Peace Officers for Christ International Peacemakers Journal - November/December 1994

One night, we went in foot pursuit of a gang member, and when we cornered him, he started screaming, "Don't kill me!" Suddenly, he realized who we were and, slumping to the ground breathless he said, "I didn't know you were cops. Thank God you're cops!" Two days before, he had been beaten up by a rival gang and thought we were them coming back to finish him. When he saw our raid jacket "covering," with the bold SHERIFF lettering and distinctive colors, he collapsed in relief.

I thought about how the clothing we wear makes such an impact on how we are perceived. As policemen we constantly Judge people by what they wear. Our covering says a lot about us. For believers, our spiritual covering is Jesus Christ. His shed blood covers our sin.

In Matthew 22, Jesus told a parable of a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. When the king came in to greet his guests, he saw a man who was not wearing wedding clothes. (It was customary for the host to provide his guests with a proper garment. For the guest to fail to avail himself of a wedding garment would be an insult to the host." He told his servants to, "bind the man hand and foot and cast him into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

In the parable, the garment represents righteousness. The righteousness God has provided for us is Jesus Christ. Isaiah 61:10 reads, "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God: for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation. He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with jewels."

Most of us are particular about the clothes we wear, but is Jesus the covering that people see when they look at you? More importantly, does God see Jesus when He looks at you. The Bible says, "It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27) What kind of covering will you have in that day.

Dave Waters is a sergeant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

By Dave McDowell

As I introduce this issue of the Peacemakers' Journal, we are just a few hours away from Peace Officers For Christ's first International outreach. Along with my wife. Nancy, and board member Pastor Darrell Owens, I will soon be headed for Caracas, Venezuela. We want to thank those of you who made this trip possible, both with your prayers and finances.

I have watched with interest as the Lord has taken us over several obstacles as the time for departure drew closer. As we participate in Venezuela's Second Annual Law Enforcement Conference, we will remember what went into making the trip possible. On the afternoon prior to our departure, we received the newly printed, "Only One Son..." Gospel tract, both in Spanish and English, to take with us. One of my favorite obstacles was when Darrell called to say that he could not go because he had not gotten his yellow fever shot. A few hours later, he called to say that he would be able to go after all - as long as he stayed out of the jungles!

One of our roles at the conference will be to present the work of police chaplaincy in law enforcement. Both Darrell and I want to express our appreciation to the Westminster Police Officer's Association and the Anaheim Police Department in their support of this trip.

Darrell and I will also have opportunity to speak in churches where many law enforcement officials will be invited to hear the Gospel. In the coming months we hope to share our hearts and explain why we believe there is a connection between officers in Caracas, New York, and Southern California. "Missions" is at heart of this ministry and we believe that thousands of officers around the world are willing to listen to the claims of Christianity and examine them with an open mind.

As we return from Venezuela, all of us will become preoccupied with the tradition of preparing for the Christmas season. We would challenge you to remember the many officers and their families who will not share the true joy of the season. Many of them will work Christmas day and will respond to scenes of domestic violence, suicide, and injury accidents. Pray that this ministry will be used to reach more of these officers to give them a hope and a purpose in what they have to face on a daily basis.

Think what it must have been like to be a shepherd two thousand years ago. In Luke 2:8-11 it says, "And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "'

Thirty-three years later, on the night before His death, Jesus would echo the words of the angel when He said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27.

Remember our Lord's words as we enter this exciting time of the year. He gives peace! Fellow officer, it is not as the world offers peace. The world does not satisfy and it does not make sense of the reality we know on the streets. Focus on Jesus Christ, God's Son, and go to His training manual - the Bible. You can experience peace when the world around you is restless.

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SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

By Deputy Tony Miano

Down through the ages, from the start of the industrial revolution to today's marvelous advances in modem technology, there are three words which spur more fear in the hearts of the average adult male than any others. These three words, which comprise but one small phrase, can cause the burliest of men to shudder. These three words seem to negatively affect only the males of our species. This can be verified by simply asking a woman. Now, ladies, before you start screaming "foul" to an apparent chauvinistic faux pas on my part, please hear me out.

