Global Warming and God

I was reading this article on Global Warming, which started like this...

New alarms are rung on perils of global warming
The Associated Press
Published: February 27, 2007

UNITED NATIONS, New York: To head off the worst of climate change, governments must pour tens of billions of dollars more than they are into clean- energy research and enforce sharp rollbacks in fossil-fuel emissions, a scientific panel reported to the United Nations on Tuesday.

The United Nations itself must better prepare to help tens of millions of "environmental refugees," the panel said, and the authorities everywhere should discourage new building on land less than one meter, or 39 inches, above sea level.

The 166-page report, two years in the making, forecasts a turbulent 21st century of rising seas, spreading drought and disease, weather extremes, and damage to farming, forests, fisheries and other economic areas.

"The challenge of halting climate change is one to which civilization must rise," said the panel of 18 scientists from 11 nations...

I've been following Global Warming, much like many others, over the months and can't help but to think it's important. Very important. It is a problem to which "civilization must rise up" as the article says. Rise up.

I don't have a lot of conclusions just yet, but I'm quite certain that God created the Earth and put Man in charge of taking care of the Earth. Somehow, when we destroy the Earth through industry and complacency and apathy, we are hurting God. I've come across a new thing I hadn't thought of before as well - how does Global Warming affect or will it affect Global Hunger...? I know Bono is doing some work in this area and so are others, but again, I don't know enough about it yet.

Think about it though, if creation is groaning (see Romans 8:22) both inwardly and outwardly for redemption, there must be some part of that which means we have to RISE UP. More on this later.

the memories of culture

Amsterdam Market
Originally uploaded by Photo Doocker.

Jayla just forwarded me this wonderful explanation of what its like for someone with a global mind, someone who thinks and breathers globally...

"To the extent we identify with people of another culture and become global, we find ourselves alienated from our kinsmen and friends in our homeland. It is a basic difference in how we now look at things. We have moved from a philosophy that assumes uniformity to one that has to cope with variety, and our old friends often don't understand us when we return.

In one sense, global people never fully adjust to one culture, there own or their adopted one. Within themselves they are part of both. When abroad they dream of their home country, and need little rituals that reaffirm this part of themselves-a food package, a letter, a visitor. When in their home country, they dream of their adopted country, and need little rituals that reaffirm this part of themselves-a visitor from that country, a meal, etc. Global people seem happiest when they are flying from one country to another."

It really hit home for us as just last night we were thinking about how wonderful some of the Dutch culture is and how we miss it. It is a beautiful thing to enjoy so much about the world and to think about culture and God and world redemption in the same breath. It is the breath of like in fact, and for me it is all there is. So long as I only think of my world, I am doomed to myself.

Cool Links

Surface Below

My good friend Ross is currently travelling through Africa and India photographing children as part of a mission from Children's Relief International and other organizations. His pictures and stories are wonderful. And did I mention his pictures... remember his name cause I think we'll be seeing some of Ross's images grace the covers of many prominent news publications in the years to come.

Cambodia: A Poster Child for Modern-Day Slavery

This is an amazing article from World Vision about the a young girl in Cambodia, sold into slavery, raped and beaten and now on the road to recovery. It is a tragic and heroic story at the same time.

Did they find Jesus' grave...?

This documentary by James Cameron, which will play on the Discovery Channel soon is trying to link an archaeological find to Jesus burial place. Should be interesting...

Peep

Asher_yummmmm
Originally uploaded by Photo Doocker.

Our good friend Patricia stayed overnight with us last night. She was on her way back to Amsterdam after spenind the past few weeks in Colorado and Arizona visiting some people and skiing. It was great to see her, get updates on Amsterdam, learn about what life looks like for her and various other things.

