Was live but if you missed it, you can listen again at your leisure -- see below (scroll down to #29 -- Courageous episode)!
Listen to internet radio with TenXFour Ministries on Blog Talk Radio
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Showing posts with label Centurion Radio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Centurion Radio. Show all posts
Friday, September 30, 2011
Courageous Opening Weekend and the Gospel of Christ
Just got off the air with Travis Yates (Ten Four Ministries) and Kyle Thompson on Travis' Centurion Radio program talking about Courageous and our opening weekend events. Travis and I shared our hearts about how lives will be changed through this powerful, must-see film.
Was live but if you missed it, you can listen again at your leisure -- see below (scroll down to #29 -- Courageous episode)!
Was live but if you missed it, you can listen again at your leisure -- see below (scroll down to #29 -- Courageous episode)!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Centurion Radio N.Y. Eve Broadcast!
I had the honor of again being Tulsa PD Captain/Ten-Four Ministries Director Travis Yates's guest on his weekly Centurion Radio today. Those who missed it can listen to the broadcast now online (Episode 14):
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries/2010/12/31/centurion-radio-14-servant-leadership.
I managed to get cut-off once (enemy working OT)but God used Travis to "stay the course" and we just kept going. I encourage you to share it with others as Travis and I talked about servant-leadership in law enforcement along with our very difficult line-of-duty deaths (LODD) total for 2010. Most importantly we had the honor of sharing a powerful salvation message. Let me know what you think...
My prayer is that we will have a safe New Year with Christ as our Captain. Blessings!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries/2010/12/31/centurion-radio-14-servant-leadership.
I managed to get cut-off once (enemy working OT)
My prayer is that we will have a safe New Year with Christ as our Captain. Blessings!
Monday, December 27, 2010
An Uncompromising New Year
Fellow Sheepdogs:
Most of us – by the grace of God -- survived the Christmas weekend (Anyone else notice that you duty rig seems to have shrunk??!) and are preparing for the next wave starting this Friday (New Year’s Eve) with the standard fair of drug and alcohol-induced carnage. This year our LODD are up at least forty percent over the 2009 totals and we lost four more fellow officers over the Christmas weekend alone (not including all who were injured). This begs the question, “Are you ready?” If your earthly life ended today, where would you spend eternity? Perhaps you think you’re “good enough” to get a “pass” into Heaven due to your LE service or otherwise. I touched on this subject in my newsletters leading up to Christmas and some of my readers have taken me to task for it. Let me say that your argument is not with me but rather with God. Moreover, this ministry will NOT compromise on matters of biblical truth. Tulsa PD Captain and fellow law enforcement ministry brother Travis Yates of Ten-Four Ministries (http://tenfourministries.org/) sent me the following article on the subject that is both disturbing and eye-opening: http://www.sermonaudio.com/new_details.asp?ID=30706. My own reaction was a huge “WOW!” Bottom line is this: it does not matter what you and I “believe” if what we believe does not line up with God’s inerrant word (aka, the Bible). The only thing that matters is the truth and God’s word is the personification of truth. Accordingly, this will be the subject of our year-end Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry/FCPO-Denver Bible study this Thursday, December 30th, starting at 7:00 PM at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. I’ll post a detailed recap in next week’s newsletter for all our readers everywhere else…stay tuned!
Speaking of Travis, I will once again be joining him this Friday, December 31st, at 12:00 (Noon) CST for another edition of Centurion Radio where we will be discussing servant leadership in law enforcement from a thoroughly biblical perspective. I encourage you to join us, call-in, or listen online after-the-fact as your schedule permits. Go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries/2010/12/31/centurion-radio-14-servant-leadership for a preview and to learn how you can take part. Travis’s programs are always entertaining and spot-on for all in our profession. Listeners can also check out previous programs by going to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries.
Citing just one recent example, Travis’s guest for the December 17th show was my friend Lt. Jim Glennon, a world-renouned law enforcement trainer, speaker and author of the highly-acclaimed new book Arresting Communication. Check it out at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries/2010/12/17/centurion-radio-13-arresting-communication. Jim can be reached via at www.lifelinetraining.com. Hope you can join us this Friday for the 2010 finale!
Also on the subject of Travis and leadership, he will be hosting Lt. Col. Dave Grossman in Oklahoma on April 7th, 2011. I will be a part of this unique event and we strongly encourage you to join us in Tulsa. Travis and I will have much more on this in the coming weeks and months – stand-by!!
I’ve posted the latest prayer requests, announcements and local (FCPO-Denver) meeting schedule here on our website (next post below). Please take the time to check back frequently as I update the website on an almost daily basis. Don’t forget that we’re also on Facebook (search The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry and FCPO-Denver)!
FCPO-Denver and “Locals” News:
** BAPTISM Service! We will have our first-ever (hopefully “1st Annual”) baptism service on Saturday, January 15th. This will be for officers and their family members who have accepted Christ as Savior but have not yet been baptized. No, infant baptism is not a biblical concept. Those interested need to shoot me an email ASAP to fullarmor911@yahoo.com. I will also be teaching on baptism at our Thursday, January 13th meeting and I’ll need a headcount by the 6th of January.
** GraceFM (89.7 FM in the Denver area) has launched! They are still working out the kinks to be able to listen online (for the rest of the country) but they are in fact on the air. Great teaching and great Christian music without all the ads. See http://www.897gracefm.com/ for more!
In closing and in keeping with our theme for this week’s Bible study, our own Det. James “Jimmy” Wattles of History Channel’s Gangland fame (and a legend in his own right) sent me the following piece about legendary Green Beret MSgt. Roy P. Benavidez and his heroic action in Vietnam that earned him the Medal of Honor. His story is truly amazing and is a tribute to all the Vietnam vets whose stories haven’t been told or have been ignored. Go to http://biggeekdad.com/2010/01/tango-mike-mike/.
I’ll leave you with this question: Did Roy know Christ as his Savior and where will he spend eternity? Like all of us, Roy had a choice to make. How choose you? As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15). Our prayer is that all of you will make the right choice – the ONLY choice – so that you can truly have a safe, joyous and thoroughly uncompromising New Year. Blessings!
Most of us – by the grace of God -- survived the Christmas weekend (Anyone else notice that you duty rig seems to have shrunk??!) and are preparing for the next wave starting this Friday (New Year’s Eve) with the standard fair of drug and alcohol-induced carnage. This year our LODD are up at least forty percent over the 2009 totals and we lost four more fellow officers over the Christmas weekend alone (not including all who were injured). This begs the question, “Are you ready?” If your earthly life ended today, where would you spend eternity? Perhaps you think you’re “good enough” to get a “pass” into Heaven due to your LE service or otherwise. I touched on this subject in my newsletters leading up to Christmas and some of my readers have taken me to task for it. Let me say that your argument is not with me but rather with God. Moreover, this ministry will NOT compromise on matters of biblical truth. Tulsa PD Captain and fellow law enforcement ministry brother Travis Yates of Ten-Four Ministries (http://tenfourministries.org/) sent me the following article on the subject that is both disturbing and eye-opening: http://www.sermonaudio.com/new_details.asp?ID=30706. My own reaction was a huge “WOW!” Bottom line is this: it does not matter what you and I “believe” if what we believe does not line up with God’s inerrant word (aka, the Bible). The only thing that matters is the truth and God’s word is the personification of truth. Accordingly, this will be the subject of our year-end Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry/FCPO-Denver Bible study this Thursday, December 30th, starting at 7:00 PM at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. I’ll post a detailed recap in next week’s newsletter for all our readers everywhere else…stay tuned!
