Home from the Homestead

Hope from the Homestead: Are you prepared?

In 2009, we had a major ice storm, followed by brutally cold temps. Our power went out. We were down for week. This was after a wind storm in 2008 that did the same.

This was our awakening.

We considered... What if the power did not come back on? We lived in a suburban neighborhood. We had a gas fireplace I had never used. I had no clue how to survive. We hung blankets in doorways, and stayed in the living room, dining room, and kitchen. After the weather cleared, we realized how ill-prepared we were. Then we read the book, "One Second After". Since then, I have read many books, one being "Lights Out".

In the last week, many shrugged off the predictions regarding this snow and ice and cold system, until the day before when people were panic buying, chasing after ways to heat their homes, ways to power their homes. Shelves were emptied of milk and eggs and bread. Watching this, I was reminded of my personal conviction: preparedness prevents panic.

Many look at me as being a bit eccentric. I am sure I have been accused of being a conspiracy nut. I really am not. I actually find myself pushing away from much of that world. I label myself a Realist. I know there is Evil in the world, and our nation is low-hanging fruit, with a vulnerable infrastructure and a people unprepared. Witnessing the panic of this past weekend, I realized again how unprepared we truly are. I do not mean that as an accusation. I say it as a call to action. Get prepared, when you don't need to, before the crisis.

There is another point of preparedness. The day WILL come when every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. He will separate the wheat from the chaff. To His right hand He will receive His own, His followers, those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus. To His left He will send the chaff, the unbeliever, the false convert, those who have rebelled against His Word, refusing to follow Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life, into the eternal lake of fire, forever hellfire and damnation. This is not a matter of conspiracy. It is not a matter of "if", but "when".

Be prepared. I pray the Holy Spirit wrecks you in such a way that you realize that you truly are a sinner, in need of a Savior. Perfect people need not apply. Confess Jesus as Lord. Repent of your sins. Be baptized. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, living the rest of your days for His glory. Humble yourself. Pray. Seek God above all else. Turn from your own wicked ways. When your days end here, and they will, you will find yourself in the eternal loving embrace of our Lord.

As my friend Jeff, "The Everyday Prepper", would say:

Step One of preparedness: Get right with God. Everything else you do follows that directive.

I am praying this morning for all affected by this weather. I believe for the next 6 weeks or so, we will find ourselves in this pattern of cold and snow. I pray that each one reading this stays warm and well fed. And that we find God's glory in His creation.

Love to all! To God be the Glory!

Denny Dillman

The Homesteading Pastor