 My heart was grieved this past week to see the “You’re Next” Tweet with all the ignorance and hatred behind it. I wanted so desperately to find a way to encourage and express my DEEP appreciation for officers who serve (I believe answer a calling) in the midst of this cast-off-restraint, crazed culture in which we live. I was thinking about you, and wondering why you would want to continue serving in the face of such misplaced, deliberate, manipulated and targeted hatred. As I was praying for you, this Scripture, usually read at weddings, came to mind. The Apostle Paul penned these words and he described what love looks like. Love is not an emotion, it is a commitment that follows up with actions. I could think of no better word to describe your service to our City in these messed-up times. Pausing my Wisdom series, I’d like to spend the next few weeks encouraging you with these words from an ancient letter challenging/encouraging its readers about what LOVE looks like.
LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS I have mentioned several times the horrible things I have heard said about officers, their mother, etc from somebody taking a ride in the back seat of your car on the way to jail. I’ve heard officers taunted. On the news during the protests officers were screamed at, spit on and provoked every way possible. I know it’s training and I know it’s what you “have to do”, but continuing to serve people after being treated like this, bearing these kinds of things, is love in action. I am sure you don’t “feel” love towards people in these situations, but love is not a feeling. Loving people, treating them right despite their actions, is a choice and says more about your character than about your feelings. I have been burdened this week by the “all things” you bear as you serve a society where many do not appreciate your sacrifice. Not only am I praying for you this week as you love and serve our City, but I want to be a reminder that it’s not the majority that has to shout the loudest. You have MANY in Arlington who respect and appreciate what you do and I am one of them! Your service is appreciated, Pastor Rob Love Series - Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
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 Wisdom Series - Part 1
The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper. ~Solomon {Officer friend} Rob, why do you like quotes from Solomon so much? {me} Because he was THIS wise! Two women came before King Solomon with this story: One woman said, “We live together and we both have infants. This morning, I woke up and found my baby dead. Upon closer examination, I realized the other woman switched our babies after hers died. She took MY child.” The other woman replied, “She’s lying”. No witnesses. No relatives. No DNA testing. How did Solomon’s wisdom help him decide which woman was the real mother? You can read here how Solomon solved this real life riddle: bit.ly/SolomonAndABaby. Do you think we could still learn from Solomon’s wisdom today? I do, and that’s why I like to read and quote King Solomon. Every job, if you want to keep it, requires a certain amount of wisdom. But there are some jobs, if you don’t have wisdom and can’t grow in wisdom (being more wise today than you were this time last year), you just may not be cut out for the job. I think being an officer is one of those wisdom-necessary jobs. On the job: Two different people tell you two different stories...how do you know who is telling the truth? This person is getting very fidgety...why and what are they about to do? You know the policy and you know the discretion you have...what’s the best call to achieve the best outcome in this situation? And you have a personal life, too: You know what your budget says and you know where your stress level is...what’s best for your family when the next part-time becomes available? King Solomon, who was so wise that rulers of the world in his time traveled to visit him just to listen to his wisdom, said, “The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.” Life is better for those who have wisdom (they love life!) and the one who loves wisdom (cherishes understanding) will prosper. Who doesn’t want that kind of life?? Over the next few weeks, I want to share with you 3 ways to be wiser...according to Solomon. Life is not always easy, but it’s sure easier when you’re wise! I’m praying for you this week, both on the job and in your personal life: may you LOVE life and prosper. Your service is appreciated, Pastor Rob ---- I was very thankful last week to see the Burleson officer going home from the hospital after being shot on duty. I am praying for a FULL recovery with no career-limiting rehab. As always, I am praying for YOUR safety this week & peace for your family as they send you out each shift. 2021 Wisdom Series - Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4  When I read this proverb, I think of two different people. The first person is Ron. Well, we call him Ron, but his students call him Dr. Carter. Ron is a kind, humorous and quiet man, but when asking him a thoughtful question, one can tell Dr. Carter is very wise. He doesn’t make a show of his knowledge, (he won’t even mention he’s a PhD), but something about him makes one feel like he will share insight into a situation brought to him. When I ask him a question, he has a gleam in his eye and a smile on his face as he shares an experience or insight into my situation. When I ask, he’s humble but I always come away with a new perspective or understanding.
When it comes to fools who broadcast their foolishness, I am reminded of several ride outs where we’ve had to transport a “character” to jail. The ride to the jail was filled with non-stop insults, boasting, threats and puffery. I don’t know how you remain so composed as an officer in the presence of such arrogance and foolishness! I’m sure a lot of it has to do with expectations and training, but wise people also know it’s of no use to argue with a fool. My prayer for you this week is that when you encounter fools broadcasting their foolishness, it comes across as humorous to you, adding a smile to your face instead of stress to your life. And as you quietly do your job with excellence, I pray God will give you an opportunity to speak wisdom into somebody’s situation which will give them a new perspective, hope for their situation and a new respect for the way you serve and do your job. Your service is appreciated, Pastor Rob  In our ACAPP meeting last week, a friend of mine was talking about the East station’s sponsored event We Care a Brunch and was telling us about the needs that were met in the community by APD and the non-profits who participated with them. My friend was thrilled to participate, but she said one of her favorite parts was watching the members of her team, who did not know of APD’s community efforts, see officers in action building relationships and serving the community. You were no longer just the folks who “catch bad guys and write tickets,” but you were part of a team that serves. They were impressed and their understanding of what you do in the community was expanded.
I think this is a part of what Solomon was talking about in this quote. The media pushes a false narrative of cops with which I am sure you are all-too-familiar, but when people see officers act with mercy and stand for truth, opinions are changed. I shared with you last week that one of the four things I pray over officers each week is favor in the community. I have seen your small acts of kindness and acts of service that are far beyond the “catch bad guys and write tickets” part of your job. I know you don’t serve to be seen, but my prayer for you this week is that you would be seen as you act in mercy and stand for truth. May you find favor and high regard in the sight of God and people. Your service is appreciated, Pastor Rob |
Pastor RobThese are words of encouragement I share with officers each Monday. I hope they encourage you as well. Please feel free to share this blog with other LEOs. Archives
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