The three words in question seem to have a much greater effect on the male psyche when read, as opposed to being uttered. Simply laying these three words to a man will usually result in nothing more than a tilt of the head and an accompanied look of curiosity. But have a man read this short phrase on a pamphlet, box, or carton and you will almost immediately see his jaw tighten and large beads f& sweat cover his forehead. "What is this phrase?" You ask.

"Some assembly required!" I am going to share with you a story which is common to those men, like myself, who are afflicted with an aversion to the above phrase. This common story, however, is of the type rarely shared publicly, and is usually reserved for conversations with only the closest of friends. My reason for sharing this story is twofold. First, I hope this will be a therapeutic way to deal with my own aversion to "The Phrase. " Second, I hope to use it as an analogy of a much more serious affliction which is permeating the body of Christ.

A few years ago, my daughter was given a small plastic tricycle for Christmas. It came in a small box and the picture on the side showed a smiling little-girl on a little trike. I was expecting to open the box and remove a ready-to-ride tricycle. Then a short phrase in small print on the side of the box caught my eye. "Some Assembly Required."

With several relatives looking on, not to mention a little girl dying to ride her new toy, I determined to get the bike together in record time. With the confidence of a master mechanic (which I am not) I tore the box open. I emptied the contents onto the floor and picked up the single page instruction sheet. I glanced at the piece of paper, then smugly tossed it aside. "I'm not going to waste my time reading the instructions on so simple a project," I thought.

Before I knew it, an assembled bike sat before me. I cautiously scanned the living room floor, checking for those annoying extra parts which some manufacturers insist on putting in their products. To my surprise and relief, there were none.

As I reveled in my victory over "The Phrase," I noticed that the finished product looked a bit strange. Then I noticed why. The handlebars were on backwards. My stomach knotted as I manipulated the little trike, all the while assuring the onlookers that it just needed a few minor adjustments.

After several moments, I picked up the instructions, found my mistake, and conceded defeat. Oh, don't worry. My daughter wasn't disappointed. By the time I finished tearing the bike apart, replacing parts, and putting it back together; she had a new toy to ride. The finished product cost almost twice what I originally paid for it. "If I had only read the instructions!"

My wife, being the kind-hearted, sensitive woman that she is, makes sure to remind me from time to time about the story I just shared. Recently, we passed by a clothing store in the mall. In the window we saw a shirt with Tim Allen of "Home Improvement" on the front. Above his picture were the words "Real men don't read the instructions." My wife almost bought the shirt for me until she found a better one in our local Christian book store. Just above the words "Home Improvement" was the phrase "Real men read the instructions!" The instructions referred to on this shirt are found in the Word of God.

Today there are many believers in the body of Christ who look upon God's word with the same apprehension that many of us have when we see the words "some assembly required" on the side of a box. We live in a world where rules are made to be broken, where truth is a relative term, where we are encouraged to do our own thing, and where we are taught to shun instruction.

When I look at a booklet for a toy or model, I know its contents will include step by step instructions that will help me to successfully complete the project. I know that if a problem arises with the project, a careful reading of the instructions will answer whatever questions I may have. Yet many times, if on the surface the project seems too easy, or if the instructions appear too complicated, I will choose to do the project my own way and forgo the instructions, only to glance at them when a mistake has already been made.

Unfortunately, we sometimes look at God's word in the same way we look at instructions to a toy or model. We know that whatever we read in God's word will be true and correct. "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (II Tim. 3:16,17) Yet we choose to believe we will find more wisdom if we make up our own minds.

We tend to pick up God's instruction manual only as a last resort and when mistakes have already been made. We peruse the text and quickly set it aside if the instructions seem too hard to follow. We delude ourselves into believing that some of the instructions are too simplistic and mundane for our intellect. Both of these reasons couldn't be further from the truth. "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." (Joshua 1:8)

When Jesus Christ became Lord and Savior of my life, I was forever changed. But there was still some assembly required. Although we can be saved in an instant, spiritual growth is an ongoing process. It's a process that, once started, will be completed in glory. Read the instructions and see for yourself. "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

Unlike my daughter's bike, which ended up costing twice the original price, Christ paid for our assembly in full, on the cross. If we follow the directions in His instruction manual our assembly will one day be complete. The individual pieces, when correctly put together, will form a true man of God. Those pieces, which lead to a fruitful, Spirit-filled life, can be found in the Instruction Manual. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control..." (Galatians 5:22,23a) But we will never know what those pieces really look like or how to properly put them together if we don't read, carefully read, the Instructions.

