If you have not read the post before this one, it would be good to read it first. But if you don't have time for that, we will say that there are a number of biblical reasons for making preparations for a longer period than just this week for food and water at your home. FEMA also has noted reasons that the government says you will not be able to count on them for a undetermined period of time based on the level of crisis one might face. All of that said, let's look at motivation for Crisis Preparation.
One problem that we face on this subject is that there is a drive for normalcy that tells us that we won't have problems like others face. Families all over the world today are being faced with displacement from their homes by Islamic radicals, unexpected snow storms, and floods. This is the time of year that we begin to anticipate weather transitions that bring severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Hurricane season starts in four months. And yet knowing all of this we assume that everything will be just the same for us because we are 'US'.
If people in crisis were asked what they wish they had done before the crisis, most of us could guess what they would say. "I wish I had something to feed my family and something to quench their thirst that is safe to drink. I wish I had shelter for my family and something to keep them warm in this winter cold. I wish I had a source of light, of water to wash with, and protection for security. I wish I had something to keep these mosquitos off and some sunscreen to deal with this sun as I work in recovery." These examples could go on for a long time if you put yourself in the shoes of others.
Isn't it 'tempting fate' or 'jinxing ourselves' or 'just being negative' to think about these things? No, for two reasons. First, as Christians we should not base our life on superstitions like fate and jinxes. That is for baseball players and such. God has already told us to make provision for our families. We are not supposed to worry about what we will eat or drink. Jesus told us that Himself. I doubt, however, that He told any farmers to stop farming because that was a lack of faith. I doubt that He told any women to stop stockpiling the food from the harvest to use through the winter and spring while the new crops came up. Worrying is a sin; working is not.
Second, Crisis Preparation done properly saves money. If you buy foods you will normally eat, then you will only be getting ahead on your purchases. You do not have to buy MRE's and such to be preparing for a crisis. So, if your family eats meat, then buy meat when it is on sale. Put part of the meat away in your freezer, or even better, in mason jars that do not require refrigeration. The Crisis Expo will show you how to do that if you sign up for that class in advance (883-8905). You can also learn about saving water in the Basic Preparation class at the Expo. If you are going to eat a lot of green beans through a year, then when they are on sale, buy more than you need that week or month. You can do this with all kinds of foods other than fresh vegetables and fruit.
Purchasing food in bulk or for storage requires watching the dates of food to keep the oldest cans up front to be used next. However, this method saves money because families are less likely to go out to eat if they know they have food at home. In fact, always having food on hand means that families that plan ahead can put something in the crock pot that will be ready to eat when they get home. That takes the pressure off of parents to get food ready when they are already tired.
Eating out is the most expensive way to feed your family. If you hate to do dishes, then use paper or plastic plates and bowls. Using throw away dishes is still significantly cheaper than eating out or doing fast food at home. Don't expect children or youth to agree. Sometimes we have to be the responsible adult and save the budget. I wish I had done this better when my own children were at home.
Needless to say, if we knew how to grow our own food and canned it, there would a sense of accomplishment along with having some of the freshest food in town. If we can the food in mason jars, we can enjoy it until the harvest time next year. Everyone seems to understand energy independence when we talk about oil and gas from other countries. Some how we need to grasp that food energy independence is viable for most families.
Gardening can be a family activity that results in sustainable living. If you do not know how to garden, find a friend that does. Join in on their garden one year and help them while you learn. Be with them for the whole process from plot planning to dirt preparation to seed selection, planting seedlings, weeding, mulching, bug issues, plant blights, fertilizing, watering, and harvesting. Don't buy a book and spend hundreds of dollars if someone you know can help you put your garden together for much less. The last thing I usually hear is that 'We are too busy already'.
How many of your activities are optional? Learning life long self sustaining practices may just be more important in the long run. I know that children may not be interested at first. My own grandchildren have changed their tune on this. Though they cannot be around all of the time, when they are hear they want to know what is in the garden. This year they helped me dig my sweet potatoes. We had a great time! Some children are better at focusing on a task than others. One of my grandson's did a great job of helping me pull weeds. The other was not so interested, but when I told him that we might find worms, he got more involved!
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
2015 Crisis Preparation Expo
Hello Church Family and Friends,
It is time for our 5th Annual Crisis Preparation Expo for Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. This event is on the third Saturday of February each year. I know that it is a surprise for some of us that many in church family are still unaware of the Expo after all this time. One dear church member who had not been involved with the event in the past noted this past Sunday that this year was the first time they had paid any attention to it. So, for those who are just becoming aware, let me catch you up on this event. The group that puts this together is all volunteer who work with me on planning. The volunteers are Christians from our area that believe in living a wise lifestyle in caring for their families. These people are not all members of our church. Some of them have professional experience in crisis preparation, but most are just grassroots practitioners.
