1) Dr. Charles
F. Stanley's 30 Life Principles
Life Principle 24
To live the Christian life is to
allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.
Many Christians today
seem content to live what they think is an adequate Christian
life. They believe that if they go to church, read their Bibles occasionally,
and say their prayers once in a while, they will be all right with God.
Occasionally, they may be inspired to go above and beyond their normal routines
and volunteer to serve others as ushers, members of a church committee, or even
go on a short-term mission trip. Though they go through the motions of being a
“good Christian,” they do not enjoy the power, peace, and joy that should come
with the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10). Eventually, the
counterfeit Christian life they are living becomes a burden and does not
comfort them when the storms of adversity assail.
This was not what you were created for. God does not call you
or any believer to a marginal Christian life characterized by chores and
rituals. He desires to have a daily relationship with you where you experience
His presence and trust Him for wisdom, courage, and strength in all situations.
With every step you take, decision you make, conversation you have, and thought
you entertain, the Lord wants to glorify Himself through you. He desires to
shine in your life—with His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control illuminating your unique talents,
traits, and personality as you walk in obedience to Him.
In other words, to live
the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live in and through you. That is why
Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by
faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20).
How do you allow Jesus to do so? In what way does He live in
and through you? If these two questions seem difficult or confusing to you, you
aren’t alone. Many people never realize how powerfully Christ could demonstrate
His life through them. This is because many believe that the key to living the
Christian life starts with pious acts, when it really begins with a deep,
intimate relationship with Him.Therefore, to answer the first question: How do you allow Jesus to do this?—you must realize the answer comes by working on your relationship with Christ. You do this through Bible study, prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers. You not only learn about Him, but you must also listen to Him, because He will teach you how to love Him, live for Him, and walk in His ways.
The answer to the
second question: In what way does He live in and through you?—is
as unique as each believer who follows Him. This is because He has a special
purpose for your life, and the most important thing you can ever do is simply
obey Him—no matter what He tells you to do. God will allow situations and
troubles in your life that only He can solve. This is so He can demonstrate His
glory, power, love, and wisdom through you.
Is there anything distracting you from having an intimate
relationship with the Lord? Have you failed to trust God’s sovereignty? Are you
worried that you’re not doing enough to deserve a relationship with Him or that
you could lose the eternal life He has given you? Then you need to return to
the basic truth that your salvation is through faith in Christ and not by
works. There is absolutely nothing you can do to earn it or be worthy of it.
Therefore, there is nothing you can do or fail to do that would cause you to
forfeit it either.
The issue is not your
salvation but the impact of your life for Christ and the joy and fulfillment
you receive from Him. God does not call you to an adequate life—He
wants it to be extraordinary. However, for you to experience the
life He planned for you, you must stop being distracted by peripheral issues
and focus your attention completely on Him. Can you do it? Can you trust Jesus
to live His life through you and take care of all that troubles you?
Of course you can! The God who redeems you can teach you how
to live for Him. The Savior you trusted for your eternity is more than capable
of taking care of all the matters that burden you daily and shining through you
brightly so that others can know Him and be saved. Therefore, die to your
notions of what the Christian life should be so you can experience true life in
Him.
2) The 30-Day
Reading List That Will Lead You to Becoming a Knowledgeable Libertarian by
Robert Wenzel
Open Letter to the International Justice Mission
Mr. Gary Haugen
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
Dear Mr. Haugen:
I attended your speech at Regent College in Vancouver on 7/14/04;
I wanted to comment at that time, but the Q&A period was too limited. So I
thought I would share my thoughts with you in this format.
If I had to summarize your speech, it was that callous acts are
taking place on a massive scale all throughout the world at present, and it is
the duty of Christians to try to stop these outrages. In order to do so,
religious people should give up their self-centeredness, and increase their
rate of charitable donations (both in terms of money and time) toward these
ends.
