Go Green p2

MAY 23 - MAY 29 2010 — GO GREEN part two — ISSUE 155

Last week I talked about environmental topics and failed to even mention that right now there are a gazillion gallons of oil being pumped into the ocean, and after 33 days we still can't figure out how to stop it. Does anyone else wonder if they ever really tried their emergency plans, or if they were just theoretical solutions on paper? I'd like to assume they're telling the truth when they say the depth of the leak is the reason for the unsuccessful cleanup, but if Tuesday's new plan doesn't work, maybe they should try SNL's advice (more of a mockery really):  scotch tape mops to dolphins. It certainly couldn't be any less effective than their "Top Hat" and "Giant Tube" plans, and it would make a great reality TV show on NBC for the summer season.

Last week I also talked about how we sometimes refrain from making small stands in our lives because of public perception and the belief that those little stands probably won't make much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. Things like refusing to join in on water-cooler gossip, "I'm upset with my job because..." conversations, "so-and-so always does this..." statements, crass jokes, etc., and opting to focus on smart topics, deeper subjects, and encouraging conversations may seem small and maybe ineffective. But aren't the small details sometimes just as important as the big ones? Isn't a "light unto the world" still a light, no matter how small?

Look at the life of Christ for instance. Didn't Jesus do this constantly in His ministry; small and potentially insignificant acts? By healing a paralytic here, a blind man there, and other individual healings, He wasn't going to save the world. One may even ask why bother with such small deeds when He needed to have a global impact. It was these type of actions, though, that stood not only as a testament to His character and as a reminder that nothing is unimportant to God, but through them He changed lives. He gave them hope, a desire to change, a direction to go in, and a person to follow in their quest for meaning. He used person-to-person evangelism to change the world. Likewise, we can use moment-to-moment evangelism to change a person.

This week, continue to Go Green in your life and remove the "trash" one pop can, plastic bag, and candy wrapper at a time. It may be a small act globally, but it could be a huge act locally.

2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-5 - NIV

Brett "Since crude oil is really nothing more than compressed, decomposed animals, this spill is more of a liberation than a catastrophe, right?" Hibbler

Go Green p1

MAY 16 - MAY 22 2010 — GO GREEN p1 — ISSUE 154

Yesterday, while working at the Mud Hens game, a few of us volunteered to head over to another stand because they were shorthanded and we could spare the manpower. This marked the first time, to my recollection (which isn't that good, my mother corrected me about how she did kiss my bumps and scratches growing up — sorry, Mom!) that I was not on register at a game where we worked a stand. Though I had done minor "running" for myself when needed, I'd never been a full time one. So today I ran. But I didn't just run, I ran with the strength and motivation of seven angry vikings who just entered a Taco Bell, only to discover the person they'd held the door for when they arrived had purchased the last available Chalupa. It was epic. I filled cups of pop three, four, and five at a time. I taped down taps to fill beers while I collected hot dogs, fries, and hot chocolate for three registers at once, tossing the contents perfectly onto trays during mid sprint like some sort of Olympic paper boy. Perhaps my greatest feat of the day, though, was that I actually poured coffee for people. Yes, I contributed to the coffee consumption of the world... Just please don't tell my mother, I haven't forgiven myself yet.

Okay, I feel better. Sometimes the randomness just builds up in my head and I have to get it out, so I appreciate you indulging me. Now how about we get to the serious stuff?

MARK 4:30-32 - NIV

In my quest to dislodge the part of me that is concerned about what others think of me, I've noticed how it runs far deeper than I'm always aware. Sometimes, it even pokes its head up in the most bizarre ways.

Most of you know I'm not a big "Save the Planet, Eco Rights" kind of guy. I'm all about being responsible and think Recycling is great, but that's about the extent of my "Going Green." However, for whatever reason, whenever I see trash on the ground I always feel compelled to pick it up. I don't remember my parents instilling that desire or habit in me, (forgive me if I'm mistaken on that Mom and Dad — again) but for as long as I can remember it has always been there. A lot of times I obey that thought, but many times I don't. And it's the reason I typically don't that strikes me as a bit enlightening to my inner doubts.

Many times I won't pick up some trash, especially if it's a non wholesome item, because I'm worried someone may look over and see me with it and assume it was mine to start with. Or worse, that I'd tossed it recklessly aside, and then decided to pick it up out of guilt or being caught in the act. Sounds a little stupid, right? But it shows the power people's perception can have over me. My image has more importance than a greater cause. Would my picking up every bit of trash I see save the planet? No, but every little bit helps and everyone can agree it would certainly be at least of some benefit.

Often times it's those small stands that can inspire greater deeds from others. When you see someone else stand up and stand out for something you believe in, it can give you the courage to do the same. I wonder how many times in our days we hold our tongues, restrain our hand, and hold back our hearts from "picking up trash" that could give others in our work places, our classes, and our families the courage and nudge they need to follow suit. I wonder how many people are in need of someone, anyone, to let them know they're not alone, that those feelings they have deep down telling them to do the right thing are shared by others, too. I wonder how many opportunities we've passed up to spark a little fight in someone else because we let public perception dictate our actions.

Take some time to look at your days and see if there is any more "trash" you can pick up, realizing God can take the smallest seed and make it the greatest plant in the garden.

Brett "It's too bad you can't recycle terrible school pictures... I have an 8th grade bowl cut that really needs to be turned into something useful" Hibbler