Christians Overcoming and Serving » general http://www.christiansovercoming.com end-times strategies for survival and service Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:17:14 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 PROPHETIC WORD…THE END TIME CLOCK IS TICKING http://www.christiansovercoming.com/prophetic-word-the-end-time-clock-is-ticking http://www.christiansovercoming.com/prophetic-word-the-end-time-clock-is-ticking#comments Sat, 10 Jul 2010 20:24:58 +0000 Guest Author http://www.christiansovercoming.com/?p=167 This morning while praying, God told me: “My child, the end-time clock
is ticking…and it will come to pass what is unavoidable…no one can
stop or prevent it from happening.” And further on the Lord said to me:
“My coming is very close at hand, know the signs and be prepared…”

“The markets worldwide will come crumbling down, raw materials and
gasoline will become scarce, and there will be famines and unrests in
the western world. The old world economic powers will be seized by
chaos. This scenario will become much more terrifying, as you may have
seen it in any science fiction film. In the Near Eastern countries there
will be an explosion like you have never seen before. The entire world
will experience an outbreak of panic…”

And then the Lord told me: “However you, My children, must not be afraid
of all these storms and clouds of darkness. I still am in total control
over everything and have the last Word and all that are MINE will I
protect and will bring them to a secure place at the last possible
moment.”

He kept on saying: “Look at all My messages that I have given you in the
past. I am not doing anything without early warnings. They are just like
a chain of pearls, they replenish each other and shall function as ample
preparations for the grand inferno to come. You already have received
early warnings, hence there is no reason for you to be surprised and
terrified as everything has to come to pass for that the mighty and
particularly the masses will see and realize that it is I who is in
charge in this world, says the Lord.

You, as the ones that belong to Me, that have obeyed my Word I will
protect Myself. I will give you strength on a daily basis, indeed will
strengthen you daily, will guide and supply you with all that you are in
need of to survive. In these critical times you will indeed and very
obviously realize that I am with you at all times and that you can count
on Me and my promises.

Because you are the chosen ones and have been prepared for this and the
“Thereafter”. When all of this will be over (has happened), your great
life moment will come and you will enter into your calling and will
fulfill my tasks that I have prepared you for. Therefore, My children,
be steadfast, keep strong and unwavering never being shaken by no one.
My child, only look up to Me, count only on Me and you will begin to
live a total different life already here on earth. The world is
frightful for you, but be of good cheer, for I have conquered the world.
My promises will stand and hold true, says the Lord!”

Pastor Joh.W. Matutis

]]> http://www.christiansovercoming.com/prophetic-word-the-end-time-clock-is-ticking/feed 0 Hand Grain Mills http://www.christiansovercoming.com/hand-grain-mills http://www.christiansovercoming.com/hand-grain-mills#comments Thu, 29 Apr 2010 11:35:26 +0000 Guest Author http://www.christiansovercoming.com/hand-grain-mills A manual hand grain mill is an integral part of your food storage. It is very important for times when power is lost, be it a weather event or global crisis. Grinding wheat and beans and even the ability to make nut butters is all possible with a hand mill. I want to talk about two of the highest rated hand grain mills. The first is the Country Living Mill (CLM) which costs $400. Occasionally, you can purchase a slightly cosmetically blemished mill from the manufacturer for $350. The CLM is the highest rated mill on the market and is known for its durability and quick milling speed and it offers options such as the “Power Bar” which help ease the task of milling. The second was the Wonder Mill Jr. (WMJ) which costs $170. The WMJ is a produced by reputable company and is considered a quality economical mill designed more for occasional emergency use.

I recently had the opportunity to test the CLM and WMJ side by side, to compare the milling speeds and consistency of flour. The CLM produced a little over one cup of flour per minute compared to the WMJ which took twice as long. But even at two minutes per cup, when compared to the price, the WMJ is still outstanding. This test was performed with each mill producing fine flour with a powder consistency. If more course flour is acceptable, the milling times will be reduced.

Another point to consider when choosing a mill is whether you intend to use it for nut butters. The CLM does not currently have the nut butter capability, but representatives from the company said they are in the process of creating a mechanism for nut butters. The WMJ on the other hand has the capability of nut butters with the purchase additional burr (bringing the cost to $220) . During my test, I produced two to three tablespoons of nut butter in about five minutes. This would be a real chore to get a jar of butter complete, but it would be possible. **

Each mill is also capable of producing ground popcorn for corn meal and beans for soups or breads.

