Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
With all the anger, fear, and violence around us, is it even possible to love in times like these?
With every new day there seems to be more pain, suffering, and dissension amongst peoples. Innocent lives are taken by those who are driven by their own anger, hatred, intolerance, or extremist views. How can we love in times when people are so consumed with themselves that they easily discard others – even family – when the relationship becomes an inconvenient burden?
We have to find ways to build relationships regardless of the lies that are hardening hearts and feeding self-preservationists. We must never allow our efforts in preparedness to drive us to an isolated and ultra-protected lifestyle – dependent only on ourselves. Being self-reliant in our lifestyle does not mean we must be self-focused to the exclusion of all others around us.
The truth is, if we are to find redemption in these difficult and uncertain times we MUST find love – and find the courage to share it. I see the necessity to love – as part of the Preparation Call. If we continue to harden our hearts toward others and deteriorate in our ability to love without conditions, I believe our lives will deteriorate into further bondage. We are creatures created for relationships and to nourish those relationships we must have some reasonable ability to love. Isolating ourselves will ultimately destroy us.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
“Preparation Call, and the need to share love” is not a suggestion that we should simply ignore the importance of preparedness and self-reliance. By no means can – or should we – ignore the obvious responsibility to prepare our families for the things ahead. The Bible clearly shows the importance of being prepared and understanding our responsibility of serving and loving others. Preparedness is journey of Faith – and not a path that we walk in fear.
If you really listen carefully, you know that there is and abundance of fear and concern all over the world. It seems that families (all over the globe) are pushing their preparedness planning because they see the uncertainties. With bleak economic times, unemployment, natural disasters, rumors of wars, and distrust in politicians and government, people are very concerned about what lies ahead. In every economic and social standing, families are beginning to prepare in anticipation of major disruptions in their “normal” life routines.
Unfortunately, what I am hearing is that many people are rushing their preparedness as a reaction to fear and, in some cases, conspiracy mongering. In fact, many families are pushing forward with their preparation efforts because they are now hyper-sensitive to anything that sounds like doomsday news or end-of-the-world sensationalizing.
It seems with every news report that is released, more-and-more people are beginning to join the self-reliance and preparedness movement because they already sense that something is coming that will change life (as we know it) forever. Certainly, in many ways that is a good thing. I firmly believe we should all be getting prepared and more self-reliant, but I still have concerns about the path of fear that many families are jumping-on as they begin their preparedness.
Now more than ever, I see it is vital to prepare and to do so with courage and hope. Contrary to what many critics suggest, Preparedness is not a pessimistic lack of hope for the future, but on the contrary, is very much an optimistic and prudent approach in protecting our families for what God has in store for us ahead.
So, with all the anger, fear, and violence around us, is it even possible to love in times like these? The answer is an emphatic, YES. We must.
Doomsday Survival has become quite a popular topic with today’s media and politicians. It is a telling sign that more and more people are concerned with events that are happening all across the globe.
Unfortunately, the concerns that people face are often fueled by the media in the form of fear. News outlets and others often sensationalize events that are happening, in order to boost their following. Regrettably, fear has proven to be a powerful agent in driving revenues. The internet has made information immediately available so it has become very easy to follow events all over the world. I suspect if the internet was available during the great World Wars or during the global depression, there likely would have been an even greater movement of people preparing for the ultimate destruction of society.
Certainly, (more than ever, in fact) I believe we all need to prepare, but I really do not believe that preparation should be a reaction to fear. I personally am not interested in perpetuating fear or pushing a message simply to help drive revenues.
Today, “Preppers” is a popular name that is used to identify those who are somewhat involved in some type of preparation act. I am not a big fan of the term Preppers, but I do understand the attempt to identify people who are a part of the preparation journey. I have just never particularly appreciated how we have grown so accustomed to classifying people into categories, or sub-categories. Our history is littered by too many terrible acts against people who were visibly identified, labeled, and branded as they were placed as a member of a certain group.
To me, preparation is not about fitting within a certain society niche or group. Preparation is a journey, and a movement. It is a community of people taking action and often coming together to prepare themselves for living – regardless of the circumstances they may face. In my Faith, preparation is not particularly about special survival skills in a doomsday scenario, but far more about being ready and prepared for the soon return of the King of Kings. It is about having oil in the lamps awaiting the Bridegroom.
It is ultimately pointless for me to rant about a simple term used for identification. I am fine with anyone who wants to call themselves a Prepper, survivalist, hoarder, or whatever. Over 18 years ago I heard a Preparation Call that has impacted my life in a profound way. My desire is to remain faithful on the journey of that call, and to prepare my family and others for the difficulties and joys that lie ahead.
