The Orlando Tragedy, Guns, Gays, and Radical Islam

Well, the evening I'm writing this blog article, there have already been numerous articles, blog posts, Facebook posts, Tweets, etc., from so many people. I'm certainly no better than anyone, let alone some of my fellow pastors that have commented about the tragic mass shooting at a gay night club in Orlando almost 2 days ago.

I have known gay men most of my life, since High School at least. I worked with several at the first bank I worked at in the late 1990's/early 2000's, and I work with several at the current bank I work at. I, like every born again Christian I know, do not condone killing anyone that is LGBT, or harming them in anyway. We should not call them names, but rather respect them as a fellow creation of God that are sinners in need of salvation like any other person in the world.

I have read comments from fellow pastors and others, and already had my own thoughts on what happened. I already shared some of them from the pulpit at the church I serve as pastor. I think we should include the LGBT community when we mourn for those who mourn, and that we should pray for friends and loved ones of those who were tragically murdered including that many would be granted repentant faith in the Person and Finished Work of Christ and saved. But I also agree with some comments and articles that I have read regarding this tragedy and believe that we still do not need to give in to worldly pressure and nonsense when it comes to the issue of gun control, hate crimes and so called homophobia. Even though it is public knowledge that it was a terror attack by a radical extremist Muslim, one gay man still wouldn't say that they did it and implied in his comment that it is all part of the broad homophobic umbrella (remember that the LGBT community think that Christians are homophobic for believing homosexuality is sin and same sex marriage is wrong).

Part of my hope and prayer for the LGBT community is that they will also wake up and realize that radical extremist Muslims want to the kill them too. Heck, even that crazy bunch of so called Christians at Westboro Baptist Church don't kill LGBT people even though what that do is still wrong, as one brother said. I hope that the LGBT community will wake up and realize that Gun Free Zones are nonsensical and that if some were carrying a gun in that night club, the tragedy could have been greatly minimized. That criminals and "bad guys" don't obey gun laws anyway. The LGBT community are doing a great disservice and lose credibility (what little they may have) when so many of them believe they have to hold to a liberal package of views.

I agree with a fellow pastor that the church needs to remember radical extremist Muslims want Christians dead too. This doesn't mean we compromise on calling sex outside the bond of marriage between one man and one woman sin or the Gospel, but the Church definitely should not be glad about this tragic mass murder. And murder is murder, regardless of who was killed and who did the killing. But we are at war, and radical extremist Muslims are our enemy. People, especially liberals. need to get their heads out of their politically correct butts and realize that guns and Christians are not the problem.

Lastly, I know this will be a hard pill for some to swallow, but God is sovereign and in control of all things, and this tragedy is no different. He has His purpose for "allowing" this to happen. As Romans 8:28 reminds us "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." It will be interesting to see how the government, LGBT community, and the Church, continue to react to this tragedy. Sadly, we have already seen some of it,

If any of my gay acquaintances read this, it is my hope and prayer that God will draw you to Him during this time so that you see your sinfulness in light of His holiness, and your need for the Savior Jesus the Christ who lived a perfect sinless life, died on the cross, and rose again, to pay the penalty of sins and satisfy the justice and wrath of the Father on behalf of those who are born again, repent and believe. For indeed, we are all just a heartbeat and breath away from death, and then it is too late for any of us. The same thing applies to the Muslim community (not just the extremists). For there are none righteous and all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord- the way the truth and the life that no one can come to the Father except through Him and His all sufficient sacrifice and resurrection to be saved from eternity in the Lake of Fire and separation from God.

I need to stop so this is not too long. May God be glorified!

~ Pester Brat

I've Gotta Nickel Shiny and New

Do you remember that old song? I think of it every now and then and sing the parts I can remember.

According to usdebtclock.org, the National Debt is now over 19 Trillion 260 Billion Dollars and rolling on like a runaway freight train. God only knows for sure if there is anything that can be done about it, whether there will be a major economic collapse like nothing we have ever seen, whether we're "too big to fail" and the debt will continue to increase along with the cost of goods while the unconstitutional federal reserve keeps making more money like Trump talked about a few days ago, or whether it is all a hoax like [only] one person told me months ago.

So should we just sit back and do nothing while it all unfolds, or should we try certain preventative measures just in case there is indeed a major economic collapse before the Lord's return? If you haven't figured that out yet, I'm in favor of the latter, even though what I do pales in comparison to many others out there.

I work at a bank, so I may have a front row seat if/when the doo-doo hits the fan.