But, perhaps the best part was how much Asher loved on "P & co" as she is referred to by some of us. Asher just called her "Peep." He really enjoyed playing with her and even wanted to wake her up this morning. It was so, so cute. He just kept yelling "PEEP! PEEP!" "Richia friend!" So, I hope Peep is off and flying and is safe on her way back to Amsterdam.

fly on the wall

fly on the wall
Originally uploaded by Photo Doocker.

My ears keep ringing with the sounds of revolution. It's as if I am but a fly on the wall of God's plan with Jesus. I don't mean this in a self-inflating way or a self-absorbing way, but more like - wow, I'm starting to get it... it's just that I don't quite understand my role to play just yet. I hear certain words ringing in my ears...

REVOLUTION

REDEMPTION

RESTORATION

REVITALIZATION

Over and over they ring. They ring day and night. There is a revolution going on as Chuck D would say, now it's time to figure out what part to play.

up for a different challenge

I just read this crazy article about three guys crossing the Sahara Desert by foot in 111 days... that's the equivalent of about 50 miles a day. Don't get me wrong, but this is nuts. Endurance. Determination. Wow. Here's the link...

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/news/story?id=2772368

Up for a challenge

I copied this article from Rick Reilly, who writes for Sports Illustrated (and who also helped start Nothing But Nets, to help fund malaria nets for kids in Africa, which is also supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) because it is so powerful - a great read...

You up for a challenge?

I'm going to tell you about five young Americans at the peak of their athletic lives. Your job is to guess how all five lives came together in the past month.

One. As usual, Elizabeth Loncki is acting very unladylike, just the way she likes it. It's 2001, she's 18 and she's challenging her dad to a push-up contest. He just did 50, but now Elizabeth is hitting 51.

He could've done 100, and she would've done 101. That's how she is. A 5'5" Energizer Bunny, she's the furnace that heats the volleyball team at Padua Academy in Wilmington, Del. She's the darling of the weight room wherever she works out, spotting guys twice her size.

She also reads to shut-ins and runs errands for seniors. And seems like twice a week, she'll get up early so she can get balloons for somebody at school. Just don't try calling her "sweet."

Two. Brian (Cap'n) Freeman is about to become one of the best in the world at something he never thought he'd even try -- bobsledding.

A burly brakeman from the virtually snowless town of Temecula, Calif., Freeman digs in, grunts and pushes the U.S. to a bronze medal at the 2002 America's Cup in Lake Placid, N.Y. But Freeman isn't just the piston for his sled team, he's also the soul of it -- willing to push for drivers other than his own, just to give them a chance to develop with a few more runs. "A total team guy," says Steven Holcomb, the current World Cup bobsled points leader. "I wouldn't be where I am today without Brian."

Three. If you'd been there when Shawn Falter was a toddler, with those massive braces on both legs, you wouldn't believe what you're seeing now, as the senior leads his 1998-99 Homer (N.Y.) High basketball team. No longer pigeon-toed, he's blocking shots, rebounding like a man on a caffeine drip, scoring when it's needed and setting up teammates the rest of the time.

That's nothing. You should see him on the football field, scoring TDs at tight end and trying to decapitate receivers at safety. And all while being skinnier than a one-iron.

"All heart," marvels Jeff Tabel, who was his hoops coach. "Born to lead."

Four. Luis Castillo isn't just a good wrestler, he's the captain of the 2003-04 team at Mattawan (Mich.) High. Wait! He's not just the captain, he's the winner of the team's leadership award.

And wrestling is only where it starts. He's a break-dancing, bungee-jumping, joke-telling machine in a crew cut. "The all-American kid," the grown-ups call him. And it makes you wonder: How many people know he was born in Mexico?

Five. It's 2000, and 17-year-old Jason Corbett takes his mark at the ancient Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. The timer is ready and -- bang! -- Corbett's off. Of course, there's no official time for his run because there's nobody in the stands and it's his buddy holding the watch.

