Robert Rojas Junior was a husband, father of two young kids and United States Border Patrol agent. He was murdered while on duty working the east part of San Diego county. Tomorrow Agent Rojas' funeral is in El Centro. Please take a few moments and pray for his family, fellow agents, the detectives and FBI agents working this brutal homicide.Thursday, July 30, 2009
BP Agent Killed
Robert Rojas Junior was a husband, father of two young kids and United States Border Patrol agent. He was murdered while on duty working the east part of San Diego county. Tomorrow Agent Rojas' funeral is in El Centro. Please take a few moments and pray for his family, fellow agents, the detectives and FBI agents working this brutal homicide.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Staying on Mission
In the old days a couple of flat foot’s would sit in their Fords, wearing a coat, white shirt, black tie and Dick Tracy hat. The cars had black sidewall tires, no AC and possibly a spot light. If they were lucky they had a police radio. They would survey the suspects, smoking cigarettes and holding a cup of black coffee at 2 in the afternoon. Times have changed!
We are working an operation that takes 8 to 10 surveillance units, a react team and electronics gear. These crooks are bad dudes. They traffic weapons, kidnap competitors and rip each other of loads. When necessary or at the direction of the Cartels, they kill. On several occasions there are more counter surveillance crooks than detectives and agents.
The sergeant’s job is to make sure each operation is successful. That takes staying on mission. When he gets a feeling that something is not right he has full authority to put down the operation. When the crooks try to control the operation he is the person who has to see through the sham and find the best way to prevent violence. Not too long ago in Florida a team went off mission. The CI, a young college student working off a Marijuana beef was kidnapped and murdered. It was awful. It is the sergeant’s job to prevent this. You have to be a multi tasking, intuitive, experienced and gutsy guy. It is not for the faint of heart. Darrell is the sergeant running these dangerous and complex operations.
Last week Dar was running a buy-walk operation. You watch for the tell tale signs of a rip by the suspects or others who may want to take the money and guns or drugs. You watch for your personnel making the purchase, the surveillance vehicles position, listen to the radio traffic, make sure the electronics gear is functional, get pinged on the Nextel by the detectives constantly, answer text messages, make sure you are not burned by the counter surveillance, being aware of other cops in the local commands who might wander into your operation…the list could go on for ever. In spite of the distractions you must stay focused on the mission.
Dar was driving with a cell phone in one hand, his radio between his legs when he saw the crooks coming at him. Officers adjusted to the position of the crooks and UC’s so Darrell whipped into the 99 cent store parking lot to blend in. The only problem he didn’t see the USS Minnow lumbering through the parking lot. O crap! Hit the brakes! The radio went flying from between his legs into the dashboard; the laptop with tracking software flew to the floor even his sun glasses flew. Not from the impact but the flick of Darrell’s angry hand. They exploded off of the windshield. (I may have taken a few liberties here, but you get the picture.) CRASH! Dar hit Gilligan, the Skipper, Ginger the Professor and May Anne full force as they slowly strolled through the parking lot. It was a minor damage , no injury accident. The kind the police won’t even take, normally.
Traffic Division had to come and take a report, get measurements, interview the other party and witnesses. You’d think it’s a homicide scene. While the rest of the team is laughing and watching Darrell through long eyes, the crook is selling the guns. Darrell still controlled the operation, kept the guys safe and purchased the AK-47 all while giving his CDL to the more than friendly, just the facts, traffic cop. They stayed on mission.
Focus on the mission at hand! Even though Darrell wrecked his UC car, created a commotion and gave the rest of the team a good laugh, he kept focused on the mission. He did that even though he had to over come some huge obstacles.
God wants us to further His kingdom by staying on mission.
Here is a way to stay on mission…spiritually that is.
1. Have a mission. (We name ours) Operation Bloodsucker; Operation Setting Sun; It helps us to define and rememer the focus. Answer this, why does God have you where you are? What is your mission?
2. Become expert at your part of the operation. Not everyone can be the undercover operative. The react team is just as important. Stay focused on your task. Let others do their jobs. Not all are preachers. Not all are cops. Not all are friendly. Use what god has given you, even if its non traditional.
3. Celebrate the wins and laugh at the crashes. The team had a good laugh at the accident while we all celebrate the great things Dar, Har, R, S. S, Izy, T and Steve (just to name a few) are accomplishing in this mission. Lets not take ourselves too seriously. Its okay to laugh at our faults.
