Take Up the Cross and Follow Him

Matthew 16:24-25 New King James Version (NKJV)

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.



Sunday, February 28, 2016

Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot 29 February, 2016

Prayer Breakfast
0700 at BJ’s Restaurant
Hamilton Montana

Oh Father, you have chosen to speak to us through prophets and wise leaders and most clearly through your son, Jesus Christ. Grant unto us now the ability to hear, understand, and obey him whom you have sent. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

1. Opening - Round the Table Individual Prayers

2. Morning Psalm: 78

3. Breakfast Reading: Mark 10:35-45

4. Breakfast is served

5. Breakfast Discussion Topics:
          a. News around the valley
          b. Week 9 of 52 weeks of preparation by Tess Pennington
                   
6. Closing - Round the Table Individual Prayers

7. Benediction
          Bless with your presence my life and ministry all this day long and when night comes grant your servant rest and peace. Amen

Upcoming Events:
          7 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          14 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          21 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          26 Mar 2016 – March for Jesus Christ
          27 Mar 2016 – Easter Sunday
          28 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          4 Apr 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          11 Apr 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          18 Apr 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          25 Apr 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
         
Follow the Fellowship of Christian Veterans:

Week 9 of 52: Emergency Medical Supply (List 2)

A lot goes into being medically prepared, so this will be a reoccurring theme throughout this series. We will start with gathering the basic first aid supplies and then slowly begin accumulating more advanced medical preps and learning alternative medical therapies towards the end.
This week I would like to urge all of you to purchase a few medical reference books. Buying multiple reference materials gives you a broader spectrum in how to provide different types of medical treatment – not all medical emergencies should be approached the same way. I recommend starting with When There is No Doctor and When There is No Dentist, but here are some other great references:
Don’t forget that there are some good eBook references out there. I found First Aid Full Manual on Scribd which would be a great place to start looking for more material. If you are out there and come across some other eBook references, please feel free to share it with me and our readers. During short-term disasters, medical situations are inevitable and they can be complicated. It is imperative that you prepare for them if you want to keep your loved ones and yourself healthy. Considering your family members needs prior to a disaster event will help you be not only prepared but level headed too. When buying medical supplies, keep in mind family members who have preexisting conditions, allergies, or are accident prone. It is within your best interest to ensure that you have any and all necessary medications that require prescriptions before an emergency happens. For short-term emergencies, you must have a well-stocked medical supply kits for your home and your vehicle. Pre-fabricated medical kits are available in stores; however, these kits tend to be overloaded with unneeded items (i.e., 500 band aids). Buying your own medical supplies allows you to customize your kit to fit your family’s unique needs. Please note that medicines can break down and spoil if they are subject to moisture, temperature fluctuations, or are exposed to a light source. (For example, aspirin has a tendency to break down when it is exposed to a small amount of moisture.) Unless the medicine indicates otherwise, store medical supplies in a cool, dark place that is out of children’s reach.
Preps to buy:
  • Medical bag or back pack, tackle kit or container
  • Medical reference books or eBooks on handling medical crises
  • Sunscreen
  • Aloe vera
  • Insect repellent
  • Gauze pads in assorted sizes (3×3 and 4×4)
  • Sterile roller bandages
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Expectorant/Decongestant
  • Syrup of Ipecac and activated charcoal
  • 2-3 bottles of disinfectant (Betadine, isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide)
  • Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
  • Adhesive tape or duct tape
  • Latex gloves
  • Scissors
  • Tongue blades
  • Medicine dropper
  • Tweezers
  • Thermometer
  • Liquid antibacterial hand soap
  • Disposable hand wipes
  • Eye care (e.g., contact lens case, cleansing solution, eye moisture drops)

Action Items:

1. Create a first aid kit for the family.  Ensure the kit is situated in an accessible location.
2. Take a basic first aid class, if you have not done so already.

