“Deep Do-Do” is what some are calling it. Others are referring to it as “TEOTWAWKI” — The End Of The World As We Know It.

The stock market heading south for the winter and the economy diving into the toilet,  has brought out a new breed of blogger: the urban survivalist. From stocking up on rice and beans to plans to build bunkers or schemes to move to South America and buy farms, this fear has driven many to extremes.

To check out a few colorful blogs try these:

The Urban Survivalist

Survivalist Blog

Total Survivalist

Or this one just for kicks: Worst Case Scnerio

For some reason, I’m not bothered by the state of the world. Back at the Catalyst conference, I recall Dave Ramsey saying something that really put things into perspective - “If God is on the throne, what do we have to worry.” Sometimes we forget who’s in charge… And if anyone should be freaking, it’s me. I’m a missionary that relies upon donations/support of individuals to fund my salary and ministry. I should be afraid, but I’m not. It’s all the Lord’s and the trouble starts when I begin to think otherwise.

But I will say this, if these times do spur us to live greener, and less consumeristic - then good.

Those are my thoughts, but how do you feel about the state of the world today?

“Awake, you sleepers,

from your slumber…

examine your deeds,

return in repentance,

and remember your Creator.”

-Maimonides (ancient Jewish Rabbi)

Today is Rosh Hashana and the next nine days following are referred to as the “Days of Awe” in Jewish culture.

The ten days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur are commonly known as the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim) or the Days of Repentance. This is a time for serious introspection, a time to consider the sins of the previous year and repent before Yom Kippur. More here on Jew FAQ

So rarely do we look inward and reflecting upon what the Lord has done in our lives. The next 10 days are a time for reflection and introspection before the Jewish New Year. It’s never a bad thing to pause and reflect in our busy lives. So often time passes and we just keep on going. Let these next 10 days be ones of prayer, remembrance, introspection and repentance.

To hear more about it The Days of Awe from a  Jewish perspective, listen to this podcast (the first 10 - 15 min are the most succinct and interesting;, the rest is fairly superfluous)

Speaking of Faith: “Days of Awe” podcast