To summarize, either mill would be a fine addition to any pantry for people who intend to process whole foods at home. And there are many types of mills on the market, but the CLM and WMJ are both constructed of a strong cast metal as opposed to other mills, which rely on plastic parts. Also, inferior mills may have slower milling speeds, require more work and may not even produce fine flour without re-milling the flour. Below are some links to the manufactures websites to view the mills and/or purchase them. As with anything, do your research, call the companies and find the best bargain that the internet has to offer.

**And as a side note, I was also informed that the WMJ is set to release an updated and improved version of their popular mill at the end of 2010.

http://countrylivinggrainmills.com/

http://www.thewondermill.com/index.php/module/statics/action/view_listing/page/18

]]> http://www.christiansovercoming.com/hand-grain-mills/feed 0 Evacuation Reminder http://www.christiansovercoming.com/evacuation-reminder http://www.christiansovercoming.com/evacuation-reminder#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:18:12 +0000 John Havener http://www.christiansovercoming.com/evacuation-reminder Recently I was in Mobile, Alabama for some training as an independent contractor for FEMA. I had to return home on Interstate 10 and crossed the Mobile Bay Bridge on the interstate. There was some kind of wreck up ahead and a bridge crossing that should have taken 10 to 15 minutes took about an hour. Traffic stopped, or crawled, and was backed up for miles. Anyone living in hurricane territory understands how terribly jammed up highways, especially interstates, can be when large numbers try to evacuate. You can literally be trapped on the interstate with no way to get off, get gas, go to the restroom, et cetera. It is not a good place to be, and those that have been there do not want to go back again!

A cardinal rule for evacuating is that you must evacuate early to reduce the probability of getting snared up and trapped in traffic. Of course, is very helpful to know where you’re going. Do you have a destination, an agreement with family or friends, that in the event of a crisis you can evacuate to their situation? Do you know different ways to get there, and do you have at least a half a tank of gas in your vehicle now? The answers to these questions can make the difference between a safe arrival at a safe place and sheer misery or worse. Plan ahead!

]]> http://www.christiansovercoming.com/evacuation-reminder/feed 0 …the coming persecution http://www.christiansovercoming.com/the-coming-persecution http://www.christiansovercoming.com/the-coming-persecution#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:06:55 +0000 John Havener http://www.christiansovercoming.com/?p=158 Yesterday a dear friend called me from the Minneapolis area.  He had gone to church at Bethany fellowship.  Bethany is an outstanding missions sending organization that for around 50 years has been for facilitating the advance of the gospel.  At the conclusion of the yesterday’s church service the pastor interviewed a man before the congregation.  The man had spent years at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City and then then did missions work in Egypt and North Africa.  Near the end of the interview, according to my friend, he said that God had ordered him back to the United States and to Bethany in particular to teach the people how to prepare for the coming persecution.

Is persecution coming to the Christians in the United States?  In my view, it is highly likely, unless prevailing, overcoming prayer and wise action is taken by a substantial number of God’s people.  Over the past years Christians have been consistently characterized by the media and entertainment industries as idiots, a drag on social progress, and most recently that Bible believing Christians are terrorists or potential terrorists.  Some believe that there’s a definite plan to try to provoke “Christians” into some sort of violent action so that physical reprisals and repressions can be justified against them.  Obviously I don’t know, and we don’t know for sure.  But the Spirit of God seems to be clearly sent that the times are crucial and that intense prayer needs to be made to the living God to prevent an explosion of persecution.

 One of the characteristics of persecution is that it can begins suddenly and with great ferocity.  In recent times the famous “Kristallnacht” in Nazi Germany launched a blistering persecution of the Jews, all backed up by new Nazi laws and a Nazi dominated police apparatus.  Consider also the experience of early Christians…

On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. But devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. Saul, however, was ravaging the church, and he would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.

 

(Act 8:1-3)

 What to do?  Pray and pray hard that some sort of Antichrist tyranny will not be established over us in our land. It could come either from the right or left. We also need to resensitize ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit… you do not want to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and the Holy Spirit will help you not go there.  This is not a time to be careless in our walk.  A recurring theme on this site is to be prepared enough that you don’t have to go out among the panicked or angry masses to try to aquire you need to survive.  I have felt a great urgency in my spirit to to steadily do what we can with the resources you have.  I don’t believe I’m exaggerating by saying you could wake up tomorrow with a collapsed economy or a worthless dollar  or a new and severe envioronment of persecution… too late to make any preparations! Pray…and act.

