"Prepping" as a hobbie

[BeeWrangler]

I was only quoting I was not saying a thing. What I do think is that when one starts to prepare for every possible future contingency one begins to "take thought for the morrow".

I know it is bible quotes... I guess I should have said I understand your point behind posting it.

If what you say is true then where is the line drawn? I can only assume you prep for the future as you are typing this out on a computer, so you must have a home and hydro at the very least. Everything you do is prepping for the future, going to school, getting a job, going to work, buying a home, paying bills, putting money away for retirement and so on. How is prepping supplies for the future such as food, water, flashlight ect any different from what you do every day? Some people who live on the street and have nothing might say the same to you, why do you gather so many things? If you truly believe being prepared is wrong and being ready for the future is wrong than you should be living like Jesus did rather than sitting in a warm home typing on a computer. There is a difference between being a fanatic worried about the future, as to having full faith in God and being prepared for the future. I for one do not prep other than learning survival skills, and I use them often as I spend alot of time in the wilderness... but I am not fanatical and stressed about what happens tomorrow. AJ said he preps as a hobby, he never said he is stressed about tomorrow ether, so whats the big deal? I'm sure you have hobbies don't you? How is preparing for a few things no worse than being prepared for many things? Do you not go to work and earn money for tomorrow? If you have kids do you not teach them things that will help them in the world tomorrow? Do you not save money for retirement? Do you not keep groceries in your fridge for tomorrow? Do you not change the oil in your car for tomorrow? Where does the bible say the line is drawn? It doesn't. It simply says have faith in God and do not worry about tomorrow. I can't speak for AJ, he can speak for himself if he is worried about tomorrow or not, but I'm not worried about tomorrow... doesn't mean I don't have food in my fridge though.

Luke 9:58
And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

 

[ActionJ]

I agree it is unwise not to prep for any (possible) occasion. The bible tells us point blank there will be an end, but even aside from that there is always catastrophes that we see all around the world every year. To think it could never happen to us or never happen in our area is kind of crazy. Even the Government has game plans for catastrophes

I'd be willing to bet that the ancient Romans or Greeks didn't believe their respective empires would ever fall! What a rude awakening when they actually did.

 

[ActionJ]

Just to be a contrarian I thought I'd post the below.


Matthew 6: 19-34


19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

I don't personally equate "treasures" with "necessities." We all put gasoline in our car today so we can drive to work tomorrow. We all buy groceries today so we can eat tonight. I do believe it totally unwise to place our trust in survival supplies and foods with a long shelf life. Ultimately, God is in control and His will shall be done. However, I don't believe in sitting in a chair and praying that God takes care of my every need. I suspect that He expects us to take a certain amount of responsibility for our own actions and preparations.

Proverbs 6:6-8, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest."

1 Timothy 5:8, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

I must also consider the story of Noah who prepared long in advance of a great flood. Then there's Joseph who stored up enough food during good times to feed Egypt and some surrounding peoples during a 7 year drought. Food for thought (no pun intended).

 

[If Not For Grace]

I am interested in "prepping" to a degree as well but more in the line with type of things BeeWrangler suggests. My Husband and I have been minimalist our whole lives more out of necessity and choice. We ARE farmers. We live in a fairly rural area, yet we are are by no means "prepared" for economic collapse. Most our our equipment is fuel dependant and we do not have enough hay to sustain our livestock for very long. I am interested in learning skills. I would like to know more about solar energy (basic stuff) I would like to know how a smoke house operates. I would like to know how to protect the resources we do have.

We do not have the resources to buy or build much. Every site I see now seems sales oriented. Buy my system for water, soap or something-seems like informercials more than information. I want to know how to make a bow (I figure we will run out of bullets pretty quickly) and arrows and how to store canned goods both commerical and farm canned, but I am very limited on space and we live in a flood zone (near a river-good right?) and everything has to be up High and off the ground during flood season.

We already use rain collection systems for our garden but we freeze most of our veggies and meats. My husband is a diabetic and I would like to know how to store insulin and what could be used for a subsitute if we had no way to get it. I am interested in first aid and how to learn to discern what plants are in my eco system. I would like to learn about knots and traps, but it's all overwhelming. Any sites or information would be helpful. We all know bad times are coming so I don't see where quoting a bunch of end time scripture is reveleant to attempts to survive. I want info and tips.

