As before, the newsletter and profession-relevant/life-relevant Bible study goes out each week via email and is re-posted on our social media pages as well. However, I always post it here as well (resources, archives, etc.). Here then is A Cop's Courageous Marriage. Pass it on!
MC
Showing posts with label Marriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marriage. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Monday, August 10, 2015
Who is the "Captain of Your Soul"?
This week's Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry and FCPO newsletter/Bible study has gone out to our email subscribers (FREE) and is posted on our Facebook pages as well but here again is Who is the Captain of Your Soul?. The answer to this question has eternal consequences and is one that can be joyously changed if you act accordingly. As usual, there are a a plethora of prayer requests, resources, announcements and more. Don't forget to share!
MC
MC
Monday, June 29, 2015
Selecting Leaders God's Way
As usual, this week's newsletter and Bible study has gone out to our worldwide email subscribers (FREE) but here it is again in this format. This week's edition also includes my thoughts and that of others on this past week's Supreme Court decision on marriage. Don't forget to pass it on! "Selecting Leaders God's Way"
Blessings!
MC
Blessings!
MC
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
On Cops and Marriage: The Rob Parks Story (TCLEM Newsletter for Week of March 25, 2012)
Veteran Denver PD Officer Rob Parks was our special guest speaker at last Thursday's Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry/FCPO-Denver "Cop Church" fellowship at Calvary South Denver in Littleton.
In the RECAP below, I've attempted to summarize Rob's presentation for all our readers throughout the country in the hope that you will prayerfully use/adapt these biblical principles to your own lives and devotions. We'll have Rob back again in the near future for "Part 2!"
As previously announced in last week's newsletter and here on our website (see schedules on left side), the is NO MEETING this Thursday (we typically take off the last Thursday of the month -- especially if we've got 5 of them in a given month)! That said, we'll be back at on Thursday, April 5th, at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. Stay tuned for more (next week's newsletter) and by all means read on for the RECAP, news and other announcements on the national level.
______________________________________________
Living a Life Worthy of a Cop's Calling
A number of recent events involving my fellow officers both here at home and across the country has served as a Holy Spirit-inspired prompt to share a brief devotion/reminder about both who we are in Christ (if we know Him as Lord and Savior) and as his ordained ministers for good and a terror against evil (Romans 13:1-4). Fellow servant-warriors, God has CALLED us to life a life worthy of the calling (Ephesians 4:1-6) both on and off duty. Are you leading others astray or into sin by your example? Are you leading others to Christ? Are you glorifying God in your work or are you a ROD ("retired on duty")? Are you spending time in fellowship with other believers ("church," Centurion Ministry and/or FCPO/POFCI fellowship)? Do you allow yourself to be held accountable by your brothers and sisters in Christ? Are you daily spending time in His Word (the Bible) and in prayer? Are you striving to be the godly father and husband our Lord has called/commanded you to be?
Rest assured, God is calling us to train like warriors and athletes in seeking/growing in our relationship (not religion) with Him (click on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 for more on this).
My friends with the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry have an outstanding short study on the concept of living a life worthy of the calling that I highly recommend. Click on LIVE WORTHY OF YOUR CALLING and ask our loving Lord to help you do just that.
Retired LAPD officer and fellow Bible teacher Bill Rhetts has produced a great short video (under 4 minutes) that serves as an excellent great conclusion to this concept: When Christians Help Others to Sin.
Finally, if you have not yet made a decision for Christ (what it means to become a "Christian" -- a follower of "The Way"), let me again encourage you to do so today -- NOW -- as tomorrow is promised to no one and there are NO SECOND CHANCES if you pass away without being in a right-relationship with God in Christ. How? Go to the left side of this website and scroll down to the links under How Can I Be Saved (aka True "Officer Safety"). Feel free to contact me if you need help in making this all-important life-changing/life-saving eternal choice.