]]> http://www.christiansovercoming.com/the-coming-persecution/feed 0 Who are you,really? http://www.christiansovercoming.com/who-are-youreally http://www.christiansovercoming.com/who-are-youreally#comments Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:04:11 +0000 John Havener http://www.christiansovercoming.com/?p=146 (This is a handout that goes with the podcast by the same name…If you have received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior from sin…this is who you really are!)

through faith in Jesus Christ!!!

1. I am a Child of GOD

Gal 3:26

for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

1Jn 3:1-2

Look at how great a love the Father has given us, that we should be called God’s children. And we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know Him. (2) Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is.

2. I am a chosen, dearly loved, fully forgiven Child !!!

Eph 1:4-5

for He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love (5) He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will,

1Pe 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Eph 5:1-2

.

Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. (2) And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

3. I am an heir of God and joint-heir with Jesus Christ!!!

Rom 8:16-17

The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, (17) and if children, also heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ–seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Gal 4:6-7

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” (7) So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

4. I am in God’s Kingdom, a citizen of Heaven!!!

Php 3:20

but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Col 1:12-13

giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. (13) He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves,

5. I am alive with Christ and have begun eternal life!!!

Col 2:13

And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses.

Joh 5:24

“I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

6. I am a new creation, God’s workmanship, with a new self created to be like Him!!!

Eph 2:10

For we are His creation–created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Eph 4:24

you put on the new man, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.

2Co 5:17

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.

7. I am a Temple of God and Christ lives in Me!!!

1Co 3:16-17

Don’t you know that you are God’s sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you? (17) If anyone ruins God’s sanctuary, God will ruin him; for God’s sanctuary is holy, and that is what you are.

Col 1:27

God wanted to make known to those among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.1Jn 4:4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

8. I am a living part of the Body of Christ!!!

1Co 12:27

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

1Co 6:15

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!

1Co 12:14-15

For the body does not consist of one member but of many. (15) If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.

9. I am light in the world and more than a conqueror through him who loved me!!!

Mat 5:14

“You are the light of the world.

Mat 16:16-18

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (17) And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. (18) And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Rom 8:37-39

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (38) For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, (39) nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

10. I am born again and a part of God’s eternal family!!!

1Pe 1:22-23

By obedience to the truth, having purified yourselves for sincere love of the brothers, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, (23) since you have been born again–not of perishable seed but of imperishable–through the living and enduring word of God.

Eph 2:19

You Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens with everyone else who belongs to the family of God.

Eph 3:14-17

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father (15) from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. (16) I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, (17) and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith.

These truths are who you really are as a born again Christian…Repeat them out loud, especially the Scriptures that energize you and trust the Holy Spirit to make them effective in you!!!

]]> http://www.christiansovercoming.com/who-are-youreally/feed 0 A thought-provoking prophecy from Berlin http://www.christiansovercoming.com/a-thought-provoking-prophecy-from-berlin http://www.christiansovercoming.com/a-thought-provoking-prophecy-from-berlin#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:15:31 +0000 Guest Author http://www.christiansovercoming.com/?p=125 That gave me the Spirit of the Lord,
and I heard these words spoken aloud to me …
===================================

And this is it what He told me: “Like America has defended, loved and
promoted the state of Israel and has supported the Jews – just like that
will that nation hate, condemn and curse that state and the Jews, worse
than it has been since in history.

Lo and behold this is what the Lord says: “My people and My children
must be hated by all peoples. All of them must turn their faces from them.
I will make them do that because I am a jealous God and I am zealous
about my people and want to fight for My Israel and My children and want
to be their Lord and God.

Don’t be amazed about the worldwide hatred and dislike against My Israel,
against the Jews and the Christians alike. This is condoned and allowed by
Me, says the Lord. All atheists will huddle against the faithful and will
hatch a plot against them. They will do whatever they can, to force My
children to their knees. But all these efforts will be futile, they will only
achieve that the chaff will separate from the corn, the truthful from the
false and will achieve My works of cleansing and healing.

My true people and children will not bend their knees on such pressure,
and that will infuriate the peoples of the world even more. They will behave
like savages inebriated, not shying away from doing the most abominable.
Unholiness galore will reign amongst them.