The goal of the event is to help people know how to make common sense every day kinds of choices that would help them do well during unexpected problems. Some of this is like hurricane preparations. In other cases, it is preparedness that would serve one well if they lost their job. Some of the training is about sustainable living like gardening and animal husbandry. So, you will hear everything from FEMA recommendations on basic preparedness, to how to use solar power, or how to have your own hive of honey bees. Some of the vendors in the Expo hall will have things to help with all of these projects including things like essential oils to help with health and well being. Others will show you how to find edible plants in the woods, or teach hunting and fishing for those who like to learn survival skills.
So how much does it cost? There is no charge for the event. That's right, the classes and the Expo hall viewing is free. We really want people to come so that we can give them information about being prepared not only for life but for eternity, too! Many of our vendors will be sharing the Gospel and the class teachers will also. If you have lost friends, bring them along. One question that we get asked from time to time is whether there will be a gun show. The answer is 'No'. We will not risk the church family or our guests with the possible issues that could come from this addition. We do believe in protecting the families that God has given us, but there are other gun shows and stores in the community. We will have people on site that are concealed handgun class instructors that will be telling people what they might want to know to get started in the security area.
But one might ask, "Isn't all of this a lack of faith?" I usually find out upon asking that these people have life insurance, health insurance, auto insurance, home insurance, flood insurance, fire insurance, dental insurance, cell phone insurance, etc. I suppose all of that insurance is a lack of faith too, if food insurance, water insurance, heat insurance and light insurance are a lack of faith. No, the scripture calls us to take care of our families. In fact, to not take care of our families needs makes us worse that an unbeliever in the eyes of God. (1Timothy 5:8) The book of Proverbs is full of verses calling us to work hard and store up for needs as an agricultural community would. We do not have the guarantee that the grocery stores will always be full or that we will always have a job. Proverbs 27 12 says "A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”
I hope that you visit this blog again later this week as I present some of the reasons we encourage people to prepare and the common sense thinking behind it all.
David
It is time for our 5th Annual Crisis Preparation Expo for Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. This event is on the third Saturday of February each year. I know that it is a surprise for some of us that many in church family are still unaware of the Expo after all this time. One dear church member who had not been involved with the event in the past noted this past Sunday that this year was the first time they had paid any attention to it. So, for those who are just becoming aware, let me catch you up on this event. The group that puts this together is all volunteer who work with me on planning. The volunteers are Christians from our area that believe in living a wise lifestyle in caring for their families. These people are not all members of our church. Some of them have professional experience in crisis preparation, but most are just grassroots practitioners.
The goal of the event is to help people know how to make common sense every day kinds of choices that would help them do well during unexpected problems. Some of this is like hurricane preparations. In other cases, it is preparedness that would serve one well if they lost their job. Some of the training is about sustainable living like gardening and animal husbandry. So, you will hear everything from FEMA recommendations on basic preparedness, to how to use solar power, or how to have your own hive of honey bees. Some of the vendors in the Expo hall will have things to help with all of these projects including things like essential oils to help with health and well being. Others will show you how to find edible plants in the woods, or teach hunting and fishing for those who like to learn survival skills.
So how much does it cost? There is no charge for the event. That's right, the classes and the Expo hall viewing is free. We really want people to come so that we can give them information about being prepared not only for life but for eternity, too! Many of our vendors will be sharing the Gospel and the class teachers will also. If you have lost friends, bring them along. One question that we get asked from time to time is whether there will be a gun show. The answer is 'No'. We will not risk the church family or our guests with the possible issues that could come from this addition. We do believe in protecting the families that God has given us, but there are other gun shows and stores in the community. We will have people on site that are concealed handgun class instructors that will be telling people what they might want to know to get started in the security area.
But one might ask, "Isn't all of this a lack of faith?" I usually find out upon asking that these people have life insurance, health insurance, auto insurance, home insurance, flood insurance, fire insurance, dental insurance, cell phone insurance, etc. I suppose all of that insurance is a lack of faith too, if food insurance, water insurance, heat insurance and light insurance are a lack of faith. No, the scripture calls us to take care of our families. In fact, to not take care of our families needs makes us worse that an unbeliever in the eyes of God. (1Timothy 5:8) The book of Proverbs is full of verses calling us to work hard and store up for needs as an agricultural community would. We do not have the guarantee that the grocery stores will always be full or that we will always have a job. Proverbs 27 12 says "A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”
I hope that you visit this blog again later this week as I present some of the reasons we encourage people to prepare and the common sense thinking behind it all.
David
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