Gift-giving12/22/2021 As some of us are gearing up to celebrate around this holiday season it’s so easy to get consumed with a plethora of product offerings to give to our friends and families. Now I’m not going to lie, I do appreciate a good product gift 😊, however, I realize that giving is so much more than the usual tangible holiday gift-giving. And sometimes solely giving product gifts breeds a temporary effect or a short appreciation for many individuals. So, as we enter this holiday season it is my hope, wish, and prayer that you provide gifts of love, peace, patience, and encouragement to those you love and cherish. Love, peace, patience, and encouragement are priceless, and their footprint will last - always.
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I’m a Christian, not an Environmentalist12/7/2021 The natural environment consists of living and non-living things on earth that are non-human. The natural environment includes natural resources such as air, water, climate, vegetation, and land. Taking care of our environment plus promoting a clean environment and adhering to sustainable practices that lend themselves to clean air, water, and healthy vegetation should be the responsibility of every capable human being here on earth. However, some Christians tend to leave taking care of our environment in the hands of scientists or environmentalists. They do not care or understand the impacts of their daily routines that affect our environment. Yet, according to Genesis 1:26-28, all of humanity was created in the image of God, and God has instructed humankind to take care of the earth that they live on (Psalm 8:6).
You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: (Psalm 8:6) Hence as image bearers, the human race has dominion over the earth, and we are called through Scripture to steward this planet well. Our obligation as image bearers is to take care of planet earth as instruments of God’s words and actions. Therefore, Christians are environmentalists as we should lead others and take charge of supervising and maintaining this beautiful planet God has placed us on. Being an environmentalist is not an option for image bearers, it is God’s mandate. Practically leading the Environmental Movement Conceivably you may be unsure of how to practically lead this environmental movement. Fortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), gives us practical guides on how to live out and lead in taking care of our environment. One way to reduce your environmental impact is to reduce your energy waste. You can also look to protect human health and the environment by buying greener products. A simple useful practice in taking care of our environment is switching out your plastic water bottle for a reusable glass water bottle. Walk, bike or carpool to work or school to reduce the pollution produced by vehicles. Keep a recycle bin to reduce the need for wresting, refining, and processing raw material, which create substantial air and water pollution. Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, and it conserves natural resources. In addition to you practicing sustainability you can lead this effort by partnering with your Outreach & Missions team at your church to clean up parks or neighborhoods by picking up and recycling trash. You can proclaim God’s creation to be good by sharing on social media how others can prevent pollution and conserve energy. Leading this environmental movement is not an option for believers, because God’s matters are our matters. Furthermore, God has given us a privileged position in supervising his wonderful creation here on earth. Christians should be grateful that our personal God has made us and trusted us with the responsibility to steward our planet well. Author
Immerse yourself in Christian Theology through the biblical teaching & writing of Charonda Woods-Boone Archives
November 2023
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