According to Adam Smith, "It is not from the benevolence of
the butcher, the brewer or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their
regard to their own interest. We address ourselves not to their humanity but to
their self love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their
advantages." [Wealth of Nations, 1776, p. 14].
What I get from this is not that benevolence does not exist within
the human breast. Rather, that it is in very scarce supply. Which means that
rational men will want to economize on this rare and precious flower, instead
of advocating that it be used promiscuously; realizing it will always be in
short supply, instead of thinking it can be radically expanded.
And, there are good and sufficient sociobiological reasons why
this should be so. Why we as a species are "hard wired" in this
direction. If there were a tribe of cave men who were not primarily interested in number 1, virtually to
the exclusion of everyone else, they would have long ago died off. Better yet,
if this theoretical tribe focused their limited benevolence widely, instead of
narrowly, to their family members, friends and neighbors, they would have gone
extinct. We are descended from folk like those; that is why we are the way we
are, in the main. Yes, there are some very few exceptions, but they only prove
the general rule. We are focused on our narrow little lives, because this was required
by our ancestors, as a matter of survival.
I entirely agree with your goals: to reduce or better yet
eliminate the massive viciousness that now plagues us, such as the mass murder,
slavery, etc., you mentioned so eloquently. But your means toward this end,
increasing the level of benevolence in society, and widening its focus, I think
are doomed to failure based on these considerations.
You may not have noticed, but all the countries you mentioned as
examples of brutality were underdeveloped or retrogressing ones (you called
them "developing countries" but that is just a bit of misleading
political correctitude you might consider jettisoning). This leads to an
alternative means toward eradicating the cruelty: economic development.
Happily, Adam Smith again rides to the rescue. The full title of his most
famous book is Smith, Adam,An
Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, New York:
Modern Library, 1776/1965. His recipe for economic development was, in a
nutshell, with some slight reservations: laissez faire capitalism. Murray N.
Rothbard, my own mentor, goes much further, and criticizes Adam Smith himself
for deviating too widely from this proper goal of full economic freedom
(Rothbard, Murray N. 1997. The Logic of
Action: Applications and Criticism from the Austrian School, Vol. II,
Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar).
The idea was, that government which governs least governs best.
Some of my research empirically supports the contention that economic freedom
leads to prosperity: Gwartney, James, Robert Lawson and Walter Block. 1996. Economic Freedom
of the World, 1975-1995 Vancouver,
B.C. Canada: the Fraser Institute. Given that greater wealth reduces man's
inhumanity to man, this is a course of action that should not be overlooked by
you and your organization.
It is my contention that if your claim is true that to be a good
Christian one must make an effort to stop the massive evils you mentioned, then
it is no less true that it is also incumbent upon you to learn why some nations
are rich while others are desperately poor. An aphorism might come in handy,
here: "Don't fight the alligators, drain the swamp." You are fighting
alligators; attempting to rescue little Marie or David or Jose. This is all
well and good. I salute you for this. Someone has got to do this, as these
injustices cry out to the heavens for redress. And, there is such a thing as
specialization and the division of labor. But I think you should recognize that
there is another and, yes, a better if only because more all-encompassing
means toward this end: economic development based on free enterprise.
I emphasize this not so much because of what you said in your
formal lecture, which ignored the points I am making, but based on your answer
to the very last question asked of you. It was posed by a young lad who I took
to be a Regent College seminary student, since his remarks were based on the
usual Marxist claptrap taught in such establishments of higher learning. He
asked if you were not concerned with systemic problems such as the "economic
violence" based on unequal income distribution. (I don't remember this
verbatim, but this was the essence of his stance.) His implication was that
western countries ought to increase their level of foreign aid to
underdeveloped nations. But this is economic illiteracy of the highest order,
as the work of Peter Bauer has stressed over and over again. Instead of
verbally slapping down this young man as he richly deserved, you bought into
his basic premises, but excused yourself from acting on his principles,
properly I thought, on the grounds of the need for specialization and the
division of labor. But his socialist premises were wrong, and if implemented,
will increase not decrease, the level of brutality
in these poor countries.
