Category Archives: fema

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SANDY: Preparation and Response to Epic Storm

As part of our overall missions projects affecting at-risk children and families, you have long seen our involvement in responding to natural disasters.
I suppose there is great truth in that every size disaster is EPIC to those who experience it.
There are few events that are EPIC in the number of ways it can be disastrous in so many forms and such a broad geographical and demographic landscape. Sandy is one of those, truly.

Our efforts will together with your help positively affect thousands of people with the HOPE of the truth of Jesus Christ love for them…in practical ways during this harsh event.

Please join in the efforts with us to rescue the perishing situations of many people as we ramp up to the holiday season.

Blessings to you, JD Smith, President, CitiIMPACT Ministries

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Warriors, One and All

The Lord is a Warrior; the Lord is His Name. 

1. Fight for what is right. Political elections and debates are not the destiny changers we often would like to think they are. Neither are they the route to the dynasty God has in store for you. Finding your passions fulfilled by all the promises of God in Christ Jesus is right. He has, and does, lead the way to what is right. The battles are for those who have the Warrior nature of our Lord. That can be, and should be, One and All.

2. Be strong. Now to fight the fight of right, we need to be in full armor, strong. Strong in the Lord first of all with all the possible armor His love, grace and mercy provide. Ephesians 6:10-20 is a great instruction in this. That begins, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God,so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

3. Be courageous. Aligning ourselves with the elements of armor above in #2, powered by the Holy Spirit, leads to confidence and courage. Confident in Christ to empower and Courage as a Warrior with the Warrior of all times. I mean, really, who do you want to be with you when embattled? Doesn’t the Lord, the Warrior, give you great courage?

4. Be right. Being right means, again, being aligned with the Warrior, the Lord is His Name. In alignment with Him, our assignment will be revealed with clarity, precision, power and righteousness. Warriors, One and All, meaning we are in a team, with our assignment clear; our purpose unified, our unity in the bond of peace. That is right.

Be the Warrior that is reflected by the Lord. Exodus 15:3

In this kairos of seeming diminishing power of purpose and execution in our world, it is more than a little refreshing to find those who do not shrink back from the battle.

Let’s all embrace the portion of the wholeness of the Lord in His Name of Warrior, and be about His business and battle.

What are some ways we can execute as Warriors, One and All? Let me know your thoughts, experiences and plans!

Blessings, JD Smith

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LIVE from the Gulf Coast UPDATE

Much help is needed all along the Gulf Coast. People need you. Yes YOU! Join in.

Please. Pray. Right now.. where you are.

CitiIMPACT Missions

VOLUNTEER TEAMS: Need is NOW & LONG TERM, which is who we are. Plan for months ahead, we are: CLICK TO SIGN UP 

Thousands have worn these t-shirts since Hurricane Katrina, and other places. You can, too.

DONATE NOW: CLICK 
CitiIMPACT Disaster Missions 

at CitiIMPACT Ministries
BLESSINGS.
JD Smith FROM THE GULF COAST.

More UPDATES on Disaster Mission for ISAAC, Click HERE & HERE

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Ground Personnel related to CitiIMPACT Safe at this hour. 7:00 EST

Some are evacuated near Plaquemines Parrish & St. Bernard.

We’ll update you with our plan for Rescue, Relief and Recovery as soon as safe to deploy. 

New Orleans, Waveland, Biloxi, Gulfport, Houma…Hurricane Katrina 7 YEAR

August 29, 2005 to August 29, 2012 

BACK in NEWS with Hurricane ISAAC coming to shore on the anniversary of Katrina.

This clip still tells the tale for the region, then and now. Pray.

Everybody needs help sometime. Everybody can help.

INFO for our Disaster Missions in general HERE.

To Help with a Volunteer Team: CLICK HERE

DONATE NOW: HERE

Jesus Christ reveals 4 Means of Dignity during Disasters. 

He Mitigates the storms, Ministers Mercy, Multiplies disciples, Magnifies His Name.

These 4 Means of Grace He inspires in all of us reflect who He is, bringing dignity to our fellow citizens, as we carry them out.

Let our voices ring with praise even in times of disaster!

