To Those Who Serve: A Practical Devotional

By Griffin Templeton

In the age of a spiritually misguided culture, To Those Who Serve shares timely and practical applications of Biblical principles with the law enforcement and service communities. Author Griffin Templeton introduces a true north for those disoriented by society’s ever-shifting moral compass.

Shedding true light into the life of the law enforcement officer and those who serve, he gives an inside look at the challenges our nation’s bravest face. Templeton provides strategies to revitalize those in the trenches and presents an enlightening perspective for family and friends surrounding service members. Drawing on personal stories from those on the front lines, he allows their voice to help shape the narrative and illustrate the point of his message. He gently guides you into new territories and challenges all, including those outside this community, to reevaluate their outlook.

From anecdotes to amens, To Those Who Serve seeks to brighten the horizon for the nation’s up-and-coming servant-leaders and aid those currently serving to finish the race with strength and integrity. It offers a guide and resource to those in the field, providing solid answers to some of life’s toughest questions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664249592

Griffin Templeton

Griffin Templeton earned a degree in criminology and has experience in both state and federal law enforcement as a criminal investigator. Law enforcement, military service, and the Christian faith run deep in his family roots.

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Copyright © 2021 Griffin Templeton.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-4958-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-4957-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-4959-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021923187

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/3/2021

CONTENTS

Preface

Acknowledgment

Author’s Note

Chapter 1 How We Speak

Chapter 2 We’re Only Joking

Chapter 3 Stay in the Fight

Chapter 4 Can We Please Everyone?

Chapter 5 Discrimination: Are You Guilty?

Chapter 6 No Margin for Error

Chapter 7 Purpose

Chapter 8 Returning Home

Chapter 9 The Need for Accountability

Chapter 10 Protect Your Mind

Chapter 11 Who Do You Serve?

Chapter 12 The Legacy You Leave

Chapter 13 Retire ASAP

Chapter 14 Encore

Chapter 15 Focus on the Future

Conclusion

Contributor’s Acknowledgment Page

Bibliography

Scripture Index

About the Author

T o all those who have, are, or will lay their lives on the line for the safety and security of the United States of America whether in the military, local, state, or federal law enforcement. Thank you.

PREFACE

M y purpose in writing this book is not to condemn or judge the actions taken by any of the individuals who have undertaken the noble profession of law enforcement. Nor is it to criticize the citizens of this country for the stance they take on law enforcement or the views they possess. My goal is merely to shed true light into the life of the law enforcement officer and to all those who serve, to offer perspective into the profession, and to provide encouragement and confidence for the brave ones who put their lives on the line every day.

My hope is that this book will be a guide and a resource to those in the field, providing solid answers to some of life’s toughest questions. It should challenge you in ways that make you uncomfortable. It should cause you to try things outside of your comfort zone and make you perhaps think in ways you have yet to so far. I can attest it did the same for me as I was writing. In these moments, we have the opportunity to grow, if we are willing to step out in faith. If you attempt even some of what I am advocating here, you will likely feel unsure, awkward, or even silly. Rest assured that you are in good company.

This book is ultimately intended to be read more like a devotional and less like a novel. What I mean is that each chapter requires a bit of reflecting and meditating. Specifically, each chapter concludes with a list of application questions to think through. While you may be tempted to simply read the questions and continue to the next chapter, I would ask that you not do so. If you do, you will undoubtedly miss out on those precious benefits I believe the book can provide and for which I was prompted to write in the first place. Therefore, I ask you to take time to truly think upon the reality and the meaning behind each chapter, using the questions to self-reflect and encourage personal growth.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

T o my wife, your constant support throughout the writing process has made this opportunity not only possible but achievable. Thank you for your love and unending encouragement.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

T hroughout this devotional, I refer to law enforcement as the primary audience; however, this audience can be interchanged for the military or other fields of service you may find yourself or loved ones called to.

B ut now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forth as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

—Romans 3:21–26

CHAPTER 1

How We Speak

I n law enforcement, there is a great deal of what is often referred to as police jargon. By that, I refer to the use of ten codes, shortened phrases, and abbreviated titles. Language can be specific to a certain agency or region and can even vary within the same county limits (sheriff’s office vs. police department). One thing is consistent with the use of language in law enforcement, however: cursing. Despite departmental policies that prohibit cursing as a means of professionalism in the workplace and our field, we pass it off as just part