_______________________________________________
Message RECAP: On Cops and Marriage -- The Officer Rob Parks Story
Denver PD Officer Rob Parks is an eleven-year veteran who not only understands God's call on his life in law enforcement but also has a heart for biblical marriages. Last Thursday Rob shared with us what I've called "Part 1" of what we hope to be a series on law enforcement marriage and family issues.
Rob shared part of his powerful testimony (certainly not always a "boy scout") and rightly pointed out that God is calling husbands to evangelize their wives and to take a stand against the "police culture" that makes it "cool" to "slam" our spouses in front of our fellow officers (marriage is often de-valued or not valued at all in the law enforcement culture). Rob added, "How we talk about our spouses at work and in front of the kids has a direct impact on our marriages." He also asked the questions, "How do you talk ABOUT your spouse?" and "How do you talk TO your spouse?"
Rob talked about the importance of "debriefing" with our spouses during which we can identify spiritual attacks on our marriages and prayerfully develop a biblical, tactical defense and response to those attacks (rest assured, the enemy -- Satan -- will do everything in his power to undermine biblical marriage).
Rob concluded his presentation with this statement and question: "As cops we are willing to take a bullet for our spouses but are we willing to LIVE for them?"
Officer Parks shared the following passages from God's Word that I strongly recommend you study and apply to your marriages:
On taming (controlling) the tongue:
James 3
Proverbs 18:21
Proverbs 12:18
Proverbs 18:6
Proverbs 21:23
Finally -- on sacrificially loving and serving one another: Ephesians 5:21-33.
Next week I'll post some additional points from Rob's presentation dealing with marital communication -- stay tuned!
_______________________________________________
News, Prayer Requests & Announcements...
...are posted here on our website and updated regularly. This newsletter has also be re-posted on our Facebook pages (don't forget to "LIKE" and share with us there -- see the FB links on the left side of this website). That said, here are just a few more pressing announcements and a great short video from Ron Moore about praying for your friends and family who either don't know Christ as Savior and Lord or who do are in a backslidden state.
(1) Sgt. John Baker Golf Classic (A Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers national charity event)
(2) Cops Fighting Cancer Benefit
(3) How to Pray for your Unsaved Loved Ones
(4) TRUTH (formerly "Tuesday Night Dialogue") Retreat, April 13-15 in Estes Park, CO. The remaining slots are filling rapidly. EMAIL me ASAP if you're interested in attending this life-changing event held in one of America's most beautiful places. Diana and I serve in this powerful ministry and can't recommend it enough!
________________________________________________
Time to once again go "10-8" and Run to the Battle. Let's continue to stay battle focused and fully engaged in "the fight" while at the same time always training hard and exercising solid offficer safety in the field.
As always, feel free to CONTACT me if I can be of service.
Det. Sgt. & Chaplain M.C. Williams
Director, The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
Vice President, Fellowship of Christiain Peace Officers - USA
In the RECAP below, I've attempted to summarize Rob's presentation for all our readers throughout the country in the hope that you will prayerfully use/adapt these biblical principles to your own lives and devotions. We'll have Rob back again in the near future for "Part 2!"
As previously announced in last week's newsletter and here on our website (see schedules on left side), the is NO MEETING this Thursday (we typically take off the last Thursday of the month -- especially if we've got 5 of them in a given month)! That said, we'll be back at on Thursday, April 5th, at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. Stay tuned for more (next week's newsletter) and by all means read on for the RECAP, news and other announcements on the national level.
______________________________________________
Living a Life Worthy of a Cop's Calling
A number of recent events involving my fellow officers both here at home and across the country has served as a Holy Spirit-inspired prompt to share a brief devotion/reminder about both who we are in Christ (if we know Him as Lord and Savior) and as his ordained ministers for good and a terror against evil (Romans 13:1-4). Fellow servant-warriors, God has CALLED us to life a life worthy of the calling (Ephesians 4:1-6) both on and off duty. Are you leading others astray or into sin by your example? Are you leading others to Christ? Are you glorifying God in your work or are you a ROD ("retired on duty")? Are you spending time in fellowship with other believers ("church," Centurion Ministry and/or FCPO/POFCI fellowship)? Do you allow yourself to be held accountable by your brothers and sisters in Christ? Are you daily spending time in His Word (the Bible) and in prayer? Are you striving to be the godly father and husband our Lord has called/commanded you to be?
