April 24th, 2008
For my sermon “Caring for Creation” (April 27, 2008) I benefitted from numerous resources. Here are just a few of the links that I believe are important reading for the believer seeking to learn more and act responsibly regarding caring for creation:
http://sustainability.publicradio.org/consumerconsequences/ - This short and entertaining survey measures how many earths it would take to support one’s personal lifestyle. Sadly, my lifestyle (which I always thought was modest) would require 5 planets. In other words, not everyone on earth could live like I live.
http://www.christiansandclimate.org/statement - Nearly 100 leading evangelical leaders signed “Climate Change: An Evangelical Call to Action”. The document called on other evangelicals and other Christians to recognize that climate change is real, that it affects the poor disproportionately, and that it is a moral imperative for Christians to respond to the problem.
Speaking of Faith - One of my favorite podcasts and radio programs. This one addresses creation care from a faith standpoint.
http://nwf.blogs.com/nwf_view/ - The president of the National Wildlife Federation, Larry Schweiger, is an evangelical Christian. You may find his blog useful.
http://www.peachtreebaptist.net/ministries/faith-environment/ - Peachtree Baptist Church, where my friend Robert Walker is pastor, has taken a particularly active role in faith and the environment.
http://www.gipl.org/home.html - Georgia Interfaith Power & Light is a resource for faith communities interested in doing more in creation care.
April 23rd, 2008
Actually I only own two acres and so having a back forty is not just impractical, it is inaccurate. My space that I am writing about is the back 48, as in 48 square feet. It all started last week when Aaron and I decided to pretend that we were farmers and built a raised bed vegetable garden. I loaded the top of my MINI with lumber to build an 8×6 bed and hauled dirt for the garden (1,250 pounds to be exact. I had to make three trips to the store loading the back of the car with fifty pound bags). Four hours, and several tomato, cucumber, squash and pepper plants later we are now farmers. Clark supplied several tomato plants that he had started from seed, so we are excited to see them grow.
The work of farming is really just beginning. There is the matter of keeping the plants watered and fertilized and of course chasing squirrels, rabbits and other varmints out. We hope for a harvest by this summer, but much of the joy is in the process. I am a firm believer that everyone ought to grow something, whether it is an heirloom tomato plant or a geranium. For several years now we have been growing weeds in our lawn and to my delight I found out that the definition of a weed is any unwanted plant. By changing my outlook I now no longer have weeds – just one large, diverse collection of various grass species.
Growing things is practically Biblical. In Genesis 1:28 - “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it…” The implication in this text is to care for the earth. Later in the same passage God looked over the creation and called it “very good.”
Last week I began a series entitled: “Issues the Church Should Care About.” This week we will look at caring for the creation. We hear much in popular media about environmentalism and such, but I find many such terms limiting and misleading. The issue is not a political one but a theological one. Just as we are to care for ourselves and our neighbor so are we to care for God’s creation. It is a matter of stewardship and love. Earth Day (observed April 22) is not merely one time a year for the believer. Every day is earth day and every day we arise to the gift of God’s creation entrusted to us.
To prepare for this sermon I invite you to visit your favorite nursery, buy a plant and take care of it. And when you do, remember the One who blessed creation and give thanks.
Grace be with you,
Greg
April 22nd, 2008
We had a bit of a tragedy at our home this week. When a say a “bit” I mean a very small bit. I was out the door heading to the Deacons meeting when my oldest son Clark stopped me and gave me the news that “catfish” was dead. Catfish is the fairly unoriginal name of the fish that looked like a catfish swimming in our aquarium. The fish, of course, was no longer swimming, but was – how can I put this? – belly-up dead. I assured my eldest that proper arrangements would be made but in the meantime he had to take care of the problem. While our deacon body is an empathetic gathering, I doubt the death of one of our aquarium fish would garner a prayer request let alone a visitation accompanied by the requisite casserole.
When I returned that night Amy informed me that a proper funeral was held, complete with personal remarks and reflections and music. It seems that my wife sung “I’ll Flush Away” to the tune of “I’ll Fly Away” while Clark accompanied her on the mandolin. I could not make stuff like this up in our house. Aaron was no where to be seen (can you blame him?) He was either too grief-stricken, or more probably plotting a way to poison the other fish.
In spite of the pall of death hovering in our household (more specifically in our septic tank; Catfish was buried with honors down the toilet) our part of the world is surrounded by life. Spring peepers are croaking during the night and birds are nesting and singing each morning. The earth is shimmering with life as if awakening from a long winter’s sleep. Just last night I was leaning down inspecting the first green shoots of a hibiscus I planted last year and without thinking I said out loud, “welcome back!” The greening of the trees and lawn, the budding of perennials and the promise of spring flowers is a wonderful testimony of God’s creative work. It is no wonder that we celebrate the Easter season during spring.
Yes, death will always be among us. Disappointments and grief are still very much a part of our life, springtime or not. Yet there is the abiding hope we witness each year that gives me strength and courage.
Walter Brueggemann writes in his lovely book of prayers:
salve wounds,
break injustice,
bring peace,
guarantee neighbor,
Easter us in joy and strength.
Be our God, be your true self, lord of life.
massively turn our life toward your life
and away form our anti-neighbor, anti-self deathliness.
Hear our thankful, grateful, unashamed Hallelujah! Amen. (Awed to Heaven, p. 166)
Peace and joy and newness be yours,
Greg