For many centuries, the Cross has existed as a common item of decoration and adornment throughout all of Christendom, and particularly in Western Civilization which it birthed. In our modern era, it can be seen multiple times daily, both in private and across the public square. Often it is stylized and even decorated with jewels to embellish and beautify it.
In many ways, this is completely understandable. Bearing an outward similarity at first glance to the ancient Egyptian Anch, a trinket of good fortune from eight centuries prior to the Roman occupation of Judea, it was easily adopted to a presumably similar role. But in a world where real meaning in anything has at times been totally lost to the social trends of the day, and particularly in modern nihilistic culture where so much of life has descended into mindlessness, the irony of its usage on that basis is often completely lost.
The original cross was not only a weapon of execution, it was the means of death by slow, excruciating torture. In that, it far exceeded the ominous cruelty of a gallows or guillotine. Yet certainly, neither of those items are commonly recognizable as popular jewelry or the centerpieces of greeting cards and paintings. No amount of gilding or decoration could ever render them appealing or festive.
Nor is the Cross made desirable simply on the basis of the most noteworthy death it recalls. Try to imagine the impossibility of a stylized hanging noose on a ring or bracelet, intended as any warm reminder of the martyrdom of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, executed for his resistance to the Reich in 1945. Such an item would be rightly deemed dark and macabre, no matter how sanitized and ornate it might be.
Of course the Cross is the symbol of the death of the Savior, Jesus Christ. And on that basis it has held a deep significance among Believers for two thousand years. In modern America, and particularly since the madness of anti-Christian ideology has infected and overtaken the culture, it is frequently disdained as an emblem of “white European dominance” and even “Christian Nationalism.” But even prior to the advent of the twisted religion of Marx, it was despised and suppressed by any government that sought uncontested power over the thoughts and allegiances of the common person.
Yet it is just as inarguable that societies have prevailed and flourished, or sunk into squalor and oppression, based specifically on how they reflected the true meaning of the Cross, and the Faith it signified. No doubt some will contest this, on the grounds that not all who bore the Cross faithfully upheld the precepts of Christ. But that was the failure and infidelity of those who operated in such a duplicitous manner, and not the One to whom they falsely made claims of allegiance.
At this writing, we once again observe the events that gained such universal notoriety for the Cross. Were it not for the sacrificial death of Jesus on that coarse and pitiless Cross, it would have been no more noteworthy than the countless forms of brutal death created in the darkened souls of one cruel human being to be inflicted on another, throughout all of the gloom and hopelessness of human history.
Such an epithet might seal the fate of mankind, except that the Cross, and the agonizing end of that most innocent life it signifies, are only part of the message, and the ultimate act of love which God conveyed to the world through it. An obsession to suppress the remainder of that gift to humanity has been pervasive among every self-aggrandizing despot ever since, right up to the anti-Christian movements of the modern day. Those who demand absolute allegiance to their twisted and debasing agenda cannot tolerate any presence of goodness, truth, and redemption. So it was in ancient Judea, when “religious” leaders persuaded Roman governing officials to seal the tomb in which the body of Jesus was placed, after his crucifixion. They hoped to simply bury the evidence, and go back to “business as usual.” Some things never change!
Then came the New Day! Despite all their efforts, a power far greater than all of their malignancy prevailed. The stone blocking the entrance to the tomb was rolled away and Jesus arose from the dead, in an event that absolutely defined all of human history. Efforts to expunge that moment from humanity ever since have been vicious and relentless, but futile.
In this time of escalating fear and oppression, with every form of lunacy overtaking basic sense and reason, we must never lose sight of the Cross, and the One who carried it to the place of His death, to then overcome its sentence on Himself and humanity. When mournful followers went to the place of His burial that glorious morning, they were greeted with a message that has not ceased to resound in the hearts of those seeking Truth “He is not here; for He is risen, just as He said.”
Bio
Christopher G. Adamo is a lifelong conservative from the American Heartland. He has been involved in grassroots and state-level politics for many years, seeking to restore and uphold the Judeo-Christian principles on which our Nation was founded. His book, “Rules for Defeating Radicals,” is the “Go To” guide for effectively confronting and overcoming the dirty tricks of the political left. It is available at Amazon.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
