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…
________________________
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.
_______________________________
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.
__________________________________
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.
Showing posts with label Rock the Range. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rock the Range. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
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/
______________________________
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!
_______________________________
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!
________________________________
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!
___________________________________
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.
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/
______________________________
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!
_______________________________
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!
________________________________
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!
___________________________________
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.
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