However You Israel and My children (flock of faithful) don’t be afraid of any
of these things. You will not perish, they will not be able to ruin or even
annihilate you. On the contrary, it will only make you noble, make you holy
and will purify you. It will make you shine anew and put you under the Lord’s
radiant glory. You will be rescued and help will come to you in a
supernatural way for My people and My children. It will be totally different
than you have ever imagined and dreamed about it. I have already prepared
your rescue mission. My heavenly “armada” has already been launched.

Take note, I will not let it happen that My land (Israel) and My footstool
(Jerusalem) will surrender under the atheistic peoples of this world, the
Lord says. Neither will these nations have sovereignty nor will they have
any power in My land. I will neither succumb to these nation nor will they
tell Me how to part it. I have given this land to Abraham and his descendants
and they will keep it for eternity, says the Lord.

My people, don’t be fainthearted or desperate when the course of events
suddenly turns dismal and you are wedged from all sides, when you do not
see a way out or even a solution. I have never forsaken My children, never
have I left them alone in dire straits. I love them, and I have thwarted any
plots against them and have rescued them always at the very last possible
instant with My mighty arm. Once upon a time I parted the Red Sea,
led them through the desert and provided for them in miraculous ways.

I will do anything for Israel and My children. I will fulfil My covenant and
my obligations with them. I will keep My word. Don’t faint and become
desperate My people. You are positioned at a turning point in your history.

All of whom you thought will help you will end up having to endure misery
themselves and will become desperate not knowing what to do next.
At the very moment when they are about to hit you I will slam the stick out
of their hands and turn it against them.

At the very moment when you feel that everybody in the whole wide world
has charged against, abandoned and hated you, I will personally come
down from heaven taking command and shake the earth. Woe to the big
nations of the world they will have to endure catastrophes to a magnitude
never having seen or experienced before in history and the peoples that
are charging against and are hating My people I will personally reckon
with them.

I will withdraw my protecting hand from all atheists and will leave them
alone in their fate. Pandemics will ravage their countries by devastating
and devoiding their lands. The very foundations of the earth will be
shattered. However, You My children don’t be afraid. I will protect you
with my coat and will sustain you.

My Angels have launched and are backed by armies of heavenly hosts
to protect and save you. I know My own. I know your weaknesses, too,
I know your heart and your genuine demands.
My mercy and lovingkindness is with you. Out of my true love and mercy
I will help My Israel and my parish. And I will not let it happen that the
just will be buried with the unjust. Lo and behold, I will span my protecting
arm around my children and my Israel, says the Lord. The scattering of My
people will soon end. (Refer also to Revelation 12.1-17).

Please pass this message on to other children of God and encourage them
to trust in God.

Pray for Israel, the Jews and the faithful (Christians) that you know.
The people of God will be going in to the “underground” and will be rescued
by God miraculously. And then one will ask, where do all these come from?
And then one will say: “These are the ones who came out of the great
tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the
lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God and their names will be
written on their foreheads.” (Revelation 7.14-15). There will be no more
night for them and they will neither need a lamp nor the sun. Lo and behold,
the Lord God will be shining upon them, and they will reign forever and ever
(Revelation 22.4,5).

Look forward to that.

Pastor Joh.W.Matutis
www.nnk-berlin.de (see the english menu)

]]> http://www.christiansovercoming.com/a-thought-provoking-prophecy-from-berlin/feed 3 It wont work unless… http://www.christiansovercoming.com/it-wont-work-unless http://www.christiansovercoming.com/it-wont-work-unless#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:39:05 +0000 John Havener http://www.christiansovercoming.com/it-wont-work-unless I feel compelled at this time to speak to my fellow Christians  about the present political and social situation because I believe we are at a critical juncture or crossroad and that if we take the wrong path at this time it would be counterproductive at best, and lead to a horrific persecution at worst. Over the past months millions of Americans have become deeply concerned about the direction of our country and the changes that are being introduced by the Democrat-control Congress. Many seriously fear loss of freedoms, feel that their heritage is being trashed, and that an imposition of a Marxist style tyranny might be forthcoming. Many absolutely refuse to stand idly by while our country and culture goes down this perceived path. Conservative TV, talk radio, “Tea Parties,” town hall meetings and other phenomenon are keeping things hot and in the forefront of people’s minds. I frankly am in deep sympathy with many of the objectives of these groups and personalities… And yet, I’m very concerned. Again, we may be at a very important fork the road.

