Humor in Scripture

Scripture does illicit humor

By: Dr. Jeff Fuller

You may have heard the story, but it still brings with it a belly full of laughter every time I think of it.

A new minister was out visiting one afternoon and stopped at the home of a church member who he had been informed was not active in church and needed a pastoral visit.  Pulling into the driveway he silently prayed that God would give him the guidance he needed to give to this family.

Stepping up on the porch, he knocked and waited.  There was no answer.  He knocked again, a little harder, but still, no answer.

He reached into his pocket, retrieved his pen and one of the new business cards, writing a scripture reference from Revelation and tucked the card in the door.  Walking back to his car, he left, quite proud of the inspiration God had given him.

On Sunday morning, as he stepped up to the pulpit and arranged his notes and Bible for the sermon, he noticed one of his business cards on the desk.  There on the front of the card was the scripture reference he written that week while out visiting.  Turning the card over, he found another scripture reference from the book of Genesis.

The reference from Revelation was, “Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.”(Revelation 3:20 HCSB)  The reference written in the hand of a woman, from Genesis was, “I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” (Genesis 3:10 HCSB)

I guess you would say the communication process in that simple visit was clear.  Yes, it was funny, but the message was clear in its understanding.  Scripture has been used in other ways to bring with it some interesting laughable moments.

Someone wrote that Elisha had no special words for the man who lost his tool in the water.  Seems he responded with, “Don’t ax me!”

Mark Twain was fond of telling the story of a small boy and his unusual account of Elisha and the prophets less ingratiating mood: “There was a prophet named Elisha.  One day he was going up the mountainside.  Some boys threw stones at him.  He said, ‘If you keep throwing stones at me, I’ll set the bears on you and they’ll eat you.’  And they did, and he did, and the bears did.”

Sports are spoken of in the Bible.  As a matter of fact, baseball is talked about a great deal in the Bible: In the big inning, Eve stole first.  Adam stole second.  Gideon rattled the pitchers.  Goliath was put out by David.  And the prodigal son made a home run.

As you know, the issue of drinking is hotly debated using a multitude of biblical references for both support and condemnation.  But, one pastor was asked by a drinker, “What pastoral advice have you for drivers who drink?”  The pastor thought a moment, and answered, “Jug not lest ye be jugged.”

A little boy approached the evangelist who was leading the revival and said, “If you don’t get a percentage on each conversion, then what is all this I hear about the great commission?”

“There will be thunder, lightening, flood, fires, and earthquakes!” roared the preacher, describing Judgment Day.

Wide eyed, a little boy in the congregation tugged at his mother’s sleeve: “Will I get out of school?”

A sign above the door of a church nursery: “They shall not all sleep, but they shall all be changed.”

After administering a spanking, a father returned to his son’s room to talk to him.  “I really didn’t want to spank you, but the Bible says that children should obey their parents.”

“I know,” was the tearful reply, “but the Bible says, ‘Be ye kind one to another,’ too.

A Sunday School teacher asked her students to draw a picture of the holy family.  After the pictures were brought to her, she saw that some of the youngsters had drawn the conventional pictures-the holy family and the manger, the holy family riding on the mule, etc.

But she called up one little boy to ask him to explain his drawing, which showed an airplane with four heads sticking out of the plane windows.

She said, “I can understand you drew three of the heads to show Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.  But who is the fourth head?”

“Oh,” answered the boy, “that’s Pontius, the pilot.”

When a Sunday school class was asked to write out the Ten Commandments, one boy put down for the fifth commandment, “Humor your father and your mother.”

I just thought we all needed a little something to brighten our days and turn those frowns on our faces into a smile.  It is true that a merry heart will do us all a world of good.  So, laugh a little and know that Jesus loves you and I love you, too.

Until next time…

Confusion is Confusing

Confusion sometimes comes our way

By: Dr. Jeff Fuller

 

I am somewhat confused.  Thought about going to the doctor for some medicine, but I do not believe that would work.  Even thought about driving down to see my friend, the counselor, but decided that it would be best just to write about it and maybe alleviate some of the confusion; or at least get it out in the open and maybe find someone to sympathize with me.

