Top Book of 2008

This last year God has given me a passion for reading books. Specifically books related to Him. I have enjoyed reading solid theological books that help me understand Him better and that helps in my relationship with Him. I've also enjoyed giving books to my friends and I have seen first hand the impact some of these books have made on those around me. I have not always had a love of reading and if you are reading this and don't enjoy reading books then let me encourage you to ask God to give you a passion and love for it. If you love Jesus I can guarantee you that you will love reading about Him.

Before I announce my top book for 2008 (these books do not have to be written in 2008), here is a sampling of some very good books that I highly recommend:

Hard To Believe, The Truth War and the Gospel According To Jesus by John MacArthur.
Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever.
I would also be remiss not to mention the the ESV Bible that came out in 2008. It is very good.

Now for my top book of 2008. While all the books were excellent that I previously mentioned, one book stood out for how it not only impacted my family but how i saw it impact others. I am literally seeing Christians change before my eyes after reading this book.


Family Driven Faith by Voddie Bauchum is my favorite book of 2008.

New Sermons Added

I just posted some new sermons on our main site: www.tenfourministries.org.

Here is one highly recommended:

The Christmas Story

A Big Piece of Concrete & A Platform

As a 15+ law enforcement veteran I've seen my share of tragedy. In 1994 I watched as a man jumped from a building and died. The following year I responded to a domestic violence call and heard screams from the living room. I entered the house to see a man holding a knife. He turned towards me and as I began to put pressure on the trigger of my gun he dropped the knife.

In 1996, I helped carry Officer Dick Hobson to an ambulance after he had been shot. He died the next morning. All of those incidents, unfortunately, happen in this profession and while those and more are my scars, every person that wears the badge has their own.

Last week something happened that was about as strange as I have seen. It wasn't a man with a knife or gun. It wasn't a fight or a pursuit.


What you are looking at is a large piece of concrete that fell from the ceiling and hit a car parked in the parking lot that I park at each day. What was interesting about this is I was standing just a few feet away when it happened. In fact there was glass all around me. It happened fast, real fast. I heard an explosion long before I figured out what happened.


It was the perfect platform. I went into my office and called out each of the officers that work for me and walked them over to the car. I explained what happened and how fragile life was. I hoped my talk made an impact on them in matters of eternity. One officer came up to me later in the day. The professing Atheist accused me of preaching to them. I thanked him for the encouragement.

Spurgeon On Christmas

Charles Spurgeon closes his sermon entitled, "The Birth of Christ" with the following:

"Now a happy Christmas to you all; and it will be a happy Christmas if you have God with you. I shall say nothing to day against festivities on this great birthday of Christ. We will to-morrow think of Christ's birthday; we shall be obliged to do it, I am sure, however sturdily we may hold to our rough Puritanism. And so, 'let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavend bread of sincerity and truth.' Do not feast as if you wished to keep the festival of Bacchus; do not live to-morrow as if you adored some heathen divinity.

Feast, Christians, feast; you have a right to feast. Go to the house of feasting to-morrow, celebrate your Saviour's birth; do not be ashamed to be glad; you have a right to be happy. Solomon says, "Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment."

"Religion never was designed To make your pleasures less."

Recollect that your Master ate butter and honey. Go your way, rejoice tomorrow, but in your feasting, think of the Man in Bethlehem; let him have a place in your hearts, give him the glory, think of the virgin who conceived him, but think most of all of the Man born, the Child given. I finish by again saying, ---

"A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL"

Penn Says: A Gift of a Bible

Penn (of Penn and Teller) is an atheist, but he seems to understand more about Evangelism than many professing Christians. While he is clearly not regenerated in this video, it was obvious he was impacted by the witnessing encounter. To the gentleman that followed the instructions of Jesus to preach the Gospel. Thank you sir for your obedience.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Ten-Four Ministries Coin Being Shipped

Our newest addition to the Ten-Four Ministries Challenge Coin collection are being shipped along with a Gospel Tract that goes with the coin. We have received some very positive comments to those that have received the coin.

You can download the order form here. All proceeds go to our 10-33 Fund, which is dedicated to providing financial support to first responders in need.

Here is a link to the actual Gospel Tract. Below is the text of the Gospel Message that every reciepient of the Coin will get:


THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE

With the gift of this Challenge Coin
comes the ultimate challenge.
Whom shall you serve?


The Ten Commandments are the standard by which God will judge every person. If you look into the mirror of God's law, you will see yourself as God sees you – as one who has broken His law and sinned against Him. "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it" (James 2:10). God, being a righteous and holy Judge, must punish sin. "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 5:6). When God finds you guilty of breaking His law, He will sentence you to eternity in hell as the just punishment for your sins against Him.

But God is also merciful and kind. He has provided the only means of escape from His just wrath in hell. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). God the Father sent His Son Jesus (fully God and fully man) to Earth. He lived the perfect life that you cannot live. 33 years later, He was crucified, taking upon Himself the wrath of God the Father that sinners deserve. Three days later He rose from the dead, forever defeating sin and death.

So, what must happen in order for you to avoid God's wrath in hell and have peace with God? Your only hope is to become "born again" (John 3:3). Being born again is a supernatural work that only God can do when He gives you a new heart and dwells in you in the person of the Holy Spirit. Upon being born again, God will change your attitude toward sin (repent) and He will cause you to turn from your sin and put your faith in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

Tonight on Ambassadors Alliance Radio

Tonight on Ambassadors Alliance Radio

Join co-hosts Tony Miano and Bart McCurdy. On tonight's program.....

Mark Spence (Dean of the School of Biblical Evangelism) talks about relativism

Tony and Bart talk about evangelism at their local Christmas parades

A "Taylor"-made witnessing encounter at a restaurant

Evangelism from the cosmos; and your calls.

8:00 - 9:30 PM (PST)

So What Does It All Mean?

This shocking video will show you how fast the world is changing. With that change and technology, the Gospel is being introduced to more people than ever before. God is so good to give the world the time He has. The opportunities are immense for our world today. We should pray that with these opportunities, many will come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ for their salvation.

Don't Quit

Evangelism, when done biblically, is hard work. It should always be a labor of love, but it can be quite difficult at times. Whether you are a seasoned evangelist or just learning to share your faith in a biblical way, you must persevere.

This is the message of Tony Miano's newest CD. Tony, the founder of Ten-Four Ministries, and current Director of The Ambassadors' Academy has been leading groups of evangelists in focused three day training sessions for the past year. I have had the privilege of hearing the above message in person. It is a blessing to hear and highly recommended.