Now, I admit that there are also good and sufficient
sociobiological reasons why free markets are not now the order of the day. If
there were not, we would all be living in a laissez faire paradise. (It is my
contention that in the cave man days, we became altogether too hard wired into
following the orders of the tribal chief. Also, since we lived in very small
communities compared to the present day, only direct cooperation seeped into
the genetic pool. Cooperating indirectly, through gigantic markets, has come
far too late in the history of our species to have been incorporated into our
genes.) But this is no reason for intellectuals such as yourself to accept the
siren song of socialism.
The rich western countries do not really need capitalism that
much; this system in the past has set up the capital, and the legal system, to
ensure relative wealth, and thus little internal mass murder. It is the poor
nations in Africa and elsewhere that are in the greatest need of free
enterprise. Thanks to their enjoyment of relative economic freedom for many
years, the capitalist west can now afford a modicum of pernicious socialism. In
contrast, free enterprise being virtually unknown in the third world, socialist
egalitarianism is the death knell of their economy.
In closing, one last criticism of your presentation: lose that
film clip showing a child buyer being tied up by the police. You may not have
noticed it, but it also showed a television set in the background. But this
implies electricity, and a certain minimal level of prosperity — all totally
incompatible with your story of people selling their kids motivated by dire
poverty.
I hope you take these remarks in the spirit I mean them: as an
attempt to help you with your very good works.
Yours truly,
Walter Block
Harold E. Wirth Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair and Professor of Economics
College of Business Administration
Loyola University New Orleans
Walter Block
Harold E. Wirth Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair and Professor of Economics
College of Business Administration
Loyola University New Orleans
3) Roger’s
Rangers Rules or Plan of Discipline by Major Robert Rogers
Rule
#24
24. If you are to embark in canoes, bateaux, or
otherwise, by water, choose the evening for the time of your embarkation, as
you will then have the whole night before you, to pass undiscovered by any
parties of the enemy, on hills, or other places, which command a prospect of
the lake or river you are upon
4) 52 Weeks to
Preparedness by Tess Pennington
Week 39 of 52: Alternative Power Sources
Those who are moving to retreat properties make it a point to look
for land with its own source of fuel in order to accommodate future needs.
Whether those sources are an ample wood supply, a natural gas well, or a
surface coal seam, these resources will ensure that you can continue to power
your home and your equipment.
Those of us who do not have these resources readily available to
us on our own land may eventually run out of stored fuel sources. A way to avoid this future issue is to
consider investing in devices that collect renewable energy to supply our homes
and retreats with a continual supply of power. Therefore, consider the
following, and keep in mind that all of these items would be ideal for barter situations:
Batteries
- Most of our emergency devices require batteries, and having
an abundance of them with the capability of being recharged is a good
investment in your long-term livelihood. The best batteries on the market right
now are NiMH (Nickle-Metal Hydride) that have a low self-discharge (LSD). To
prolong the charge of your batteries, store them in a sealed bag in the back of
your refrigerator. This prevents condensation and extends the life of the
battery.
Also, consider purchasing lead-acid deep-cycle (DC) batteries
(also called solar batteries). Solar batteries provide energy storage for
solar, wind and other renewable energy systems. Different from a car battery, a
deep cycle battery is capable of surviving prolonged, repeated and deep
discharges which are typical in renewable energy systems that are “off grid”.
Having multiple DC batteries hooked up and working together creates a battery
bank and allows you to run more of your household appliances using solar
energy. Deep cycle batteries can be a large expense for a sizeable off grid
system, but with proper care and maintenance, they should last 5-10 years.
Solar
Energy - Harnessing the sun’s magnificent power has become
quite the craze lately. And why wouldn’t it be? In some states, having
photovoltaic panels can make you eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit!