3. Purchase a first aid manual

February 28, 2016 Worship Service

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot 22 February, 2016

Prayer Breakfast
0700 at BJ’s Restaurant
Hamilton Montana

Oh Father, may your strong hand defend, guide, and empower my life and ministry today. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

1. Opening - Round the Table Individual Prayers

2. Morning Psalm: 94

3. Breakfast Reading: Luke 12:22-34

4. Breakfast is served

5. Breakfast Discussion Topics:
          a. News around the valley
          b. Week 8 of 52 weeks of preparation by Tess Pennington
                   
6. Closing - Round the Table Individual Prayers

7. Benediction
          Be filled with hope, joy, and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Upcoming Events:
          26 Feb 2016 – 30 days out from the March for Jesus Christ
          29 Feb 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          7 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          14 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          21 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          26 Mar 2016 – March for Jesus Christ
          27 Mar 2016 – Easter Sunday
          28 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          4 Apr 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          11 Apr 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          18 Apr 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          25 Apr 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
         
Follow the Fellowship of Christian Veterans:

Week 8 of 52: Emergency Sanitation


Have you ever wondered what it would be like if your trash wasn’t picked up each week? Have you thought of how you dispose of it? What would happen to your town if trash was left to sit out in the sun to bake for weeks on end without anyone showing up to take it away?
The odor alone would be enough of a nightmare to face, but what about what is inside the trash itself (i.e., dirty diapers, contaminated medical supplies, rotting meat and food)? This type of situation would cause E. coli and bacteria to invade most everything that you touch. If a situation like this was allowed to fester, the potential for diseases and epidemics would create an entire new disaster to be dealt with.
No one really wants to discuss sanitation because it’s an unpleasant and dirty subject; however, it is one of the most important areas to focus on when preparing for a disaster. In a disaster where water resources are compromised, people within a 50 mile radius could be adversely impacted by illness and disease just if one person handled the trash improperly. When trash cannot be picked up, it must be burned or buried by you; however, municipalities cannot risk contamination to the water source or soil from people who incorrectly bury their debris, so it is important to know how to properly dispose of your waste products.
If you find yourself in a situation where toilet paper is not available, you may have to resort to a more natural method of being hygienically clean. Below is a list of toilet paper alternatives for an emergency situation.
Toilet Paper Alternatives
  • Leaves
  • Phone books
  • Unused coffee filters
  • Corn cobs (That’s right- Corn Cobs)
  • Dilapidated kitchen towels (no longer used for cleaning).
  • Bed linen strips
  • Mail order catalog
Don’t forget that women need to have sanitation items stored for emergencies. Prevention is the key to spreading communicable diseases, so prepare appropriately. If water services are interrupted during a short term emergency, consider these alternatives:
  • Clean and empty the water of the toilet bowl out.
  • Line the bowl with a heavy-duty plastic bag.
  • Once the bag has waste, add a small amount of disinfectant and deodorant (e.g. cat litter) and securely tie the bag and dispose of it.
  • A large plastic trash can (lined with a heavy duty bag) can be used to store the bags of waste. Once waste services begin, the city will come and collect these.
  • If waste services do not begin, then you may need to consider burning or burying your waste. If you decide to do so, there are factors you need to consider. Click here to learn more.

Long Term Disasters
Sanitation during a long term disaster requires the same sanitation supplies used in a short term disaster; however, a more permanent structure, (e.g., a latrine) must be put into place for long term use.
Having a sanitation kit ready for a disaster is essential to keeping your family and neighbors healthy. These kits fit easily into a bucket, and they are affordable. Also, having a natural alternative to cleaning yourself is a proactive way to prepare for better sanitation practices.  This article shows you ways of making your own hand sanitizer by using natural ingredients.
Your suggested preps to buy this week will specifically target creating a sanitation kit.

Preps to buy:

  • Disposable bucket or luggable-loo
  • Toilet paper (1 roll per family member for each week)
  • 1-2 rolls of paper towels
  • Diapers for infants
  • Additional infant supplies (baby wipes, diaper rash cream, etc)
  • Rubber gloves
  • Sanitation items for women (at least one- month supply)
  • Garbage bags with twist ties ( i.e., to line toilets or luggable-loo)
  • Bleach
  • Cat Litter or absorbent material (i.e., saw dust or dirt)
  • Baking soda (for eliminate odors)
  • Vinegar
  • Shovel
  • Soap or antibacterial cleanser  (one per family member)

Action Items:

1. Create a sanitation kit for your family.
2. If you are preparing a sanitation kit with infants in mind, ensure that you have accounted for their short- and long-term needs  (see list above).
3. Familiarize yourself with different methods of handling the sanitation problems that arise during short- and long-term emergencies.


February 21, 2016 Worship Service

Monday, February 15, 2016

2016 March for Jesus Christ

Mission Statement: 
            Christians of the Bitterroot Valley
            Walk for Jesus Christ
            Holy Saturday, March 26, 2016
            Starting at 7:00 am
            Starting Point Angler's Roost Bridge
            End Point Lolo, Montana
            To stand and show solidarity with Christians here and around the world.