I recommend that you not keep money in your savings, cd's and money market accounts. One possible scenario is negative interest in savings accounts. Another possible scenario is not allowing withdrawal out of these accounts. Anyone remember the Savings and Loan crisis? I also recommend churches do the same things. It may not matter. But then again it might, and the interest is not all that great anyway.

Another recommendation I have is taking as much money out as you can in coin. Coin is controlled by the U.S. Mint, not the Federal Reserve. If/when it all goes down, it could be that coin will not be affected at all or at first like the Federal Reserve's notes. Quarter's and dimes are not are not worth their face values, but pennies and nickels are, So if you haven't already, start saving pennies and nickels. Nickels are $2.00 a roll and come in boxes of $100 at the financial institutions. Pennies are $.50 per roll and $25.00 per box. Even though the other coins are not worth the metal used to mint them, it may be better than Federal Reserve notes since they are not directly controlled by them. Again, it may not matter. But in my opinion, it is worth doing just in case.

I welcome civil comments and corrections.

~ Pester Brat

National Debt Update

According to the real time website www.usdebtclock.org, our National Debt is over 19 Trillion 234 Billion Dollars and still rapidly climbing. That comes out to 59 Thousand 400 Dollars per citizen and 160 Thousand 760 Dollars per taxpayer. Are you preparing for the consequences of a major economic collapse that could happen before the Lord's return? Remember Joseph, Egypt, and the famine.

~Pester Brat

Does 2 Chron.7:14 Include America?

I have heard and read it hundreds if not thousands of times. I used to believe it myself. 2Chron.7:14 is quoted (If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.) and then the person says if America will do this God will heal our land. But do we know that for sure? Is God obligated to heal every nation that does this? Certainly God will forgive the sins of each and every person that is born again and saved through the Person and Work of Christ, but that doesn't mean He will heal our land. We hope so. I hope so. And we should repent of our nationally condoned and accepted sins ranging from sex outside the bond of marriage between one man and one woman to abortion/murder. The above passage was written to Israel, not us. God may or may not do the same for us if there is repentance. Below I leave you another passage found in Luke 10:13-16 & Matt. 11:21-24. Consider what it says and how that may also apply to our country. So when we pray for repentance in our land, let's also pray that God may be pleased to heal our land, because He doesn't have to.

"Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me."

~ Pester Brat

National Debt Reaches 19 Trillion Dollars

Yesterday, the Washington Examiner carried an article saying that the National Debt has reached 19 Trillion Dollars

and that it only took about a year to get there from 18 Trillion. That's a whole lotta moola that is still increasing like a runaway train. While we are going through the motions to elect a new President for our country, the National Debt will continue to grow and will reach about 20 Trillion Dollars by the time the new U.S. President takes over. Of course that is assuming the economy does not collapse before then, which is a real possibility. I work at a bank now (I need a job), and wonder what it would be like if banks have to once again tell people they cannot take all of their money out, and what it will be like. May the Lord spare us a major economic collapse, but it may not be His will to do so. 

UsDebtClock.Org says the National Debt is almost 19 Trillion 4 Billion Dollars as of the date and time of this post. That comes to almost 59 Thousand Dollars per citizen

and almost 159 Thousand Dollars per taxpayer. Mt four grandchildren owe a total of Two Hundred Thirty Six Thousand Dollars. God only knows how much it will be by the time they all graduate High School if the Lord wills and tarries His return. 

Are we doing enough to try to reduce this National Debt? Or should we just keep sitting on our hands and care more about sports and entertainment?

~ Pester Brat

National Debt Update

I'm working at a bank now since 11/2/2015. I don't know if that will help get me some information quicker or not.

According to usdebtclock.org on Thursday 1/7/16 at 11pm CST, the National Debt is over 18 Trillion, 848 Billion Dollars.

That comes out to over 58 Thousand Dollars per citizen and over 157 Thousand Dollars per taxpayer.

This does not include unfunded liabilities such as Social Security and Medicare, which adds another 841 Thousand Dollars per taxpayer.

Gas prices in the Birmingham Alabama metro area are about $1.57 per gallon for 87 Octane. That's good for our wallets and pocketbooks, but not a good sign for the economy.

What are you stocking up on if the economy collapses before the Lord's return?

www.pesterbrat.com

~ Pester Brat

To Prepare Or Not To Prepare

It occurred to me a week or so ago, that while I have outlined a proposed recovery plan for our nation, I have never really outlined or enumerated what people should do in case the economy does indeed collapse like many economists think. Oh I have written and talked about, but not in a detailed point by point way. And while I think this should be done because it is better to be safe than sorry in light of God seemingly withholding His hand of protection and because so many people live in urban and suburban areas, there are of course no guarantees if, when and how it will unfold. So I will also share why doing a certain preparation may not work out. As of 11:45 pm Central Time on September 10, 2015, the National Debt according to www.usdebtclock.org is over 18 Trillion 381 Billion Dollars. That is over 154 Thousand Dollars per taxpayer and 57 Thousand Dollars per citizen.