We have been in Rockford for five years and it seems that our house is an attraction for the wayward, disenfranchised and unwanted.  For five years I have endured and been kindly putting up with this problem, which has cost monetarily, in mental distress, and internal relationships with my family.  While it seems, to some of my readers, that I might be just a tad overboard in my evaluations, I am not.  I am as serious as a bear trying to get the last morsel of cake off of the front seat of a BMW, through the sunroof.

At first it was a wandering problem-the one seeking a hand out would pass through, get refreshment and be on their merry way.  But lately, it has been a “take up residence and make themselves at home kind” of thing.

By the way, before you call me cold and unloving to humankind; I am not talking about the two legged kind of living being who want assistance, I am talking about the four legged kind that is seeking refuge.

There have been quite a few to come and go.  I am not sure if someone has printed flyers and passed them around Central Alabama, with a map to our house or if it is just that animals have seen me coming in and out, noted that I am well feed and rather nice to my family and said, “That is where I want to live.”

I really do not know, but it has cost me.  More than I wanted to pay!

Back a couple of years ago, a sweet little mutt met me at the door, as I was leaving for the office.  It jumped up on me, causing me to spill my coffee and soiling my pants leg.  Savannah heard the commotion, came to my aid, but in doing so looked up with her sparkling blue eyes, batted her long lashes and said, “Daddy, oh daddy, please can we keep her?”

I stumbled through the standard excuses and said, “Find that thing a home.”

A few weeks later I was breaking up a fight between the dog, which now had the name “Molly” and my adorable, rather large and completely black Lab/German Shepard mix named Jasper.  It was then I realized that Molly was probably not going anywhere unless I pushed the issue.

During a family conference, lasting for at least three days, it was finally arranged that we would find someone to take Molly off of our hands. It was not an easy subject to deal with, as the girls really wanted to out vote me, but when they realized the seriousness of the issue, they came to by side.  It was not without protest, tears, and a few nights of sleeping in the dog house for me.  The day came, someone picked up Molly, gave her a new home and that was that.  So I thought.

The dogs have come through, but now it is cats.  We have a cat.  His name is Treble and we has been with us for over eleven years.  He has one eye, is rather protective, and quite content. 

His friend, Myrtle, which was with him as a kitten, died a few years ago and left him to be the protector and defender of the Fuller house.

Outside, we have acquired a few feral cats.  The queen feral came up one day, with her three kittens, and Savannah immediately welcomed them into our lives.  I, on the other hand, said as clearly and as firmly as possible, “Find these cats a home, now!”

While they were very shy and scrambled away whenever you got near them, mommy cat and one of the little ones did get friendly.  The little one got friendly enough that Frankie Cousin took it off our hands.  (If I have not thanked you, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”)  Yet, mommy cat, Callie, along with kittens, which are now young cats, Buttercup and Boots, are regulars at the house.  They sleep in various places around the block-I think the drain pipe at the corner of Jackson and Nixburg is their favorite hiding places.  But when the bowls rattle and the food hits the dish, they come running.

Recently, while talking with Deputy Smith in the driveway, a young kitten came out from under my truck.  Rubbing my ankle, purring to beat the band, that little kitten surprised me.  I thought it was Boots, but I was wrong.  Deputy Smith bent over to pet it and that little thing was staying no matter what I said.  It climbed up my pants leg, got on the hood of the cruiser and rolled around, while I rubbed its belly and petted its head.

Hoping it would have found a place to go by morning was not in the plans for my life.  It has now taken residence at our house, going by the name of Buddy, and is Savannah’s favorite toy.  She picks it up every time she goes outside, carries it around the yard like a rag doll and loves to show it off to anyone who comes by.

You see my confusion.  I am totally unaware of what I have done to merit such appreciation.  These four cats are making me feel like a very loved and blessed person; while at the same time I want them gone.  I know that cats are good at keeping chipmunks and snakes away.  That is a good thing, since it was a chipmunk that cost me an arm and a leg on a repair bill for a car and snakes are not my friends.  But why me?  Why my house?  Why am I buying cat food for cats that could be chasing field rats?  I am so confused I am getting a pain in the temple region of my head.