A solar power system has three components: Solar panel(s) + Charge
controller + Batteries. As the sun’s rays hit the solar cells on a photovoltaic
(PV) panel, the power is transferred to a silicon semiconductor. The power is
then changed into (DC) direct current electricity and passed through connecting
wires to enter a storage battery.
- Solar Panels come
in all sizes ranging from enormous to small enough to fit on the
hood of your car for charging small devices. If you are
considering purchasing some supplies for a solar power, consider starting
out with a basic set and then add additional items to the existing set
up. To learn more about the equipment required to create a solar paneling
system, click here.
- Solar Generators have
many advantages. A few being, they don’t produce dangerous fumes,
they run quietly, they are energy efficient and no fuel is required to
run them. The best part is these generators can last 25 years or longer!
Although the initial expense can be high, there is no additional cost to
run the generator, so it’s a great investment. And for that matter, who
says that a solar generator can only be used during disasters? Running
your solar generator regularly will keep your electricity bills down.
- Mobile Solar Power Systems would
be ideal for bug out bags. Keep in mind that these systems can easily be
stolen, hence the word portable solar power systems. They should be
placed in a secure, well guarded area.
- Solar Battery Chargers use
trickle charging, and can be somewhat time consuming. To expedite the
process, many preppers buy two or three chargers to use simultaneously.
However, there are solar chargers that can be connected to a photovoltaic
panel and can make a huge difference in recharging batteries and
providing power to small scale appliances. Those that live in humid or
rainy environments may want to consider a charger that is weather resistant. Lastly, ensure your solar
battery charger can charge a variety of battery sizes and has smart
capability.
Inverters
- An inverter is an electronic device that converts DC power into AC
power. Ensure that you find a inverter that can handle your initial needs and
anticipated needs. You can get the wattage by looking at the manufactures
label on the appliance or if only the amps are there use the formula (amps x
115 volts= wattage) to convert to watts. To learn more about
inverters, click here.
Natural
Power Sources - The power from wind and water has been used for
centuries and can easily be adopted to fit most self reliant lifestyles.
- Wind energy can be harnessed by
mounting wind
turbines in
high locations such as a rooftop. (Having a professional mount the
turbine would be beneficial.) Many preppers do not recommend wind
turbines because of their high maintenance and the risks associated with
tower climbing. However, if you happen to live in an area that is very
windy with lots of cloud coverage it could be a suitable option. To learn
more about recommended wind turbines, click here.
- Water energy has a lot of
power - anyone who has seen Niagara Falls knows what I’m talking
about! Steep parcels of land with large creeks running through them can
be ideal spots for water turbines. A water turbine or hydro generator has
the capacity to produce 10 amperes around the clock and matches the
usable power generated by over 40 amps of solar modules. The power system
itself is the same as solar, except that only diversion type charge
controls can be used with hydro. Click here for more information.
There are many reasons to
invest in alternate power sources. If the subject of peak oil isn’t enough,
consider the fragility of the grid. As it stands, our country
cannot exist without the electrical grid, and sometime in the not-so-distant
future our lives could change drastically by a single event or disaster. While
there is no way to predict when or if this will happen, we would be wise to
prepare for the possibility.
Portions of this article were adapted from How to Survive the End of the World As We Know It by James W. Rawles
Preps to Buy:
- Rechargeable
batteries in assorted sizes – in quantity
- DC
Batteries – in quantity
- Solar
Battery Chargers
- Solar
Photovoltaic Panel (5 watts or more)
- Generator
(Solar powered, diesel ran generators are preferrable. Also, keep
in mind that a typical size for a home backup generator is 4,500
watts continuous and 5,500 watts peak.)
- Inverter
- Seasoned
Firewood
- Extra
parts for any alternative energy equipment and generators
- Extra fuel
sources you regularly use (propane, gasoline, diesel, etc.)
- Fuel
stabilizers if using gasoline (such as Sta-bil), or diesel fuel
supplements to prevent gelling and a diesel antibacterial additive to
prevent both growth and gelling.
