Prepared, not panicked

(said in my best monotone voice):

This is a test of your preparedness system.  This is only a test.  If it were a real emergency, you would be required to use your preparedness stores for survival. This is only a test.

Are you ready?

If nothing else, this past week with the swine flu (aka H1N1 virus) should have made you think more seriously about the status of your preparedness plans.  It is important to be prepared – not panicked.

What if this had been bad enough that everyone was required to be quarantined in their homes for a month?  Two months?  Six months?

Could it really get that bad?  Possibly.  Scientists have said for years we are due for another major pandemic. Hopefully this one won’t be it, but sooner or later it realistically could happen.

So my question to you is this…are you prepared?  Do you have ample food in your pantry?  Enough to last a month or even longer?  Do you have N95 masks?  Hand sanitizer?  Medications to help ease flu symptoms (such as ibuprofen/tylenol, nasal decongestants, cough syrup, etc)?  Kleenex?  Bleach?  Medications you need to take on  a regular basis?

These are all valid points to consider.  There may come a time when it is medically necessary to stay home from work/school in order to prevent a contagion from spreading.  If nothing else, this with the swine flu should be a wake up call.

If you have not prepared yet, yesterday was the time to do so.  Start immediately – your life and that of your family may depend on it in the future.

If you have already taken steps to prepare, go over your supplies – double check any areas you may be lacking.

No, you can’t think of everything, but doing SOMETHING is better than nothing.

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Scriptural Preparedness

If you are a Christian, the Bible has a great deal to say about preparedness.  We believe the Lord will provide for and take care of us, no matter what life brings, but He does expect us to do what we are able.

We have an abundance of squirrels, and enjoy watching them play and also gather acorns for the coming winter.  The Bible talks about ants and how they prepare:

Go to the ant, O sluggard,
Observe her ways and be wise,
Which, having no chief,
Officer or ruler,
Prepares her food in the summer
And gathers her provision in the harvest.
How long will you lie down, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest”–
Your poverty will come in like a vagabond
And your need like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:6-11)

and also:

The ants are not a strong people,
But they prepare their food in the summer. (Proverbs 30:25) (The previous verse talks about them being small on the earth, but exceedingly wise.)

The Bible also has a lot to say about “worrying”.  This is not to be confused with “preparedness”.  The words “fear not” appear over 60 times in the KJV of the Bible.  We walk by faith that the Lord is in control, and we also use what the Lord has blessed us with to take care of ourselves and family.

In Genesis 41, the Bible records that Joseph put back seven years’ worth of food in Egypt.  They were given seven good years in which they put back enough to withstand the coming shortage.  All of the nations came to Egypt for food because the famine was so severe.  During the seven years of plenty the land brought forth abundantly.

So he gathered all the food of these seven years which occurred in the land of Egypt and placed the food in the cities; he placed in every city the food from its own surrounding fields.

Thus Joseph stored up grain in great abundance like the sand of the sea, until he stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure. (Genesis 41:47-49)

and:

When the seven years of plenty which had been in the land of Egypt came to an end,

and the seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said, then there was famine in all the lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.

So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried out to Pharaoh for bread; and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, you shall do.”

When the famine was spread over all the face of the earth, then Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians; and the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

The people of all the earth came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the earth. (Genesis 41:53-57)

There are biblical principles of “feast and famine”.

Fast forward to 2009 A.D.   We have just come through a period of prosperity, and are on the brink of sliding down an economic abyss.

The Bible says that in the end of days … “nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.”   Matthew 24:7

also:

“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

“Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.” Matthew 24:11-12

“so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.” Matthew 24:33

If you don’t believe we are nearing the end of days, ponder this.  For thousands of years, things were basically the same.  People farmed their land for food, used animals for transportation.  We entered the year 1900 on horse and buggy, and zoomed out into the year 2000 with high speed internet.  Knowledge has increased DRAMATICALLY in the last 100 years, and continues to increase at a phenomenal pace even now.  I heard a scientist on tv the other day say that their knowledge of things is increasing at a rate that is astounding even them.  This was prophesied by Daniel:

“But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”  Daniel 12:4

Every generation believed theirs would be the one to see Christ return.  Generations from now may be saying the same thing, but I implore you to consider, we are closer now than we have ever been.

2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow about His promises, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.”

In Revelation 6, the Bible describes the four horsemen of the apocalypse.  The 3rd seal which is broken is famine:   “And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.” (verse 6)

A denarius was equal to a day’s wages.  (Inflation at least 10 times normal.)  Can you imagine working ALL DAY for a QUART of wheat?

Many economists are predicting hyper-inflation is coming within the next few years.  While we cannot prepare for all circumstances, you can do what you are able.  Prepare your house spiritually first – do you know Jesus?  If your answer is “yes”, then prepare your physical house for hard times.

Jesus stands at the door and knocks.  Will you hear Him?

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Scripture quoted from the NASB or KJV Bible.

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Heads up – food prices are rising

I just got back from a trek to Sam’s Club.  It’s been a few weeks since my last visit, and I noticed prices have gone up on several items.  The bulk pack of Ramen Noodles is over $1.00 more than it was in November.  I also noticed some of the canned goods are higher than they were previously.

As I’ve stated in other posts, I believe we are in for some very hard times economically.  I don’t think we’ve “hit bottom” by a long shot.  We are seeing companies that survived the Great Depression in the ’30s which are now going belly-up.  Companies are steadily laying off or reducing benefits.  I believe inflation is going to be higher than most of us have seen in our lifetimes.  The government is throwing money down a gaping hole trying to fix our economic problems, and all it is doing is devaluing our dollar.  In light of that, I believe it is prudent to store what you can NOW while your money will go further.  In another year, prices will just be higher.  If you can afford to add $10 or $20 here and there to increase the amount of food you have onhand, the better you’ll be down the road.

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” – Proverbs 22:3 (KJV)

Good buys this week:  50 pounds popcorn kernals at Sam’s for just over $16.  Also 4 pound boxes of iodized salt for .88 cents (that is dirt cheap when you compare .50 cents for a one pound box at most stores).  25# bags of flour at Sam’s are just over $7/bag.  It can be broken down into smaller sizes and vacuum sealed (which is what I plan on doing with the popcorn also).  Be sure to stock up on spices while you’re at it – bulk spices at Sam’s are MUCH cheaper than the little bottles at the grocery store.  Rice and beans in bulk are very cheap and will store almost forever (be sure to stick any grains in the freezer for a few days to kill off any eggs before you repackage for storage).

Also consider  having powdered milk onhand.  We currently use 1/2 whole milk with 1/2 powdered milk and have been doing this for months.  It has saved quite a bit on our milk costs.  (See our Frugal Milk post.)

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