Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Dead weight or worth its weight in gold?

I have an older blog post on the subject of Bug-Out Bags. In this post, we list and show the various items we felt would be useful in a three-day crisis situation. The list includes such lightweight (and I stress lightweight) but useful items as bandanas, paracord, and mosquito netting.


Once in awhile it appears this post gets mentioned on somebody else's website or blog, because all of a sudden I get a flurry of comments. This is what has happened in the last couple of days.

Most of the comments are highly useful -- additional information, or product suggestions, or otherwise helpful ideas. But once in awhile a startling comment comes through, such as this one:

Hey, The New Testament I would never bring. That won't help you either. It's extra dead weight. You should be able to comfort yourself from your own spirit, jeez. A book!? Get real.

So I got curious. How much did our pocket New Testaments weigh?


Two ounces.


A two-ounce "dead weight" isn't going to make or break our bug-out bags. As Younger Daughter put it, "I'm not fussed."


Thanks, I'll keep the New Testament. Should we ever need to bug out, it could well be worth its weight in gold.

26 comments:

  1. I did a search on canning garlic and came upon your site. I just wanted to tell you that I don't agree with anyone who says the Bible is dead weight. Especially in times of crisis we need to stu dy the word of God. Thanks so mich for all of your great posts. I will continue to follow your blog.
    Amber

    ReplyDelete
  2. I did a search on canning garlic and came upon your site. I just wanted to tell you that I don't agree with anyone who says the Bible is dead weight. Especially in times of crisis we need to stu dy the word of God. Thanks so mich for all of your great posts. I will continue to follow your blog.
    Amber

    ReplyDelete
  3. There are also those who hike that brag about how little they carry and how fast they can do the Appalachian Trail. I view a bug out more along the lines of the Mormon migration west (in fact I have built a small wagon to carry my pack). I don't have the kitchen sink, but I have packed enough for my - what is the step between just surviving and thriving?
    JW M

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree with you. Peace of mind and spirit is worth its weight in gold.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I believe the commenter who left this jewel:

    "Hey, The New Testament I would never bring. That won't help you either. It's extra dead weight. You should be able to comfort yourself from your own spirit, jeez. A book!? Get real."

    is actually carrying the truly "Dead Weight" between their ears. The New Testament has been an excellent source of comfort and inspiration since it was written.
    Keep up the good work Patrice.

    ReplyDelete
  6. By all means, carry the NT, but it's also useful to commit Scripture to memory.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Silly old satan.

    86 our Bibles? You're too funny.

    Just for that I'm gonna re-pack my bugout bag and I'm adding a paperback copy of the Screwtape Letters.

    Neener neener neener.

    A. McSp

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just imagine what that two little ounces can do!
    Good post, Patrice!

    ReplyDelete
  9. The Bible has never been dead weight, I totally agree with you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Excellent choice! that 2oz will get you much further than all the rest.
    A few months ago there was a disscussion on B.O.B. contents on survival blog i thought this suggestion (by someone else) would be dual purpose and could be use along with the New testament,....Knee Padds were going to need them.

    Bob.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Excellent choice on the 2oz's
    There was a disscussion on survival blog a few months ago about B.O.B. contents and some suggested knee padds! I thought this was great and now a dual purpose item, for crawling around and for use with the new testament. Knee Padds we are going to need them.
    Bob.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would actually call it LIVE weight

    ReplyDelete
  13. If more people paid attention to that 2 oz book, heeded it's advice, behaved according to its dictates...

    Maybe nobody would need to bug out...

    ReplyDelete
  14. If you haven't seen this, Patrice,I believe you'll agree with the message. http://us-mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=4vhm5kp15gmh5

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, I'd have to sign up to see the link. What was the message?

      - Patrice

      Delete
  15. You nailed it, Rob!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I like what Rob (7/9@4:44pm) has to say!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wouldn't matter if it was pounds (though lighter is better) it's the most essential item in a bug out bag.

    And Rob did nail it!

    ReplyDelete
  18. This person only served to remind us to make sure our New Testaments are packed. I think I'll pack the one my grandpa carried in WWI. He didn't think it was "dead weight".

    sidetracksusie

    ReplyDelete
  19. More than worth its weight in gold! I chose a new and old testament in the large print as I figured when I would have time to read the lighting wouldn't be to good. 3.5 oz LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Take what you believe will help you whether it's the Bible or parts thereof. I have memorized a ton of scriptures, so my book of choice weighs a bit more, but it's a survival guide. Why? Well, I have yet to memorize a lot of survival/prepper skills. But I'm working on it! Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm not religious, but a Bible would never be dead weight to others. Besides, I think The Good Lord would understand if you had to use a page to start a fire to keep your family warm. Not suggesting this, just saying.
    Just found your site, if you can have a title "Bear Poop and Applesauce I know I will enjoy knowing you.

    ReplyDelete
  22. reminds me of the movie " The Book of Eli" with Denzel Washington. Basically in the story, poop hits the fan , a it is this man's struggle to protect the last written copy of the Bible from those trying to steal it and his journey to bring the Word of God to the west coast ( Alcatraz Island). Pretty amazing movie if you haven't seen it .

    Tina H

    Tina H

    ReplyDelete