In honor of National Police Week, and as thousands gather in Washington D.C. to remember those who have given their lives in the line of duty for the security of others, I thought it appropriate to share a short video of the candlelight presentation from May 13th.

May we never forget the sacrifice of these brave men and women, and even more so, of their families who have been left behind to pick up the pieces.

God bless!

Kristi

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9

Okay, class…for those of you who like trivia, what building is this?

If you guessed the Alamo, then quit reading this blog and hit the history books.  If you came up with Ft. Knox, then you are absolutely correct and get the gold star for the day (no pun intended).

This is probably the most secure building on the face of the planet.  Why?  Because it houses something very, very precious….enough gold to pay off this country’s deficit and give every citizen a nice chunk of change.  But alas, it is kept under lock and key and bullet; impenetrable and for good reason.

The reason I decided to talk about this intriguing building and its content, is because I had the unfortunate chance last evening of hearing about yet another law enforcement marriage falling into disrepair.

I began thinking about this epidemic and wondering to myself why it seems that so many just casually leave their marriages lying around unguarded and unprotected, not really considering how precious they are.

As we think back to our early courtships, didn’t we put our best foot forward?  Wasn’t it our aim to please our potential mate, putting his (or her) needs first before our own?  Didn’t we somehow guard our relationship from those things that could potentially worm their way in undetected?  Weren’t our eyes covered by love blinders that somehow kept out all the little aggravations and annoying ticks of our mate?

Years into our marriage, though, we seem to drop our guard often leaving our relationship vulnerable to attack.    Before we know it, we wake up to a total stranger or worse yet, to no-one there at all.

Friends, marriage is a precious commodity.  It should be our life-long mission to guard and protect it fervently, and our motto be, “Absolutely no tolerance for intruders!”  Things such as aggravations, disappointments, career headaches, stress, financial disasters or even other individuals should never push our partner outside of the protected walls of our marital fortress.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 5:15-18, “Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.  Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?  Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.  May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.”

In other words, your spouse’s love should be yours alone, not shared with anyone or compromised by anything.  It should be treasured and a cause for rejoicing.

So with that, I encourage you to shore up those protective walls around your marriage.  Guard the door of your heart.  Make sure that the precious commodity within is kept protected and highly valued.  With that, you and I will be the wealthiest folks on the planet!

Until next time…
Kristi

It hangs on the wall in grand display.  The badges mounted all shiny and polished and arranged in ornate detail.  Not a speck of dust finds its way inside this pretty shadow box for it is sealed tight and out of the reach of everyday traffic.

As I sit here in my chair, I can see this beautiful display I made for my husband so many years ago.  His badges from previous departments along with pins, patches and mementos of years gone by proudly displayed for all passersby, yet somewhat untouchable and frankly unusable.

I thought about that shadow box.  How many times do we seal ourselves up and away from the rest of humanity?  We might work side by side with folks who have never heard about the Lord, but we never take the time to open the glass and allow them to experience the real thing.

To put it into perspective, hear what a new officer recently shared with me…”The one thing that has struck me is either the lack of religious faith by the officers, or the unwillingness to share their faith. While I am no means a perfect Christian, I do my best to follow my faith. I have met two officers in my time that ground themselves in their faith and that has shown me that it can be done within this profession. However, due to the many that have not, (that) has lead me on my search to find those that do.”

It’s time for the shadow box to be taken down.  We need to raise the glass and allow those around us to experience the genuine love of Christ through us.  For Jesus said…

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

How are you living?  Is your life surrounded in glass and ornate objects sealing out those around you, or are you down on the table open and available to all those who cross your path every day?  For me,  I have made it my goal to pray each day “Lord, where do want me to go? And who do you want me to reach today for you?”  I assure you that every day I’m given a new assignment, and it’s worth it.

So…come out from under that glass and let your light shine!

In His Service,

Kristi

“But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?…God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells.” Job 28:12, 23

We almost had a crisis on our hands!  Last week after the Cpl. returned from a two day fishing excursion, in all of his excitement to see me again (snicker, snicker), he absentmindedly laid his precious sunglasses on the back of my car.

After gathering poles, backpack, dirty shoes, fishing gear, and his nasty old catch, we simply walked past the glasses and didn’t think anything further about them until the following day.

“Have you seen my sunglasses?”  Those were the Cpl.’s words as he entered the house squinting from the noonday sun.  “Um, yes, I believe they were on the back of my car which is now at the high school.”  Sigh.