Speaking of Travis, I will once again be joining him this Friday, December 31st, at 12:00 (Noon) CST for another edition of Centurion Radio where we will be discussing servant leadership in law enforcement from a thoroughly biblical perspective. I encourage you to join us, call-in, or listen online after-the-fact as your schedule permits. Go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries/2010/12/31/centurion-radio-14-servant-leadership for a preview and to learn how you can take part. Travis’s programs are always entertaining and spot-on for all in our profession. Listeners can also check out previous programs by going to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries.
Citing just one recent example, Travis’s guest for the December 17th show was my friend Lt. Jim Glennon, a world-renouned law enforcement trainer, speaker and author of the highly-acclaimed new book Arresting Communication. Check it out at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries/2010/12/17/centurion-radio-13-arresting-communication. Jim can be reached via at www.lifelinetraining.com. Hope you can join us this Friday for the 2010 finale!
Also on the subject of Travis and leadership, he will be hosting Lt. Col. Dave Grossman in Oklahoma on April 7th, 2011. I will be a part of this unique event and we strongly encourage you to join us in Tulsa. Travis and I will have much more on this in the coming weeks and months – stand-by!!
I’ve posted the latest prayer requests, announcements and local (FCPO-Denver) meeting schedule here on our website (next post below). Please take the time to check back frequently as I update the website on an almost daily basis. Don’t forget that we’re also on Facebook (search The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry and FCPO-Denver)!
FCPO-Denver and “Locals” News:
** BAPTISM Service! We will have our first-ever (hopefully “1st Annual”) baptism service on Saturday, January 15th. This will be for officers and their family members who have accepted Christ as Savior but have not yet been baptized. No, infant baptism is not a biblical concept. Those interested need to shoot me an email ASAP to fullarmor911@yahoo.com. I will also be teaching on baptism at our Thursday, January 13th meeting and I’ll need a headcount by the 6th of January.
** GraceFM (89.7 FM in the Denver area) has launched! They are still working out the kinks to be able to listen online (for the rest of the country) but they are in fact on the air. Great teaching and great Christian music without all the ads. See http://www.897gracefm.com/ for more!
In closing and in keeping with our theme for this week’s Bible study, our own Det. James “Jimmy” Wattles of History Channel’s Gangland fame (and a legend in his own right) sent me the following piece about legendary Green Beret MSgt. Roy P. Benavidez and his heroic action in Vietnam that earned him the Medal of Honor. His story is truly amazing and is a tribute to all the Vietnam vets whose stories haven’t been told or have been ignored. Go to http://biggeekdad.com/2010/01/tango-mike-mike/.
I’ll leave you with this question: Did Roy know Christ as his Savior and where will he spend eternity? Like all of us, Roy had a choice to make. How choose you? As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15). Our prayer is that all of you will make the right choice – the ONLY choice – so that you can truly have a safe, joyous and thoroughly uncompromising New Year. Blessings!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Samson -- a Cop's Story
Fellow Sheepdogs:
We finally had a much-needed weekend of rest ("Thank You, Lord!"). Now refreshed, we’re back on track for this week’s profession-relevant tactical Bible study/warrior fellowship meeting where I’ll be teaching on the topic of Samson as detailed in the Book of Judges – truly a “Cop’s story” (plug in athletes, military and any number of other warrior-relevant professions) if there ever was one. In fact, this week’s study could aptly be subtitled, “Pride and Compromise.” Please join us if you can and I’ll post a recap in next week’s newsletter for all those around the world who can’t.
Speaking of both Samson and recaps, we had a great time of tactical Bible study and fellowship at last Thursday's gathering. Our sobering topic centered on the subject of PRIDE – one of the most detrimental of sins (yes – selfish pride is SIN) -- and one which has an incredibly negative impact within the law enforcement profession. Here are the highlights:
Pride vs. Humility
The Book of Proverbs has a lot to say on the subject of “pride.” Proverbs 6:17 lists pride as one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Proverbs 8:13 states, The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. Pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverse mouth I hate (yes, God hates sinful pride). Proverbs 13:10 says, By pride comes nothing but strife… Proverbs 11:2 tells us, When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 16:18, a VERY well known verse, warns us that, Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty (prideful) spirit before a fall.
We finally had a much-needed weekend of rest ("Thank You, Lord!"). Now refreshed, we’re back on track for this week’s profession-relevant tactical Bible study/warrior fellowship meeting where I’ll be teaching on the topic of Samson as detailed in the Book of Judges – truly a “Cop’s story” (plug in athletes, military and any number of other warrior-relevant professions) if there ever was one. In fact, this week’s study could aptly be subtitled, “Pride and Compromise.” Please join us if you can and I’ll post a recap in next week’s newsletter for all those around the world who can’t.
Speaking of both Samson and recaps, we had a great time of tactical Bible study and fellowship at last Thursday's gathering. Our sobering topic centered on the subject of PRIDE – one of the most detrimental of sins (yes – selfish pride is SIN) -- and one which has an incredibly negative impact within the law enforcement profession. Here are the highlights:
Pride vs. Humility
The Book of Proverbs has a lot to say on the subject of “pride.” Proverbs 6:17 lists pride as one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Proverbs 8:13 states, The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. Pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverse mouth I hate (yes, God hates sinful pride). Proverbs 13:10 says, By pride comes nothing but strife… Proverbs 11:2 tells us, When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 16:18, a VERY well known verse, warns us that, Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty (prideful) spirit before a fall.
If we put ourselves on a pedestal, sooner or later, God will have to knock us off, for He is to be our God (first in our lives) and we are to have NO OTHER “god” above Him (there is a reason it is the 1st Commandment)! Clearly, we must not allow this type of sin into our lives and we must seek His help and grace in order to make that effort successful. We must also recognize that our God is sovereign and He is the one that has brought us everything that we might allow ourselves to be properly prideful about! When we know and accept that everything good that we have – including (especially) our commissions as officers – comes from God, then we are wise indeed.
The sin of pride has caused more problems within the law enforcement profession than perhaps any other single issue (one had but to walk around last year’s IACP Conference – the stench of arrogance and pride was overwhelming) and we – as Christian servant-leaders – need to be boldly walking with our Lord to change it.
To be fair, our God-ordained profession is certainly not alone in dealing with this issue. Pride in fact causes a host of problems in almost every area of life – INCLUDING the ministry (intellectual snobbery, pastors who fail to be the shepherds and true servant-leaders they are called to be, etc.).
