Surviving Life > Living our Lives > Introduction

[Sid]

This forum arose from this thread: (http://christiantalkzone.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2501&page=2)

One forum that I would like to see here is one centered on Christians living their faith in a world circling the drain.

There are Bible prophesy sites. .

. . . there are Chicken Little sites. . .

. . . there are politics sites. . . .

. . . there are conspiracy theory sites.

. . . there are nutty, survivalist, militia, Bubba SixPack sites.


BUT little venue for Christians to share reasonable commentary and preparations for dealing with a world that is circling the drain.

Things like preparation for disasters, dealing with a economy that is stagflating, and simple living skills.



Maybe this forum can be used to discuss concerns and strategies for all of us who would like to make our lives less complicated, but aren't sure where to begin.

This forum is a work in progress and it's success will depend on the interest it can gather.

. . . civilization is so over-rated.


Thanks, Core!

[Sid]

Maybe this forum can be used to discuss concerns and strategies for all of us who would like to make our lives less complicated, but aren't sure where to begin.



My Mom and Dad were both children of the depression, and they both subscribed to the waste not, want not school. My Dad could fix just about anything that was broken and build anything out of metal or wood. I remember my Dad having a shoe box full of $25 US Savings Bonds [one a week, payroll deduction] and buying a '56 Chevy on the one easy payment plan [$2200]

My Mom would shop at several different stores to take full advantage of sale prices, coupons, saving stamps. . . .

With that as a background, I grew to realize that the stock market is a giant casino parlor, and that a credit card balance should be paid in full every month.

I grew up camping and fishing and my idea of living large would be an Airstream travel trailer in the middle of a hundred acres or so, with a ten acre stock camp.

It was an uphill struggle for a while, but my bride [who grew up believing that roughing it was slow room service] got into camping and now understands the call to commune with nature.

. . . anyway, enough of this, I want to steer you to the whole link [this is just an introduction]. . . .




All of this quibbling about "who's to blame" [for the Katrina disaster] misses the essential point.

The essential point is this: If all of our politicians and agencies could not properly prepare to handle a catastrophe like Hurricane Katrina – when we had at least 48 hours prior warning – how can we possibly handle multiple, simultaneous nuclear strikes by Muslim terrorists on our cities?

Whoever is to blame, the handling of Katrina was unnecessarily more catastrophic than it should have been. Our jihadist Muslim enemies saw how unprepared we are to cope with a large natural disaster. And what they saw proved in real time how effectively a single massive strike on an American city can throw the entire country into disarray.

All political partisanship and rear-end-covering arguments need to be set aside in order to focus all our energies on preparing for a certain forthcoming holocaust.

By virtually unanimous agreement, a nuclear strike on the United States by Muslim terrorists is inevitable. Endless parades of experts have testified before Congress that it isn't a case of "if," but "when."



The Katrina Disaster: Missing the essential point (http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=46210)




While still praying and hoping for a pre-trib rapture, I hope that we can admit that this world system is circling the drain.

From 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, we must realize that things could get really stupid, really fast.


Bear in mind: We all are responsible for our own, our family, and our neighbor's safety.

[Sid]

http://www.deadlykatrina.com/images/neworleans_flooded.jpg



Bear in mind: We all are responsible for our own, our family, and our neighbor's safety.


I live 150 miles from the Gulf Coast, and grew up remembering our city openning shelters for Coastal residents fleeing hurricanes with familiar names: Carla , Beulah, Celia, Allen, Alicia [I had a co-worker have 5' of water in her home in Houston], and Gilbert.

I have been to New Orleans many times and my daughter and SIL were there for two years before Katrina. My daughter lived with us for four months, while her husband commuted for work. They were lucky enough to have rented a 100 year old [i]shotgun house in the UpTown neighborhood and they weren't flooded out.

We watched in horror for days, the unfolding disaster that New Orleans became, on the Weather, Fox News and other news channels.

We had to made two trips to New Orleans to get all their stuff after Hurricane Rita. The swamps that surround New Orleans reeked of mold, sewage and death, all at the same time.

New Orleans is a mess. . . if New Orleans comes back to any semblance of what it was, it will take decades.



Enough of this, please read the full link to hopefully see where I am grazing to. This is just an introduction:


You say that we, as individuals, need to become our own “first responders”. To that end: what do you keep around your home in case of a disaster? Do you suggest citizens take any classes so that we can all better respond to an emergency?