Now mind you, a cop’s sunglasses are almost as important to him as his weapon, handcuffs, etc.  Standing in the middle of the highway directing traffic, working an accident, or just the ever-present “cool” factor, sunglasses are very, very important in the life of a cop.

So, when I informed him that our teenage daughter had driven them to school unaware, he wasn’t none to pleased with himself.  After a few “shoulda, coulda, wish I would haves,” the Cpl. headed back to work and I retreated to my prayer closet, but not before I suggested he trace her path and see if they might happen to be on the side of the road or somehow miraculously still lying on the trunk of the car.

“Lord, you know how important those glasses are.  Please help him find them unmangled and in one piece.  Thank you!  Amen.”

Not really giving it much thought, it wasn’t long when I received the following picture on my text.

Oh glory be!  Our Almighty God who created the universe had heard my feeble prayer and answered something so insignificant in the grand scheme of things.  Yet to me (and the Cpl.), it was a huge blessing.

Even though God oversees the every day huge things like planet rotation, vegetation growth, the intricacy of the inner workings of each human body, etc., He is also concerned with the small, minute details of things such as a police officer’s sunglasses.

Never feel as if He is too big to be concerned with your earthly problems.  He is concerned…He’s very real, very personal, and very much in to every detail of our daily lives.  So, give Him a try!  Get to know Him.  He’s really awesome, and…He might even help you find your glasses.

God bless!

Kristi

I remember when our kids were little, I would buy the boys those cheap, dime-store packages of plastic police badges, handcuffs, and guns so they could pretend to be like daddy.  Of course, it only took one or two times of stuffing them in their pockets or accidentally crushing them beneath their little feet for those things to end up being tossed in the trash.

Today as I run my finger over the golden, polished metal that my husband wears above his shirt pocket, or feel the weight of the weapon that is carried on his side, I am reminded of the difference between the cheap imitation and the real thing.  One is made as inexpensively as possible with no intention of it surviving long term.  The other crafted with accurate detail in order to effectively represent the wearer as an officer who is called to protect and serve.

Our faith is a lot like that.  Many people today describe themselves as “Christian,” yet their lives completely tell another story.  Their faith seems somewhat cheap and frail.  There is no depth or handwriting of God on their lives.  At a moment of crisis, they can fall apart, fall away or break into a million pieces of bitterness, anger, or resentment.

Then there are those – a select few in the grand scheme of things, who are lovingly crafted by the Master.  Upon inspection, they have all the markings of true, holy craftsmanship.  Their lives represent forgiveness, love, kindness and a gentle spirit – traits that speak volumes about their Maker.  They will stand the test of time, and in the end will receive their reward for the truth that resides within them.

I don’t know about you, but I hope my life reflects the genuineness of Christ. I want others to see the real deal in me.  How about you?

Something to think on…

God bless,

Kristi

P.S.  I would like to invite you to a free webinar I will be hosting this evening: Drawing Deep with the Master. It’s definitely time that we as “Christians” quit living on the surface and instead, draw deeper – more intimately with Him.  To join me in this study, just log on this evening at 7:00 pm CT, to the webinar room at: http://connectpro19068335.adobeconnect.com/badgeofhopeministries/ Hope you can make it.

God bless!

Kristi

I could feel the uneasiness in the air.  The Cpl. was involved in providing extra police presence at a certain business in town, after a disgruntled employee had made “casual” threats against those who worked with him.

On this particular day, the man was to be given his pink slip.  All were unsure of whether or not that course of action would set him off.  With that knowledge weighing on my husband’s (and my) mind, the day seemed thick with tension and longer than usual.

I went to work trying to busy myself with the ordinary, yet I could not help but to look at the clock over and over again.  I’d been told the magic hour it was all supposed to go down, and sensed how tense my man was.  All I wanted to do was step in and help in some way…to throw on my red cape, swoop in, and make it all better for everyone.

A barrage of questions entered my mind…Would the man show up with guns?  Would the Cpl. have to make split second decisions?  Would anyone get hurt in the process?  Would my husband come home?

As if like a title wave from the heavenlies, my heart and thoughts were comforted by the words of God spoken through the Apostle Paul, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Later in the day as I drove past the business, I saw the patrol cars leaving the premises.  The threat of danger was over and relief filled my soul.  God had settled peace over the hearts of men, and mine was safe yet again.  Praise be to God!

There are always going to be those times when it seems as if danger lurks around every corner, or uncertainty is on the horizon.  However, within those moments, we must turn to our God who knows our future and balances our lives in His mighty hands.  He alone is our peace, our Shield, and our Mighty Fortress!  He alone can put our anxious thoughts to rest.