He's not in a track meet, he's on a trip with some Casper, Wyo., high school classmates. But, hey, that's not going to stop Corbett from running or having a good time. Nothing stops Corbett. He swallows life whole -- track, snowboarding, fly-fishing and hunting. The kid has all the warning signs of a thrillaholic and loves anything to do with the outdoors. Maybe that's why he ended up in the only place big enough for him: Alaska.


So what do these five athletes have in common? They were all killed in Iraq during a two-week period in January.

Air Force Senior Airman Loncki, 23, was killed by a car bomb near Al-Mahmudiyah.

Army Captain Freeman, 31, was killed by insurgents disguised as American soldiers in Karbala.

Army Private First Class Falter, 25, died as a result of that same ambush.

Marine Lance Corporal Castillo, 20, died from wounds suffered while on patrol in Al Anbar province.

Army Specialist Corbett, 23, died of injuries from small-arms fire suffered while on patrol in Karmah.

Five athletes. Five futures. All gone.

Five of 84 Americans killed from New Year's Day through Sunday. Five of 3,084 Americans killed since the war began.

Athletes love teams, and when they run out of sports teams they sometimes join bigger teams, ones with Humvees for huddles and tombstones for trophies and coaches they've never met sending them into a hell they never imagined.

And they throw their whole selves into it anyway, because they are brave and disciplined and will chew through concrete to win the game.

But what if the game can't be won?

my giving lacks

thy kingdom come
Originally uploaded by Photo Doocker.

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." (2 Corinthians 8:13-15)

As I've been wrestling through my life over the past months and especially weeks, I've been challenged to see where I really give my heart, my knees and my resources. Well... challenged is an understatement.

My heart is often at work or on my bike. My knees are hardly broken and rarely kneel before God. And my resources - I give when it's convenient and timely, and I feel pretty good about myself, but the reality is my resources are still mine. Me. Me. Me.

And yet my heart longs for so much more. It longs for a richness and fullness that can only be found in the generosity of allowing the gifts of God to pass through me. And my knees are made to bend and fall before God - I can feel it as if feeling the ache of your bones on a rainy day. I numb myself to the ache of prayer by popping pills of self-reliance and self-help. And the resources at my disposal are so often just that, my resources. The reality is so far from my reality. My soul yearns for more.

Give me neither poverty nor riches. But give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:8-9)


I'm helpless.

I'm a product of greed.

I'm a slave to want.

Scripture explains something else. And I'm being challenged to break the chains of selfishness and the cycle of self-indulgence to instead rely upon God, to trust in God, to seek hard after God, to commune with God, to be generous like God, to love like Jesus. I'm so far away.

Equality. Everyone has enough, so nobody needs and nobody wants.

Generosity. Give and given to.

Love. Take care and be taken care of.

It's funny because things seem to be falling into place around me. My friends are moved by similar thoughts and ideas. Brian is investigating the Harvest Farm. Joe wants to meet with me about communal living. Todd is preaching of Generosity in Community. Seth is dreaming of urban farming solutions. Lee wants redemption via house communities. Drew is learning to lead through fatherhood. Maybe you have amazing stories...

Revolution is everywhere. Redemption is on the move. Revitalization is around the corner.

Changed by children

U2 Declaration of Human Rights
Originally uploaded by Photo Doocker.

Jayla and I were riding home from Fort Collins last night talking about our dreams and desires. What are the needs in the world that drive us emotionally...? What are our dreams to fulfill those needs...? What resources do we need to help...? How can we help...?

One thing became very clear to me... we are both concerned and moved and affected and challenged by the children of the world. We see so many needs - education, water, extreme poverty, sickness, AIDS... the list goes on. Since having Asher and now another baby on the way, we have both become hyper sensitive to the needs of children in our world.

And I think of the UN's Declaration of Human Rights and I think of the massive abouts of child abuse every day... children are abused in almost any and every possible way, imaginable and unimaginable, intentionally and unintentionally.

They are sold as sex slaves

They are traded for food.

They are used as human shields.

