Tag: stewardship

Gardening Eden :: why the church should care about environmentalism

mattsulphur

Growing up, there’s one thing I remember most about working with my dad during the summers. No matter what — the radio would be on and we’d work listening to Paul Harvey and the man behind the golden EIB microphone — Rush Limbaugh.

As I look back now, I’m not sure if it was hearing Rush day after day, or just being around the people we connected with, but by the time I read Rush’s first two books – I was sold on the idea that it truly a battle between us and them. Good vs. Evil. Honest conservatives against the lying, tree-hugging, liberals.

Listen to Rush each day and then throw in a couple hours of Bob Larson each day and you’ve got yourself one hell of an education about the world’s evil doers.

Now I’m not trying to down anyone for listening to Rush or Larson, I know plenty of fine folks who do, but over the years I’ve come to see that they no longer subscribe to my personal beliefs. And I can pretty much guarantee that it’s not that they’ve changed one bit – but I can definitely say that I have.

Ten years ago I might have picked up a book about environmentalism. I might have even tried reading some of it. Fifteen years ago I would have scoffed and pointed out all I knew about why environmentalist wackos were — well wackos.
Continue reading Gardening Eden :: why the church should care about environmentalism

WIN :: Gardening Eden

The view from our family's farm in Nebraska (circa 2004)

I’m right in the middle of reading Gardening Eden by Michael Abbaté. It’s a great timely read – especially with Earth Day on Wednesday.

I’ve got an extra copy of the book, so as a thank you to folks who read this blog, I’m giving away a copy of the book on Friday afternoon. Read the synopsis and then find out how to win below…

Before the snake, the apple, and the Ten Commandments, God created a garden, placed humans in it, and told them to take care of it.

“Spiritual environmentalism” did not start out as an oxymoron—it was an invitation. Yet today, many believe God’s original job description for humankind has been replaced by other worthier pursuits. So when did this simple instruction become so controversial? How does one sort through all the mixed messages? Is making the world a healthier place for the next generation really a responsibility—or even possible?

Gardening Eden is a new understanding of how the spiritual dimensions of life can find expression and renewal through caring for our incredible planet. Empowering, simple, and never polemical, Michael Abbaté outlines the Bible’s clear spiritual benefits of caring for creation, exploring new motivations and inspired ideas, and revealing the power of our basic connection to all people and living things through the growing interest in spiritual environmentalism.

Green living is no longer a fad—simple lifestyle solutions are now available to everyone. Gardening Eden shows readers how this shift transforms not only our world, but their very souls as they’re drawn into deeper harmony with the Creator. This book invites them to discover the powerful spiritual satisfaction of heeding the call to save our world.

To win:
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment sharing what you think about “spiritual environmentalism.” It can be a short response, a long response, pro or negative, just so long as you share your thoughts in the comment below. This contest will go until Friday afternoon @ 5pm (my time) and then a winner will be randomly chosen.

Easy cheesy. So what are you waiting for?