The Christmas Gift That Lasts For Eternity

Ambassadors' Alliance Radio!

Bart McCurdy and I will begin a new adventure tomorrow night. It's called Ambassadors' Alliance Radio. Every Thursday night, at 8 PM (PST), Bart and I will host a fast-paced and fun online radio program on BlogTalk Radio.

This program is dedicated to teaching biblical principles regarding evangelism; to encouraging Christians to share their faith and to live (and die) for the Lord Jesus Christ; and to proclaim the Law of God and His Gospel to lost people who are perishing in their sin.

Join us for a fast-paced hour of evangelism tips, news, and whatever else may be on their minds. Topics for this week will include: Created 4 His Glory--apologetics through God's handiwork; An interview with evangelist Paul Kaiser; how the Law of God shut the mouth of a "No on Prop 8" protester; and more.

I hope you will make Ambassadors' Alliance Radio a regular part of your Thursday evenings.

Paul Washer Testimony

I have often spoken about the movement I am seeing across the Country in regards to Reformed Theology. I am seeing young people to old people getting back to the roots of Christianity and shedding the baggage that has come with how the modern day church preaches the Gospel or the lack thereof. There have been consequences in standing up for the Lordship of Christ and some of you have suffered from that. Paul Washer is at the center of this modern day Reformed Movement. Below is his testimony.



You can hear Paul Washer and others at the 2009 True Church Conference in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Let me know if you plan to attend. I would love to meet you.

John 10:16 Conference

Our good friend Leon Brown from The Evangelism Team is putting together the John 10:16 Conference in New York City next August. Ten-Four Ministries is honored to be a sponsor of this conference. We hope to see you there.

Location: Manhattan, NY

There will be two days of biblical training followed by two days of sharing the gospel on the streets in New York.

Click here to visit the conference site.

You can see the promotional video below.

Thanksgiving - Thank You!

As I sat here on Thanksgiving morning, I simply cannot believe the many blessings that God has given to me and my family. First and foremost, I thank God for saving me. I am saved despite my sin, despite my depravity and despite doing nothing to deserve His grace. Not only has God saved me from His wrath that awaits all sinners, he has given me an opportunity to spread The Gospel through a wonderful ministry called Ten-Four Ministries.

Through Ten-Four Ministries God has shown me his awesome power and gentleness through the healing of lives, professions of faith and the opportunity to meet and counsel His people like I never dreamed I would ever do.

The opportunity with Ten-Four Ministries came about because of God and it continues because of His followers that continue to support us both financially and through prayer. The fact that you are reading this is a form of supporting our efforts to reach the first responder community with The Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that, I am so thankful for you.

I am so thankful for the Christians in my life that have not only inspired me but continue to mentor me, showing and revealing to me what being a follower of Jesus Christ is. It is through God's use of men like Tony Miano, John MacArthur, Leon Brown, Robert Haling and several others that have and continue to help me. These men are truly my Apostle Paul and I am forever thankful for their influence on my life.

In closing, God has given me a family that I wake up to everyday and simply am in awe of the blessing He has bestowed on me. To Traci, Trevor & Tanner: Thank you. Thank you for your unbelievable love and support.

2009 Traumas of Law Enforcement: Free Training

With the uncertainty of Federal funding to cover costs for the 2009 Traumas of Law
Enforcement, Concerns of Police Survivors sought support from corporations/ organizations for the 8 sessions planned for 2009. This 3-day, 21-hour training has been called “the Chicken Soup of law enforcement”, “the best training I’ve ever attended in my 32 year career”! Line-of-duty death, police suicide, the traumatized officer, the effects of trauma on the officer, and police disability are all explored in depth to help agencies develop general orders for these “traumas” that affect every law enforcement agency nationwide.

For Further information, or to register go to: www.nationalcops.org

“The Traumas of Law Enforcement” trainings for 2009 will be held in:

Humble, TX, January 5-7, 2009
Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble, TX 77338
Hotel: Hampton Inn Humble, 20515 Highway 59 N, Humble, TX 77338
Hotel Phone: 281-446-4800; Hotel Rate: $109.00 + 17% tax
Registration and Hotel Deadline: December 7, 2008

Marietta, GA, January 12-14, 2009
Cobb County Department of Public Safety Training Academy, 2109 Valor Drive,
Marietta, GA 30008
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express-Town Center Mall, 2485 George Busbee Parkway,
Kennesaw, GA 30144; Hotel Phone: 770-427-5210; Hotel Rate: $93.00 + 14% tax
Registration and Hotel Deadline: December 14, 2008

Baltimore, MD, February 2-4, 2009
James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center, Conference Room A and B, 2200 Scott
Wheeler Drive, Marriottsville, MD 21104
Hotel: Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel, 10207 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, MD
21044 Hotel Phone: 410-730-3900; Hotel Rate: $125 Single/$135 double + 11% tax
Registration and Hotel deadline: January 4, 2009

Hartford, CT, February 9-11, 2009
Aetna Insurance Incorporated Auditorium, 151 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06156
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, 440 Asylum Street, Hartford, CT 06105 Hotel Phone: 860-
246-9900; Hotel Rate: $89 plus 12% tax
Registration and Hotel Deadline: January 11, 2009

Indianapolis, IN, February 23-25, 2009
Training location and hotel: Hyatt Regency Hotel, One South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis,IN 46204. Hotel Phone: 317-632-1234; Hotel Rate: $94 + 16% tax.
Registration and Hotel Deadline: January 25, 2009
Westminster, CO, March 2-4, 2009

Training Location: Westminster Public Safety Center, 9110 Yates Street,
Westminster, CO 80031
Hotel: Doubletree Hotel Denver North, 8773 Yates Drive, Westminster, CO 80031
Hotel Phone: 303-427-4000; Hotel Rate: $109.00 + 11.85% tax
Registration and Hotel Deadline: February 4, 2009

Boise, ID, March 9-11, 2009
Training Location: Washington Group Plaza: Auditorium, 720 Park BLVD,
Boise, ID 83712
Hotel: The Grove Hotel, 245 S Capitol Boulevard, Boise, ID 83702
Hotel Phone: 208-333-8000; Hotel Rate: $86.00 + 13% tax
Registration and Hotel Deadline: February 11, 2009

Rochester, MN, March 23-25, 2009
Training Location and Hotel: Kahler Grand Hotel, 20 SW Second Avenue, Rochester, MN
55902. Hotel Phone: 507-280-6200; Hotel Rate: $85 + 11% tax
Registration and Hotel Deadline: February 25, 2009.

