Why would anybody want to be a cop in today’s culture? That is the question that kicked off this series. As I was praying for you and was thinking about this, the word LOVE came to mind and this definition of love (listed on the front). I thought to myself, “I’m not sure how much cops are going to be encouraged by somebody recognizing their love for others.” I don’t know any cops who are driven to do what they do “for the warm fuzzies”.  Why would I try to encourage cops with a passage often read at weddings? And then I thought about what I teach couples about this definition of love during pre-marital counseling before I perform their wedding. Love is a decision, a commitment, that is acted upon...sometimes regardless of feelings. If this is the BEST pillar on which to build a marriage (and I believe it is), why would it not be the BEST pillar upon which to build one’s life and character both off and on the job?

Being a good officer obviously requires a demanding skill set, but on a character level, who wouldn’t want a person in authority

1. to be patient in the face of provocation (BEARS all things);
2. to treat those they encounter with respect even though that person messed up because they are looking for the best in the person (BELIEVES all things);
3. to help those they encounter see choices that will create a better future for them (HOPES all things);
4. to value serving people enough to continue serving in spite of the job being dangerous, frustrating, stressful and often misrepresented (ENDURES all things)?

​You can’t be a good officer based on character alone...you have to have the skills. But the great way of life we enjoy in America would not be possible if officers only had skills and not character.    As I think about the culture in which you serve today, I am thankful both for what you do (your skills) and for who you are (your character). Thank you for bearing, believing, hoping and enduring all things to continue serving our the people of our city.

Your service is appreciated,
Pastor Rob

Love Series - Week 1   Week 2   Week 3   Week 4

One of my “go to” questions when I talk to officers is, “What made you want to become a cop?” I’ve heard, “I wanted to catch bad guys.” “My family are cops.” “I always wanted to be a cop” and even, “I wanted to help people.” One answer I have yet to hear is, “Because I love people.” I am a pastor, so if I tell people I do what I do because I love people, they might nod their head and think, “Oh, isnt’ that nice.” But if a cop were to say that, I wonder what kind of reaction you would get? Even if you got into law enforcement because you were one who wanted to help people, you probably wouldn’t use the words, “I love people.” That’s not how our culture thinks about love. Instead of action that stems from commitment, our culture makes love a feeling. If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t “feel” love towards people all the time. But love is not just a feeling and sometimes love is what we do in spite of how we feel (if you’ve been happily married for a length of time, you know what I mean).
   
A couple weeks ago, reading the news, I asked myself the question, What would make you, as an officer, want to continue serving in the face of such misplaced, deliberate, manipulated and targeted hatred from our media-driven culture today? and this definition of love from the Apostle Paul came to my mind. Your actions are driven by a commitment, and that kind of self-sacrifice in the face of apathy, rejection or outright hatred is the very definition of love.
   
The Apostle Paul said love bears all things, believes all things, HOPES all things and endures all things. “Hopes all things” is similar to “believes all things”. Believing all things means believing the best for a person even though they may not deserve it at the moment (it gives them another chance).  Hoping all things means waiting with confidence to see someone live up to their potential (which often means seeing something in someone they do not see in themselves at that point).
   
My prayer for you this week is that you will find one person for whom you can “hope all things” and it will encourage them to live up to their potential. 

Your service is appreciated,
​Pastor Rob

Love Series - Week 1   Week 2   Week 3   Week 4

National Police Week is a time to honor and remember those who gave their life in service. Our Department began observances last week. As I attend briefings today, I am taking this card and pack of gum as a reminder (yes, it's cheesy) that not only are their fallen comrades being remembered, but they are being remembered and prayed for each week as well.

As I watch/read the continued assault on law enforcement and the impugning of your character as an officer, I can only imagine how it feels. I have officer friends (outside APD) who have flat out told me, “I’m getting licensed (or going back to school, etc) to start a new profession. This just isn’t worth it to my family.” Not only does hearing this make me pray for my friends, it also reminds me to pray for officers I know who are going through the same attacks and  are continuing to serve despite the attacks. As I shared last week, considering what could drive people to continue serving others in such a climate, I was drawn to the definition of LOVE as defined by the Apostle Paul a little less than 2,000 years ago. Among the characteristics of true love (as opposed to the emotional, feelings based “love” we see portrayed in movies, etc), he said love bears all things, believes all things, endures all things and hopes all things.

LOVE BELIEVES ALL THINGS. The basic idea here is that love believes the best in people...despite mess-ups along the way. I remember one ride out where kids broke into an abandoned house and were probably smoking weed. Officers talked with the property owner and called their parents. The officers tried to explain to the kids where their decisions would lead and worked with the parents. I have no idea if the kids just blew it off or if the parents got any more involved with their kids. It could have been a wasted effort or it could have been a “scared straight” moment for one of those kids. But officers believed better for those kids and gave them a chance. Not just with words, but with actions. It wasn’t a warm, fuzzy, emotional moment, but love is action, not an emotion. Check it out: Google 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and see for yourself.
   
I’m sure it’s easy to become jaded in your profession, so I’m praying for you this week. Be wise and stay safe, but keep fighting to believe the best for people. You have a job to do, but what if you are the wake up call somebody needs to start making better life decisions? #LoveBelievesAllThings
   
Your service is appreciated, 
Pastor Rob

Love Series - Week 1   Week 2   Week 3   Week 4