Concept:
            40 mile route divided into 14 checkpoints. The checkpoints are separated by three miles.
            We are asking valley Christians, Organizations and / or Churches to man checkpoints, and lead the march from their checkpoint to the next checkpoint.

Start Point: Genesis
Christians, Organization or Church:
Location: Angler’s Roost Bridge
Sunrise Prayer: 6:45 am
Start Time: 7:00 am
Sunrise Time: 7:26 am

Checkpoint #1: Romans
Christians, Organization or Church:
Location: 711 South 1st Street, Hamilton
Station Time: 7:45 am
Cross Exchange Time (estimated): 8:00 am

Checkpoint #2: Joshua
Christians, Organization or Church:
Location: Veteran’s Bridge
Station Time: 8:45 am
Cross Exchange Time (estimated): 9:00 am

Checkpoint #3: 1 Corinthians
Christians, Organization or Church:
Location: Alpine Granite Accent
Station Time: 9:45 am
Cross Exchange Time (estimated): 10:00 am


Checkpoint #4: Colossians
Christians, Organization or Church:
Location: U.S. 93 & Bear Creek Road
Station Time: 10:45 am
Cross Exchange Time (estimated): 11:00 am

Checkpoint #5: 1st John
Christians, Organization or Church:
Location: Victor Park
Station Time: 11:45 am
Cross Exchange Time (estimated): 12:00 pm


Checkpoint #6: Acts
Christians, Organization or Church:
Location: Points of Interest 3 miles north of Victor
Station Time: 12:45 pm
Cross Exchange Time (estimated): 1:00 pm

Checkpoint #7: Hebrews
Christians, Organization or Church:
Location: Between Genesee Drive & Wildwood Lane at Second Hand Store driveway
Station Time: 1:45 pm
Cross Exchange Time (estimated): 2:00 pm

Checkpoint #8: Isaiah
Christians, Organization or Church:
Location: Just South of Schearbrook Lane
Station Time: 2:45 pm
Cross Exchange Time (estimated): 3:00 pm

Checkpoint #9: 2nd Timothy
 Christians, Organization or Church:
Location: U.S. 93 & Larry Creek Loop Lane
Station Time: 3:45 pm
Cross Exchange Time (estimated) 4:00 pm
  
Checkpoint #10: Philemon
Christians, Organization or Church:
Location: Town Pump in Florence
Station Time: 4:45 pm
Cross Exchange Time (estimated): 5:00 pm

Checkpoint #11: Luke
Christians, Organization or Church:
Location: U.S. 93 & West Carlton Creek Road
Station Time: 5:45 pm
Cross Exchange Time (estimated): 6:00 pm

Checkpoint #12: Nehemiah
Christians, Organization or Church:
Location: Park and Ride of Rowan Road
Station Time: 6:45 pm
Cross Exchange Time (estimated): 7:00 pm

End Point: Mark
Christians, Organization or Church:
Location: Lewis and Clark Drive, Lolo
Sunset Time: 7:58 pm
Arrival Time: 8:00 pm

Checkpoints will be marked by a sandwich board with “March for Jesus Christ.” The sandwich board will be placed 30 minutes prior to the checkpoints station time.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL 911

For more information call Doug Mason 546-4244

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot 15 February, 2016

Prayer Breakfast
0700 at BJ’s Restaurant
Hamilton Montana

Oh Father, God of power unconquerable and light unquenchable look with favor upon your servant. By the power of your Spirit at work within, transform and make fruitful my life and ministry. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

1. Opening - Round the Table Individual Prayers

2. Morning Psalm: 40

3. Breakfast Reading: Ephesians 6:10-17

4. Breakfast is served

5. Breakfast Discussion Topics:
          a. News around the valley
          b. Week 7 of 52 weeks of preparation by Tess Pennington
          c. “Doin’ Time”
                   
6. Closing - Round the Table Individual Prayers

7. Benediction
          Be filled with hope, joy, and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Upcoming Events:
          22 Feb 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          26 Feb 2016 – 30 days out from the March for Jesus Christ
          29 Feb 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          7 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          14 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          21 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          26 Mar 2016 – March for Jesus Christ
          27 Mar 2016 – Easter Sunday
          28 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
         
Follow the Fellowship of Christian Veterans:




Week 7 of 52: Basic Home Security

Everyone wants to believe that they are safe and sound when they latch the windows and lock the doors. We even experience an added security boost when we live in an expensive neighborhood, a home with a security system, and an active neighborhood watch program. Today, we would all love to have Gladys Kravitz (Bewitched) as our next door neighbor. In reality, security gadgets can protect the outside of your home, but it’s meaningless if you cannot protect what’s inside. People can still be mugged, burglarized, and attacked simply by opening the door to a stranger or by leaving vulnerable areas of their home exposed. I’m going to ask you a question. Have you ever placed a key under a mat? I ask this because we all have placed the spare key under the mat at one time, and the burglars know that trick. It is not my intention to promote fear, but to awaken you to potential hazards. You want to make breaking into your home difficult.
Designing a home defense system that includes multiple security layers is a proactive way to protect your home, family, and belongings. Security layers are preventative measures that will advertise to intruders that they should avoid your home altogether. The more layers you have in and around your home, the less likely a criminal is going to choose your home as his/her next “job.”

Layer 1: The Outside Layer. This layer comprises the outer perimeter of your home, the landscaping, and security features (e.g., flood lights, motion detectors, gates, doors, locks). Installing preventative measures around your home will advertise to anyone staking out your neighborhood that you mean business. Walk around your home and distinguish where the vulnerable areas are. Making some minor adjustments to the outside of the home can help secure it from the outside-in. By planting thorn-bearing plants, bushes and trees around the vulnerable and exposed areas of the home can help secure the property. One of the most vulnerable areas of your outside perimeter are the windows. One heavy lawn chair can easily be tossed into a window, thus shattering it and creating an easy entry. Investing in shatter proof window film may be a solution to this potential problem.

Layer 2: The Inside Layer. This layer comprises the inside of your home. Taking some small preventative measures (e.g., home alarm system, web cams, emergency protocols, and emergency phone numbers) can help secure the inner sanctity of your home. A person who is prepared for a burglar or home invader is well-equipped with knowledge of their home’s security features, how to get additional family members to safety, and, as a last resort, how to use a weapon. Teaching family members what a home invasion is and the emergency protocols associated with this will help each family member understand what to do if this situation occurs.

Layer 3: The Personal Layer. This layer is the most critical because it is based around all of the protocols, defense training, and emergency plans you have already established. The personal layer is the only layer that you can take into the outside world. When you are walking and someone tries to mug you, you will use your defense training and emergency protocols to deal with the attacker(s). Recently, there have been news reports about mob attacks at stores and on some personal property. Perhaps if the store owners had utilized all of the protective layers the outcomes would have ended differently.

Consider installing a safe room. A safe room is a great starting point for preparing a personal layer. In addition, it may be the last effort to defend yourself and your family. Although it is a personal preference to have a gun in the home, having multiple techniques of defending yourself would be prudent. Learning selfdefense to incapacitate your attacker or attackers through rapid response techniques would a great course for the entire family to take. There are many different forms of selfdefense courses available: Krav Maga and Wing Chun are two popular courses. In addition to using your body as a weapon, there are other weapons that can be used to defend yourself, such as the following:

Pepper spray
Fire extinguisher
Hot coffee
Lamps
Metal baseball bat
Salt in the eyes
Butcher knife
Preps to buy:

Your security items should fit your personal choices and budget. Therefore, I will not make any suggested preps. I do hope that you will make some suggested improvements to your already existing home security. With the increase in crime, jobless rates, and increased food prices, home break-ins are likely to be on the rise. At the very minimum, you could buy these low cost items:

Window alarm systems.
Combination or key locks for the backyard fences.
Infrared (IR) floodlights to illuminate the property (These can be motion-sensor activated).
Ensure that your doors and locks are reinforced.
To read more information on different types of security features and locks, here is some suggested material:

Home Security: Securing the Doors

Home Security: Securing the Windows

Action Items:

1. Create an emergency protocol and discuss it with your family members. Be sure to include a list of emergency phone numbers and escape routes.

2. Create a safe room where family members can retreat to if there is a break in. Ensure that the safe room has a phone line, and if you have a gun in the home, ensure the gun is in the room. Please make sure that the gun is locked and put away so small children do not have access to it.