The Day After The Election 2008: by James White

"There is a greater judge than any judge who will be appointed to the Supreme Court" James White

Vacation Bible School: From worse to maybe excellent?

Vacation Bible School has been very troubling for my family simply because of a weak or wrong Gospel Message being given to kids. For many children, VBS could be the only time they are exposed to the Gospel and I have yet to find a VBS Curriculum that is nothing more than Jesus Loves me wrapped around a lot of entertainment. Jesus does love but there is much more to the Gospel than that. My children are ages 5 and 8 and I would love nothing more than to be able to let them attend VBS. This may be the one. I will let you know as soon as I review the curriculum.

Are You Saved? A Historical Message

I do what I can to not post sermons every day here on the blog. I realize that not everyone can sit by the computer and listen to an entire sermon but the fact is, I have had the privilege of hearing a few sermons lately that everyone really needs to hear. Earlier in the month I shared with you Paul Washer's Ten Indictments and I labeled it a historical message that needed to be heard.

I do not recommend sermons lightly and I certainly do not say they are historic lightly. Well, this morning I listened in person to a message that was historic and powerful. In fact, you could have heard a pin drop at certain times in the service and tears were being shed as the Holy Spirit convicted sinners. I cannot recall being present for any other sermon like it. Let me introduce you to Pastor Robert Haling's message titled "Are You Saved." In addition to what a true Christian is, Pastor Haling discusses the faults that our pulpits are responsible for, the problem with the emotional alter call, sinners prayer and many other church traditions that have dismissed the truth of the Gospel. If you don't have time to listen online, e-mail me with your address and we will send you a copy on CD.

October 31, 1517

October 31, 1517, is probably not a date that you heard in History class. As Christians it is a date we should all remember and it is a date that many in America are looking at.

October 31, 1517, was the day a Monk by the name of Martin Luther nailed a document to a church door in Wittenberg. That document contained a list of 95 Theses that started the Reformation that would eventually sweep across his native German Land, over to Europe and to the entire World. What would encompass two centuries and give us the likes of John Bunyan and John Calvin, the Reformation is continuing to play an important role today.

Today, Europe has forgotten who God is and they have turned to everything secular including the worship of Darwin over Jesus Christ.

America, once considered a Christian Nation, is anything but one today. We think that Europe is an Ocean away but the fact is we are seeing more and more of what Europe is today here in America.

In the face of what we are seeing in America, we are also seeing a revival of sorts. No, nothing has been nailed on a door but we are seeing the Gospel preached today in very isolated instances like it was preached 500 years ago. In the face of an America that has legalized Abortion and so called preachers that tell us there is more than one way other than Jesus, we are seeing bold Christians and Pastors standing up for the true Gospel. John MacArthur, Paul Washer, John Piper and many others are standing up for the Gospel.

We are seeing persecution of our Pastors here in America just like what has been happening for years in Europe. A Pastor 50 miles from me was told if he kept preaching the Gospel like he was that "he wouldn't last long." Unfortunately many other pastors have softened their message to comply with the so called Christians among them. If the Pastors are being persecuted who do you think is next?

Christians, it's time to stand for the truth. You may not be called to preach on a box in the park but if you are setting in a Church that is promoting everything other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, you are part of the problem.

While all of Martin Luther's statements are powerful I believe any writer places great emphasis on the first and the last thing they write. Here is what Martin Luther said first and last:

1) "When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said "Repent", He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance."

95) "And let them thus be more confident of entering heaven through many tribulations rather than through a false assurance of peace."

When the persecution and imprisonment comes the Truth of Jesus Christ will stand and the pretenders will run away. Christian, are you ready?

Ten-Four Ministries Challenge Coin

The latest version of the Ministry Challenge Coin is a couple of weeks from being complete. This coin can be used as a witnessing tool or as a reminder to who you serve. This coin also comes with a Gospel Tract and we have had some wonderful testimonies from individuals based on the initial Coin we produced in 2006.

One of the most recent testimonies involved a friend from my Church that I had given a coin to. He was with a business associate at a convenient store when he pulled the coin out of his pocket to get to his change. The man asked him what it was and he spent the rest of the day talking to him about Christ. He gave the man the coin and he later made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

You can download the order form here. All proceeds go to our 10-33 Fund, which is dedicated to providing financial support to first responders in need.

10 Indictments - A Historical Message

I had the opportunity to watch a message by Paul Washer live via the internet a few weeks ago while he was giving a sermon at the Revival Conference. In his sermon, Ten Indictments, Paul Washer discusssses ten symptoms of the spiritual cancer that is spreading throughout American churches. This sermon is powerful and highly recommended.


You can listen to the audio of the sermon here.

Here is the text of the message.

John MacArthur: Sermon Library Free

One of the greatest preachers of our day is no doubt Pastor John MacArthur. His sermons have been an incredible blessing to my family. I have had the honor of attending his church a few times and have briefly spoke to him. So with that said, I jumped at the opportunity to watch a live webinar with him a few weeks ago. As a viewer I had the chance to ask him a question which I did. The Masters Seminary is one of the most highly regarded schools in the world. John MacArthur is the president so my question was this: "When will the Master's Seminary offer online courses?" So as I heard my question asked I was thrilled. Then the answer from Pastor MacArthur came.

"Ha, Ha, Ha." Yes, he laughed and started talking about another issue so technically the question wasn't answered. Or was it? Pastor MacArthur does not use a computer and to this day handwrites his sermon notes and books.

Despite my hopes being dashed, I did find out some excellent news. Pastor MacArthur announced that on November 5th all of his sermons would be available for free online. While you could purchase his 3000+ sermon library for $5 each, they would now be free. As promised, here they are: http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/Title

November 5th: Do Not Be Discouraged

I spent most of the day hearing from Christians & Conservatives who are sickened & depressed over the victory of Obama. I must admit that before I became a Christian, I spent a lot of energy on politics but my faith was in the wrong place. Men, both Republican and Democratic are sure to dissapoint. We need to point to the Cross and know that God is in complete control. What happened on November 4th, happened because God let it happen.

