We've been really enjoying the weekly challenge we've been getting at church this month about how "God is green."  Our teaching paster, Rob Bell, has been teaching a series by that name (and inviting in outsiders to discuss the same).  We've been trying to make some changes in our lives to be more green like God.  Here's a quick list--some things implemented, other still under investigation.  Who knows, maybe you'll be inspired too:

• Changing our incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescents
• More open windows, less A/C
• Signing up for a drop-off recycling program run by the county where we live
• Walking and riding our bike if we can (tough one where we live)
• Buying and eating locally produced food, primarily at the local farmers market
• We're looking into growing some of our own food
• Our next car purchase will probably be a Honda Civic Hybrid
• I'm seriously looking into vermiculture for our food waste
• We're buying more environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies and other home products
• I'm looking into our power company's green generation program where, with a 1.6 cent-per-KwH charge, all our power comes from renewable sources.  Specifically 70% wind and 30% land-fill gas.  All together, this would probably cost us an average of $15 month.
• Brooke signed us up for GreenDimes, a service that saves trees and water and reduces carbon emissions by reducing the amount of junk mail we receive...everybody wins!

I'm looking for more good ideas.  Hit me with a comment if you have any.

Sermon links (mp3):
"Serve God, Save the Planet" author Matthew Sleeth
Crackus Drivewaya Michiganus - Rob Bell
Towers and Tomatoes - Rob Bell
*UPDATE: The New Seatbelt - Rob Bell & Matt Krick

For all you Lost fans out there...

Today I just reading this news story about the Supreme Court allowing constitutional challenges to lethal injection by death row inmates.  This prompted me to decide that I should bone up a little on the history of the US Bill of Rights.  After all, it has been a few years since high school government class. 

Anyway, I read about how the framers of the US Constitution were influenced by the English philosopher John Locke and his "natural rights."  Suddenly it hit me that this philosophers name was the same as a character on ABC's Lost.  Sure enough, turns out there are significant enough philosophical and other similarities between the two Lockes to assume that the writers planted this information purposely.  The similarities included the fact that the fictional Locke's father is named Anthony Cooper and the real Locke's mentor was named Lord Anthony Ashley-Cooper. 

I find it amazing and intriguing that the writers of Lost are putting that much thought into the details of the story.

Pat Robertson is an embarrassment to the church and a danger to American politics.

Robertson is known for his completely irresponsible statements - that the 9/11 terrorist attacks were due to American feminists and liberals, that true Christians could vote only for George W. Bush, that the federal judiciary is a greater threat to America than those who flew the planes into the World Trade Center Towers, and the list goes on. Robertson even took credit once for diverting a hurricane. But his latest outburst may take the cake.

Read the full article at Sojourners website.