Here's our 9/11 Newsletter -- "God's Wake Up Call"

Our 9/11 remembrance newsletter went out last week to our email subscriber and on social media as well but here again is "God's Wake Up Call."

God's Battle Plan

This week's Centurion LE Ministry/FCPO newsletter and Bible study is up! Just click on "God's Battle Plan" and then pass it on when you're done. In addition to the study, it is chock full of prayer requests, news, announcements (including this Thursday's special Ministry Arhitecture event with Joel Rosenberg) and more.

Let's seek God battle plan and get in the fight under Christ our Captain!

MC

Cops Laying Down Their Lives

This week's Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry and FCPO Newsletter/Devotional has gone out to our worldwide list of subscribers (FREE) but here it is again: Cops Laying Down Their Lives.

Take the time to check it out and understand that without being in a saved/redeemed RELATIONSHIP with God in Christ, our "good works" are meaningless.

Lots of news and announcements as well -- pass it on!

PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for longtime FCPO brother and retired Canadian officer David Greenhalgh who is battling cancer and scheduled for surgery on August 13th.

Asking the "Why, God?" Question (p. 2)

This week's newsletter and police Bible study/devotional has gone out to our readers around the country and world.  Take the time to read it, heed it and then pass it on.  See Cops Asking "Why, God?" The Centurion LE Ministry & FCPO Newsletter.  This week's edition includes a powerful short video (8 minutes) message from Travis Yates of Ten-Four Ministries that he gave at the National Law Enforcement Memorial that reveals God's answer to the proverbial "Why?" question. 

The newsletter also includes news and "411" about this year's Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) national conference (see following August 1st post), the much-anticipated Joel Rosenberg event to assist Ministry Architecture (his parents' ministry based here in Denver), our imminent mission trip to Moldova, and so much more. 

Don't forget to like us on Facebook and even "friend" me on my personal page.  Let's stay boldly in the fight under Christ our Captain! 

MC

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.

PTSD Recap and Biblical Intel for Cops: TCLEM Newsletter

Fellow Servant-Warriors:

We’ve had another rough few days with officers going down in the LOD (see www.odmp.org) and as such I must again express the importance of our being right with Christ NOW – not tomorrow or “soon.” The word says that we know not the time or hour (Matthew 24:36). Are you ready? Do you have a right relationship with Christ? Do you know even know what that means? Read on!

I’ve posted the latest PRAYER REQUESTS, announcements and more right here on our website. Please join us in praying for our own (and check back frequently)!

MESSAGE RECAP -- PTSD:

Last week I presented a tactical, profession-relevant message on dealing with PTSD from a biblical perspective. Right off, it is important to understand that the biblical (God’s) view of this very real malady is in fact diametrically different from the “world’s” view (secular psychology). In what way? Please go to these two links to obtain a right (biblical) perspective on this issue:

(1) www.gotquestions.org/nouthetic-counseling.html
(2) www.gotquestions.org/psychology-Biblical-counseling.html

With this biblical foundation in place, it is important to point out that I am NOT an expert on PTSD although I do teach/speak about it on a regular basis. Nor am I saying that the secular approach to this very real condition is necessarily “wrong.” Rather, my position is that the Bible presents a better way – a very viable approach that should be strongly considered by the Christian officer/soldier. I managed to cull my normal eight-hour presentation on this subject down to an hour for the purposes of our study. That said, perhaps the best way for me present a decent recap on what some in “the world” might view as a controversial approach is to share the following links to some of the primary sources/resources for dealing with PTSD “God’s way.” I encourage you to study and pray about the views presented here (ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom):

(1) A secular view:
(a) www.copshock.com/description.php
(b) www.ptsdpolice.com/
(c) www.aaets.org/article132.htm

(2) God’s (biblical) view:
(a) Dr. Oscar Ramirez: www.pmimchat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=255
(b) Chaplain (Col.) Donald W. Holdridge, Command Chaplain, 200th Military Police Command: www.usar.army.mil/arweb/organization/commandstructure/USARC/OPS/200MP/UMT/PTSD/Pages/SpiritualResiliency.aspx
* Great list of resources at the end!!

The overall point is this: PTSD has always been a reality but God has the answer. My position -- backed by othes smarter than I -- is that David dealt with PTSD issues of his own and turned to God for healing and restoration. His Psalms are evidence of same. By the same token, turn to our loving Father, spend time with Him in prayer and His word (especially David's Psalms as pointed out in Col. Holdridge’s article), pray the word, seek out fellowship with other Christian officers/soldiers (a huge part of why The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry, FCPO and similar outreaches exist), seek out a biblical (nouthetic) counselor if need be, and decide today to not allow the enemy to entrap you in a PTSD-induced prison.