In Ephesians 6 the Apostle Paul asks the people to pray that he stay on mission, no matter how difficult. “Pray for me…that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly as I should.” He stayed on mission until the very end!
A
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Unbcomfortable at Best
Yesterday was Cathy and my 28th anniversary. I spent it at the Gay Pride Parade.
Each year tens of thousands gather to celebrate their sexual liberation. Some march around in jeans and t-shirts, others in fishnet stocking police uniforms (not cops) with sex toys as Billy clubs and handcuffs. Yes, you can see through the one piece fishnet all the way to the white thong. He was the size of an NFL linebacker. His partner was in a leather mask, with a chain around his neck and a spiked thong. Another man stood on top of a large boulder in a pink dress, driving miss daisy era hat and beard. He held a Mickey Mouse doll with a 2’ sex toy as a tail. He also had three babies on a rope dangling from his mock vagina. He was simulating abortions. Hundreds of people lined up for a photo with him. This was not the interesting part of the “pride” parade.
The Intelligence Unit was there to protect the constitutional rights of all involved and if possible prevent any hate crimes. We jerked one guy with a swastika tattoo on his arm off of a bike. He had an Ice Pick in his back pocket.
A group of “Christians” stood with bullhorns and signs condemning “Fags.” “I hope you burn in hell.” Just as God set Sodom a fire I hope Hillcrest burns as well. I hope you die of AIDS. I spoke to the leader who uses a pseudonym as a name for fear of retaliation. He was actually a soft spoken, reasonable guy to talk with one on one. He appeared to be a Christian. He even quoted Romans 10:9-10. He was there to exercise his right to free speech in this democracy. He even told some of the really hateful people in his group to tone it down, rather than inciting a riot.
A local church made up of most gay people had a float. A woman with a beautiful voice sang praise and worship songs over the loud speaker drowning out the protesters. In huge letters it had Romans 10:9-10. The crowd politely clapped and cheered. I look over at Dave. He is laughing hard. Tears welled in his eyes. D is a 6’, 265 pounds of proud Mexican decent. He bench presses over 400 and it shows. He is dressed in neatly pressed shorts and a Hawaiian t-shirt, gangster fedora hat with a neatly trimmed white goatee. I was dressed in Rusty dress shorts, white collar golf type shirt and Puma shoes with my socks folded down. A .380 LCP Ruger was neat hidden under my shirt. Everyone was greeting us with kindness and respect. Dave squeaks out between gasps for air, “They think we are gay.” He roars. I’m horrified. He laughs harder, almost convulsive. They think you’re the bitch. He would have been on his hands and knees laughing, but I think he was afraid.
Another local church doing their best to be “missional” to the gay community had a float in the parade. They apologized for all of the other Christians who don’t see things their way. “We are sorry for the ignorance, hatred and confusion caused by Christians. We love, respect and support you.” They had worship music playing and a man with a pink tutu, beard and fishnets dancing in black pumps on the back of the float. Some how I think they missed the point as the crowd cheered and the protesters went berserk. Both sides were yelling at each other, “You’re going to hell!”
Shortly after that I saw a colleague walking down the sidewalk. He works for a local police agency and is gay. John is a good man. We shook hands (I would have hugged him but I did not want David to start laughing again). He said, “Happy Pride day.” I responded by asking him how he was. It was uncomfortable. As we parted my mind went back to the floats and the protesters. Both name Christ. Both can present the plan of salvation. Both would tell you they believe and follow Christ, have devotions and pray. Are they both believers? I know some of you are quoting, “Not all who say Lord (Master) Lord will enter the Kingdom of God.” Or “The path is narrow and few there are who find it.”
We (followers of Christ) were sent to “seek and save” those who are lost.
So how do we do that and who is lost? This I know, we cannot seek out and attract them by yelling at them. Although as a cop I support their right to do so. We can’t do it by acquiescing to wrong behavior (classified as married by our government or not) but as a cop I acknowledge their right to do so. Why is government even involved in a spiritual institution? Sharing our faith is not a multi level marketing program we sell to others because of the benefits; it’s a way of life. That is why the early believers were called people of the “Way.” It was a new “Way.” One that welcomed all, regardless of their background. Christ said it best, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick.” All who live a life apart from Christ need the healing touch of the doctor. When I am living as Christ would have lived it is attractive to others, gay or straight. That is why people were attracted to him. The problem is we don’t live as Christ did.