Some have asked how Obama could be a Christian and believe what he believes. While it is not my place to know Obama's heart, we should not assume that he knows Christ. Anyone that has heard the infamous Jeremiah Wright preach could never assume that Obama has ever heard the Gospel or even knows it. No one can look at Obama's views, especially on the issue of abortion and opposing the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, and assume he is Born Again. As he stood in front of 500,000 citizens last night, after being elected to the most powerful position in the world, he never once acknowledged the God that placed him in that position.

So as we move towards an Obama Presidency what should we do? We should pray for him and pray hard. We should pray that he will lead this Country in a way that pleases God and that he becomes a Born Again Believer in Jesus Christ.

Yes, from what we know it sounds like a dream and it sounds like an impossibility but the Power of God is real and Jesus Christ has saved men from the bounds of hell that in the eyes of this world were much worse than Obama. Pray hard. This country & Obama need it.

By The Grace of God

"The true Christian is sensible and mindful of indwelling sin. He confesses that in everything he comes exceedingly short, and that his best services are not only defective--but defiled. He accounts himself as an unprofitable servant--and
is abased in his own eyes. He knows that all that distinguishes him from the vilest of men--is the free grace of God!

He derives all his hope and comfort, as well as his strength--from Jesus, whom he has known, received and loved, and to whom he has committed his soul.
He renounces all confidence in the flesh, and esteems all things as loss--compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ his Lord, for whose sake he has
lost all things--considering them rubbish, that he may gain Christ!"

John Newton

November 4, 2008

Yes, the day is here. The 2008 election and specifically the Presidential Election. I will not labor the various points that have already been written in papers or on Blogs but there is one thing I feel is important. When did Christians start thinking that who we vote for has nothing to do with their faith?

Seriously, when did that begin? As I was discussing Christianity and how it relates to who we should vote for, a co-worker came out of their office and said, "Travis, most people think we should separate politics and religion." I am afraid he is right. I am afraid that many Christians will go to the polls on November 4th and leave their faith in the car.

To a true disciple of Jesus Christ, being a Christian isn't a thing to do. It isn't what I do on Sunday. It isn't just "a part" of who I am. Being a follower of Jesus Christ is everything. In EVERY aspect of one's life, Christianity will dictate what is done.

So with that said, can a follower of Jesus Christ vote for someone that advocates the killing of babies? I suppose they can but I am certain of how God feels about it. Personally, I can't understand it. How could a Christian do it? There will likely be some that do it and there will be some that can do it with ease that think they are followers of Christ. The issue is likely much larger than Christians leaving their faith in the car to go vote. There may not be a faith to leave.

The I.D. Badge

Matthew 10:32-38: “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”

As we think of National Telecommunicators Week, a good majority of dispatchers put on some type of uniform every day for work. I read a lot about uniform and ideas for uniforms in websites such as “Dispatch Monthly” and “The Emergency Dispatcher” (Yahoo Groups). I wore a police style uniform during my tenures at Shelby Township and Romeo Police Departments complete with shoulder patches, name tag, and badge. Today, I wear a “soft” uniform at Clinton Township Police Department, which consists of a blue polo shirt or sweatshirt and khaki pants. In any case, the uniform represents the department served.

But did you know as a Christian, you wear a “uniform” each day as you serve Jesus Christ? No, you don’t have a physical badge or I.D. card. You might say you are “plainclothes” because others cannot see your heart. Therefore, I want to give you some identifiers of a Christian.

First, we need to tell others about Christ. As we look at a couple of the charges Christ gives to witness to the lost world, He says in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Further, in Acts 1:8, Christ says, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” So, the Holy Spirit will give you the opportunities and the words to say if you will look to Him. (And there’s nothing wrong with leaving a tract somewhere for others to read.)

Secondly, I believe we need to pray. Do you ask for God’s wisdom before you start your shift? We need to ask God for His help and assistance. We need to acknowledge God for something He has done for us. Even if we bow our head before partaking food, thanking God for the provisions He has provided for our needs.

Thirdly, we need to be a good testimony for Christ before others. In other words, we need to “talk the talk” and then “walk the walk.” We see a lot in our world today. Therefore, we need to be a good example in front of others and avoid the temptation to do wrong.

Finally, we need to carry or read our Bibles. Now you may not be able to carry a full-size Bible with you during your daily activities. But you should be able to have a small Bible, maybe a New Testament, at your disposal. I carry a small Bible provided by the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers in the front compartment of my lunch bag. That way, if I want to read a passage or look up something, it’s right there for me. Plus, it’s an encouragement to get something from the Word of God.

In conclusion, we must wear our “Christian badges” proudly. You will be surprised at who is watching you, whether you would be praying at the lunch table, avoiding temptation, or just by your attitude. People will see a difference in our lives. They will want to know why we are different. This could then be the opportunity to tell them about Jesus Christ. Think of this fact: In front of the multitudes of people, Christ walked through the city with Roman soldiers to Calvary. There He hung on the cross for our sins.

You have something to live for if you are a Christian. Don’t hide it! Learn to tell others about Jesus, but when you are not witnessing for Him, be an example for Jesus Christ. We are not perfect - that’s why Christ paid the price for us on the cross - but we should stick out in the crowd, just like we do when we wear our uniforms. For many years, I have proudly wore the uniform of the department I have represented, which stands for justice and protection of the citizens and property of that community. All of us should be proud to be Christians, soldiers for Jesus Christ, and be an example for Him in our daily lives. Wear the badge of Jesus Christ proudly in your hearts and lives.

Special thanks to Chaplain Dave Purdle, Founder, Ministry 9-1-1, Shelby Twp., Michigan, for this article.

Indianapolis, Indiana

It has been a few weeks since I have updated the blog. I have been travelling the last couple of weeks and just returned home. I recently got back from a wonderful week in Indianapolis, Indiana.



I started the week by visiting the Acting Police Chief of Butler University. I met Andy in September 2006 when I walked into a dorm room at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. To say I was nervous about whom I was about to spend the next 11 weeks with in a small dorm room was an understatement. I was pleased to find that Andy and I had two things in common. We were both active police trainers and members of the International Law Enforcement Educators' and Trainers' Association (ILEETA) and followers of Christ. It was a memorable 11 weeks and Andy spent almost an entire day with me.



Crime is different on a college campus. I noticed this Mascot Head and Andy told me that he had identified the suspects. They were from Purdue University. The body remains missing.



Butler University is famous for their basketball. It seems like they make it to the Sweet 16 just about every year and last year won 32 games. Their Basketball Court was the one used in the film Hoosiers and it was one of the nicest I have ever seen.