So how do we overcome sinful pride in our lives? Here are some practical suggestions:
(1) Desire God's Will More Than Your Own
The proud person wants to be in control. Rather, God is calling us to obedience and submission to His lordship and word: And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
2) Accept God's Unconditional Love
God wants us to have a balanced, healthy self-image because we believe two things. First, we believe He created us to be image-bearers of God. Second, we believe He loves us so much that He gave His own Son to save us and reconcile us to Himself.
(3) Develop the Quality of Humility
Jesus is our greatest example. He left the glories of heaven to come to earth and live life as a human being for thirty-three years. He humbled Himself to die a criminal's death on the cross for our salvation, and He invites us to come to Him and learn from Him: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (see also Philippians 2:5-11).
The story of Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26 provides a great treatise on the benefits of humility before God and the consequences of turning from Him out of pride (take the time to read this short chapter). Many years later, a proud pagan king learned the same lesson and expressed it aptly: Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything He does is right and all His ways are just. And those who walk in pride He is able to humble. Daniel 4:37
Jeremiah 9:23-24 perhaps says it best: This is what the LORD says: Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.
See also Isaiah 14:12-22 and Psalm 10:4.
If you have never put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to save you, wouldn't today be a great time to begin a new life in Him? It takes humility to confess (repent) that you are a sinner and accept that you can NEVER be “good enough” to earn God's favor. Don't let pride keep you from a relationship with God – come to Him humbly today -- tomorrow may very well be too late.
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
(1) Col. Ray Fairman (http://www.rayfairman.com/) in Georgia sent the following – please take a few minutes to watch and remember the sacrifice of all who served and serve: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=KTb6qdPu8JE .
(2) Tulsa (OK) PD Captain and fellow minister Travis Yates has a great website that is chock full of outstanding resources. There is a link to his site right here on ours or just click on http://thecenturionpapers.blogspot.com/. While I’m “here,” thanks to everyone who has commented on my being Travis’s recent guest on his new Centurion Radio show. There is a link to that broadcast on his site as well.
(3) A number of you have sent me the following and – while I think it is submitted out of context – it is nevertheless interesting given the perilous times we are living in:
The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. Ecclesiastes 10:2 Hmmm?
(4) Updated prayer requests and meeting announcements have been posted here on our website (next post) – please check back frequently -- and keep sending them my way.
(4) Updated prayer requests and meeting announcements have been posted here on our website (next post) – please check back frequently -- and keep sending them my way.
Let’s remain vigilant and stay the course with Christ as our Captain!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Caleb the "Cop" -- TRUE Strength & Honor!
Fellow Servant-Warriors:
This time last week I was flying home from serving at Dep. Chris Dewey’s police funeral (What an honor -- and you can watch most of the church portion of Chris's funeral service at LWCC.org.). As many of you already know, my being there was nothing short of God-ordained. Thanks to all who prayed for me in this endeavor. In addition, thanks to retired Denver PD Officer Mark Roggeman, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, and Minneapolis PD Sgt. Bill Palmer for their outstanding assistance and being open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Most of all, I thank my Lord and Savior for directing my path in this assignment.
At our last meeting, our own Erv Meyer taught a very special profession-relevant Bible study (what Boulder Co. S.O. Chaplain Andy Wineman calls a TACTICAL Bible study – I love it) on the person of Caleb as described in Numbers 13:1-14:38; 26:65; 32:11, 12; Deuteronomy 1:34-38; and Joshua 14:6-14; 15:13-19. What our Lord revealed to us through Erv’s teaching of His word is a warrior-leader (“cop”) who is an outstanding role model for all of us who serve in our God-ordained profession. A study of the above-listed passages shows us that Caleb:
(1) Lead from the front and by example.
(2) Was absolutely obedient and didn’t complain.
(3) Wholly trusted in God’s plan and submitted to His authority.
(4) Displayed life-long courage in the face of incredible adversity and overwhelming odds (Caleb knew his Captain).
(5) Possessed unsurpassed integrity where many others fell short.
(6) Understood the importance of backup and teamwork.
(7) Controlled his emotions – did not become angry or bitter despite facing hardships caused by the disobedience of others.
(8) Responded to his "calls" and completed them with excellence.
(9) Was never a ROD (“retired on duty”) cop.
(10) Maintained his warrior skills and stayed fit for duty despite his many years “on the job.”
(11) Always kept a positive, enthusiastic attitude despite the hardships he had to endure. Caleb RAN to the battle and relished God’s assignments for him.
(12) Never wavered – he stayed the course and finished strong.
In short, Caleb was everything a servant-warrior (cop/soldier) should be – and everything we should all be striving for. So how can WE be a modern-day Caleb (we CAN)? Only -- ONLY -- by the allowing God to be sovereign and giving permission for the Holy Spirit to control our lives. We CAN'T do it on our own -- we WILL fall short without God directing our path as He did with Caleb. That said, ask God today to make you into a modern-day Caleb in accordance with His unique plan and direction for your life. Strength & Honor indeed!
This week I will be teaching a tactical Bible study on the subject of PRIDE as detailed in God’s perfect “policy and procedure manual” (aka the Bible). Matt Wallenburg will once again be leading worship, I’ll talk about Chris funeral service, and we’ll have a great time of prayer and fellowship. Please “pass-on” this newsletter to your friends and colleagues and -- if you are in the Denver Metro area -- join us tomorrow evening. As always, I’ll have a complete recap for all those who can’t attend and/or are elsewhere in the world. Stay tuned!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
(1) Check back frequently for the latest announcements, meeting updates, and prayer requests. The latest version is already up and follows this post.
(2) A couple of you have forwarded the following verse to me that provides a wealth of truth (and some wry humor) in these tough times: The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left -- Ecclesiastes 10:2. TRUE!
(3) Many are having a tough time and – despite my previous teaching on this subject – continue to wonder why God allows suffering and hardship in their (our) lives. In response, take a look at the following (click on the link): Standing Firm -- https://store.afa.net/pc-10000581-98-standing-firm-dvd.aspx.
(4) Need more solid reasons to be in prayer for our nation and leaders? Check this out from David Barton leading a tour of the US Capitol like you've never seen (we've been lied to)!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlfEdJNn15E&feature=player_embedded.
(5) The 2010 Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) National Conference will take place September 10-12 in Gulfport, MS. See the FCPO link here on our website for complete details…please join us!
(6) Christian Cops on the Radio! I had the honor of being Tulsa PD Capt. Travis Yates’s (Ten-Four Ministries -- http://tenfourministries.org/) guest on his new Centurion Radio program. Go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries to listen to my broadcast/message and those that preceded it – and the great ones that will follow. See also http://thecenturionpapers.blogspot.com/2010/08/centurion-radio-6-detective-mc-williams.html.
(7) BAPTISM! Some of our regulars have expressed the Holy Spirit-inspired (not to mention obedient) desire to be baptised. If others in the Denver-metro area are interested, let me know and we’ll set it up soon.
(8) We continue to visit and pray with our wounded brothers at Craig Hospital and I am asking that you join us in this endeavor. Regardless, please keep Ofc. Max Faistenhammer (MI) who is headed home this week, Dep. Kyle Rosentreter (WY), Dep. Scott Warrington (CO), and Dep. Mike Severson (WI) in prayer. Ofc. Densey Cole (Chicago PD) is also back at Craig this week for his re-evaluation and I hope to visit with him on Friday.
