellowship (church, an FCPO or PeaceKeepers Bible study, etc.) this week. Know that your feedback is both welcome and appreciated. Let’s stay strong and vigilant in Christ!