Action Items:
Make a spreadsheet
of the total wattage the household uses.
Purchase your alternative power supply devices and keep in mind if
they are compatible to your needs.
Purchase spare parts for your
equipment.
Ensure that your equipment is
kept in a secure location and is unable to be stolen if in use. Hardened
bolt-cutter-resistant security chains and a padlock can do wonders!
When using any alternative power supply, monitor your supply to
ensure that the power is not about to run out.
Week 40 of 52: Cold Weather Preparedness
In a previous newsletters we discussed in depth the nightmare we
would experience during a prolonged or long-term power disruption. Taking this a step
further, what would happen if this event occurred in the dead of winter? This
is a serious threat for those who see frigid cold weather temperatures during
the winter? In this case, it will be up to you to keep yourself and your
family warm until the grid comes back up or until Spring arrives.
In an article written by the talented Sarah
Duncan, she discusses this very issue and adds that, “Our society has become so
certain that the grid is permanent that many homes built over the past 50-60
years have been designed without the vital elements of a fireplace or a wood
stove for heat.” In the newer homes, most of the fireplaces are present for
aesthetic reasons rather than practicality. For this reason, we must prepare
accordingly in order to stay warm.
Exposure to cold for long periods of time can be caustic to the
body tissues. When the cold hits the body and your core temperature drops, your
body will kick into survival mode by cutting off circulation to the outer
extremities first (like when a lizard detaches its tail). The fingers, toes,
nose, ears, and lips are the first places your body ceases to keep alive when
faced with death by freezing. These are the first parts of the body to show
signs of frostbite. Keep in mind that you can develop hypothermia with
temperatures above freezing. The fastest way to become hypothermic is a
combination of cold temperatures with wind and rain. In this case, your body
loses heat 25 times faster than it would by just being out
in the cold.
Older individuals and small children are at the greatest risk of
hypothermia. Diabetics and those who suffer from low thyroid levels are also
more at risk. However, anyone who is subjected to the elements long enough will
surely be effected. Learn about the signs of hypothermia and how to treat it.
Let’s begin discussing some solutions and practical ways to
prevent this. Having some space heaters on hand will be a Godsend when
temperatures start dropping rapidly. Propane heaters, such as the Little
Buddy heater can provide a room with ample heat and are
considered safe for indoor use in most states. There are several propane
heaters on the market that do not require electricity. Kerosene/Oil
heaters are also beneficial to have during cold months. These heaters burn a
wick for heat, fuelled by the addition of heating oil. An antique “Perfection”
oil heater can be a charming addition to your decor that can be called into
service during a grid-down situation. Click here to
read more information about the different types of kerosene heaters that are
available.
Every preparedness layer makes a difference in the case of
surviving the winter in a grid-down situation. We can make the most of a dire
situation by insulating the body and insulating the home. Aside from the
obvious ways to stay warm, consider the following:
Insulating
the Body
- A large
majority of body heat is lost at the back of the neck and at the top of
the head, so make sure that you use the layering
principle with your clothing. Ensure you have a
warm hat to wear and to make sure your chest and neck are covered with a
scarf. Lightweight gloves will also help you maintain your warmth.
Wear heavy socks and shoes to protect your feet from cold floors.
- Hand
warmers and foot warmers are a great way to increase your core body
temperature quickly. Click here to learn how to make a
pocket for these warmers to prevent scalding to the skin.
- Use heavy
sleeping bags. Zipping into a sleeping bag will conserve your body’s
warmth more than simply getting under the covers.
- Bivvy sacks are ideal for adding an
extra layer to your sleeping bags for added warmth.
- Crumbling
up newspapers and putting them in your clothing will provide some extra
warmth as well.
- Pitch a
tent. This works especially well when you have children because it
adds an element of fun to an otherwise stressful situation. Inside a
tent, you can combine your body heat to stay much warmer.
Insulating
the Home
- Light some
candles. Burning candles can add some much needed warmth to a small area.