Don't be afraid. We all require some assembly. Thank God that He loved you enough to provide all the instructions you will ever need in the Holy Bible.

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I FEEL SO.....USED
By Deputy John Howard, LASD

"Officer! Officer!" I heard as I saw a man walking quickly toward me, waving his hand; "Officer, what's your name?" He asked. I immediately answered defensively, "Why?".

"I think you're the guy that arrested me," he said. I looked at the man closely and recognized him. He was a person I had arrested several months prior for possession of methamphetamine and for driving a motorcycle while under the influence. It was about 8:00 on a Saturday morning when I stopped him for speeding, and later arrested him. He was very scared. He didn't want to go back to jail. He pleaded with me not to arrest him. Of course, that wasn't an option. I did, however, feel compassion for this man.

At the time of his arrest, I actually felt the Lord telling me to ask this man about his spiritual life. I was hesitant at first. After all, a cop asking spiritual questions and getting personal with an arrestee? Is that acceptable? What would my fellow officers think? The Lord's voice was so strong that I just had to ask.

I asked the man if he believed in God. He said that he did, but I sensed that he wasn't a Christian. I asked him if he felt God approved of his actions. He said, "No." I told him that maybe God was giving him a sign that now was the time to straighten up his life, and He was using me to help him do that. I told him to try to look at the positive side of the situation and see the Lord's hand in it. I remember that the man seemed to accept that and began to visibly relax. I finished the booking process with the man and tried to reinforce what I told him. Then we parted.

Now, as this man stood next to me, I said, "I remember you. You were on a motorcycle when I arrested you." He said, "That's right!" Then he said something I will never forget. He said, "I want to thank you for arresting me and talking to me. After you arrested me, I went to jail. I found the Lord and He has turned my life around. I'm a very happy man now. Thank you very much."

"Wow!" I said. We spoke for a few minutes and I made sure he had found a church. He thanked me again and we went our separate ways. Is the Lord calling you to be His servant at work? Are you listening? I hope so. After all, didn't most of us take this job so we could "help people?" What better way is there to help someone than to help them find the Lord? After talking to the man, I felt used - used by the Lord, that is.

Let the Lord use you today.

John Howard is a Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff. He is assigned to the Santa Clarita Valley Station and is also the leader of a group called Christian Peace Officers' Fellowship. Designed for cops and their families, the group meets once a month for fellowship, worship, prayer, and
Bible study. Contact us here at PMJ for more information about the group.

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LETTERS FROM OUR READERS

MOM TOUCHED BY "ONE SON..."
I did not know about your ministry until my son who is a Sheriff's deputy received a copy of your newsletter. When I read the story, "Only One Son...," my heart went out to the family of Officer Payne. My son is also 27 years old and is a police officer. I pray God will give them strength. I wrote them a note of encouragement. I also pray for all law enforcement workers, especially officers. When I see them in the street, I pray for them. Thank you for your ministry.
Josie Samonet
Los Angeles, CA

PAYING THE ULTIMATE PRICE
Your story about Chaplain Bruce Bryan really touched my heart deeply. I too ride with the patrolmen in Gurdon, and I know there are many volunteer chaplains, like Chaplain Biyan, who are putting their lives on the line for Christ above anything else. I will most definitely pray for Deputy Wenger and for the family of Chaplain Bryan.

Thank you for your ministry and newsletter. Please pray that all chaplains may be "peacemakers" as we minister to law enforcement people on the streets of our cities. SHALOM!
Chaplain Eugene Edwards
Gurdon, Arkansas P.D.

PRAY FOR BROTHER
My brother is a 26 year old police officer on the east coast. Several years ago, at a Bible conference, we both received Christ. As we grew, I watched as my brother faithfully did his "Quiet Time" every day. But not me. I was the rebel. One day, I sneaked a look at his "Quiet Time" diary and was so touched to see that he had been praying for me. A few years passed and my brother left for the military, and I, after finally understanding that God's way was better, left to start Bible School.

