Lysa TerKeurst: The Female Response To Divorce (by: Leah Silverii)
Covenant marriage is an unselfish marriage. You only want what’s best for your spouse. Unconditional love is the foundation of covenants, with Christ as the priority.
NFL Protest: Understanding A Dent In The Dirt
I’m proud of America, and despite her flaws, this country remains blessed and prosperous. We can’t get 7 family members in one […]
The Eulogy: 2015
The Eulogy: 2015 Over the last few days I’ve witnessed so many who’ve cursed or eulogized the last year; yes 2015. Instead of rejoicing in the 365 days of life God allowed them, they dismiss the gifts of grace in hopes of happenstance instantly or magically changing their circumstances. What makes a person believe that the tick of a second-hand tock is going to erase the hardships, the failures, the could-have-beens, the should-have-beens and the never-have-beens? Good things happen, bad things happen, […]
FIT@50 / week 40
FIT@50 / week 40 Big Shoes Facebook launches these memories and top posts apps along with other fun and invasive things […]
FIT@50 / week 39
I walked across water
What A Year
What A Year My wife and I are hustling to accomplish everything we still have on our plates. That was until I read her 2015 recap she’d prepared for a monthly newsletter. It was after reading this (below) that I realized – WOW – what a year. Feeling like I’d neglected this blog, I looked back at some point and realized something had to give (or bend.) I’d worked so hard to build this site over the last years, but life’s demands […]
Chief Scott Silverii’s Last Day & Final Message – I’m Taking The Sign
They’ve been an amazing experience, and while times were trying, most were rewarding.
Does It Count?
If you visit with someone in your dream and it is so real that you see, smell, feel, hear and sense everything as if you were awake, does that count as visiting with them? I’m not talking about outlandish, sci-fi, or other world experiences. I mean with people. Often I’ll meet someone and we hit it off like old friends. After a few quick comments, we begin to share testimonies in a natural flow of conversation. I always believe the Holy Spirit […]
God covers all the bases.
God covers all the bases. Holding Max while he sleeps, I miss my mom more than ever. Always wishing that he could’ve known his “Nonny,” breaks my heart. For most of his young life I seldom mentioned my mom—speaking her name remains painful. As he matured I began to talk about “Nonny” and show him pictures. She was a God-loving, gentle soul. They would have loved each other. After 20 years unmarried, I finally began to pray for a wife because God […]
Saturday Stretch: When the greatest threat is yourself
Saturday Stretch: When the greatest threat is yourself The love God shows me is undeserved, yet unconditional. Each year I reflect on my son’s birthday and the circumstances surrounding it. The lesson of grace was shown to me that night, so I share it with you today. My son’s birth delivery came fast and complicated. Down syndrome was the blessing yet unknown at the time. Having zero experience with it—the depth of despair was deep. I hadn’t known sadness that intense since […]
It’s My Anniversary:
the sacrifices are noble when offered with a sincere heart.
Be blessed by simple gifts
Mardi Gras 2015 – In the books
In these last 5 years of working Mardi Gras as the Chief of Police, I’ve experienced many changes. I’ve also seen that the most important things remain constant. 1. The people in the City of Thibodaux are amazing & know how to celebrate safely. 2. The staff at the Thibodaux Police Department are committed to community policing. 3. The members of the various Mardi Gras krewes cherish cultural value & Cajun tradition. 4. Max and I still look forward to our annual […]
The Eulogy: 2014
The Eulogy: 2014 Over the last few days I’ve witnessed so many who’ve cursed or eulogized the last year; yes 2014. Instead of rejoicing in the 365 days of life God allowed them, they dismiss the gifts of grace in hopes of happenstance instantly or magically changing their circumstances. What makes a person believe that the tick of a second-hand tock is going to erase the hardships, the failures, the could-have-beens, the should-have-beens and the never-have-beens? Good things happen, bad things happen, […]
Ferguson & Public Engagement | What are they good for?
What’s the best time to plant a tree? – 30 years ago. What’s the next best time to plant a tree? – Today In general, law enforcement has made for horrible horticulturalists. We’ve not tilled the soil of community engagement as a practice. Now we wonder why no one understands us. When an incident like Ferguson erupts, the pundits hurry to fend off allegations from a civilian population incessantly asking for answers. I’ve had so many tell how they’ve unfriended people on […]
Leading or leaning?
Think of those immediately surrounding you in supervisory positions. Now filter out your natural biases, jealousies or negative comments. Just look around. How did they get to where they are? Okay, now you’re free to flood the responses with whatever your perception is of how they arrived at that level. Some of your suspicions are probably true. This article isn’t as much for those being led, as those doing the leading. Ask yourselves how’d you get where you are? Was it because you […]
Are you pregnant?