Years ago, I was senior pastor of a church in Pensacola, Florida. The Pro-life movement was heating up and I wanted to rally our people to help save the unborn. Christians from many churches and para-church ministries were protesting at our local abortion clinics. At one point there may have been 5000 people in the streets representing a wide spectrum of the body of Christ in our area. Hopefully, some that were contemplating abortion turned aside to other, better choices. As time went on, a small minority of radical pro-lifers began to shout horrible and hateful things not only to the abortionists, but also to those entering the clinic seeking an abortion. Due to these people, who were a very small minority, the atmosphere got very rough and poisonous. As a pastoral leader, I could no longer encourage my people to be a part of this effort which started so nobly. I pulled our people off the protest lines and away from the clinics. I was criticized for doing this, but not too long afterward a gunman murdered an abortion Doctor. Another abortionist would be gunned down in the not-too-distant future. These crimes greatly shocked our community, negatively affected the pro-life movement in the nation, and almost killed the Prolife effort in our area. I came to the conclusion during this era that has stuck with me and I believe will serve Christians well in the future: the work of Christ must be done in the spirit (attitude) of Christ. Scripture says “the wrath of a man does not work the will of God.” I understand that there is such a thing as righteous indignation and bold confrontation of wickedness and evil, but great care has to be exercised by Christians in general and pastoral leaders in particular to discern what spirit is activating an individual, group, or movement. The work of Christ must be done in the spirit of Christ! I was grieved at the recent Washington Tea Party to see some of the signs that were so slanderous, hateful, and flat-out ugly regarding our president. I do not support most of his policies, and I pray fervently for his true conversion, but I can say as a veteran minister of our Lord that some of the signs were not of Christ! If an unbeliever were carrying that sign it would be one thing, no believer should manifest hatred and contempt toward another human being.

Jesus once said, “Beware of the leaven of Herod.” Herod, of course, was the political leader of Galilee where Jesus did most of his Ministry. There was a group called the Herodians who felt like the best course of action for the Jewish people in the area was to accommodate and even compromise with Herod and his policies. Jesus warned that this type of political association (without the proper spiritual foundation) would be sinful and destructive. Every Christian needs to realize that there are definite limits to political involvement and to what politics can accomplish. Without an adequate spiritual foundation, it can be vanity and a chasing after the wind. John Adams, the second president of our country, said that our Constitution was totally inadequate for the government of irreligious people. I believe in our Constitution! But it cannot do the job alone with a population that is living in defiance to the God of the Bible. What is needed, and what we must have if we are to safeguard our freedoms and our heritage, is a genuine spiritual revolution. I am not talking about taking up arms or an Islamic style take-over the government like happened in Iran. I am talking is something beyond renewal, beyond revival as we’ve known it; a spiritual revolution that affects the masses and eventually changes institutions through true conversion to Jesus Christ and commitment to His way of life, individually and corporately.

Socially and culturally, England was a mess at the turn of the 19th century. Urbanization, cheap gin, many social problems, an ineffective Christianity, and other things had brought England into a terrible state. Across the channel, the French Revolution had turned into a massive bloodbath and ideological craziness. Would England go the same way? It might have, but God sent a spiritual revolution through the work of the Spirit in the Ministry of the Wesleys and George Whitfield. Thousands of other unknown Christians would pray and work to bring about a revolution of the most Glorious kind. No bloodshed. Wonderful social changes. Millions eventually would be truly converted to Christ and change the fabric of English society and culture. What an example for us to ardently pray for and to work for as God begins to move. We’re living in a very dynamic time of American history, with many strong crosscurrents, and many compelling voices beckoning us to move our country into a better place. Which path will you, will we take? Without a spiritual revolution, it will not work.

