Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot 27 July, 2015

Prayer Breakfast

0700 at BJ’s Restaurant

Hamilton Montana

O Father, in wisdom you have created us and all things. Provide our daily needs and grant us grace and strength to fulfill the ministry to which we have been called. We offer our prayers in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

1. Opening - Round the Table Individual Prayers

2. Breakfast is served

3. Morning Psalm: 105

4. Breakfast Reading: Romans 8:31-39

5. Breakfast Discussion Topics:

          a. News around the valley

                            

6. Closing - Round the Table Individual Prayers

7. Benediction

          Today walk in the power and presence of God, Father, Son, and Holy spirit. Amen

Upcoming Events:

          3 Aug 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          10 Aug 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          17 Aug 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          24 Aug 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          31 Aug 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          7 Sep 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          14 Sep 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          21 Sep 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          28 Sep 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          5 Oct 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          12 Oct 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          19 Oct 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          26 Oct 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          26 Mar 2016 – March for Jesus Christ

         

Follow the Fellowship of Christian Veterans:

On the Web: http://cvbitterroot.blogspot.com/

On Twitter: @Walk_April_4_15

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/military.bitterroot

The Worship Service at Bitterroot Valley Church of the Nazarene in Victor, MT on July 19, 2015.

MARGARET SANGER

Founder of Planned Parenthood Marxist Feminist Opened America's first birth-control clinic in 1916 Advocate of eugenics Margaret Higgins Sanger was a radical feminist, eugenicist, Marxist, and the founder of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Sanger was born Margaret Higgins in 1879 in Corning, New York. Her parents, Michael Hennessy Higgins and Anne Purcell Higgins, were socialists and early activists in the women’s suffrage movement. In 1902 Miss Higgins (i.e., Margaret Sanger) earned a degree as a registered nurse and married architect William Sanger; the following year she gave birth to her first child. Later acknowledging that she had neglected her children (one of whom died of pneumonia at age four), Sanger declared that she was not a “fit person for love or home or children or anything which needs attention or consideration.” In 1912 Sanger and her family settled in New York City. She became a member of both the Women’s Committee and the Marxist Committee of the New York Socialist Party. “Our living-room,” she would write in her 1938 autobiography, “became a gathering place where liberals, anarchists, Socialists and I.W.W.’s [Industrial Workers of the World members] could meet.” Also in 1912, Sanger began writing a women’s-rights column for the New York Call entitled, “What Every Girl Should Know.” In addition, she wrote and distributed a pamphlet titled Family Limitation, which provided details about contraception methods and devices. By publishing this pamphlet, Sanger ran afoul of the Comstock Law of 1873, which classified such material as obscene and barred its dissemination via the U.S. mail. After separating from her husband in 1913, Sanger began writing an eight-page monthly feminist-socialist newsletter called The Woman Rebel, which often promoted contraceptive use and sex education. Using the slogan “No Gods and No Masters,” The Woman Rebel was distributed through the mail, and once again Sanger came under fire for violation of the Comstock Law. In 1914 she was indicted on criminal charges but promptly fled to England. Sanger returned to the U.S. in October 1915, and the following year she opened a women’s "birth-control" (a phrase she coined) clinic in Brooklyn, the first of its kind in the United States. The government deemed the clinic illegal, however, and shut it down nine days later; Sanger spent a month in jail for her transgression. In 1917 Sanger founded the Birth Control Review, a publication favoring contraception as a means of limiting society's birth rate. In 1921 she created the American Birth Control League, which eventually would evolve into the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the largest abortion provider in the United States. Also in 1921, Sanger established both the Clinical Research Bureau (which was the first legal birth-control clinic in the U.S.) and the National Committee on Federal Legislation for Birth Control. In 1930 Sanger was elected President of the Birth Control International Information Center; from 1939 to 1942 she was an honorary delegate of the Birth Control Federation of America; and from 1952 to 1959 she served as President of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. Sanger’s reasons for advocating birth control stemmed, in part, from her views on race and heredity. She was a devoted eugenicist who advocated forced sterilization -- of the poor and the mentally deficient, in particular, who she believed were likely to produce "subnormal" offspring -- for