[Stoutlander]

Now might be a good time to get some empty mineral lick tubs. They work great as large planters. I realize that it may be hard for most urban folks to find them, but if you know of a cattle farmer/rancher near you, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Some will sell them for a couple of dollars, some will give them away. I asked a fellow I know who has cows if he would sell me some. He laughed and told me how he had a bunch he was trying to sell. No one wanted them. He put them at the end of his driveway with a sign that said “free” and they were all gone the next day. He gave me a bunch about a month later for free.

There’s a guy in OK that has videos about how he uses them as self wicking planters.

Anyway, just something to think about that could help you out.

[Stoutlander]

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

[Stoutlander]

Some interesting facts about the Moore County power outage;

Although it was obviously caused by gunfire, it was initially reported as an act of “intentional vandalism”. The area effected is where Camp Mackall Army base is, which is the home of the U.S. Army special operations command headquarters. A curfew was put into place, excluding military personnel.

A kid shooting your garage window with a BB gun is an act of intentional vandalism. Anything pelted with rifle fire is not.

Not one mention of Camp Mackall by any press outlet.

When is the last time a curfew was put into effect because of a power outage, especially when there is no increased level of crime?

[Stoutlander]

“Buy seeds.”

I believe too many people think it will be like farmville and they can just throw some seeds on the ground and they are set.

No offense to the other posters, but the whole “buy more of what you use” will be great for short term disasters, but I truly believe that what is coming will require lots of long term preps. Prepping is just the beginning step. To come out of what is coming will require homesteading skills. There will be many unforeseen problems ahead and the long term preps will get you through them. Last thing, prepare for more relatives showing up at your door. It’s easy to say now that you might tell them to pound sand, but there is a good chance that you will feel sorry for them and this will require more long term preps. Rice and bits of protein has gotten many people through war times in the past.

[Stoutlander]

If you might be going on vacation, you can ask your doctor for an extra 30 day supply of your current medication. They are allowed to do this and it does not hurt to ask.

[Stoutlander]

I spread a bunch of wood chips around the pumpkin mounds to minimize weeds. I had a couple of loads dumped by a company that has a contract with a nearby city to keep the power lines clear. Some towns and cities allow for folks to get wood chips for free. Some arborists will dump for free, others will charge a little to cover their gas and time to get to your house.

[Stoutlander]

Chickens love pumpkins. They are easy enough to grow. Seminole pumpkins will stay good for a year or more and you don’t need a root cellar for them. Other varieties will last nearly as long. Figure out something else that you can give them that is easy to grow and will keep through the winter and early spring. Crush up some acorns now and then. Grow and dry sunflower seed. Grow and dry some comfrey (I hear that some P.I.M.P. guy named Billy sells it 😃).

Right now we have our hens on just Seminole pumpkins for the last week and no drop in egg production.

Best of luck to you Toni.

[Stoutlander]

So far, so good. No complaints.

[Stoutlander]

KimC,

Thank you for your honesty, you are correct. My apologies to you.

[Stoutlander]

Good stuff. Thank you.

[Stoutlander]

I was clearly writing about 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, as this is the only passage written by Paul that I referenced earlier. You claim to hang your pre trib hat on that passage, and instead of talking about the truth of that passage, you lash out at me. I asked you specific questions about that passage and your only answers were to attempt a circular argument and to attack me. Shame on you.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, your “interpretation” of the parable of the Ten Virgins, and your “vision”. Three things you claim are the reasons you know there will be a pre trib rapture, yet instead of discussing these things you lash out at me. What you believe will be the most important event for all living Christians in their human lifetime should be very easy for you to discuss. How have you reacted? Please show good character and discuss your view(s) without personal attacks. If you find this too hard to do here, I would be glad to buy you lunch and discuss this in person, assuming we live within a few hours of each other.

[Stoutlander]

Your take on what Paul said is a clear misinterpretation. You know this and that is why you refuse to admit the truth which is found written in the Bible. Does Paul not mention the trumpet? Which trumpet is that? It is very clearly written in the Bible. You have chosen to ignore truth.