My brother changed during that time. He married a nice, but unsaved woman. Eventually, his quiet time stopped and his close relationship with the Lord diminished. Now, they are having problems in their marriage. How much I and my family long to help them. But he is a proud police officer. So we quietly pray. Will you pray for him too? His heart is still pliable for the Lord, and every year, he goes to the Police Officers' retreat at the Bible camp where we first received Jesus. It's just so hard to live a victorious life for the Lord when you have little Christian fellowship.
Name withheld

PATCHES FROM QUEENSLAND
Thank you for the newsletter and your request for uniform patches. I am enclosing the Queensland Police Service patch.
Archie MacNicol
Queensland, Australia

THANKS FOR THE SPONSORSHIP
Without the sponsoring of POFCI for our conference fees, Teri and I could not have come out last spring. Because y'all were obedient to His Spirit and sacrificially gave, God honored your gift. A ministry for law enforcement in Arkansas is the direct result of a faithful few in Southern California who were faithful and gave to two strangers half way across the country.
Eddie Boon, President
Centurions For Christ
Gilmore, Arkansas

HYMNALS HELPED
Greetings in the precious name of our soon coming King, Jesus Christ. On behalf of our regional commander and on behalf of the Police Church, we want to express our deepest gratitude for the gift you have offered to us. By the grace of God, we have started another ministry with the prison officers and the prisoners in the prison yard. They were the first persons to benefit from the hymn books you sent. We shall use them to sing and to lead souls to the Lord.
Joseph Agyafi
Ghana Police Church
Ghana, West Africa

BLESSED BY CONFLICT
I read my first edition of your magazine July 1994 and was moved and inspired. As a 12 year veteran of a small department in a small community, our resources are limited. I was especially touched by the article, "Conflict of Interest," written by David Waters. It gave me renewed strength and confidence.

I would like to start receiving your magazine, but I didn't notice a subscription form. Therefore I have enclosed $25.00 in hopes that it may be used to defray the cost of your publication. Please include me in any future mailings.
John Rodgers
Atascadero, CA

EDITORS NOTE: The Peacemakers' Journal is published as a faith ministry of Peace Officers For Christ International and is sent to our readers without cost or obligation. However, if you have been blessed by this publication and would like to take part in putting it into the hands of others, tax deductible donations may be made to: Peace Officers for Christ International, 3000 W. MacArthur Blvd. Suite 426, Santa Ana, CA 92704

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PEACE IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS

By Lt. Nick Guerriero

Sooner or later, grief comes to all of us. It's an experience that we can't fully understand until we walk through it ourselves. Grief has many faces and can come to us through failed health, financial loss, or the breakup of a home or relationship. When someone close is lost through death, it leaves us with a deep sense of sorrow and emptiness, after the initial shock wears off.

Eventually we search for some explanation of why life is so unfair and unjust. When I was nineteen years old and serving in the Navy, I was ordered to report to the base Red Cross office. As I sat in the small office, I was told my mother was dead. I had talked to her on the phone just several days before. I learned that she took her own life in the early evening hours of July 12, 1970. I asked myself, "Why?"

During the past twenty years, as a police officer responding to every imaginable act of destruction and human misery, I have often asked, "Why?" It wasn't until December 18, 1992, that I stepped back and tried to find answers to that question.

In the early hours of December 18th, fellow officer Walter Williams was patrolling the north side of Waterbury, CT. It was a neighborhood that had been plagued with drug-related crime over the years. As he stopped to question two individuals, one of them drew a gun and shot him in the head. They left him on the cold street to die. A passerby called for help over the police radio. The words "officer down" broke the early morning calm.

Family and friends gathered for hours at the hospital to pray for a miracle that was not to come. Later that evening as his wife, who was nine months pregnant, and his close family stood by, Walt died. In the days that followed, there was a great deal of anguish in Walt's family, our police department, and the city of Waterbury. Thousands of officers and civilians came to honor a man who took his appointed job as a police officer seriously. They came to honor a man who cherished his wife and children.

As the funeral procession made its way through the city streets, within a mile of where Walt was gunned down, people gathered on the corners, watching as we passed. An elderly man stood with tears streaming down his face, a bit of his hope for the city dying when Walt's body passed by.