Are you pregnant? I thought what a crazy question to ask a man. Are you pregnant with greatness? Oh, not that kinda pregnant. With greatness? I never thought about it. How many of us are actually pregnant with greatness? Unfortunately, we fear change. Therefore, we do anything we can to avoid giving birth to this potential. An odd analogy? Not really. Change is often accompanied by uncomfort, if even for a brief season. The transition into motherhood requires many changes leading up […]
Always Faithful | America’s Night Before
Thank your Dad
Remembering D-Day | The Greatest Generation
DAYTON, Ohio (Army News Service, June 2, 2014) — Veteran paratrooper Jim “Pee Wee” Martin, who jumped into Normandy on D-Day, is returning to coastal France to mark the 70th anniversary of the invasion that changed the course of World War II. Martin, who spoke in an interview ahead of the anniversary, remembers looking out in the night sky before making the historic jump. “When we made our initial jump into France, there were a few cirrus clouds up above, just enough […]
Thank You
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends [John 15:13]
Police Week 2014; Honoring Captain Keith Paul Chiasson
Captain Keith Paul Chiasson is my Brother, and I miss you Captain Keith Paul Chiasson Thibodaux Police Department, Louisiana End of Watch: Monday, March 10, 2008 Bio & Incident Details Age: 51 Tour: 31 years Cause: Gunfire Incident Date: 2/19/1980 Weapon: Handgun Captain Keith Chiasson succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained in 1980. He was shot several times after responding to a complaint at a local night club. He died as a result of the wounds on March 10, 2008. Captain Chiasson had […]
Police Week 2014; Honoring Chaney Champagne
Detective Chaney Champagne was my Brother and I miss you. Detective Chaney Joseph Champagne Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Department, Louisiana End of Watch: Thursday, July 31, 2003 Bio & Incident Details Age: 45 Tour: 22 years Badge # 732 Cause: Automobile accident Incident Date: 7/31/2003 Detective Chaney Champagne and Sergeant Kurt Harrelson were killed when their patrol car collided with a truck on State Highway 308. At approximately 1530 hours, Detective Champagne and Sergeant Harrelson were responding to a call reporting an elderly woman had […]
Police Week 2014; Honoring Martha Ann Woods-Shareef
Sheriff’s Deputy Martha Ann Woods-Shareef was my Sister and I miss you. Deputy Sheriff Martha Ann Woods-Shareef Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Department, Louisiana End of Watch: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 Bio & Incident Details Age: 53 Tour: 15 years Cause: Vehicular assault Incident Date: 8/20/2008 Weapon: Automobile Suspect: Apprehended Deputy Martha Woods-Shareef succumbed to injuries sustained when she was run over by a vehicle while investigating a burglary on Highway 20. She had responded to a local convenience store at 2:30 am after an alarm […]
Police Week 2014; Honoring Octavio Rafael “Ox” Gonzalez
Captain Octavio Rafael Gonzalez was my Brother and I miss you. Captain Octavio Rafael Gonzalez St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana End of Watch: Friday, June 16, 2006 Bio & Incident Details Age: 40 Tour: 13 years Cause: Gunfire Incident Date: 6/16/2006 Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Suspect: Sentenced to life Captain Octavio Gonzalez was shot and killed while participating in a manhunt for two suspects who had shot and wounded another deputy minutes earlier. The wounded deputy and his partner […]
It is Well | Mother’s Day
It is Well | Mother’s Day Last week I was blessed with a wonderful sermon about the Shumanite woman from 2 Kings 4:8-37. Her sacrifice, silent suffering, and faith reminded me of my mother – as I’m sure her character is similar to your moms’ also. Elisha asked about her child, and having just lost the young boy, she answered, “It is well, it is well.” Not that she wasn’t hurting, but her spirit, which transcended human understanding, was at peace despite […]
City on a Hill | Day of Prayer
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; – Matthew 5:14 It was a humbling presence to pray for our law enforcement and military on Thibodaux’s courthouse steps. The representation of spiritual leaders, prayer warriors and praise partners gathered to pray for our nation, state and city illustrates that God is Not Dead – He’s roaring like a LION in the City of Thibodaux – Our city on a hill.
