August 2009

Yesterday it was my (and Jan's) pleasure to address a group of police officers, police chaplains and office staff at Police Headquarters in Brisbane. (We have previously spoken at Police appreciation days on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts).

I was able to share on how our society operates by honour - no honour = no power! Romans 13:1-2 says; "Let every man submit himself to the governing authorities for all authority comes from God. Hence anyone who resists authority is a rebel against the ordinance of God, and they that resist will will bring judgment upon themselves."   Verse 4 adds.

"The officer is God's servant appointed for your good." (Phillips translation).

With such a huge melt down in honour and respect in our nation I believe there are something's, the Church and Christians can do to make a difference.

* One thing we can do is to pray for our police officers protection.

* The second thing we can do is teach our young to respect the law and our police force.

My son (and daughter-in-law) are both police officers, plus we had a number in our church in Darwin and so I know the lack of respect shown to these men and women who lay their lives on the line for us. If you don't like living with the police -try living with out them for a while! The thin blue line that stands between us and total anarchy!

I remember what it was like in Darwin after Cyclone Tracy, no law and order for the first 5 or 6 days, looting, breaking into shops etc, it was am terrifying time.

The word honour is mentioned in all the Epistles, in fact it is mentioned over 200 times in the Bible. That makes it a major theme. Yet it is so lacking in our modern society. Honour even affects our longevity, if we want to live long on the earth, scripture tells is 'honour our mother and father'
- yet again there is such a lack of honour in Australian homes for the parent. Sadly it is even in in the churches, may young ministers have little or no resepct and honur for their spiritual Mother or Father - the 'Peter Pan' syndrome is alive and well in our churches! (Move over old man and make way for us young ones! You've reached your 'use-by' date!)

It is a breath of fresh air to see ministries like Margaret Court (Victory Life in Perth) holding a Police appreciation day. In the USA Pastors Happy Caldwell and Dr. Larry Ollison are just some of the ones that hold such days annually. I believe it is something every town in Australia could look at holding such days - especially in the country towns.

Remember - if there is no honour, there will be no power, in your home, your church, your ministry or your nation!

Blessings

Col and Jan Stringer