Meet Nancy Sleeth

As we wrap up our April focus on creation care, I’m privileged to introduce you to Nancy Sleeth. Nancy is the co-founder of Blessed Earth and the author of Almost Amish: One Woman’s Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life and Go Green, Save Green. Nancy and I spoke about environmental stewardship and the discipline of simplicity.

Let’s start out with what may seem like an obvious question: Why is environmental stewardship something Christians ought to care about?

I believe that we get our marching orders from the Bible – and the Bible is clear that we need to be good stewards of the earth. First, in Genesis 2:15 God gave his first job to humanity: to tend and protect the planet. There’s no expiration date on those marching orders. It’s still one of our prime directives: to be good caretakers of the earth.

Second, Scripture is clear that we need to love God. That’s what Jesus told us to do: to love God and love our neighbors. One way that we show our love for God is by loving what he loves. And very clearly in Genesis 1 he says not one time, two times, three times, four times, five times, but six times that it was good! So we know that God loves his creation. One important way we can show our respect for God and show love for God is by loving what he loves.

So often the idea of caring for the environment is linked with politics—and I think for some Christians, this political association brings up a lot of heated feelings and mistrust. How can Christians of different political stripes find common ground when it comes to creation care?

The really good news is that we have a book that’s eternal. It is neither left nor right—it’s just simply God’s Word. And that’s where we’re supposed to turn when we need to make decisions about how to live out our lives as followers of Jesus. Instead of worrying about whether something is left or right, we should be worrying about whether it is a biblically-based action. In everything we do, we want to be following what Jesus has called us to do.

Christians can find common ground by focusing on what the Bible has to say about living a life that is close to the life that Jesus led. Jesus is calling us not to be hoarding material things but to live a simple life in which our primary desire is to follow God. It’s not focused on accumulating things but focusing on relationships with people.

Train

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word discipline? As a mom of three, I think of child-tears, frustration, time-outs (or worse), and me feeling frazzled and worn out. Discipline, if we’re honest, is not fun. Rewarding in the long run? Sure. But not exactly a word with a positive connotation.

So when I talk about spiritual disciplines? Well, the danger for you and for me is that we can bring this somewhat negative connotation into the conversation. But Scripture uses several words that are translated at “discipline.” One means to chastise, correct, or instruct (see Hebrews 12:6-7). But here’s some good news: God’s Word uses entirely different words to talk about discipline in terms of our spiritual formation. Consider this excerpt from my book, The Busy Mom’s Guide to Spiritual Survival:

As we look at the spiritual disciplines, we’re instead aiming for the concepts of gumnazo and askeo. Gumnazo—from which we derive the English word gymnasium—means discipline in the sense of athletic exercise and training. We’re talking about a spiritual sweat here: regular “workouts” that keep our faith in shape. This is the word Paul uses when he urges Timothy, “[T]rain yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8, emphasis added). This is the same connotation the writer of Hebrews intends when he prods his readers by saying, “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teachings about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14, emphasis added).

Askeo means the discipline of a master craftsman who employs skill, persistent determination, and great effort to turn raw material into a piece of art.

Resources for Creation Care

Thanks so much for journeying with me this month through the topic of environmental stewardship. As we wrap up our month focusing on creation care, I’ve only just touched the tip of the iceberg. I encourage you, with all my heart, to explore this topic further. Here are some resources I’d recommend:

• Want more ideas on creation care in the context of everyday life? Check out this interview I did with author Tracey Bianchi.

• Interested in reading about how environmental stewardship is actually an old-fashioned and quite conservative value? Read this really great and honest article about old-fashioned stewardship and simplicity.

• Want to study this issue in greater depth? Check out this informative and inspiring Bible study resource by Dr. Cal DeWitt.

• Interested in joining with other committed evangelicals who care deeply about environmental stewardship? Check out the Evangelical Environmental Network and Blessed Earth.

• Caring about creation is a powerful way of caring for the poor. Read this very informative, thoughtful, and provocative pamphlet “Loving the Least of These” from the National Association of Evangelicals.