Doomsday Preppers
Doomsday Preppers is a new show on the National Geographic Channel. The show follows the lives of Americans who are preparing for the end of the world as we know it. Unique in their beliefs, motivations, and strategies, preppers will go to whatever lengths they can to make sure they are prepared for any of life’s uncertainties. And with our expert’s assessment, they will find out their chances of survival if their worst fears become a reality.
I have such an incredible family. My wife and children have been such an inspiration and support.
My oldest daughter shared this with me, and it is so pertinent to the Preparation Call and to the theme of this site. I hope you enjoy…
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. Titus 3:1-2
This is such a spectacular verse! You may not be a Christian or of the same beliefs, but there’s no denying that the above verse can be applied to everyone’s life. It just isn’t something we always want to hear, is it? Especially in the heat of a moment or time of frustration or those periods when you want to just isolate yourselves and take care of your own. But take a moment to really let that sentence sink in.
I find that the section in particular that sums up the entire verse is “to be ready to do whatever is good”. To be ready! That’s another way of saying ‘prepare’. Everyone should be ready to do whatever is good, not only in the easy times, but more so in the difficult times. To be considerate, peaceable and gentle toward everyone!
As you take this journey and are preparing, you cannot neglect your heart. Preparation is a process that should go deeper than solely learning which alternative shelter to choose or how to store enough food. This is a journey that takes heart and you cannot lose a grip on your foundation. Yes, learn all that you can and prepare in the physical and external sense of the word. Yet always remember that external circumstances can quickly shift. Put your hope in the living God and not in how well you prepare. So that then you can be ready to do whatever is good even in the most difficult moments.
For years, I really didn’t fully understand much about the economy and how it worked. I just got a paycheck, deposited it into my bank, and paid my bills. When prices went up, usually I got a raise at work so I really didn’t notice too much difference with how much money I had left over each month.
Of course, that was before I felt the call to prepare, and began really grasping things that were going on. We’re still learning on the journey but, certainly there is a much-better understanding of some very important difficulties – and why we must prepare.
Over the years, I’ve heard people state they have confidence that our Government leaders will ultimately make the right decisions regarding our economy. While I certainly pray for our leaders and believe most of them serve with good intentions, I simply have lost confidence in the way “politics” is now impacting the decision making process.
It has become obvious to more-and-more people that we are heading for very perilous times. I have started discussing the need to prepare for economic collapse, and especially the potential for hyperinflation.
I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:1-2
In order to really understand how to best prepare (and especially what we will discuss in the days ahead), you need to have a solid grasp on what hyperinflation is. In simple terms it is tied into inflation levels that are extremely high and out of control. They are well beyond the norms of inflation.
As a result of hyperinflation prices increase rapidly. This causes many of complex concerns. There are basic things we all need and those seem to what the price increases hit the hardest.
For example when you go to fill your car up at the gas station you may find that it has jumped by several cents per gallon. Sometimes those jumps are as much as ten cents per gallon overnight too. This can increase the budget in your household for fuel substantially.
We all have to eat and the cost of food continues to increase during hyperinflation too. When you buy food items at the grocery store it is going to be much more than before. Due to the increased costs of supplies it also means you can plan on paying more when you dine out.
One of the other significant areas of the budget where you will see increases are in utilities. Most of us have seen several spikes and increases in the costs of utilities over the past couple of years. It is tough due to the fact that we need water, heat, and cooling available to us. We also need electricity so we feel that we are at the mercy of such companies.
Due to hyperinflation it is very hard for many households to make ends meet. They find their costs for necessities goes up and so they have less disposable income. For those on a fixed income or low income who were just getting by it is now virtually impossible.
Households are cutting out extras and that is why so many businesses are having problems too. When a household can barely meet their required expenses they aren’t spending on items that they consider to be wants or luxuries any more.
The terminology that experts use for hyperinflation is… a period of time when the cycle of inflation continues to grow so rapidly that there isn’t any real balance in sight for it.
When you have an increase in costs that is very fast, there is no controlling it, and prices are continually increasing with large jumps you have more than inflation to deal with – it is hyperinflation. It is very unusual but it does happen and it is something that the US dollar could be heading towards.
In order for hyperinflation to be present without a doubt one of two things must occur:
If the accumulated inflation rate of the past 3 year period is equal to or more than 100%
OR
The accumulated rate of inflation is more than 50% over a one month period of time.