How can we help you? Blessings, JD

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4 Means of Dignity in Disasters like ISAAC

More UPDATES on Disaster Mission for ISAAC, Click HERE 

Ground Personnel related to CitiIMPACT Safe at this hour. 7:00 EST

Some are evacuated near Plaquemines Parrish & St. Bernard.

We’ll update you with our plan for Rescue, Relief and Recovery as soon as safe to deploy. 

New Orleans, Waveland, Biloxi, Gulfport, Houma…Hurricane Katrina 7 YEAR

August 29, 2005 to August 29, 2012 

BACK in NEWS with Hurricane ISAAC coming to shore on the anniversary of Katrina.

This clip still tells the tale for the region, then and now. Pray.

Everybody needs help sometime. Everybody can help.

 

INFO for our Disaster Missions in general HERE.

To Help with a Volunteer Team: CLICK HERE

DONATE NOW: HERE

Jesus Christ reveals 4 Means of Dignity during Disasters. 

He Mitigates the storms, Ministers Mercy, Multiplies disciples, Magnifies His Name.

These 4 Means of Grace He inspires in all of us reflect who He is, bringing dignity to our fellow citizens, as we carry them out.

Let our voices ring with praise even in times of disaster!

How can we help you? Blessings, JD

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ISAAC may bring Misery. You CAN bring HOPE.

 

I S A A C !!!

On the MOVE..whole Gulf Coast on ALERT. PRAY.
It’s ONLY just begun. YOU HELP IS NEEDED……..PLEASE be READY. (click)

Our Disaster Ministries at CitiIMPACT are staged in multiple states with partners & collaborations ready to HELP with HOPE, from Florida to Texas. 

PRAY FIRST!!

Supplies and Donations ALL NEEDED

The people can do this. THEY CAN!

YOU can help (VOLUNTEER HERE) AS A TEAM

You CAN!

PLEASE DONATE NOW IF YOU CAN PLEASE. IT ALL COUNTS & ALL GOES TO THE DISASTER MISSIONS WHEN DESIGNATED. THANK YOU. CLICK HERE

 

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“Breaking News!”

A rare moment at home last week, my wife and I watched the early evening “NEWS” on a major network. The news anchor led with three stories; fire, war, and west Nile virus. We looked at one another at the same moment with “WOW!” 

“Luke 21:10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.”

A quick glimpse at the Headline News on my computer shows a sports hero giving up his battle to prove himself clean of drugs, multiple shooting near the Empire State Building, tropical storms like Isaac, continuing wars, and West Nile Virus. 

You’ll hear me talk a lot about getting ready for disasters. That’s part of our ministry, missions at CitiIMPACT. (follow stories here and here of what folks like you are doing)

Today, short and sweet for you all. Get Ready. Now you can not say you were not told how to prepare for Peace as the Prince of Peace is closer to coming than ever before. PASS IT ON! In this day and time, don’t presume everybody knows. I won’t.

John 3:16-17 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

You don’t have to answer any of my questions. You’ll only have to answer to the Lord. I encourage you get the HOPE all have available and if you have found it, be ready to share it!

Blessings, JD

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Why Networking Isn’t Enough

Thanks Michelle Cushatt for this great reminder to be in touch with humanity as we press to connect to humanity electronically. Michelle Cushatt BLOG

Relationships do lead the process of life, perhaps they are the process of life.
Blessings,
JD Smith
www.JDSmitnOnline.com

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5 Sure CHANGE Steps

School has started again in much of the USA & other parts of the world. That sure brings CHANGE. Today though, I’m sharing about CHANGE that is more impacting.

Inevitable, Embrace, Exasperating, Endure, Engineer, Equip, Excel

In our home CHANGE has from time to time been a little more drastic, whether chosen by us, or imposed upon us. How about you?

When we can make a CHANGE or sense a CHANGE in direction, life, occupation, ministry or mission; there are many ways we can vet that process for decisions. Here are 5 we use frequently.

1. Prayer. I’ve found far too often that it seems easier to do a lot of planning and programming, then pray it all works. That is opposed to praying first for divine guidance in my thoughts and heart for decisions concerning CHANGE. Move towards prayer first!