Unfortunately, football isn't taken as serious at Butler. I thought I was looking at the practice field but Andy informed me it was indeed the football field.

Chief Andy Ryan was a great host and it was a great start of a week in Indiana. I would complete the week at an Emergency Vehicle Training Conference. It was a week of meeting new friends and reuniting with old ones.

FIREPROOF Outreach

On the opening weekend of FIREPROOF, Ten-Four Ministries was blessed to sponsor a free showing of the movie for the first responders in the Tulsa (OK) community. We would not have been able to do this if it wasn't for the help of two area churches that helped finance the showing - First Baptist Broken Arrow and Sheridan Christian Church. When we arrived, it was good to see a sell out (above photo) and although myself and a small team of volunteers arrived an hour early, our firefighters and police officers were there in line ready to see the movie.



The Tulsa Fire Department graciously sent out a truck to help us promote the event and the movie. I am fortunate to live in a community that permits this activity by our first responders.



The line was waiting on us and I had the opportunity to meet many of our local heroes. They were curious as to who paid for their movie tickets and a large drink and I told them to please stay in the theater after the movie and they would have a chance to thank them. I only saw two people leave after the movie which was an incredible blessing.

The movie was powerful and during certain parts you could have heard a pin drop. It was clear that not everyone in the theater knew this was a Christian film. At least one heckler did not like the message but the conviction in the faces of the majority was clear. Who heard the Gospel during this movie? I personally knew atheists, agnostics and individuals living in open sin in the theater. I also knew Christians and many other individuals that I did not know.

As the movie concluded, the credits rolled and the theater turned the sound down. I stepped in front of almost 200 first responders and introduced the Churches that helped sponsor the movie and then left them with one more presentation of the Gospel. Here is what they heard:

"I want to first thank everyone for coming out tonight. I hope you recognize the important messages in this movie. I want to remind you of one particular scene where the father of the main character tells his son that saving someone from a fire does not make you right with God. You have violated his standards and one day you will be judged for that.

The first responders in this room are no doubt the heroes of our community. What you do on a daily basis is nothing short of heroic and I am amazed by it. Firefighters go into buildings that are on fire and police officers run towards gun shots instead of away. I am so amazed by that. Thank you so much for what you do.

But just like the father said in the movie, “I love you too much to not tell you the truth."

The truth is this. The Bible tells us that it is appointed for man to die and then there is judgment (Hebrews 9:27). We will not be judged based on our career or the fact that we have saved lives or done heroic deeds. We will be judged by God’s standards and you heard some of those in the movie.

Lust, stealing, lying, blasphemy, and other sins are an offense to God. The punishment for sin is an eternity in hell. None of us can pass this standard but the good news is this.

God sent his only son, Jesus Christ to earth. God walked the earth for 33 years and lived a perfect life. He was murdered on a cross over 2000 years ago and rose from the dead 3 days later. Over 500 witnesses saw him alive after he was crucified. There is no question on these facts.

Jesus died for all of us. He paid the penalty for our sins. A penalty we cannot pay. That alone is not enough. We must come to Jesus on His terms and the movie you just watched depicts this well.

We must repent of our sins, turn from those sins and trust alone in Jesus Christ for our salvation.

The literal meaning of repentance is to change one’s mind or purpose. It is much more than intellectual. It involves a change of behavior.

Then give your entire life over to Jesus. Trust in him for everything.

There are some in here that have done that. There are some that have not or are not sure. I am asking you to examine your faith and not let another day go by without ensuring that on that day of judgment, you will be found innocent because of the Blood of Jesus Christ.

There are Pastors here at the front to speak with you if you like.

Thank you so much for coming. Please have a safe night."

A local reporter was present in the audience and on this past Saturday, this article appeared in the Tulsa World.

When I originally saw FIREPROOF in August it was my prayer that this movie would make a difference and that Ten-Four Ministries could some how use it to reach the first responder community. As usual, God's plan surpassed anything I could have anticipated. What a blessing it was to be involved in this outreach.

Here is just one testimony that has come to us through our website:

"This movie so clearly mirrors my current marital situation that the less than stellar acting didn't matter, but the message did matter to me -- quite considerably.

Incidentally, three days before seeing this movie I had come to realize that my marriage was failing because Christ was not at the center of my life or our marriage. I have surrendered myself to Christ as Caleb ultimately did.

I know my marriage and my life will become more challenging as Satan tests my resolve, but I feel prepared for the fight. I have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

I saw this movie alone, and I am glad I did. I would like my wife to see it too, but not in my presence. The message was the point and I took it well. One of the better $10 bills I have spent. This is not feel good movie as much as a tough love story."

FIREPROOF: Opening Weekend

We've been keeping you updated on the movie FIREPROOF and the opening weekend was amazing. Playing in just one-third of the theaters than many of the other movies, it made 6.8 Million Dollars and came in 4th place. Ten-Four Ministries had the honor to participate in a viewing and I was given the opportunity to present the Gospel to the crowd afterwards. I can't wait to tell you about the night. Today, I have printed a review from one of our viewers and supporters of Ten-Four Ministries. Thanks Joy for your review:

"I L-O-V-E-D this movie. I know it's cliche but it made me laugh and cry. Honestly, I figured the quality of the production would not be that great but I was pleasantly surprised. Beautiful imagery and shooting. The shots of the woods with the cross were georgeous. This is the only movie that I know of that talks about the true meaning of love--not the romantic type of love--but agape love. I am so glad one of the major themes was about love being an action and not a feeling and how we can't trust our feelings at all times. This is a desperately needed movie concerning fighting for your marriage when we live in a culture where divorce is so rampant.

The most moving scene for me was when Kirk Cameron's character and his dad were in the woods by the cross and he kept saying, "How can I continue to love her (his wife) when she rejects me again and again?" and he looks at his dad and his dad is standing by the cross and it hits him like a freight train that God has been
loving him all these years despite his rejection and apathy. I felt the Holy Spirit moving in the theatre during the whole movie, but during that scene it was so quiet in that movie theater...and the presence of the Holy Spirit was so powerful...it was amazing.

The acting was great...it is hard to believe that these were not professional actors and that they were all volunteers. I have to admit that a few of the characters did sound a little stiff and like they were reading their lines but overall I thought the acting was good.

Another thing that surprised me was how funny the movie was. I really thought that the jokes would be very "corny" for lack of a better word and not very funny but I thought the movie was hilarious and well-written.