 

[ActionJ]

I am interested in "prepping" to a degree as well but more in the line with type of things BeeWrangler suggests. My Husband and I have been minimalist our whole lives more out of necessity and choice. We ARE farmers. We live in a fairly rural area, yet we are are by no means "prepared" for economic collapse. Most our our equipment is fuel dependant and we do not have enough hay to sustain our livestock for very long. I am interested in learning skills. I would like to know more about solar energy (basic stuff) I would like to know how a smoke house operates. I would like to know how to protect the resources we do have.

We do not have the resources to buy or build much. Every site I see now seems sales oriented. Buy my system for water, soap or something-seems like informercials more than information. I want to know how to make a bow (I figure we will run out of bullets pretty quickly) and arrows and how to store canned goods both commerical and farm canned, but I am very limited on space and we live in a flood zone (near a river-good right?) and everything has to be up High and off the ground during flood season.

We already use rain collection systems for our garden but we freeze most of our veggies and meats. My husband is a diabetic and I would like to know how to store insulin and what could be used for a subsitute if we had no way to get it. I am interested in first aid and how to learn to discern what plants are in my eco system. I would like to learn about knots and traps, but it's all overwhelming. Any sites or information would be helpful. We all know bad times are coming so I don't see where quoting a bunch of end time scripture is reveleant to attempts to survive. I want info and tips.

Your mind is certainly in the right place. I suggest checking out Frugal's Forums (a Christian owned forum) for some really good information from folks who take these things very seriously. They will answer most of your questions based on their personal experience. Many of them live "off of the grid." There is a bit of commercialism on that site but they're in the form of links that lead to other sites and many of those sites have good information as well.

Prepping is a "one day at a time" proposition. For me ... it's a fun hobby that leads to a certain amount of peace-of-mind. I like knowing that if I were to lose my job tomorrow that my wife and I wouldn't have to beg for food next month.

Thanks for posting. Never stop asking questions. God bless!

 

[BeeWrangler]

I am interested in "prepping" to a degree as well but more in the line with type of things BeeWrangler suggests. My Husband and I have been minimalist our whole lives more out of necessity and choice. We ARE farmers. We live in a fairly rural area, yet we are are by no means "prepared" for economic collapse. Most our our equipment is fuel dependant and we do not have enough hay to sustain our livestock for very long. I am interested in learning skills. I would like to know more about solar energy (basic stuff) I would like to know how a smoke house operates. I would like to know how to protect the resources we do have.

We do not have the resources to buy or build much. Every site I see now seems sales oriented. Buy my system for water, soap or something-seems like informercials more than information. I want to know how to make a bow (I figure we will run out of bullets pretty quickly) and arrows and how to store canned goods both commerical and farm canned, but I am very limited on space and we live in a flood zone (near a river-good right?) and everything has to be up High and off the ground during flood season.

We already use rain collection systems for our garden but we freeze most of our veggies and meats. My husband is a diabetic and I would like to know how to store insulin and what could be used for a subsitute if we had no way to get it. I am interested in first aid and how to learn to discern what plants are in my eco system. I would like to learn about knots and traps, but it's all overwhelming. Any sites or information would be helpful. We all know bad times are coming so I don't see where quoting a bunch of end time scripture is reveleant to attempts to survive. I want info and tips.

I find YouTube is a great place to learn... it makes it easy to see for yourself how something is made, like a bow or a smoke house for example. Then any further questions can be taken to a forum like AJ suggested for more specific questions that are not shown in the video's. I can help you out with most primitive weapon or trap questions.

As far as edible wild plants there is a smorgasbord all around you but for something like that it is better not to take online advice incase someone forgets to mention to you of a poisonous "look alike" plant to the edible one they describe. Your better to get a couple books... The Edible Wild is a very good one to start with, it has pictures and tells you if there are any look alike plants, poisonous or not.

