When people ask me about the first thing they should do to care for the earth, I give an answer that they don't expect: Start observing the Sabbath. The intent of the Sabbath laws is restraint. We are not supposed do it all, just because we can. Sabbath is about taking our hands off the controls one day a week and letting God be God. Go on walks.... More...

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of speaking at Belmont University’s convocation, as well as with a freshman seminar class studying creation care. When I told the director of spiritual life that I would share my creation care journey and then ask students to work in small groups on a Good Steward Covenant—committing to specific... More...

I just came across a collection of writings on creation care from Pope John Paul II. He was outspoken about our need to care for God’s creation, and I've learned a lot from reading his observations and wisdom. If you would like to explore some of the Pope's writings, click here.  Here's one of my favorite quotes--it renewed and inspired... More...

Over the last three decades, the Three R’s--Reduce, Reuse and Recycle--have become a regular part of our speech and practices.  Now it’s time focus on the Three S’s—Swop, Share, and Save.  John the Baptist tells us if we have two cloaks, to share one with our brother.  Isn’t it time for us to... More...

Last summer, we visited a friend on his family land in eastern Tennessee. The stone cabin under construction at the top of the hill seemed like a metaphor for the young couple’s marriage—strong yet fledgling, promising yet new. The view from the hilltop must have been spectacular one hundred years ago; it was still quite pleasant.... More...

What could be more patriotic than caring for the planet this Independence Day? Whether you’re hosting a picnic at home for friends and family or simply marveling over your town’s fireworks display, here are some simple ways to add green to your red, white, and blue celebration. Food choices Throwing a picnic or having a BBQ on the... More...

In the next twenty-four hours I’ll be interviewed on three national radio shows. I’m feeling a bit nervous. Okay, terrified. But that’s what these interviews are about—walking out in faith, despite the terror. Doing what you are called to do, even if you look loony to the rest of the world. Sharing our faith and... More...

Late last fall, I went for a bike ride just before sundown. At the entrance to the park was a long, fairly steep hill. A family was out for a walk. The parents were pushing a stroller, and a set of twins, a boy and a girl about seven years old, rode ahead on their bikes, stopping and waiting now and then for Mom and Dad to catch up. The little... More...

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” The words of Charles Dickens are something Americans should consider during an economic season that bloodies Wall Street daily. No doubt, these are hard times for Americansmany families. Lost jobs. Home foreclosures. Plummeting retirement funds. Parents’ inability to send... More...

If I can learn to garden, anyone can. I grew up in the suburbs. Every spring, I helped my mom plant annuals—petunias in our sunny beds, impatiens in the shade, and a few geraniums in planters. One of my chores was to deadhead the flowers—especially the petunias. Pinching back the dead blooms and leggy stems always left a sticky... More...

Upon receiving a missive from our daughter, Emma, and our son's girlfriend, Val, in India, a friend just wrote to me: After reading the bit about the mosquito bites, I have to ask you, altogether seriously, how are you doing??? Thank you for asking, Mattie. Emma has such a blistering mass on her arm that the doctor she is working with asked if... More...

The day I turned forty, my older sister called. “Forty is okay,” she reassured me. “It’s a couple years from now that the body really starts to slide downhill.” And she was right. Within a couple of years, I couldn’t read the road signs quite as easily, especially at night. The arches of my feet started to ache... More...