The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry: A Cop's Testimony (TCLEM Newsletter)

Thursday, August 11, 2011

A Cop's Testimony (TCLEM Newsletter)

Fellow Sheepdogs (cops/servant-warriors):

Hope this finds you well as we weather the “storm” as it were in these last days. My recap this week comes to us from acclaimed author Joel Rosenberg via his message to a packed house last week that he entitled The Current Geo-Political Climate Through the Lens of the Bible. Joel’s message was (is) essentially biblical “intel” for both cops and civilians alike and I encourage everyone to listen to this powerful presentation: go to www.ministryarchitecture.com/ and click on the links on upper left side of the page. His text came primarily from the Book of Joel (Not surprisingly his favorite book of the Bible – LOL!) – Chapter 2 in particular -- and Ezekiel 38-39. Please also consider supporting Joel’s folks (Len and Mary Jo) in their ministry outreach to some of the world’s poorest countries.

Also in this same vein, Texas Governor Rick Perry – a committed Christian -- led a very special event in Houston last Saturday (The Response) and I strongly recommend the following links/resources:

The Response:

(1) Gov. Perry’s prayer for our nation: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZvENzg61kw

(2) America is desperate for God’s touch: www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=1407476

(3) http://theresponseusa.com/

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Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) National Conference!

Go to www.FCPO.org and click on the FCPO Summer Newsletter at the top of the page. This edition includes both conference "411" along with a great devotional, Bible study and more. Hope to see you in Chicago this coming October!
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A Cop’s Testimony:

Tonight is “Testimony Night” (A Cop’s Testimony) for our Denver-area FCPO Chapter during which I’ll present a short Bible study on just what a Christian testimony should look like as revealed in God’s perfect “Policy & Procedure Manual” (AKA – the Bible). The floor will then be opened to those who wish to share what God has done and is doing in their lives. I’ll of course provide a detailed RECAP in next week’s newsletter – STAY TUNED!
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More on PTSD:

My recent presentation on PTSD (Cops & PTSD: A Biblical Perspective) predictably resulted in both great support and no small amount of vitriol (Like that word? Try using it in a police report!). Below are two great additions (resources):

(1) www.kristineace.com/2011/08/walking-wounded/

(2) From Clarke Cayton at Responder Life (www.responderlife.com/):
“I appreciated your post on PTSD from a Biblical Perspective. This is a great burden of mine in our culture. As a Certified Field Traumatolgist, my "professional role" in our local emergency services community is to help our peers deal with the trauma of the job. Because this is where I live, this is also where I write, and have dedicated an entire blog to the very issue of Psychological Trauma and Christian Worldview, titled "Worldview911". I am also currently launching a new workshop for our upcoming Responder Life conference under the same name. If you would like some further resources (or simply like to read my own thoughts on the matter) feel free to follow my blog at: media.responderlife.com/archives/category/worldview911. A particularly relevant entry to the shared resources on your last newsletter might be:
media.responderlife.com/archives/2010/8/31/worldview911-how-tough-are-you.html.

This particular issue the very reason why we push The Truth Project - First Responder Edition (www.responderlife.com/resources/truthproject.html) so hard. Our hope is that we will begin to see the lives of First Responders enhanced as they formulate a clearer vision of God's Truth in the context of what they see and do everyday. Trauma is nothing more than "Worldview Conflict". Meaning, "I have experienced something that simply doesn't fit in my world." "I can't make any sense of this." "This is literally UN-believable". To heal trauma, you must heal worldview. All the puzzle pieces ultimately have to come together... The only perfect worldview of course is God's worldview, His perspective of the world. The only way for us to have peace is to align our worldview with His, to see things as He does. To achieve this, we must go to the Word, His revelation of Himself and His Nature. This is how the Word heals us and is fundamentally how truth, becomes life."

