by Joseph | Sep 12, 2011 | Preparation, Sharing
Right now is the time to prepare your family for emergencies and difficulties. Times are getting much more difficult, and will continue to see an increasing intensity.
The fact is, no-one knows exactly what specific problems or challenges that could eventually result during a major and over-all emergency event. The best thing right now if to prepare for situations that could cause disruption to your normal lifestyle.
Certainly we do not want to operate in fear, so preparing will help us get our families ready when stressful times approach – and will enable us to help others who may struggle with the difficulties. The reality is, we do not know when something may disrupt our lives, or exactly what the turmoil may look like.
36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. Matthew 24:36 (NLT)
To help us prepare, let’s do some planning. The following are some simple tips and recommendations to help us prepare for an emergency. These are very simple action tips that you might find from various preparation and disaster support agencies like the Red Cross. Certainly, most are obvious suggestions, but it never hurts to revisit our preparation plans.
Get an “escape bag” ready
There are other names for the bag, such as: 72-hour kit, bug-out bag, battle box, and GOOD bag (Get Out Of Dodge). The focus of the bag is to get you items ready for a quick evacuation. It is not intended to be an all-out long-term survival kit. Basically, it is a portable kit that is ready to go in an emergency, and contains the items that would be needed to survive for seventy-two hours when evacuating from a disaster.
Water is life, and critical for our survival
Obviously, our bodies require water for survival. Years ago, I lived in South Florida when a major hurricane hit. I took for granted that water would flow into our home. Unfortunately, I was sadly mistaken. A State that was surrounded by water was thrust into a water crisis.
So, make sure to prepare for what you do not know. As much as possible, try to keep a water supply of a gallon for every person each day and one that would be enough for seven to ten days.
Water should be kept in appropriate safe chemical-free containers. Also, make sure that you also have filters and tablets for the purposes of purification ready and available when needed. (more…)
by Joseph | Sep 9, 2011 | Preparation, Sharing
WARNING!
I believe a World War is fast approaching and it is becoming increasingly essential that we are getting prepared.
Before I share some thoughts, let me start by saying that I post this with a very heavy heart. I struggle that many people may find the comments I will share to be disturbing or painful. Certainly, it is not my intent to discourage anyone or bring fear. On the contrary, I know we have a Redeemer – and in Him we have Life Everlasting. The purpose of this writing (and the blog in its entirety) is to hopefully provoke actions in preparation.
As I begin sharing a few things, I encourage the reader to pray. Draw close to God and ask Him to carefully prepare you and open your heart to what He wishes to change and establish in you. Ask Him to give you wisdom and discernment.
The things I share here are only my opinions – based on what I believe God has laid on my heart. I suspect that many of my comments will be viewed as controversial and perhaps even a bit alarmist. I am fine with that, as I am only sharing what I believe I am supposed to share.
Years ago, I received a “Preparation Call”. I am not a theologian and in Sunday School had never heard of a “Preparation calling” being something that was available or desired. So, my preparation call was somewhat bizarre. In fact, the calling came at a time when things were very prosperous in America – and long before anyone even heard of terrorism. Our economy was robust, and outlook was encouraging. To get a preparation call during that time was just weird. But… I just felt that God laid on my heart to begin getting prepared, and be ready to help others get prepared. So whatever that meant, I have since tried to live in full surrender to it.
Now… wherever you go, it seems that more-and-more people are getting prepared. People “feel” something is coming, and they are trying to find answers on how to prepare. Unfortunately, there are people who are now using this new heightened sense of concern to spread fear and worry. Some are even using fear to profit. They call themselves “modern day prophets”, when in fact they are only after modern day profits. God will bring them to task.
So, back to the point of this post. Again, let me emphasize that I firmly believe a World War is coming, and it is vitally important that we are preparing ourselves and our families. I believe it will be quite an intense time for everyone. For those who have ignored the call to prepare, it could get frightening.
There are many, many people out there who believe a battle in the Middle East is brewing. I not only think it is brewing, I believe it is imminent. The Bible alerts us of the importance of this are in the final days, and it is becoming more obvious by the moment that we are seeing the stage being prepared for war. (more…)
by Joseph | Aug 15, 2011 | Preparation, Sharing
As a whole grain, dark hard winter or spring wheats store very well. Dried wheat pastas and pre-ground wheat flours can also be purchased, but individuals purchasing these items from a supermarket should be aware their shelf life will not be near as long as that of properly stored and prepared whole wheat grains.
Obviously, whole wheat products are easily acquired both in supermarkets and through preparation specialty websites and whole grain stores. The biggest difference you will find is that items sold in most supermarkets have typically been processed and are stored in such a way that they have a much shorter shelf life. Also, purchasing wheat pasta means your storage will only allow for eating wheat pasta. Buying wheat whole grains means preppers with grain mills can make just about anything they would like out of the whole wheat grains they have stored. A plethora of breads, pancakes and even wheat gluten meat substitutes can be fashioned from simple buckets of whole grain wheat.