the purpose of improving society's overall gene pool. Examples of her ideas on selective breeding are found throughout her columns and newsletters. For instance, she wrote: “It is a vicious cycle; ignorance breeds poverty and poverty breeds ignorance. There is only one cure for both, and that is to stop breeding these things. Stop bringing to birth children whose inheritance cannot be one of health or intelligence. Stop bringing into the world children whose parents cannot provide for them. Herein lies the key of civilization. For upon the foundation of an enlightened and voluntary motherhood shall a future civilization emerge.” “The undeniably feeble-minded should, indeed, not only be discouraged but prevented from propagating their kind,” Sanger elaborated. The eugenic theme figured prominently in Sanger's Birth Control Review, wherein she published such articles as "Some Moral Aspects of Eugenics" (June 1920); "The Eugenic Conscience" (February 1921); "The Purpose of Eugenics" (December 1924); "Birth Control and Positive Eugenics" (July 1925); "Birth Control: The True Eugenics" (August 1928); and many others. At a March 1925 international birth-control event in New York City, Sanger advocated -- for the "salvation of American civilization" -- the sterilization of those "unfit" to procreate. In addition, she condemned the "irresponsible and reckless" rates of procreation among those "whose religious scruples prevent their exercising control over their numbers." She was referring specifically to Catholics who rejected the use of contraception. "There is no doubt in the minds of all thinking people," she added, "that the procreation of this group should be stopped." In her quest to engineer a civilization devoid of “subnormal children,” Sanger often worked jointly with groups and individuals whose goals vis a vis eugenics overlapped with her own, even if their larger agendas differed from hers. In 1926, for instance, she presented a lecture on birth control to the women’s auxiliary of the Ku Klux Klan in Silver Lake, New Jersey. In September 1930 she invited Nazi anthropologist Eugen Fischer (whose ideas were cited by the Nazis to legitimize the extermination of Jews) to meet with her at her home. Sanger's commitment to eugenic "sexual science" dovetailed seamlessly with her Marxist vision. While she had been heartened by the success of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, she doubted that a revolution for a new communist order in the U.S. could be carried out by a proletariat class of limited intellectual capacity. Thus she sought to elevate the quality of the overall gene pool by means of eugenics. “In pointing out the limitations and fallacies of the orthodox Marxian opinion,” Sanger wrote in The Pivot of Civilization, “my purpose is not to depreciate the efforts of Socialists aiming to create a new society, but rather to emphasize what seems to me to be the greatest and most neglected truth of our day: unless sexual science is incorporated … and the pivotal importance of birth control is recognized in any program of reconstruction, all efforts to create a new world and a new civilization are foredoomed to failure.” In January 1939 two of Sanger's organizations, the Clinical Research Bureau and the American Birth Control League (ABCL), merged to form the Birth Control Federation of America (BCFA). At this point, Sanger turned her attention specifically to the reproductive practices of black Americans. She selected former ABCL director Clarence J. Gamble (of the Procter and Gamble company) to become BCFA's southern regional director. That November, Gamble drew up a memorandum titled "Suggestion for Negro Project," whose ultimate aim was to decrease the black birth rate significantly. Anticipating that black leaders would be suspicious of anyone exhorting African Americans to have fewer children, Gamble suggested that BCFA place black leaders in high positions within the organization, so as to give the appearance that they were in charge of the group's agendas. BCFA presented birth control as a vehicle for the upward economic mobility of blacks. Sanger authored several books during her lifetime, including: What Every Mother Should Know (1917); Woman and the New Race (1920);Happiness in Marriage (1926); Motherhood in Bondage (1928); My Fight For Birth Control (1931); and Autobiography (1938). Another book, The Pivot of Civilization, was published posthumously in 2006. Sanger today is considered an icon of the feminist Left. Former Planned Parenthood President Gloria Feldt once said, “I stand by Margaret Sanger’s side,” leading “the organization that carries on Sanger’s legacy.” Planned Parenthood's first African American President, Faye Wattleton, stated that she too was “proud” to be “walking in the footsteps of Margaret Sanger.” Planned Parenthood actively celebrates Sanger’s legacy each year by presenting its “highest honor,” the “Margaret Sanger Award, to an individual who best promotes the organization's values and ideals. Past recipients of this award include: Justice Harry A. Blackmun, who wrote the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion; Hillary Clinton (who won the award in 2009); Robin Chandler Duke, former President of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (and President Bill Clinton‘s ambassador to Norway); and actressKathleen Turner. Sanger died in 1966 in Tucson, Arizona of arteriosclerosis. According to her New York Times obituary, she sought to encourage birth control and/or abortion among “subnormal children.”

Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot 20 July, 2015

Prayer Breakfast

0700 at BJ’s Restaurant

Hamilton Montana

O Father, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen. – The Book of Worship

1. Opening - Round the Table Individual Prayers

2. Breakfast is served

3. Morning Psalm: 16

4. Breakfast Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25

5. Breakfast Discussion Topics:

          a. News around the valley

                            

6. Closing - Round the Table Individual Prayers

7. Benediction

          The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:14). Amen

Upcoming Events:

          26 Jul 2015 – “My Name is Peter,” 10 am at the Crossroad Christian Fellowship

          27 Jul 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          3 Aug 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          10 Aug 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          17 Aug 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          24 Aug 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          31 Aug 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          26 Mar 2016 – March for Jesus Christ

         

Follow the Fellowship of Christian Veterans:

On the Web: http://cvbitterroot.blogspot.com/

On Twitter: @Walk_April_4_15

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/military.bitterroot

Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot 13 July, 2015

Prayer Breakfast

0700 at BJ’s Restaurant

Hamilton Montana

O Father, prepare us, through the active presence of thy Spirit, to come before thee worthily and to ask of thee rightly; enlighten our understanding; purify our every desire; quicken our wills into instant obedience to thy Word; strengthen every right purpose; direct this hour of worship to the magnifying of thy name, and to the enduring good of us thy children and servants; In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen. – The Book of Worship

1. Opening - Round the Table Individual Prayers

2. Breakfast is served

3. Morning Psalm: 37

4. Breakfast Reading: Micah 7

5. Breakfast Discussion Topics:

          a. News around the valley

          b. 72 Hour Kit Training

                   1) AAR

                    2) Find next venue Hamilton, Darby, etc….

                            

6. Closing - Round the Table Individual Prayers

7. Benediction

          Live today in Christ’s presence, remembering he is near and will sustain you as you serve in his name. Amen

Upcoming Events:

          20 Jul 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          26 Jul 2015 – “My Name is Peter,” 10 am at the Crossroad Christian Fellowship

          27 Jul 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          3 Aug 2015 –

          10 Aug 2015 –

          17 Aug 2015 –

          24 Aug 2015 –

          31 Aug 2015 –

          26 Mar 2016 – March for Jesus Christ

         

Follow the Fellowship of Christian Veterans:

On the Web: http://cvbitterroot.blogspot.com/

On Twitter: @Walk_April_4_15

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/military.bitterroot

‘Get the Hell Out’: Activist’s Frank Call for Military Chaplains Who Don’t Support Gay Marriage and Homosexuality

by Billy Hallowell

Following the Supreme Court’s gay marriage ruling, an activist is calling for the removal of “all homophobic military chaplains” who openly share their biblical views about sexuality, pushing back against claims that gays and lesbians are “sinners” for “choosing” their lifestyle.

Mikey Weinstein, president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, a group that the monitors perceived violations of the separation of church and state, originally proclaimed in an op-ed publishedfollowing last month’s gay marriage ruling that chaplains vocally opposed to same-sex nuptials and homosexuality should voluntarily vacate their role, or be terminated by the Department of Defense.

“If chaplains believe that they must preach to their troops a message that their [lesbian, gay, bi] brothers and sisters are ‘sinners’ because they have ‘chosen to be [lesbian, gay, bi]‘ then MRFF demands that such chaplains either voluntarily leave the military or be immediately terminated,” Weinstein said in an email to TheBlaze.

Weinstein argued that anyone who preaches such sentiment in the military — even those who are not chaplains — should also be removed, as he believes that these denunciations are destructive to the cohesiveness, uniformity and morale that is sought within the armed forces.

Photo credit: Shutterstock.com

“We have many [lesbian, gay, bi] military members in various positions of leadership, even very senior leadership in the military … some are generals and admirals commanding vast numbers of troops and weapons of mass destruction,” Weinstein continued. “Why should we tolerate either a chaplain or any other member of the military who publicly asserts that such fine American military leaders are ‘sinners’ who ‘choose’ to be [gay] in direct defiance of their personally favored version of the either the Bible or the Quran?”

Weinstein questioned whether anyone would be willing to tolerate chaplains making similar claims about women, ethnic groups or religious minorities, and said that, in the end, it is the military’s goal to maximize “military readiness and mission accomplishment, unit cohesion, good order, morale, discipline, health and safety.”