It does all seem overwhelming but keep in mind the money you can save is also overwhelming lol. It takes time to learn how to be frugal but it pays off in the end and it is fun too. Your kids will love leaning how to snare a few rabbits and picking wild edibles... there are many safe ones that are overlooked by alot of people. My wife makes everything from lip balm made out of our bee's wax to home made soap, laundry soap ect and it is all just as good if not better than the stuff in the store... but less than a quarter of the cost.

 

[grasping the after wind]

I know it is bible quotes... I guess I should have said I understand your point behind posting it.

If what you say is true then where is the line drawn? I can only assume you prep for the future as you are typing this out on a computer, so you must have a home and hydro at the very least. Everything you do is prepping for the future, going to school, getting a job, going to work, buying a home, paying bills, putting money away for retirement and so on. How is prepping supplies for the future such as food, water, flashlight ect any different from what you do every day? Some people who live on the street and have nothing might say the same to you, why do you gather so many things? If you truly believe being prepared is wrong and being ready for the future is wrong than you should be living like Jesus did rather than sitting in a warm home typing on a computer. There is a difference between being a fanatic worried about the future, as to having full faith in God and being prepared for the future. I for one do not prep other than learning survival skills, and I use them often as I spend alot of time in the wilderness... but I am not fanatical and stressed about what happens tomorrow. AJ said he preps as a hobby, he never said he is stressed about tomorrow ether, so whats the big deal? I'm sure you have hobbies don't you? How is preparing for a few things no worse than being prepared for many things? Do you not go to work and earn money for tomorrow? If you have kids do you not teach them things that will help them in the world tomorrow? Do you not save money for retirement? Do you not keep groceries in your fridge for tomorrow? Do you not change the oil in your car for tomorrow? Where does the bible say the line is drawn? It doesn't. It simply says have faith in God and do not worry about tomorrow. I can't speak for AJ, he can speak for himself if he is worried about tomorrow or not, but I'm not worried about tomorrow... doesn't mean I don't have food in my fridge though.

Luke 9:58
And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Let me not be misunderstood. If you are doing these things as a hobby or as a pastime, why should I or anyone complain. However, if one is putting their faith in their own ability to prepare for an uncertain future, Who are they worshiping and where do they place their faith?

 

[If Not For Grace]

Grasp: It's more along the same line of being a good steward and putting money in the bank. Failure to plan is planning to fail. We know the economy is in decline. World Greed is not likely to subside. God gives you a brain and expects you to use it.


Trust in God, but lock your car..


BeeWranger: I will check out Youtube, but I do like my stuff in print-I have some buffering issues and am not patient w/em

I have to be careful where I live about the woods..my eyesight ain't what it used to be and we live in a very snake populous area. Near a river w/creeks flowing in lots of cottonmouths, copperheads and rattlers, but I'll check out the library for some books on edibles and see if I can make em out. That's a great place to start. Thanks.

 

[If Not For Grace]

I just noticed that I misspelled the word hobby in my OP.

"'Prepping' as a hobbie"



Hobby, hobby, hobby. Haha. Yes ... I did graduate from high school.

Yeah I get flack from the grammar police all the time..But my main 2 issues are that I'm Southern and I write alot like I talk (by choice) and While I am educated-typing was NOT my best subject

When people can't make little leaps..I refer em to the Serenity Prayer or sprinkle em with pixie dust and say Horsefeathers!

 

[grasping the after wind]

Grasp: It's more along the same line of being a good steward and putting money in the bank. Failure to plan is planning to fail. We know the economy is in decline. World Greed is not likely to subside. God gives you a brain and expects you to use it.


Trust in God, but lock your car..


BeeWranger: I will check out Youtube, but I do like my stuff in print-I have some buffering issues and am not patient w/em

I have to be careful where I live about the woods..my eyesight ain't what it used to be and we live in a very snake populous area. Near a river w/creeks flowing in lots of cottonmouths, copperheads and rattlers, but I'll check out the library for some books on edibles and see if I can make em out. That's a great place to start. Thanks.

Dear If not for Grace.
I appreciate and respect your point of view, but I would sooner die of physical unpreparedness than live in fear of future problems that may not materialize. I have faith that God will always and in all circumstances provide. As long as I do not use that knowledge as a crutch or a test I do not fear that I will be abandoned.