10 Life Lessons from a Navy SEAL
Naval Admiral William H. McRaven’s commencement speech at UT. It’s amazing and lessons I hope to always remember. PLEASE ENJOY The University’s slogan is, “What starts here changes the world.” I have to admit—I kinda like it. “What starts here changes the world.” Tonight there are almost 8,000 students graduating from UT. That great paragon of analytical rigor, Ask.Com says that the average American will meet 10,000 people in their lifetime. That’s a lot of folks. But, if every one of you […]
8 Acts Of Chivalry To Bring Back
8 Acts Of Chivalry To Bring Back James Michael Sama / February 1, 2014 The more women I talk to, the more I realize that the gentleman is a rare breed. The mission of the New Chivalry Movement is to bring men (and women) together who strive to be the best versions of themselves and love and respect those around them. As the gentleman has become less prominent, so have the respectful acts that define him. Here are 8 acts of chivalry we often overlook and should […]
Rating Success Differently
Cop Culture: Why Good Cops Go Bad ranked in 3 of Amazon’s top categories. I am truly grateful. More importantly, I’ve received calls and e-mails from people asking about the work. They share that reading the book is like watching what their spouse or family member is going through on the job. I always assure them to read through to the recommendations!! If it helps one cop, one family or one community, it is a measured success. That’s rating success differently. Stay Blue, […]
The Chuckle
I first posted this last year. It’s a favorite Mardi Gras memory so I’d like to share again. As we go deep into the carnival season, I ask that you be careful and mindful of others. Have a fantastic season. I was up at 0430hrs today as my mind usually begins before my body. Our Mardi Gras season begins Sunday and runs each weekend till Fat Tuesday. No, I’m not thinking about costumes or beads or float designs. I’m focusing on the […]
Quiet Your Mind
Can You Quiet Your Mind? From John Marx’s CopsAlive.com For law enforcement professionals the importance of being able to quiet your mind is critical as the thoughts, ideas, plans and excessive noise in our heads can become overwhelming. Even in their more mild expressions these thoughts can keep us from being focused, attentive, alert and might disturb our sleep. The profession of law enforcement can be quite toxic and contributes many direct threats to your mental and emotional well-being, not to mention […]
The Younger Generations and why we’re (not) Doomed
NOTE: Originally posted by Chief Steve Allender of the Rapid City, SD Police Department. The younger generation – the 20-somethings have invaded our workplaces. You’ve seen them, maybe interviewed them for jobs, hired them and maybe you’ve even seen them quit the place you work already. By my generation’s standards they are flighty, they have a poor work ethic, they are short-term thinkers and they are too inexperienced to have the opinions they have about life and work and anything else for that […]
Meet August Landmesser : The man behind the crossed arms
Source: Blogspot Last week I posted about this iconic photograph, meet the man and his tragic love story in the face of incredible odds. Meet August Landmesser : The man behind the crossed arms The photo above has floated around the internet for a few years now, popular for one of its subjects’ subtle yet profound acts of nonconformity. There is no telling how many men in that crowd were acting out of fear, fully aware that failing to salute the Führer was akin to […]
Be this guy
“Courage is being scared to death…and saddling up anyway.” John Wayne I first saw this photograph a couple of years ago and was struck with a sense of sadness for the man in the circle. My imagination swept me into believing the worst of fates for his non-compliance. I put the picture aside, and every so often would come across it again. While I wanted to cheer for his refusal to cave, I still suffered from the sadness of his assumed inevitable fate. […]
The Eulogy: 2013
Over the last few days I’ve witnessed so many who’ve cursed or eulogized the last year; yes 2013. Instead of rejoicing in the 365 days of life God allowed them, they dismiss the gifts of grace in hopes of happenstance instantly or magically changing their circumstances. What makes a person believe that the tick of a second-hand tock is going to erase the hardships, the failures, the could-have-beens, the should-have-beens and the never-have-beens? Good things happen, bad things happen, terribly horrible things happen […]
It’s Green and Sticky | Christmas
I’m blessed to have served another year as a Chief of Police. Christmas is a natural season for the people I serve to graciously show gratitude through cards, foods and snacks delivered to the Thibodaux Police Department. Not unlike probably every agency across the globe, we become benefactors of an outpouring of goodwill from the folks we pour out our lives to everyday. Trust me, it is so very appreciated. The more chocolate the better I say! As I sorted through the pile […]
Me and my Shadow | Character
It’s character. I love the motivational messages about “the ultimate competitor lies within” and themes encouraging you to do your best to be your best. While most address athletic competition, I also appreciate the aspect in building strength of character. As a younger man I lauded over the strength to lift heavy weights as a benchmark of who I was, and the lifting of even more weight for who I wanted to be. Thank God we grow past those shallow ambitions. It’s character. […]