And if you want to make the most of heat emitted from a candle, try
making a space
heater from a candle. This handy device collects,
retains, concentrates, and radiates dry space heat from a candle.
- Sealing
off a room or a smaller area to heat by using a folded quilt at the
bottom to better insulate the room. You can also hang heavy quilts
in the doorways of rooms with a heat source to block them off from the
rest of the house. Ensure that you seal any drafts coming from windows in
the room as well.
- To prevent
heat from escaping from the fireplace when it’s not in use purchase
a Fireplace plug. It is an inflatable
pillow that seals the fireplace damper, eliminating drafts, odors, and
noise. The pillow is removed whenever the fireplace is used, then
reinserted after.
- Insulate
your windows. Rubber weather sealant and/or window insulation film
can also keep drafts at a minimum.
You can also use a plastic shower curtain or bubble wrap and duct tape, topped by a heavy quilt to keep the wind from whistling through your windows. This has the added benefit of keeping the windows dark if you are concerned about OPSEC (Operational Security). Another option is to purchase a draft door dodger or make your own. (The instructions for this are in the “Stats and Facts” section of this newsletter.) Layers of curtains made of heavy fabrics can also keep a room more insulated. - Here’s a
way to convert your windows into passive
solar heater. This passive solar heater is
very simple and can be made with items already in your house. If you want
to read more about designing and building a solar heater for your home,
here is a great article on Mother Earth News.
- Heat some
rocks. If you have a place outdoors for a cooking fire, you can add large
rocks to the fire. Rocks retain heat for a very long time. When you
are ready to go to bed, move the rocks into a cast iron Dutch oven. VERY
CAREFULLY take this into the room that you are heating. The stones will
emit heat for several hours. This is an excellent way to passively heat
your room when you’re sleeping. With this method, you don’t have to be
concerned about the potential of a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning
during the night.
In your search for warmth make certain that you also maintain
safety. Keep fire extinguishers handy and invest in a battery operated carbon
monoxide detector. Keep children and pets away from items that could burn
them or that could tip over, causing a fire. Be sure to store all flammable
materials (such as propane and kerosene) according to manufacturer’s
instructions.
Did you know that snow is an excellent insulator (provided you
don’t touch it)? For those of you who may find themselves outdoors and exposed
to the cold elements, knowing how to make an emergency winter shelter out of snow could save
your life.
Preps to Buy:
- Space
heater (preferably propane or non-electric)
- Door draft
stopper or windows and doors
- Sleeping
bag
- Bivvy sac
- Wool socks
- Thermal
underwear
- Hand and
foot warmers
- Rubber
weather sealant
- Caulk
- Window
insulation film
- Bubble
wrap or an old shower curtain set aside
- Duct tape
- Fireplace
plug
Action Items:
Winterize your home before bad weather is expected:
Check your furnace and replace filters
monthly.
Inspect the fireplace and get it ready
for use. Ensure your firewood is properly seasoned, and stored away from the
home.
Insulate your exterior pipes.
Inspect exterior of home and
seal any crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes.
Caulk and weather-strip doors and
windows.
Add insulation to your walls and
attic, if necessary.
Consider purchasing insulated doors
and storm windows to further protect your home from the cold. This will also
help lower your heating bill.
Replace cracked glass in windows. If
is necessary to replace the entire window, be sure to prime and paint exposed
wood.
If your home has a basement, consider
protecting its window wells by covering them with plastic shields.
Inspect roof, gutters & downspouts
and clean out any debris.
5) 110 Rules of
Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation by George Washington
#70 - Reprehend not the imperfections of others for that belongs to
Parents Masters and Superiors.
#71 - Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of Others and ask not how
they came. What you may Speak in Secret to your Friend deliver not before
others.
#72 - Speak not in an unknown Tongue in Company but in your own
Language and that as those of Quality do and not as the Vulgar; Sublime matters
treat Seriously.
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