3. Install some outer preventive layers such as the following:

Ensure your doors are strong. (A hollow-core metal or solid wood door is best.)
If your doors are comprised of glass, install a double cylinder lock to reinforce the strength.
Install 1-inch deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.
Install locks on the back fences.
Infrared (IR) floodlights to illuminate the property (These can be motion-sensor activated).
Put a peep hole in the door.
4. Install some inner preventative layers such as the following:

Burglar-proof your glass patio doors by setting a pipe or metal bar in the middle bottom track of the door slide. The pipe should be the same length as the track.
Put an anti-lift device in your windows.
Add an intrusion detection system.
Position hidden web cams strategically throughout your home. Place the computer that is monitoring the locations in a hidden spot so the criminals cannot walk off with it.
Sign family members up for a self-defense course.

If you have a gun, go to gun range. The only way you will be an accurate shot is if you practice on a regular basis.

February 14, 2016 Worship Service

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot 8 February, 2016

Prayer Breakfast
0700 at BJ’s Restaurant
Hamilton Montana

Lord Jesus Christ, you have promised never to forsake or leave us. Teach us day by day the deep rewards of faithful ministry and most of all help us to know always the reward of being near to you. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

1. Opening - Round the Table Individual Prayers

2. Morning Psalm: 27

3. Breakfast Reading: Philippians 3

4. Breakfast is served

5. Breakfast Discussion Topics:
          a. News around the valley
          b.Week 6 of 52 weeks of preparation by Tess Pennington
                   
6. Closing - Round the Table Individual Prayers

7. Benediction
          Be filled with hope, joy, and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Upcoming Events:
          15 Feb 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          22 Feb 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          26 Feb 2016 – 30 days out from the March for Jesus Christ
          29 Feb 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          7 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          14 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          21 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          26 Mar 2016 – March for Jesus Christ
          27 Mar 2016 – Easter Sunday
          28 Mar 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
         
Follow the Fellowship of Christian Veterans:



Week 6 of 52: Evacuation Preparedness

This week, we will concentrate on the evacuation aspect of preparedness.  Many who have first hand accounts of mass evacuations from Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita will tell you that it is not fun.   When we think of evacuations, we typically think of the mass exodus we witnessed on television with the aforementioned storms.  Depending on the area you live in, there are times when evacuations are more localized and require you to leave your community or town.  Being that I live in Houston, I not only have to worry about hurricane season, but I also have to worry about chemical leaks from the refineries in this area.  If a refinery emergency were to occur, I would have to leave immediately, thus giving my family only a few minutes to evacuate our home.
Having a pre-assembled bag with basic survival needs in place will expedite the evacuation process, as well as keep things running smoothly.  The main goal of having a 72-hour bag is to be equipped to survive for three days.  Therefore, keep your basic survival needs in mind: food, water, shelter, clothing, sanitation, medications/prescriptions.  In addition, I would also pack some extra emergency money or a credit card with enough money for gas and lodging  in case you run into a monetary issue.  Click here to get more details on preparing a 72 hour bag.
Preparing a bag for evacuations takes more time than one would think.  Taking survival needs into account  is one thing, but trying to collect prescriptions, children’s special items, and personal documents can be frustrating if you were under time constraints.  Preparing ahead of time for evacuations will cut down on the headaches, and keep you one step ahead.

Preps to buy:

  • Backpacks for each member of the family (make sure the backpack has multiple compartments and pockets)
  • Water containers for each family member. Alternatively, you can purchase water containers with filtration devices inside them.
  • Water purification tablets
  • Food for three days (remember foods that are lightweight and high in calories)
  • Mylar blankets or bivvy for each member of the family
  • Tent, tarp or some sort of alternative shelter
  • Season appropriate clothing (3 days worth)
  • Fire starters
  • Waterproof matches and Bic lighters
  • Charged cell phone or alternate communication
  • Maps of the city and state (if you have not already purchased)
  • Flash lights for each bag with extra batteries
  • Mess kit and utensils for each family member
Don’t forget to pack items for pet needs. In additions, some other items to include in your evacuation packs are a first aid kit, hygiene items (toilet paper, deodorant, feminine products, shampoo/soap), and personal documents.
As well, pack a get home bag and store it at the office or in your vehicle in case you are stranded.

Action Items:

1. Create an evacuation plan including an emergency meeting area for family members, multiple evacuation routes, a list of emergency phone numbers.  Having this checklist on hand will keep an evacuation as organized as possible.
2. Assemble evacuation packs.
3. Place packs near an emergency exit or in an easy to access area.

4. As a family, discuss the evacuation plan, and include a discussion on the protocol and emergency exits.        

February 7, 2016 Worship Service