2.The Church. In lives involved more overtly in vocational ministry or missions, it’s pretty easy to see or say how the Church has an impact on decisions. Allowing ourselves to be submitted to those in authority over us is more intense than just speaking it when CHANGE is needed or desired. Those who are not so-called vocational ministers should also be able to find sound counsel in Church for CHANGE.

3.The Holy Bible. God does speak still today through His Holy Bible. The Bible is chocked full of great examples of men, women and even children making decisions towards CHANGE. We may not find the exact example we face, but we can sure read how leaders, and followers, made decisions for CHANGE. Jeremiah 33:3. “Call to me and I will answer you..”

4.The Holy Spirit. God has given us a great gift of the Holy Spirit who when allowed will guide us into the next right step. He will also help us avoid the next wrong step. Both of these potential steps are critical when we are in the processes of CHANGE.

5. Circumstances.Come on, let’s face the facts. Our humanity is often much moved in CHANGE through circumstances. We have a brain that is given to us to discern and make good decisions. Recognizing the signs around us called circumstances is not to be missed when making decisions for CHANGE.

You are NOT Alone.

Well, there you go, a first piece for you of how to outline your next decision for CHANGE. Next week, I’ll add in some more particular steps for us all.

Oh, by the way, YOU are NOT the only person or family in the world going into CHANGE. You’re probably not the only one on your block. Take some solace in that we are all in this together!

What decisions have you made or need to make where some of these elements have helped to guide you? How can I pray for you about the CHANGE you are trying to sort out right now?

Just click the button on the left to sign up for these posts which I make a couple of times a week, and I’ll send you some great FREE COFFEE ! 🙂

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Back to School? Already?!!

 

Sometimes the best post I can write has been written. READ IT HERE!

SCHOOL ALREADY!!??

Yes Back to School is a Bitter and Sweet Time.

Starting A School for Liberian Kids!

What are your experiences? You can read their story as they help others:

How will you help someone go to school today changing their family’s destiny?

Blessings, JD Smith

 

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Not Giving Up

Lakeshore Baptist Church steeple in 2005 after Katrina.

2005. August 29th. Hurricane Katrina. Lakeshore Baptist Church. Everybody in the church loses everything they own. Many are dead. Many are missing. The church building is demolished, its steeple washed into the woods. THEY DIDN’T GIVE UP. (Gal. 6:9)

It would take me a month, it would be a book, to tell the whole story of our small parts in the recovery of Hurricane Katrina. That story pales in comparison to those of the local heroes who have carried and led the recovery these last seven years, not giving up.

Part of a July 2012 Delivery CitiIMPACT was able to make because of generous partners to this still-recovering community.

Today’s post was prompted in my heart by this, a blog by Michele Cushatt. I got to know Michele while working with Michael Hyatt on his Platform Book launch team. After reading this earlier today, I received a message from Pastor Don Elbourne down at Lakeshore Baptist Church near Waveland, Mississippi, in Bay St Louis, Mississippi. He was merely thanking us..and you who partner with us..for a couple of semi loads of supplies we shipped in there last month. Yes, 7 years later, and they are still leading the recovery for their community. They are about to begin their own church building next year, after years of working in the community for recovery. Once in a while, someone like this church, just stands out in the commitment to go the distance, not giving up.

Lakeshore Baptist before Katrina

Watch for more soon as we’ll be helping them with another house project and the rebuilding of their own church building Lakeshore Baptist Church. One of the many sites we were able to help as they led their communities to recovery after Katrina in 2005-2012. Pastor Don assisted me in a memorial service there for a man across the street, Wilbur Lafleur, who lost his wife in the surging Katrina waters. Many volunteers helped us rebuild the home of Wilbur. Lakeshore Baptist will be building back, 12 feet off the ground. Watch for more on this story as we partner with them, still. It’s our honor & very humbling that all of YOU are part of the process with us with people like this.

CitiIMPACT helped set up the first relief station on Lakeshore Road at the site of the Baptist Church, as they led the recovery.

On October 29, 1941, U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited Harrow School to to hear the traditional songs he had sung there as a youth, as well as to speak to the students. When he was invited to give a speech, Churchill stood before the students and said,“Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up.”

When have you been tempted to give up? When did you persevere and not give up? What helpful hints to you have for others?

YOU can help others. You CAN! Blessings, JD Smith