tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1609414225628645361.post-38385441955275032182008-04-22T09:38:00.004-04:002008-12-14T09:02:15.694-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aK02eaaZ9Lg/SA3uZP_yhKI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/osnk5GaOecI/s1600-h/earth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 185px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aK02eaaZ9Lg/SA3uZP_yhKI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/osnk5GaOecI/s320/earth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192068062986273954" border="0" /></a><br />Today is Earth Day! A tree huggers holiday. How do we as believers respond to this annual tradition. Do we ignore it as a pagan holiday for earth worshipers or do we take the opportunity to share how the earth was created by an all loving God?<br /><br />In the latest edition of the <a href="http://www.christianindex.org/"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Christian Index</span></a>, Jonathan Merritt, a Baptist seminary student, confronts this issue. He is the author of <span style="font-style: italic;">A Southern Baptist Declaration on the Environment and Climate Change</span> and he presents a compelling argument of our (Christians) responsibility to be good stewards of the Creation God has given to us. I urge you to read the <a href="http://www.baptistcreationcare.org/">declaration</a> and the articles in <span style="font-style: italic;">The Christian Index </span>and make up your own mind.<br /><br />I'm not an environmental alarmist, but I do know that God has given us a beautiful place to live and it is my responsibility to care for it. I'm reminded of the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025:14-30;&amp;version=51;">parable of the talents</a> and that God has given us a great responsibility. How will you answer when He asks how well you took care of it?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1609414225628645361-3838544195527503218?l=mikesshownotes.blogspot.com'/></div>Mike Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04838239965825820554noreply@blogger.com0