The Creation Care Walk
May 5, 2010
The Creation Care Walk is almost here (May 8-25, 2010). Stay tuned to Deep Green Conversation for the latest updates from the walk and join in if you in the mid-atlantic area, even for a day.
Join Rev. Mitch Hescox, Ben Lowe, Gretchen Peck, and many others as we walk from Ansted W.V. through the Shanandoah Valley and over to Washington D.C. Join us as we see the rich variety of all that God has made, and see first hand how Americans interact and engage God’s creation.
Each night the group will be stopping at a local congregation to speak about the biblical imperative to care for God’s creation and about what each of us can do to be better stewards of everything the Lord has given us.
Follow this blog regularly from May 8-May 25, 2010 for updates on the days events and for opportunities to become engaged. To join the evening sessions, walk, and follow the route click here.
You Can Be Assured of Temptation
May 4, 2010
If you endeavor to seek the life of Christ you can be assured of daily and regular temptation. Temptation to turn away from the gospel as you received it, and how does Paul say we received this good news? In his letter to the Corinthians he is clear, “Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you were saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”
Hold fast to the belief in the very literal death for your sin and very literal resurrection of the Lord. These are of first importance, the other speculations pale in comparison to this gospel truth. Be comforted by the gospel, meditate on these words, and let it transform your day to day into the life abundant. Remember that temptation will come, and it will come in some times as a twisting of the words of God.
Isn’t it true that God says you can test his will? Isn’t it true that you can live as you want in your private life? Isn’t it true that you can be one person at work and another one to your family? Won’t God rescue you as you become increasingly disobedient? This is foolishness, let us follow the example of our Savior who said simply that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from above. Hold fast, pray, spend time with the Lord who dearly loves you as his own son and daughter.
The pleasure of God in the faithful worker
May 3, 2010
God is well pleased with a person who seeks the Father’s heart who does not turn aside from the way established for him/her. It is an act of God this sort of establishing. For when God rescues us from sin and sets our feet firmly on the Rock, it is very much akin to the prodigal’s return. The Father rejoices. He says here is my son whom I love very much, I have waited for you and now you have returned.
From that starting point we can be assured that God is equally pleased with the one who does his will and sets his heart upon the matters of the kingdom. In whatever vineyard you find yourself in, labor for the Lord, knowing that the Lord is well pleased with the person who seeks his heart within his kingdom. You do not have to wait for a missions trip or a special calling to be in God’s vineyard. Look around, seek the opportunities the Lord has placed before you to be salt & light to a world in desperately in need of knowing Him.
When to keep conserving a species?
March 16, 2010
“Should we be trying to save the dodo?”
It seems like a ludicrous question given that the dodo has been extinct for several hundred years. However, the decision to give up on a species can be complicated and full of uncertainties and seemingly arbitrary criteria. A team of Australian researchers is working on at least one frame to bring to the process.
You can read about their work in the article linked below:
http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100312/full/news.2010.120.html
The Genesis of Pixar (post in The New Atlantis by John Murdock)
March 8, 2010
Check out this thoughtful post on Up and WALL-E and some of the origins the greener elements of those films by John Murdock writing for The New Atlantis.
Here is an excerpt from John’s post.
“The centrality of human relations and redemption to both Up and WALL-E may have something to do with the relationship between Stanton and Pete Docter, the director/co-writer of Up, and a fellow Christian. In fact, the original story for WALL-E dates back to a 1994 conversation between the two, and they earned a joint Oscar nomination for their screenwriting efforts. Both were also integral to the creation of Toy Story, and Stanton was later the executive producer of Up. It requires no great feats of interpretation to see how the directors’ mutual Biblical faith influenced the two movies. Even if some of the references to Genesis were the result of what Stanton describes as the Old Testament being ’sort of built into our DNA,’ others certainly were intentional.”
You can read the full post at The New Atlantis website by visiting http://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/the-genesis-of-pixar.
Renewal’s Green Awakenings Christian Campuses Report
February 22, 2010
Check out this great resource for Christian college students, presidents, and staff. Renewal: Students Caring for Creation has released a report which tells the story of many creation care initiatives from Christian college campuses across the country. Congratulations to Ben Lowe and Anna Jane Joyner for their hard work on the report.
You can review and download the report here and read a special release from Campbellsville University here.
Dr. Tim Keller on Can Faith be Green?
February 18, 2010
Check out this excellent and thoughtful reflection at Redemer’s website. Click here.
A small preview, “In Chapter 11 He is standing in front of the tomb of his friend Lazarus who has just died of the plague or disease… He claims to be God and He is standing in front of the tomb and the bible says He is angry … Jesus Christ who says He is God can be mad at he plague and still not mad at himself, because He knows this is not the way it’s supposed to be … so someday He can end all this [pain, suffering, disease, pain] without ending us.”