            While I go find some Advil, think about this: “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  It is of the Lord'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23 KJV)

            As I exited the house this morning, Buddy (who is now Rosebud, because we discovered it is a female), Boots and Buttercup met me at the door.  They were so sweet as they looked up at the master of the house and made way for me to walk through the garage.  Buddy, rubbing my pants leg and purring as loud as possible was showing love and appreciation for a home.  He followed me to the truck, sat down next the van and seemed to be saying, “Thank you.”

            While I considered them and this verse it dawned on me.  Really, it more like God hit me up side the head.  I was reminded that God loves me, gave me a new day, woke me up, and sent me on the way.  He did not have to; but because of His love for me, He did.  He loves me so much He cares for me and extends those things I do not deserve, instead of those things I do deserve.

            I think I am not as confused now and thank you for attending to my rambling.  God sent these animals to remind me of something and today I finally grasped the lesson.  Will you?

            Until next time…

My Vision for America

A Vision of What Should Be

By: Dr. Jeff Fuller

In the spring of 1963, my mother-in-law was expecting the birth of her third child in August and I was just getting started in life, but in Birmingham, Alabama, things were heating up.  It was like a tea kettle on the hot eye of the stove: singing and sizzling; singing and sizzling.  What that tea pot was about to make was much more than people ever dreamed possible.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. organized a mass demonstration in Birmingham, Alabama against segregationist, resulting in fire hoses being unleashed on the protestors, dogs being released, and individuals being assaulted.  Yet, they continued to sing, “We Shall Overcome” and to march for the rights they so desperately sought.

Later, in that summer of 1963, Dr. King led a massive, peaceful march on Washington, D.C.  Among the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, jamming the Mall were some 200,000 white and black Americans quietly holding ground on the nations heart of government.  It was a televised, peaceful, orderly demonstration having a powerful effect on the nation.  Yet, Dr. King’s speech that day had a much more powerful punch, as he articulated beautifully what America could be and might become:

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed…I have a dream…that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character…So let freedom ring…From every mountainside, let freedom ring…to speed up that day when all God’s children, black and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of that old Negro spiritual, ‘Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last.’”

Recently I listened with a warm heart to a minority who will be running in Montgomery County for a seat to a state level district office.  Dr. Troy Towns is a motivational speaker and political activist, owner of Bell Road Eyewear in Montgomery, and a past leader of the Montgomery TEA Party.  He spoke from his heart and did so with passion and expertise, both in the current problems facing us as a state and the need for Godly people to step up and take leadership roles in all levels of government.

Dr. Towns is presently Vice-President of the Montgomery County Alabama Minority GOP.  Montgomery County Republican Party reported in their blog (February 21, 2013) an announcement of the formation of a minority organization of the GOP party.  They wrote, “Alabama Minority GOP has as its mission to provide conservatism in the minority community, encourage educational and philanthropic initiatives and to inspire the public interest.”  He works alongside Chairman William Green, Jr. and Tijuanna Adetunji, a founding member and Secretary/Treasurer.

Instead of concentrating on the “I Have a Dream,” Dr. Towns spoke in conclusion about “I Imagine…”  His passion took hold and made me think about scripture related to vision.  He was imagining a nation much like history tells us it really is, and what she can become again, because God is giving us one more chance to get things right.

He was speaking the words of the writer of Proverbs with an intent to live them out in public office, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV)  Another translation says, “Without revelation people run wild, but one who keeps the law will be happy.” (Proverbs 29:18 (HCSB)

In essence what I am saying today is that we need a dream, we need to imagine. We need a vision and we need to dream it, imagine it, envision it and implement it now!  Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their nation!  Now is the time to put our best foot forward and march forward with purpose and determination!  Now is the time!  Now!

Now is the time for us to go back to the roots of this nation and join the way of the pilgrims.  They came to the wilderness in search of a new life, free from the control of a dictator and to throw aside the constraints of a tyrannical system of government.  In faith they came to this shore to proclaim themselves as a new nation…

Now is the time to return to God, to exalt Him above all others and to worship Him and Him alone.  Those Freedom Searchers established places to live and the first house built was not the courthouse or the philosophy house or the saloon or the house of ill repute; no, no and a thousand times no!  The first house erected was the House of Worship, a place where they would gather and worship the God of Heaven and Earth.  They gathered for prayer, for fellowship, for Breaking of the Bread of Life.  They knew that God had led them, so they wanted to make sure He was the center and circumference of all they did. 

