Today, on this, another Earth Day, I have mixed feelings. I feel that this is just another “hallmark holiday” so to speak - a way for businesses to make money, a day giving consumers another excuse (as if we needed one) to spend money and yet another reason for people to get pissy and judgmental toward each other.

But, just like with labels, I have a love-hate relationship going on. I think it’s good to draw attention to the Earth and her needs. It’s important as Christians to be reminded of our call to stewardship and to be held accountable when we are not being responsible, and if done properly, it can be something to draw distinctly different people together for a positive purpose.

I have enjoyed this time with my daughter. She is at an IB World school and her unit has been care of the Earth’s resources. I love the simple, uncluttered (pun intended) perspective of children when you talk to them about sustainability, creation care, ecology, habitat, etc. Her view as a 6 year old is what I wish Earth Day would be about. We are people, we can and should respect all life, all creation. As people we have the ability to fix our mistakes, to clean up what we have messed up, to care for what we have neglected and to restore what we have abused. It’s obvious to her that it’s not a big thing to sacrifice some of our own desires, time, stuff for the benefit of our fellow created beings.

She has been singing made up songs about how beautiful the earth is, how the wind blows and how we are cared for by the Earth. To her, it’s oh so very simple.

So, with reluctance and a bit of cynicism, I say, Happy Earth Day - celebrate it wisely - like a 6 year old.

Tags: earthday

Subversive Blogger def.: Subversive bloggers are unsatisfied with the status quo, whether in church, politics, economics or any other power-laden institution, and they are searching for (and blogging about) what is new (or a “return to”) - even though it may be labeled as sacrilege, dangerous, or subversive.

Thanks to Jeremy for the vote of confidence. Like Jeremy, I’m been in a blogging slump - uninspired, in his words “a dry ink well”. I haven’t felt very subversive or inspiring, I feel like a broken record and incredibly apathetic about all things that used to drive me with passion. I will receive this little nomination as a spark to carry on.

In like fashion, I nominate the following (if you have already been nominated, just take it as a double honor)
Kathy Escobar
Rose Madrid-Swetman
Grace
Julie Clawson
Jamie Arpin-Ricci

The rules of participation are pretty straightforward:
1. If you are tagged, write a post with links to five subversive blogs.
2. Link back to JakeBouma.com so people can easily find the origin of the meme.
3. Optional: Proudly display the “Subversive Blogger Award” somewhere on your blog (images below) with a link to the post that you wrote.

novus•lumen | living in the tension of an emerging faith in Jesus and postmodern America » Subversive Blogger

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