• Unsure what to think about climate change? Did you know that the world’s leading climate change scientist is a devout Christian? Learn more about Sir John Houghton and his concern for creation care here. (Or check out the interesting book Global Warming and the Risen Lord by Rev. Jim Ball.)

• Want to take practical action steps and hold yourself accountable? Check out this free helpful stewardship worksheet from Christian organization Blessed Earth.

Meet My Friend . . . Keri Wyatt Kent

Author Keri Wyatt Kent speaks my language. Her books deal with the deep longings of our souls — intermixed with an honest view of the hectic reality we sometimes find ourselves in. She encourages us to make choices that draw us into a right rhythm with God and with others. I’m so grateful she popped in to speak with us today about a topic that is really, really important and also really, really tough to figure out sometimes: Sabbath. Keep on reading!

Keri, can you tell my readers a little about yourself? 

I’m the working mom of two teens, and for the past year or two, God has given me the opportunity to serve as our family’s primary breadwinner—although God of course is our primary provider. Last year, I had four different book projects published. Despite these pressures and workload, I took every Sunday off to rest.

The title of your book, Rest, simply draws me in. What an inviting — and needed — word in our lives! What motivated you to write it?

I had written about Sabbath (and other spiritual practices) in a previous book, Breathe. Many people seemed interested in the practice of Sabbath, many of them had an interest that centered on debate—thinking that it was impossible. So it was a subject that needed a more extensive explanation.

I know that for you the idea of Sabbath-keeping has been a journey. So how have your views and practices changed over the years?

Learning Be-ing

Perhaps the title of the post should instead be “Un-learning Do-ing.” Doing, of course, is not a bad thing. What we do is very important to God in many ways and is part of who he made us to be–and we will explore that in an upcoming month.

But in our discussion of be-ing, do-ing can be a real danger. It is dangerous when what we do entirely defines who we are. It is even more dangerous, I think, when doing becomes inextricably linked with how we “use” time–When everything must be utilitarian, practical, or some sort of accomplishment. And it can be especially dangerous when doing = contentment and goodness while non-doing = discontent and discomfort that must be avoided at all costs.

Meet My Friend . . . Nicole Unice

This month I’m pleased to introduce you to a friend and co-worker of mine, Nicole Unice. She’s got great insights to share about a unique fasting experience she recently participated in with her church.

Nicole! Thanks for stopping by. Can you tell my readers a bit about yourself?

Yes! I’m a woman going in lots of different directions. On any given day, I’m doing the mom thing, the writer thing, the leadership thing….but my favorite thing to do is talk with women about the intersection of God’s word and their reality.

This month we’re talking about fasting on my blog. I know you recently participated in a fast together with your church family. Tell us more about that — why did you fast? What was the experience like? How did it challenge or inspire you?

Meet My Friend . . . Tracey Bianchi

I’m psyched to introduce you to Tracey Bianchi. Tracey is the author of Green Mama: The Guilt-Free Guide to Helping You and Your Kids Save the Planet. She’s a mom of three, a leader in her church, and her insights about environmental stewardship are challenging, inspiring, and couched in the reality of family life in the suburbs. 

Can you tell my readers a bit about yourself?

I’m a Midwestern girl. Born and raised in the exciting, mountainous, known for high altitude state of Illinois . . . went to college in Iowa and lived for a few years in Denver before returning home to Chicago. I’m smack in the middle of the country, in the middle of an old suburb. And I’m in the middle of raising three young children (ages 3, 5 and 8). So my husband and I offer a perspective on stewardship and a life of giving that comes from a pretty common place, a journey that I hope many people can identify with somewhere along the way.

Often, when people talk about “going green” it comes from either an organic farm perspective or some swanky high end, eco-loft on HGTV. My perspective is from what I hope is a more realistic place. From the commuting, carpooling, grocery shopping, soccer game after school place. I serve part time on staff at my church and full time in the chaos of parenting my little ones.