Even though there are historical standings of hyperinflation hundreds of years old, no one studied it and gave us solid information about it until 1956. A book by Phillip Cagan called “The Monetary Dynamics of Hyperinflation” was a huge release that showed people some of the reasons why it happens and to give them an understanding of the process.
A great deal of what is found in this book has been given credible backing by economic specialists. They have studied the foundations of the US dollar and the economy. They don’t argue with what Cagan offered in that very enlightening book.
However, that doesn’t mean our Nation now has all of the answers of how to prevent high inflation and hyperinflation from occurring. The good news though is that the government and all citizens have access to information that can help them to identify the signs that may indicate that hyperinflation is going to happen.
It can help use to take action that will change the course of history. Most people don’t think much about economics or the economy of the USA when things are going well. When they turn the other way though people are fun of panic over it and they are ready to place blame.
Taking responsibility for the economy is a role we all need to step into. Too often citizens feel that their hands are tied and they have to make do with what is going on. Yet they have decisions about buying commodities such as gold, reaching out for credit that is offered, and how they will handle their own finances in tough economic times.
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
The economic climate is something that influences each and every one of us. In the past several years the economy has been in a downward spiral that has caused numerous people to be worried about the future. Fear is widespread in the marketplace, and many individuals have lost their hope and joy. Those who have placed great trust in the government, capitalism, savings, or even their career, are now struggling to find direction.
Obviously, with the economic difficulties, there are high rates of unemployment, entrepreneurs are closing their businesses, and new company ideas are being placed on the back burner for now. Numerous people are struggling just to get by financially and a lot of families are heavily in debt. Even kids and young adults are struggling with discouragement and have doubts about their future opportunities.
The housing market has tanked, and foreclosures on an all time high. Hard-working individuals are losing their homes and families are struggling just to pay their monthly mortgages. Shelters for the homeless are over-crowded and even the non-profit charities and ministries that try to serve people are running low on money and supplies that they can offer to help.
So with all of that to deal with, now we hear financial experts share concern about inflation. Since our Country has had limited exposure with this type of financial peril, some people may not be completely aware of the difficulties presented by inflation – and especially hyper-inflation.
Now, for this article we will not get deep into simple inflation. Instead, we are talking about a financial shift so massive that we can see prices double in a very short period of time. An impact so strong that price of goods can be drastically altered in a few months, a few weeks, or in some parts of the world less than a day.
Economic studies have typically included the understanding of inflation. What the experts are stating at this point in time is that we are headed down a path that is going to take us into hyperinflation when we certainly want to get into a recession.
Some people accept that throughout history we just have to allow the economic climate to go through these cycles. Occasionally it is good and at other times it isn’t. Nonetheless, there is adequate information and facts now that shows by correctly understanding hyperinflation, what causes it, how to take action, and especially how to recover from it, the US dollar can easily be secured.
As a Nation we are fortunate that there have only been two documented times in history when hyperinflation has occurred in the Country. Yet, many analysts absolutely believe it is on our horizon so we would be wise to prepare and make adjustments to avoid it, or lessen the impact.
All of us out there have been dealing with the tough economic times. These difficult times have been an element for everybody from the top to the bottom of the financial scale. In a time of global economic values and online companies that deal all over the world it is even more significant that the value of the US dollar is maintained.
As you learn more about hyperinflation you can certainly stop feeling like you are at the mercy of the government or society to assist you in getting by. What you will certainly even realize is that numerous individuals blame the government for not being more supportive or helpful to hurting families, however the increased government assistance programs can actually be a catalyst in triggering hyperinflation instead of reducing it.
Gaining a better understanding of the dynamics might help you to diminish panic feelings about what is going on with the economic climate. It can certainly even help you to see why extending more credit, printing more cash, and even diminishing taxes aren’t solutions that can help our economic difficulties.
There are no simple solutions either to slowing inflation or stopping hyperinflation completely. Of course, there are many theories and opinions out there and there are likewise those who believe we can easily master from the mistakes of the past in terms of how the economic base of money in the USA is operating. Unfortunately, with diverse opinion, political gridlock, and global responsibilities, the responses are far from certain.
In future posts, we will continue to discuss preparation strategies and offer tips to help you navigate the difficult times. For now, a simple strategy we offer is to begin developing a long-term food storage program. If the dollar does collapse, you certainly don’t want to be paying $25 for a roll of toilet paper. Get it now, while your dollar has some value.
With all the anger, fear, and violence around us, is it even possible to love in times like these?