]]> http://www.christiansovercoming.com/it-wont-work-unless/feed 1 Global Currency? Undependable US Dollar? http://www.christiansovercoming.com/global-currency-undependable-us-dollar http://www.christiansovercoming.com/global-currency-undependable-us-dollar#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:54:07 +0000 John Havener http://www.christiansovercoming.com/global-currency-undependable-us-dollar If you check on this site from time to time you might have wondered what happened to me, even if I was still around! What have I been doing? Well, quite a few things actually as the spring was busy with visitors, etc. But of possible  relevance to you…I have been preparing. I am not an investment expert or economist and I have no “inside track” of revelation from the Lord Jesus about the future…but there are strong currents of economic activity…more than one…that give me the sense that we could wake up tomorrow and find the US dollar drastically devalued, or worthless, or switched to a new international world currency. I am looking way beyond the conventional wisdom and buzz about the “recession.” Here are a few things that are flowing together: the nation is drastically in debt and going at lightening speed into the deepest indebtedness of any nation in history; this debt is held by foreign nations mostly who are very nervous about the value of the USD; There is a strong move to dump the dollar as the international trading currency and establish some kind of  super world currency. Whatever part of the massive debt the US treasury cannot borrow, the Federal Reserve must print (The “Fed” is totally unaccountable to anyone)…I could go on, but you have heard this stuff before and probably feel there is nothing you can do about it but pray (please pray!)  At some point in time  a world currency or mark has to happen and will. Consider the world of God referring to the false prophet, Antichrist’s servant: “And he requires everyone–small and great, rich and poor, free and slave–to be given a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark: the beast’s name or the number of his name.
(Rev 13:16-17) Are we moving rapidly in this direction? Perhaps so, but even if not, I have a conviction that our country is already under the redemptive, disciplinary judgment of God. So I am preparing with my limited personal assets (and at the natural level my resources are limited!) What I have tried to do over the past few months is to convert dollars, which I believe may soon be near worthless, and invest them into tangible things that might help us and others in a super crunch. By investing I do not mean buying gold and silver which are selling at very high levels! I mean buying that grain mill, or water purifier or something else you might really need in a collapse. Can you get SOME of your stuff out of debt, so that you have something that won’t be taken away from you? For example, if you have two vehicles, can you pay off one? We have a new truck and paying it off seems to be out of sight…but we have some older wheels that are debt free.

Years ago a book was written titled, “The Day the Dollar Dies.” If you live to see that day, will you have prepared any debt free resources that you can use to help you overcome the situation and serve others?

]]> http://www.christiansovercoming.com/global-currency-undependable-us-dollar/feed 0 I have been asked about guns…(continued from previous article) http://www.christiansovercoming.com/i-have-been-asked-about-gunscontinued-from-previous-article http://www.christiansovercoming.com/i-have-been-asked-about-gunscontinued-from-previous-article#comments Sat, 11 Jul 2009 02:42:33 +0000 John Havener http://www.christiansovercoming.com/i-have-been-asked-about-gunscontinued-from-previous-article PLEASE READ the previous article before looking at this one! I am now going to offer a few specific suggestions for those who may want to purchase self defense fire arms: Mossberg 500 self defense shotgun with 12 gauge buckshot…this has huge stopping power and might even hold off a small group/ gang. Ammo plentiful. I have two possibilities to consider for pistols: .357 snub nose revolver. Excellent stopping power, ammo availability ok and .38 rounds can be shot in it for practice. The .38 has less concussion and is cheaper, but has considerably less stopping power. The second pistol choice is the KelTec P3AT .380. This tiny pistol has been described as “utterly reliable” and is so small it can be carried in a pocket, purse or other spots with ease. You can add a  lazier sight for an extra $200.00…this allows quicker target acquisition in emergency situations. It has moderate recoil (jump) and stopping power. .380 ammo harder to get than .357 or .38 and is in short supply now. Both pistols hold 6 bullets. I recommend special hollow point, pre-fragmented bullets for actual self defense situations, but these are far too expensive for target practice. Oh well, these are my choices. When and how to use your weapons in actual self defense situations is a whole other subject, but I offer a few parting thoughts. Learn strategies other than gun use to use before resorting to shooting a gun (we are getting into your convictions here) For example, a Radio Shack megaphone has a siren on it that will absolutely get some attention, and also intruders can be warned you are armed and will resist them via the megaphone. Cell phone “on” for 911 is a must…but we may enter an era of civil unrest where there is no law enforcement active (remember New Orleans in Hurricane Katrina). So if things get rough, pray hard, be loaded and have a plan…

]]> http://www.christiansovercoming.com/i-have-been-asked-about-gunscontinued-from-previous-article/feed 0 I have been asked about GUNS… http://www.christiansovercoming.com/i-have-been-asked-about-guns http://www.christiansovercoming.com/i-have-been-asked-about-guns#comments Sat, 11 Jul 2009 02:14:07 +0000 John Havener http://www.christiansovercoming.com/i-have-been-asked-about-guns I have been asked about guns for self-defense…many times recently. I am a former Marine Corps officer and long-time shooter, so it is not surprising that friends and family might ask me about firearms…and a number have. These inquiries are set in a broader context…since the President was elected there has been a huge and unrelenting stream of people buying guns and ammo. Try buying some .45 auto ammunition (or other ) at Walmart and discover for yourself how tight are supplies of pistols and ammunition. Most are buying these to protect themselves or their families or property…but there is much more to the issue of guns for self defense than at first might appear.

