Slaying the Giants

As announced previously, I’m posting this week’s newsletter here on the website only due to the fact that my email got hacked and I’m trying to straighten out the mess. As a cop not being able to “reach out” and snatch the offender in Nigeria or wherever is most frustrating. Like David, I must instead wait on the Lord – always the right move!

This week (TOMORROW, August 18th) we’ll be meeting at Calvary Chapel AURORA where I’ll be teaching a thoroughly warrior-relevant message I’ve entitled Slaying the Giants. What are the “giants” in your life and how can they be “slain?” Please join us tomorrow in Aurora (downstairs entrance – room 144) and we’ll see what the original “Giant Slayer” has to say on the subject via His inerrant word. I’ll of course post a detailed RECAP in next week’s newsletter for the majority of our readers all around the country and world.

Speaking of recaps…

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RECAP: A Cop’s Testimony

Last week’s study and time of fellowship centered on our testimony as Christians/Christian officers. Our primary text was Acts 26:1-29 in which Paul shares his testimony with King Agrippa II and the Roman procurator (governor), Porcius Festus. Paul’s testimony serves as an outstanding template for our own. Here are the main points:

(1) Only a Christian can give a Christian testimony. If you don’t know Christ as Savior and Lord, you don’t have a testimony to share.

(2) EVERY Christian has a testimony (and don’t let anyone tell you different).

(3) Your testimony is not about what you gave up for Jesus but rather what Jesus gave up for you.

(4) There is true POWER in your testimony! See Revelation 12:11 and Acts 1:8.

(5) We should seek to glorify God and make Him known through our testimony: 1 Chronicles 16:8 and Daniel 4:2.
(6) We must be walking in obedience to have an effective testimony! See Ephesians 5:5-6.

(7) How to organize your testimony: Paul’s own testimony provides the answer (guideline):
(a) 40% BEFORE Christ came into your life.
(b) 20% on the conversion experience.
(c) 40% AFTER Christ came into your life (what He has done/is doing).

(8) Our testimony must be honest and authentic. Don’t be like the politician who told voters how important God was in his life and that his favorite verse was John 16:3 when he actually meant to say John 3:16 (Look it up!).

What is your testimony? May I suggest that you go to God, seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance, put your testimony on paper (5-10 minutes is fine), and then ask God to give you opportunities to boldly share it!

See www.gotquestions.org/Christian-testimony.html and related articles for more on this timely subject.

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National NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

(1) Courageous comes to a theatre near you on September 30th. See www.courageousthemovie.com/ for more!

(2) Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) 2011 National Conference is set for October 7-9 in Chicago. We are strongly encouraging officers and spouses to join us for this exciting, life-changing event. Go to www.FCPO.org and click on the Summer 2011 Newsletter link at the top for complete details and reservation info.

(3) Slain CA Officer’s Last Act (has made national news): www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/44167629#44167629. Did our brother know Christ as Savior?

(4) Responder Life 9/11 Remembrance Weekend!! See https://www.branson.com/responderlife.


Denver-Area News:

(1) Colorado Regional Men’s Conference: I’m encouraging local Christian male officers to strongly consider joining us at 0800 on Saturday, September 10th at Calvary Chapel Aurora for the Colorado Regional Men’s Conference. Come out and be encouraged! More information: Contact CO State Criminal Investigator and Calvary Aurora Men’s Ministry leader Tony Avila at Tony@calvaryaurora.org or 909-660-0114.

(2) Rock the Range (http://rockontherange.com/) event is coming to our area on August 27-28. They are seeking sworn officers willing to volunteer their time to provide uniformed/armed security. Here is what they are looking for:

Kidzfest, Saturday, 27 August, 830am-1130pm, 4-6 Officers
Session # 2, Saturday, 27 August, 230pm-930pm, 8-10 Officers
Session # 3, Sunday, 28 August, 230pm-830pm, 8-10 Officers

Radios will be provided to each two-man team along with a free lunch between sessions. If interested, please contact Manny Hays at mhays@calvarycsd.org. I'll be serving during at least one session.
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That’s it for this week. Check back frequently for the latest updates, prayer requests, announcements and more. Be safe while serving in the confidence, peace and hope that only comes through a personal relationship with the Cop of Cops, Jesus Christ.

