Living Deliberately: Part Two

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:18-23

“I think I was a tree or something in a past life. I’ve always been attracted to nature.” Tommy Lee

Approaches to the Environment Exploit it to sustain and enhance human lives. Nurture it to protect and provide for human life and the future. Worship it because it is divine and we are interconnected w/all living and non-living things. Nurture it because we are mutually dependant upon all creation. Use it to enhance the quality of human life; it’s going to be destroyed anyway. Nurture it because it reflects God’s creative work. We are stewards.

The Christian and the Earth Five Key Truths The earth is the Lord’s. He created it; He oversees it. (Psalm 24:1; 1 Cor. 10:25-27)The earth is the Lord’s. He created it; He oversees it. (Psalm 24:1; 1 Cor. 10:25-27) The earth is a picture of God’s power and “creative genius.” (Psalm 8:3-5; 19:1-6; Rom. 1:20)The earth is a picture of God’s power and “creative genius.” (Psalm 8:3-5; 19:1-6; Rom. 1:20) The earth was degraded by the introduction of sin into the world. (Gen. 3:17-19; Rom. 8:20)The earth was degraded by the introduction of sin into the world. (Gen. 3:17-19; Rom. 8:20) We are called to be stewards of the physical earth God created. (Gen. 1:28-30)We are called to be stewards of the physical earth God created. (Gen. 1:28-30) The earth will be regenerated with God’s people in the future. (Rom. 8:21)The earth will be regenerated with God’s people in the future. (Rom. 8:21)

Approaches to the Environment Exploit it to sustain and enhance human lives Nurture it to protect and provide for human life and the future Worship it because it is divine and we are interconnected w/all living and non-living things Nurture it because we are mutually dependant upon all creation Use it to enhance the quality of human life; it’s going to be destroyed anyway. Nurture it because it reflects God’s creative work. We are stewards

OPEN MINDS ARE USEFUL WHEN DISCUSSING GOD WITH KIDS DEAR ABBY: I would like to respond to "Agnostic Dad in South Carolina" (Feb. 16), who wondered about how to answer the inevitable "Is there a God?" question his children will ask. My parents had strong but differing Christian faiths. They compromised when bringing us up, and we went to the church nearest our home (another denomination). Further, when we were teens, they allowed us to "sample" other religious traditions to determine what would suit us best.

I became agnostic, and like "Dad in S.C.," was unsure what to tell my son. My husband and I do not belong to any organized religion and didn't take him to church as a youngster. Instead, we introduced stories from the Bible at bedtime, and allowed him to attend his friends' churches when he asked to. More important, we showed him that all people are to be valued and that differences are to be respected.

Our son is now in his late 20s. He's a gentle, caring person with an interest in people from other cultures, religions and circumstances. Whether he is agnostic, religious or an atheist is a personal matter to him. He's comfortable with his beliefs and doesn't impose them on anyone else. As a parent, I couldn't ask for more. – FREE-THINKING MOM IN WASHINGTON

Your worldview answers the ULTIMATE questions… Your worldview answers the ULTIMATE questions… ORIGIN: Where did everything come from? MEANING: Why are we here? MORALITY: How should we live? DESTINY: What happens when we die? ORIGIN: Where did everything come from? MEANING: Why are we here? MORALITY: How should we live? DESTINY: What happens when we die?

O R I G I N M E A N I N G M O R A L I T Y D E S T I N Y

O R I G I N M E A N I N G M O R A L T Y M O R A L I T Y D E S T I N Y E L T

Major World Religions Christianity2,100,000,000 Islam1,500,000,000 Hindu 900,000,000 Buddhist 380,000,000

God is at work restoring and reconciling all of creation to Himself God’s Creative Work Image/Likeness Eternity in our hearts Moral Law in our hearts God’s Convincing Work General Revelation Holy Spirit Acts 17:24-28 God’s Redemptive Work Jesus Christ Scripture Holy Spirit

*Let each religion speak for itself *Talk with and about individuals, not generic “faiths” *Respect the sincerely held beliefs of other religions *Grant each person the freedom to make his or her faith decision from Ed Stetzer

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Colossians 1:15-18

Living Deliberately: Part Two