Grief quickly turned to anger over a situation that we had no control over and that was so unjust and unfair. People were angry at the shooters and the system that allowed them to be on the streets. Others were mad at God. What kind of God allows innocent men to be shot down? If God is love, why does He permit tragedies like this? These questions had to be answered, just like the "Why?" of my mother's suicide had to be answered, if I was ever going to find any peace.

We are living in a world that has gone the wrong way. Men have forgotten God. There was a time when men feared God, but that time is not now. Men have become their own gods. They scoff at the restraining influence that God and the Bible could have in their lives. The result of this is a world in chaos, filled with violence and confusion. Another result is people with their backs against the wall, making decisions that can hurt themselves and others. Their faith has been shipwrecked. God is forgotten.

God didn't create us as robots. He gave us a will and the freedom to make our own choices, It's those choices that cause many of the tragedies in life. The only way we will understand life's tragedies and God's plan for our lives is to read His word - the Bible. To have faith, we have to know God's promises and His attributes. One thing remains the same, and that is God. We may lose loved ones, but He will always be there. The Bible tells us that, "He will never leave you or forsake you." He can bring us stability if we allow Him to.

God promises us peace if we "Don't worry about everything, instead pray about everything. Tell God your needs and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep our thoughts and hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in the Lord." (Philippians 4:6,7 TLB) Until we ask Jesus into our lives and hearts and ask for forgiveness, we don't have a chance for real peace. Jesus said, "Peace I give to you." Ask Him into your life and read the Bible. Learn all of what God has promised to you.

Jesus said, "I am leaving you with a gift: peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give you is not fragile like the peace the world gives you. So don't be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27 TLB)

Lt. Nick Guernero is with the Waterbury Police Department in Waterbury, CT. He is also president of Connecticut Cops For Christ. This article first appeared in the March/April issue of The Shield, published by Cops for Christ. For more information about this ministry you can write to: P. 0. Box 338 Waterbury, Ct. 06705; or call them at (203) 879-2590.

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WE ARE WHAT WE STUDY

By Deputy Tony Miano

There was no such thing as an eight-hour day when I attended the Sheriffs Academy. Arriving home at the end of the day, I still had a few hours of study ahead of me. I made flash cards of everything to help with my studies. My wife would drill me with the flash cards, occasionally coming up with a catchy way to remember a difficult code or definition. There were scores of numbers to memorize: radio codes, penal code sections,health & safety codes, welfare & institution codes, and vehicle codes. Knowing the answer to a flash card is one thing. Having the right answer for a psychotic drill instructor, in the middle of wind sprints, is another story.

I recently took my final exam for certification as a drug recognition expert. The test consisted of over 100 fill-in questions, followed by 14 pages of narrative to answer 12 essay questions. I was feeling pretty proud of myself that I "knew so much." Then it hit me. I knew more about my profession than I did about God's word. At that moment it was pretty clear to me that I was more willing to study for work than to study for the Lord.

A peace officer acquires and retains a good deal of knowledge. That knowledge is used constantly on the job. A cop with a high school diploma uses this knowledge to make the same decisions in a matter of seconds that a college grad attorney has months, sometimes even years, to make. The knowledge we acquire on the job affects every aspect of our lives. It changes the friends we have. It affects how we raise our kids. It affects how we relate to, and associate with, other people. As cops, we jump at the chance to attend training to expand our expertise. We keep up with new case law to avoid making mistakes in the field. We do all this without batting an eye, realizing this knowledge may one day save our life or the life of another.

If we find it so easy to accumulate and memorize vast amounts of information so we can better do our job, why then do we find it so difficult to study and memorize God's word? We form study groups to get through the academy or to pass the next promotional exam. We make the time to do these things, intent on furthering our career. Yet how many times have you been part of a peace officers' Bible study, only to have it disband because of lack of interest, schedule changes, or other assorted excuses? I know it has happened to me more times than I care to remember. Regretfully, I must admit that I have used all the above excuses myself. I also must admit that I've never had any real difficulty justifying time away from my wife and kids to attend work-related training or to study for an exam. How about you?