OK, let’s dive right in. Talking about caring for the environment can be controversial among Christians because, for many, the issue is immediately associated with politics. Words like “green” or “environmentalist” can cause quite a ruckus! So, first things first, why do you think it’s important for Christians — of all political stripes — to practice creation care?

It is interesting that for the most part, Christians have sloughed off this conversation as some liberal, hippie, political agenda. Or, they cite poor science and argue that “global warming/climate change” is untrue. To which I honestly, say, does that really matter? God gave us a mandate at the beginning of Scripture to care for/steward over the earth. We should be excited about caring for God’s Creation because we know the Creator.

If we go back to Genesis 1-2 we see the story of creation and humankind and we see God’s invitation to steward over the earth, to care for it so that all the people God created could receive the bounty of this amazing world. We do not need an intergovernmental panel on climate change to see that we are on a course to outlive our resources.

It helps to recognize that part of our very souls has been designed to care for the resources God gives us. There are good, God-ordained lessons we learn when we live in moderation and consider the impact of our daily lives. When half the planet lives on top of their garbage, cannot find clean water, when children breathe air that taints their lungs with lead and mercury, or we see massive increases in childhood asthma and other diseases, I’d say we have an environmental problem that God cares about. That somehow our current inability to care for what we have been given is creating havoc in the lives of others.

What’s your own story with this issue? Has creation care always been important to you — or has it been a journey?

It’s been a journey. Once I had children I became passionate about helping them inherit a world that was as beautiful as the world I experienced as a child. I grew up camping and hiking, grew up enjoying the splendor of the world. I wanted to be sure I could pass along a set of memories that would include wild places, National Parks, backcountry experience and even simple everyday things like Honeybees and Monarch Butterflies. So much of the world we live in today is tender, on the brink of destruction. And I realized that a few simple tweaks like how much I drive or whether I drink from a plastic water bottle could make a difference.

I hope my kids can enjoy the splendor of God the way I did. And that because of this they might know that God loves them and created a beautiful world for them to know him by.

What Scripture passage(s) most inspire and drive you in your concern for environmental issues? Why?

Skimming the Bible you will see hundreds of places where God meets with his people in Creation, where Jesus taught and unveiled his plan for humanity with examples from the agrarian culture that existed at that time. The Psalmist declares in Psalm 24, “The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” My hope is that we live like this is truly a command rather than a mere suggestion. This is my favorite passage on this topic.

The headlines are full of bad news about the environment — pollution, nuclear waste, oil spills, and more. I recently learned that here in metro Indianapolis we have dangerously high levels of mercury in many of our rivers and lead (from decades of industrial pollution) in Indy’s downtown soil, particularly in the inner-city residential areas. Yikes! So how can we move from feeling discouraged, guilty, and overwhelmed (as I often feel about all this bad news) to feeling empowered, inspired, and determined? Can we really make a difference?

The old adage that every little bit makes a difference is really true. To live a little “greener” we can make simple tweaks that add up big if everyone else is doing the same. Like walking more and driving less. Or ditching the disposable plastic bottles (we toss some 60 million into landfills each day). We can get around the doom and gloom reports if we take time to enjoy God’s Creation as well. If you enjoy the beauty of the earth you will find yourself more passionate about preserving the spaces that are special to you. A favorite trail or local park, you may find a nearby conservation project piques your interest. Suddenly it is no longer a depressing report on the state of the planet but an opportunity to keep safe a treasure that you enjoy.

So what are a few “easy” everyday choices we can make in order to live as God-honoring stewards of creation?

• Drive less and walk more — pick one errand a week and walk or bike to it.

• Ditch the disposable (bottles, containers, plastic bags) — find reusable versions.

• Turn your thermostat up a notch in summer and down in winter (and you will save roughly 3% on your electric bill for every degree you go up or down)

• Wash your clothing in cold water (most detergents work great in both temps and you will save 1000+ pounds of CO2 emissions per year, not to mention saving on your energy bill (80% of the energy that goes into washing clothes is for heating the water).

Thanks, Tracey! For more from Tracey, see her website www.traceybianchi.com or check out Green Mama.

