Cops, 9-11 & God: TCLEM Newsletter

Fellow Sheepdogs and Supporters:

The 10th anniversary of 9-11 (what we now call Patriots Day) is past and our once-monthly foray to Calvary Chapel Aurora is once again upon us tonight. I’ll be teaching a short but thoroughly profession-relevant 9-11 Bible study along with an opportunity for you to share your own 9-11 “where were you” stories. We’ll also be sharing some ideas about both the direction of this ministry and the biblical essentials foundation) on which it is built. If you’re in the Denver area, please consider joining us at 7:00 PM in Room 138 (downstairs/café entrance – follow our signs). Directions to Calvary Aurora can be found at www.calvaryaurora.org.

As always, I’ll post a detailed recap for everyone else around the country/world that you can adapt and use for your own devotions and Bible studies. Stay tuned!
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MESSAGE RECAP: Cops and Depression – a Biblical Approach


That a great many peace officers and military combat personnel suffer from depression should not come as any big surprise. The sad fact is that depression is a leading contributor to police suicide and a host of other maladies.

I want to start by saying that while I both practice and encourage biblical (nouthetic -- www.compassionatecounselors.com/Statement.aspx) counseling and believe that God’s inerrant word supplies a real and viable solution to depression, I am not taking a position that the secular approach has no value. Rather, my position – and that of this ministry – is that God has THE answer if you will but seek it with your whole mind and heart. Moreover, I am not in any way saying that medicine (psychiatry as opposed to secular psychology) has no value. On the contrary, some (but not all) types of depression may stem from very real medical conditions that call for medical intervention. That aside, it is important to point out the very basis of secular psychology points to self while the biblical approach points us to Christ (No small difference this!). Where God is calling the Christian to turn is therefore clear.

The overall context of scripture presents numerous examples of depression and God’s solution for same. Moreover, it is vital that we point out that a great deal of depression (though not all) is a consequence of SIN and God most certainly has the solution for that. Beyond that, the following are thought to play a significant role in depression:

(1) Alcohol abuse (ETOH is a depressant – duh!).
(2) Drug abuse.
(3) Certain medical conditions including but not limited to thyroid issues, cancer, chronic pain, etc.
(4) Certain medication side-effects (including side-effects of some anti-depressants).
(5) Sleep (lack of, disorders).
(6) Stressful albeit common life events such as school problems, divorce (sin), death and/or illness of a loved one, childhood abuse/neglect, job issues/loss, financial issues (some of which may be sin-based), and the social isolation that is common in the law enforcement profession.

What does the Bible say about depression? For starters:

-- Proverbs 13:12

-- Proverbs 18:14

-- Job 7:6, 11


God’s word is also clear that Satan will most assuredly attempt to take advantage of our weaknesses. How do we combat his attacks? Ephesians 6:11-12, 2 Corinthians 2:7-11 and 1 Peter 5:6-9 provide part of the defense and solution. The Bible further reveals that David was no stranger to depression (Psalm 42 and 43) and his son Solomon writes in Proverbs 18:14 that A man’s spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

The Bible presents a plethora of examples of those who suffered from depression. Here are but two:

(1) Jeremiah – the “Weeping Prophet” (read Lamentations 3)

-- Jeremiah's mental state: Lamentations 3:14-20


-- God’s solution: Lamentations 3:21-26, 37-40 present the key -- God is in control and our hope is in Him and Him alone.

(2) Elijah: Discouragement (aka depression -- read 1 Kings 19)

-- Contrast Elijah’s discouragement (depression) in 1 Kings 19:4 with 2 Kings 2:9! It serves to remind us that when our focus is on ourselves (secular psychology) we can open the door for the enemy to come in with discouragement/depression. While we can identify with 1 Kings 19:4, God is calling us to to live in 2 Kings 2:9!

-- Discouragement/depression will affect our self-image (Proverbs 23:7). When our hearts and minds are focused on Jesus and not on ourselves, we will catch a glimpse of who we are in Christ – mighty men and women of God! Elijah was discouraged to the point of wanting to die which is just where Satan wanted him to be (and us with him). Turn your focus to faith of God and move from where you are to where He has called you to be.

-- Discouragement can tempt us to fear and run from our responsibilities:

“And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, ‘What doest thou here, Elijah?’” (1 Kings 19:9 KJV). God is essentially saying, “Dude, what you are doing cowering here in fear when I am your salvation and hope?! Get out of there!”

