Archive for the 'Environment' Category

Loving God’s World: Christian Faith and the Environment

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on November 13, 2008
in Environment
. 3 Comments

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Nicole at 168 Hours has posted an excellent series on Christian faith and the environment:

I think the answer to how we should view God’s world as Christians can be found in looking at two ways that the Bible teaches us to love the world, and two ways that we are not to love the world (depending on what you mean by ‘world’ and what you mean by ‘love’).

You can read the four articles in the series at the links below.

Two ways we are not to love the world:

  1. The Idolatry of Nature Worship
  2. The Idolatry of Greed

Two ways we are to love the world:

  1. Sharing God’s Delight in the Creation
  2. Loving the People Who Share the Earth with Us

__________________________________

Related posts: God’s Good Creation Series

Animals around the World

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on October 20, 2008
in Animals and Environment
. 3 Comments

The Big Picture celebrates World Animal Day (October 4, 2008) with stunning pictures of animals from all around the world. Here are my two favorites. (You can click on the pictures for larger versions.)

        Polar Bear and Cub | Stuttgart Zoo
Polar Bear and Cub | Stuttgart Zoo

        Common Kingfisher | Bird of the Year 2009
Common Kingfisher | Bird of the Year 2009

Started in Florence Italy in 1931 at a convention of ecologists, World Animal Day has since expanded its focus from its original intent, which was to bring attention to endangered or threatened species. The day is now set aside as a time to reflect on all of the animals we share this world with, and our involvement with them - and to spur action to commemorate that respectful relationship.

Inflate and Drill

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on August 8, 2008
in Environment, Politics and Random Thoughts
. 0 Comments

Obama says, “Don’t drill for oil; inflate your tires.” How about inflate and drill? At this rate, it’s either inflate your tires and drill for oil, or inflate the price of oil and drill your tires.

Click here for more Random Thoughts.

Animal Rights, Plant Rights

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on May 5, 2008
in Abortion, Current Events and Environment
. 2 Comments

First there were human rights, then came animal rights, and now there are plant rights. I guess rocks are next.

The most tragic dimension of all this is that a culture increasingly ready to euthanize the old, infanticize the young, and adamant about a “right” to abort unborn human beings, will now contend for the inherent dignity of plants. Can any culture recover from this?

Climate Change Bias at Wikipedia?

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on April 17, 2008
in Environment and Internet
. 0 Comments

Lawrence Solomon at the Financial Post:

As I’m writing this column for the Financial Post, I am simultaneously editing a page on Wikipedia. I am confident that just about everything I write for my column will be available for you to read. I am equally confident that you will be able to read just about nothing that I write for the page on Wikipedia.

Solomon goes on to explain how every time he corrects certain information relating to climate change in Wikipedia, another editor immediately undoes his changes. It is not only a fascinating look at possible climate change bias at Wikipedia, but also a good reminder why Wikipedia is not always a reliable source of information. (HT: Instapundit)

Click here for more posts on the Environment.

Global Warming, Global Cooling

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on April 15, 2008
in Environment and Random Thoughts
. 1 Comment

Why are global warming advocates more vocal in the summer when Arctic ice is melting and global cooling advocates more vocal in the winter when Arctic ice is forming?

Hey, I think I know the answer to this one!

Related posts:

Sunday Morning SoundBytes - 1/13/2008

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on January 14, 2008
in Environment and Sunday Morning SoundBytes
. 3 Comments

Yesterday’s message in the God’s Good Creation Series was called Our Place in God’s Creation, taken from Psalm 8.

Psalm 8:1-8 - “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (NIV)

The main idea of the message was that we must first understand man’s place in the universe before we can understand our own individual place in the world. Here is the outline of the message:

What does Palm 8 teach us about our place in God’s creation?

I. God is greater than all (1-2)

    A. God’s name is majestic in all the earth.

    B. God has set his glory above the heavens.

    C. God can silence his enemies even through the praises of little children.

II. The universe is big; we are small (3-4)

    A. The beauty of God’s creation should cause us to worship the Creator.

    B. The vastness of God’s creation should cause us to consider our
        place in the universe.

    C. God’s gracious concern for tiny man in the universe should humble
        and amaze us.

III. God gave us a special place of honor in creation (5-9)

    A. God made man a little lower than the heavenly beings.

    B. God crowned man with glory and honor.

    C. God made man ruler over all creation.

Note: To read the complete message, go to the Sermons tab at the top of the blog.

Related post: The Size of the Earth Compared to Other Objects in Space

A Foot of Global Warming

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on December 17, 2007
in Environment and Fun
. 5 Comments

Don Surber in his post Snowstorm Parody asks the question: “How does New England like that foot of global warming?” I will be glad to answer. We are tired of shoveling and ready for a break after two major snowstorms in the space of three days. Somehow I think our region didn’t get the memo when it comes to global warming.

Surber goes on to answer his own question with a fun parody of the Beach Boys, “Surfin’ U.S.A.” Here is “Snowin’ U.S.A.”

If we really had global warming
Across the U.S.A.
Then everybody’d be surfing
Like Californi-a
Instead we’re wearing our parkas
Our gloves and mittens, too
Those trendy, trendy Ugg Ugg boots
Snowin’ U.S.A.