When God Reminds you He’s God
January 25, 2010
by Brian McArthur
A smile in another man’s face as he patiently offers to let you pass.
The moonrise over the ocean, so big and so golden it seems like the sun; its rays illuminating the thin bands of clouds blanketing the waves.
The luminescence and spectacular beauty of a lighting storm as seen from above; pure darkness, utter blackness suddenly interrupted by a flash that throws silver lining along the mass of clouds, backlit with white fire and halfway translucent; the flicker as it dies away, like a spluttering candle.
The sea-green and aquamarine pools of the Caribbean seen from 39,000 feet; with white shores rimming barren strips of desert, and wider patches of green.
The fog and mist on hills covered in rainforest, rising and falling, creating lightshows and lending a haunting loneliness to the mountains as they spill toward the sea.
The fragrance of newly wet earth, blown in from a thunderhead miles distant, the dark streak of rain slanting toward the thirsty ground.
The amazing intricacy of certain tiny blossoms, scarcely large enough to catch your eye as you pass quickly by.
The sudden crispness in the air as summer gives way to autumn, accompanied by the occasional crunch of the largest leaves underfoot.
The unanticipated and non-negotiable generosity of a friend who pays for your meal before you even have time to protest.
Just standing in the rain and letting God wash the filth and the complications from your life, feeling his grace fall to the roots of your hair and run off your nose, drenching and renewing you completely.
Watching a falling snow gently cover the world with silence and peace; being still and knowing that He is God.
Stopping to watch a butterfly and wondering if it truly has a destination, or if it is there simply to be seen and admired.
Looking out from a mountain and thanking God you are alive.
Just listening to a friend talk about their passions, and thanking God for creating more than just you.
A squirrel springing through the grass, either in directionless bliss or abject terror at your passing.
Gazing in wonder at a sky blazing with stars, tracking the disk of our galaxy across it; a sky that helps you to realize your size in proportion to the universe, and the disproportionate love of the creator for you.
Hugging a pine tree and breathing in the butterscotch-vanilla scent.
Being deafened by the roar of a torrential downpour on a metal roof.
Swinging lazily in a hammock on a hot afternoon, gazing at ants below and being glad you’re not quite as busy.
Listening to pigeons coo in the evening and train whistles in the distance at night.
Being blinded by a flash of lighting and left deafened with the crash of thunder as God reminds you that you are mortal.
Trading a knowing glance with a fox, as both stop to contemplate one another.
Witnessing another’s baptism and sharing in their joy, as yet another screwed up individual becomes a blameless brother or sister.
Pouring out your soul in worship, sometimes oblivious, sometimes aware of and warmed by the scores of voices raised up around you, praising your common Father.
The sudden realization that somewhere, someone is praying for you.
Prayer with a friend.
God’s embrace.
U.S. President Remarks in Copenhagen
December 18, 2009
Be sure to read his full remarks here.
Our Evangelical Voice in Copenhagen IMPORTANT UPDATE
December 17, 2009
Sent 3:00 pm EST Thursday December 17, 2009 from Copenhagen
Important Update from Copenhagen:
It’s Thursday afternoon and Secretary Clinton just announced what many are describing as a major breakthrough that could break the deadlock in the talks. The “blockbuster” announcement, as it has already been described by some in the environmental community, has to do with our key concerns: appropriate funding to help the poor adapt to climate impacts and achieve climate-friendly, sustainable economic progress.
Only hours earlier it was being reported that China was saying that an agreement on major elements of a comprehensive deal wouldn’t be possible. (My interpretation: China isn’t comfortable with where the so-called “MRV” discussions with the US are going and wanted to have everyone join in a weak statement in order to have the blame shared, rather than have most of it fall on them.)
With this announcement from Secretary Clinton, the US is clearly putting pressure on China to come to an agreement on the MRV issues, namely that efforts on emissions must be measurable, reported on, and be verifiable. The US wants such verification to be transparent to the international community, but China is very sensitive to the idea of outside observers verifying their efforts.
Such verification is absolutely essential. There is no way we can ever pass comprehensive climate legislation in the US unless this issue is adequately dealt with.
So to provide a much needed boost to the stalled talks Secretary Clinton announced (see relevant excerpts below) that “the United States is prepared to work with other countries toward a goal of jointly mobilizing $100 billion a year by 2020 to address the climate change needs of developing countries.”
Sounds good. But …
1. There’s a big condition: this $100 billion a year offer is only good if a deal can be struck in Copenhagen on verification. As Secretary Clinton said, it must be “in the context of a strong accord in which all major economies stand behind meaningful mitigation actions and provide full transparency as to their implementation …” So if China (and other major emerging economies) don’t agree to a deal on verification, this $100 billion a year aid package for poorest countries won’t be forthcoming. (Politically, this is an attempt to split the developing countries, which normally operate as a block called the G77.)
2. It is very unclear where this funding will come from, both in terms of how much the US is prepared to contribute and how much will be from public sources and how much from private.