Our family has a two-week supply of non-perishable foods (at least three days are recommended), water, flashlights with spare batteries, a crank-powered radio, telephones that do not require electricity to operate and a reserve supply of prescription medications. We know where our “important papers” are and can grab them, along with some very selected “irreplaceable mementos”, if we have to leave in a hurry.

But most importantly, we’ve met with our extended family to talk about plans for caring for children and elderly relatives, decided on gathering places if we get separated and have identified out of state and local numbers to call as “information central”. People should make up their own versions of what to stock-pile if they need to stay at home for a prolonged time or if they have to evacuate in a hurry.

There are several very good websites which describe the details of preparedness planning for citizens. (For instance: www.Ready.gov (http://www.ready.gov/))

In addition people should consider taking courses in first aid, offered by local chapters of the Red Cross.

There are also very interesting community-based disaster response training programs offered by the federal government in association with local disaster agencies. These are particularly worthwhile.



You say that we, as individuals, need to become our own “first responders”. (http://www.randomhouse.com/kvpa/redlener/qa.html)


Mayor Ray 'School bus' Nagin and Gov. Nagan failed to evacuate tens of thousands of the most vulnerable of their citizens. Others [including some of my DD's neighbors] could have evacuated but irrationally decided not to do so.

[Sid]

Mayor Ray 'School bus' Nagin and Gov. Nagan failed to evacuate tens of thousands of the most vulnerable of their citizens. Others [including some of my DD's neighbors] could have evacuated but irrationally decided not to do so.


Latest FEMA Guidelines for rebuilding New Orleans:


http://www.chronwatch.com/content/images-uploaded/N.O.Femaguidelines.jpg

[Jessie]

not sure what you are asking?

[Sid]

not sure what you are asking?


Jessie:


From the example of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, each one of us is responsible for our own safety and survival.

. . . if you don't expect much from local, state or federal government, you won't be disappointed.

The time to examine our choices is now.

[Jessie]

I agree, people should take care of themselves instead of flinging themselves onto the gov,
local, state or fed.
why they do that is beyond me!

[Sid]

I agree, people should take care of themselves instead of flinging themselves onto the gov, local, state or fed. why they do that is beyond me!


Jessie:


From what I understand, there are still people in Florida living in FEMA trailers from Hurricane Andrew ['92]

It would seem to me that 13 years is a really long time to be camping out.

I have been to New Orleans twice since Katrina. . . the New Orleans that existed before Katrina will be decades to come back.

. . . if ever.

[Jessie]

thats nuts. time for them to move on if they can.

[Sid]

I agree, people should take care of themselves instead of flinging themselves onto the gov, local, state or fed. why they do that is beyond me!


Jessie:


I won't cite the source, but recently I saw a MB thread where a lady was asking about getting a pickup without transistorized ignition because she believed that it would not be subject to EMP[electromagnetic pulse] (http://www.fas.org/nuke/intro/nuke/emp.htm) so that her and her extended family could get to their bunker in the country when the big one comes. . . . I couldn't hardly believe the confusion she was marinating in.


BUT there are a whole lot of simple, common sense preparations that one can make that can make a lot of difference in the event of natural disaster or hardcore stupidity.


You wouldn't believe how handy a Swiss ARMY knife is for all manner of small problems .
Get used to filling up your car when it gets to a half tank [having to fillup before you could get out of town might not be a good plan]
Keep a few $20's in cash handy [when debit cards don't work, cash usually will.]
[I]Radio Shack has several LED flashlights that make the old-fashioned variety obsolete, get a couple. A battery powered radio is also indicated.
Our family is into camping, having a small fishing tackle or tool box with basic first-aid supplies is always handy to have around.
Little things could make a lot of difference. . . .

[Randall271933]

I love Jesus :)

[Jessie]

prepare for the worst hope for the best. :nod:

[kay-gee]

Why all this fear? Enjoy your life. Bask in the multitudes of blessings God has lavished upon us! All the best!.........

[CoreIssue]

Why all this fear? Enjoy your life. Bask in the multitudes of blessings God has lavished upon us! All the best!.........
Because we are in the End Times where many Christians are suffering.

The economy is really tough. Many have money problems.

Health, many people, Christian and non-Christian, alike are hurting.

People problems. Christians are increasingly viewed with hostility.

The Bible says the saints will be weary in the last days, the world will hate and so on.

God says be happy if the world hates us because that shows we are living for him, not them.

Yes, we have blessing. For sure.

But we also have the worldly realities to struggle with. Espcially those with children, aging parents, job problems, health problems and so on.

I am 56. I have seen so many issues get tougher and tougher on more and more people.

