On Survival...

[MrJim]

All the talk about stockpiling beans & bullets reminds me of the late 70/s when the survivalists movement became popularized.

What are your thoughts on preparations if/when the balloon goes up? Still got some Y2K stuff laying around or is it a complete non-concern?

 

[christianbkworm]

I assume you are talking about a nuclear attack...I believe that it is coming, but I also believe that we will be raptured up before it happens so I don't worry about it.

Blessings,

Lisa

 

[MrJim]

I assume you are talking about a nuclear attack...I believe that it is coming, but I also believe that we will be raptured up before it happens so I don't worry about it.

Blessings,

Lisa

You assume incorrectly~it doesn't have to be an nuke~it can be an economic collapse within the nation or world...and there've been hard times in the past 2000 years where people and societies had to survive and there was no Rapture Rescue Boat available...

 

[Nadiine]

All the talk about stockpiling beans & bullets reminds me of the late 70/s when the survivalists movement became popularized.

What are your thoughts on preparations if/when the balloon goes up? Still got some Y2K stuff laying around or is it a complete non-concern?

Maybe I should be concerned about it more than I am...
I'm a rapturist tho... so I tend to think God will wisk us up into the clouds before we have to endure that type of stuff, to that degree of stockpiling & hording.

But hey, disaster can hit any of us at any time - long before end time events occur, it sure doesn't hurt to be prepared to take care of yourselves & pets.

As far as the extreme stuff... gosh - I dunno. I personally do wish I had an arsenal of weaponry in case of some sort of freak invasion lol
Gun tourets on top of the garage hehe

 

[MrJim]

I'm not a rapturist though no complaints if it happens

Do you know your neighbors or are they strangers? Is your church congregation mostly folks from the neighborhood or commuters? Would the church be a gathering area during time of crisis or is it "every man for himself"?

 

[Nadiine]

I'm not a rapturist though no complaints if it happens

Do you know your neighbors or are they strangers? Is your church congregation mostly folks from the neighborhood or commuters? Would the church be a gathering area during time of crisis or is it "every man for himself"?

Oh well that's good!! At least if it's true, you won't be one of those kicking and screaming all the way up. hehe


Some of our neighbors are strangers - a few we met briefly - one is a believer who goes to the same church as us.
I think our church would definitly be a meeting area in time of crisis - it has been even when there were local wildfires when they sponsored the church aid and opened it up to local aid groups bringing relief supplies.

I'd definitely go there yes. (good idea too!! thanks)

 

[MrJim]

Oh well that's good!! At least if it's true, you won't be one of those kicking and screaming all the way up. hehe


Some of our neighbors are strangers - a few we met briefly - one is a believer who goes to the same church as us.
I think our church would definitly be a meeting area in time of crisis - it has been even when there were local wildfires when they sponsored the church aid and opened it up to local aid groups bringing relief supplies.

I'd definitely go there yes. (good idea too!! thanks)

You are already way ahead of the crowd then. Many folks commute many miles to a church and live amongst strangers~in a crisis a commute may not be possible and you have to rely on your neighbors, which is tough if they are strangers or if there is ill will there.

The local church has to be a gathering point for us~in that way we will be better equipped to help our neighbors in crisis...

 

[psalms 91]

I believe that it is smart to prepare for what we know is coming. The different horsemen of Revelation wiill not just one day happen, there will be events leading up to them. We see some of this now more clearly as we watch transportation and food costs skyrocket. Food and guns is just a part though as we must prepare spiritually as well. We must build faith in the areas that we need it in. We need the Word down in our spirits for what of the time when you are totally dependant on God for food, for healing, for protection, for knowledge? You do not prepare and build in the middle of a storm. Also as the church is now I doubt that many will be raptured or taken away and those that are I believe will go through rough times beforehand. Just sopme thoughts.

 

[spinningtutu]

Well yea, certainly, ~ always be prepared for anything (even the mushroom clouds).

This is why I'm eclectically a mid-tribber~
People who say that we will endure tribulation, that there will be hardships/persecutions/etc. are entirely correct & I know they are correct because it has already happened.
And yet people who say that God will spare us from the worst, well I believe that too, because I believe in a God of love, mercy and forgiveness.

The only question I have ~ who is to say just how bad things will get? None of us know the details of the future... so...

We have to hold on to our trust. When the timing is right, we will be rescued ~ but until then, it's like we have endure as a test of faith. So, always be prepared.

 

[Simon_Templar]

Well, there are numerous indicators that we may be in for some tough economic times in the US. Things that weren't necessarily uncommon in most of history but have been largely unheard of in the US for a long time because of our prosperity.

It might be wise to become as self sufficient as you can. However, the fact is that most people simply can't become self sufficient. For most its not even within the realm of possability. Or it would take such a huge investment of time and money that it might as well be impossible.