Above you wrote; “The Lord’s coming at the rapture is a fly-by, not an actual return to the earth.” Is this the written Word or is this an “interpretation”? You view some passages about believing as an absolute that all you need to do is believe yet have no problem pulling the above out of your hat. You choose to ignore what is plainly written to justify this “fly-by”. With all due respect, you are filling an agenda brought forth by man instead of following the Word of God by flopping from absolutes to interpretations as you see fit. How can you not see this?

[Stoutlander]

Acts 19:15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”

Mark 5 tells about the man possessed with many evil spirits. The demons recognized Him as “Jesus, Son of the Most High God.” They begged Him repeatedly. Would they beg if they didn’t believe and know Him? Of course not.

Knowing or believing isn’t enough. There are many passages about how you should live your life. Believing is only the first part. It’s not the golden ticket.

[Stoutlander]

Just believing in Jesus will not save you from hell. I guarantee you that every demon, fallen angel, lost soul, whoever or whatever that is in hell knows without doubt that Jesus is Lord. They don’t just believe it, they know it. They know that He rules over them, and they know that their time is short.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 -18. What is the context of these passages? Why did Paul tell them this? What were the Thessalonians worried about? How do you get a pre trib rapture out of “After that, we who are still alive and are left…”? Be honest.

What did Jesus Himself say? In John 6:40 and 44 He ends both verses with “and I will raise him up at the last day.” Not the first day. The last day. Read the verses.

When the apostles asked Jesus about the end of the age and the sign(s) of Him coming in the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, when does He say the elect will be gathered? Beginning, middle, or end? Read it.

In the book of Revelation, which trumpet call is sounded when Jesus gathers everyone? 1st? 4th? 7th? Read it and find out. Spoiler alert, it’s the same trumpet call that Paul mentions in 1 Thessalonians.

Pre trib rapture doctrine comes from man, not God. That is why Jesus did not mention it. It is also why you became so angered with my post, to the point of implying that I was trolling and then put up a wall of verses that really have nothing to do with your point. You have let pride take hold of you.

“Watch out that no one deceives you.” – Jesus

[Stoutlander]

“Your soul, or your preparation for eternity should be added as the most important verses.”

If this is the most important thing (which I believe it is), then I believe we need to stop tip toeing around this conversation. Eventually we will all be in one of two places. In hell wishing we were better Christians, or in Heaven wishing we did more to keep others from going to hell.

There are many good Christian people that believe that they will be raptured up and will not have to deal with the end times. When I talk to folks about this, I know it may ruffle some feathers so I politely ask them to check their pride. I ask why they believe this, was it from what you were told, or was it from what you discovered by reading the Bible. I point out that this was first preached by a fellow named Darby in the early 1800’s and made more popular with the “left behind” books and movies. I point out that if what they believe is true, then Jesus is coming back twice, and that is not found in the Bible. A pre-trib rapture would be a very significant event, so why would Jesus fail to mention this when he spoke about the end times? I point out other Bible verses. I point out how every preacher, reverend, father, brother/sister in Christ that I ask if we are in the end times all say that we are, yet most of them won’t preach from the book of Revelation. On and on.

Here’s my point. Many folks will acknowledge the truths that I tell them yet do nothing different. People do not want to leave their comfort zone. I believe this conversation is very important because nearly every Christian believes they are going to heaven, yet we are told that it is not the case. Many will compromise just from hunger pains. I have heard “God will understand” from folks that believe they are good Christians. Yes He will, but not in the way they think. We are going to be tested. It will be the hardest test ever given to mankind. I’m saying everyone needs to prepare for this test. If I’m wrong and there is a pre-trib rapture, then great! If I’m right and there isn’t one, then there will be many unprepared folks compromising to the point of getting the mark and saying to themselves “God will understand”. I’ve already heard this and it has barely started. I would humbly ask for folks to learn from the Bible and not from what some people tell them. Please.