Many highly-intense preppers recommend storing enough supplies (including wheat) to last your family a year. Less hardcore individuals suggest two weeks is enough. In the event of a serious disaster where infrastructure is compromised and food is not easily acquired, a supply of food that is enough to last a few months is probably a good goal. Whole wheat grains, when properly stored, can last for well over a year. An excellent grain storage bucket we recommend can be found at www.grainbuckets.com
We all are aware that we live in very difficult times. There is no longer a question about the need to be prepared. Like many people, perhaps you have decided that long-term food storage is a necessary, and you are now working to get prepared in the case of a world or national crisis.
A great place to begin your food storage is with storing whole wheat and grains. Whole Wheat and Grains can be easily stored for long periods of time, and will offer a variety of food options during a time of crisis. You will need preparation food, so it makes good sense to start with grains.
by Joseph | Aug 6, 2011 | Preparation, Sharing
My family has been in preparation for many years. In fact, I started preparing before it was cool to be a prepper! That means absolutely nothing except, I’ve been watching, listening, and preparing for a long time :).
Years ago, I heard a preparation call and started on a journey that I assumed was all about survival and a self-sustaining lifestyle. I was looking forward to preparing by learning about gardening, food storage, and emergency preparedness. I never imagined that preparation would be so intense – but then again, when we began this journey most people didn’t even fathom a need for preparation.
Today, things are much different. People all over the world are beginning to see the need to prepare, and are asking “Am I too late to get prepared”? They aren’t quite sure what to prepare for, but they sense that something is happening in the world – and they better get ready for it.
My simple answer to the question of whether it is too late to get prepared is… absolutely not!. But that comes with a disclaimer that there is a limit of time, and once that time runs out – there will no longer be the option for preparation. I believe their is an increasing intensity of events, and the preparation window is beginning to shut. Time is running out.
According to the Gospel of Matthew 25:1-13 the five virgins who are prepared for the bridegroom’s arrival are rewarded and the five who are not prepared are excluded. Hear the Word…
1. Then the Kingdom of Heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
4. but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5. But while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6. And at midnight there was a cry made “Behold the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!”
7. Then all the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
8. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.”
9. But the wise answered, saying, NO, lest there not be enought for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.
10. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us!”
12. But he answered and said, Assuredly I say to you, I do not know you.”
— Matthew 25:1-13
In the days ahead, I will share some of the steps we took to begin our journey toward preparation. For now, the most important first-step is to ask God to change your heart – so that you are prepared to greet the Bridegroom when He arrives.
by Joseph | Jul 26, 2011 | Preparation, Sharing
Okay, here it goes – I’m certain I’ll be labeled (again) as some crazy conspiracy theorist, or perhaps a gloom and doom preacher. Feel free to label me whatever you feel is appropriate. I’ve been called lots of things before :).
First of all, let me state that I do believe we are heading toward a collapse. In fact, it wasn’t too long ago that I would say that and be completely alone in my statement. Today, however, there are many people who now seem to agree with me.
This is not intended to be “gloom and doom” but a reminder that we must be preparing. I can not fathom how anyone can go through a day without the Faith in knowing the coming Messiah.
So why do I think there will be a collapse? Well, everything I’m seeing tells me so. You see, for a long time America has been the greatest financial powerhouse on the planet. Today, not so much. We are about to lose our lunch. Those who have held to a faith in the government structure will soon be very disappointed.
At this very moment the government wrestles with this issue of raising our debt ceiling. Basically, we have to borrow more money to keep us floating. At some point (which I believe is now), you simply can not continue borrowing above your ability to repay.
I certainly pray for our leaders and appreciate their hard work on this matter. It’s a very, very, difficult decision and one that will create major issues regardless of which way it goes. I recognize the difficulty. You see, I contend that regardless of the vote – we are heading for a collapse. Heed the call to prepare!
The US government likes to borrow money rather than make the tough choices of which programs to cut. We have become a Country of Entitlements and have continually fed the animal until it is very difficult to wean. The more we feed it, the closer we come to our own demise.
(more…)
by Joseph | Jul 25, 2011 | Preparation, Sharing
In my lifetime, I have never seen such despair and ambivalence. People are afraid and many are losing hope. The times have impressed people to begin living more simple lives, and to prepare.
In fact, many people have felt a call to prepare and to be ready for the difficulties that are approaching. Those difficulties could be in the form of political or economic crisis, or they could be a catastrophic natural event like an earthquake or drought. Whatever the difficulty, countless families are now seeing the importance of preparing.
My family has been in active preparation for years now, although I’ve shared often that it is not what I assumed it to be. When I originally started on the journey of preparation, I assumed it was all about storing provisions and learning how to plant a garden. Certainly, those were/are important in the process of preparedness, but the real need of preparation is much greater.
God is calling us to a deeper Faith in Him. We can, and should, be better prepared for events that will impact us in a major way – but more than that, we need to be steadfast in our Faith. We need to be prepared to meet our God.
As we simplify our lives and look for ways to sustain our families in emergencies, we should also be preparing and softening our hearts to hear from God. Store the Word of God in our hearts, so when the times of troubled waters come – we are prepared.
“Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.” Psalms 69:1-3
