It is the story of a Chaplain for the Maine State Warden Service (game wardens) and how she came to enter the ministry, specifically a law enforcement chaplaincy ministry. For obvious reasons, Ann my book consultant and owner of Excelsior Bay . . . → Read More: “Here If You Need Me” – A Book Review]]> I just finished Here If You Need Me by Kate Braestrup.

It is the story of a Chaplain for the Maine State Warden Service (game wardens) and how she came to enter the ministry, specifically a law enforcement chaplaincy ministry. For obvious reasons, Ann my book consultant and owner of Excelsior Bay Books in downtown Excelsior MN, suggested the read and I was not disappointed.

There are many stories of law enforcement chaplain experiences and a lot of insights into faith in the profession. I highly recommend the book to all readers, but especially to those in law enforcement, search and rescue and specifically those of us pursuing chaplaincy ministries. I expect I’ll make reference to the book in the future as it has some great insights. I’d like to share a short passage that I found very enjoyable

On June 12, 2004 I was ordained a Unitarian Universalist minister. My first official act was to pray for the game wardens and other law enforcement officers present.

I was sorely tempted to offer prayers for a guarantee of safety. What prayer springs to mind when I hear one of them on the radio, headed off to something that sounds a little scary? Oh God, please protect him. Oh God, please keep her safe.

On the other hand, if safety were a police officer’s top priority, she would doubtless have chosen another profession. To be truly safe would require that she set aside her own calling, terminate her own loving service to God and neighbor.

So I could not ask God to protect their bodies-though please, guys, do your best to protect your own won’t you?

“Join me as you will….” I said.

“May you be granted capable and amusing comrades, observant witnesses, and gentle homecomings.

“May you be granted respite from what you must know of human evil, and refuge from what you must know of human pain.

“May God defend the goodness in your hearts.

“May God defend the sweetness in your souls…”

Good stuff, I’ll be using it more in the future.

Friday, April 13

7:00 p.m.

A special invitation to all our men and women in our community who are serving or have served in one of these capacities: • Law Enforcement • Military • EMT • . . . → Read More: Presentation Announcement]]> This Friday, April 13, 2007, there will be a presentation by Jeff Streucker, at the Emmanual Christian Center.

Friday, April 13

7:00 p.m.

A special invitation to all our men and women in our community who are serving or have served in one of these capacities:
• Law Enforcement
• Military
• EMT
• Firefighters

Jeff is a career Army Ranger who shares his story as a Christian man of faith living a life in the military. He played a significant role, while deployed in Somalia, in the incident that was portrayed in the book and movie “Black Hawk Down”. I’ve never heard him speak, but while on vacation I read his autobiography “The Road to Unafraid”

It was a very inspiring book that shared a testimonial of his faith journey ultimately ending in his ordination and new career as a military chaplain in the Army.

As I’ve explored the concept of spiritual fitness in the public safety professions, one of the things that keeps me interested in the ministry is the diversity of experiences and stories of people in the professions. Faith and beliefs are very personal, but often when we hear the stories other people tell, we have an opportunity to pay closer attention to our own stories. If Jeff’s story sounds interesting to you I suggest you take the time to go and listen to it, or read his book. Click here for more info on the event

I’m also very interested in hearing about other stories of faith and spiritual fitness that you have come across. If those stories fit our mission of “promoting spiritual fitness” I’d be happy to share them on this website.

On Friday afternoons Bill and Bud would quiz me about what I’d read that week in school. They would then cluck with disgust and take me around the book store, filling a shopping bag with coverless books. . . . → Read More: More on “The Tender Bar”]]> Here is the excerpt from “The Tender Bar” I promised in Monday’s post.

On Friday afternoons Bill and Bud would quiz me about what I’d read that week in school. They would then cluck with disgust and take me around the book store, filling a shopping bag with coverless books. “Every book is a miracle,” Bill said. “Every book represents a moment when someone sat quietly–and that quiet is part of the miracle, make no mistake–and tried to tell the rest of us a story.” Bud could talk ceaselessly about the hope of books, the promise of books. He said he it was no accident that a book opened just like a door. Also, he said, intuiting one of my neuroses, I could use books to put order to chaos. At fourteen I felt more vulnerable than ever to chaos…….My days were controlled by teachers, my future was in the hands of heredity and luck. Bill and Bud promised, however, that my brain was my own and always would be. They said that by choosing books, the right books, and reading them slowly, carefully, I could always retain control of at least that one thing.

It is a memoir that Cam read as part of her book club. She thought I would enjoy it since it was a story about a kid growing up who wanted to be, and eventually ended up being, a writer. . . . → Read More: “The Tender Bar” by J.R. Moehringer]]> A couple of weeks ago I finished “The Tender Bar” by J.R. Moehringer.

It is a memoir that Cam read as part of her book club. She thought I would enjoy it since it was a story about a kid growing up who wanted to be, and eventually ended up being, a writer. For those of you who don’t know me well, and for some of you who do, it has always been a dream of mine to be a writer. That’s one of the reasons i enjoy writing these posts, it gives me a chance to practice and explore different ways of writing.

In many ways it is a sad story with lots of struggles, disappointment and pain for a kid growing up. But his experiences and relationships growing up were very rich and interesting (although not always very emotionally and spiritually healthy). Early in the book J.R. got a job in a bookstore working for a couple of interesting characters, Bill and Bud. They loved books, didn’t appear to like people very much, but shared a lot of wisdom and knowledge and their love of books with J.R.

