Creation and Humans

Many of you have already begun your journey of discovery in this class. For me, I am still trying to discern what God wants me to learn, to change, to encounter through our time together. I already recycle so that doesn't work and I buy organic veggies when possible (my husband always asks how we know they are organic - then he smiles and asks if the other carrot is inorganic and if it is how are we supposed to eat it- ha ha). So I am still trying to figure out what to do. I know, I will ride my motorcycle instead of driving my car!!! (That is as soon as the 30 inches of snow melts)

In all seriousness I think the real answer might be for me to have a more open mind about this whole "green thing" everyone is wild about now days. You see I am a non believer in the whole global warming theory so I am trying to broaden my mind in this class. Yesterday as I was reading the David Orr book I was intrigued by his theories of education making us more illiterate as far as the earth is concerned. I am still testing his thoughts, but I tend to agree with his overall assumption that as we become stiff necked and prideful in our human wisdom we rely less and less on the Godly wisdom given to us. We profess to be the most advanced civilization of all times, yet we destroy natural habitats for animals and destroy God's beauty and wonder.

I grew up in the Rockies, specifically Idaho, Montana, Colorado, and Utah, in a family whose income came from the logging industry. We moved around following the trees and forests, going wherever the government allowed logging to take place. When we moved to southern Colorado the logging took place in northern New Mexico. When I was in 7th grade I accompanied my step dad to the sight on weekends and "helped" him build the logging roads. These men were tough "manly man" men, but they loved the mountains. They cared about what happened to the forest when they were gone. This was back in the 70's so reforestation wasn't taking place yet, but during lunch some of the conversations were about what would happen when all the trees where gone. The families we were associated with "lived off the land". When we were out of meat, our dad's pouched deer and elk, but they never hunted for fun. There was a sense of purpose, of oneness with the wilderness. We were taught to respect the environment and care about God's creation.

In October I was on a hospital visit caring for a family who waited while their great patriarch, a man whose family had farmed the land they lived on for more than five generations, had surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain. As we waiting this family spoke of the upcoming harvest and we prayed for resources to come forward to help bring in the crops since Dad wasn't going to be able to run the combine this year. This family loves the earth and respects the land God has given them. Their youngest daughter is a professor at NYU and she was preparing for her upcoming trip to Madagascar. She is on a research team that has been invited to replant the rain forest in this small country. This will be a long term project, but I marveled at how the love of creation had been passed down to another generation in this family.

Well, I have babbled enough for now. More later -
Susan

Hello

I am not sure about how this class will go. I am so new to this blogging technology. The only experience I have is from our Gospel and Global Media class. I am looking forward to learning together with all of you.

Blessings to you all.