Book Recommendation for a 'Prepper'?

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derno10

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Hi Everyone,

I am new to these forums, and the moderator suggested I ask this question in this area. My mother is Catholic (I am Evangelical/Interdenominational). She has started to get more and more into thinking about the end of the world, or a time when Christians will begin to be persecuted such that we don’t have access to food/water etc. She has started to store up food and water in her house, and seems to be taking the path of a ‘prepper’ (a person preparing for doomsday, the end of the world, or a general break down in society).

I have tried to talk to her, at great length about the issue. That if the day were to ever come, we should be ready spiritually and rely on the fact that God won’t abandon us. I have gone through the Our Father with her ‘Give us this day our daily bread,’ and talked about the Israelites getting manna from heaven that they could not store. I have tried to talk about the dangers of storing up earthly goods (to an extreme extent) and remembering to rely on God.

Also, it seems she has been influenced by a couple (Catholic) who thinks they are meant to be missionaries to people after the end times, missionaries to those left behind. I have told her that Jesus said that no one will no when the end is coming and that if it did we would all be saved. Yet, she persists.

I understand that we are meant to be good stewards of the resources which we are given, but I am worried that this is fast becoming an unhealthy situation where the focus is taken off of God, and put on something else. I’d rather not debate, if the end times are near, when that is, what we should do etc. I would like to get her energy redirected in a healthy way.

What I am wondering is can any of you all recommend a good book from a Catholic perspective that deals with issues such as these (I’d like to get it for her for Mother’s Day). Something that talks about preparing ourselves spiritually, relying on God, and living each day for Christ would be great, but whatever you can recommend. She is very well educated, and if the book is ‘Catholic’ I know she will read it. Thank you in advance for your help and insights.
 
It is said that St Francis of Assisi was once asked, as he was tending his garden, what he would do if he knew he would die in an hour. He replied that he would continue to tend his garden.

I wonder, would your mother share her food and water with others who had not stored up?
 
snarflemike said:
It is said that St Francis of Assisi was once asked, as he was tending his garden, what he would do if he knew he would die in an hour. He replied that he would continue to tend his garden.

I wonder, would your mother share her food and water with others who had not stored up?
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Yes, she would. Sharing is not the issue.Anything can become unhealthy if it pulls us away from God. Thank you for your reply, I am really just looking for a book recommendation though, something that might address this subject in a good amount of detail.
 
derno10 said:
Hi Everyone,

I am new to these forums, and the moderator suggested I ask this question in this area. My mother is Catholic (I am Evangelical/Interdenominational). She has started to get more and more into thinking about the end of the world, or a time when Christians will begin to be persecuted such that we don’t have access to food/water etc. She has started to store up food and water in her house, and seems to be taking the path of a ‘prepper’ (a person preparing for doomsday, the end of the world, or a general break down in society).

I have tried to talk to her, at great length about the issue. That if the day were to ever come, we should be ready spiritually and rely on the fact that God won’t abandon us. I have gone through the Our Father with her ‘Give us this day our daily bread,’ and talked about the Israelites getting manna from heaven that they could not store. I have tried to talk about the dangers of storing up earthly goods (to an extreme extent) and remembering to rely on God.

Also, it seems she has been influenced by a couple (Catholic) who thinks they are meant to be missionaries to people after the end times, missionaries to those left behind. I have told her that Jesus said that no one will no when the end is coming and that if it did we would all be saved. Yet, she persists.

I understand that we are meant to be good stewards of the resources which we are given, but I am worried that this is fast becoming an unhealthy situation where the focus is taken off of God, and put on something else. I’d rather not debate, if the end times are near, when that is, what we should do etc. I would like to get her energy redirected in a healthy way.

What I am wondering is can any of you all recommend a good book from a Catholic perspective that deals with issues such as these (I’d like to get it for her for Mother’s Day). Something that talks about preparing ourselves spiritually, relying on God, and living each day for Christ would be great, but whatever you can recommend. She is very well educated, and if the book is ‘Catholic’ I know she will read it. Thank you in advance for your help and insights.
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The end of the world aside, it is not a bad idea to store food and water to be prepared for emergencies.
 
QNDNNDQDCE said:
The end of the world aside, it is not a bar idea to store food and water to be prepared for emergencies.
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Oh, of course! Unfortunately, this situation is going beyond that. It is great to ‘always be prepared,’ :knight1: but, unfortunately, that is not what this is. It is becoming an unhealthy obsession, and preparing for much more than an emergency (a couple weeks worth of supplies).
 
If I can just direct this conversation a bit (although I appreciate the comments):
**
What I am wondering is, can any of you all recommend a good book from a Catholic perspective that deals with issues such as these.**

I can kick things off with 2 books:
The Purpose Driven Life, which is written by an Evangelical, so unfortunately not quite what I’m looking for. This is a great book about directing our lives towards Godly pursuits every day.

The Practice of the Presence of God, Catholic, a great little gem by Brother Lawrence. This is more in the vein of what I’m looking for, but something modern that would address the specific issues I talked about above.