If that is not you, then good for you. But it is a real reality to growing numbers that those who do not have the pressures often refuse to see around them.

Don't assume your status in life is shared by all. It is not.

I am better off than many. But not rich, and most assuredly have health issues that I struggle with every day.

As does Chrystal, Jessie, ITW and others. Real problems that are not that easy to deal with or live with.

There are many countries where being Christian is a death penalty or prison sentence to be know. Or be rejected by all around you and making your life one of poverty and isolation.

Being Christian does not guarantee a comfortable existence in this life.

But thank God it guarantees one beyond our wildest dreams in the next!:D

[kay-gee]

Oh I have my issues alright. I'm not as quite as old as you but in the ball-park. I just don't let the bad things of life consume me. Its a life style choice. Thats all. The reason I get a little dis-concerted with all our talking about prophesies (and other futuristic stuff like pre this and post that, AC, and dooms-day-ism) is essentially this: My future consists of right now till I close my eyes tonight. If God grants me tomorrow, then I start all over. Day to day. I live my life on the basis of Matt 6:34. All the rest of it doesn't really mean a hill of beans to me. I'm being completely open and honest. I know sometimes CTZ gets irritated by my seemingly cheerfullness. Please understand, I don't live any other way. Rather than being concerned with all this end of the world stuff, I have learned to accept that the end of my world could be any day, any moment really. So I need to make each moment count. I exude a positivity In what ever I do (or try to ) People seem to attract to me because I look for the best in people. One of these days Core, I'm going to fly you to Nassau and we'll hang out for an evening. Oh sure, we'll get into it about religious stuff and all that but, You will go away enlightened to have made my aquaintance. Guaranteed! My whole ambition now is to see people realize happiness in their lives. I've bared my soul. Now you know what kay-gee is all about! All the best...........

[CoreIssue]

Oh I have my issues alright. I'm not as quite as old as you but in the ball-park. I just don't let the bad things of life consume me. Its a life style choice. Thats all.
I agree.

But for some the problems don't let it not get them down. Overwhelming.

I am fully at peace, inside. Those annoying worldly things keep getting in the way.
The reason I get a little dis-concerted with all our talking about prophesies (and other futuristic stuff like pre this and post that, AC, and dooms-day-ism) is essentially this: My future consists of right now till I close my eyes tonight. If God grants me tomorrow, then I start all over. Day to day. I live my life on the basis of Matt 6:34. All the rest of it doesn't really mean a hill of beans to me. I'm being completely open and honest.
I also live for today, in that sense.

But, we are told to study and be ready with an answer. We are told there is a special blessing for studying such as Revelation.

God wants us to live for today while understanding tomorrow.

I actually find that balance makes living for today much better.
I know sometimes CTZ gets irritated by my seemingly cheerfullness. Please understand, I don't live any other way. Rather than being concerned with all this end of the world stuff, I have learned to accept that the end of my world could be any day, any moment really. So I need to make each moment count. I exude a positivity In what ever I do (or try to ) People seem to attract to me because I look for the best in people.
Sure.

But we also have to try to help others overcome what is not good. As in coming to Christ and so on.

To do that means we have to understand more than the happy stuff.
One of these days Core, I'm going to fly you to Nassau and we'll hang out for an evening.
Sounds intriguing.
Oh sure, we'll get into it about religious stuff and all that but, You will go away enlightened to have made my aquaintance. Guaranteed! My whole ambition now is to see people realize happiness in their lives. I've bared my soul. Now you know what kay-gee is all about! All the best...........
Hmmm. But the happy here and now may be the Hell fires in Eternity.

Sometimes one must go down before they can fly high.

[kay-gee]

Right now, I feel as though I'm living at the pinnacle. This is probably as good as it gets. I want to ride it out for as long as it lasts because I know how unpredictable and fragile life is. I've had a great life thus far. No serious complaints. Most of my biggest problems were ones of my own making and I place the blame at the feet of no one but me. God has blessed me beyond measure. More than I ever could have imagined and more than I ever asked for. I've never been one of these types that ask God for all kinds of things(like He's some sort of cosmic Santa Claus) I've thanked Him for everything. Thankfullness is so automatic to me it's built right into my psyche. To site an example: Today I saw this honkin' huge spider with black and yellow legs that had set up shop under the porch roof. now most folks would go eeek! but my first response was look at this thing with child-like wonder and marvel at the Creator having designed such an intricate little creature. Anyways, thats how I think. I view everything with a sense of wonder. I want the people around me to discover this so they too can live happily, even above their present situation. Paul said He'd learned to be content in all things. richer or poorer. I think it had everything to do with his sense of Gods presence. This is what I am coming to realize with my own life and feel compelled (not to force upon) share with others. Then and only then will we change the world for the better.....All the best................