You can see it now, there in the middle of other smaller structures for living and doing business, stood the House of Prayer, the place to gather for Worship with the Family of God. Every Lord’s Day they ventured to that house, they stopped work and toil for a while to spend that time seeking God’s will and favor.  They were happy, they were content, they were taken care of and they acknowledged that it was not by power or might, but by the very hand of God that they were where they were and why they were there.  Until we return to the God of life, we will have no life, none at all…

Now is the time to return to the determined days of freedom.  When those men gathered in the hot, sweaty house of government and hammered out the principles of a free nation they labored, they debated, they even argued; but most importantly of all, they prayed.

It is time government returned to the acknowledgement and proselytization of the one true and Holy God…

Now is the time for the nation to exercise her rights as a free people.  Our nation is not able to freely exercise the principles presented to us in the Bill of Rights.  We say that we have freedom of speech, freedom to bear arms, or the freedom of religion; but do we really have that right?  I am afraid it is slowly, systematically being eroded into nothing more than words. 

If we speak our convictions, there is someone bound to talk us down, belittle us, or defame us.  We are called bigots, racist, gun toting extremist.  We are told we have no right to speak such propaganda as freedom, religion, or national pride.

When we speak of God, there are those that say we cannot do that, because we will offend someone.  If we pray in the name of Jesus, someone passes a rule/law that says we cannot do that because not all believe in Jesus as the Savior.  We say “Merry Christmas” or erect a Nativity scene and the populace is stirred to indignation and revenge.  When we practice our religious beliefs in the public square, someone is bound to say that we are infringing on their rights not to practice religious beliefs.

We are accused of carrying violence out on our nation if we own guns.  We are accused of promoting tyranny if we support conservative beliefs and acts.  If we teach our children the “Golden Rule” or enact punishment for wrong doings, we are called bad parents, with a tendency to promote negative mental health on young lives.

Oh, now is the time for all those who believe right is right and wrong is wrong to stand up, speak up, and stay the ground for we will not be moved…

Now is the time to call murder what it really is: MURDER!  The wholesale abortion of babies-those living, developing babies in the womb of a mother-is murder and nothing less.  Every day 3,000 plus babies die at the hands of some person who calls themselves a doctor.  Every day the lawmaker’s trade favors to keep these slaughter house businesses around our nation alive.  Every day some woman somewhere contracts some awful condition because of this practice.  Every day some underage teenager aborts - MURDERS - her parent’s grandchild without their knowledge or consent.  Every day there is more blood, and it is on the hands of Americans…

Now is the time for America to stand up and guard the sanctity of marriage.  The Bible clearly teaches that marriage is something that exists between a man and a woman.  There is nothing else that can be said.  Yet, there are small groups (somewhere around 10% of the nation’s population) pushing to get their voice heard and their “rights” recognized.  They want their way no matter what the consequences may be or the fall-out is; they are going to try every trick in the book to get their way.  It is time that God’s people stood up and spoke up and stay their ground….

Now is the time for our children to be taught the truth about history.  We are allowing educators the freedom to purport their way of thinking on the life of these young, moldable minds; in the end we are raising a generation that is disrespectful, disengaged, and dangerously bordering on socialism. 

I am thankful we have strong, morally upright, Godly educators who are attempting to do the right thing as they teach our children.  They stand their ground as best as possible, and I wish there were many more of them.  Yet, they fight a battle to do what they do within the environment in which they have to work.  Sometimes they even have to bend to the system.  Oh, how we need to pray for these individuals who are standing for right; and pray for more like them.  In the meantime, Christians need to be heard - speak loudly, speak often and speak clearly with intelligence…

Now is the time for people to be put on notice: If you don’t work; you don’t eat.  Every aspect of the social order knows this is the fact, except the two legged creatures that roam around looking for the government to feed them, clothe them, and give them the American Dream.  It is a Biblical mandate that we have avoided and tried to hide from, but it is bigger than life in today’s time…

