Shutterstock.com/mikhail |
WATCH NOW! JERUSALEM, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is warning the West not to be fooled by Iran’s “conciliatory words,” following the opening of the United Nations General Assembly.
Shutterstock.com/mikhail |
WATCH NOW! JERUSALEM, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is warning the West not to be fooled by Iran’s “conciliatory words,” following the opening of the United Nations General Assembly.
VFNRadio’s Timeless Treasure aired on September 24, 2013.
VFNRadio’s Timeless Treasure aired on September 23, 2013.
BRACE YOURSELF! It’s Coming
You can’t measure God’s Success by how man measures Success
LISTEN NOW! (Be Sure to listen to Part 1 to this program. This is part 2 of the program focused on seeking justice for Roy Middleton who was shot 15 times by two deputy sheriff’s – see report of incident and details at NorthEscambia.com)
Greg, John and Pat begin a conversation regarding the Roy Middleton incident where an innocent man was shot by two Escambia County Sheriff Deputies resulting in his car being riddled with bullets and the shattering of Mr. Middleton’s femur. Greg interviews Captain David Alexander III of the Pensacola Police Department to share his own personal views and perspective of what is happening in Escambia County as they begin a conversation to acknowledge realities with a goal of bringing healing to the county.
Roy Middleton |
Captain David Alexander III who is also an assistant Pastor at Jesus Holy Tabernacle Church shares his personal views and not the views of the Pensacola Police Department. He continues to share that there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed. He shares that it is very rare for an officer to shoot at a suspect so many times when most officers in their career my never even have to fire their weapon. Captain Alexander continues to share that it is his opinion that whenever there are problems in your community those problems will be reflected in public life. [LISTEN NOW TO: NO ONE CRIES FOR JUSTICE, by Greg Lancaster] “The real problem is the lack of trust.” Captain Alexander says. He shares that this just doesn’t make sense relating to what happened to Mr. Middleton and the first response from others was to defend the actions of those involved. Greg shares how Captain Alexander is not merely offering rhetoric but as one who has faithfully partnered with the community not only as a law enforcement officer but also as a minister as well as his participation in
Sheriff David Morgan |
the Pensacola Father and Son Camping trip. We have to begin to demand honesty from those who serve the public. Mr. Middleton shares that he felt like he was in front of a firing squad. This begs to questions as to why there has not been a public acknowledgement, any empathy or an apology for Mr. Middleton. Sheriff David Morgan says “Mr. Middleton was both a suspect and a victim.” Sheriff Morgan then goes on BLAB TV, a local television program where Roy Middleton lives, on the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech and lectured the African American community about why crime is so high crediting it to their culture. [See Sheriff David Morgan Video Below] They continue to discuss how Christians should respond to this injustice as every single person is important to God. The reason given as to why Mr. Middleton was shot was he failed to comply. What essentially is being said is shoot until the person complies. Captain Alexander continues to underscore the importance of having a good relationship between law enforcement and the community. It’s important not just to talk but to have real compassion. Mr. Middleton is a human being and is made in the image and likeness of God. When Mr. Middleton was asked what do you want? This was his response, “I cannot say what I want because I am still asking why?” God is just. May the Lord Grace us to begin a conversation that acknowledges injustice and one that fosters healing in Escambia County and in the entire nation.