Our church had rented out the Malco in Fort Smith, AR. tonight and I can tell you that people were rolling with laughter throughout most of the movie. Funny stuff.

Another thing I appreciated was how they presented the gospel. It was in a kind and gentle way--not pushy or demanding which is great for when non-believers watch it.

I really feel that many people will be saved as a result of this movie."

Hard To Believe

Below is a wonderful interview of Pastor John MacArthur. I have learned so much from this man and I consider him one of the greatest preachers/teachers of our day. I was able to meet him a couple of weeks ago and he was as kind and generous as you would expect. In this interview, he discusses one of my favorite books: Hard To Believe. This is simply a must read book. Next to the Bible, it is one of the most important books in my library.

Kirk Cameron Interviews John MacArthur

FIREPROOF "Hottest Ticket"

FIREPROOF starts this Friday and we are excited about the opportunities this movie provides to believers and non-believers. We have been hopeful that thousands would see this movie and it would be recognized by a large viewing on opening weekend, which generaly causes many more to see the movie. It appears that FIREPROOF is well on it's way to a great opening weekend. It is currently rated as the hottest pre-sale on Fandango.

Ten-Four Minsitries has spoken about this movie often and it has not been without some criticism. A recent e-mail stated that "Christians need to realize that supporting a movie just because other Christians made it is really lame." It was one of the few things I agreed with in the e-mail. I do not condone supporting anything just because Christians are involved but there is one reason and one reason alone to support FIREPROOF. Because the Gospel is in the movie. There have been other movies that have claimed to be Christian and some that even throw in small elements of a partial Gospel but FIREPROOF is different. Once someone has watched this movie, there will be no doubt as to what God demands of us and what it takes to become a born again believer of Jesus Christ. That alone is why Christians should support this movie.

Sheep or Goat?

A good friend of mine runs Evangelism Team and he recently attended one of the largest Christian Festivals in the country, held in South Dakota. With permission from the organizers, he interviewed 200 kids who proclaimed to be Christians. He asked them 4 questions:

1. Are you a Christian?
2. What does it mean to be a Christian?
3. What does it mean to be born again?
4. What happens to people when they die if they are not a Christian?

The answers were all over the charts, including reincarnation, etc. With the state of the current American Church, the answers were unfortunately expected. The project was not done to embarrass but to reveal a very real issue in today's church's.

The visible church is in a horrible state; we need to return to our roots (the authoritative words of Scripture). I believe the decline in the visible church is a direct result of what's being preached in the pulpits and professing Christian's personal time reading, understanding, and applying the words of Scripture.

This site hits very close to home for me. I routinely speak to kids that claim to be Christians and cannot even tell me how to become one or why they are one. Recently, a kid told me he became a Christian "because it was the thing to do." I am routinely told that all you have to do to become a Christian is "to pray." These are kids that have grown up in youth groups, that claim to be a Christian.

Let me encourage you to send this site to your church leaders, to parents, to believers, etc. We cannot assume because someone "claims" Christianity that they are indeed born again believers of Jesus Christ. We must examine these claims within the scriptures.

To the church leaders and to parents: We should ask our youth and our kids these questions. We should help them examine their faith. I hope this site will be a blessing.

Here's the site: www.sheeporgoats.com.

FLYWHEEL - Giveaway

I watched a movie last night called FLYWHEEL. It was made in 2002 on a $20,000 budget by Sherwood Baptist Church. The church has now made three films. After FLYWHEEL, they made Facing The Giants and the upcoming film FIREPROOF.

I watched FLYWHEEL not knowing what to expect but I was curious based on the recent movies the Church has made. To say I was inspired by the movie is an understatement. We would like to bless someone with a copy of this movie. Comment on this Blog and we will choose a random reader in a couple of weeks and send you this movie for free.

Featured Sermon

If you haven't found it yet, we are now hosting sermons on our main site, www.tenfourministries.org. While the most current sermons will be on the front page, we will archive all sermons here.

Our featured sermon this week is from our good friend Leon Brown. You can listen to his sermon on the Apostle Peter and Obedience here.

How Do You Know You Are Saved?

7 Years Later

Seven years ago today, our Country became close and personal to evil. On September 11, 2001, Americans saw evil in a way we had never experienced before. We witnessed with our own eyes as 2,996 people were murdered by Terrorists.

72 of those victims were peace officers, 331 were firefighters and 44 were paramedics. The loss to our first responder community was devastating and the work done that day was nothing short of heroic. It is estimated that over 25,000 lives were saved by the first responders who helped evacuate civilians.


Those that responded on September 11, 2001 and continue to respond today are as true as a Hero as we will ever see. We should take the time today and every day to pray for all of our first responders. They are facing challenging times and the event of 9-11 should be a reminder to all of us that tommorrow is not guaranteed. Eternity is waiting all of us and the largest Hero of our time, Jesus Christ, is waiting to accept us into His Kingdom. Are you prepared? Click Here to find out.

Christless Christianity

A new book by Dr. Michael Horton called "Christless Christianity" will be coming out soon. Here is a video by Dr. Horton on the new book.

Last Words Radio

I had the honor of being a guest on Last Words Radio last night. My wife and I joined Tony, Greg and Kelly on the one hour radio show based in Los Angeles that encourages others to share their faith in Jesus Christ.

Greg (above) the co-founder of Last Words Ministry is coordinating the show.

I also met Chris out on Brand Blv. in Glendale who helps find folks to witness to live on the show. Chris is a great supporter of Ten-Four Ministries and law enforcement in general. I had a great time of fellowship with him and his wife. Everyone involved in this ministry has a heart for the lost and is so sincere in what they are doing for the Lord. I was so privileged to get to be with them for a few hours last night and I encourage each of you to listen to their show each Saturday night.

Here is the link to last night's show featuring Ten-Four Ministries: Click Here

You can listen to all of their shows here.

You can also subscribe to their show in I-Tunes.

Greater love has no one than this....

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13.

I took off work today and it was not an ordinary day off. My wife's father, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. Pat Grimes was killed in the line of duty on May 26, 1978. My wife was 4 years old at the time. In the 30 years since there have many tears shed and many holidays and special events that Lt. Grimes has been sorely missed at.

I didn't know Lt. Grimes but from everything I have read, researched and been told tells me he was a great guy. He was loved by many and well on his way to even greater achievements with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. With just 12 years of service, he had already entered middle management and until that fateful day over 30 years ago he seemed to be destined to accomplish great things.