Finally, I must point out that the biblical (God’s) approach to dealing with PTSD and related issues means first coming into a right relationship with Christ as Lord and Savior. Is that you? Are you “right” with God today? If not, please go to www.fcpo.org/christian.html and take the “Good Person Test.”

There is hope and healing for PTSD -- begin your “journey home” today.

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NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & RESOURCES:

(1) More on cops and marriage from Kristi Neace (www.kristineace.com) who will be one of our keynote speakers and the upcoming Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers National Conference in October: www.kristineace.com/2011/08/marriage-undercover/.

(2) Clark Cayton with Responder Life writes, “See the link to the 9/11 First Responder Family Weekend in Branson, MO! Please forward this to your entire First Responder Network, inviting them to join us this September 11th weekend for a wonderful family get-a-way including FREE Silver Dollar City tickets!”: www.branson.com/responderlife.

(3) Next week we’ll have a very special evening of testimony from a number of our own here in Denver along with a great study recap for everyone else around the country! Stay tuned!

(4) Special National Prayer Event: Please join us on Saturday, August 6th in praying for our nation. For more see http://theresponseusa.com/


See also the plethora of resources available to you here on this website!

That’s it for this week. If you are one of our Denver area regulars or visitors, remember that there is NO regular MEETING tomorrow. Rather, we are participating in the Joel Rosenberg/Ministry Architecture event at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. See www.ministryarchitecture.com and http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/ for more details!

Let’s resolve to be warriors who seek God first, serve our families second, and then “The Job.” Be safe in Christ!

New Prayer Requests and Announcements

ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Join Ministry Architecture, Inc. and Joel C. Rosenberg in Denver for a special evening talk on the U.S. debt crisis, Israel's future, Iran's threat, and revolutions in the Arab world.

Joel will be commenting on Scriptures that speak of current events, e.g. Haggai 2: 6-7 and 21-22 at our annual fund raiser next Thursday, August 4, 2011, at Calvary Chapel South Denver from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. with a Q & A from 9:00 to 9:30 p.m.:

For thus says the Lord of Hosts,'Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. I will shake all the nations...I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. I will overthrow the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations."

Len and Mary Jo Rosenberg will give updates on their ministry work being done in 2011 in Jericho on the West Bank, in the Negev Desert, and in Nigeria, Zambia, Borneo, and Mexico.

To make a reservation, go to our website at: www.ministryarchitecture.com Requested donation is $25.00 per person.

Joel's new book, The Tehran Initiative, can be easily pre-ordered on the same Ministry Architecture, Inc. website. We will mail the books after October 18, 2011, the street date for publicaiton. The first 100 folks to order the books will receive an autographed copy. Click Here for a description of the book.

Joel will be available to sign any of the following books purchased the night of the event: Epicenter; Epicenter Study Guide; Inside the Revolution; and The Twelfth Imam. To make it easier for you, order the books on our website, print the receipt, and bring it with you.

Looking forward to seeing you on August 4th,
Len and Mary Jo Rosenberg
(303) 989-4870

PRAYER REQUESTS (updated regularly -- please check back):

UPDATED 08/02/2011

** Pray for a police chief who has sustained a very painful injury.

** We've lost a slew of fellow officers in the last few days. Please pray for their families and colleages. Also pray for the the two SD officers who survived whilst our brother was slain. Both are were in critical condition at last report. Perp was wounded (in custody).

** Pray for an officer's daughter who fighting Wegener's Disease.

** Pray for a Chief who is dealing with some political issues (servant's heart, FOG, protection).

** Please pray for Angie Hays, wife of DPD Officer/Chaplain/Psstor Manny Hayes, as she battles liver cancer. Pray for Manny as well as he stands buy his bride (priority #1 now).

** Pray for Mark (retired DPD) and Rosalie Roggeman. Rose is a trying the recover from a host of serious health problems.

** Pray for Mike Carter as he prepares to start the police academy and follow his calling into law enforcement.

** From a colleague in CA concerning a brother:
After spending months with pain in his lower back Lt. Won recently had an MRI and it was discovered that he has 2 bulging discs and 2 herniated discs in his spine. He started to get emotional with me on the phone because he is so young/active and in his words "can do nothing now." He sounded pretty helpless. It also doesnt help the fact that he recently moved out on his own with no roommates and I think is kind of lonely. Anyways, he seems kind of depressed and down on himself, not knowing what to do. I talked to him for a little while and encouraged him and am asking you guys to pray for him and maybe give him a call to encourage him if you have free time. I asked him if he minded me sharing his hardship with others and he had no problem with it.

