PTSD -- A Biblical Perspetive and Approach: TCLEM Newsletter

Brothers and Sisters of "The Sword":

Hope this week finds you staying the course as we lead (serve) and protect in accordance with our God-given call and commission as revealed in God’s inerrant word (Romans 13:1-4).

Right off, we had an outstanding study/fellowship in Aurora last week where I taught on “Cops & Marriage” (aka “Taking a Stand for Marriage”). Police wife and sister-in-ministry Kristi Neace provided an outstanding template that I adapted to our specific needs (I encourage you to do the same). Scroll down for the message RECAP and link to her website.

This week we’ll be switching gears as I tackle the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder -- PTSD -- in law enforcement and the military from a thoroughly biblical perspective. I will undoubtedly ruffle more than a few feathers inasmuch as God's approach to dealing with this issue is radically different than the one presented in secular psychology/psychiatry. Please join us if you’re in the Denver area (Thursday, July 28, 7:00 PM at Calvary South Denver in Littleton – www.CalvaryCSD.org for directions). For everyone else I’ll present a detailed recap with resources in next week’s newsletter that you can adapt for your own use (including your law enforcement Bible studies/FCPO chapters in your area of the country/world).

Don’t forget to check this website frequently for the latest prayer requests, Denver-area meeting schedules, info on other studies around the country (see especially our Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers chapters listed on our website – www.fcpo.org), and a plethora of outstanding resources.

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2011 Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers National Conference!

Speaking of the FCPO, our 2011 FCPO National Conference is rapidly approaching (October 7-9 in Chicago, IL). We’ll again have an outstanding group of speakers including but not limited to the aforementioned Kristi Neace (Bring your wives!!) and Marine/police officer and chaplain Col. Ray Fairman (www.rayfairman.com). The complete program will be available soon but prayerfully consider joining us in the Windy City this October!

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Message RECAP: Standing Courageous: As Officers, as Spouses


Readers of our website and newsletter know how strongly I am recommending the upcoming film Courageous (coming to a theater near you on September 30th). Without giving everything away, we have a serious problem in our profession when it comes to marriage. With the stresses of the job on both officers and family along with rampant adultery (SIN), alcoholism (SIN) and a host of other issues, we are seeing a divorce (SIN) rate of up to 85 percent.

The famous 20th Century preacher Dr. Peter Marshall was quoted as saying, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” Country singer Aaron Tippin wrote it into what became one of my favorite country songs (www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hja0XND8Ms).

What does it mean to stand? We often take our everyday words at less than face value, so I looked up the meaning in the dictionary. According to Webster’s, stand means: “to be, become, or remain upright, rigid or still; to have or take a position; to endure, bear, tolerate; withstand, to undergo.”

Kristi points out that as officers and spouses – men and women, we are to stand:

(1) For our marriages.
(2) For what is right in our departments, our communities, our churches, and our nation.
(3) In the gap when our partners are away as parent, caretaker, administrator, etc.
(4) In our homes as examples to our children/grandchildren.
(5) In awe of God.

Kristi writes, “To stand is a choice. To stand is a calling.” Amen to that! The following passages form a biblical foundation for Kristi’s work:

Isaiah 7:9 “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”

Ephesians 6:10-18 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

Proverbs 31:10-12 “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Ecclesiastes 5:7 “Therefore stand in awe of God.”
AND
Habakkuk 3:2 “LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord.”

In closing, Kristi writes, “Let me encourage you to stand courageous in this life so that even battered or bruised, our lives will shine forth as a banner of God’s goodness to all those who see us."

I strongly encourage you to go to www.kristineace.com and digest her teaching on these five powerful points. Folks, as Christian officers and spouses we must – MUST – take a stand for our marriages and families. Have you taken your stand? If not, why not? It’s time. As we exclaim on a felony stop – DO IT NOW!


Stay safe out there, lead from the front, and STAND firm in Christ!