09/24/2020
God Loves a Warrior
At Medina Lake in the Texas Hill Country
Pastor Chad Ripley
God Loves a Warrior is focused on those called to Police work- Warriors, fighters, brave men and women who have answered an extraordinary call to a life of service. Just to sign up for that type of service means that God has put some of His qualities in you-Courage, Honesty, Faithfulness, Loyalty and Strength. My kind of people.
Yet we fall into many of the same old traps. We buy a house that is too expensive so that we don’t have to live next door to the crooks we’re arresting daily. We work tons of overtime to pay for that house. When we start doing better financially we don’t stop working overtime, we keep going to buy toys-sports cars, RV’s, motorcycles, boats and jet skis. By the time we get home to our families we are exhausted and have little to give them. The overtime keeps us away from home, not to mention the fact that we are working weekends and holidays. We don’t see our families and easily drift apart from our spouses. When we meet someone cute at work who says we are their hero, we are primed and ready for an affair. That generally brings a divorce and some grade A depression, which we often like to treat with whiskey. A few years into police work and we can easily make a complete train wreck of our lives.
I’d like to prevent that. I’d like to talk to Officers before they’ve gone too far down those tracks, to warn them that there’s a train wreck coming. I’d like to remind Officers of the reasons they joined the department-to help their communities, to bring honor to their family, to protect the weak from the evil who would prey on them. When Officers do fall, I want to help restore them. Too often Officers are “thrown away” by the department so they don’t embarrass the administration. Yet these are people with much good in them, who have done much good. They deserve the opportunity to be restored to the honorable life they once chose. Most of all I’d like to let Officers know that they are valued and loved by God, who has a good plan for their life. I want to give whatever help they need, in Jesus’ name.
I’m still working as a Detective with the San Antonio Police Department, where I have served for more than 27 years, mostly in covert units- the Repeat Offenders Program, Narcotics, the Drug Enforcement Administration as a Task Force Officer and HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area-South Texas). I’ve been in more fights than I can count, and a couple of shootings. I’ve been married and divorced. I’ve likely been where you are, wherever that is in police work…and I’m here to help you.
Do you need to talk to a peer in confidence? I’d be happy to buy your dinner and let you talk.
Do you need a break? Come visit me in the Hill Country and let me introduce you to Medina Lake-a peaceful place to restore your soul.
I am an ordained Christian Pastor and can provide pastoral services to those without a church home. I can officiate your wedding, speak at a funeral, visit family in the hospital or talk to your loved one about Christ. I’d be honored to help you in any way that I can.
I’ve taught for years for both the San Antonio Police Department and (previously) for the DEA. I’m available to speak to your group about strategies for resilience in police work, avoiding police work pitfalls, faith in our profession or even to preach at your church.
All services are provided free of charge to the Officer.
God bless ya real good!
Chad