[CoreIssue]

Same here. I love the miracles God created around us.

[Sid]

I view everything with a sense of wonder. I want the people around me to discover this so they too can live happily, even above their present situation. Paul said He'd learned to be content in all things. richer or poorer. I think it had everything to do with his sense of Gods presence.



kay-gee:


The more man learns about the universe and the intricacies of life, the more a Creator as the only reasonable option becomes more clear.

. . . to believe that the universe and life just happened on it's own makes less and less sense by the day.

[kay-gee]

Oh, absolutely!

all the best...

[a.baker]

Hmm... For one I need to get some supply readiness myself. I am always prepared and organized but not in that aspect. Being prepared has completely vanished from my generation and so has using tools and such unless you joined the army or lived on a farm. My dad taught me about hard work and being honest and to enjoy life. But he did forget to teach me how to be prepared for disaster. I guess that is more common of a thought now with things actually starting to take place. That is my responsibility. Americans relying on the government to take care of them when disaster strikes is pure ignorance and laziness. But some of us are extremely poor and don't even have the money to get started even if we wanted to. And health? We better stock up on simple meds too and check all this to make sure things don't expire! I would hate to not be able to give my child food if she were hungry. Or water for that matter. We are so fortunate to live in this country but we can't take that for granted. I also look at just what today will bring and go from there. I live out the joy the Holy Spirit gives me everyday. And I always try to be optimistic!

[kay-gee]

Optimism is the key a.baker!

all the best...

[CoreIssue]

Optimism is the key a.baker!

all the best...
Hmmm. What about reality?

These are the End Times and things are running down. See it more and more every day.

Did you know that the 50 somethings are now not projected to outlive their parents? First time ever for that.

Why? Because tension, pressure and tons of other issues are killing them literally. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and other tension related issues are rampant.

Why? Because there is nothing to be optimistic about, economically and such speaking. People are not dreaming about gaining, just not loosing.

That has nothing to do with faith in God. God never told us to be starry eyed fools about the world. Never promised us to prosper, materially.

Be optimistic that God is on our side. For sure.

But be real. God is on the side of Christians in Muslim counties. But that is not stopping their torture and deaths at the hands of Islamics.

And this isn't an issue just in the US. Anyone who follows the news sees it is also real in Canada, France, England and all over the world. EVERY where.

[kay-gee]

Yes, true. Some reality is good too!

all the best...

[Chrystalwuzhere]

Why all this fear? Enjoy your life. Bask in the multitudes of blessings God has lavished upon us! All the best!.........

I'd like to see you say that to the people caught in Katrina's path the day after the destruction and devastation.

I'd like to see you say that to the 9/11 survivors the day after the attack.

Or for that matter, try saying that to the family of the Korean christians held hostage by the Taliban, or to the families of the ones who were just martyred.

Yes, we do have the joy of the Lord in our hearts, but even Jesus Himself warned us that life wasn't going to be a bed of roses. There's no harm in preparing for disaster.

[kay-gee]

True, but our joy gets us through anything. I have to refer back to the example of Paul, He suffered just about everything there is to suffer including ultimate martyrdom. It was he who penned the words. Rejoice always, again I say rejoice!, also "I have learned to be content in all things" . This is the man who sang hymns in a dungeon after a merciless beating! It's about the attitude, not the circumstances. (IMHO)

all the best...

[CoreIssue]

True, but our joy gets us through anything. I have to refer back to the example of Paul, He suffered just about everything there is to suffer including ultimate martyrdom. It was he who penned the words. Rejoice always, again I say rejoice!, also "I have learned to be content in all things" . This is the man who sang hymns in a dungeon after a merciless beating! It's about the attitude, not the circumstances. (IMHO)

all the best...
Maybe you just made a bad choice of words.

A Christian rejoicing in Christ is not the same thing as rejoicing in life.

Paul rejoiced in his spiritual peace, not his worldly circumstance.

[kay-gee]

Exactly!...basically my point from the get go!...What did you think I meant?

[CoreIssue]

Exactly!...basically my point from the get go!...What did you think I meant?
Sorry, but it sure didn't come across like that.

Maybe you need to remember that what you know you mean is not always what your words will mean, to others.

Read as if someone else posted it, before posting. ;)