God bless!

Kristi

There are those cops who go to work, do their job, then come home when their shift is over never giving a second thought to what impact they had on someone else’s life for the positive.

Then there are exceptions who seem to make it their mission to bring good out of a bad situation even if it is not recognized or acknowledged for years to come.

I happen to be blessed by the fact that I am married to one of those rarities.  He has that kind heart and gentle spirit; that “I will listen and hear your heart” guy, and I have the letters to prove it!

Recently, the Cpl. received a letter in the mail.  It was from a young lady who is currently serving a small sentence for drug possession and violating her probation.  In light of all the recent bad media hype, I would like to share a small portion of the letter to give you the other side of law enforcement:

“First I want to say thank you for the letter!  Meant a lot and I really like the Bible verses.  Especially since you broke them down for me.  I am definitely still reading my Bible.  I try to every day and I for sure pray every day….thank you so much for coming to see me in county and keeping me in your prayers!  Can you do me a favor and tell Officer _____ I said hello and “thank you” for the care and concern he has towards me as well as any other officer that has faith and hope for me still.  And thank you for never giving up on me!”

Speaks volumes, doesn’t it?  Probably won’t make it in the headlines any time soon, but that’s okay.  The most important One knows, and that’s all that matters.

So with that, I would like to leave you with these wise words written by…well…God, Himself!  May we all take them to heart and never stop shining our light for Him.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:35-40

God bless!

Kristi

There’s a recent case making all the headlines lately – one of a Florida teen who was “innocently gunned down by a crazed neighborhood-watch madman.”  You’ve heard about it, I’m sure.  It has everyone up in arms.

This is how I see it.  First of all, yes, it’s a sad thing that someone had to lose their life.   Actually, two someones.  Better yet, a number of someones, perhaps not physically, but their reputations and careers are shot to Pete.  There is the one boy, possibly not as squeaky clean as some might have thought or hoped he was; one man who has been touted a lunatic by the media, but probably just an average Joe in the middle of circumstances that could work an impressive best-selling novel; and then there are the forgotten ones, or are they?  The officers in the case who have been screamed at, demeaned, bemoaned, etc…just a bunch of lazy, good-for nothings…right?  Wrong!

The funny thing to all of this, if there is a funny thing, is the number of folks who will jump on any bandwagon as long as it’s going somewhere.  Doesn’t matter where or if they are right or wrong, have all the facts, etc.,  just as long as it gets some attention.  Then, you have those guys who have somehow made it to national popularity status…why? I don’t have a clue.  They are about as shady as the day is long, with bad haircuts and incorrect grammar usage.  But, they draw the crowds and sway those who are not “in the know” to hop aboard the bantering bad-boy bandwagon with the flavor of the week. Aaahhh!  You have to love America, right?

I guess as I see it, this scenario is no different than that of Christ’s day.  There was a bad boy (Barrabus) who was deemed good in the sight of his peers, just so those guys could rid themselves of an innocent man (Jesus), who just didn’t fit in.  Then there were those Roman soldiers…Ugh!  They were mean and nasty, inhumane and cruel.  I’m sure there was no earthly way they could have a human side, right?  All sound familiar?

Of course, the media and those self-centered, puffed up preachers were there to make sure the dust did not settle for those involved.  They were only after a little attention and a smidge of notoriety at the expense of others.  They didn’t truly care about those aboard the bandwagon bus.

I guess in the end, that case did come out okay.  The curtain was torn, death was defeated, and the innocent walked out of His grave and into His eternal kingdom.  And the naysayers…well, they all know the truth now, huh?  Hey!  What about those bad Roman soldiers that nobody liked?  Well, I’m sure they had some interesting stories to tell their wives back home.  What?! They had wives and families?  Yep!  They were human after all.

I’m just saying…

Thanks for listening to my banter,

Kristi

It’s a thankless job. Our officers are typically not given the accolades they deserve but what they are given are the midnight shifts, sleepless nights, mounds of paperwork, angry victims, whiny complainers, dangerous situations, little pay, and loads of stress. Then, to top it all off they get to come home to families who, unfortunately, are not always the most welcoming bunch, especially after many hours away from home.

There are bills that need to be paid, lawns needing attention, children starved for daddy time, wives wanting to express their 80,000 plus words, and Uncle Ed needing help to move that two-ton piano for the fifth time.