He used much stronger language in his op-ed, though, openly deriding chaplains who vocally oppose homosexuality:

“What truly troubles these cretinous sentinels of vile prejudice and hate-mongering bigotry is the fact that this ruling will go down historically as the watershed moment which may indeed shatter the spine of the religious right in the U.S. military, whose prior viselike grip over the chaplaincy has formed the key obstacle to social progress within the Armed Forces. Cry us a river!

Nobody is arguing that these losers don’t have a right to their religious beliefs – that right is sacrosanct, and is backed by the highest law of the land – the U.S. Constitution. However, as long as these faux “victimized” chaplains insist on accepting a government paycheck from us, the taxpayers, while nurturing and maintaining the state of antagonism between their religion and the sexual/gender identities of servicemembers, then they don’t belong in the military. At this stage, the only honorable thing that these losers can do is to fold up their uniforms, turn in their papers, and get the hell out of the American military chaplaincy. If they are unwilling or too cowardly to do so, then the Department of Defense must expeditiously cleanse itself of the intolerant filth that insists on lingering in the ranks of our armed forces.”

But others like Dr. Ron Crews, executive director of the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, a group that works to protect chaplains’ religious liberties, don’t quite see it Weinstein’s way.

“Chaplains exist to make sure those who serve our armed forces are able to exercise their religious liberty. We have been doing that since July 1775 when George Washington established our chaplain corps,” Crews told TheBlaze. “Chaplains must be faithful to their calling and ordination. They must represent those who ordained them and sent them to the military.”

He continued, “So, we must allow chaplains who come from faith traditions that hold as doctrine that marriage is the union of a man and woman to preach, teach and counsel from that doctrine.”

Photo credit: Shutterstock.com

Crews said that chaplains who hold traditional views come from evangelical, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and other religious backgrounds, with each individual ministering from a specific faith tradition; that includes the right to address theological views on same-sex nuptials.

“If a service member is offended by that then chaplains will help them find another chaplain or faith leader who will serve them,” he said.

Crews said that Weinstein is wrong to call for chaplains’ resignations, accusing the Military Religious Freedom Foundation of failing to understand how chaplains conduct ministry.

“Chaplains have been working together for over 200 years making sure that our men and women in uniform receive the ministry they desire and deserve,” Crews said.

72 Hour Kit Training in Corvallis

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                            CONTACT:

July 6, 2015                                                                                       Doug Mason

CVB-0415                                                                               406-546-4244

Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot will help the local community with family disaster preparedness by teaching people how to put together 72 hour kits in case of an emergency.

1.      Corvallis, MT – The Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot will help our neighbors prepare themselves for possible local disasters. On Saturday, July 11, 2015 we will be showing the public how to construct a 72 hour kit that we pray they will never have to use. This training will take place at the Corvallis Community Church at 310 2^nd Street in Corvallis, Montan. Classes will begin at 10:00 a.m. sharp. We are asking everyone to bring a can of chicken soup. A large pot of chicken soup will be prepared and at 12 noon we will sit down to enjoy soup, bread and some discussion about the preparedness classes. 

The Objectives

Local, state and national agencies are asking the public to prepare themselves with enough food, water and supplies to last at least 72 hours in case of an emergency. Local officials, and relief workers may not be on the scene right after a disaster. Prepared citizens who have their own supplies are not a burden on emergency workers. This allows for local officials, relief workers and first responders to deal with the actual emergency. We have local officials and military veterans teaching these classes.

Conclusion

Often the hardest part of a project is getting started. Please plan to attend the training this weekend and we will help you get started. Whether you cannot get motivated or you think it is too expensive. We will give you ideas and techniques on how to start and build your 72 hour kit. Please join us. “For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then shall come upon them sudden destruction, as the travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:3)

For more information:

Email: christianveteransbitterroot@gmail.com

Blog: http://cvbitterroot.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/military.bitterroot

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Walk_April_4_15

           

Our Background

The Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot is a local group of veterans who give back to the community through the local churches. We meet every Monday morning at 7:00 am at BJ’s Family Restaurant for a Prayer Breakfast that the public is invited to.

On April 4^th, 2015 (Holy Saturday) we conducted our second “March for Jesus Christ” where along with different churches, organizations, families, and individuals we took turns carrying a cross from Lolo to Hamilton.