Finally, if you do not know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior (or have fallen away from walking with Him), then let me again encourage you to get right with God today. Tomorrow is promised to no one and there are NO SECOND CHANCES if you die in your sin (not knowing Christ as your Lord and Savior). Come to him today -- click on the How to KNOW Christ as Savior link here our website -- and then TELL SOMEONE (us and others) about it. Know too that I’m here to pray and/or counsel with you.
Stay strong in Christ!
This time last week I was flying home from serving at Dep. Chris Dewey’s police funeral (What an honor -- and you can watch most of the church portion of Chris's funeral service at LWCC.org.). As many of you already know, my being there was nothing short of God-ordained. Thanks to all who prayed for me in this endeavor. In addition, thanks to retired Denver PD Officer Mark Roggeman, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, and Minneapolis PD Sgt. Bill Palmer for their outstanding assistance and being open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Most of all, I thank my Lord and Savior for directing my path in this assignment.
At our last meeting, our own Erv Meyer taught a very special profession-relevant Bible study (what Boulder Co. S.O. Chaplain Andy Wineman calls a TACTICAL Bible study – I love it) on the person of Caleb as described in Numbers 13:1-14:38; 26:65; 32:11, 12; Deuteronomy 1:34-38; and Joshua 14:6-14; 15:13-19. What our Lord revealed to us through Erv’s teaching of His word is a warrior-leader (“cop”) who is an outstanding role model for all of us who serve in our God-ordained profession. A study of the above-listed passages shows us that Caleb:
(1) Lead from the front and by example.
(2) Was absolutely obedient and didn’t complain.
(3) Wholly trusted in God’s plan and submitted to His authority.
(4) Displayed life-long courage in the face of incredible adversity and overwhelming odds (Caleb knew his Captain).
(5) Possessed unsurpassed integrity where many others fell short.
(6) Understood the importance of backup and teamwork.
(7) Controlled his emotions – did not become angry or bitter despite facing hardships caused by the disobedience of others.
(8) Responded to his "calls" and completed them with excellence.
(9) Was never a ROD (“retired on duty”) cop.
(10) Maintained his warrior skills and stayed fit for duty despite his many years “on the job.”
(11) Always kept a positive, enthusiastic attitude despite the hardships he had to endure. Caleb RAN to the battle and relished God’s assignments for him.
(12) Never wavered – he stayed the course and finished strong.
In short, Caleb was everything a servant-warrior (cop/soldier) should be – and everything we should all be striving for. So how can WE be a modern-day Caleb (we CAN)? Only -- ONLY -- by the allowing God to be sovereign and giving permission for the Holy Spirit to control our lives. We CAN'T do it on our own -- we WILL fall short without God directing our path as He did with Caleb. That said, ask God today to make you into a modern-day Caleb in accordance with His unique plan and direction for your life. Strength & Honor indeed!
This week I will be teaching a tactical Bible study on the subject of PRIDE as detailed in God’s perfect “policy and procedure manual” (aka the Bible). Matt Wallenburg will once again be leading worship, I’ll talk about Chris funeral service, and we’ll have a great time of prayer and fellowship. Please “pass-on” this newsletter to your friends and colleagues and -- if you are in the Denver Metro area -- join us tomorrow evening. As always, I’ll have a complete recap for all those who can’t attend and/or are elsewhere in the world. Stay tuned!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
(1) Check back frequently for the latest announcements, meeting updates, and prayer requests. The latest version is already up and follows this post.
(2) A couple of you have forwarded the following verse to me that provides a wealth of truth (and some wry humor) in these tough times: The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left -- Ecclesiastes 10:2. TRUE!
(3) Many are having a tough time and – despite my previous teaching on this subject – continue to wonder why God allows suffering and hardship in their (our) lives. In response, take a look at the following (click on the link): Standing Firm -- https://store.afa.net/pc-10000581-98-standing-firm-dvd.aspx.
(4) Need more solid reasons to be in prayer for our nation and leaders? Check this out from David Barton leading a tour of the US Capitol like you've never seen (we've been lied to)!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlfEdJNn15E&feature=player_embedded.
(5) The 2010 Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) National Conference will take place September 10-12 in Gulfport, MS. See the FCPO link here on our website for complete details…please join us!
(6) Christian Cops on the Radio! I had the honor of being Tulsa PD Capt. Travis Yates’s (Ten-Four Ministries -- http://tenfourministries.org/) guest on his new Centurion Radio program. Go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries to listen to my broadcast/message and those that preceded it – and the great ones that will follow. See also http://thecenturionpapers.blogspot.com/2010/08/centurion-radio-6-detective-mc-williams.html.
(7) BAPTISM! Some of our regulars have expressed the Holy Spirit-inspired (not to mention obedient) desire to be baptised. If others in the Denver-metro area are interested, let me know and we’ll set it up soon.
(8) We continue to visit and pray with our wounded brothers at Craig Hospital and I am asking that you join us in this endeavor. Regardless, please keep Ofc. Max Faistenhammer (MI) who is headed home this week, Dep. Kyle Rosentreter (WY), Dep. Scott Warrington (CO), and Dep. Mike Severson (WI) in prayer. Ofc. Densey Cole (Chicago PD) is also back at Craig this week for his re-evaluation and I hope to visit with him on Friday.
Finally, if you do not know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior (or have fallen away from walking with Him), then let me again encourage you to get right with God today. Tomorrow is promised to no one and there are NO SECOND CHANCES if you die in your sin (not knowing Christ as your Lord and Savior). Come to him today -- click on the How to KNOW Christ as Savior link here our website -- and then TELL SOMEONE (us and others) about it. Know too that I’m here to pray and/or counsel with you.
Stay strong in Christ!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
A Cop's Testimony
Brothers and Sisters:
We’re back on schedule and – for our locals and visitors – we will be meeting tonight (Thursday, 8/4/2010) as previously announced. For everyone else, I’ll send out a full recap in next week’s newsletter that will be written from Dallas. Dallas in August?!! That's what I said – I’ll be there for training all week. Please keep this “former” Texan in prayer as I moved to Colorado twenty years ago to escape Texas’ hellish summers which last about 9 months or more.
In light of one of our own (Lee with ICE) who accepted Christ as Savior just over a week ago, this week’s study will center on the topic of our testimony. Just what exactly is a “testimony” and do you have one? Please join us tonight at Calvary South Denver starting at 1900 hours and together we’ll answer those questions and more. The answer(s) may surprise you! Our own worship leader, Matt Wallenberg, will be back with some super worship music and we’ll have a great time of fellowship and prayer in addition to my profession-relevant message. We look forward to seeing you.
Speaking of being a new follower of Christ…many have asked me, "What does it mean to be BORN AGAIN?" Our Lord tells us explicitly that we MUST be born again in order to be saved (John 3:1-21). The concept can be a perplexing one for the initiated. Tulsa PD Capt. Travis Yates of Ten-Four Ministries (http://tenfourministries.org/) has put together a great short video presentation on the subject – please take the time to watch and learn. Go to http://thecenturionpapers.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-it-means-to-be-born-again.html. Also see http://www.gotquestions.org/born-again.html for more on the subject. If you don't already know Christ as your Savior, I urge you to take this all-important step of faith today -- we may not have tomorrow!