Rest assured, God is calling us to train like warriors and athletes in seeking/growing in our relationship (not religion) with Him (click on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 for more on this).
My friends with the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry have an outstanding short study on the concept of living a life worthy of the calling that I highly recommend. Click on LIVE WORTHY OF YOUR CALLING and ask our loving Lord to help you do just that.
Retired LAPD officer and fellow Bible teacher Bill Rhetts has produced a great short video (under 4 minutes) that serves as an excellent great conclusion to this concept: When Christians Help Others to Sin.
Finally, if you have not yet made a decision for Christ (what it means to become a "Christian" -- a follower of "The Way"), let me again encourage you to do so today -- NOW -- as tomorrow is promised to no one and there are NO SECOND CHANCES if you pass away without being in a right-relationship with God in Christ. How? Go to the left side of this website and scroll down to the links under How Can I Be Saved (aka True "Officer Safety"). Feel free to contact me if you need help in making this all-important life-changing/life-saving eternal choice.
_______________________________________________
Message RECAP: On Cops and Marriage -- The Officer Rob Parks Story
Denver PD Officer Rob Parks is an eleven-year veteran who not only understands God's call on his life in law enforcement but also has a heart for biblical marriages. Last Thursday Rob shared with us what I've called "Part 1" of what we hope to be a series on law enforcement marriage and family issues.
Rob shared part of his powerful testimony (certainly not always a "boy scout") and rightly pointed out that God is calling husbands to evangelize their wives and to take a stand against the "police culture" that makes it "cool" to "slam" our spouses in front of our fellow officers (marriage is often de-valued or not valued at all in the law enforcement culture). Rob added, "How we talk about our spouses at work and in front of the kids has a direct impact on our marriages." He also asked the questions, "How do you talk ABOUT your spouse?" and "How do you talk TO your spouse?"
Rob talked about the importance of "debriefing" with our spouses during which we can identify spiritual attacks on our marriages and prayerfully develop a biblical, tactical defense and response to those attacks (rest assured, the enemy -- Satan -- will do everything in his power to undermine biblical marriage).
Rob concluded his presentation with this statement and question: "As cops we are willing to take a bullet for our spouses but are we willing to LIVE for them?"
Officer Parks shared the following passages from God's Word that I strongly recommend you study and apply to your marriages:
On taming (controlling) the tongue:
James 3
Proverbs 18:21
Proverbs 12:18
Proverbs 18:6
Proverbs 21:23
Finally -- on sacrificially loving and serving one another: Ephesians 5:21-33.
Next week I'll post some additional points from Rob's presentation dealing with marital communication -- stay tuned!
_______________________________________________
News, Prayer Requests & Announcements...
...are posted here on our website and updated regularly. This newsletter has also be re-posted on our Facebook pages (don't forget to "LIKE" and share with us there -- see the FB links on the left side of this website). That said, here are just a few more pressing announcements and a great short video from Ron Moore about praying for your friends and family who either don't know Christ as Savior and Lord or who do are in a backslidden state.
(1) Sgt. John Baker Golf Classic (A Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers national charity event)
(2) Cops Fighting Cancer Benefit
(3) How to Pray for your Unsaved Loved Ones
(4) TRUTH (formerly "Tuesday Night Dialogue") Retreat, April 13-15 in Estes Park, CO. The remaining slots are filling rapidly. EMAIL me ASAP if you're interested in attending this life-changing event held in one of America's most beautiful places. Diana and I serve in this powerful ministry and can't recommend it enough!
________________________________________________
Time to once again go "10-8" and Run to the Battle. Let's continue to stay battle focused and fully engaged in "the fight" while at the same time always training hard and exercising solid offficer safety in the field.