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

Fellow Servant-Warriors:

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

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

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

WHAT’S YOUR “F-150”?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trained and Ready for Battle

My Fellow Warriors:

My prayer is that you had a safe and productive Independence Day weekend. If you were able to spend at least a part of it with your families, consider yourself blessed – there are many who were (are) fighting both at home and abroad to make that possible. If you were on duty, then consider yourself blessed as well – God gave you an opportunity to make the lives of others -- fireworks issues aside -- that much more safe and peaceful (that’s our call, duty and privilege).

I had the benefit of growing up all over the world as part of a military family and then later serving overseas as a peace officer. I am also a student of history. Taken together, I can speak with some authority about how very blessed this nation has been and still is. Even with all our failings (there have been many), America has truly been “God blessed.” Sadly, the United States is rapidly turning its back on God and I fear that righteous judgment has so far been stayed only by the prayers of a righteous few.

That said, it is important for the true Christian to understand that America is not our home, nor is true liberty found in any document or system of government. On the contrary, the Bible – God’s perfect and inerrant word – tells us that true freedom is found only through a life-altering/life-saving personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.). On this Oswald Chambers wrote, “When you have a right-standing relationship with God, you have a life of freedom, liberty, and delight...” Amen to that

Recently Tulsa PD Captain and Ten-Four Ministries (www.tenfourministries.org) Director Travis Yates spoke on this subject during his latest “Centurion Radio” broadcast that also featured our own Officer Jason Pearson of Englewood (CO) PD: http://thecenturionpapers.blogspot.com/2011/07/centurion-radio-22-disaster-response.html.

Regardless, I encourage all Americans to take a moment to read the God-inspired document that we call our Declaration of Independence with the understanding that while it is both unique and special, it is NOT God's word, nor does it replace that word: http://nationaldayofprayer.org/declaration-of-independence/.

As God’s ordained ministers (Romans 13:1-7), it is our (law enforcement, military) duty and our privilege to preserve and defend this great nation through our service and fervent prayer. This special call requires that we maintain our warrior skills and fitness in order to serve in a manner worthy of that calling. Tonight I’ll be teaching a special message that embraces that concept while at the same time remembering that the foes we face in our daily battles are both human and demonic. Regarding the latter, ALL Christians are called to be prepared and proactive warriors engaged in battle against a very real enemy. I’ve entitled this message “Trained and Ready for Battle” and you’re invited to join us tonight at Calvary South Denver in Littleton (www.calvarycsd.org for directions) starting at 7 PM. I’ll of course post a detailed recap for all our many readers from all over the USA (and many points beyond our borders) in next week’s newsletter – stay tuned!

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The latest/updated PRAYER REQUESTS, MEETING SCHEDULES and more have been posted here on our website (see following posts). Please take the time to join us in prayer and to get yourself up-to-date on what’s happening all over the country (and check back frequently)!

Speaking of upcoming events posted here on our website, we’ve got two very special ones coming up this month and next here in Colorado:

(1) Colorado State Trooper Scott Hinshaw will be our very special guest speaker NEXT Thursday, July 14th at Calvary South Denver staring at 7:00 PM. Many may recall that Scotty was nearly killed in the same line of duty incident that resulted in the death of fellow Trooper Zach Templeton in October of 2007. Scott’s amazing, inspirational and powerful story is a not-to-be-missed event and is so far reaching that I’ve opened it to all…please plan on joining us on the 14th and don’t forget to bring you spouse and invite a colleague.

(2) Secondly, you are invited to attend "An Evening with Joel C. Rosenberg," the Ministry Architecture Inc. (MAI) annual fundraiser to be held on Thursday, August 4, 2011, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Calvary Chapel South Denver. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. MAI was founded and is directed by Leonard (Len) C. Rosenberg, a licensed architect since 1974. Len and his wife, Mary Jo, travel to developing countries to design, at no cost, buildings for Christian ministries and to teach The Bible.

Contributions to attend the two-hour session are $25 per person. Using your credit card, you will be able to register on our cart located on MAI's website at: www.ministryarchitecture.com.

Joel, a New York Times bestselling author, is knowledgeable about the Middle East, prophecies, and the correlation of current events to predicted final events in The Bible. His annual sessions on behalf of MAI are informative, engaging, and entertaining. Fresh from an Epicenter Conference hosted by Joel in Jerusalem in mid-May, he will relate his perspective regarding up-to-date activities in Israel and the Middle East. Len and Mary Jo will also report on their recent ministry activities in Israel, the West Bank, Nigeria, and Zambia.