It's Evening in Sodom

It’s Evening in Sodom Pastor Steve Berger June 28, 2015

http://www.gracechapel.net/media/detail/its-evening-in-sodom

Pastor Steve’s personal declaration to continue…
• Balance in scripture
• going to unpack all of it, not just what is comfortable or convenient
• Balance in love
• not going to withhold truth, in fear that it isn’t in line with society’s view of love
• not going to withhold love in proclaiming truth
• Balance in politics
• not trusting a political party to enforce Christian values
• not retreating from public policy when matters of righteousness are being debated
• Continue to love…
• …and welcome all people in hopes of introducing them to Jesus—where they can find salvation through their own repentance and faith and God's grace
• Mark 1:15; Ephesians 2:8-9
• Continue to preach…
• …the entire gospel with love and boldness without apology or compromise
• Acts 4:29-31; Acts 20:27
• Continue to equip…
• …people to be passionate servants of Jesus Christ
• Ephesians 4:12; Matthew 28:18-20
• Regardless of what that costs me…
• …here on earth because I know I'll have the approval of heaven It’s Evening in Sodom Background on Sodom
• Genesis 13:10,13
• And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD.
• the land was like Eden, the people were wicked
• Exekiel 16:49-50 • Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit.
• much like America us today
• 2 Peter 2:6-8
• God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)
PAGE 1 OF 5 © 2015 STEVE BERGER AND GRACE CHAPEL

 Word of compassionate clarity and spiritual warning on the subject of homosexual practice
• Genesis 18:20-21
• And the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know. Homosexual practice is a very grave sin that causes a great outcry in heaven that gets God's attention, He shows his compassion and justice by “going down to see”
• It is a grave sin because of what it does to people — on strictly secular level…
• from the short duration and multiplicity of relationships — diseases, all forms of abuse, shorter life expectancy, greater suicide rate
• does not take into account the spiritual and eternal danger of living a homosexual lifestyle
• God’s blessing isn’t on the lifestyle or the marriage The story
• Genesis 19:1-3 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. And he said, "Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant's house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way." And they said, "No, but we will spend the night in the open square." But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
• Lot insisted strongly because he knew what would happen to them
• Genesis 19:4
• Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house.
• generation, mob-threatening, violent spirit behind this; result of its longterm acceptance of that behavior that had gone unchecked • Genesis 19:5
• And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.” These people had become so corrupt through their on-going sexual sin that they wanted to gang rape these two visitors…totally depraved behavior
• Romans 1:27-28
• Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting There is ZERO in scripture which approves homosexuality, many places in scripture which forbid it — Leviticus 18:22; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 2 Peter 2:6-8, unless you twist it
PAGE 2 OF 5 © 2015 STEVE BERGER AND GRACE CHAPEL

 Highly symbolic illustration
• Genesis 19:6-7
• So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him, and said, "Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly! Interesting — Lot went through the door and shut the door behind him
• John 10:9
• I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. Notice — Lot positions himself between the Door, Jesus, and sinful humanity. Lot pleads with them, “please don't do this wickedness,” “you can't enter the Door in your current condition with your current intention.”
• we need some Lots who will courageously and lovingly position themselves between the Savior and sinners — and plead with them to stop their wickedness…
• we need some Lots who will not approve, excuse, or condone sinful behavior and tell people they can enter the Door while defying God and acting wickedly…
• Ezekiel 3:18-19 When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. Lot’s crazy appeal
• Genesis 19:8
• See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof."
• offered his daughters, because he knew they wouldn’t take them
• hoped the offer might awaken them to the heinousness of their intentions Lot’s understanding
• angels were there to bring judgment due to sexual sinfulness
• Sodom’s sins were many; their defiant sexual sin is what brought God’s judgment Their undeterred callous response
• Genesis 19:9
• And they said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them.” So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door.
• stand back, get of our way; unrelenting unrighteousness — same today
• don’t judge us
• John 7:24 —Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.
• deal worse with you (Lot); threats, pressed hard against — today Christians get ready for the same
• break down the door; Psalm 2:1-3, raging, plotting, breaking off restraints
PAGE 3 OF 5 © 2015 STEVE BERGER AND GRACE CHAPEL