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.

Newsletter: A Cop's True Calling & Purpose

Dear Fellow Officers and Supporters:

Finding enough time and energy over the past ten days has been something of an ordeal so please bear with me. Most have no idea how much time it takes to put together a weekly newsletter, prepare my message -- essentially a profession-relevant sermon, run this ministry (as much a calling from God as my profession), take care of my other ministry responsibilities at my church, “be there” for bride and family, and hold down my law enforcement duties. That is why I routinely ask you to keep me in prayer – and even more this week when the enemy is afoot. While God’s call for me is a joy, I do in fact covet your prayerful support. Thanks in advance! That said, let’s get to it!


We’re NOT SPAM!

Unfortunately, I’m discovering that some of you are finding emailed version of this newsletter in your SPAM folders. I’ve also been told that our website may have been flagged by McAfee for "suspicious activity" (clearly not but I'm working on it). Please be sure that you add both my email addresses (fullarmor911@yahoo.com and thecenturionministry@yahoo.com to your address books. In addition, this website is absolutely safe. FYI!


MESSAGE RECAP

We had another full-house for last week’s Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry/Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers chapter (FCPO-Denver) meeting and tactical Bible study. My hope is that readers will (1) use the recap as part of their own Bible studies and devotionals and (2) that you’ll adapt the studies for the law enforcement fellowships you are a part of in your respective jurisdictions around the country. Accordingly, here’s the recap from last week’s tactical Bible study dealing with the subject of "Being like Mike" -- the process of SANCTIFICATION:

When Michael Jordan was "king" of the hardwoods, the phrase "Be like Mike" was all over the airwaves. For the Christian, a big part of our call is the process of continually growing our faith and relationship (not the "other 'r' word -- "religion") to become "like Christ" in all we do and say. That process stems from the Greek word hagiazo -- being "separated" or "set apart" through sanctification -- what it means to be "conformed" to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

I covered three main points:
(1) Santification is different than salvation. Rather, sanctification is an ongoing (ideally life-long) result of salvation.
(2) Sanctification is a continuing process (see Galatians 5:17).
(3) Sanctification is a Christian responsibility.

So how do we get there? How can we "be like Christ?" Jesus had a lot to say about sanctification in the John 17. In verse 16 the Lord says, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world,” and this is before His prayer that the Father “Sanctify them in the truth: Thy word is truth.” Sanctification is a state of separation unto God; all believers enter into this state when they are born of God: “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). This is a once-for-ever separation, eternally unto God. It is an intricate part of our salvation, our connection with Christ (Hebrews 10:10). Sanctification also refers to the practical experience of this separation unto God, being the effect of obedience to the Word of God in one’s life, and is to be pursued by the believer earnestly (1 Peter 1:15; Hebrews 12:14). Just as the Lord prayed in John 17, it has in view the setting apart of believers for the purpose for which they are sent into the world: “As Thou didst send Me into the world, even so send I them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth” (v. 18, 19). That He set Himself apart for the purpose for which He was sent is both the basis and the condition of our being set apart for that for which we are sent (John 10:36). His sanctification is the pattern of, and the power for, ours. The sending and the sanctifying are inseparable. On this account they are called saints, hagioi in the Greek -- “sanctified ones.” Whereas previously their behavior bore witness to their standing in the world in separation from God, now their behavior should bear witness to their standing before God in separation from the world. There is one more sense that the word sanctification is referred to in Scripture. Paul prayed in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “The God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul also wrote in Colossians of “the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel” (Colossians 1:5). He later speaks of Christ Himself as “the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27) and then mentions the fact of that hope when he says, “When Christ, who is our Life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with Him be manifested in glory” (Colossians 3:4). This glorified state will be our ultimate separation from sin, total sanctification in every aspect. “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).