Last year, Calvary Chapel's auditorium, with a seating capacity of 1,000, was completely filled. Make your reservations early, and plan to attend an enjoyable evening with us. All contributions are tax deductible and help support MAI activities throughout the year.

We hope to see you on August 4th at 7:30 p.m.! More on this in upcoming newsletters and on our website.

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That’s the “briefing” for this week – stay the course as we lead, serve and protect under our true Captain.

MC

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!!

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!

Latest Prayer Requests and Meeting Schedule

Updated MEETING SCHEDULE:

-- Thursday, July 15th. 1900 hours, Calvary South Denver (go to http://www.calvarycsd.org/Location/ for directions) in the Multi-Purpose room -- straight ahead after entering the main doors.

-- Thursday, July 22nd. Same time/place as above.

-- Thursday, July 29th. NO MEETING as Joel Rosenberg will be speaking at Calvary South Denver. Details can be found at http://www.calvarycsd.org/ or http://www.ministryarchitecture.com/. A number of us will be providing security to Joel, his family, and the congregation. If you are local or visiting, this would be great event for you to attend and the $25 cost is actually a tax deductible donation to Joel's parents' ministry -- Ministry Architecture, Inc. Regardless, this is a good time to remind everyone to carry off-duty -- especially at church!


Updated (071410) PRAYER REQUESTS (please see the previous posts for additional):

-- Please pray for a fellow agent's teen daughter who is experiencing some severe psycological issues (depression and more). Pray for our brother and his bride as well as this has been a very difficult issue in more ways that one.

-- "David," a strong believer/officer in Canada, covets prayers for his son "Daniel" who is undergoing another "nightmare" scenario stemming from a line-of-duty incident. "David" writes, We meet tomorrow with "Dan's" lawyer and need prayer for (1) that or God's "legal Angels" to be loosed in Heaven and on Earth; (2) for wisdom; (3) for eloquence and a clear head; (4) for a winning strategy to defeat Satan pre trial; (5) for Judicial favour - in court next week over "pre trial motions". We are 37 months-post event and I just wrote today an 8 page list of unsatisfied disclosure issues. It is simply unbelievable what they have failed to do. We are following an unusual defence policy of "no document, record or video can hurt us" it is the prosecution who is holding back crucial info. This is a reversal of normal court practice. This situation is so extreme it should be dealt with now, not at trial in September. Thank you for praying for us.

-- Let's continue to keep the men and women of the Grand Junction PD in prayer as that agency is dealing with a host of issues. Some of those prayers need to be for Chief Camper and the GJPD leadership -- that they would in fact be the true servant-leaders God has called them to be.

-- Agent Dexter Wells has asked us to pray for ATF Special Agent Will Clark. See http://www.fleoa.org/ for details.

-- A fellow investigator's father is having some medical tests *(7/11) -- possible cancer. Please keep him in prayer. PRAISE REPORT/update 07/12!! Rich reported that his dad's tests came back negative/cancer-free!! Praise God/Thank You Lord (and thanks to all who prayed)!

-- Pray for a sergeant who is in great pain and facing surgery to correct a duty-related leg injury (healing, pain management, etc.). This is possibly career-ending.

-- Pray for a state law enforcement administrator who is under high stress and working extremely long hours (legislation, lawsuits, brand new enforcement division, etc.) building a first-of-its-kind drug regulatory and enforcement protocol to better serve and protect the citizens.

-- A chief and his family are going through the sudden loss of a child (chief's grandchild). This has been particularly hard on our brother's wife and daughter. Please lift them in prayer.

-- "Officer Down" news: this week marks the 1st anniversary of Deputy Joe Harris's murder. A picture of Joe is posted here on this website (scroll down) at our memorial in DC. We need to keep the Harris family in prayer as this is a very difficult time.

-- Let’s keep a colleague and his wife in prayer as they fight for the welfare of their teen daughter along with the job-related issues that go along with it. They have a meeting with CPS tomorrow.

-- Pray for an officer who is dealing with administrators who continually fail to back their officers (including the party about whom I'm posting) and look for opportunities to brow-beat them -- thus fostering the proverbial "I better not do anything or I'll be in trouble again" syndrome that is anathema in our profession. Another sad example of poor leadership.

