Hey all, Good to see everyone on here. Very cool community we are putting together. Shout out to @Michael Caughran for making it a reality, lending his skillset, knowledge, and inspiration. A bit about me, I am a follower of Christ first and foremost. Sadly, we've seen how that can put a target on one's back these days, and this group is a small part of facing that reality (more for the support of my family than my own, of course). That said, I do bring some practical skills to the table. I'm a retired military cop (dare I say what branch?), former government contractor, outdoorsman, and solutions architect. I own a spirit-led security agency in Spokane doing some really big and important things, but we can touch on that more later. I like boom sticks, fishin' (but never catchin'), the Betsy Ross, and apple pie. Thanks for being a part of the group, everyone. Hope to meet you all in person sooner rather than later. - Mike

Charlie Kirk. I found this interesting, the name “Charlie” has Germanic origins and means “Free Man” and “Kirk” is Scottish for “Church”. Revelation 2:10b Jesus said, “Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” To me, Charlie was a man marked by faithfulness, compassion and a care for others. He seems to have found a balance between being a leader and a husband and father. There’s so many lessons to be learned from this man’s passing. From my perspective, a few rise to the forefront. · We should expect attacks, real malicious and lethal attacks, especially when we’re a force for good. · Fundamentally, our adversaries are influenced by spiritual darkness and evil. Ephesians 6 gives us our defense spiritual defense. · We should live every day as our last here on earth, it very well could be. · Even in death, we can be victorious. I do have sorrow in my heart for his family. But I find myself very happy for Charlie. There is life after life. A book I just finished on this topic has completely transformed my perspective, it’s called “Imagine Heaven” by John Burke. Here’s a link if anyone wants to check it out, I don’t benefit, besides seeing others helped by it. https://www.amazon.com/Imagine-Heaven-Near-Death-Experiences-Exhilarating/dp/080101526X/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=1239149915040157&hvadid=77447036272558&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=111487&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-77447284174897%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=9755_13639677&mcid=aacff30be49d3b0592ff0325ef6e2a51&sr=8-1 Seeing glimpses of other’s experiences of the even the outskirts of heaven and meeting with Jesus is so encouraging to me. I know a man like Charlie will hear the words my own soul longs to hear. (Matthew 25:23) ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’