After retiring from law enforcement in 2012, my initial plan was to breed and train German shepherds. Having a deep appreciation for police K9s and the invaluable service they provide, I wanted to maintain a connection to the profession through this part-time endeavor. However, God had a different path in mind for me.
As I began training my first pup, memories of police stories flooded my mind, and I started to see connections between these events and biblical principles. My post-retirement hobby quickly evolved into writing—not just personal journaling, but using the disciples of Christ as a model for sharing my experiences and faith. Although I acquired a second German shepherd puppy with the intention of training and breeding him with my first, God compelled me to proclaim the gospel through writing, which eventually led to hundreds of devotions, articles, three books, and a ministry website, Badge145.com.
Training my German shepherds inspired me to write about police work. These are my buddies, Maya Von Sandstein, (left), and Mako Von Haus der Hoffnung. Maya is a 7-year-old GSD. Mako is 6. (Jim McNeff)
The story of Peter and John in Acts chapter 4 serves as a constant source of motivation. It’s one of my favorite chapters in Scripture. Peter and John were imprisoned for preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus. They were brought before the high priest and a crowd of onlookers. Because of their recent healing of the lame beggar (Acts chapter 3), they were asked, “By what power have you done this?”
Peter replied: “If we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health” (Acts 4:9-10).
Imagine that! If Jesus were still in the tomb, their claims would have been immediately discredited. Yet, I find the rulers’ observations in verse 11 particularly striking: “Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus” (Acts 4:11).
Furthermore, the healed beggar stood among them, making it impossible for the rulers to deny the miracle. After conferring, the religious and political leaders acknowledged the undeniable miracle. Their solution? They ordered Peter and John to cease speaking or teaching in Jesus’ name.
This situation bears a striking resemblance to our current cultural climate. We are often cautioned against mentioning the name of Jesus outside of church. Some organizations would prefer the name of Jesus never be uttered outside of church walls.
(Pixabay)
However, Peter and John offered a response that all Christians should embrace: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).
The disciples spoke with unwavering confidence and the authority of God. While they could have become arrogant, verse 33 reveals their true demeanor: “And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33).
From this chapter, I’ve learned to pray, “God, I want you to receive glory for anything you do through my life and my obedience to the call of the gospel. I want people to see that I’ve been with Jesus. Give me confidence to share my experiences as a testament to your authority—sovereignty—jurisdiction over all. And above all else, help me to do so with grace and mercy. Amen.”
Whenever I write a faith-based piece, someone inevitably comments, “This doesn’t belong in a law enforcement publication.” Nevertheless, I refuse to remain silent because cops bury about 150 of their own annually. Consequently, everyone needs to come to grips with the prospect of death. That is why this publication—Law Officer—does not shy away from faith-related issues. We are cops in the trenches who recognize the vital importance of faith. For me, it’s been part of my “officer survival” and certainly included in combating PTSD related issues. Furthermore, it is the remedy to living an abundant life and a driving force to negate the fear of death. As a result, I am a big advocate of all people, but certainly cops, pondering eternal consequences since they are a reality.
Riding a motorcycle on the open road is mind-clearing for me. However, it also gets me thinking about eternity as much as police work since one wrong move and your life can end in a flash. (Jim McNeff)
Finally, this article is not written as a “debate,” but simply provided as part of my story. Readers can take it or leave it. For those who wish to degrade my conclusions of faith, I simply challenge you to apply the same standards to the answers you’ve developed or believe in regarding eternity. If you simply think it’s “light out,” I’d challenge you to seek better answers. I provide many for your consideration in Jurisdiction: A Cop and a Pastor Talk About Life.
As always, be safe out there!