Have you been challenged by Tracey’s insights? Please leave a comment here to share your reaction.

Formation 15: Multiple Choice

These 15-minute formation posts are simple ways you can put the month’s discipline into practice in your life. Since stewardship is so broad, I’ve got a few options and ideas you can choose from.

• Get One, Give One: We’ve got lots of stuff . . . often much more than we need. In the spirit of simplicity and stewardship, seek to break the accumulation cycle. Before holidays (and yes, this period counts as “before Christmas”) and birthdays, gather with your kids (or just do this yourself) to determine what you do not need. Select items of clothing, toys, or household goods that are in decent shape and choose a good organization you can donate them to who will put them to good use. Rather than just the local thrift store, consider donating to a crisis pregnancy center or a local shelter. (For example, in Indianapolis where I live, Wheeler Mission runs a unique thrift store — whatever they don’t use with clients is sold in this store. Low-income folks are able to buy affordable goods, and all funds go to Wheeler mission.)

• Fast with Focus: As a way to be a good steward of your financial resources, consider this way to practice generosity. Select something to fast from, such as a month without vanilla lattes, skipping lunch on Wednesdays for a few weeks, or replacing Friday pizza with ramen noodles for a night. Determine the amount of $ you’d normally spend on that item or meal, and then choose instead to give that money for God’s kingdom purposes, such as through supporting a missionary, donating to a local homeless shelter, extra giving to your church, or giving to a Christian organization that fights global poverty.

• Care for Creation: Whether you’re red or blue, left of right, Republican or Democrat, if you’re a Christian it ought to be only natural to care for God’s creation — our amazing planet. In gratitude to him for the beauty of our world and the resources he’s given us to be stewards of, we can each do our part to care for planet earth, God’s work of art.

A few simple ideas:

1. Recycle! We took a hiatus from recycling but have been back at it again for the past 6 months or so. It is stunning how much we’ve recycled that would have simple gone into a landfill. We had no idea how much trash we were tossing out until we started recycling a portion of it! This simple, practical choice can be a spiritual act of worship and obedience! (Indy folks, check out KIBI for free recycling sites.)

2. Visit a farmers market. I realize this is the end of farmers market season, so you may need to do this next year. But shopping from local family farms is healthy for your family, good for the local economy, and is actually a powerful way to help the environment. Most produce at grocery stores has been shipped from far away — with tons of pollution and fuel used to get it to you. If you can increase whatever your normal amount of shopping at a farmers market is — for example, going from 2 times a summer to 4 — you can contribute positively to environmental health . . . and enjoy yummy food in the process!

3. Learn more. I mentioned politics earlier because I think political issues often cause inertia among Christians when it comes to the environment. Don’t let politics, stereotypes, or mean-spirited comments from the right or left hold you back from honoring God in this area! I urge you to check out great Christian organizations and resources to learn more. Here are a few places to start:

“How Green Should We Be?” (a download from Kyria/Christianity Today about environmental care, including insightful articles and discussion questions)

Earth-Wise by Calvin DeWitt (a great in-depth Bible study about creation care)

Evangelical Environmental Network (Yes, there ARE evangelicals who are environmentalists, including me! Learn more about why creation care is so important by checking out this site and their Creation Care magazine.)

Plant With Purpose (a non-profit organization that helps the poor by addressing environmental degradation)

 

 

Stewardship, Stuff, Justice — Part 2 of interview with Amanda Siebold

As we launch into September’s discussion of Stewardship, I want to share “part 2″ from my interview with Amanda Siebold, a ministry leader with 24-7 Prayer and Just 24-7. (You can learn more about Amanda by reading my last post.)

Stewardship has been a profound spiritual theme in my own life over the past few years as I’ve begun to think more deeply, pray more, and feel convicted about God’s call for us to be caretakers of what he has given: our money and possessions; our talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts; the resources of this amazing planet we live on; and also, I believe, as caretakers of our fellow man. We’ll get into this more over the next few weeks, but for now the conclusion of my interview with Amanda. Keep on reading . . .

