Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship Newsletter

December 2010

“Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, they will pour into your lap. For whatever measure you deal out to others, it will be dealt to you in return” (Luke 6:38).

The act of giving is compellingly powerful, whether we are giving, receiving, or just watching it happen. It’s contagious and mind altering, even transforming to the body’s chemical and hormonal balance. It impacts the environment of its relational community, and exponentially grows its influence. So why do shades of Scrooge all too often characterize our character?

Fear is as paralyzing as love is motivating. And it’s clear that we all come by fear naturally. It is indeed a scary world, with plenty of evil to threaten us all around. But fear feeds on timidity and inhibition, compromise and carelessness. If all we can see is what we stand to lose, we’ll never understand that we’re only a steward. Our lives are a trust. We only have what we’ve been given, and how we invest our time, talent and treasure either advances our purpose or atrophies our potential.

Christmas reminds us our power for living came to us in the presence of His giving. The hope and love we receive in knowing Him expels fear and excites our joy. “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His Name will be called Wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Thank you for your prayers and support. We know that circumstances on your end of things are challenging as well, as we all deal with depressed incomes and increased responsibilities and ministry needs. In these stressed times, we’re all called to tighten it up and stick even closer as we depend more and more on the grace of God’s love working more through one another. We pray your days are healthy and filled with the hope and joy of our adequacy in the resources of His promises and the satisfaction of His abundant, providential care. We are not orphans.

November began with circumspect ministry in the tragic wake of officer Chris Wilson’s shooting death. The Lord opened many doors for engaging hearts with His love and goodness, in spite of the evil so prevalent all around. We are not victims, but are called to shine in such a world, not given to timidity, but overcoming with power, love and sound judgment. I was given entrance to follow-up and minister to his former wife and their two children also, and thank the Lord He is surrounding them with good spiritual support. Incidents of this sort severely shake a community, and yet as you know, God brings good out of it.

There is much to do as we prepare to enter another year, with our annual L.E. Prayer Breakfast, continued follow-up from our marriage retreat and determining another for next fall, additional marriages to be performed, counseling with others, and ongoing interaction at my division. Both PD and SO have their administrative issues, and I’m grateful for the good men that I work with on that. The Lord has given us good favor with both agencies these days, and we’re working to develop better program and reputation for the lean years that always come. We advance when we can while the door is open and inviting.