Also, in case some you reading this haven't read others posts or watched videos, let me say again that we are to trust in the Lord with all of this. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't do anything just like a person shouldn't trust in the Lord for providing a job for him without sending out applications and resumes. God ordains the means as well as the end.

1. Stock up on food. Long and not so long shelf life canned foods. If you will not be able to feed your family by hunting, fishing, and gardening, then this seems wise. Many people say that if the economy has a major collapse that food will not make it to the grocery stores. And don't forget about infants.

Some people believe that Martial Law will be implemented and that FEMA or another agency will not allow those who planned ahead with stocking up on food, to keep it. Also, in this scenario, hungry people will try to find those who have food and try to take it by force.

2. Stock up on water. If there are massive job losses and you cannot pay your water bill, what will you do? Also get you a good water filter. I read something recently reminding us of the three threes: three seconds without oxygen, three days without water, and three weeks without food is about the length of time our body can go without each of those. Experts says that our bodies need a minimum of 4.6 ounces of water per day, but that doesn't consider increased labor for gardening etc. Preppers say we should plan for one gallon of water per day per person.

However, as with the food, FEMA may not allow people to hang on to their water either.

3. Stock up on gasoline. If an EMP event is not involved and we can still use our vehicles, you will want to have gasoline to transport you to another location if you are not going to stay at home.

Many people think that we will be attacked by an EMP because our "enemies" know what will cripple us the most. Not only is it possible that FEMA will not let us keep gasoline, if you are part of a small percentage that thought ahead to stock upon gas, others that didn't may come for your gas and...vehicle.

4. So try to have one vehicle that's paid for to have for transportation. In an economic collapse,they still may repossess our vehicles that are not paid for if we can continue to make payments. Paying ahead a month or longer if you're able may "buy" you some time.

If there is an EMP event, not only will we not have electricity, our vehicles will not work. Do you have bicycles? What about tire repair kits?

5. Buy a generator. This may not help long term, but it could be a great help temporarily. I have read that propane generators are better because it is a cleaner fuel. If so, you should stock up on propane as well.

Again, God only know what FEMA or another agency will do, but I heard a man discuss recently that there would be the danger from those who may hear your generator running. Also, generators may not work in an EMP event.

6. Stock up on ammunition if you own any guns. Ammunition may be difficult if not impossible to come by after a major economic collapse. If you believe in it, you will likely need to protect your family from those hungry and thirsty people I mentioned that try to take any food, water, etc., that you stocked up on.

This is something that couples and families need to discuss ahead of time so everyone will be on the same page about whether to defend yourselves or not. When Martial Law has been declared in the past, the authorities came for the guns. If you own one or more guns, will you turn them in or hide them if/when "they" come for them?

7. Where will you live? Your home? Your church? Another person's home? Will you be able to stay at home long term if you want to? Is your mortgage paid off? Do you need to buy some time at home for a few months so that it would be wise to pay ahead on your mortgage payments? What about your property taxes? Maybe it would be a good idea to pay a year ahead on your property taxes if you plan on staying for a while?

Many believe that FEMA or another agency will not let people stay in their homes and churches even if they can? The reason why would lead us into conspiracy theories that may or may not be true. Whether due to alleged protection or control, it is still a real possibility. Have you talked to your church? Is your church property paid for? How much property does the church have? Will there be people that have no where else to go, there? Whether the church, or a family member whose home is paid for, it would be wise to discuss these things ahead of time rather than wait until something happens and possibly not be able to communicate with them.

8. Don't forget other things like matches, shovels, rakes, hoes, manual can openers, seeds, and any other item that is important or a necessity if you would not be able to get it at the store. Consider getting items just for bartering, since that will likely be the main way business is done if there is a major economic collapse.