3. It is also very unclear how much will go towards the three areas needing funding: (1) adaptation; (2) forestry; (3) and mitigation/tech transfer.
4. Though $100 billion is a substantial sum, the American people must be assured that we are making a wise investment. This is especially true with something as controversial as climate change, we must hear from our relief and development agencies and others on exactly what is needed. A strong commitment is important but must be wisely spent with oversight and accountability.
EEN has been jointly focused on securing adequate funding for adaptation that meets the Bali Action Plan criteria of being “adequate, predictable and sustainable” and “new and additional.” We have worked with other religious communities in the US through the National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE) on such adaptation funding within comprehensive climate change legislation.
Let me make three points on EEN’s position:
1. Adaptation funding needs to be separate from the other funding. While on the ground there can be helpful overlap between adaptation and mitigation (which includes both forestry and clean development/tech transfer), there are many, many needs that are primarily if not exclusively adaptation needs. This includes such things as drought resistant crops, or dealing with health impacts, or creating robust disaster preparedness programs that can deal with the climate-intensified natural disasters, or helping with climate refugees.
2. The adaptation funding of this package should be public funding, and the US should contribute 25% of the public adaptation funding in keeping with our history of generosity in the areas of AIDS funding and past help with major international disasters. We shouldn’t be less generous with adaptation than we have been with these other international humanitarian concerns.
3. A major portion of the $100 billion a year should go towards public financing of a balance of both bi-lateral and multi-lateral adaptation funding. (As a reminder of the need: a recent World Bank study puts adaptation needs at $75-100 billion a year.) The bi-lateral funding from the US should be handled by USAID and be available as grants to non-profit relief and development organizations such as World Vision, Food for the Hungry, etc. These organizations have long-term relationships with poor communities in poor countries, and will ensure both accountability of the funds spent as well as that local communities are strong participants in the development and implementation of adaptation projects. Further, such bi-lateral funding will help with a key sticking point in the talks — whether such funding should go to most vulnerable developing nations or most vulnerable developing communities/individuals. The multi-lateral funding should go to the former, but the bi-lateral funding should be allowed to go to most vulnerable developing communities/individuals who may live in developing countries other than the least developed countries.
I am encouraged by this major announcement by Secretary Clinton on aid to developing countries. It’s great that it may help to un-stall the talks here. But, to play off of the old saying that the devil is in the details, righteousness is also in the details. We need to know more of the details before we can fully celebrate this $100 billion-a-year offer.
Excerpts From Secretary Clinton’s Remarks:
There is a way forward based on a number of core elements: decisive national actions, an operational accord that internationalizes those actions, assistance for nations that are the most vulnerable and least prepared to meet the effects of climate change, and standards of transparency that provide credibility to the entire process. The world community should accept no less.
And the United States is ready to embrace this path.
First, we have announced our intention to cut our emissions in the range of 17 percent below 2005 levels in 2020 and ultimately in line with final climate and energy legislation. In light of the President’s goals, the expected pathway in pending legislation would extend those cuts to 30 percent by 2025, 42 percent by 2030, and more than 80 percent by 2050.
Second, we also recognize that an agreement must provide generous financial and technological support for developing countries, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable, to help them reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. That’s why we joined an effort to mobilize fast-start funding that will ramp up to $10 billion in 2012 to support the adaptation and mitigation efforts of countries in need.
And today I’d like to announce that, in the context of a strong accord in which all major economies stand behind meaningful mitigation actions and provide full transparency as to their implementation, the United States is prepared to work with other countries toward a goal of jointly mobilizing $100 billion a year by 2020 to address the climate change needs of developing countries. We expect this funding will come from a wide variety of sources, public and private, bilateral and multilateral, including alternative sources of finance. This will include a significant focus on forestry and adaptation, particularly, again I repeat, for the poorest and most vulnerable among us.
So there should be no doubt about the commitment of the United States to reaching a successful agreement here in Copenhagen and meeting this great global challenge together.
This next part of the statement made clear that the US is wanting to pressure China to agree to transparency and verification of measurable efforts on emissions — and if they don’t, then the poorest countries will lose out of the financing being offered here in Copenhagen by the developed countries:
I am deeply concerned about the consequences for developing countries – from Bangladesh to the Maldives, from the Caribbean to West Africa and the Pacific Islands – if we cannot secure the kind of strong operational accord I’ve described today. We know what the consequences will be for the farmer in Bangladesh or the herder in Africa or the family being battered by hurricanes in Central America. Without that accord, there won’t be the kind of joint global action from all of the major economies we all want to see, and the effects in the developing world could be catastrophic. We know what will happen. Rising seas, lost farmland, drought and so much else. Without the accord, the opportunity to mobilize significant resources to assist developing countries with mitigation and adaptation will be lost.
Rev. Jim Ball
Writing from Copenhagen