Do you guys have any suggestions of other books I could check out?
 
:twocents:There was that one book… Of the Bible:bible1:

Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth; where the rust and moth consume and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven; where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. (Matthew 6:19-20) 🙂

If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.:twocents:
 
AloysiusBologna said:
:twocents:There was that one book… Of the Bible:bible1:

Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth; where the rust and moth consume and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven; where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. (Matthew 6:19-20) 🙂

If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.:twocents:
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I have tried the Biblical arguments. Again, I was hoping for something a bit more in-depth on the issue, such as a book on the subject (from a Catholic perspective). A study of those Scriptures (and the many many others on the same subject) would be great.
 
This is they type of thing that I am looking for:

"But let’s assume for a moment that these are the end times. What then? How should a Christian respond? Fortunately, the apostle Peter gives us a straightforward answer to this question. Writing specifically with reference to the end of the age, when “the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, [and] both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up,” Peter does not suggest that believers head for the hills, adopt a “fortress mentality,” and start stockpiling food and weapons. Instead, he asks, “Since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?” (II Peter 3:10-12).

As Peter sees it, end-time Christians are called to do one thing: they are to practice holiness and do good to others wherever and whenever they can. They are supposed to work the works of God “while it is day” (John 9:4). Paul seems to have been thinking the same way when he wrote to the Galatians, “Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10)."

From Focus on the Family: family.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/26381/~/how-should-christians-prepare-for-the-end-times

Evangelical Books on the subject include:
When Christ Comes By: Max Lucado
Preparing for Christ’s Return By: Charles F. Stanley

I know the books are out there, but my Mom is Catholic. She likes to read Catholic books, by Catholic authors. It would be better if I could get a book from the Catholic perspective. I have read some Catholic literature, but not a ton, and I’m not sure who the reliable authors are, or what books are considered in-line with Catholic doctrine.
 
I hope you find what you are looking for but I am wondering if there is such a book. So many Protestants and others have written and speculated about their own interpretation of end times that I wonder if Catholics try to stay out of that arena for good or for bad.

Could your Mom’s stockpiling also be a bit of that anxiety-related hoarding that seems to be the disorder/flavor of the month? Could there be a physical/mental aspect of it, not just a religious concern about end times? Could it be addressed to her with a focus on her health: “I realize, Mom, you are concerned about end times, but I am concerned about the present times. You don’t seem to be behaving like you used to. Could we talk this over with a doctor just to make sure you aren’t overreacting…and if you get a clean bill of health, I’ll be the first to buy the puptent, generator, and portable cooler.” Or something like that. She may react strongly which could indicate there is a greater problem.

I’m not sure how reasonable this all is, who has influenced her, how vulnerable she feels, how she is facing getting older, adapting to a crazy, changing world. Maybe she has some good points here. I’m sure Noah’s wife and children might have had a problem with Noah building the ark.
 
“The Rapture Trap” - Subtitle: A Catholic Response To “End Times” Fever

Author: Paul Thigpen

Copyright: 2001
 
derno10 said:
Also, it seems she has been influenced by a couple (Catholic) who thinks they are meant to be missionaries to people after the end times, missionaries to those left behind. I have told her that Jesus said that no one will no when the end is coming and that if it did we would all be saved. Yet, she persists.
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That couple are not teaching Catholic doctrine - the “left behind” stuff is from a very small segment of Protestants.

I consider myself a “prepper” - but for ordinary events. I live in an area where being without electricity or snowed in for days is a real possibility. Admittedly, we haven’t been snowed in for 12 years - but it has happened & it could happen again.

If you live in an area where nature throws hardballs, encourage her to read up on Red Cross & FEMA advice for natural disasters.

I’m afraid I don’t know of any Catholic sources for sensible prepping. Maybe I should write something. 🙂

I second “The Rapture Trap” as an antidote to Protestant-style end times writing.
 
Bonnie said:
That couple are not teaching Catholic doctrine - the “left behind” stuff is from a very small segment of Protestants.
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So, unfortunately, they are actually ‘higher-ups’ in her diocese. They are not priests, nor is any of this coming from clergy. They are held in quite high esteem though, and work at the diocesan offices. She did try to explain to me something once about there was some Catholic theology or predictions behind it (to be honest my eyes kind of glazed over at that point)…but it had to do with various appearances and people coming to power. I don’t want to go into too much detail about what it was because some of it seemed really inappropriate.
 
Auntie_A said:
I’m not sure how reasonable this all is, who has influenced her, how vulnerable she feels, how she is facing getting older, adapting to a crazy, changing world. Maybe she has some good points here. I’m sure Noah’s wife and children might have had a problem with Noah building the ark.
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I have asked her this. And this is the one area where if she told me that God spoke to her, and told her to prepare, I would help her make her preparations! I asked her though, and she said no, she just wanted to have enough food/water for when Christians are persecuted and we have to survive on our own. I think she is really just getting caught up in this cultural phenomenon (a phenomenon that has been happening since the times of Jesus).
 
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