There’s more. Check out the rest of the song at Snowstorm Parody. Love them Ugg Ugg boots.

News and Notes - 6/26/2007

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on June 26, 2007
in Animals, Environment, News and Notes and Pastors
. 4 Comments

Elwood - The World’s Ugliest Dog
World’s ugliest dog. Meet Elwood, the world’s ugliest dog. The 2-year-old Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix, who placed second in last year’s contest, was crowned the world’s ugliest dog on Friday, June 22. Elwood is also known for his uncanny resemblance to aliens Yoda and ET. “I think he’s the cutest thing that ever lived,” said Elwood’s owner, Karen Quigley. Really? Then why did you enter him in the world’s ugliest dog contest?

Global cooling. From the Canadian Financial Post: “Solar scientists predict that, by 2020, the sun will be starting into its weakest Schwabe solar cycle of the past two centuries, likely leading to unusually cool conditions on Earth. Beginning to plan for adaptation to such a cool period, one which may continue well beyond one 11-year cycle, as did the Little Ice Age, should be a priority for governments.” Maybe it’s supposed to get hotter before it gets colder? (HT: Instapundit)

Pastor-comedian wanted. A newly forming church in Edmond, OK is looking for a pastor-comedian. “The idea is to use humor and comedy to bring people to Christ. With the right Pastor we plan on becoming a rapidly growing mega church soon. We are thinking the church will be called Comedy Hour and be open Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday mornings.” The only qualification listed under job requirements is “must be very funny.” No, I am not applying.

Time to Go Outside and Play

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on June 19, 2007
in Children and Environment
. 5 Comments

Today’s Washington Post has an article discussing the lack of outdoor play for many of today’s children:

“Kids don’t think about going outside like they used to, and unless there is some scheduled activity, I don’t think they know what to do outdoors anymore,” Pelzman said.

Pelzman’s view is shared by a growing number of children’s advocates, environmentalists, business executives and political leaders who fear that this might be the first generation of “indoor children,” largely disconnected from nature.

Concerns about long-term consequences — affecting emotional well-being, physical health, learning abilities, environmental consciousness — have spawned a national movement to “leave no child inside.” In recent months, it has been the focus of Capitol Hill hearings, state legislative action, grass-roots projects, a U.S. Forest Service initiative to get more children into the woods and a national effort to promote a “green hour” in each day.

I have seen a number of articles in recent weeks expressing concern about this trend. For example, last week’s Daily Mail had an interesting article tracing the loss of children’s ability to roam over four generations in Sheffield, England. Here is a map showing the difference in “childhood roaming territory” for a great-grandfather, a grandfather, a mother, and her son.

Childhood Roaming Territory for Four Generations

When I was a kid I remember being outside a lot - playing basketball, running around in the woods, riding my bike all over town, fishing, etc. My mother often kicked us out of the house for the whole afternoon until supper time. And then there were many nights playing tag or kick-the-can outdoors after supper.

Why do you think kids today are “getting lost in the great indoors?” Is this a problem? What do kids miss by not spending more time outside?

HT: Instapundit

News and Notes - 5/29/2007

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on May 29, 2007
in Animals, Environment, News and Notes and Space
. 2 Comments

Monster PigBig pig. Talk about bringing home the bacon! 11-year old Jamison Stone shot and killed what may be the biggest pig on record. The Alabama boy was hunting in the woods with his father on May 3 when he came upon the wild pig. The giant boar measured 9 feet 4 inches in length and weighed in at 1,051 pounds. That is even bigger than the famous 800-pound Hogzilla killed in Georgia back in 2004.

Found bees. Remember the vanishing bees story from last month? Well, it looks like they found some of them: in an attic, in a jet engine, and at a fundraiser.

Space trip. Do you want to take a trip into space? Virgin Galactic hopes to start testing it’s space passenger ship in 2008 and begin passenger flights in 2010. Can’t afford the $200,000 price tag? Not to worry. Virgin Galactic’s chief operating officer, Alex Tai, said the costs should drop to $100,000 or even lower in later years.

News and Notes - 5/8/2007

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on May 8, 2007
in Crime, Environment, News and Notes and Preaching
. 5 Comments

Man throws pie at preacher. Last week it was peanuts - this week it’s a pie. A man was arrested in Colorado Springs on Sunday for disrupting a worship service by throwing a pie at the pastor while he was preaching. The pastor was preaching on the subject of loving your enemies.

Extreme population control. Paul Watson, founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, calls human beings a virus and recommends dropping the planet’s human population to fewer than one billion. Says Watson, “A virus kills its host and that is exactly what we are doing … We are killing our host the planet Earth.” So, who gets to stay, and who has to go? This is nuts.

Friendship fries. Remember the campaign back in 2003 to start calling French Fries, “Freedom Fries,” in protest of France’s refusal to help with the war against Iraq? Now that France has elected pro-American president, Nicolas Sarkozy, a new campaign has started to rename French Fries, “Friendship Fries.” I’ll just have a burger and fries with that please.