Next week I attend the “Parade of Adultery.” It’s led by Republican politicians and the head of the National Association of Evangelicals. Bill Clinton and the Governor of South Carolina are the Masters of Ceremony.
A
Each year tens of thousands gather to celebrate their sexual liberation. Some march around in jeans and t-shirts, others in fishnet stocking police uniforms (not cops) with sex toys as Billy clubs and handcuffs. Yes, you can see through the one piece fishnet all the way to the white thong. He was the size of an NFL linebacker. His partner was in a leather mask, with a chain around his neck and a spiked thong. Another man stood on top of a large boulder in a pink dress, driving miss daisy era hat and beard. He held a Mickey Mouse doll with a 2’ sex toy as a tail. He also had three babies on a rope dangling from his mock vagina. He was simulating abortions. Hundreds of people lined up for a photo with him. This was not the interesting part of the “pride” parade.
The Intelligence Unit was there to protect the constitutional rights of all involved and if possible prevent any hate crimes. We jerked one guy with a swastika tattoo on his arm off of a bike. He had an Ice Pick in his back pocket.
A group of “Christians” stood with bullhorns and signs condemning “Fags.” “I hope you burn in hell.” Just as God set Sodom a fire I hope Hillcrest burns as well. I hope you die of AIDS. I spoke to the leader who uses a pseudonym as a name for fear of retaliation. He was actually a soft spoken, reasonable guy to talk with one on one. He appeared to be a Christian. He even quoted Romans 10:9-10. He was there to exercise his right to free speech in this democracy. He even told some of the really hateful people in his group to tone it down, rather than inciting a riot.
A local church made up of most gay people had a float. A woman with a beautiful voice sang praise and worship songs over the loud speaker drowning out the protesters. In huge letters it had Romans 10:9-10. The crowd politely clapped and cheered. I look over at Dave. He is laughing hard. Tears welled in his eyes. D is a 6’, 265 pounds of proud Mexican decent. He bench presses over 400 and it shows. He is dressed in neatly pressed shorts and a Hawaiian t-shirt, gangster fedora hat with a neatly trimmed white goatee. I was dressed in Rusty dress shorts, white collar golf type shirt and Puma shoes with my socks folded down. A .380 LCP Ruger was neat hidden under my shirt. Everyone was greeting us with kindness and respect. Dave squeaks out between gasps for air, “They think we are gay.” He roars. I’m horrified. He laughs harder, almost convulsive. They think you’re the bitch. He would have been on his hands and knees laughing, but I think he was afraid.
Another local church doing their best to be “missional” to the gay community had a float in the parade. They apologized for all of the other Christians who don’t see things their way. “We are sorry for the ignorance, hatred and confusion caused by Christians. We love, respect and support you.” They had worship music playing and a man with a pink tutu, beard and fishnets dancing in black pumps on the back of the float. Some how I think they missed the point as the crowd cheered and the protesters went berserk. Both sides were yelling at each other, “You’re going to hell!”
Shortly after that I saw a colleague walking down the sidewalk. He works for a local police agency and is gay. John is a good man. We shook hands (I would have hugged him but I did not want David to start laughing again). He said, “Happy Pride day.” I responded by asking him how he was. It was uncomfortable. As we parted my mind went back to the floats and the protesters. Both name Christ. Both can present the plan of salvation. Both would tell you they believe and follow Christ, have devotions and pray. Are they both believers? I know some of you are quoting, “Not all who say Lord (Master) Lord will enter the Kingdom of God.” Or “The path is narrow and few there are who find it.”
We (followers of Christ) were sent to “seek and save” those who are lost.
So how do we do that and who is lost? This I know, we cannot seek out and attract them by yelling at them. Although as a cop I support their right to do so. We can’t do it by acquiescing to wrong behavior (classified as married by our government or not) but as a cop I acknowledge their right to do so. Why is government even involved in a spiritual institution? Sharing our faith is not a multi level marketing program we sell to others because of the benefits; it’s a way of life. That is why the early believers were called people of the “Way.” It was a new “Way.” One that welcomed all, regardless of their background. Christ said it best, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick.” All who live a life apart from Christ need the healing touch of the doctor. When I am living as Christ would have lived it is attractive to others, gay or straight. That is why people were attracted to him. The problem is we don’t live as Christ did.
Next week I attend the “Parade of Adultery.” It’s led by Republican politicians and the head of the National Association of Evangelicals. Bill Clinton and the Governor of South Carolina are the Masters of Ceremony.
A
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Complacency of Comfort...
As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Jeremiah.
