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Richard Ritenbaugh, describing the effects of the high-speed, pressure packed world, warns us that no one is immune to pressures, even if we live in the most remote rural region. Increasing knowledge without the capacity to process this knowledge leads to a kind of insanity. In this time of "too much information," we desperately must get back to the basics, taking away all the frills. Our long term goal is not to "save our skins," but instead to qualify for God's Kingdom. We are not guaranteed a "place of safety" or refuge; martyrdom can be the lot of the most faithful. The four basic elements helping us return to spiritual basics consist of: (1) believing God's reliable, pure, and wholesome Word (Spirit and Life), an instruction manual of the highest authority and usability; (2) praying without ceasing, a mode of two-way communication in which solutions often emerge as we are in prayer, producing a kind of spiritual watchfulness or vigilance, as well as peace of mind guarding our hearts and minds in the midst of chaos; (3) following Christ, as exemplified by the events of the four gospels, being attuned to His voice, maintaining proper spiritual priorities, doggedly following Christ's example; and (4) serving others, avoiding the defensive introverted bunker mentality, but instead actively practicing the way of outgoing concern in the role of a humble servant, loving our neighbors as ourselves, showing hospitality, and ultimately being willing to lay down our lives for others.

Basics Beast Believing God's Word Black Death Bubble of calm Bunker mentality Calamity Christ as our High Priest Christ as our intercessor Day of the Lord Dragon Faith and hearing False sense of security Footwashing attitude Future shock God's anger God's fury Great Tribulation Guarding heart and mind Hearing Christ"s voice High-speed world Insanity Kicked-over ant hill Knowledge increase Martyrdom Parable of the sower and the seed Pillar to post Place of safety Praying without ceasing Rat race Rich man Running to and fro Service Sheep and Shepherd analogy Sodom and Gomorrah Spiritual basics Watchfulness Way of outgoing concern Vigilance Zigging and Zagging with God

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