Where should we turn when depressed/discouraged? God first always, then...

-- Each other (fellowship – “back up”): Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Proverbs 27:10 in the NLT says in part “Never abandon a friend…”

Can God relate to our depression? You bet!

-- Hebrews 4:15-16; 12:2-3

-- Isaiah 53:3-4

-- Matthew 26:38-44 and Luke 22:41-44


What about depression caused by our past mistakes and sin? God promises to intervene if we would but repent and place our whole faith/trust in Him!

-- Psalm 32:1-5; Psalm 51:1-3, 7-10

-- Isaiah 41:10

Finally, what does God want your mind-set to be when you are in a difficult trial and in depression due to same?

-- James 1:2-4

-- 1 Corinthians 10:13

-- Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content... I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

-- 1 Peter 5:10

Christians also need to know that, when we are at our weakest and lowest, we are actually at our highest (2 Cor. 12:9–10)! We need the assurance that even in the midst of depression, our dear Lord is drawn to us in our pain (Isa. 57:15; 66:1–2; Ps. 34:17–18), is suffering along with us (Heb. 4:15; Isa. 63:7–11), and is working even our defeats and failures towards a blessed and eternal conclusion (Rom. 8:28; Phil. 1:6; John 6:37–40)!

Lastly, the essential here is that God’s solution to depression can only be had by repenting of our sins, seeking His forgiveness, and entering into a life-saving/life-changing personal relationship with God in Christ. Is that you? Have you given your life to Him? If not, do so now – tomorrow may be too late. Click on the Are you a True Christian links on the upper left side!

I also have links to Biblical Counseling (not “Christian counseling” which so often wrongly attempts to mix the secular with the spiritual) resources here on our website. Please take the time to consider God’s solution over “man’s.”

** If you want a copy of my complete study outline/notes, shoot me an email here or at fullarmor911@yahoo.com or thecenturionministry@yahoo.com.
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Courageous Update!

GMC TV will air an hour-long special -- “Behind the Scenes of COURAGEOUS” – on Friday, Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. eastern. Check it out! Also please plan on heading to the theaters on or soon after the opening date of September 30th! Every man needs to see this film – and that means we need your help to keep it running!

See also: Officer speaking about Courageous -- www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXfQi1ipDw0&feature=email


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Chattannooga PD Ofc. Jonathan Parker of Covered Law Enforcement has asked that we share his wife’s powerful testimony that was aired on CBN (no, I’m not endorsing CBN) this past Tuesday. Jonathan writes, “We welcome comments and prayer requests, and pray that God will continue to use this for His glory.”

www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/mp4/AS76v2_WS

For more see www.CoveredLawEnforcement.org and www.facebook.com/CoveredLawEnforcement

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TRAINING -- Lt. Col. Dave Grossman!

Tulsa PD Captain Travis Yates and Ten-Four Ministries have partnered with our friend Lt. Col. Dave Grossman for a very unique faith-based presentation of his popular Bulletproof Mind Seminar in Tulsa, Oklahoma this coming October 14th. Go to www.warriormissions.org for more and to find out how you can bring this dynamic presentation to your area of the country or world.

Speaking of Ten-Four Ministries, Travis has recently re-designed his outstanding website – please take the time to check it out at www.tenfourministries.org. That site also has a link to the following from one of Travis’s recent teachings that I can’t recommend enough:

www.sermonaudio.com/playpopup.asp?SID=626111529407.

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That’s it! Be safe out there, place your faith and hope in Christ, and don’t forget to check our website and Facebook pages (listed here -- scroll down left side) for the latest and greatest!

Cops, Scams and Depression

Brothers and Sisters:

I am going to attempt to be brief despite having much to cover – please read on.

First off, most if not all of you received a bogus/scam email advising that I was stranded in Scotland. Here’s the gist for both this incident and any future such issues: my email account was completely hacked by folks in Nigeria (yea – Nigeria)! Not only did the hackers send a bogus email to everyone on my contact list, but they also deleted all my emails, folders, contacts, etc. before changing the language to Greek and changing my password as well. They also had all incoming/outgoing emails forwarded to a bogus email address: fullarrnor instead of fullarmor (see how close rrn is to rm – and be sure you don’t have the former in on your contact list)! I was finally able to get everything back to English and Yahoo restored my account save for a 24-hour period of incoming emails. I’ve also taken some additional security steps but know this – if I’m ever truly “stranded” in Scotland (the haggis was wonderful!) or anywhere else I have a great wife and family who will help me out! Moreover, I recommend some “police work 101” for anything suspicious – such as a simple Google search of the scammer’s phone number (results reveal the scam). Do NOT call listed numbers as they may very well result in HUGE charges to you phone bills. All-in-all a very messy business this! I apologize for any consternation on your parts but I also thank all those who reached out to make sure I was OK. To that end, please add thecenturionministry@yahoo.com to your contacts as I will be using it for the time being as my primary ministry email.