ENDURE
There is a song that says “Can’t Give Up Now” often times we give up right before our breakthrough. Truly the Lord knows us in and out. But have you felt an extra boost of strength to keep moving just when you were about to give up? Why do we give up so soon? Is it because we have had enough? Or does it display a much deeper problem we have within ourselves.? It is so easy to give up then to […]
It’s safe : Inside the Box
I enjoy the challenge of remaining creative in ways to better serve the public. While I passionately believe there is always room for improvement, I also understand that improvement, via “change” is not always welcome. We’ve worn out the phrase “Think outside the box” to the point that merely saying it shows complacency and cliché. While I fully appreciate tradition, I could not imagine football played before the forward pass. Inside the Box: People don’t actually like creativity In the United States we are raised to appreciate […]
Early and Often
I’ve been a bit scattered of late, but one appointment kept has been the switching of Pandora over to the Christmas station Thanksgiving night thru the New Year. Do I get kidded for the constant stream of Christmas music flooding the house whenever people stop by? Sure; but it isn’t long after, that they too are caught up in the nostalgia of the classics like Elvis, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole to name a few. A friend shared this […]
Cops and Cavemen; Come out of the Cold
First posted Law Enforcement Today; March 25, 2013 in Featured, Leadership, Posts by Chief Scott Silverii, Ph.D. What’s With This Person? I was speaking with a Law Enforcement Agency’s Commander about an officer who just did not seem to grasp an agency’s vision. Although clearly communicated over the last several years in agency-wide meetings, in-services, e-mails, social media, and personal conversations the officer just refuses to “get on board.” This Commander is fully committed to the city, the agency and the progressive […]
Baby Hope | Good works never cease
Baby Hope Good work by the NYPD: BY ORDER OF THE CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT, THE FOLLOWING IS TO BE READ AT ROLL CALL TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE AND POSTED CONSPICUOUSLY WITHIN COMMANDS: On July 23rd, 1991, twenty-two years ago, the body of a four-year-old girl was found in a cooler off the Henry Hudson Parkway. She had been starved and sexually assaulted. Despite a citywide appeal, the 34th Precinct Detective Squad was unable to locate her relatives. All leads […]
Peer Pressure: I passed a tractor & ate a bug
Yes, it’s much better than had I eaten a bug, then “passed” a tractor. Get it? Anyway, peer pressure is an odd phenomenon. We exert it or succumb to it as children, we implore our own kids not to fall victim to it, yet even as adults we sometimes still give in to it. Bicycles don’t usually pass moving vehicles on the highways, but many of us have dreamed of that moment when pure man and muscle-driven machine out runs an automotive […]
Can a Christian be a Cop?
I’m often asked, “Who is God and why should I serve Him?” My answer is that God was the first cop. “For […]
Women in Leadership: Good for Us All
Image credit: Shutterstock September 30th, 2013 by Kellie McElhaney The topic of the value of getting more women in the top echelons of corporate leadership has garnered a great deal of coverage as of late. Credit Suisse published a report in 2012 stating that their research shows that having more women on corporate boards increased both the share price — particularly in volatile markets — and the return on equity (ROE) of companies. Norway, the first country to have instituted a quota […]
How The Most Effective People Learn From Their Mistakes. A Case Study
See if this sounds familiar. You work incredibly hard to develop a great product or service. You introduce it into the marketplace with high hopes…and it bombs. Your reaction? “The problem wasn’t me or our product. The problem was the market/customer/whoever didn’t appreciate what we had. It was a great product (or service.) The customers are idiots. That’s all there is to it.” And because you are convinced you are right and everyone else is wrong no learning takes place after the […]
The Fishbowl | What you do in Public
NOTE: I am posting this message received for two reasons; 1. It was sent via social media, so I trust I’m not violating a confidence by posting. 2. It is possibly the nicest message I have received, and moves me to know that our actions, as important as our words, speak volumes about who we are and what we do. Hi, Scott. I found your sight by clicking on a twitter link tweeted by an author friend. I was curious because of […]
Personal Sacrifice | What’s “IMPORTANT”
It’s amazing what you find in the very bottom of a large cardboard box marked “IMPORTANT” About 4 years have passed since I’d last looked for the “IMPORTANT” container. This picture was down about the bottom of other “IMPORTANT” items, pictures, floppy disks (yes, floppy disks) and various life affirming items. The action, the brilliant illumination or deafening decibel from the flash bang, the high-tech weaponry, nor the dangerous fugitives captured was “IMPORTANT” It is the honor of serving many years in SWAT with committed and compassionate officers […]
Glory Hallelujah | Bo Bice
Just had to share this amazing praise song