Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas

After the presents have been opened, the dinners eaten, the family's laughter, the games have been played, and the celebrations, um, celebrated, I'm left with memories. Memories of enjoyment, memories of merriment, memories of impacting my family. Memories of giving of ourselves to one another.

Christmas is about the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Christmas is a reminder of the greatest gift ever given - the Savior's own life in exchange for my sin. This, above all, is the greatest gift ever given.

I'll enjoy the festivities with friends and family. I'll enjoy the food, the discussions, the gifts. And through it all, I'll remember the gift of a newborn who would grow to give His life for the forgiveness of a debt no one could ever repay.

Thank you, my Lord, Savior, and God, Jesus Christ. Thank You for taking on human form,living a sinless life, and offering the greatest gift: the gift of Yourself for the forgiveness of the debt of my sin.

Merry Christmas.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Care for Creation

I've been thinking much lately about how Christianity and care for the environment tie together. I've been contemplating this idea for some time, long before I learned anything about the ministry Care of Creation.

Oh, sure, I've cared about creation for a long time now. But most of my caring ended at the interesting and tasty flavors created by combining creation in dishes.

Scripture seems to be pretty forceful about our stewardship. This has to include care for the environment. I'm not referring to the hyper-environmentalism I see in some (don't worry, I won't mention Al Gore by name). There is a point that we are called to steward.

Stewardship has a very different connotation, I think, than environmentalism. One is care, but in a responsible way. The latter is a full-force worship of the land and all contained within it. Stewardship is a care for the balances within our earth, including human's needs, sustainability and long-term viability.

The more I study and contemplate, the more I am realizing we are called to care for the earth. Not in the way many with other motives promote it, but in a balanced, God-honoring way.

My two cents.