 Sinners want God/church out of the way, to stand back. Jesus wants us to stand in front of the Door and beg them to stop, regardless of threats and opposition! More important symbolism
• Genesis 19:10
• But the men reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door.
• angels bring righteous Lot in the house, then shut the door on the wicked A clear picture of God delivering the righteous, and judging the wicked
• Genesis 19:11
• And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door..
• depraved sinners gets shut out and blinded so they can't find the door! Hardened sinners, regardless of sin, can get to the point where God judges them with spiritual blindness so they can never find the Door, Jesus, salvation
• Luke 13:25
• When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from’
• 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
• The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion that they should believe the lie that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
• Genesis 19:12-14
• Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it.” So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking. Mission
• Rescue people by proclaiming God’s truth in love — because judgment and destruction are coming
• it’s no joke
• still evening in Sodom
• morning Judgment hasn’t come yet
• stand between the Door and this sinful world and beg them to stop their wickedness before it’s too late for them Don’t hold back truth in the name of love, that’s hate! Don’t be unloving when you proclaim truth! PAGE 4 OF 5 © 2015 STEVE BERGER AND GRACE CHAPEL

 Personal Questions for you Will you let Jesus rescue you from sin today? Will you come to the Door in humility and repentance? Or will you continue to try to enter the Door on your own terms that ultimately leads to your own eternal spiritual death?
• Proverbs 14:12
• There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
• John 14:6
• Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
• Titus 2:11-14
• For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works Discussion Questions
1. Where would you rate yourself on a scale of #1-10
(#1 withholding truth in fear of it not being in line with society’s view of love #10) withholding love when proclaiming the truth.
2. Read Ezekiel 16:49-50. How is America like Sodom? Is there anything that we in America already do, or can do, to stay God’s hand of wrath on America?
3. Knowing that there are zero scriptures that approves homosexuality, and many scriptures which forbid it — how does this help you in speaking the truth in love?
4. Has anyone had the opportunity to speak the truth in love to an individual, and brought them through the “Door” to life in Christ? How was this person’s eyes opened to the truth?
5. What are some practical and tangible ways we can be Lots standing outside the door?
6. How will you react when someone says “Who are you to judge?”
7. How do you respond when you see a Christian friend on Facebook telling their LGBT friends that they are supporting them, and also blocking any friends who are not supporting gay marriage? (true story)
8. Is there a way to use social media as a positive platform in this hotbed for verbal hounding and attack?
9. How do you (as an individual) show your gay friends that you are not a hater, bigot, or homophobe?
10. How do we (as a church) show the LGBT community that we are not haters, bigots and homophobes?

The House of Prayer will not be meeting corporately this Tuesday, June 30th. Instead we ask that you hold your own House of Prayer. We ask that you would lift up the July 4th event, salvations at UnCamp, the supreme court ruling on marriage, and our brothers and sisters in Charleston, SC. We will resume our regularly scheduled corporate prayer night on Tuesday, July 7th.
PAGE 5 OF 5 © 2015 STEVE BERGER AND GRACE CHAPEL

Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot 6 July, 2015

Prayer Breakfast

0700 at BJ’s Restaurant

Hamilton Montana

Lord Jesus Christ, pour out your spirit upon your church so that she may faithfully and constantly serve you and your children. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

1. Opening - Round the Table Individual Prayers

2. Breakfast is served

3. Morning Psalm: 24

4. Breakfast Reading: Romans 15:1-13

5. Breakfast Discussion Topics:

          a. News around the valley

          b. 72 Hour Kit Training

                   1) 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, Saturday, July 11, 2015 at the Corvallis Community Church

                   2) Individual responsibilities

                             - Welcome

                             - Introduction

                             - Kits

                             - Important Paperwork

                             - Medical

                            

6. Closing - Round the Table Individual Prayers

7. Benediction

          May grace, mercy, love, and peace flow through your life and ministry all the day long. Amen

Upcoming Events:

          11 Jul 2015 – 72 Hour Kit Training, 10 am at the Corvallis Community Church

          13 Jul 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          20 Jul 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          26 Jul 2015 – “My Name is Peter,” 10 am at the Crossroad Christian Fellowship

          27 Jul 2015 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          26 Mar 2016 – March for Jesus Christ

         

Follow the Fellowship of Christian Veterans:

On the Web: http://cvbitterroot.blogspot.com/

On Twitter: @Walk_April_4_15

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/military.bitterroot

This will make you think!

by Roger E. Olson

Nationalism Distinguished from Patriotism

I rarely repeat posts here, but I think this old one (2011) is worth posting again.

I’ve become increasingly concerned that many American Christians (and perhaps especially evangelicals) confuse patriotism with nationalism to the extent that idolatry lurks close by.