As always, feel free to CONTACT me if I can be of service.
Det. Sgt. & Chaplain M.C. Williams
Director, The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
Vice President, Fellowship of Christiain Peace Officers - USA
Thursday, July 28, 2011
PTSD -- A Biblical Perspetive and Approach: TCLEM Newsletter
Brothers and Sisters of "The Sword":
Hope this week finds you staying the course as we lead (serve) and protect in accordance with our God-given call and commission as revealed in God’s inerrant word (Romans 13:1-4).
Right off, we had an outstanding study/fellowship in Aurora last week where I taught on “Cops & Marriage” (aka “Taking a Stand for Marriage”). Police wife and sister-in-ministry Kristi Neace provided an outstanding template that I adapted to our specific needs (I encourage you to do the same). Scroll down for the message RECAP and link to her website.
This week we’ll be switching gears as I tackle the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder -- PTSD -- in law enforcement and the military from a thoroughly biblical perspective. I will undoubtedly ruffle more than a few feathers inasmuch as God's approach to dealing with this issue is radically different than the one presented in secular psychology/psychiatry. Please join us if you’re in the Denver area (Thursday, July 28, 7:00 PM at Calvary South Denver in Littleton – www.CalvaryCSD.org for directions). For everyone else I’ll present a detailed recap with resources in next week’s newsletter that you can adapt for your own use (including your law enforcement Bible studies/FCPO chapters in your area of the country/world).
Don’t forget to check this website frequently for the latest prayer requests, Denver-area meeting schedules, info on other studies around the country (see especially our Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers chapters listed on our website – www.fcpo.org), and a plethora of outstanding resources.
_______________________
2011 Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers National Conference!
Speaking of the FCPO, our 2011 FCPO National Conference is rapidly approaching (October 7-9 in Chicago, IL). We’ll again have an outstanding group of speakers including but not limited to the aforementioned Kristi Neace (Bring your wives!!) and Marine/police officer and chaplain Col. Ray Fairman (www.rayfairman.com). The complete program will be available soon but prayerfully consider joining us in the Windy City this October!
_______________________
Message RECAP: Standing Courageous: As Officers, as Spouses
Readers of our website and newsletter know how strongly I am recommending the upcoming film Courageous (coming to a theater near you on September 30th). Without giving everything away, we have a serious problem in our profession when it comes to marriage. With the stresses of the job on both officers and family along with rampant adultery (SIN), alcoholism (SIN) and a host of other issues, we are seeing a divorce (SIN) rate of up to 85 percent.
The famous 20th Century preacher Dr. Peter Marshall was quoted as saying, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” Country singer Aaron Tippin wrote it into what became one of my favorite country songs (www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hja0XND8Ms).
What does it mean to stand? We often take our everyday words at less than face value, so I looked up the meaning in the dictionary. According to Webster’s, stand means: “to be, become, or remain upright, rigid or still; to have or take a position; to endure, bear, tolerate; withstand, to undergo.”
Kristi points out that as officers and spouses – men and women, we are to stand:
(1) For our marriages.
(2) For what is right in our departments, our communities, our churches, and our nation.
(3) In the gap when our partners are away as parent, caretaker, administrator, etc.
(4) In our homes as examples to our children/grandchildren.
(5) In awe of God.
Kristi writes, “To stand is a choice. To stand is a calling.” Amen to that! The following passages form a biblical foundation for Kristi’s work:
Isaiah 7:9 “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”
Ephesians 6:10-18 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Proverbs 31:10-12 “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 “Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Ecclesiastes 5:7 “Therefore stand in awe of God.”
AND
Habakkuk 3:2 “LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord.”
In closing, Kristi writes, “Let me encourage you to stand courageous in this life so that even battered or bruised, our lives will shine forth as a banner of God’s goodness to all those who see us."
I strongly encourage you to go to www.kristineace.com and digest her teaching on these five powerful points. Folks, as Christian officers and spouses we must – MUST – take a stand for our marriages and families. Have you taken your stand? If not, why not? It’s time. As we exclaim on a felony stop – DO IT NOW!