-- We continue to visit with Brownstown (MI) PD Officer Max Faistenhammer who is currently paralyzed and undergoing rehab here at Craig Hospital. Pray that our brother comes to Christ and that our Lord would grant Max healing in accordance with His perfect will. A benefit is being held for Max this Saturday in Michigan -- see special post for details (7/12/10 above).

-- Please continue to pray for Mahnomen County (MN) Dep. Chris Dewey and his wife Emily. Both are having a rough time with Chris's ongoing medical issues stemming from being shot in the line of duty last year. Chris is having a benefit as well -- see special post above ( 7/12/10) for details.

-- I will be marrying another couple on July 31st. Keep me in prayer as I share God’s truth/message with them and ultimately, with those attending.

-- Don't forget to check the previous prayer request posts as those folks are still very much in need of prayer.

More Prayer Requests (Updated)

Updated (070810) PRAYER REQUESTS (see previous posts for additional):

-- Retired CPD Lt. Chuck Urgo -- a fellow FCPO national board member, sent the following: Chicago lost a fine officer yesterday. From all accounts he was not only a fine officer but a compassionate man who volunteered his time to help a blind neighbor. He was a husband, military veteran, athlete and had served the city for 11 years. Our prayers go out to his family, friends and fellow officers. I don't know where he stood with the Lord. My hope and prayer is that he had an active faith in Jesus. I would encourage every cop that has a relationship with the Lord to pray for your fellow officers, live a life worth of Christ and share your faith boldly. Be that "light in a dark place" pointing others to Jesus. You'll never know which of your co-workers may not make it to the next roll call.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/2475692,chicago-cop-shooting-070611.article

Police Officer Thor Soderberg
Chicago Police Department
End of Watch: Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: 10 years, 11 months
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Shot/wounded and taken into custody.

Let's all be in prayer for Thor's family and colleagues.

-- As many of you know, former BART Officer Johannes Mehserle is currently on trial in CA. It is pretty clear to any trained officer that Johannes thought he was using a Taser and not a firearm. Please ask God to see that justice is done (this was NOT murder), that He will protect our brother/sister officers, and that cooler heads will prevail (reference the expected riots). Pray for Johannes as well. Fellow investigator Chris Orsini sent me the following: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128375779&ft=1&f=1003.

-- A Chief writes, “On Saturday (07/03/10) morning Paul, the best man at my daughter’s wedding, was in a horrible traffic accident on his way to work. As a result of the accident he is paralyzed from the waist down, has a broken femur, shattered shoulder, 200 stitches in his face, broken ribs and a punctured lung. He had spinal surgery yesterday and has a second scheduled for next week. An off-duty cop and paramedic who were close and witnessed the accident saved his life. Please keep him in your prayers.”

-- Pray for a fellow investigator currently serving in Afghanistan with his Reserve unit (safety and that he will follow "hard after" our Lord).

-- Please pray for Illinois officer who is going through a proverbial “hell on earth” situation in relation to a use-of-force incident. Lots more to Jim’s situation than what is being played out in the media. We seek God’s intervention, truth, biblical leadership and of course that Jim would accept Christ as his Lord and Savior. Pray also for Jim’s sergeant (Dino) who is displaying outstanding courage and leadership in coming alongside our brother.

-- We continue to visit with Brownstown (MI) PD Officer Max Faistenhammer who is currently paralyzed and undergoing rehab here at Craig Hospital. Pray that our brother comes to Christ and that our Lord would grant Max healing in accordance with His perfect will. Whilst we’re at it, please continue to pray for Mahnomen County (MN) Dep. Chris Dewey and Chicago PD Ofc. Densey Cole.

-- Jason Pearson (Englewood PD) writes, "Mike Sorenson was re-admitted to Craig Hospital yesterday. Mike was shot in the line of duty some years ago and has returned due to complications from that shooting. Mike is in room #301, however he has limited visitation due to the seriousness of his new condition. Mike cannot talk out loud due to the recent complications that he suffered, but can lip words. Visits are limited to 5 minutes and please check in at the 3 West nurses station. Mike is from Wisconsin, I met him in February when he was at Craig for a re-evaluation. He is a great guy and does amazing things. " Let's keep Mike in prayer.

-- Pray for a young officer who is going through a divorce (restoration, repentance and biblical obedience, etc.). They have only been married a short time and his wife, supposedly a believer, left for other than biblical reasons (aka "sin").

-- Please keep the Chief and staff of the Grand Junction PD in your prayers (godly servant-leadership and more).

-- Pray for a colleague who is hurting and fighting for his marriage – part of which includes praying that his wife will come out of rebellion and back to the Lord. Our brother is also seeking God’s direction and will in terms of his career path and ministry.