They are forced into labor.

They are brainwashed to fight in militias and gangs.

Something must be done. How...? How...? How...? How will Jayla and I get involved. This is yet to be seen, but we know it starts in our own hearts and own home. It starts with how we raise our own children and how we honor God in doing so. We will follow Him, for he tells us in James 1:27 that "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

And then I read this article on CNN today about Child Soldiers, it's worth the read. And I read about how almost 1000 children die every hour from hunger related issues. And I read about how 9 year old girls can make thousands of dollars a month as sex slaves in Thailand. And I read about how children are kidnapped and caged and starved in my own backyard.

Our children. Why do we do what we do to our children...? My heart breaks every time. What will we do to make a change...? How will we help...? How will we remain unstained...? The answers will come.

PhotoFriday

Beach Huts - Holland
Originally uploaded by Photo Doocker.

I don't even know what PhotoFriday is, but I saw that the theme was "sky" so I picked a picture of the sky.

As per any photo though, I'm reminded of my memories when I see this pic. I took it while vacationing in Texel (Northeastern tip of Holland) with my wife and our great friends Seth and Kathryn. We rode bikes all around, eat great meals, hung out, drank some good beers and just plain enjoyed each other.

I'd say if there was one thing - one thing - that has been hardest about where we live today, it's that I don't have any "heart" friends too close. I mean, I have Cole and Joe and Brian and they are indeed such friends, but they are an hour away. Indeed, an hour is not so bad, but it's not so close either. I miss having friends like Seth and Todd and Theo and Brian and Joe and Lee Steef and Cole and Mike and Matt and Mac and Drew and Jurren and Justin and Sam and Jonas and others close by - I mean like within a few minutes. These are great friends. True friends. Amazing friends. These are the friends who live in so many memories.

a great beer

a great beer
Originally uploaded by Photo Doocker.

I didn't have anything particularly fun to post about today, so... I was sitting hear at work quite parched actually, when the thought came to me...

ahhhhh.... beer.

And as any normal human being would do, I started dreaming about what kind of beer I would have right now if I could have anything I wanted. I thought of New Belgium Fat Tire and of Sam Smiths Nut Brown Ale and of Bridgeport IPA and I thought of Palm Speciale. I like Palm. I think I like it just as much for the memories as for the beer itself, but anything with a memory tastes better.

So, this one goes out to Seth and Sam - two of my favorite people to share a Palm with - Prost!

the earth and hunger

Sunset in Holland Canals
Originally uploaded by Photo Doocker.

I remember the night vividly. We were 'sailing' with the de Groots on their boat (The Orinoco) through some of the famous Dutch canalways that run pretty much through the entire North of the country. It is an amazing maze of water connecting little towns with small towns with bustling towns with sleeping towns. Great stuff with great friends. We make a BBQ and ate like kings - it is a wonderful memory.

And with that memory also comes a very vivid additional memory. It is the memory of gnats, millions of them. Millions upon millions of tiny, biting, feasting bugs. They were everywhere. We were swatting, hitting and waving at them with everything we could pick up. To no avail. And I remember this guy on the boat next to ours laughing. He wan't laughing so much at us and with us. It must have been comical I admit. But, the bugs - there were so many. We were defenseless but to go inside the cabin of the boat and drink wine and sink our teeth into delectable cheese (which I guess isn't so bad.)

And it reminded me of God - everything is His, the Earth and everything on it and in it and under it and around it. It's amazing really. Even those stupid little biting gnats play a role and they are His. I'm not sure why, but they are still His.

I have to be honest with you. I can't comprehend it. I write about it but I can't comprehend it.

I wonder if part of why I can't comprehend it is because us Humans have abused it all so much.

4000 children die every day from diarrhea.

16,000 children die every day from hunger related causes.

4.3 Million people contracted AIDS last year.

ExxonMobil made $39.5 Billion in profit last year. Profit!!!!!!

