International Business Times:  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a federal agency that focuses on the conditions of the oceans and atmosphere said a severe solar storm could cause global disruptions in GPS systems, power grids, satellite communications and airline communications.  With solar activity expected to peak around 2013, the sun is entering a particularly active time and big flares like the recent one will likely be common during the next few years.  Most solar flares will only cause minor problems with satellite and power grids, but a major flare in the mid-19th century blocked the nascent telegraph system, and some scientists believe that another such event is now overdue.  In a huge solar storm back in 1859, telegraph offices worldwide were hit.  Some telegraph operators reported electric shocks, the telegraph system malfunctioned, and even paper caught fire.  It is the strongest solar storm on record and is called the "Carrington Event," which is named after Richard Carrington, who viewed and reported on the solar flare of September 1, 1859.  In 1989, 6 million people in Quebec, Canada were left without power for several hours when a solar storm took down a power grid.  According to a report by the National Research Council in 2008, a solar storm similar to the ones in the past could cause up to 2 trillion dollars in damage across the globe today.  The NOAA predicted for "extreme" solar emissions which could threaten the planet this decade.  Similarly, NASA warned that a peak in the sun's magnetic energy cycle and the number of sun spots or flares around 2013 could enable extremely high radiation levels.  This is a special problem in the United States and especially a severe threat in the eastern United States, as Federal Government studies revealed that this extreme solar activity and emissions may result in complete blackouts for years in several areas of the nation.  Moreover, there may also be disruption of power supply for years, or even decades, as geomagnetic currents attracted by the storm could debilitate the transformers.  Last month, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said US plants affected by a blackout should be able to cope without electricity for at least eight hours and should have procedures to keep the reactor and spent fuel pool cool for 72 hours.  Nuclear plants depend on standby batteries and backup diesel generators.  Most standby power systems would continue to function after a severe solar storm, but supplying the standby systems with adequate fuel, when the main power grids are offline for years, could become a very critical problem.  If the spent fuel rod pools at the countries 104 nuclear power plants lose their connection to the power grid, the current regulations are not sufficient to guarantee those pools won't boil over, exposing the hot, zirconium-clad rods and sparking fires that would release deadly radiation.  A report by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory said that over the standard 40-year license term of nuclear power plants, solar flare activity enables a 33 percent chance of long-term power loss, a risk that significantly outweighs that of major earthquakes and tsunamis.  A solar flare is caused when an intense burst of radiation comes from the release of magnetic energy associated with sun spots.  Flares are the solar system's largest explosive events.  A CME happens when the outer solar magnetic fields are closed, often above sunspot groups, and the confined solar atmosphere can suddenly and violently release bubbles of gas and magnetic fields.

Commentary:  Are you prepared, just in case?  The Bible tells us, "Go, you sluggard, and consider the ways of the ant" Proverbs 6:6.  What does the ant do?  If you have ever watched them, you will notice they scout the earth far and wide and gather food during the summer and fall and they carry it way underground to sustain them throughout the winter. There are numerous scriptures throughout the Bible that tell us to prepare ourselves for rough days ahead.  Do you have a backup plan in the event of a total loss of power for weeks, months, or even years?  In the "care free" society many of us live in today, that would be the farthest thing from most peoples' minds.  If you are diligent and you want to be prepared for the worst case scenario, I encourage you to visit the Warnings page of this website.  That page contains preparedness information.  Are you aware of the fact that if we suffer a severe EMP by terrorist attack or solar flare, your car won't start?  You should have a bicycle on hand and some cash stashed in the event computers crash (you won't be able to get your money out of the bank) and at least you can travel for a number of miles on a bicycle for supplies.  The Bible says that in the last days, during the tribulation, "The fourth angel poured out his vial on the sun and power was given to him to scorch men with fire.  Men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God, who has power over these plagues and they did not repent or give God glory" Revelation 16:8-9.  This prediction from NOAA is just a prelude to what will come on all the earth.  Jesus said to his disciples, "Then there will be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, nor will there ever be" Matthew 24:21.  You can contemplate the worst possible disaster, but it will pale in comparison to what is coming, according to the scriptures.   Are you prepared for the return of the Lord to gather his people?  You may scoff, but you should ask yourself a very sobering question.  Do you know anyone who has ever lived forever?  No?  Well then, you are going to die and face God, or live to see Him face to face, because His return to this earth is getting very close.  Just understand this one thing, you will give an account to God for your choice to accept or reject the Son of God, who paid the price and died for your sins, in your place.  Anyone who has not received Christ in this life, will face eternal hell for eternity; this is the Word of God.  God is the epitome of love, but He is also the epitome of wrath on those who "trample under foot the blood of His Son" Hebrews 10:29.  The good news is that we, who are saved, will escape the wrath of God, because He is going to catch up His people before that time, "We which are alive and remain (after the dead are raised v. 16) will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and we will forever be with the Lord" 1 Thessalonians 4:17.  If you aren't saved, I would like to invite you to visit the How Can I Be Saved page of this site.  Time is running short to make that decision.  Will you accept Christ as your Savior today?  I suppose there are people who think they have plenty of time; things aren't that bad yet...  Did you know that there are plenty of children in the graves at cemeteries all over the world?  No one is guaranteed tomorrow.  You could face God before this day is finished.  Please accept the call of God today.  God bless you.