Every once in a while crooks miscalculate their ability due to being too comfortable. The complacency of comfort causes you to run the risk of failure. The same principles apply to covert operations. The worst thing that can happen is operators getting comfortable with informants, operations, and targets.
Last week a private security guard decided he would no longer be a security officer, he would be a cop. He graduated to the big time. He was now a “Task Force Officer.” He read a few too many books on the graveyard shift when he should have been sleeping. He went out and got a jacket specially made. Black with bright yellow letters it proclaimed his position, “Task Force Officer.” He got badges, guns, undercover holsters, radios, batons and a police car. Not just any police car but a former Sheriff’s car painted jet black. It had the same communications gear as a police car, shotgun rack and laptop computer. This LE Task Force Officer patrols the mean streets of the Mira Mesa neighborhood of SD. He cruses around, sun glasses, baseball had and jacket. He looks official. He is also an Iranian national here on a work Visa.
MR. TFO pulls up to a stoplight on MM Blvd. He doesn’t want to wait for the light. MR TFO reaches down, flipped the toggle switch and lit up the night with his lights and piercing the quiet with his siren. Red and blue wig wag lights, strobes in the side mirrors, more lights in the grill and rear ambers. Two eagle eyed patrol officers with graduate degrees in common sense, watched him blow the intersection. Mark Brenner probable reached down and slapped the radio in their car…”this stupid thing must not be working again.” Adam, check the calls in NE. See what this guy is rolling code to. Hey, those are passenger plates. We don’t have any plain black cars with code 3 equipment and they would have “E” plates. What the heck! They pulled over Mr. TFO with their Code 3 equipment and ran him through all the databases known to man, trying to understand why a guy from Iran would imitate a police officer. The investigation continues.
It appears Mr. TFO really thinks he is a cop. When the big burly tow truck driver arrived on scene to collect the fake police car, he told the officers he had seen Mr. TFO making traffic stops in Mira Mesa. In his heart he thought he was a cop. One wonders where he went astray. He bought a ballistic vest, began to carry a gun, got some badges and ultimately a TFO jacket. As he grew comfortable in his new role he began to believe there is no difference between him and real cops. He installed Code 3 equipment. I wonder when he was bold enough to make his first stop. Now he blows through traffic lights. He was comfortable in his new role and became complacent. Comfortable and Complacent are the formula for failure, as a security guard or a follower of Christ.
Paul told the followers of Christ in Colosse, “Reality is found in Christ.” It seems to me many of us see ourselves one way while others view us differently. How do people see you spiritually? They were trying to live by the Law, even though Jesus had gotten rid of it with his sacrifice. They judged spirituality by legalistic ritual. The reality of a truly spiritual person is found in Christ and Him alone. Some in Collosse were comfortable in their ritual and became complacent. That would have been a fatal error for a young group of believers.
What you think in your heart, so are you. Trapped in the complacency of comfort or are you driven toward the realism of Christ?
A
Please pray for Mark and Chrissy. Mark’s brother was killed in a traffic accident this past week. He was in this late 30’s.
Every once in a while crooks miscalculate their ability due to being too comfortable. The complacency of comfort causes you to run the risk of failure. The same principles apply to covert operations. The worst thing that can happen is operators getting comfortable with informants, operations, and targets.
Last week a private security guard decided he would no longer be a security officer, he would be a cop. He graduated to the big time. He was now a “Task Force Officer.” He read a few too many books on the graveyard shift when he should have been sleeping. He went out and got a jacket specially made. Black with bright yellow letters it proclaimed his position, “Task Force Officer.” He got badges, guns, undercover holsters, radios, batons and a police car. Not just any police car but a former Sheriff’s car painted jet black. It had the same communications gear as a police car, shotgun rack and laptop computer. This LE Task Force Officer patrols the mean streets of the Mira Mesa neighborhood of SD. He cruses around, sun glasses, baseball had and jacket. He looks official. He is also an Iranian national here on a work Visa.
MR. TFO pulls up to a stoplight on MM Blvd. He doesn’t want to wait for the light. MR TFO reaches down, flipped the toggle switch and lit up the night with his lights and piercing the quiet with his siren. Red and blue wig wag lights, strobes in the side mirrors, more lights in the grill and rear ambers. Two eagle eyed patrol officers with graduate degrees in common sense, watched him blow the intersection. Mark Brenner probable reached down and slapped the radio in their car…”this stupid thing must not be working again.” Adam, check the calls in NE. See what this guy is rolling code to. Hey, those are passenger plates. We don’t have any plain black cars with code 3 equipment and they would have “E” plates. What the heck! They pulled over Mr. TFO with their Code 3 equipment and ran him through all the databases known to man, trying to understand why a guy from Iran would imitate a police officer. The investigation continues.