MEETING SCHEDULE & LATEST PRAYER REQUESTS!
As always, our meeting schedule and the latest prayer requests are posted here on the website (next post below). Please take the time to review these items and join us in praying for those that are in need – and thanks to all those who are sending them in. Check back frequently.
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-- As previously announced, don’t forget that Erv Meyer -- who has been at my side since this ministry’s infancy -- will be teaching at our August 12th meeting. Erv’s profession-relevant message will center on the person, life and testimony of Caleb – one of my favorite Bible heroes and a true servant-warrior. Please plan to attend this not-to-be-missed presentation if you are one of our regulars, reside in/near the Denver-Metro area, or are just visiting (and remember to pass the word to your friends and colleagues – just forwarding this newsletter is a GREAT witnessing tool).
-- Last Sunday we had the privilege of meeting Tonia Harris at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. Tonia is the widow of Sandoval County (NM) Sgt. Joe Harris – my “brother from a different mother” – who was shot and killed in the line of duty just over a year ago. There is a pic of Joe at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC right here on our website (scroll down) followed by one of me at the same location. Keep Tonia in prayer as she and her kids move on with their lives. As with Joe, Tonia is a strong believer…
-- 1ST ANNUAL CENTURION L.E. MINISTRY BBQ!
Saturday, 8/14, staring about 4:30 PM at our place in Highlands Ranch. We’ll have fliers at tonight’s meeting with details and our address – or shoot me an email if you can’t attend tonight or next Thursday. Should be great fun! Please feel free to join us if you’re a regular, a “rookie” to our fellowship, or just passing through. Spouses are of course welcome and encouraged to attend.
-- CENTURION RADIO!!S
Speaking of Travis Yates, he has asked me to be his guest on the Friday, August 13th (Friday the 13th -- I love it!!) edition of his brand new law enforcement-related radio ministry – Centurion Radio! Tune in if you can or listen online later. The show starts at noon CST. You can listen live at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries/2010/08/13/centurion-radio-detectivechaplain-mc-williams . Stay tuned (literally)!
-- NEED A CCW?
State Correctional Officer Ryan Dyer is a NRA Certified Firearms Instructor who has started Rocky Mountain Gun Smoke. If interested, contact Ryan at1-719-285-8865 or via email at endure4him@gmail.com .
-- NEW CHRISTIAN MOVIE NETWORK: http://www.parablestv.com/index.php .
-- NEW FOP LODGE!
I now serve as chaplain for FOP Lodge 100. I encourage every sworn officer to be a part of FOP or similar organization – especially for the legal defense program (a MUST). If you’re serving in the Colorado Front Range and are not already a lodge member, contact Lodge President Troy Cooper at tcooper8899@msn.com .
-- Finally, I’ll leave you with this from Denver PD Ofc. Todd Gentry (author of Bulletproof). Todd writes:
Fathers, Men, Warriors:
If we do not rise to protect them, who will? I recently came across a non-profit called, Love146. In short, they provide prevention and aftercare programs to help put an end to child sex slavery and exploitation. They got their name during an undercover operation in South East Asia where child #146 was sold for sex.I am asking each of you, as a father, as a man, as a warrior, to make a donation and in doing so, stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Because if not us, who? And if not now, when? For more information, check out http://www.love146.org/ .
Let’s continue to uphold the right and serve and protect while holding each other lovingly and biblically accountable. Hope to see ya’ tonight!
We’re back on schedule and – for our locals and visitors – we will be meeting tonight (Thursday, 8/4/2010) as previously announced. For everyone else, I’ll send out a full recap in next week’s newsletter that will be written from Dallas. Dallas in August?!! That's what I said – I’ll be there for training all week. Please keep this “former” Texan in prayer as I moved to Colorado twenty years ago to escape Texas’ hellish summers which last about 9 months or more.
In light of one of our own (Lee with ICE) who accepted Christ as Savior just over a week ago, this week’s study will center on the topic of our testimony. Just what exactly is a “testimony” and do you have one? Please join us tonight at Calvary South Denver starting at 1900 hours and together we’ll answer those questions and more. The answer(s) may surprise you! Our own worship leader, Matt Wallenberg, will be back with some super worship music and we’ll have a great time of fellowship and prayer in addition to my profession-relevant message. We look forward to seeing you.
Speaking of being a new follower of Christ…many have asked me, "What does it mean to be BORN AGAIN?" Our Lord tells us explicitly that we MUST be born again in order to be saved (John 3:1-21). The concept can be a perplexing one for the initiated. Tulsa PD Capt. Travis Yates of Ten-Four Ministries (http://tenfourministries.org/) has put together a great short video presentation on the subject – please take the time to watch and learn. Go to http://thecenturionpapers.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-it-means-to-be-born-again.html. Also see http://www.gotquestions.org/born-again.html for more on the subject. If you don't already know Christ as your Savior, I urge you to take this all-important step of faith today -- we may not have tomorrow!
MEETING SCHEDULE & LATEST PRAYER REQUESTS!
As always, our meeting schedule and the latest prayer requests are posted here on the website (next post below). Please take the time to review these items and join us in praying for those that are in need – and thanks to all those who are sending them in. Check back frequently.
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-- As previously announced, don’t forget that Erv Meyer -- who has been at my side since this ministry’s infancy -- will be teaching at our August 12th meeting. Erv’s profession-relevant message will center on the person, life and testimony of Caleb – one of my favorite Bible heroes and a true servant-warrior. Please plan to attend this not-to-be-missed presentation if you are one of our regulars, reside in/near the Denver-Metro area, or are just visiting (and remember to pass the word to your friends and colleagues – just forwarding this newsletter is a GREAT witnessing tool).
-- Last Sunday we had the privilege of meeting Tonia Harris at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. Tonia is the widow of Sandoval County (NM) Sgt. Joe Harris – my “brother from a different mother” – who was shot and killed in the line of duty just over a year ago. There is a pic of Joe at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC right here on our website (scroll down) followed by one of me at the same location. Keep Tonia in prayer as she and her kids move on with their lives. As with Joe, Tonia is a strong believer…
-- 1ST ANNUAL CENTURION L.E. MINISTRY BBQ!
Saturday, 8/14, staring about 4:30 PM at our place in Highlands Ranch. We’ll have fliers at tonight’s meeting with details and our address – or shoot me an email if you can’t attend tonight or next Thursday. Should be great fun! Please feel free to join us if you’re a regular, a “rookie” to our fellowship, or just passing through. Spouses are of course welcome and encouraged to attend.
-- CENTURION RADIO!!S
Speaking of Travis Yates, he has asked me to be his guest on the Friday, August 13th (Friday the 13th -- I love it!!) edition of his brand new law enforcement-related radio ministry – Centurion Radio! Tune in if you can or listen online later. The show starts at noon CST. You can listen live at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries/2010/08/13/centurion-radio-detectivechaplain-mc-williams . Stay tuned (literally)!