$11Million is spent per hour on the war in Iraq.

I'm not saying that all war is inherently wrong or that corporate greed is the only problem in our world. But you tell me - what is wrong with this picture...? When almost 1000 children die every day from hunger, a lot of which is caused by war and corporate greed, something is wrong. Is this a picture of the Garden... of the Creation... of paradise...?

I'm afraid of the answer. I'm afraid of my response. Are you...?

Excessive Flatulence

It's true. I have gas. A lot of it.

I have so much that I decided I needed to start doing some research on it. I've been bloated and in significant discomfort lately. Looking around the Internet I found two very interesting things.

1) The average person farts 10-20 times a day. This is not so interesting as the fat that I pass gas up to 20 times an hour. Something in my bowels is not quite right, so I've been trying to drink FiberWise and am taking a suplement of Probiotics trying to get back to "normal."

2) There are companies out there actually profiting from flatulence. Seriously. I almost fell out of my seat when I realized this was real. You gotta check out FLAT D Innovations, "The #1 name in flatulence odor control products." This is amazing.

OK - I'll return to more serious posts later, but since this blog is mostly about me and my thoughts, you just had to know.

Modern Day Slaves

I'm not sure how it worked out in the way it did, but two things (maybe three) came together this weekend in an unplanned manner. First, I read this amazing article in a National Geographic back issue called "21st Century Slaves." Then Jayla rented the movie, Memoirs of a Geisha, based on the novel with the same title. On top of that, I've been moved over the past few years in a very intense way to try and better understand the reality of modern day slaves in our world.

It's not hype.

It's not fiction.

It's not Hollywood.

It's not just Africa.

Child slaves. Class slaves. Race slaves. Slaves take many shapes, many sizes and many trades. Some are sold into it by their parents. Some are born into it through an accident of latitude and longitude. Some are just unlucky. Some work for the Gap and some for Nike. Some make semi-conductors and some make jeans. Some are used for sexual pleasure and some for picking grain.

Each one of them has a name.

A face.

A smile.

A heart.

A soul.

All are the result of humanity's brokenness. All are the result of one man/woman believing that he/she is inherantly more valuable than another. All are the result of a wacky and twisted world created and maintained by the powerful, by the rich, by the lucky.

And all are children of the Creator, who says, "the least among you will be greatest", "the first shall be last the last shall be first." He has made them. He has made them in His image.

What role do I play in it...?

What role do I serve to continue the madness...?

What can I do about it...?

I must and will take a stand.

an invitation

Church Door
Originally uploaded by Photo Doocker.

Shane Claiborne, in his book, the Irrestible Revolution, states the following: "People are not crucified for helping poor people: people are crucified for joining them."

Christ has invited us to join. He has invited us to take a step of faith - a step through the door to poverty. I'm trying to open the door. My fear is holding me back. But I'm learning.

I'm learning that poverty isn't just about the poor (though that's where I feel the stare of God.) Spiritual poverty is rampant in Western Society. It's pervasive and only getting worse.

I'm learning that Christ promised 'good' but never 'easy'. Look at Scripture:

We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Certainly, Paul's ministry wasn't easy. Watch The Passion's depiction of Christ in the garden - this was not easy. But, good - yes, yes, yes.

So it's not easy. Why do I hesitate even when I know what to do...?

staring contest

staring contest
Originally uploaded by Photo Doocker.

I took this picture while on my last days in Amsterdam. I was standing near the Flower Market when I captured this moment in time. It wasn't until seeing it on my computer that I realized how intense this man was staring at me. It was like I was in a staring contest with him and believe me, he won. Even to this day, I almost feel like I have to turn away when looking at the pic since his glare is so intense.

Have you ever felt like someone is staring at you...?

I have.

And I feel like its God.

He is staring at me intensely wondering when I will step up to action and take hold of that which has been given to me. He is asking me to act and His eyes are piercing my heart.