Now is the time for Political Correctness to be done away with; oh, my, do we ever need to do away with it.  The Word of God says that the yes means yes and the no means no.  We need to call things what they really are and quit trying to sugar coat or cover it up.  If it is sin; then call it sin!  If it is shame; then call it shame!  If it is against moral truth; then call it a violation of moral truth.  A lie is a lie is a lie; stealing is stealing; gambling is morally wrong; drugs kill; alcohol alters the mind; and the list could go on and on…

Now is the time to catch the vision of what American can be…

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness-That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government become destructive to these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundations on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

A return to God, to true patriotism, to the way of the Pilgrims, to freedom and happiness - that is what we need.  We are a Nation - One Nation UNDER God!

 

Edited by Marie Mallory 5/23/13

 

 

Another article for Police Week '13

Preparation reminder

This week has been Police Week.  It is a time set aside to remember those who have given their lives in Line of Duty deaths nationally. 

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page (www.odmp.org) in 2013, Nationally fatality statistics reported a total of 41, which is up 21%.  These are reflected in the following numbers: 16 by gunfire (up 7%), 15 by auto (up 36%), and 10 by other means (up 25%).

Recent deaths were reported in Polk County, FL, Shenango Township, PA, and Arizona Department of Public Safety, AZ.

In Alabama, we have seen a few of these fallen heroes.  Since 2006, there are 25 officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in Alabama.  We are familiar with Justin David Sollohub, of the Anniston Police Department, who died in August of 2011 and Phillip Davis, of the Pelham Police Department, who died in December of 2009.  Within the last year, in February of 2012, Steven Green of Mobile Police Department was stabbed to death by a prisoner.  Then in November of 2012, Scott Ward of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office was shot while answering a domestic call of a disturbed individual.

While we are taking time to remember and memorialize these men and women, I have been reminded of our motto as a Boy Scout.  It should be the motto of every law enforcement agent at all times: BE PREPARED.

During these times, like Police Week, we think about the dangers and ultimate sacrifice that an officer must make sometimes.  We think about the sorrow and sadness the families experience, the pain to the LE family, and the actions those left behind can and need to take to prevent the possibility of something like this happening in the future.  While I believe these are good things resulting from tragedy, I personally believe that we need to see our LE community being prepared at all times.

Being prepared to take preventive measures should be on the mind of an officer at all times.  Whether it be a domestic call, a traffic stop on a dark country lane, or proceeding through a four way.  Each poses some form of unknown threat and danger; the end result being staying alive.  We all want to go home alive.

These things are true, but there is one more step to take.  This is as important as going home alive.  We desire that LE members be prepared mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Each of these four areas will cause problems and struggles, leaving an officer dead while they are still living. 

Each department and office of the law enforcement community has resources and avenues to help the staff deal with each of these areas.  The problem is that sometimes an officer thinks they do not need help, they are “bullet proof,” and can deal with these things on their own.  Preparation for the four areas, to some, is a useless waste of their time and energy.  These individuals that accept this method of dealing with issues end up destroying themselves, their family and interpersonal relationships through deviate, demeaning, destructive methods.  They will turn to alcohol and drugs, an affair, suicidal thoughts, internalization, fears and sleepless nights.  Yet, knowing there is a problem, they refuse to listen or submit themselves to helpful, beneficial avenues to solve the issues which are ultimately going to destroy them both personally and professional.

Mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually an officer can deal with the issues and pain which comes from traumatic events, as well as the mundane, normal activities of the day to day routine.  Taking a vacation, adding an exercise program or changing eating habits can make a difference in the way an individual deals with the first three areas.  Training events or conferences, reading books related to areas outside of the individuals expertise, or talking through a problem or event which has happened will be of great benefit in the long run.

The spiritual side of an officer is sometimes the most neglect area of their life.  They see so much in daily routine that will turn them to cynical thoughts and actions.  An office will view the world as corrupt and people as hopeless; therefore ultimately attributing these things to the thought process that God is not involved and a useless crutch to humanity.