Stay safe out there, lead from the front, and STAND firm in Christ!
Hope this week finds you staying the course as we lead (serve) and protect in accordance with our God-given call and commission as revealed in God’s inerrant word (Romans 13:1-4).
Right off, we had an outstanding study/fellowship in Aurora last week where I taught on “Cops & Marriage” (aka “Taking a Stand for Marriage”). Police wife and sister-in-ministry Kristi Neace provided an outstanding template that I adapted to our specific needs (I encourage you to do the same). Scroll down for the message RECAP and link to her website.
This week we’ll be switching gears as I tackle the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder -- PTSD -- in law enforcement and the military from a thoroughly biblical perspective. I will undoubtedly ruffle more than a few feathers inasmuch as God's approach to dealing with this issue is radically different than the one presented in secular psychology/psychiatry. Please join us if you’re in the Denver area (Thursday, July 28, 7:00 PM at Calvary South Denver in Littleton – www.CalvaryCSD.org for directions). For everyone else I’ll present a detailed recap with resources in next week’s newsletter that you can adapt for your own use (including your law enforcement Bible studies/FCPO chapters in your area of the country/world).
Don’t forget to check this website frequently for the latest prayer requests, Denver-area meeting schedules, info on other studies around the country (see especially our Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers chapters listed on our website – www.fcpo.org), and a plethora of outstanding resources.
_______________________
2011 Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers National Conference!
Speaking of the FCPO, our 2011 FCPO National Conference is rapidly approaching (October 7-9 in Chicago, IL). We’ll again have an outstanding group of speakers including but not limited to the aforementioned Kristi Neace (Bring your wives!!) and Marine/police officer and chaplain Col. Ray Fairman (www.rayfairman.com). The complete program will be available soon but prayerfully consider joining us in the Windy City this October!
_______________________
Message RECAP: Standing Courageous: As Officers, as Spouses
Readers of our website and newsletter know how strongly I am recommending the upcoming film Courageous (coming to a theater near you on September 30th). Without giving everything away, we have a serious problem in our profession when it comes to marriage. With the stresses of the job on both officers and family along with rampant adultery (SIN), alcoholism (SIN) and a host of other issues, we are seeing a divorce (SIN) rate of up to 85 percent.
The famous 20th Century preacher Dr. Peter Marshall was quoted as saying, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” Country singer Aaron Tippin wrote it into what became one of my favorite country songs (www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hja0XND8Ms).
What does it mean to stand? We often take our everyday words at less than face value, so I looked up the meaning in the dictionary. According to Webster’s, stand means: “to be, become, or remain upright, rigid or still; to have or take a position; to endure, bear, tolerate; withstand, to undergo.”
Kristi points out that as officers and spouses – men and women, we are to stand:
(1) For our marriages.
(2) For what is right in our departments, our communities, our churches, and our nation.
(3) In the gap when our partners are away as parent, caretaker, administrator, etc.
(4) In our homes as examples to our children/grandchildren.
(5) In awe of God.
Kristi writes, “To stand is a choice. To stand is a calling.” Amen to that! The following passages form a biblical foundation for Kristi’s work:
Isaiah 7:9 “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”
Ephesians 6:10-18 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Proverbs 31:10-12 “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 “Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Ecclesiastes 5:7 “Therefore stand in awe of God.”
AND
Habakkuk 3:2 “LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord.”
In closing, Kristi writes, “Let me encourage you to stand courageous in this life so that even battered or bruised, our lives will shine forth as a banner of God’s goodness to all those who see us."
I strongly encourage you to go to www.kristineace.com and digest her teaching on these five powerful points. Folks, as Christian officers and spouses we must – MUST – take a stand for our marriages and families. Have you taken your stand? If not, why not? It’s time. As we exclaim on a felony stop – DO IT NOW!
Stay safe out there, lead from the front, and STAND firm in Christ!
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