Secondly, God had different plans for us at last week’s meeting that resulted in us some pretty powerful interaction instead of my planned study on “The Warrior’s Psalm” (Psalm 91). I will still be teaching this at a future date so stay tuned. That aside, a trusted and wise brother/partner in ministry provided the following after our study that serves as an outstanding template for all those around the country/world also leading and/or participating in their own law enforcement fellowships:

“Officers won't want to miss a Christian law enforcement Bible study and fellowship if it: (1) helps them see and share what God is doing in their personal world,
(2) develops group unity, and
(3) is goal oriented (evangelism, discipleship, spiritual growth, etc.) to encourage each person to be what God wants them to be.”

Amen to that!

This week (tonight, 1900 hours, High School Room, Calvary South Denver in Littleton) I’ll be teaching on the much-anticipated and very real issue of depression in law enforcement (and in general, for that matter) and the biblical approach to dealing with it. I’ll of course provide a detailed recap in next week’s newsletter and here on our website for our world-wide audience and will include a list of excellent resources. Stay tuned!

Speaking of this website, please check back frequently for the latest updates, new links, prayer requests, meeting schedules and so much more.

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National Announcements:

(1) The 2011 Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers Conference is set for October 7-9 in Chicago. We have an outstanding lineup of speakers and exceptional fellowship/networking with other Christian officers and their spouses from all over the United States and Canada. Go to www.FCPO.org and click on the conference link at the top. Hope to see you there!

(2) Courageous opens September 30th and a number of us are working hard on organizing law enforcement outreach events for opening night and beyond. Go to www.courageousthemovie.com/ for more (and I’ll have further in upcoming newsletters and on our website).

(3) Patriots Day (9-11): This Sunday is of course the 10th anniversary of the September 9th terrorist attacks on our nation. Most of us will be working that day so let’s resolve to cover each other in prayer whilst also being extra vigilent (be sure that both your physical and spiritual armor -- Ephesians 6:10-18 – is firmly in place). I’ll have more in next week’s newsletter…

(4) Faith & Policing! Check out this excellent PoliceOne.com article (includes my own comments as well): www.policeone.com/police/community/articles/4304692-Policeman-pastor-finds-similarities-in-faith-and-law-enforcement/?fb_ref=homepage

(5) Dep. Chris Dewey’s Killer Convicted! I received the news this week and corresponded with Chris’s widow Emily (she is doing OK – glad this issue is almost concluded). Party will be sentenced to life in prison. See www.wdaz.com/event/article/id/10375/ (and pray that God’s will be done in terms of the appeal).


Denver-Area News:

(1) Calvary Chapel Regional Men’s Conference (www.calvaryaurora.org/whats-new/mens-conference/) is set for this Saturday, September 10th, from 8AM to 2:30 PM (doors open at 0715) at Calvary Chapel Aurora. I’m encouraging all Denver-area officers (and men in general) to join me for a special time of biblical study to grow and encourage us in these difficult times. Speakers include Chuck Smith, Raul Reis, Ed Taylor, Gino Geraci, Lonnie Trujillo and more! Contact fellow Colorado state criminal investigator and ministry leader Tony Avila at tony@calvaryaurora.org or 909-660-0114 for more information. It’s FREE -- see you there!

(2) Transformed Conference! Are you ON FIRE for GOD (you should be)? Saturday, September 17th from 12:30-4:30 at Calvary South Denver in Littleton (www.CalvaryCSD.org). Register and obtain more information about this FREE event at www.livingwaters.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=449. Bring your spouse to this one!

(3) Law Enforcement Training: The Colorado State Investigators Association is hosting a white collar crime training conference on October 5-6. Outstanding presenters/subject matter along with 16 hours of POST credit. Go to www.CSIAinc.org and click on the conference link. I serve on the CSIA board and can therefore vouch for this fine organization. Hope to see you there!


That’s it for this week folks. Stay frosty, fly your flags, and stay in the fight under the command of our true Commander in Chief (initials are “JC” and not “BO”).