Today, a bridge in my wife's hometown was named after her father. It was a proud day for so many in Pat's family that have missed him so much through the years.


Oklahoma Highway Patrol Commissioner Kevin Ward (above) speaks at the service dedicating the "OHP Lt. Pat Grimes Memorial Bridge."

It is unbelievable to think that long after the Lord calls me and my family home, this bridge will always be here as a reminder to the sacrifice and dedication that Lt. Grimes and his family have made for their community.


My son (above) with Oklahoma Lt. Governor Jari Askins.

While Pat left an incredible legacy of service behind and his death at the age of 36 left a wife and daughter heartbroken, he did something much more important before his death. It was more important than being a Trooper, Father or Husband. He gave his life to Jesus Christ by repenting and trusting in Jesus Christ alone as his Savior. Lt. Grimes did not lose his life in a shootout in 1978, he gained his life in eternity. My wife and my mother-in-law will one day see Pat again and I will one day meet him for the first time. His death was a tragedy for those left behind but at the same time there is a peace in knowing that Lt. Grimes is in Heaven and awaits our arrival.

New Challenge Coin

We have received the first image of our new Challenge Coin. We are currently working on a Gospel Tract to go along with the coin and we are excited about the opportunity the coin will give you to share the Gospel with fellow officers and others.

There is still time to get the coin and Take Up The Shield for free for a $50 donation to Pennsylvania Sergeant Tom O'Connor. You can get details here.

FIREPROOF - Free Tickets

I recently reviewed the upcoming movie FIREPROOF. You can read that review here. Ten-Four Ministries has partnered with two churches and will be providing free tickets to first responders.

If you are in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area on Saturday, September 27th, we would like to invite you to a free showing of FIREPROOF. If you are a Christian we ask that you bring an unbeliever with you. We have purchased 199 tickets to the 7:45 showing at the Cinemark (71st/Hwy 169).

If you would like to attend, please contact us prior to September 21st. We have obtained permission from the movie theater to present a Gospel message after the movie is over.

We welcome you to this exciting event.

Bulletproof Vests Tie Shoals to Philippines

Muscle Shoals Police Lt. Clint Reck is a close friend and supporter of Ten-Four Ministries. Clint coordinated an effort to give every officer in Muscle Shoals the book, Take Up The Shield, in 2007 and he never misses a chance to Glorify our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Bulletproof Vests Tie Shoals to Philippines

Wednesday, Aug. 20, was pretty much a typical day for Muscle Shoals police Lt. Clint Reck.

He handled his usual responsibilities at work and went home to spend time with his family.

Without his knowledge, an event took place in the Philippines on the same day involving another member of the law enforcement community. The officer had his life spared that day, largely the result of action taken by Reck, Muscle Shoals officials and members of a Tuscumbia church.

Reck, who attends Parkview Baptist Church in Tuscumbia, worked out a deal that resulted in 24 outdated police vests from his department being sent to the Philippine National Police Department in Manila.

The day after being issued a bulletproof vest from Muscle Shoals, a ranking member of the national police found himself in a potentially fatal situation as he and a fellow officer approached three suspects from a carjacking and robbery case.

"They chased the stolen car to a dead-end road (in Cabuyao)," Reck said. "As the officer walked up to the car, a passenger shot him in the chest from point-blank range with a 9mm gun.

"Fortunately, he was wearing one of those body armor vests. Obviously, he would have been killed."

The other officer involved in the chase ended up killing the three suspects during the shootout, according to Primitivo Tabujara, superintendent and intelligence chief of the Philippine National Police.

The officer's name has not been released by the intelligence division of the national police. Without question, however, his fate would have turned out dramatically different had he not been wearing the vest.

"All you can say is God's hand was involved," said Muscle Shoals Police Chief Robert Evans. "What do you think the chances would be of someone sending vests from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to the Philippines and the following day one of the vests saves someone's life? It's an amazing story."

Reck became aware of the national police department's need and recommended to Evans that the outdated vests be sent to the Philippines. Reck then talked to Mayor David Bradford and he presented the issue to the council, which gave unanimous approval.

Three members of Parkview Baptist Church visited the Philippines on a missionary trip in June and took a vest with them to show police there what they would be receiving. After Tabujara signed a waiver relieving the city of any potential liability, church members packaged the 24 vests and shipped them to the Philippines - just in time for the officer.

"The warranty on the vests runs out after five years, and they have to be replaced," Reck said. "We cannot use them after the expiration date, and we had several stored. We weren't using them and had no plans to use them, so I figured it was worth a chance to see if we could work out things."

Reck said he and other Muscle Shoals officers have tested the outdated vests on the city's firing range and they held up without any problems, so he was confident the vests would stop a bullet.

"The superintendent was very thankful and appreciative that we worked with them," Reck said. "I'm thankful to the church for their help in this, too. This shows how God is in control, even on the other side of the world."

Bradford said there was no hesitation on the council's part to allow the vests to be sent. He added that the city would likely consider doing it again should the need arise, "especially now that it has turned out saving someone's life."

"It makes you feel good to a play a part, even a small role, in something like that," Bradford said.

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@TimesDaily.com.

Courtesy: TimesDaily.com

Original Article: Click here

Copyright Times Daily 2008. All rights reserved. Format differs from original publication.

Last Words Radio

I will be in Southern California next weekend and plan to attend and participate in an evangelism outreach in Glendale and I will appear on Last Words Radio, 99.5 FM - KKLA, at 9 pm on Saturday, September 6th. If anyone is around Glendale, please let me know. I would love to meet you.

In addition, we have received word that Community Spirit Magazine will be doing a featured article that will discuss Ten-Four Ministries. It is expected out any day and we will keep you posted.

We welcome your prayers for the ministry. We are in discussions on several different projects that will expand the ministry tremendously. I will pass along details as I am able. For now, please pray that our meetings scheduled this week will produce fruit and doors will be opened to help us reach more first responders.

Sermons Now Online

We are now posting Sermons on the front page of our website. We hope to add new sermons each week on a variety of subjects. The focus of Ten-Four Ministries is not just evangelistic but we want to do what we can to disciple Christians, particularly Christians in the law enforcement profession. Due to alternative shifts and schedules, many officers are unable to go to church on Sunday. Whether an officer or not, we hope that these sermons will bless you and feed you in the Word of God.

We have several sermons listed now but here is one that will not go up until next week. Since you are visiting, you get the sermon today.

