As we figure out how to navigate the various things that life puts in front of us, we may question whether we’re always doing the right thing. When we don’t know what to do, it’s good to remember what Jesus says that can help put us on the right path: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” [John 13:34] “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” [John 15:13] Some people do literally lay down their lives on a daily basis for others. But the rest of us can choose to lay down our lives and love extravagantly in smaller, every-day living type ways. Those moments when we go out of our way to help someone in need are always something we can know is the right way to go. 

James Patterson is considered the world’s bestselling author, and he’s the creator of beloved, enduring fictional characters like Alex Cross, Michael Bennett, and is also known for his critically-acclaimed narrative nonfiction, including works like Walk In My Combat Boots, and E.R. Nurses. When James started writing his new book, Walk the Blue Line, he was astounded, despite recent events that reflect poor choices by police officers, by the good so many other police officers are doing out there, and the challenges they face each time they put on their uniform. Luke Sherman, a former police officer, has experienced thirty years of some of the scariest situations imaginable. Now, he’s taken a new role at the nonprofit organization Folds of Honor, founded by Dan Rooney, and has helped expand their scholarship program from military families to also include the families of America’s first responders. Rachel Faulkner Brown is a gold star wife whose children were scholarship recipients from Folds of Honor, and now as one of the organization’s speakers, Rachel shares how she is passionate to help the families of first responders move from tragedy to hope for the future. 

 

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview: Gary Sinise

Upcoming interview: Nazareth

John 13:34 NIV

John 15:13 NIV

 

James Patterson 

Walk In My Combat Boots

E.R. Nurses

Dolly Parton

Along Came a Spider

Kiss the Girls

Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN

Edgar® Award

Matt Eversmann

Black Hawk Down

Walk the Blue Line

St. Patrick's Cathedral

www.jamespatterson.com

 

Luke Sherman

Rachel Faulkner Brown

Folds of Honor

Dan Rooney

Be Still Ministries

Never Alone Widows

World War II

Naval Air Station New Orleans

Genesis 50:20 NIV

Revelation 12:11 NIV

Tulsa Police Department

www.foldsofhonor.org

 

Interview Quotes:

“I don't expect things to come to me, and I'm grateful when they do.” - James Patterson

“What can we do that's the most valuable to everybody else and to ourselves and to our own family?” - James Patterson

“These policemen and women, they really need your prayers too. They need them every day.” - James Patterson

“Now, more than ever in my lifetime, people just need to go somewhere where they can be at peace and believe that somehow it's all going to turn out in a good way, you know? And the crazy thing [is] the truth will set you free. I think it does.” - James Patterson

“Education can never be taken away from us. There are very few things in this world that can't be taken away, and that is definitely one of them, which is why I'm so passionate about having a good education for my children and any other child, because I do think it is the gift that never stops giving.“ - Rachel Faulkner Brown

“I look back and I'm like, Oh, my gosh, what You have done with something the enemy meant to take me out, honestly, to take out me and my children. Look what God has done and flipped it on its head and said, ‘Don't worry, Rachel, I've got people that are going to take care of you and your little children, just like Joseph told his own brothers.’” - Rachel Faulkner Brown

“The work that you do sometimes you don't see the results of. But if it's done with good intentions and the foundation of our faith behind it, it'll change lives. It'll bring mountains down.” - Luke Sherman

“Everybody has fear. But what are we going to do? Because there's something more important. And from every crisis and tragedy, I think there's an opportunity.” - Luke Sherman 

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Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 

Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw 

Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C 

Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj 

Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u 

What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj 

Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY 

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