John 1:1-5 says 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it. AMEN!
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PRAYER REQUESTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The latest prayer requests, announcements and local meeting schedules have been posted here on our website along with some great new links/resources. Not the least of these is a law enforcement video message from the folks who are bringing us the “must see” film Courageous (September 30th).

DENVER-AREA NEWS:

(1) Our 2nd Annual Centurion LE Ministry BBQ & Pot Luck will be held this coming Saturday, August 13th, from 4-8 PM. Email me or show up at tonight’s meeting at Calvary South Denver in Littleton for more details. Hope to see you there!

(2) I’ll be speaking at a civilian men’s event in Castle Rock this Saturday. As always, I covet your prayers as I share a biblical warrior ethos with those we are privileged to serve and protect.

I don’t want to close without again imploring my Christian brothers and sisters to share the message of salvation with our lost (unsaved) colleagues -- and to do so with a sense of urgency. If you are the latter, know that the time is short and being a cop does not – NOT – give you a free pass into eternal life in paradise with Christ (we all have to come to the Lord the same way). Give your life to Christ today. How? The Response website has a link to a great interactive website put together by Franklin Graham that will take you through this life-changing/life-saving event: http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/. You can also always email/call me and I’ll be honored to help you. If you are the former (a believer) but have backslidden in sin and rebellion, let me lovingly urge you today to get right with God NOW.

Be safe out there and don’t forget to check this website and join us on Facebook for the latest news and updates.

Our Core Verses

COPS -- God's ministers for good and a terror against evil. We do not bear the sword in vain.

(Paraphrase...for full text, see the Bible in Romans 13:1-4)

Psalm 82:3-4

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.ressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.he widow.

Colorado Law Enforcement Ministry Meeting Schedules

The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry (FCPO-Denver)

On the local front (meaning Colorado Front Range) we typically meet for iron sharpens iron fellowship and Bible study every 2nd and 4th Tuesday evening of each month at Calvary Castle Rock. Email me for details at thecenturionministry@gmail.com or give me a shout at 720-371-1022

Men of Courage Law Enforcement Ministry

Buena Vista (CO) PD Sgt. Dean Morgan is leading a law enforcement fellowship/Bible study in Chaffee County and the surrounding area. Contact Dean at interceptor@policeone.com for more info.

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TCLEM Mission Statement

The mission of The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry (TCLEM), is to educate law enforcement officers (police, deputies, troopers, investigators, parole/probation, corrections, military, etc.) about God's unique call on their lives as outlined in God's word (Bible) and to lead officers and their families to a saving knowledge of and close personal relationship with our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Through same, we also seek to positively impact our profession by raising up Christian servant-leaders and reduce our historically high rates of divorce, alcoholism, depression, suicide and related issues.

Law enforcement is a God-ordained ministry of service and protection for our society as outlined in the Bible in Romans 13. Inasmuch as our very authority as peace officers is given to us by God, TCLEM seeks to affirm our calling as servant-warriors ("sheepdogs") and leaders while at the same time developing the our spiritual, family and personal lives through Bible study, peer fellowship, and group accountability along with active involvement in a solid Christ-centered/Bible-based church. We also seek to infuse our profession with godly leaders who will in fact LEAD (serve) from a biblical world view.

What We Believe (Statement of Faith)

(1) WE BELIEVE the only true basis of Christian fellowship is Christ's sacrificial agape love, which is greater than any secondary differences we possess, and without which we have no right to claim ourselves Christians.

(2) WE BELIEVE in all the fundamental doctrines of orthodox evangelical Christianity as detailed in God's word (Bible).

(3) WE BELIEVE the sixty-six books of the Bible (i.e. Old and New Testament) comprise the totality of Holy Scripture and is inerrant in the original text, and remains God-breathed/God-inspired and infallible in all its substance, and therefore, it is the supreme and final authority in faith, theology, and life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:11, 89, 105.

(4) WE BELIEVE that our Lord has called us to share the Word of God in such a way that its message can be applied to an individual's life and, in particular as it relates to our service in the God-ordained calling of law enforcement. We also believe that it is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek to make growing disciples. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8.