It appears Mr. TFO really thinks he is a cop. When the big burly tow truck driver arrived on scene to collect the fake police car, he told the officers he had seen Mr. TFO making traffic stops in Mira Mesa. In his heart he thought he was a cop. One wonders where he went astray. He bought a ballistic vest, began to carry a gun, got some badges and ultimately a TFO jacket. As he grew comfortable in his new role he began to believe there is no difference between him and real cops. He installed Code 3 equipment. I wonder when he was bold enough to make his first stop. Now he blows through traffic lights. He was comfortable in his new role and became complacent. Comfortable and Complacent are the formula for failure, as a security guard or a follower of Christ.
Paul told the followers of Christ in Colosse, “Reality is found in Christ.” It seems to me many of us see ourselves one way while others view us differently. How do people see you spiritually? They were trying to live by the Law, even though Jesus had gotten rid of it with his sacrifice. They judged spirituality by legalistic ritual. The reality of a truly spiritual person is found in Christ and Him alone. Some in Collosse were comfortable in their ritual and became complacent. That would have been a fatal error for a young group of believers.
What you think in your heart, so are you. Trapped in the complacency of comfort or are you driven toward the realism of Christ?
A
Please pray for Mark and Chrissy. Mark’s brother was killed in a traffic accident this past week. He was in this late 30’s.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Unity of Command
Jorge and I grabbed a cup of coffee last week and talked about the Gang Unit. Dave and I downed a beer and discussed the same topic. It all makes sense to me now.
Aaron G is a Neighborhood Crip and shooter. He is a gang member who we believe has several shootings under his belt. His girlfriend was murdered and the obvious belief was he would retaliate. Gang investigators gave fresh intelligence to GST officers. When you need something done give it to GST. They ultimately found him, conducted a search of his house and found a loaded and illegal shotgun. Several people could have laid claim to the gun so they let him walk, in spite of knowing it was most likely his. (By the way Aaron was let out of jail for the funeral if he promised to behave.) Tenacious and relentless, Chris T sent the gun to the lab for DNA analysis. The chance it belonged to someone other than Aaron was 1:1 billion. The pick up order went out and the beginning of shift looked like the beginning of the Boston Marathon. GST officers fighting (the unit is a little competitive) to get in the field and get to AG first. Squealing around corners, driving over lawns and possibly running a red light or two, they spotted the carefree thug and future defendant just tripping down the street. He was shocked as the first two took the homie down hot. Without unity of intelligence gathering, sharing of the information with GST, relentless GST officers, smart lab personnel, sound supervision on the black gangs/GST teams and the effectiveness of the team as a hole, I believe Aaron Griffin would have retaliated that night. Someone probably would have been murdered and the cycle of violence would deepen.
On the other hand Dave, Jorge, DEA and I have been battling a state agency who wants to control projects and call the shots. They are not interested in team play and getting the mission done. Rather than recognizing their skill sets, helping the overall goal, they choose to try and take the lead. In that area the result has been operational dysfunction and an informant tell the embarrassed handler, “you guys need to get your act together.” You can’t imagine how much time we spent discussing this problem, meeting for lunch, talking on the phone and sending off letters to top state officials. The uneducated crooks are right! What must those who are not followers of Jesus Christ think when they look at how dysfunctional Christianity can be.
According to researchers there are 2.1 billion people who identify themselves as Christians. Worldwide 658 million people identify themselves as Bible believing, evangelical Christians. Can you imagine if we worked as one, an effective team, the way God planned it from the beginning? Unfortunately it’s not that way we have seen it over the past 2,000 years. But what was God’s plan? It was for us to be ONE, as He is one with the father.
John 15:17 This is my command: Love each other!
Of all the things that Jesus could have told the disciples at the last moments of his life - love one another? Not to be doctrinally pure? Not to be politically active? Not to form churches with democratic infrastructure? Not to be seeker sensitive? Not to build and design vast organizations of religion? Not even to make Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity as the 13th and 14th apostles. No, he said to simply love one another, without excuse, division or prejudice.