-- NEED A CCW?
State Correctional Officer Ryan Dyer is a NRA Certified Firearms Instructor who has started Rocky Mountain Gun Smoke. If interested, contact Ryan at1-719-285-8865 or via email at endure4him@gmail.com .
-- NEW CHRISTIAN MOVIE NETWORK: http://www.parablestv.com/index.php .
-- NEW FOP LODGE!
I now serve as chaplain for FOP Lodge 100. I encourage every sworn officer to be a part of FOP or similar organization – especially for the legal defense program (a MUST). If you’re serving in the Colorado Front Range and are not already a lodge member, contact Lodge President Troy Cooper at tcooper8899@msn.com .
-- Finally, I’ll leave you with this from Denver PD Ofc. Todd Gentry (author of Bulletproof). Todd writes:
Fathers, Men, Warriors:
If we do not rise to protect them, who will? I recently came across a non-profit called, Love146. In short, they provide prevention and aftercare programs to help put an end to child sex slavery and exploitation. They got their name during an undercover operation in South East Asia where child #146 was sold for sex.I am asking each of you, as a father, as a man, as a warrior, to make a donation and in doing so, stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Because if not us, who? And if not now, when? For more information, check out http://www.love146.org/ .
Let’s continue to uphold the right and serve and protect while holding each other lovingly and biblically accountable. Hope to see ya’ tonight!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
A Biblical Approach to Law Enforcement Leadership
Dear Servant-Warriors:
What an incredibly busy summer I’m having – and no free days (or nights for that matter) in sight. Thankfully, our heavenly Captain has the helm. That said, here is this week’s newsletter…
Right off, don’t forget (for our locals/visitors), there is NO MEETING tonight as a number of us will be providing protective services for the Joel Rosenberg presentation at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. In addition to being an award-winning/best-selling author, Joel is also a “must-see” speaker. His presentation tonight supports his parents’ ministry – Ministry Architecture. See http://www.calvarycsd.org/, http://www.ministryarchitecture.com/, and/or http://www.joelrosenberg.com/ for more. Hope to see you there.
Speaking of meetings and services, a number of those who attend our weekly "cop church" services (aka "meetings") have also begun attending Calvary South Denver's unique Tuesday Night Dialogue -- aka "TND" (the "dialogue" is with God). Our own Matt Wallenburg has been exceedingly faithful in dragging along a young ICE Agent (Lee) to our meetings for over a year now and to TND of late. Lee is a deep thinker and something of a skeptic who firmly resisted coming to Christ. Well, Tuesday night Lee finally said "yes" to Jesus!!! Praise God Almighty!! I'll have more on this in next week's newsletter...but please join me in welcoming Lee into the fold. The entire host of Heaven is in celebration!
Our next local meeting will be August 5th. Make sure to also check the updated July 27th post on our website – http://www.thecenturionlawenforcementministry.org/ -- for the latest prayer requests, late-breaking announcements, and meeting schedule. Check back frequently!
MESSAGE RECAP:
Last week I taught our latest lesson in Christian leadership as it applies to our lives as a whole and to the law enforcement profession in particular. The focus of our discussion was the concept of biblical servant-leadership and how that concept applies to the law enforcement profession. In truth, God’s word (the Bible) contains a veritable treasure trove of applicable leadership principles.
So how is biblical leadership different from the world’s standard? The primary difference lies with the word “servant.” Jesus urged his followers to be servants first. He said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28; see also Matthew 23:11-12 and Mark 10:42-45)
Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as an example of the way in which we are to serve each other (John 13: 12-15). God also tells us in Philippians 2:1-7, "Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the spirit, any affection or mercy, complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity each of you should in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave1 by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death-even the death of the cross!" (The NET Bible.)
Secondly, it is important to point out that Christian servant-leadership is not based on any inherent or acquired authority. Rather, Christian leaders must see themselves as mere instruments of Christ and doing all in His name (Matthew 16: 18-19, 18:18-20, 28:18-20; John 20:21-23).
So what does it mean to act in the name of Christ? Clearly, only when we act according the “mind of Christ” do we act with His authority. However, we must also remember that this authority is NOT about power or position but rather about a life modeled after that of Jesus Christ, Who lived for the express purpose of serving others.
How does one fully adopt this kind of radically different leadership philosophy? The answer is that we must embrace a thoroughly biblical, Christian worldview. What is that? Greg Laurie provides a very succinct answer when he said, “So what is a Christian worldview? Simply put, there is a living God, and He has revealed himself in Scripture. Therefore as Christians, we believe that we can find absolute truth from the Bible, regardless of what is politically correct, regardless of what we feel is right or not right. We base our beliefs on what the Bible teaches. That is what it means to have a Christian worldview.”
Ergo, that very same worldview must be applied to the manner in which we serve (lead) in law enforcement, and the only way we can effectively do that is by KNOWING the Author of the Book on which our worldview is based. How can we “know” Him? By turning from our sin and trusting Christ as Savior and Lord of our lives. It is ONLY though that personal relationship and the study of His word that we can have the “mind of Christ.”
The negative morale issues in our profession are less about what we deal with on the street than they are about the internal stresses we deal with from within due to poor leadership. Let’s seek to radically change our God-ordained profession from within by being the radical servant-leaders He has called us to be. By doing so, we'll also draw other unbelievers and "fence-riders" into the fold.
ANNOUNCEMENTS!
As always, the latest prayer requests, meeting schedules and announcements are posted on the website. Check back frequently.
-- The 1st Annual Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry BBQ is set for August 14th at our place in Highlands Ranch. Contact me via email for further or – better yet – attend our next (Aug. 5th) meeting for complete details.
-- I had the honor of giving the closing prayer in Fairplay last Sunday morning during the “Cowboy Church” service that is a big part of our annual Burro Days celebration – in full uniform and (praise God) no one trying to prevent me from praying in Jesus Name! I’ll have more on this and Singer (TX) Pastor Jack Blease in next week’s newsletter.
-- Our brother Chris Dewey continues to amaze (or more correctly, it is our Lord who amazes)! See the July 27th update on our website for further.
-- Tonia Harris, the widow of slain Sandoval County (NM) Sgt. Joe Harris, will be attending Calvary South Denver this Sunday! I’ll fill you in on our meeting next week. The pic of Joe standing in front of one of the lions at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC is posted on our website (scroll down). It has been just over one year since Joe was shot and killed in the line of duty while working an assignment in the mountains east of Albuquerque. Please keep Tonia and their family in prayer.
-- Pray for me as I do yet another wedding this Saturday morning.
-- The 2010 Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) National Conference is set for September 10-12 in Gulfport, MS. See http://www.fcpo.org/ for details, cool video, and more. I’m scheduled to attend and hope you will consider joining us as well.
-- Ten-Four Ministry’s Capt. Travis Yates (Tulsa PD) has a new radio show called “Centurion Radio” and Travis has asked me to be his guest on August 13th. See http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries for more -- and stay tuned for further next week.
-- Let’s keep our brothers and sisters in Arizona and NC in prayer – see http://www.odmp.org/ and http://www.policelink.com/ for the latest “Officer Down” news.