(5) WE BELIEVE there is only One true, eternally existent God. He exists in three co-equal persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The triune God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and is worthy of worship and obedience. Deut. 6:4-5; Genesis 1:31, Luke 3:21-22; Matthew 28:18-20, Rev. 4:11.

(6) WE BELIEVE in one God who is Creator of heaven and earth, Spirit, personal, transcendent, sovereign, life, love, truth, almighty, simple (i.e. one without parts), timelessly eternal, unchangeable, wise, just, holy, relational, dynamic and infallible in all things.

(7) WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human, possessing two distinct natures which are co-joined in one person, that He was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless and miraculous life, provided for the atonement of our sins by His vicarious substitutionary death on the Cross, was bodily resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit, physically ascended back to the right hand of God the Father in heaven, and lives to make intercession for us. After Jesus ascended to Heaven, He poured out His Holy Spirit on the believers in Jerusalem, enabling them to fulfill His command to preach the gospel to the entire world, an obligation shared by all believers today. John 1:1-3,14; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-9; Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 1:11.

(8) WE BELIEVE that all people are by nature separated from God and responsible for their own sin, but that salvation, redemption, and forgiveness are freely offered as a gift by the Lord Jesus Christ to all based on His grace alone. When a person sincerely repents of their sin and enters into a life-saving/life-changing personal relationsship (not "religion") with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, they are immediately born again and sealed by the Holy Spirit, all their sins are forgiven, and they become a child of God -- changed, and destined to spend eternity with Him. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

(9) WE BELIEVE in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Scriptures, and that they are valid for today, and should be exercised within scriptural guidelines, seeking to exercise them in love that the whole Body of Christ might be edified. John 14:16-19; 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 8:9,11; Titus 3:5.

(10) WE BELIEVE in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church, and we believe that the physical second coming of Christ with His saints to rule on the earth will be personal, premillennial, and visible. This motivates us to holy living, heart-felt worship, committed service, diligent study of God's Word, regular fellowship, and participation in the two ordinances the Lord gave the church - adult baptism by immersion and Holy Communion. Revelation 3:10, Thessalonians 5:9.

(11) WE BELIEVE there is a real personal devil of great evil, cunning, and power, who seeks to tempt, kill, steal, and destroy, yet his power is limited by God to only what God permits him to do; that the devil has been defeated positionally at the cross of Christ, and will be defeated practically at Christ's glorious second coming which will ultimately eventuate in the quarantine and punishment of the Satan (aka the Devil, Beast, and False Prophet, etc.) in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone where they will be tormented day and night forever (what has been traditionally called "Hell"). Luke 10:18; Matthew 4:10; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11, etc.

(12) WE BELIEVE that our Lord is clear that there is ONLY ONE WAY to Christ and that is through a life-changing personal relationship with the Risen Savior. Jesus told his disciples, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). He did not merely point the way to God. He himself claimed to be the only way to the Father and the source of eternal truth and life. The way to God is through personal faith in Jesus Christ. Intellectual acceptance of Christ is not enough. You must come to him determined to turn from what displeases him, with a total trust in Christ's saving power for you.

Are you ready to receive Christ today? If so, scroll up towards the top of this page to the links under How Can I be Saved (AKA True "Officer Safety"). Please feel free to contact me if you need help in this area -- it would be my honour to lead you "home" to Christ!

If you sincerely put your faith in Christ, God promises not only to forgive you, but also to receive you into his family. It's the greatest discovery you will ever make!

Donate to the Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry

We do accept donations to support our ministry and outreach, including but not limited to leading officers to Christ, support for wounded officers; "officer down" outreach; chaplain and counseling services; speaking engagements; website expenses; ministry apparel, etc. Donations can be made out to The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry and mailed to

P.O. Box 630854
Littleton, CO 80163

That said, support your church first...and then donate if the Holy Spirit inspires you to do so. Thanks in advance for your support.