The presence of a Chaplain in the life of the LE community is just that: A PRESENCE.  Sometimes the Chaplain will not have to do anything, but show up and be present.  The presence offers calm, peace in the midst of a swirling mass of mess.  At other times the Chaplain offers nothing more than a listening ear.  I often remind our deputies and staff that talking to me is like talking to a lawyer; there is always and ever a confidential relationship between the LE community and a Chaplain.  The only thing that would bring that, is if the information is illegal or poses danger to the life of the officer or someone else.  Then, I wil inform them that I must help them share that information so we can deal with the situation.  Otherwise, what happens in the patrol car or office; stays in the patrol car or the office. 

As a Law Enforcement Chaplain, I point out the areas where God is involved and active in the life of LE officers.  It might be the quiet drive through the countryside, the near miss on a crowded road, or the calming effect that reigns on a once combative and dangerous individual or situation.  When an officer is prepared spiritually for the daily events, they will see these things clearly.

This is the reason an officer needs to spend time developing this area of their life as much or more than the other three areas of preparation.  An officer needs to pray at the beginning and end of their shift, they need to pray throughout the day, and when they are facing an unknown call along the way.  They need to regularly read the Bible, which is God’s instructive book for all things related to life and death.  An officer needs to take time to attend public worship with a family of God where the Bible is taught, where God is exalted, and where people find answers for life in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  Lastly, it is important that LE officers spend time with their family in private times of spiritual refreshment, as well as public spiritual events.

§  Pray

§  Read the Bible

§  Spend time with a Family of Faith

§  There is one more point here: Talk it out with a trusted friend who lives the Christ-like life, a spiritual leader in a local church, or a pastor.  The effects of this practice on a regular basis will be seen in the LE officer’s life and the effectiveness of their service to the organization in which they work.

Some will say that they are strong without the spiritual.  They propose that they are capable of dealing with life if they take care of their bodies, exercise the mind, and never, ever allow things to corrupt or destroy them emotionally.  But, my thought is that such an individual is crippled and tottering on the edge of a disaster.

Without a strong, dynamic relationship with Christ and a firmly founded spiritual life, anyone can succeed in this life and in the life to come.  The Bible reminds us that we can do nothing without Christ.  Jesus taught that we are to be a part of the vine in John 15.  Anything less will lead to a crippled, ineffective life.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. ² Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. ⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. ⁶ If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. ⁸ My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.

John 15:1-8 (HCSB)

I am thankful for the opportunity to work with a department that practices the truth that the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of being involved in Law Enforcement is vital to the work of serving and protecting.  While it is a volunteer work, it is considered my other job, and is something I feel a calling from God to do, in order that others might see Christ.  I pray daily for the LE community in our county, stay abreast of the activities of the Sheriff’s Office and participate in ride-a-longs when possible.  Most important of all, the officers and staff know I am available to them so they might be well-rounded, well equipped in doing their job, and going home alive.

The Pastor’s Study @Rockford

Praying for America!

Police Week 2013

Police Week is May 12-18. 2013

Honoring our Fallen.

Scanning through my Facebook account, I have found several of the pages related to law enforcement promoting Police Week.  I piqued my curiosity, so I conducted a little research.

“In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15^th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.  Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, D.C. to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

-From www.policeweek.org

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page (www.odmp.org) in 2013, Nationally fatality statistics reported a total of 41, which is up 21%.  These are reflected in the following numbers: 16 by gunfire (up 7%), 15 by auto (up 36%), and 10 by other means (up 25%).

Recent deaths were reported in Polk County, FL, Shenango Township, PA, and Arizona Department of Public Safety, AZ.

In Alabama, we have seen a few of these fallen heroes.  Since 2006, there are 25 officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in Alabama.  We are familiar with Justin David Sollohub, of the Anniston Police Department, who died in August of 2011 and Phillip Davis, of the Pelham Police Department, who died in December of 2009.  Within the last year, in February of 2012, Steven Green of Mobile Police Department was stabbed to death by a prisoner.  Then in November of 2012, Scott Ward of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office was shot while answering a domestic call of a disturbed individual.