Is it possible that there won't be a major collapse, but we'll keep having "great depressions" and experience hyperinflation? Yes, it's possible, but should we take that chance? Is it too late to do something about our economy? Many think that it is, and some like me think we should be more proactive to try to get them to reverse it until we see God's revealed will. Could the Lord come back before this would happen? Yes He could. But what if He doesn't? What if it  happens before a pre-tribulational rapture of the church following the dead in Christ rising first? What if we go through the tribulation period? What if the tribulation period occurred over 1900 years ago? What if God has already begun and continues restraining His hand of protection due to murder of the unborn, marketing baby's body parts, sex outside the bond of marriage between one man and one woman, same sex marriage, idolatry, and more? Should Christians be completely passive in what may take place? God gave Pharaoh  a dream for Joseph to interpret so that they would set aside food during the good years so they would have it during the bad years. Was God wrong for doing that? Of course not. Now maybe some people would say that God is not telling us that like He did for them. But isn't the principle still there? We have a responsibility to provide for our families. As long as we don't do it for our own glory and remember "if the Lord wills we will do this or do that" I think it is wise to prepare. What you do is between you and the Lord. But the economy is as such that there could be a major collapse any day, week, month, or year. We need to be wise stewards financially, but we can't take it with us either. When it is all said and done, Christians can rejoice because no one can take away the salvation Christ freely gave us through His sufficient, substitutionary, satisfactory, sacrifice, and glorious resurrection for those who are born again unto a repentant faith.

I close sharing again my two mottos:

I would rather be a fool for preparing for a major economic collapse and it doesn't happen, than be a fool for not preparing and it does happen.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, pray God's will be done.

~ Pester Brat

10 Reasons Why People Should Own and Carry a Gun

Happy Labor Day from the U.S. Occupied state of Alabama (sorry, I just like saying that). Wow, there sure has been a lot going on even since my last post, which was 3 1/2 weeks ago. Violence everywhere. Economy getting worse. Gas prices here at 1.899 per gallon. While I have always believed gun ownership is biblical and constitutional, I never thought I would be where I am today with the Second Amendment. But perhaps some of you are like me and cannot do everything I talk about due to finances. I also was laid off and out of work for 3 months and still only working part time. When things like that happen you often need to sell things you have.

Having said all of that though,below are 10 reasons why I believe people should own and carry a gun. I know some may not believe in that, and I know some may need to learn how to shoot and practice if you get or have a gun. But here are my reasons for you to prayerfully consider doing so.


1. Race baiting and violence. There is a lot of violence going on between whites, blacks and hispanics. But sadly,the "lamestream" media is focusing on the white on black violence. President Obama has been making it worse by commenting on just the white on black violence. Add to him, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpten, and it makes it even worse.

2. Notorious Nation of Islam speaker (I'm not going to call him a preacher) Louis Farrakhan has called for the death of 10,000 white people.

3. The New Black Panthers has called for the death of white police officers.

4. Terrorists have been crossing the unprotected southern border with illegal immigrants.

5. Most of the illegal immigrants that have been crossing the southern border are criminals or gang members.

6. To help protect our police officers that are being attacked as we have seen in the news recently.
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7. Even though Open Carry of guns is legal in many states such as the last three states we have lived in (Alabama, Florida, Idaho), many citizens are not aware of that right, haven't thought through the issue, and are fearful assuming the person is a "bad guy." Police officers feel obligated to check out complaints of citizens that Open Carry and some of those police officers unlawfully and unconstitutionally disarm or arrest the few but growing number of people that Open Carry. If more citizens would Open Carry then the public would be gradually get used to it and accept it.

8. Violence in general. Statistics have proven over and over again that those counties, cities or states that allow Open Carry or Concealed Carry without a permit, has much lower gun related crimes and violence.

9. If/when there is a major economic collapse you won't have access to or have the money to purchase guns and ammunition. There will be chaos, mayhem and violence after such an event occurs so that you may need to protect your family and property from those who would become lawless and unconstitutional.

10. Number 9 would also apply in the event of an Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP) event as the result of extreme solar flares that some experts say our world is due for at any time, or an enemy attack.

As a Christian, I believe that God is ultimately the one who protects His people. He certainly can do it without our use of guns. But also see throughout God's word the Bible that He ordains the means as well as the end. We also know this from experience. God doesn't need doctors and surgeries but uses them. He could get me a job while I do no searching, but He uses my searching. My hope and prayer is that I never have to shoot someone if I ever get in better financial shape and get another gun. But these reasons and perhaps some I have overlooked for now are good reasons why you may want to not only own a gun, but also open or conceal carry a gun. God's word permits it, and it is certainly constitutional. Soli Deo Gloria!

~ Pester Brat

Is Ted Cruz That Man?

I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing Ted Cruz in person on August 9th in Pelham Alabama. I liked what I heard and I believe him. I have shared on this Blog that I am not a republican and certainly not a democrat. I have not voted for either since the 2000 general election. I find the voting for the lesser of two evils and the best person that has the best chance of winning to be an unbiblical principle. Therefore, the person I believed that most lined up with biblical and constitutional principles in the last 3 general elections was not a democrat or republican. I could not bring myself to vote for John McCain and Mitt Romney, both RINOs in my opinion anyway and not true conservatives.

