Pastor Dad

Below is the transcript of the words I spoke before the first annual Policeman's Ball. What an incredible night and the potential that this event has is amazing. Keep up the great work ladies... It is truly an honor to be here this evening. As a matter of fact, I feel honored anytime I have the opportunity to be a part of anything in law enforcement. This is a very special night. It’s special for so many reasons. It’s special because this is you. This wasn’t put on by the community. This wasn’t put on by a church. This was put on by the people that know you most… the people that love you most. This may be the first time that I know that something like this has happened. And to those, we say, “thank you”. There are advantages and disadvantages to having access to your professional lives. I can never, ever watch another law enforcement television show or movie without rolling my eyes and throwing my hands up on a regular basis. I tend to stare a little too long in public at

My faults are many. My failures are great. But with each fault and with each failure, I choose to rise. I choose to rise above mistakes and ridicule. I choose to rise above criticism. I choose to rise above adversity. I choose to rise above those that would exploit mistakes. I choose to stay when everything in me says run. I choose to stand in battle until the bell sounds or the whistle blows and when the smoke clears, keep standing. I choose to have the determination that if my God would allow His Son to die for my sins that I will not embarrass the calling or the blood by being a hypocrite. You see, I believe that this Jesus-thing is real and I will stand before my God some day. But because of the blood of Jesus, I will stand without regret. I will stand with humble confidence that the blood was not wasted on me. The day will not be wasted on me. Are there days where I don’t want to stand? Of course. Are there days where I just want a normal life? Yep! Are there days when I’ve tak