More in next week’s newsletter and on the website – STAY TUNED!!
What an incredibly busy summer I’m having – and no free days (or nights for that matter) in sight. Thankfully, our heavenly Captain has the helm. That said, here is this week’s newsletter…
Right off, don’t forget (for our locals/visitors), there is NO MEETING tonight as a number of us will be providing protective services for the Joel Rosenberg presentation at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. In addition to being an award-winning/best-selling author, Joel is also a “must-see” speaker. His presentation tonight supports his parents’ ministry – Ministry Architecture. See http://www.calvarycsd.org/, http://www.ministryarchitecture.com/, and/or http://www.joelrosenberg.com/ for more. Hope to see you there.
Speaking of meetings and services, a number of those who attend our weekly "cop church" services (aka "meetings") have also begun attending Calvary South Denver's unique Tuesday Night Dialogue -- aka "TND" (the "dialogue" is with God). Our own Matt Wallenburg has been exceedingly faithful in dragging along a young ICE Agent (Lee) to our meetings for over a year now and to TND of late. Lee is a deep thinker and something of a skeptic who firmly resisted coming to Christ. Well, Tuesday night Lee finally said "yes" to Jesus!!! Praise God Almighty!! I'll have more on this in next week's newsletter...but please join me in welcoming Lee into the fold. The entire host of Heaven is in celebration!
Our next local meeting will be August 5th. Make sure to also check the updated July 27th post on our website – http://www.thecenturionlawenforcementministry.org/ -- for the latest prayer requests, late-breaking announcements, and meeting schedule. Check back frequently!
MESSAGE RECAP:
Last week I taught our latest lesson in Christian leadership as it applies to our lives as a whole and to the law enforcement profession in particular. The focus of our discussion was the concept of biblical servant-leadership and how that concept applies to the law enforcement profession. In truth, God’s word (the Bible) contains a veritable treasure trove of applicable leadership principles.
So how is biblical leadership different from the world’s standard? The primary difference lies with the word “servant.” Jesus urged his followers to be servants first. He said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28; see also Matthew 23:11-12 and Mark 10:42-45)
Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as an example of the way in which we are to serve each other (John 13: 12-15). God also tells us in Philippians 2:1-7, "Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the spirit, any affection or mercy, complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity each of you should in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave1 by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death-even the death of the cross!" (The NET Bible.)
Secondly, it is important to point out that Christian servant-leadership is not based on any inherent or acquired authority. Rather, Christian leaders must see themselves as mere instruments of Christ and doing all in His name (Matthew 16: 18-19, 18:18-20, 28:18-20; John 20:21-23).
So what does it mean to act in the name of Christ? Clearly, only when we act according the “mind of Christ” do we act with His authority. However, we must also remember that this authority is NOT about power or position but rather about a life modeled after that of Jesus Christ, Who lived for the express purpose of serving others.
How does one fully adopt this kind of radically different leadership philosophy? The answer is that we must embrace a thoroughly biblical, Christian worldview. What is that? Greg Laurie provides a very succinct answer when he said, “So what is a Christian worldview? Simply put, there is a living God, and He has revealed himself in Scripture. Therefore as Christians, we believe that we can find absolute truth from the Bible, regardless of what is politically correct, regardless of what we feel is right or not right. We base our beliefs on what the Bible teaches. That is what it means to have a Christian worldview.”
Ergo, that very same worldview must be applied to the manner in which we serve (lead) in law enforcement, and the only way we can effectively do that is by KNOWING the Author of the Book on which our worldview is based. How can we “know” Him? By turning from our sin and trusting Christ as Savior and Lord of our lives. It is ONLY though that personal relationship and the study of His word that we can have the “mind of Christ.”
The negative morale issues in our profession are less about what we deal with on the street than they are about the internal stresses we deal with from within due to poor leadership. Let’s seek to radically change our God-ordained profession from within by being the radical servant-leaders He has called us to be. By doing so, we'll also draw other unbelievers and "fence-riders" into the fold.
ANNOUNCEMENTS!
As always, the latest prayer requests, meeting schedules and announcements are posted on the website. Check back frequently.
-- The 1st Annual Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry BBQ is set for August 14th at our place in Highlands Ranch. Contact me via email for further or – better yet – attend our next (Aug. 5th) meeting for complete details.
-- I had the honor of giving the closing prayer in Fairplay last Sunday morning during the “Cowboy Church” service that is a big part of our annual Burro Days celebration – in full uniform and (praise God) no one trying to prevent me from praying in Jesus Name! I’ll have more on this and Singer (TX) Pastor Jack Blease in next week’s newsletter.
-- Our brother Chris Dewey continues to amaze (or more correctly, it is our Lord who amazes)! See the July 27th update on our website for further.
-- Tonia Harris, the widow of slain Sandoval County (NM) Sgt. Joe Harris, will be attending Calvary South Denver this Sunday! I’ll fill you in on our meeting next week. The pic of Joe standing in front of one of the lions at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC is posted on our website (scroll down). It has been just over one year since Joe was shot and killed in the line of duty while working an assignment in the mountains east of Albuquerque. Please keep Tonia and their family in prayer.
-- Pray for me as I do yet another wedding this Saturday morning.
-- The 2010 Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) National Conference is set for September 10-12 in Gulfport, MS. See http://www.fcpo.org/ for details, cool video, and more. I’m scheduled to attend and hope you will consider joining us as well.
-- Ten-Four Ministry’s Capt. Travis Yates (Tulsa PD) has a new radio show called “Centurion Radio” and Travis has asked me to be his guest on August 13th. See http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries for more -- and stay tuned for further next week.
-- Let’s keep our brothers and sisters in Arizona and NC in prayer – see http://www.odmp.org/ and http://www.policelink.com/ for the latest “Officer Down” news.
More in next week’s newsletter and on the website – STAY TUNED!!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Another Lesson in Servant - Leadership
As many of you have heard by now, Mahnomen County (MN) Deputy Chris Dewey is very close to "end of watch" (being called Home with our Lord.) Several of us regularly visited and prayed with Chris and his bride Emily during their lengthy stay at Craig Hospital in Englewood and they became “family” in a very literal sense. Emily’s inspirational and powerful love and devotion to her warrior-husband is very much a picture of God’s love for us. Please keep them both in prayer and know that I will keep everyone posted as I receive status updates.
As we did with Chris, some of us have been visiting Michigan officer Max Faistenhammer and now three (3) other officers who sustained serious spinal injuries for which they are all undergoing rehab at Craig. Please refer to the latest prayer request posts on our website (see PREVIOUS and following posts) for more on our wounded brothers and, if you are local, please take the time to visit.
Speaking of locals, we’ll meet as usual this Thursday (7/22) at Calvary South Denver in Littleton starting at 1900 hours (7 PM for everyone else) for a great time of worship music, profession-relevant Bible study, prayer and fellowship (essentially, “cop church”) -- read-on for details. In addition, the upcoming schedule along with the latest prayer requests have already been posted below -- please review and check back frequently!