That does not mean you can not make a stand on certain things for fear of offending a brother: Listen to the Apostle Paul’s rebuke the believers in Corinth. “…your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a body of Christians, (for love feasts/modern day communion) there are divisions among you and to some extend I (actually) believe it. (Incredulous voice). Evidently the more powerful and wealthier Christians would eat first and hog the food. He wanted them to sacrifice for each other.
The Gang Unit works because of the incredible team work and constantly putting ones self aside for the greater mission of putting violent people in jail. Each used his/her own skill sets, took the job seriously, protected the unity of the team and celebrated its success. Jorge and Dave were a huge part of keeping the team together.
As I leave Gangs for a new assignment, I look back over the past few years and realized God is right! How about that, God being right. The level of operational effectiveness is directly proportionate to each person using their talent to make the team more cohesive and effective while seeking each others best.
I had to stop and think. Am I the one who is causing God’s team to be dysfunctional or am I adding to its effectiveness.
I want to work as one with you to better the Kingdom of the Savior!
A
Aaron G is a Neighborhood Crip and shooter. He is a gang member who we believe has several shootings under his belt. His girlfriend was murdered and the obvious belief was he would retaliate. Gang investigators gave fresh intelligence to GST officers. When you need something done give it to GST. They ultimately found him, conducted a search of his house and found a loaded and illegal shotgun. Several people could have laid claim to the gun so they let him walk, in spite of knowing it was most likely his. (By the way Aaron was let out of jail for the funeral if he promised to behave.) Tenacious and relentless, Chris T sent the gun to the lab for DNA analysis. The chance it belonged to someone other than Aaron was 1:1 billion. The pick up order went out and the beginning of shift looked like the beginning of the Boston Marathon. GST officers fighting (the unit is a little competitive) to get in the field and get to AG first. Squealing around corners, driving over lawns and possibly running a red light or two, they spotted the carefree thug and future defendant just tripping down the street. He was shocked as the first two took the homie down hot. Without unity of intelligence gathering, sharing of the information with GST, relentless GST officers, smart lab personnel, sound supervision on the black gangs/GST teams and the effectiveness of the team as a hole, I believe Aaron Griffin would have retaliated that night. Someone probably would have been murdered and the cycle of violence would deepen.
On the other hand Dave, Jorge, DEA and I have been battling a state agency who wants to control projects and call the shots. They are not interested in team play and getting the mission done. Rather than recognizing their skill sets, helping the overall goal, they choose to try and take the lead. In that area the result has been operational dysfunction and an informant tell the embarrassed handler, “you guys need to get your act together.” You can’t imagine how much time we spent discussing this problem, meeting for lunch, talking on the phone and sending off letters to top state officials. The uneducated crooks are right! What must those who are not followers of Jesus Christ think when they look at how dysfunctional Christianity can be.
According to researchers there are 2.1 billion people who identify themselves as Christians. Worldwide 658 million people identify themselves as Bible believing, evangelical Christians. Can you imagine if we worked as one, an effective team, the way God planned it from the beginning? Unfortunately it’s not that way we have seen it over the past 2,000 years. But what was God’s plan? It was for us to be ONE, as He is one with the father.
John 15:17 This is my command: Love each other!
Of all the things that Jesus could have told the disciples at the last moments of his life - love one another? Not to be doctrinally pure? Not to be politically active? Not to form churches with democratic infrastructure? Not to be seeker sensitive? Not to build and design vast organizations of religion? Not even to make Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity as the 13th and 14th apostles. No, he said to simply love one another, without excuse, division or prejudice.
That does not mean you can not make a stand on certain things for fear of offending a brother: Listen to the Apostle Paul’s rebuke the believers in Corinth. “…your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a body of Christians, (for love feasts/modern day communion) there are divisions among you and to some extend I (actually) believe it. (Incredulous voice). Evidently the more powerful and wealthier Christians would eat first and hog the food. He wanted them to sacrifice for each other.
The Gang Unit works because of the incredible team work and constantly putting ones self aside for the greater mission of putting violent people in jail. Each used his/her own skill sets, took the job seriously, protected the unity of the team and celebrated its success. Jorge and Dave were a huge part of keeping the team together.
As I leave Gangs for a new assignment, I look back over the past few years and realized God is right! How about that, God being right. The level of operational effectiveness is directly proportionate to each person using their talent to make the team more cohesive and effective while seeking each others best.
I had to stop and think. Am I the one who is causing God’s team to be dysfunctional or am I adding to its effectiveness.
I want to work as one with you to better the Kingdom of the Savior!
A
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