This wonderful sermon by John Macarthur and Grace To You discusses several issues important to Christians. From Luke 10:25-29, what does it take to be saved? What does the Law of God have to do with that? Does the Sinner's Prayer save you? How should we evangelize? Find out here.

Sergeant Tom O'Connor

Tom O’Connor is a Sergeant in the Pennsylvania State Police. He resides in Monroeville, Pennsylvania with his wife and two young children, ages 5 and 7. In early 2007, Tom was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer and he had extensive surgery to remove a tumor from the upper portion of the tail bone. Tragically, a complication resulting from the surgery left Tom permanently blind.

In July of 2008, Tom learned that the cancer had returned, causing a recurrance of the tumor. Tom's doctors found that the cancer had metastized and spread throughout his body. Tumors were located on his upper thigh bone, hip bone,upper arm bone and the T9 vertebrae and on the front of his chest.

Tom has requested to be enrolled in a clinical trial in which he would receive an experimental cancer treatment drug that has not yet been approved by the FDA.

Since being diagnosed last year and subsequently losing his sight, Tom has been unable to work. He has exhausted all of his paid sick leave with the State Police, and he is currently on leave without pay. Tom’s wife Jen is unable to work full time due to the level of care that Tom and their two children require. Understandably, their family is now under a heavy financial burden.


Above is a photo of Tom's Children.

I am asking all of the Ten-Four Family to pray for Sgt. O'Connor and his family. We will be making an immediate donation to Tom and his family through the 10-33 Fund. Our fund is limited and I wanted to give you the opportunity to help Sergeant O'Connor and his family.

To make a tax-deductible contribution towards assisting Tom, please make your check payable to: Missionary Church Western District. Please write "10-33/O'Connor" on the memo line.

You can mail the check to:

Ten Four Ministries
P.O. Box 52005
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74152

For a donation of $20, we will send you a free copy of Take Up The Shield. For a donation of $50, we will give you a copy of Take Up The Shield and one of our new Challenge Coins.

We are so appreciative of your prayers in this matter.

FIREPROOF Giveaway

Ten-Four Ministries wil be giving out tickets to the movie FIREPROOF on opening weekend. You can read our review of the movie here.

We have a special behind the scenes DVD of FIREPROOF and we will be giving it away in the next week. To have a chance to win, make a comment on this post and we will annoounce the random winner next week.

Below is the trailer of FIREPROOF.

Ten-Four Ministry Coin

One of the most popular items the ministry has developed was our Challenge Coin. Over 500 were sold or given away and since we ran out, I often get questions about when they will be available again. We are excited about our brand new design and the potential to fund our 10-33 fund through the sales of the coins. The 10-33 fund is dedicated to providing financial support to members of the law enforcement family (sworn, reserve, or civilian), in times of need. All proceeds of the Challenge Coin will go to the fund. The coins will be available in 6 weeks and they will cost $10 each but we will soon announce a pre-sale of the coin at a special rate.

FIREPROOF Movie Review

I had the opportunity to review the new movie Fireproof last week. The movie opens on September 26th and prior to viewing it, I had no idea the impact it would make on me.

Lt. Caleb Holt lives by the old firefighter's adage: Never leave your partner behind. Inside burning buildings, it's his natural instinct. In the cooling embers of his marriage, it's another story. After 7 years of marriage, Caleb and Catherine Holt have drifted so far apart that they are ready to move on without each other. Yet as they prepare to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb's dad asks his son to try an experiment: The Love Dare. While hoping The Love Dare has nothing to do with his parents' newfound faith, Caleb commits to the challenge.

The audience will be challenged as well. I found myself emotional throughout the movie as I literally saw myself in Caleb's shoes. I have not been a Christian my entire marriage and seeing the transformation of the main character (played by Kirk Cameron) was as real as it gets.

Caleb's best friend and fellow firefighter, Lt. Michael Simmons, is identified early on as a Christian and his behavior, attitude and talks with Caleb plant seeds early on in the movie. Caleb tells another firefighter "We may not agree (with his faith) but he is the real deal."

A common theme in the movie is where Caleb's focus and love is (or where it is not). He is shown driving his new red truck and going into a new house. A fight with his wife revolves around the money he is saving for a boat. Caleb's dad lovingly tells him that "whatever you put your time money into will be what you care about." This movie is not only for first responders but everyone.

First, it is simply a good, entertaining movie. That will be a benefit because it is of the utmost importance that three things happen with the release of Fireproof on September 26, 2008.

1. Followers of Jesus Christ must see this movie. Even if you feel like your marriage is strong, this movie will still help.

2. Unbelievers need to see this movie. The Gospel message in this movie is nothing short of unbelievable. The message delivered is complete, clear and biblical. I found myself wanting to jump out of my seat in praise as the father of the main character, Caleb, tells his son that "saving someone from a fire does not make you right with God. You have violated his standards and one day you will be judged for that...... I love you too much to not tell you the truth."

3. As Christians we need to support this movie. It will be released across the nation the weekend of September 26th and there is no guarantee it will run past that weekend. The movie will continue to play as long as people go see the movie. Please encourage your church, your friends and anyone else you know to go see Fireproof.

There are many opportunities for ministry with the release of Fireproof. A book called "The Love Dare" is being released and a six week small group study on marriage is coming out that will use clips from the movie. Those and other resources can be found at www.fireproofmymarriage.com.

I am excited about the opportunities this movie will provide. Ten-Four Ministries will be doing several things in the next month to prepare for the release and we will certainly keep you posted. If you would like to help in your community, you can visit the official website for details. At a minimum let me encourage you to take an unsaved friend to this movie and please be in prayer to do even more than that.

That's My King

"My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews – that’s a racial King. He’s the King of Israel – that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King. Well I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him?

Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament show His handiwork. My King is the only one whom there are no means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shore of supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. Well, well, He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s saviour. He’s the centrepiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s august. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent.

Well, He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in high criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of proved theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King. He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. Well, He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s strong God and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. Do you know Him?

Well, my King is the key of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King. Yeah. Yeah. That’s my King. My King, yeah. His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Well.

I wish I could describe Him to you, but He’s indescribable. He’s indescribable. Yes. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible. He’s irresistible. I’m coming to tell you, the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explaining Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. Well, Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilot couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King. Yeah. He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There was nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can't impeach Him and He’s not going to resign.

That’s my King! That’s my King! Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but it’s God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? And ever and ever and ever and ever.

And when you get through with all of the evers, then, Amen."

—Dr. S. M. Lockridge