Patriotism is love for one’s country without blinders about its flaws and defects.  Patriotism seeks to actualize the highest and best ideals of one’s country which can sometimes look like disloyalty to nationalists.  Nationalists tend to confuse “country” with “government” and reject as disloyal all criticism of either.  However, criticism of the government can be patriotric.  In fact, in America patriotism should be constructively critical toward government.

Nationalism is patriotism on steroids; it is patriotism degenerated into jingoism and chauvinism.  It is near idolatry of country and often appears in mixing celebration of nation with worship of God.  Patriotism thanks God for the good of one’s country and asks God to “mend its every flaw.”  Patriotism is honest about the country’s failures and urges leaders to push on toward better achievements of its founding ideals.  Nationalism rejects all criticism of country as almost (if not exactly) treason.

Christians ought carefully to avoid nationalism while embracing true patriotism (unless, as is the case with some Anabaptists, even that violates conscience).

An example of nationalism is belief in “American exceptionalism.”  That is the belief that because America is peculiarly God chosen and called it can, as a national state, do virtually anything with a presumption of innocence.  It is not accountable to anyone or anything except God.  The problem, of course, is that nobody has a direct line to God–not the president or the judges of the Supreme Court or any elected or appointed official.  American exceptionalism can be used to justify all kinds of violations of international norms and standards of decent conduct.  It is most often used to justify violations of just war theory.  Nationalists hold the rest of the world to a different standard than America.

Patriotism regards America as a gift from God and thanks God for it, but it equates “America” with ideals such as freedom of religion, freedom of expression and equal justice for all.  It is realistic in knowing that government and society do not always live up to those ideals.  When patriots wave the flag they are fully aware that it symbolizes and represents wonderful ideals and not every decision and actions government makes.  When nationalists wave the flag they are using it as an idol to sanctify whatever America does.

There may seem to be a fine line between patriotism and nationalism, but actually the line is not so fine at all.  There’s a clear litmus test for distinguishing between them.  Patriotism looks to the future and hopes for and works toward the country’s achievement of its ideals.  Nationalism looks to the past and defends everything the country has ever done as necessarily good and right just because the country did it.  Thus, patriotism loves the country for what it can be; nationalism loves the country for what it has done–regardless 0f morality.  Nationalism exempts country from moral accountability; patriotism holds country morally accountable because it loves it.

An example of nationalism was when an influential pastor and founder of a denomination said on national television (to a news reporter) that anyone who criticized America’s invasion of Iraq was a traitor.  An example of patriotism is when attorney Joseph Welch asked Senator Joe McCarthy publicly “Have you no sense of decency?” at great risk to himself.

Idolatry is such a subtle and seductive force (nobody ever thinks they are engaging in it!) that Christians ought always to be on guard against it.  It is best to steer clear and wide of it.  That’s why I prefer not to have a national flag in any worship space.  While it might not constitute idolatry, it presents that possibility.  Too many people even in Christian churches do treat the national flag as an idol.  One “good Christian man” I know threatened violence to anyone who removed the flag from the church’s sanctuary.

I once accidently attended a “God and Country” church service on the Sunday closest to July 4.  This was the largest church in that state and it was widely known as evangelical even though I would classify it as neo-fundamentalist.  (At least some of its leaders clearly belonged in that category even if the lead pastor did not.)  The entire Sunday morning worship service was given over to militaristic displays of nationalism with color guards marching down the aisles to the orchestra playing the anthems of branches of the military.  All the songs sung were “patriotic hymns.”  I sensed that what was really being worshiped that Sunday morning in that place was not God but country.  God was barely mentioned and then only to sanction the nation’s special status as most favored among all the nations.

I love a good patriotic parade and concert.  I always get a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye when I hear the Star Spangled Banner and see the flag waving in the breeze.  I love my country and thank God I was privileged to be born here.  But none of that means I must uncritically accept whatever its government decides to do or every aspect of its culture and society.  Nor does it mean I must think it is the only God-favored nation on the planet or that it has a unique place in God’s providential plan for history.  Like all human societies it is not “the City of God” but another expression of the “City of Man.”  As a Christian, my primary citizenship is in God’s Kingdom yet to come (but hopefully already being anticipated in the communion of the saints).   My loyalty to country is subordinate to that.  Too many Christians equate the two–country and God’s kingdom.