I will try to briefly cover the following: Your convictions about firearms, especially using them; Gun laws and other legal issues ( check with your Sheriff or lawyer); Cost, safety and training; Specific choices for home defense; and more… What are your personal convictions about firearms? Do you want them in your home? Would you actually shoot somebody who was threatening you or your family? If you have children, how does their presence effect your situation? Under what specific circumstance would you reach for your firearm. Would you attempt a “show of force” before actually shooting? Do you have the real faith to “trust the Lord Jesus” through a very dangerous situation…with or without a weapon? Questions like these are actually vital. Hesitate too long and guns and ammunition may not be available to you. In an actual threat situation, you must at least start with a very clear understanding of what you will do. I cannot answer these questions for you,but you must find the answers, and soon. Prayer and family discussions with personal reflection will bring you to a good starting point.

Guns are expensive and you must get some kind of training to learn how to use them safely. Self-defense shotguns cost from $300 to $450; A good pistol costs from $300 to $1000 depending on the make and caliber. (You do not want a junk pistol or some weird caliber!) And then there is ammunition…you need to have enough to practice shooting and then have a reserve supply. Enough ammo is critical and presently is in very short supply. Changes in Gun law may make it almost impossible to obtain. Training is important, or at least helps you learn more quickly and safely. Local law enforcement, shooting ranges, NRA courses, or private tutors may be an option for you. If you get or have a gun, you must know how it works and you must know it so well that you don’t fail in a critical situation.

Safety is no small matter and must not only be thought through, but then “the safety plan” must be carried out consistently and with discipline. Words can never express the sorrow of a gun owner who accidentally shoots a family member/ neighbor or whose child finds a guns and shoots them self or a sibling. Only the adults in the situation can work toward eliminating this possibility. All new guns have a safety brochure in the box…they offer good advice, but are geared toward recreational shooting or hunting type users. Intense self-defense environments require that guns be loaded and available and this drastically increases the dangers of accidents. In very dangerous environments I would have the whole family “camp out” in a designated room…all can be quickly accounted for and anyone moving around or in the house is a potential intruder. If you have a family and things get really rough, have family drills and drill till everyone gets the plan right.
Guns Laws are a must know and may change very rapidly. These laws are mostly state and local matters… although the ownership of some types of weapons may violate federal law. Your Police Department or Sheriff’s Office is a good starting point for this critical info. Laws vary from state to state and sometimes by locality. In my state, if you kill an intruder INSIDE your house it is not a crime, but shoot someone in the yard and you may do jail time. If you ever have to shoot at someone, call 911 as soon as possible and report the matter to the Law. In most states you have to have a concealed weapons license/permit to carry a gun on your person off your property or in your car. These are issued by local law enforcement agencies and may require passing a class and/or exam. They may be honored by other states, particularly in the South, but have certain restrictions apply, such as not bring a gun into a public building or place where liquor is served. These permits usually last a year. I recommend you and your wife each have one if you go the gun route.

What kind of gun should I get? (Again, what are your real convictions?) I am only dealing with home/ personal defense, not the best combo for hunting/marksmanship, etc. My advice is subjective, consult others also. Here are some factors to consider: Dependability, “knock-down/ stopping power,” Practical usability; availability of ammunition. Revolvers tend to be more reliable than semi-automatics…they may jam less and are very clear-cut on loading.(Clear-cut and slow!) A 20 or 12 gauge self-defense shotgun with buckshot has the maximum stopping power (But poses the greatest safety threat to a family that is spread out in the house); Shotguns and big caliber pistols (.44, .45, .357 mag) are very noisy (the concussion can actually hurt!) and can seriously jump in your hands when shot and may not be practical for a lady or older youth. Some calibers are very, very difficult to obtain ammo for… recommendations in next article!

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