BEING PRO JUSTICE IS NOT BEING ANTI POLICE

Many people falsely feel that if you call for justice; in some kind away it means you're against the police. That's the farthest thing from the truth. Any community must have a strong police force, in order to ensure the safety of its citizens. When trouble comes you want to be able to call Jesus first; then call 911 and see the police come to the rescue.

Being pro justice is not being anti-police. It is important to remember that just like you have good preachers and bad preachers, good politicians and bad politicians; you also have good police persons and bad police persons.

Today I was honored to be among the good police: St. Louis Association of Retired Police Officers (aka SLARPO). This august body of retired police is led by President Reverend Carl Smith. Today was their 18th Annual Christmas luncheon.

Colonel Bettye Battle-Turner (who is from the Pentecostal and prominent Battle family) was the keynote speaker. She shared a profound "message" on the goodness of God. One of the thoughts that really stuck with me, was when she said that you cannot have a valley, without having a mountain. Valleys are created by two mountains. No matter what valleys you experience in life; there is a mountaintop experience somewhere around the corner!

Sergeant Heather Taylor the president of the Ethical Society of Police (ESOP) was honored for her service to the community. I miss the many dangers that Sergeant Taylor has experience in her career; she reiterated the fact that she is covered. Prayer was offered on her behalf Buy three clergyman, to continue to keep her covered in the blood of Jesus. I was honored to serve as one of those prayer warriors.

This event today showed that, while we have made SOME progress, there remains a lot to do as far as bridging the racial divide in our community. "SLARPO" is the "black" organization of retired police; and "ESOP" is the "black" organization for St Louis Police officers. 

Crime is a major problem in the St. Louis area; with almost 200 homicides just this year alone. There must be unity among police and first responders in order to overcome this "plague" in our city. A lot of work must be done-because it's the same issue when the Church. We have a world that's dying in sin; however, the Church must also come together as one, in order to present the Solution (Jesus Christ the Son of God) to this epidemic of sin.