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A POLICE OFFICER SHINES HIS LIGHT
FOR 25 YEARS I faced what many people might consider "evil" on a daily basis. As a uniformed police officer and undercover detective, I dealt with issues of violence and illegality that most people would find disturbing.
Like all officers, I received extensive training to perform my job safely and effectively. Yet I still had to find a way of coming to terms with this so-called shadier side of society. I didn't want to get drawn into characterizing people and life as hopeless, immoral, or devoid of good. As a Christian Scientist, I realized, I had a healing way of seeing the good in myself and the world around me—and that way was prayer.
At home I have a quotation from Science and Health sitting next to my mirror. It reads: "At all times and under all circumstances, overcome evil with good. Know thyself, and God will supply the wisdom and the occasion for a victory over evil. Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you. The cement of a higher humanity will unite all interests in the one divinity" (p. 571). During my time on the police force, I made a point of reading this quote every day before I left the house. It became an important part of my daily prayers.
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About the author
Mike Laggart currently lives in St. Louis, Missouri.
December 3, 2007 issue
View Issue-
LETTERS
with contributions from WHITNEY BOGGS, THEODORE S. ARRINGTON, KATHRYN L. HOYT, MICHAEL ESTES, DAVID M. LEE
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Lurking fears, or confidence in good?
DANIS COLLETT MUTCHLER, SENIOR DESIGNER
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IN FEAR'S SHADOWS, GOOD RULES
BY SARAH HYATT
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SAFE ON GOD'S HIGHWAY
XOLISWA APRIL
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EVIL CANNOT BE HIDDEN, NOR CAN GOOD
BY BEA ROEGGE
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A POLICE OFFICER SHINES HIS LIGHT
BY MIKE LAGGART
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No firestorms in the kingdom of God
BY COLLEEN DOUGLASS
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MY CHARMING AOCHAN
BY ANNA FARKAS
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FROM THE MOM'S ANGLE
Caryl Emra Farkas
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At home in the heart of Paris
BY MYRIAM BETOUCHE
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CARE FOR THE CAREGIVER
KATHERINE HILDRETH
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I AM STILL A MOTHER
CARMEN VAN NESS TEMPLETON
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HEALING FOR EVERYONE
CHARLES FERRIS
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TO CHOOSE A GOOD PRESIDENT
KEITH S. COLLINS
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HEALED BY 'THE GREAT HEART OF LOVE'
ROSALINDA JOHNSON
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INJURED FOOT AND LEG CONDITION HEALED
RON MANGELSDORF
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LUMP DISSOLVED THROUGH PRAYER
MARSANNE ZWICKER