One that stands out in my mind more than all others was in Crossville, Alabama.  I was visiting with a friend and his brothers family on Lookout Mountain one evening.  We were laughing and talking, as Craig White told stories about his work at Collinsville Police Department.  The scanner was on, because Craig’s brother was a volunteer fire fighter for the Adamsburg Fire Department. 

Sitting, laughing and drinking the scanner noise intensified, then complete silence before the unmistakable ten codes came across the air: “00 (said as ‘DOUBLE ZERO’); 10-0; 10-33 only!”  The dispatcher was relaying the message that  an officer needs assistance, all responding units are to use extreme caution, and all radio traffic is to cease for emergency traffic only.

We sat in silence, as our blood ran clod, and our ears perched to hear every word that was coming through the small radio.  Then we caught the unmistakable words, which seemed to bounce around our small minds: “Officer down, I repeat, OFFICER DOWN. Justice Street, Crossville PD.  All units responding 10-17.”  The dispatcher relaying the message to all available units was urging them to hurry (10-17).

We wanted to run to Crossville.  We wanted to help in some way; anyway possible.  Yet, there was nothing we could do.  We were not able to do anything but sit, cry and pray.  Later the word came that Stevie Thompson had died, the subjects were in custody and everyone was safe.

In order for the public to be safe, I thought, an officer of the law had to die.  He died bravely; he died doing what he felt was a calling.  He died doing his job.

At the age of 29, Patrolman Stevie Thompson was on duty protecting the quiet streets of the small Sand Mountain town of Crossville.  Stopping a car on Justice Street, Patrolman Thompson arrested the driver for DUI.  Her two sons, riding the vehicle, exited the automobile and attacked the officer.  Gaining control of his service weapon, they shot him in the chest twice before fleeing the scene with their mother.

All three were apprehended a short time later.  The suspect who shot Patrolman Thompson was sentenced to life in prison.  He was denied parole on August 14^th, 2006, and again on May 15^th, 2012.

Patrolman Thompson was survived by his expectant wife and young daughter.  His second daughter was born three months later.   

            -From www.odmp.org

It is not an easy life for a law enforcement officer.  It is dangerous, demanding and desperately underpaid work.  The officer is always mindful that he or she may not see the end of their shift.  They are out on the streets and roads and county lanes protecting those of use who live in safety.  They serve us in various ways.  Sometimes they are required to give their life for someone they have never met.  Yet, they do it, not because of the pay check or the honor that comes with the respect of the public (because sometimes they get no respect), but they do what they do because they want to invest in others lives.

As you may know, I am a law enforcement chaplain.  I serve with the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office.  We have 25 full-time/part-time paid employees and 30+ members in the Reserve Unit.  As part of my formal training for the work of a chaplain, I have taken courses in various functions of the spiritual and emotional aspects of law enforcement.  These have given me the ability to work not only with the officers, but the public at large in the event of a death or major catastrophic event.

Policeman’s Prayer

When I start my tour of duty, God wherever crime may be, as I patrol these darkened streets alone, let me be close to thee.

Please give me understanding, with both young and old, let me listen with attention until their story’s told.

Let me never make a judgment, in a rash or callous way, but let me hold my patience, let each man have his say.

Lord, if some dark and dreary day, I must give my life, Lord with your everlasting love, protect the loved ones in my life.

-From Facebook

Riding with the officers, spending time talking with them and having time to discuss spiritual matters has afforded me to learn a valuable piece of information.  It is something I never realized until the last four years.  I have learned that even though we look on them as super human beings-you know, “jumping buildings in a single bound”-they are real people that hurt and bleed just like the rest of us. 

At the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office our Sheriff, Terry Wilson, each year declares a motto for the year.  This year it is “The Year of Preparedness.”  Every chance he gets, Sheriff Wilson reminds us that we need to be prepared for whatever may come our way, and that means we must be ready mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Whether taking a life or our life being taken, it is important to be prepared.    

This week we remember those who have fallen, doing what they loved to do; doing what they were called to do.  We will honor the men and women who put a shield on everyday and walk out of their homes and away from their families wondering if they will return at the end of the day.

Take a moment and write a note, make a phone call or speak to a law enforcement officer.  The encouragement you give them may be what they need at this moment.