The end of business as usual. Now comes the tough part.

Disclaimer: If you read this post you will have no excuse not to be prepared!

The recent bombing in Boston should be a wake up call to everyone! We as Americans have an enemy which desires, works tirelessly towards and celebrates the destruction of this nation.

It is now time to wake out of our slumber and stand vigilant against these attacks.
We can no longer wander through our day with our faces stuck in our smart phones, tablets, laptops and any other screens.

We should be discussing an emergency plan with everyone we live with, live near, work with, and work for.
It is time for an action plan. A premeditated, thought through and agreed upon agenda.

At work, what would you do in the event of terrorist attack? Do you have emergency supplies in your office? Does your office have an emergency action plan? Is there emergency supplies in your vehicle for your drive home or to the predetermined "Bug out" location? Do you have dust mask close at hand in case your building is damaged and you need to leave through a cloud of dust? Do you have 'escape shoes' you can slip into for a run to safety?
Do you have a 'bug out' bag in your vehicle?

At commute, have you studied alternate routes should an event occur that blocks your normal way?
Is you vehicle allowed to get under a half tank, knowing you have need to 'bug out'?

At home, have you discussed with family members what is to be done in specific events?
Do you have emergency water and food set aside for 'anything' that might occur.

At home, have you discussed a meeting point outside of your home while everyone is about their daily movements?
Do you have trusted neighbors who can help if you can't make it home?

What knowledge, experience or training do you have if there is an emergency?

What, if any, assistance are you willing to lend to victims of an emergency? Can you afford to stop or do you go straight home to your family?

What time can you make available to learn what is necessary in order to survive and see to the survival of your family?
Most of us spend a lot of time on entertainment in many different forms. Could this time be better spent?

How would you feel if tomorrow there was another event and it affected your town or neighborhood and you were helpless and didn't know what to do?

Well, enough questions! Let's talk about actions!
How to get started:
I. Mental prep:
1. Write down you current living situation:
   a. type of home
   b. number of occupants,
   c. ages and physical abilities.
   d. any known emergency supplies (first aid, food in pantry, freezer or fridge)
2. How will you be separated from them on a daily basis.
   a. who is closest to home
   b. who is furthest from home
   c. who needs the most help
3. What finances can I channel toward emergency supplies
   a. emergency water filtration
   b. bottled water supplies
   c. canned goods or freeze dried (long shelf life meals)
4. What house hold supplies can do double duty as emergency supplies
   a. clothing
   b. Bedding
   c. furniture
5. Do you or any member of you household have any emergency training
   a. first aid
   b. CPR (w/AED)
   c. advanced first aid
II. Emotional prep:
  1. Discussing potential emergencies
   a. action plans for multiple scenarios
   b. age related 'what to do' discussions
   c. 'Bug-In' vs. "Bug-Out" action plans
   d.  Who job is it to do what.
   e. what to do if no one comes home.
   f. what to do if I am injured and I am supposed to be the leader.
III. Physical prep:
 1. What supplies can we carry with us.
   a. clothing
   b. water
   c. space blanket/poncho
   d. fire starting tools/supplies lighter, ferrocerrium rod, magnesium block with striker.
   e. knife(s) and multi-tool(s)
   f. cordage; braided strings, twine or rope.
  2. What expedient materials do we know how to utilize.
   a. insulation from heat loss to the elements
   b. insulation from heat loss to ground
   c. isolation from danger (camouflage)
  3. Do you know how to find food and water.
   a. are you familiar with the local animals and plants
   b. do you know how to purify questionable water sources
   c. do you know where to obtain water in an urban environment.
 4. Can we handle the rigors of survival
   a. Do you give up easy
   b. Do you want to quit when it gets hard
   c. would you give up if you were injured
   d. would you 'fall apart' if you loved one is injured or killed
(more to follow, but only if you are interested)

Survival should be defined as: when emergency meets preparation.
This is only the beginners outline. There is a wide range of preparedness subjects that run the gambit from the basic band-aid to the full blown bunker. Never-the-less, you have to start somewhere and YOU HAVE TO START NOW!
I wish you well,
Ed

Pick a side!

The time has come for everyone to chose a side. We all have to align ourselves with one side or the other! You say; "what do you mean by 'sides'?" Well, let me explain.
I am a Christian. That is, I believe that Jesus Christ who is the physical representation of God on earth gave himself as a sacrifice to break the hold that Satan had on all mankind.
Now there are two responses to the above comment. Either it will be "Praise God in all blessings flow" or it will be; "Oh, you're one of those".
Do you see it? The line is drawn in the sand, maybe not physically, but the line is there none-the-less.
You can say "Well I'm not religious, but I am not against you". Trust me if you were told that Christians are the new 'enemy' of the state, you would add my name to the list!
Everyone picks a side. When the citizens of Germany ransacked the Jewish establishments during "Kristallnacht" either they were perpetrating the attacks or they were standing by watching the action. Both groups were complicit! Only people like Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke out against the attacks. You see, even by choosing not to stop the attacks was a choice for 'that' side.
So when the current Islamo-fascist regime attacks the Christians of America you will have to choose a side!
Why should you care if you are not a Christian? Because unless your group, ethnicity, demographic or culture is 'acceptable' to this tyrannical regime you too will find yourself as a target.
Lastly, if the regime accepts you that doesn't guarantee your safety!
You see God is sovereign and will judge this regime and destroy it and all complicit parties!
So avoid the rejection and eternal judgment of Almighty God and chose the right side!
Pray, right now! Ask Jesus Christ to be your personal Lord and Savior and he will seal you with the  Spirit of the Living God and you will have fellowship with the Father!
Then let me know so I can help you find the truth about our Savior and Lord in God Holy Word!
 http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-Century-Version-NCV-Bible/?

Can you share your beliefs?

I have been thinking about how difficult it is to discuss our beliefs with 'unbelievers'. There is so much at stake if we inadvertently offend the person we are sharing with. There are those of us who try to live out our beliefs on a daily basis, but are we ready to explain to people what we believe if we are asked? Now, let me clarify what I mean by my beliefs. If you have read any of my previous  writings you would know that I am a believer in the Lordship of Jesus Christ or more commonly known as a Christian. However there are additional 'earthly' beliefs that I have as well. My understanding of the biblical prophecies through out the scriptures warns all believers that tough times have been planned for a long time for this earth. Part of my 'earthly' beliefs is that I should make the necessary preparations for unforeseen if not 'foretold' situations. I need to put in place the  tools, food or emergency training so I can react to these 'conditions'.
There are a lot of smart people who have set up financial instruments to care for themselves and their loved ones but have they set up physical instruments, spiritual instruments for times when the money runs out or the banks close or the electronic systems that we all live on cease to function?
Everyone wants to believe that they are in a safe position based on the current 'system'. However few have accepted the 'signs' that are grossly evident in everyday news programs. The media tells everyone that 'all is well' but in reality it is a lie that they are told to tell and if they disagree with the  'party line' they are not scene on TV.
But, alas, I digress. Back at the precipice we are looking at the chasm and asking the question, why didn't anyone tell us about this? Some of us did, however we are small voices in a sea of "Babel" or should I say "Babble"?
Finally, what do we believe?