 

[ActionJ]

Let me not be misunderstood. If you are doing these things as a hobby or as a pastime, why should I or anyone complain. However, if one is putting their faith in their own ability to prepare for an uncertain future, Who are they worshiping and where do they place their faith?

Howdy. I don't mean to be redundant but I honestly don't believe I'm putting my faith in a grocery store when I buy a two week supply of groceries. I suppose that I could just sit at home and wait for Manna to fall from the sky but I have a feeling I would go hungry real fast.

Do you put money in a savings account? If so ... why? Do you have a 401k retirement account? Do you fill your gas tank up with fuel so that you don't run out on the way to work? I know folks who already have a burial plot. They didn't get it because they "feared" anything. They got it so that their death wouldn't be a burden on anyone in the future. They are simply looking ahead and planning today.

I have a book that covers a short history of Death Valley, CA. There are several stories of men who ventured into the desert unprepared and perished due to lack of proper planning. My wife and I experienced a 36 hour power outage last winter. I was very happy to have an electric generator and some propane heaters. We kept our lights on and our refrigerator and two freezers running while others had to leave the area and stay with family. The temperature was below the freezing point. Did I know that I would ever experience a power outage when I bought my generator and my propane heaters (and propane)? Not at all but I thought that it might be handy some day. It was!

I carry a pocket knife. I have it just in case I might need it for something. I use it all the time for one reason or another. I carry a spare coat in my truck just in case the weather changes. I've been very happy to have it on more than one occasion.

Anyway ... I'm sure you see my point. Have a blessed day.

 

[BeeWrangler]

Dear If not for Grace.
I appreciate and respect your point of view, but I would sooner die of physical unpreparedness than live in fear of future problems that may not materialize. I have faith that God will always and in all circumstances provide. As long as I do not use that knowledge as a crutch or a test I do not fear that I will be abandoned.

Why do you believe everyone is living in fear? I don't believe any of us live in fear of what tomorrow brings. But I ask you again and await your answer... why do you live in a home? Is that not being prepared for tomorrow? Do you sit in your computer chair 24/7 and never work, gather food for beyond today, pay bills, put away money for retirement, lean new things that will come in handy down the road, maintain your vehicle, renew your licence plates, own a savings account, make travel plans, go to the doctor for check ups for future health, ect ect? I find it hard to believe you do nothing to prepare for the future so again I ask why don't you give everything away and live like Jesus did if being prepared for tomorrow is not biblical? You don't need a home or a computer, you don't need food or water, you don't need anything so why do you have the stuff you have but yet expect others to not prepare for tomorrow aswell... are you not living in fear of tomorrow if you don't sell your home and everything you have prepared for tomorrow?

 

[If Not For Grace]

Here's a neat one if you ever need a match and happen to have an orange

How to make fire using only a Orange | DO IT YOURSELF

 

[ActionJ]

Here's a neat one if you ever need a match and happen to have an orange

How to make fire using only a Orange | DO IT YOURSELF

That's pretty amazing. I thought I had seen all of the tricks but I guess there's always something else to learn. I had no idea.

Thanks for the video.

 

[BeeWrangler]

Here's a neat one if you ever need a match and happen to have an orange

How to make fire using only a Orange | DO IT YOURSELF

 

[gwin7]

nice

 

[hopeful321]

Amazing!!!! What other skills do people know?

 

[If Not For Grace]

how to Start a Fire in the Rain: (You don't have to be a redneck, but it doesn't hurt)

How to start a fire in the rain - Scouting magazine

 

[If Not For Grace]

Filtering Water in the Woods;

 

[ActionJ]

how to Start a Fire in the Rain: (You don't have to be a redneck, but it doesn't hurt)

How to start a fire in the rain - Scouting magazine

Thanks for the post. A few folks I know buy standard cotton balls. They saturate a few of them with Vaseline then stuff them into an old film canister or some other small, water-tight container. If you have access to bees' wax it can be used in place of the Vaseline but I think using Vaseline is quicker and maybe easier. They make awesome fire kindling.

Making Fire Tinder For Wet Conditions - YouTube