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, July 17, 2016

Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot 18 July, 2016

Prayer Breakfast: God, Our Source of Hope
0700 at BJ’s Restaurant
Hamilton Montana

Oh 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. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

1. Opening - Round the Table Individual Prayers

2. Morning Psalm: 16

3. Breakfast Reading: Revelation 21:1-8

4. Breakfast is served

5. Breakfast Discussion Topics:
          a. News around the valley
          b. Prayer Vigil for Healing
                   1) Men of the Bitterroot Valley
                   2) Conduct a Prayer Vigil for Healing
                   3) Sunset to Sunrise, starting on Friday, August 12th, 2016
                   4) 2 miles north of Woodside
                   5) To come together to pray, take communion, and to ask God for healing of our fellow man
          b. Week 23 of 52 weeks of preparation by Tess Pennington
                             
6. Closing - Round the Table Individual Prayers

7. Benediction
          You have been in communion with your Lord. Go forth now in the strength and assurance that the Lord Jesus Christ goes with you. Amen.

Upcoming Events:
          0700, 18 July, 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          0700, 25 July, 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          0700, 1 Aug, 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          0700, 8 Aug, 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          2051, 12 Aug 2016 – Prayer Vigil for Healing starts
          0633, 13 Aug 2016 – Prayer Vigil for Healing ends
          0700, 15 Aug, 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          0700, 22 Aug 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
          0700, 29 Aug 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
         
Follow the Fellowship of Christian Veterans:

Week 23 of 52: External Security Preparedness

Shortly after Hurricane Katrina struck the Louisiana coast, reports out of New Orleans on September 1st stated that victims of the disaster were being raped and beaten and that fights and fires were out of control, leaving corpses laying in the open as the city descended into anarchy. Emergency responders in the New Orleans area were overwhelmed, and as a result their response time was lapsed.
A “bug in” scenario may be our only choice after a disaster strikes and we must prepare not only for our basic needs, but also for our safety. Since the grid may go down during a disaster, each household should prepare for crime. Looting and home invasions will more than likely be at the forefront of these crime waves and a defensible home will help your family stay safe.
Many of us easily relate to the idea that our home security needs to be beefed up. In fact, some of the homes we live in are defensive nightmares given the location, structural design, neighborhood or city we may live in. Because the home will be more vulnerable when the grid goes down (due to electrical alarm systems not working, lapsed emergency response time, etc), consider having some alternative security features for inside the home. A barking dog would be a great detection system for anyone trying to break in. And, if the pet is trained properly, could assist in protecting the family.
In an emergency where civil unrest can be a problematic issue, criminals look for accessible targets. They will concentrate on vulnerable “easy-pickings” and bypass the more secured areas. This was seen during the Rodney King Trial Verdict riots in Los Angeles and it’s suburbs, the only structures that were spared from active looting by large gangs were some stores owned by armed Korean Americans.
Security is an important preparedness measure to keep in mind when investing in your emergency supplies. Bulking up your home security features for the outside can be your first line of defense in preventing any criminals from trying to enter your home.
Given that our financial situations are each unique, I am not suggesting that you go out and purchase every item on this list. However, if you are able to invest in some security items for the home, I suggest you invest in as much as you can.

 Preps To Buy:

  • Reinforced doors and locks. (There is only 1 ” of wood protecting you in normal door locks.)
  • Barred windows or European-style security/storm shutters.
  • Place thorny bushes or plants around windows or near vulnerable areas of the home.
  • If possible, create a barrier from approaching vehicles.
  • Put a peep hole in the door.
  • Add a bolt and chain to the door.
  • Infrared (IR) floodlights to illuminate the property (These can be motion-sensor activated).
  • Solar garden lighting can also be an inexpensive way to illuminate areas outside the home.
  • Fence the entire property, if it is not done so already.
  • A gate at the front of the driveway that has spikes at the top to prevent someone from jumping over the fence.
  • Cameras placed strategically around the home and near the entry points of the home can also deflect an intruder.
  • Create a safe room or vault to where a family can go to evade their attackers.
  • Buy a gun and know how to use it.

Action Items:

14.        Walk around the perimeter of your home and see where the vulnerable areas are.
15.                Make necessary changes to the outside of the home by bulking up on security layers.
16.                Contact a security expert or friend in the police department and see if they can provide you with additional advice.
17.                If it is a good fit with your family, look into purchasing a firearm or going to a concealed handgun course.
18.                Create a neighborhood watch program.


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