Standing Courageous as Cops & Spouses: TCLEM/FCPO-Denver Newsletter

Fellow Servant-Warriors:

How goes the fight? Both spiritually and professionally, the question begs to be asked, “Are you in the battle or hiding on the sidelines?” My prayer and encouragement for all of you, regardless of your situation, is that you be true doers of the word (James 1:22-25) and not just ROD (“retired on duty”) Christians or cops sitting in a “pew” or otherwise laying low and trying to avoid any end-of-shift action (aka, the "sideline”). Folks, the time is short and God is looking for men and women who will place their trust in Him and stand courageous in the heat of battle with the comforting knowledge that He will fight for us (Deuteronomy 20:4; Psalm 44:6-8 -- we not only can’t do it on our own, we are not to even attempt it) if we will but trust Him to do so!

STANDING COURAGEOUS as Cops and as Spouses (aka “Taking a Biblical Stand for Marriage and Family”)

Those of us who have had the privilege of viewing one of the special premiers of the movie Courageous (coming September 30th – www.courageousthemovie.com) and have been following our posts know that this film has a great deal to say about our profession and about us as leaders, spouses and parents. In addition, author and speaker Kristi Neace – the wife of cop’s cop Rick Neace in Missouri – just finished an outstanding series on police marriages. According, I’ll be taking something from each along with a good bit of my own material for this week’s (Thursday, July 21, Calvary Chapel Aurora) profession-relevant Bible study. Not the easiest study I’ve done but God is stretching me just as He is urging me to stretch you. Please join us if you’re in the area and I’ll post a detailed RECAP in next week’s newsletter that you can adapt for your own studies. Stay tuned!

WHAT’S YOUR “F-150”?

Speaking of both the recap, doers, and standing courageous, I opened last week’s Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry outreach to the public for special guest speaker Trooper Scott Hinshaw of the Colorado State Patrol (CSP). Needless to say, Scott did not disappoint. The Holy Spirit was truly moving and Scotty’s powerful testimony resonated with all and left many in tears (myself included). Scott’s wife Susan also shared her heart and touched us deeply. Those of you from outside Colorado (meaning most of you) who have the good fortune to own a copy of Grant Wolf’s outstanding compilation Stories of Faith and Courage from Cops on the Street (http://copsonthestreet.com/) will recognize Scott from the devotional I wrote for the March 30th entry. Scott’s story is truly one of faith and courage in overcoming the horrendous physical and psychological injuries he sustained in the same October 2007 incident that tragically took the life of fellow CSP Trooper Zach Templeton. Using an analogy that the Ford Motor Company would probably not appreciate, Scott utilized the image of the F-150 pickup that barreled into them that October afternoon to teach the thoroughly biblical (1 Peter 5:8-10, James 1:12-15) lesson that ALL of us have an “F-150” in our lives: serious illness, LOD injuries, PTSD, working or living under leadership that falls far short of servant model Christ gave us, alcohol, pornography, the death of a colleague or loved one and so much more.

God used Scott and Susan in an incredibly powerful way to ask this all-important question: Is Jesus the Lord of your F-150 or are you still behind the wheel? Scott revealed that it was while lying mangled under that F-150 with Zack dying at his side that he finally made the life-saving/life-changing decision to yield and make Christ his Lord and Savior. Moreover, God used Scott’s F-150 to lead the young man driving it to Christ and to open a ministry avenue for Scott to share God’s love and plan with others. Finally, after more than three years of pain, surgeries and rehab, our loving LORD has lifted that F-150 off of Scott and restored him to full active duty with the Patrol. (hmm, I see a book coming…)

I would be remiss if I failed to point out that Scott and Susan felt so strongly about sharing with us that they kept their speaking engagement in spite of the news only hours before that Susan’s mom passed away and her father was hospitalized after a heart attack (he was stable and Susan and Scott left for California right after the service). Please keep Susan and their family in prayer.
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PRAYER REQUESTS (and MEETING SCHEDULES, ANNOUNCEMENTS, etc.) are posted here on our website and are updated regularly. Please join us in praying for our own.

** I will be teaching on the biblical approach to dealing with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder -- PTSD (law enforcement and military) and related issues at our July 28th meeting. More to come and I’ll post my usual detailed recap and resource list for everyone else around the country in the following week’s newsletter – stay tuned. Invite a friend or colleague and join us.
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METRO-DENVER NEWS:

** Don’t forget that there is no regular meeting on August 4th. Rather, I’m encouraging everyone to attend the special Joel Rosenberg event at Calvary South Denver. See www.ministryarchitecture.com for more details.

As usual, I'll be there to provide security/protection for Joel and if you are part of FCPO-Denver and a current or retired officer with the authority to carry off-duty and are interested in helping us in that capacity (Joel draws a full house and his message may draw those who would seek to prevent it) please shoot me an email.

** Calvary South Denver Pastor Bob O’Fee is now a CSP Chaplain – CONGRATS!
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That’s a wrap for this week folks. Let’s stay frosty in Christ!