For everyone else, here’s the RECAP from last week’s meeting:
Our primary focus at last week’s profession-relevant Bible study came from Luke 15:11-31 (parable of the prodigal son) and paints a picture of our heavenly Father’s love for us. The issue here is that, all-too-often, we launch out on our own without God’s full blessing (and therefore outside His perfect will and plan for our lives) only to fall flat our faces. When pride and a lack of humility enter our lives, it takes our dependence away from God and back on ourselves – and almost always with disastrous results (aka “FAIL!”). God repeatedly tells us in His word (the Bible) that we are to depend on Him and Him alone. The prodigal son, in his utter failure, learned a great lesson of grace with a true humility of the heart that would be with him for the rest of his life. In short, when we repent (turn) and place our trust totally in God, He will turn our failures into spiritual successes.
David's story is but one of many examples of a “prodigal.” At an early age, David came to know the meaning of the true “CALL” in his life and he knew the day the Holy Spirit began a special work in him (1 Samuel 16:13). In response, David sought to continually seek God’s wisdom, guidance and will in the decisions he made as a leader as opposed to relying on his own abilities. In turn, God saw to it that David never lost a battle despite facing serious consequences for the sin in his life.
God wants to do the same thing in each of us but only if we live His way instead of “my way.” True servant-leaders understand that we are only tools in the Master’s hand. The point is this: when we draw closer and closer to Christ, our will and God’s will for our lives will line up and become one in the same. David’s heart belonged to God. Is YOUR heart fully the Lord’s to do with what He wills?
I left time for Erv Meyer and recently retired DPD officer Mark Roggeman to share portions of their inspirational testimonies. Erv shared from Psalm 37:4 (spiritual brokenness) and John 12:26 (running to the battle). Both Erv and Mark will be speaking and teaching a profession-relevant Bible study in the near future – stay tuned!
Learning from David’s example, this week we will once again tackle another lesson in servant-leadership. Please join us if you can and don’t forget to “pass-on” this email to your colleagues.
ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-- Captain Travis Yates of Tulsa PD and Ten-Four Ministries is now on the radio! Dubbed Centurion Radio (no direct relation to us), this profession-relevant radio outreach can be accessed by going to http://www.sermonaudio.com/source_detail.asp?sourceid=tenfour or via their main website, http://www.tenfourministries.org/. Travis has asked me to be a guest for an upcoming program -- stay tuned for details (and I’m very humbled and honored)!
-- Announcing our “First Annual Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry BBQ” to be held at our home in Highlands Ranch! We’re tentatively scheduled the event for Saturday, August 14th, starting at 4:00 PM. Please email me and/or attend an upcoming meeting for more details -- and remember to bring your spouse!
-- Don’t forget that there is NO MEETING next week (July 29th) as several of us will be doing event security for world-renowned author and speaker Joel Rosenberg (http://www.joelrosenberg.com/) who will be speaking on behalf of his parents’ outreach, Ministry Architecture. Please come and support this worthy ministry if you can. Go to http://www.ministryarchitecture.com/ for more details and to so see how to support this cause even if you can’t attend this event.
Finally, be sure to check back frequently for the latest announcements, prayer requests, meeting updates, and more. I’ve also added a number of new links – check ‘em out!
It’s a hot summer but let’s stay “frosty” in Christ!
As we did with Chris, some of us have been visiting Michigan officer Max Faistenhammer and now three (3) other officers who sustained serious spinal injuries for which they are all undergoing rehab at Craig. Please refer to the latest prayer request posts on our website (see PREVIOUS and following posts) for more on our wounded brothers and, if you are local, please take the time to visit.
Speaking of locals, we’ll meet as usual this Thursday (7/22) at Calvary South Denver in Littleton starting at 1900 hours (7 PM for everyone else) for a great time of worship music, profession-relevant Bible study, prayer and fellowship (essentially, “cop church”) -- read-on for details. In addition, the upcoming schedule along with the latest prayer requests have already been posted below -- please review and check back frequently!
For everyone else, here’s the RECAP from last week’s meeting:
Our primary focus at last week’s profession-relevant Bible study came from Luke 15:11-31 (parable of the prodigal son) and paints a picture of our heavenly Father’s love for us. The issue here is that, all-too-often, we launch out on our own without God’s full blessing (and therefore outside His perfect will and plan for our lives) only to fall flat our faces. When pride and a lack of humility enter our lives, it takes our dependence away from God and back on ourselves – and almost always with disastrous results (aka “FAIL!”). God repeatedly tells us in His word (the Bible) that we are to depend on Him and Him alone. The prodigal son, in his utter failure, learned a great lesson of grace with a true humility of the heart that would be with him for the rest of his life. In short, when we repent (turn) and place our trust totally in God, He will turn our failures into spiritual successes.
David's story is but one of many examples of a “prodigal.” At an early age, David came to know the meaning of the true “CALL” in his life and he knew the day the Holy Spirit began a special work in him (1 Samuel 16:13). In response, David sought to continually seek God’s wisdom, guidance and will in the decisions he made as a leader as opposed to relying on his own abilities. In turn, God saw to it that David never lost a battle despite facing serious consequences for the sin in his life.
God wants to do the same thing in each of us but only if we live His way instead of “my way.” True servant-leaders understand that we are only tools in the Master’s hand. The point is this: when we draw closer and closer to Christ, our will and God’s will for our lives will line up and become one in the same. David’s heart belonged to God. Is YOUR heart fully the Lord’s to do with what He wills?
I left time for Erv Meyer and recently retired DPD officer Mark Roggeman to share portions of their inspirational testimonies. Erv shared from Psalm 37:4 (spiritual brokenness) and John 12:26 (running to the battle). Both Erv and Mark will be speaking and teaching a profession-relevant Bible study in the near future – stay tuned!
Learning from David’s example, this week we will once again tackle another lesson in servant-leadership. Please join us if you can and don’t forget to “pass-on” this email to your colleagues.
ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-- Captain Travis Yates of Tulsa PD and Ten-Four Ministries is now on the radio! Dubbed Centurion Radio (no direct relation to us), this profession-relevant radio outreach can be accessed by going to http://www.sermonaudio.com/source_detail.asp?sourceid=tenfour or via their main website, http://www.tenfourministries.org/. Travis has asked me to be a guest for an upcoming program -- stay tuned for details (and I’m very humbled and honored)!
-- Announcing our “First Annual Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry BBQ” to be held at our home in Highlands Ranch! We’re tentatively scheduled the event for Saturday, August 14th, starting at 4:00 PM. Please email me and/or attend an upcoming meeting for more details -- and remember to bring your spouse!
-- Don’t forget that there is NO MEETING next week (July 29th) as several of us will be doing event security for world-renowned author and speaker Joel Rosenberg (http://www.joelrosenberg.com/) who will be speaking on behalf of his parents’ outreach, Ministry Architecture. Please come and support this worthy ministry if you can. Go to http://www.ministryarchitecture.com/ for more details and to so see how to support this cause even if you can’t attend this event.
Finally, be sure to check back frequently for the latest announcements, prayer requests, meeting updates, and more. I’ve also added a number of new links – check ‘em out!
It’s a hot summer but let’s stay “frosty” in Christ!
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