I'm sure everyone has heard the phrase,"You are what you eat." Well, it can also be said that we are what we study. If you study to become a drug recognition expert, that's what you will become. If you study to become a sergeant or other supervisory rank, that's what you will become. But as Christian peace officers, how can we expect to become true disciples, evangelists, and missionaries if we are not willing to devote the necessary time to the study of God's word? If an inexperienced officer were to slap a set of velcro sergeant stripes on his sleeves without studying or passing the tests, he would be looked upon as a fool. No one would take him seriously. Likewise, we look just as foolish wearing the chevrons of a Christian disciple if we haven't taken the time to study the doctrines of our own faith. God's word says, "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." (I Peter 3:15)

Any good officer takes time to prepare before going into court to testify. We are often called upon in court to give our opinions and beliefs in regards to the facts of the case. Cases are often won and lost by the testimony of a single officer. I have seen officers lose otherwise solid cases because they testified poorly. The same is true with our faith. We can approach someone knowing that we have the Truth on our side and have the person walk away shaking their head because it was obvious we had no idea what we were talking about. In order to be "ready to make a defense" we must take the time to study.

We are what we study. It comes down to priority. When we all one day stand before the Lord, chances are we won't hear Him say, "You made sergeant before anyone else in your class," or, "You became a drug recognition expert. Well done, good and faithful servant."

The bottom line is that we need to know more about the One who saved us than we need to know about the one who pays us. The consistent study of God's word is the best way to accomplish this.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth". (John 1:1,14) "And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war. And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself. And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God." (Revelation 19:11-13) The Lord could have described Himself with any other word. The fact that He chose, from beginning to end, to describe Himself as The Word of God should be enough incentive for us to fervently study His namesake

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

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HOW MUCH DOES GOD LOVE YOU?
by Tony Miano

I remember sharing Christ with a Deputy Sheriff who was fighting a very serious illness. He was having a difficult time grasping the concept of how immense and perfect God's love was for him. He truly believed that the only way into heaven was through good works. The concept of grace was completely foreign to him. I was becoming frustrated with my inability to effectively share the gospel. My ego was keeping me from remembering that it wasn't me who was going to bring this man to Christ. It was the finished work of Christ on the cross that would lead him there.

Once the Lord hit me between the eyes with that truth, I began to pray for the words to say to this man. I asked that the words would be from Him, and not my own. As I prayed, the picture of Christ on the cross, battered and bloody, kept repeating itself in my mind. Then the Lord put another picture in my mind that made me cringe and brought tears to my eyes.

I asked the deputy what he would do if he learned that the only way to save my life was to let his son die for me. I shared with him my relationship with my daughter, Michelle. Several times in previous issues of the newsletter, I've mentioned how the Lord has moved in my 7 year old's spiritual and physical life. I pictured my precious little girl viciously nailed to a wooden cross, as I stood by silently. I pictured my baby wearing a crown of thorns with blood streaming down her face, as I stood by without lifting a hand to stop what was happening. I pictured my first born begging for something to drink and letting her sip on a sponge of sour wine while I held a cup of cool water in my hand.

I shared this picture with the deputy and thought that I had said enough. But the Lord told me to stop thinking and to obey. I continued to share the analogy with the deputy. I pictured myself standing at the foot of my daughter's cross as a Roman guard pushed his way by me, carrying a long spear. I watched him walk toward my daughter, knowing that the only way to save the deputy I was talking to was not to intervene. I watched the guard thrust the spear into my daughter's side. All the while my daughter was asking me, "Daddy, why are you letting this happen?"

Filled with rage, I watched as the innocent blood of my daughter pooled in the mud below the cross. I watched my daughter die so I could save a guilty deputy and a guilty world. I asked the deputy if he would be willing to let that happen to one of his children just to save my life. With tears in his
eyes, he shook his head. I looked at him and told him, "Neither would I." I told him that if I were put in that position I would watch him die before I would sacrifice my daughter on his behalf. I explained to him that I was incapable of loving him that much. I was incapable of sacrificing my first-born for him.

I shared with him that even though I didn't love him enough, someone else did, almost 2,000 years ago. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..."

God allowed His Son, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, a perfect and innocent man, to die for the deputy I was sharing with. God allowed His Son to die for me, and for you, too. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, loved you enough to suffer the death I just described so that you may be forgiven for your sins and live for eternity with Him.

