Emergency Preparedness!

This past Friday I was part of a panel sharing information with our county and city regional emergency planning network (a group made up of key public officials, government offices, emergency response agencies, non-government assistance and relief organizations, neighborhood preparedness groups, and other individuals focused on disaster preparedness, response and recovery). Associated with my work as co-chair of our county Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board, we have developed a series of classes on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities and other special needs. In Friday's meeting we were provided the opportunity to bring awareness to the planning network of what we are doing, answer questions relative to the information we have put together for our lessons, and for this network of others to see how it fits in with their emergency planning as well.

With natural disasters in this world, we DON'T ALWAYS KNOW WHEN they might strike. Earthquakes can happen without warning and tornadoes can suddenly arise. Though the movement of hurricanes can be monitored in order to provide warning for those in their path, when they hit, the devastation can be on a grand scale. Here in the northwest part of our country our main concerns of PREPARATION are for earthquakes, windstorms, power outages, flooding, and -- in some areas -- tsunamis. The emphasis is on being PREPARED BEFOREHAND rather than having no clue what to do after such disasters hit.

Being involved in ministry and with our community on various levels, I have opportunity to help others and meet real needs in a number of different ways. Meeting physical needs is something even Jesus did. However, spiritual needs being met are even more significant and even there the need is for BEING PREPARED NOW for that which is yet to come! NOT KNOWING WHEN that will be (i.e. Matthew 24:36-39) -- living with the acknowledgement it could come at any time -- NOW IS THE TIME FOR PREPARING.

Peter exhorted. . .
"(10) But THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME LIKE A THIEF, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (11) Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE OUGHT YOU TO BE IN LIVES OF HOLINESS AND GODLINESS, (12) waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! (13) But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." ( 2 Peter 3:10-13 ESV)

That is the way to BE PREPARED FOR THE DAY of the Lord. Living for Him now is the way of being a prepared people for the place He has prepared for us in eternity. NOT KNOWING when that time might be we dare not put it off.

Have a great day HAVING PLANNED FOR THE PLAN GOD'S BEEN PREPARING!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Preparation