Image Credit CNN.com
Image Credit: CNN.com and City of Pensacola
Related Article:
SeekingJustice for Roy Middleton (Part 1 of 2) LISTEN NOW TO: NO ONE CRIES FOR JUSTICE, by Greg Lancaster Sheriff on Shooting Unarmed Man in his Driveway: “He Did Not Comply” NorthEscambia.com – Details Emerge In Deputy Involved Shooting Of Unarmed Man
Article updated: September 24, 2013 C1I2V3I4L5 |
LISTEN NOW! (Be Sure to listen to Part 2 to this program. This is part 1 of 2 of the program focused on seeking justice for Roy Middleton who was shot 15 times by two deputy sheriff’s – see report of incident and details at NorthEscambia.com)
Greg, John, and Pat discuss the recent shooting of Roy Middleton in Escambia County, Florida by Escambia CountySheriff deputies in the dark early hours in the month of July. Mr. Middleton was shot by Escambia Law Enforcement officers while he was in his own home, in his own car port, getting into in his own family car. The officers fired 15 shots at Roy Middleton who allegedly did not respond to the police officers commands. Mr. Middleton was shot in his own house as he describes “It was like a firing squad”. They continue to discuss how it is challenging to respond to anyone in the midst of tragedy especially
Roy Middleton |
when you have been shot in the leg as Roy Middleton was. [Watch Sheriff David Morgan Speak about Roy Middleton]Roy’s car was riddled with bullets and he, although fortunately is alive, was shot in the leg which resulted in a shattered femur. GREG he shares about when HE WAS SHOT AT TWICE, hit once and how Gary Watson, with Exit Reality rushed him to the hospital and Deputy Doug Heist risked his life to arrest the shooter. He also speaks of the bank robbery that cost Deputy Heist his life for the citizens of Escambia County. [LISTEN NOW TO: NO ONE CRIES FOR JUSTICE, by Greg Lancaster] Greg shares an account from his former days as an Escambia County Deputy, where he successfully apprehended a criminal and out of nowhere he was shot upon in the dark of night. He continues to explain how in the dark he couldn’t see who was shooting all he could see was the muzzle of the gun after the shots were fired. It is important from a Christian perspective to respond to what happened to Roy Middleton in view of what the Bible instructs us in
Psalm 41:1 “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; for the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.”
Roy Middleton’s Car |
This is a major injustice as well as appalling that a man who was on his own property, in his own car port, getting something out of his own car, to be fired upon by police officers who parked their police cars down the street. It begs to question as to what spirit is in the air that would cause anyone not to respond in a way that is void of empathy, acknowledgement or an apology for what was done to Roy Middleton. There is a huge vacuum of silence at the moment from the church and this should not be. It’s time to begin asking God how we should respond to this tragedy in our community. Our hearts go out to Roy Middleton as his request is for us to continue to pray for his healing and
Deputy Don Cook |
for his and his family safety. It is important to note that just like we have some doctors, teachers, and pastors that don’t necessarily need to be in their profession the same rings true for some police officers. There are some in law enforcement that need to find another profession.
Deputy Doug Heist |
Those that work in public office must remember that they work for the citizens. Greg is quick to point out that there are many good police officers today just like there were good officers when he was a deputy. He continues to share how police officers like Doug Heist and Don Cook lost their lives in service to the citizens in Escambia County. These were fine officers that served the citizens of Escambia County and lost their lives in the line of duty. We don’t just honor them but all the law enforcement officers in Escambia County that have given their lives in the line of duty. We mustn’t forget that God is just and what happened to Roy Middleton should be acknowledged for the tragedy it was and to seek healing. All law enforcement work for the citizens and it’s the citizens that allow them to serve. The safety, protection and honor of all citizens since they are all made in the image and likeness of God should be highly regarded no matter who they are. Dear God forgive us of our sins and for Your church to rise up to bring healing to our communities and the nation.
HERO’S WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THE CITIZENS OF ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Related Articles:
SeekingJustice for Roy Middleton (Part 2 of 2) Interview with Pensacola PoliceDepartment Captain David Alexander 50th Year Anniversary of Dr King’s, “I Have a Dream!” How Much Has Changed? NorthEscambia.com – Details Emerge In Deputy Involved Shooting Of Unarmed Man |
Shutterstock.com/ChameleonsEye |
LISTEN NOW! John, Greg, and Pat discuss whether Israel is really headed to war. They discuss recent article written by Joel Rosenberg : Signs Pointing to Israel- Iran War published in Charisma News. Israel’s Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with President Obama in the White House September 30, 2013 then he will speak at the United Nations. It was almost a year ago this time that the President snubbed the Prime Minister and said he did not have time to meet with him. This is also around the same time that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drew his red line for stopping Iran’s nuclear weapons for the world to see at the United Nations. According to Charisma News “ Netanyahu expressed mission: to persuade the U.S. and the Western powers to intensify- not ease up on- pressure on Iran to give up its pursuit of nuclear weapons and the fuel to build them.” They continue to discuss how on two separate occasions Israel was ready to strike Iran but backed off. One of those times they were pushed back by President Obama. Israel has become increasingly aware that the United States and its current administration is not going to do what they say as what one can clearly see is happening in Syria today. Israel is alone. It is time for those who love God and Israel to stand for Israel in prayer and support for it appears that that the time is soon approaching where they will have to strike Iran and remove their ability to manufacture and produce nuclear weapons. Can you be counted on to stand with Israel.
screen capture from youtube.com/Unstoppable Movie |