Stockpiling food and things like that are limited term solutions. If there is a disruption that lasts only a few weeks, then it might be a good thing to have extra non-perishable food around. However, if there are serious problems that last for a significant amount of time, its unlikely that most people would be capable of stock piling enough food to really make a difference.

In the end, if God does not preserve you, stock piling whatever you like won't make much difference. If God does preserve you, he doesn't need your stock piles to do it.

If God specifically tells you to do something like that then go ahead and do it. If, however, you are motivated by fear of what may come, I think its probably useless.

Which brings me to another point.

We are the most prosperous nation in the history of teh world, we are the most powerful. Few in history have ever lived with the abundance and the security we have.. and yet we seem often to live in abject fear.

This is especially tragic when it takes root among Christians. So much of the survivalism, and the focus on end time prophecy etc, is based on fear and inspiring fear. That is not of God.

I don't think we should ignore it, but if you focus on it in such a way as to breed fear, then something is wrong.
We need to stop living in fear. If suffering comes, so be it. God can sustain me. In all things he is the one who upholds me and makes me able.

 

[mont974x4]

I guess I'm somewhere in the middle. A long time ago I started buying tools and guns. I have had jobs in contrsuction and as a mechanic and I am a hunter. I figure that as long as I have those I can figure a way to provide for my family and help people out. Heck, we give away wild game and last fall I finished helping build a house for a family that had a fire.

My family is quite close and we generally share just about everything anyways, and we're generally pretty giving when we find someone in need.

I do see those signs that some sort of economic and food crisis may occur.


My philosphy, pray for the best and prepare for the worst...and be careful to not fall into the sin of worry/being anxious.

In preparation we've been working to get out of debt, starting about 3 years ago I have had the sense that this is a major priority for us, and I wasn't paying as close attention to world events then as I am now.

is that enough rambling? LOL

 

[MrJim]

I guess I'm somewhere in the middle. A long time ago I started buying tools and guns. I have had jobs in contrsuction and as a mechanic and I am a hunter. I figure that as long as I have those I can figure a way to provide for my family and help people out. Heck, we give away wild game and last fall I finished helping build a house for a family that had a fire.

My family is quite close and we generally share just about everything anyways, and we're generally pretty giving when we find someone in need.

I do see those signs that some sort of economic and food crisis may occur.


My philosphy, pray for the best and prepare for the worst...and be careful to not fall into the sin of worry/being anxious.

In preparation we've been working to get out of debt, starting about 3 years ago I have had the sense that this is a major priority for us, and I wasn't paying as close attention to world events then as I am now.

is that enough rambling? LOL

No it's not enough, add some more

Many don't realize that in a societal collapse the greatest people will be our mechanics and plumbers and carpenters. So many of us domesticated americans are civilized grocery-store buyin', call someone to fix a leak callin', don't know how to saw a board type of folks. It's great to learn some "blue collar" skills even if one is a white collar type. And many white collar folks have some roots in these fundamentals....but it's never too late until it is too late. Learn to garden, learn to shoot, learn something more than computers and dvd players

 

[gellegbs]

Since we think the end is nearer than not we are learning to be self sufficient, learning Chinese (largest army in the world, especially since recently they just quadrupled their military budget),and most importantly trying to achieve a Christlike life and teach our kids the way of the Lord.

I think hording is worthless, especially if we are facing nuclear war. I went through Hurricane Katrina and I know what its like to not have the time to prepare and have to rush and leave everything behind loosing it all.

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica]"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for life."[/FONT]

 

[ReformedChapin]

I'm tired of all the doomsday talk...enough guessing already.

 

[mont974x4]

Not for the reasons in this thread, but we are also looking for land (to use for ministry) and the plan is to be off the grid as much as possible, such as:
1. I'm looking into more efficient building techniques
2. Wind for power generation and pumping water
3. Plan a big garden

Those aren't out of fear of what may lie ahead as far as end times goes, but because I want to lessen energy dependancy and minimize the impact of the usual weather hazards. It stinks to have no power when it's -30. LOL


Everyday changes now can make the present situation better and sure won't hurt if things really goes south while I'm still around.

 

[MrJim]

-30~where are ya?

I lived in Casper WY for a year, got a taste of cold weather (and snow on the ground 9 of 12 months )

 

[mont974x4]

Great Falls, MT.

BTW, my mom's side of the family homesteaded in Moorecroft. Small world, eh?

 

[MrJim]

It's some rugged country out there~there's the "romantic" part the midwest & easterners see in movies and magazines, but living out there was tough in the winter (though summer was nice, got up to 84 once )

 

[mont974x4]

downright balmy LOL
actually I've seen it near 100

 

[MrJim]

I was up there Sep05-Sep06; what a year...bought a nice CAR-15 when I was there