I enjoyed the book very much and definatelty recommend it. Check in to this site later this week and I’ll share one of my favorite passeges that give a glimpse into the insights of Bill and Bud.

From pages 148-149, part two of the book.

My interest in philosophy, both in undergraduate and graduate studies, focused on the mind-body problem and issues related to consciousness. Without knowing it, I was beginning the process of reconnecting to my body. But at this point, I . . . → Read More: Still More on “Waking”]]> Click here for previous post on “Waking”

From pages 148-149, part two of the book.

My interest in philosophy, both in undergraduate and graduate studies, focused on the mind-body problem and issues related to consciousness. Without knowing it, I was beginning the process of reconnecting to my body. But at this point, I still believed what the doctors had told me at age thirteen–that there was no way to connect my paralyzed body short of a regenerated spinal cord. This meant that to access my paralyzed body in a more living, engaged way, I needed a paradigm shift. I had to literally change my relationship to the world. Without knowing exactly what I was doing and why, I took a shot-gun approach–I began to question almost everything I had been told in my entire life.

From page 88, the close of part one of the three-part book. This passage follows his first gin and tonic, a drink he associated with becoming an adult.

The moment after gin and tonics, the realization that there is not a prize behind door number . . . → Read More: More on “Waking”]]> Click here for previous post on “Waking”

From page 88, the close of part one of the three-part book. This passage follows his first gin and tonic, a drink he associated with becoming an adult.

The moment after gin and tonics, the realization that there is not a prize behind door number one, is a moment we all share. The answer to the question “Is this it?” is, of course, yes.

We all want a simple story–I know I do. In a simple story, my paralysis and the loss of my father and sister would be the obstacles I overcome, the negatives I turn into positives. My success would be the lessons I learned and a life of productive happiness.

In another version, the dislocation I experienced between mind and body during these months would be the injury. Yoga would eventually be the remedy. Humpty Dumpty would get put back together again and yoga would be the clue.

My story is not simple. As I write this, I am both heartbroken and desperately in love. Living thus far has taken quite a toll. And yet, I would trade nothing. The richness and possibilities I can feel come directly from what I have experienced. I stand in awe of the transformative potential embodied by our consciousness.

This awe, however, still possesses the flavor of the moment just after gin and tonics. This fact does not weaken the drama of life. It begins it.

This past week I finished “Waking” by Matthew Sanford. For book reviews I probably need to develop a rating system for consistency purposes, but until that happens I’m going to go with how much I enjoyed the book, and I thought it was “great”! I bought it when it first came out . . . → Read More: “Waking” by Matthew Sanford]]>

This past week I finished “Waking” by Matthew Sanford. For book reviews I probably need to develop a rating system for consistency purposes, but until that happens I’m going to go with how much I enjoyed the book, and I thought it was “great”! I bought it when it first came out this past summer but just got around to reading it. It is the story of a man who was paralyzed in a car crash (when he was 13 years old) that also killed his father and older sister. Click here for a link to his book and some reviews. Click here for a link to “Mind Body Solutions” a non-profit organization he started. Later this week I am going to share a couple of short passages that were memorable to me. I’d like to know what you think too.

I was not a use of force instructor when I was a cop, . . . → Read More: An Exercise: Breathing]]> There was a story in the source-health section of today’s Mpls Strib titled “Air of awareness”. It talks about the health benefits of conscious, controlled breathing exercises. We can’t not breath, but so often we don’t pay attention to our breathing.

I was not a use of force instructor when I was a cop, but I do know the importance the instructors place on remembering to breath during physical training. I remember it now because I had occasion to forget to do it then. Without knowing it I would find my self holding my breath during training. Our police instructors always did a great job of bringing it to my attention in a positive way that obviously has stuck with me. Giving verbal commands to suspects when in an altercation had several benefits, one of which it helped you breath.

So, when you are doing spiritual training, spending tme in silence and contemplation, don’t forget to breath, to be conscious of your breaths, to slow down and be deliberate in your breathing.

Check out the article. Although the program it describes is not directed at public safety, if you look closely for ideas you can apply to your personal fitness practices you are sure to find something you can use.

My dad lives next door to the author and bought me the book. He saw a lot of similarities in the story and what . . . → Read More: A Book Review “The Wisdom of Yawdy Rum”]]> I read a good book this past weekend while in Duluth with Amy at the sled dog race. The book is “the Wisdom of Yawdy Rum” by Michael Lane.

My dad lives next door to the author and bought me the book. He saw a lot of similarities in the story and what has been going on in my life, a transitioning life. The story is about a man who is frustrated with his career and is exploring his options for the next phase of his life. He meets and old New Orleans jazz musician who shares some of the wisdom he has acquired throughout his life. He is looking for a balance with work and family, looking for purpose and fulfillment in career, and clearly he is looking for change.

I was very fortunate in my personal transition to leave the EPPD on a positive note. We often don’t have that choice. This book shares a lot about the process of discovery that leads a person to the conclusion that change is inevitable. Often we wait until we are pushed out (which is the case in this book) but often it looks as though we are asking for the push.

It is a very good read, especially for anyone facing a midlife career transition. It ends with a sharing of his “secret”, some simple ideas of Yawdy’s wisdom. I won’t share them now in case you want to read the book. The first time through I read it as a novel (I often study the books I read), the next time I read it I’m going to study it and pull out some of the wisdom and share it in a weblog post or two.

Check it out, you’ll be glad you did.