But this time, I don't think I have to go outside of the Grand Ole Party. I believe Ted Cruz to be the presidential candidate that lines up in almost every way constitutionally and more importantly biblically. Ted is a professing Christian. He believes in biblically and constitutional (I'm still amazed at why more Christians don't think those two should go together). Ted is fully pro life, pro eliminating the national deficit and reducing the national debt, pro small government, pro second amendment, pro no amnesty for illegal immigrants, and pro securing our borders. He recognizes and says that he will counter every executive order made by our current President (which should be all of them, because they are all unconstitutional and illegal when applied to non federal workers, even though Obama is not the first President to do it). And what I also think is important is that Ted Cruz can unite Christian voters, Constitutional voters, Conservative voters, and-and Third Party voters.

Look, getting someone like Cruz in won't solve all of our country's problems. We need another Great Awakening in our country. We need to see hearts changed by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel of God's Word. We need to see repentance of nationally condoned and accepted sins of murder in the mother's womb, sex outside the bond of marriage between one man and one woman until death do they part, same sex marriage, and more. Our trust ought not to rest in "the right candidate" but rather the One True God Who created and redeemed His people to worship and enjoy Him forever. But God has ordained our type government in the United States, and we should vote according the biblical standards. Ted could be a sham for all I know, but right now and the best that I can tell, he is the "Real McCoy" that I think Christians should rally behind in the Primaries for starters. But that's the problem isn't it, even born again Christians for the most part getting behind the same candidate. I'm amazed at the criteria of many Christians for their consideration of President. And how a born again Christian can support a Jeb or Donald, let alone a Democrat is, well, I'm at a loss of words for this comment. As with sin, it's just the corruption in us all that still remains until the first resurrection. Or resurrection 1a for my pre-trib friends :-).

Not my will, but God's will be done!

Where Will You Be?

Good Morning:

I'm up early today. Because I have worked nights so much, I'm usually up until 2 or 3am and get up around 10 or 11am. I have a Hiatal Hernia and GERD so some times, like this morning, I get up early. But I do have a job interview this morning as well.

I like to repeat two motto's that I have regarding this ministry and blog: 1) Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, pray for God's will to be done; 2) I would rather be a fool for preparing for the worst and nothing happen, than to be a fool for not preparing for the worst and something does happen.

One aspect if this ministry and overall idea of planning for an economic collapse and whether an EMP will accompany that, is if we are out and about somewhere if/when an EMP event happens. Now an EMP event may not happen with an economic collapse, but if it happens it would likely contribute to one. An EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse) event can happen one of two ways: 1) Extreme solar flares from the sun which numerous groups have said could happen at any time as reported by even the mainstream media; 2) An attack by any of several countries. Our country's enemies know what would cripple us most. Supposedly, if an EMP device detonates in a strategic location above out country, it would knock out most of  the electrical grid in our nation and fry the circuits on our vehicles as well so that we would nit be able to drive our motorized vehicles. Newt Gingrich is one of the people talking about this, but my understanding is that he is also a globalist and possibly a Bilderberger.

I have read from a source or two that certain vehicles that are older that 1980 will restart, but not those 1980 and newer. Now how many of us have a vehicle that old? And since they would not be antiques, how many of us could afford to buy a vehicle that old IF we could find one?

But the point I am trying to get to, and what part of this ministry is about, is what you will do if an EMP event happens while you are away from home? If you work outside of your home, how far away from your home do you go? Whether it is your job, at family or friends, picking up your children from school, going to the grocery store and running errands, on vacation, you would have to walk home if that is your designated location in the case of an emergency. It would be wise, if you're not already doing this, to keep water, some food, and a pair of walking shoes in your trunk if you're not already wearing them. What about small children you may have with you?

Again, many of you out there may think this is extreme and would never happen. Are you sure? What if God already has begun, or begins to judge our nation, thereby withdrawing His hand of protection from our enemies? What if the so called earthly powers that be have an agenda against Americans? What if the many scientists are correct about solar flares from the sun one day knocking out some or most of the nation's power grid. And what if this happens before the Lord's return regardless of the timing of the dead in Christ rising first before the rapture of the church?

I have already been praying that the Lord may be pleased to prevent a possible EMP event in His kindness and mercy. Join me in praying for that, but also prayerfully consider preparing for that if you're able in case it does happen in God's sovereignty and providence.

Love and blessings!

Pester Brat