To summarize, sanctification is the same Greek word as holiness, “hagios,” meaning a separation. First, a once-for-all positional separation unto Christ at our salvation. Second, a practical progressive holiness/obedience in a believer’s life while awaiting the return of Christ. Third, we will be changed into His perfect likeness—holy, sanctified, and completely separated from the presence of evil. See also 1 Cor. 2:16.

That's part of our call -- to intentionally be more and more "like Christ" in all we do and say. To do that, we have to understand sin and walk in obedience in accordance with His perfect word and standard, the Bible.

Tonight I'll talk about another part of our call -- the one given by God specifically to to law enforcement personnel.


The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry to Meet in AURORA!

As previously announced, our new monthly venture in the eastern metro area (Aurora) begins this evening (2/17/11) starting at 7 PM in room 138 at Calvary Chapel Aurora. Go to www.calvarychapelaurora.org for directions. Our own Matt Wallenburg will be leading a time of worship, we’ll have some of our law enforcement apparel and other gear on hand and I’ll be teaching on our true “Calling and Purpose” in law enforcement. Do you understand your “calling” in our unique profession and the true source of that calling? Please join us as we discuss what God has to say on the subject.


FACEBOOK UPDATE

A number of issues have necessitated my making some changes regarding Facebook (the focus has always been to keep Facebook primarily as a ministry tool). As such, I’d appreciate it if you would make a point of visiting our new page (under active development) and “like” it for me: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Centurion-Law-Enforcement-Ministry-FCPO-Denver/165229383527705. Let me know what you think!


TRAINING Corner

I wanted to give everyone an update and reminder that I’ll be joining my partner in ministry, Tulsa PD Captain and Ten Four Ministries (www.tenfourministries.org) director Travis Yates, in Oklahoma on April 7th where my friend Lt. Col. Dave Grossman will be giving a special presentation of his outstanding Bulletproof Mind program. Please consider joining us! Go to Travis’s new sister site for details: http://warriormissions.org/training/bulletproofmind.


NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) There is a great new website out there for first responders that has a wealth of information and resources. While I’ve added a link to Responder Life here on my website, you can also go to it directly at www.responderlife.com.

(2) After nearly nine months of treatment here at Craig Rehabilitation Hospital, wounded Polk County (WI) S.O. Dep. Mike Seversen has gone home to Wisconsin. Mike and I forged a strong friendship during my near-weekly visits and I’m asking that you keep him in prayer. Mike’s behavior is nothing short of remarkable. I’m encouraging folks to drop him a line now and then via his CaringBridge site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mikeseversen1.

(3) A Christian Law Enforcement Conference is being held next month in Shroon Lake, NY. My friend Randy Green will be the keynote speaker! Go to http://wolinn.org/calendars/viewEvent/4709346?cal_category=45755 for details.

(4) The much anticipated, biblically-based law enforcement film The Grace Card is set to hit theaters next week! Go to http://www.thegracecardmovie.com/ for details (Diana and I plan to attend and hope you will as well).

(5) Officer Down news! We’ve had a brutal last 14 months (including three more down in the last couple of days alone)! Please be in prayer for the families of the fallen and for the recovery of our wounded brethren. Go to www.odmp.org for more details.

(6) The Canadian Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO-Canada) website has been updated and I've included a link to same here on our site. Check it out.

(6) Finally, the latest PRAYER REQUESTS & local MEETING SCHEDULE has been posted here our website (following posts here at www.TheCenturionLawEnforcementMinistry.org). Please update yourself and then check back frequently.

That’s it for this week’s edition (but don’t forget to scroll down for the FCPO NewsBlast). Now pass it on to others in your address book – and keep your powder dry as you continue to serve and protect in our God-ordained profession. Blessings!