Time Daily

MUSCLE SHOALS -- Police Chief Robert Evans said if there is any profession where prayers and words of encouragement are needed on a daily basis, it's in law enforcement.

And that's exactly what the ministries at Parkview Baptist Church are hoping the department will receive from a recent gift.

Pastor Jim Cummings and Associate Pastor Chad Holden paid a visit to the Muscle Shoals Police Department Tuesday afternoon to deliver copies of the book "Take Up The Shield.''

The book was written by a veteran Los Angeles law enforcement officer and compares the law enforcement equipment to the spiritual armor that is described in the book of Ephesians.

"The Bible says (police officers) are servants of the public,'' Holden said. "They put it on the line for the public everyday. The least we can do is to do something to encourage them and show our appreciation.''

Holden said the book shows the armor that God can provide for the men and women of law enforcement.

"There is definitely a coalition between law enforcement and servants to the Lord,'' Evans said. "The book of Romans (in the Bible) authorizes law enforcement, so we actually get our authority from a higher being.''

Evans said he has looked through the recent gift and will be incorporating it in with his daily devotional.

Holden said after he and Cummings heard about the book, they thought it was something  the church wanted to do for the police department.

"It's a chance for us to reach out to (the police officers) and let them know we understand what they're going through,'' Holden said.

He said there are several members of the Parkview congregation that are in the law enforcement profession.

One of those is Muscle Shoals Police officer Lt. Clint Reck.

"I'm proud and thankful for what the church did," Reck said. "It's a book of encouragement and everyone needs encouragement.''

He said he had previously read the book and looks-forward to reading it again.

"It compares the whole uniform -- from the shield to the boots -- to the word of God,'' Reck said.

Holden said the gift was not an effort to get any member of the department to attend Parkview.

"It was strictly a gift from the church, a gift that we hope can be a comfort to them,'' he said. "If one person turns to Jesus because of this book that's great. This gift is a chance to minister to them because they minister to us everyday. Most people don't call (the police) and say thanks. This is our way to try and reach out to them and let them know we appreciate what they do.''

Evans said the "day-in and day-out'' struggles that go with being a member of law enforcement can sometimes be overwhelming and, hopefully, this gift can help officers overcome those struggles.

"It makes you feel good to know someone out there is thinking about you and wanting to provide encouragement for you,'' Evans said.

Reck agreed.

"It's a gift of love and encouragement, it's not something that will wear out of go away,'' he said.