I remember on one such occasion, my man had been gone for several consecutive days. I was going through stress overload with household duties, kid issues, and a lack of outside friendships. I needed Rick’s undivided attention, but so did everyone else in town. Life for me was at an all-time stress high, and I didn’t think I could take much more. You could say that I wasn’t in a particularly thankful frame of mind.

At the sound of my boys bickering back and forth and my daughter whining in the hallway, I yelled “You kids are driving me crazy!” I often said that as a way to vent frustration. Not that I really meant I was actually going crazy, nor did they physically drive me that way, but sometimes when I was home alone with them again due to Rick’s work shift, I just wanted to run away and hide somewhere for a very, VERY long time.

I began nursing and rehearsing thoughts that were less than becoming: Why was it that I was always the one ushering my children to ball practice and band concerts, fall dances or school plays? Why did I have to carve pumpkins and put together King Tut costumes? It was me that helped feed homeless kitties and bathed mangy dogs, not him. I was the one who repaired a hole in the wall or put a door back on its hinge. I paced the floor during the dark of the night while my toddler screamed in pain. Where was this man of mine?!

Just then, God interrupted my thoughts: You are the one I have given all these blessings to. You are the one who I’ve entrusted these three precious lives with, and you are the one who your husband chose with full confidence to care for such precious cargo. He is the one I’ve chosen to protect and serve the community, but you are the one to supervise the home.

At that moment I realized how much I had to be thankful for. God had blessed me with one terrific husband who was willing to work such long, tedious hours so that the five of us could enjoy all the good things in life. Yes, he missed many of the special moments because duty called, but it brought a smile to my face just knowing that he could do his job unafraid of what he might walk into at his shift’s end. I was serving not only my family, but my God!

Our kids are almost grown now – three of the most fantastic human beings at ages 15, 19, and 22. I actually observed them just the other day standing in the kitchen talking to one another in civilized tones. I never thought it possible! Oh how quickly time has passed, but how thankful I am to have been given these opportunities.

“Lord, I am the one who is so blessed. I am the one who you have showered with such greatness. I am thankful.”

“A wife of noble character who can find?…Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life….She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:10a, 11, 27-28

Well! It had been a day. Being the unofficial office manager at my place of employment was taking its toll on my psyche. It seemed like every time I turned around somebody needed something. Not important things, mind you, but in my opinion, piddly little bits of nothingness that I couldn’t fathom bothering someone over.

To make things worse, I knew that I would be going home at the end of the day to manage a whole new set of glorious issues with housework, mile-high laundry, bills that needed paying, and shuttling kids to and fro.

Oh how I needed to vent, but my wonderful hubby happened to be working the evening shift, and I would be left to sputter to myself.

As I pulled into the driveway, my attention was immediately drawn to the trashcans still lying in the street from the morning’s trash pickup, and my son’s car blocking my coveted parking place in the garage. That was it…off with their heads!

I gathered my purse, bag, books, coat, groceries and last nerve, and began making my way up the driveway and into the house.

Meeting me at the door with that impish grin, my middle son stood there with that “What’s for dinner look.” I could feel the boil beginning to make its way upward.

Just then the cat ran into my path causing my foot to slip and lose hold of my weighted-down arms. That was the last straw!

I began spouting like a teapot at noon – steam sputtering from my lips taking aim at anyone in earshot; a can of green beans rolling to a halt down the hallway.

Just as there is a need for mass cleanup after a major oil spill or sizeable earthquake, this mom had to do some quick repenting, so I began the arduous task of repairing all the damage done by my outburst of anger.

God’s Word is clear about anger and keeping ourselves under control. In Proverbs 29:11 we read, “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”

If that weren’t enough, verse 22 of that same chapter reads, “An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.”

Well there you have it. I had officially made a fool of myself and committed many sins in the process.

Being the wife of an on-the-go police officer can oftentimes leave us feeling angry, overburdened, and underappreciated. Yet it’s in times such as these, that we need to step back, take a deep breath, and realize that God created us for a special purpose and He has things under control, even when we don’t.

So what’s the remedy to keeping our cool in hot situations? I’m so glad you asked! If we can take a deep breath and do the following, our husbands, children, and even the pet cat will thank us!

• Listen more, talk less, slow down
• Answer gently
• Do not respond to anger with anger
• Take care of anger quickly and look for resolution
• Seek patience
• Choose your mate and friends wisely

How is your anger button? Is it in check or does it need to be finely tuned? It isn’t too late, you know. Start applying these tips today and see how others respond!

God bless,

Kristi