August’s topic Simplicity leads right into September’s topic of Stewardship. The way we relate to our “stuff” in simplicity is intricately related to stewardship, particularly in the way we can relate to those in need. When we have too much, we contribute to global injustices (perhaps even without realizing it); when we choose to live with less, we can more freely use our resources to address issues like poverty and injustice. OK, enough of my thoughts! What are your thoughts on this? How can a person’s choices about her everyday life relate to biblical justice and stewardship of our fellow man?

I always try to remember, whenever I purchase something that someONE rather than someTHING created it. We are so disconnected in our society from how our “stuff” is made. We think it just appears on shelves by little magic “stuff fairies” for our pleasure and consumption. The reality is that people operate the machines run by the corporate machine, for whom the bottom line is the supreme god. We get excited when we find massive amounts of really cheap stuff. Where do we think all of this stuff came from? And do we consider why it is so cheap? Labor practices are a tricky and complex issue and it can get very overwhelming when we begin to discover just how tainted our supply of goods from electronics to clothes to bananas has become. However, the Bible does have some very specific things to say about the reality of mistreating laborers and the importance of fair labor practices. James, in the beginning of chapter 5 gives a warning to the rich that hits me like a sucker punch to the gut every time I read it:

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire.You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.”

It’s important to realize that those laborers, the ones whose cries have reach the ears of the Lord of Hosts, are the same ones who grew our coffee beans, sewed the shirts hanging in our closets, and mined the diamonds in our wedding bands. There is a lot we can do to begin to use our wealth as a weapon against those who exploit laborers by spending it on products that are Fair Trade Certified and making it known to companies that we will consistently spend our money on products that are fair trade. This is a movement that is rapidly gaining momentum, which has resulted in the availability of more and more fair trade products and is a simple way in which we can begin to stand against unfair labor practices.

Big global problems (poverty, disease, sex trafficking, etc.) can seem overwhelming. But what are some practical ways my readers can take action today to address some of these issues?

I know this sounds like a cop-out to many people, but I always encourage folks to start in a place of prayer, with others if possible. The Father is far more committed to establishing justice for the mistreated and abused than you or I could ever be. I have found that He is always ready to share this passion with us when we ask (and sometimes when we don’t!). As you listen to the Father’s thoughts on these tough issues, be willing to offer him what you have. Anything from time to money to careers to talents can be used to fight injustice. We all have something to give, the important thing is to SAY YES to the Father’s invitation to engage, whatever that looks like. This practice also helps to protect us from the heavy burden that can overwhelm us when we begin to wade into these waters. Knowing that the Father is in charge and not me is very important to keep in the forefront of all our efforts. The other thing that anybody can do is to educate themselves. Many times, simply bearing witness to the suffering of others through taking the time to hear their stories will begin to change our lives and consequently the lives of others. The internet gives us unprecedented access to information. Take advantage of it!

Amanda, are there any resources on this topic that you’d like to tell us about?

I recently joined the board of a local non-profit organization called the Boston Faith and Justice Network. Through community organization, they have made Boston an official Fair Trade City and are committed to fighting poverty through practical choices. They have developed an open source Bible Study call Lazarus at the Gate, which I highly recommend. It is a small group discipleship experience designed to impact global poverty by challenging us to live generously and spend our wealth wisely and joyfully in light of the inequitable distribution of wealth. Other books I would recommend specifically for human trafficking would be:

Not For Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade – David Batstone

The Good News about Injustice – Gary Haugen

Half the Sky – Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

The Slave Next Door: Human Trafficking and Slavery in America Today – Kevin Bales

The Trafficking in Persons Report – Published by the U.S. Department of State

Thank you, Amanda! Readers, over the next few weeks let’s talk more about the inspiring and challenging questions Stewardship asks of us: How much is enough? What will we do with what God has given to us? How can we be wise managers and grateful caretakers of these blessings and gifts? How can we use and enjoy these gifts in a way that advances God’s Kingdom and his values?