The only way to insure that you will spend eternity in heaven is to recognize the work of Christ on the cross. The only way is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. There is nothing you can do on your own to work your way into heaven. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)

God Himself said, "I have loved you with an everlasting love." (Jeremiah. 31:3) That love was made manifest by the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross.

Are you a peace officer who is unsure about where you will spend eternity? Would you like to be sure? Well, you can be! You must first acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You must repent of (turn away from) your sin. "Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins." (Ecclesiastes 7:20) Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross so that you may be forgiven for your sins. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7) You must trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. Ask Christ into your life, now. Pray this prayer.

"Dear Lord, I realize that I am a sinner. I have tried to live my life without you. I no longer want to live that way. I believe that Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, is the only Son of God. I believe that He lived on earth, died on the cross, and rose again. I believe that Jesus died for me and is the Only Way to eternal life. Lord, forgive me for my sins. Come into my life and change my heart. Jesus, I want you to be my Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving my life. Amen."

If you prayed that prayer, or would like more information about giving your life to Jesus Christ, write or call us at POFC.

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DID THAT REALLY HAPPEN?

It's A Bomb!
In Fort Worth, Texas, police arrested Philip G. Rojo last April when he was stopped at a traffic checkpoint and was not wearing his seatbelt. Police said they began backing away from the car when they saw three silver pipe-like packages on the floorboard. When the officers told Rojo that they feared the objects might be a pipe-bomb, he blurted out, "Man, them ain't pipe-bombs, that's cocaine!"

"Excuse me, could you call an ambulance?"
John D. Smart of St. Louis, Mo., sustained two broken legs for his unsmart move. John smashed the window of a stereo shop using a manhole cover from the sidewalk in front of the store. As he backed away from the window to admire his handiwork. Smart fell down the manhole. (I hate when that happens!)

"Next in line, please!"
Last March, two men approached the teller at Harbor Bank in Baltimore and presented her with a note that read, "I have a gun, gimme your money
or else!" The teller read the note which was written on the back of a deposit slip for another bank and told them, "This is a First National transaction, you have to go to First National." The two crooks looked at each other, panicked, and ran off.

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PEACE OFFICERS FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL's PURPOSE

Dear friend:
Many people ask, "What does POFCI do?' Well, I thought about that and basically the ad that we have placed in a number of police magazines says it all.

The ad reads, "POFCI is an international organization of peer support and we offer free police training to police departments: domestic and foreign." That's it. Now, of course there is a little more involved. Upon request, we offer the Peacemakers Journal, our POFCI magazine, which is written by peace officers for peace officers. We ask officers to look through our WEB page for current information about our ministry and to look for other Christian police organizations and dates of different Christian meetings.

We are an information-clearing house where peace officers can read about other Christian officers in our magazine, WEB page, and newsletter. We encourage Christian peace officers to meet other officers at breakfasts, retreats, and finally for coffee over the hood of a police unit. Here they can share their frustrations about the job, the media, the joys of the chase and joys of their family.

It is our desire to show the world and the law enforcement community that a peace officer can do the job and still be a Christian the Bible teaches. The basic principle that "Jesus loves me this I know," is a start of a growing relation with the living God, not a one-time membership. This is a growing, living relationship that continues to grow daily. Graduating from the academy did not make you a police officer. That was just the start. Everyday you are becoming a better cop: there are bad days; there are good days, and sometimes even marvelous days. The Christian officer realizes that each day, good or bad, in another day to serve the Lord.

So what is a Christian law enforcement officer to do? I will give you a few simple basic nuts and bolts principles on how to serve God:

1. Read or hear the Bible daily.
The closer to God you get, the more Christ-like you become.

2. Talk to God throughout the day.
Tell him your cares, worries and needs.

3. Worship God for who He is the giver of your every breath.
Thank him for giving you life.

4. Talk about Him with others.
Pick your battles, but standup for Moral and Ethical issues in conversations with coworkers at your department.

5. Stand up for what is right.
Be courageous and compassionate!

The POFCI board and I want to thank you for your interest in Peace Officers for Christ International. Please feel free to contact us with comments, questions, and inquiries.
In His Service,
Terry Hart
POFCI Outreach Director

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