Meet My Friend . . . Amanda Siebold (part 1)

Simplicity . . . Stewardship . . . Justice

This month we’ve touched on the discipline of simplicity — which is quite a multifaceted discipline, involving our time, our energy, our heart-focus, as well as our money. Simplicity is intricately tied to September’s discipline of Stewardship. I’ve invited my friend Amanda Siebold to chat with us about both of these practices in a 2-part interview.

Amanda is a leader in a ministry organization called 24-7 Prayer, focusing on international justice issues (Just 24-7) and also helping to provide leadership and oversight in their ministry in the USA, particularly in regard to justice. She also works in a domestic violence shelter, caring for women in crisis situations and has done this as her “day job” for 8 years. Amanda has traveled internationally quite a bit and has some great insights regarding prayer, simplicity in daily practice, stewardship, and justice. Here is “Part 1″ of our two-part discussion…

Amanda, thanks for swinging by to talk with my readers. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I guess you could classify me as a “young professional,” although I have not arrived in this place by conventional means! My education and qualifications have come in the faces and stories of thousands of survivors of trauma, whom I have been honored to know. By day, I help survivors of domestic violence, and other forms of trauma regain their lives through my work at a local domestic violence shelter. I also help lead a small family of believers from all over the world in learning how to effectively engage in issues of injustice from the homeless man who asks for spare change who you pass on your way to work everyday to abolishing the modern-day slave trade. In my “spare time” I love to cook big meals for friends (and strangers), walk by the ocean, read good books, and indulge in long conversations with good friends. I live in Boston, and I love learning from all of the history to be discovered here and have come to love the unique culture of the locals, who apparently don’t recognize the letter “r” in the English language!

What are your biggest spiritual passions? Why?

I am passionate about the body of Christ actively living as family, being engaged in each other’s lives. Crying together, praying together, succeeding together, failing together — I think it is what the Kingdom of Heaven is made of and built on. I am also passionate about the body of Christ recognizing the invitation that lies in front of us to be Christ to the hurting world around us through prayer and the marriage of prayer with activism and social justice. Perhaps my deepest calling, however, lies in the realm of gender inequality. I have come to cherish the story in Genesis when God created male and female “in His image” and it was good. The enemy has had a heyday twisting and distorting God’s image through broken men and women throughout history. I long to see humanity restored and all of us living out of a place of true masculinity and femininity to the glory of God.

This month we’ve been focusing on “simplicity” on my blog. What role do you think prayer plays in helping us have a simple focus in our daily lives as we seek God’s will for us?

Prayer, is the means by which God is able to speak to us about the things that matter to his heart. The more we are in tune with what he is speaking, the more fulfilled and satisfied we are in the richness that comes from communing with him. Those material things that vie for our affection, even our worship, lose their luster. It reminds me of the classic worship song “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” —  ” . . . and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace”. True communion with Christ also allows us to know when to accept his wonderful gifts as they sometimes come in the form of material things. I don’t believe we are called to poverty, but rather fulfillment in those things that actually satisfy. This frees us to enjoy all of his good gifts and to know the joy of giving them away!

Simplicity as a spiritual discipline enables us to combat the dangers of materialism and consumerism in our culture. How do you see materialism and consumerism negatively affecting the church? How have your global travels given you a sense of perspective on simplicity and its importance in the Christian life?

I was reminded again this week that convenience does not produce character. As you mentioned, I have had the privilege of traveling to many nations over the last twelve years. One thing that consistently strikes me is the depth of joy, generosity, and peace that those who are very poor can possess. “Things” tend to complicate life. The more stuff we have, the more stuff we have to manage and the more the stuff goes wrong, breaks, gets stolen, or dies. This creates stress, selfishness, and myopic absorption in dealing with a life full of stuff. When we learn to embrace simplicity, it frees us to be full of those things that really satisfy — people, the Spirit of God, and the practice of giving away.

Stay tuned . . . more powerful insights coming in a few days as Amanda and I next discuss the way Simplicity and Stewardship merge in our calling to care for our fellow man.