Why every Christian should be an environmentalist.
The goal of this site is to take us back to a time before being an environmentalist meant you were a tree hugger. Back before being an environmentalist meant you were on Al Gore’s speed dial list and your motto was “If it’s not green, it ain’t for me.”
This site is to show the average person that being an environmentalist is not a difficult thing. It is to show that when God created the world, He created an earth for us to use. Like any gift it should be treated with respect and care so that it isn’t destroyed. As the recipients of this gift, we have an obligation to the Creator to honor and respect this gift.
What being a Christian environmentalist does not mean is “all organic all the time.” What it does mean is using our resources in a manner that will help, not hurt the earth. It means reducing, reusing, and recycling when possible. It means taking that extra step to make sure our world will be a gift to our kids, not a burden. Something they can use as a gift from God, not something they have to repair.
This site will share tips and information on what we can do as individuals to contribute to helping create a sustainable Earth for future generations. It will show you the little, often easy, things that will help you become a better steward of God’s world.
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Now is the Time to Prune Trees and Shrubs
After the leaves fall from the trees, the tree enters into its dormant state for the winter. As the weather gets colder, the sap retreats to the warmth of the roots where the tree saves itself for when the weather starts to warm and the days get longer (the trees “know” it’s time to shed their leaves by the length of the daylight hours, not by the temperature).
During this time of dormancy is when you should prune your trees and shrubs. The first thing to do is make sure you know how to prune your particular tree (the Arbor Day website has a good guide). When you have an idea of which branches to cut off, purchase some pruning paint (Like this stuff 
There are special saws that are made specifically for pruning, but really any saw will work. Make sure your saw is nice and sharp though, so you make a clean cut and don’t damage the tree any more than necessary.
Before the weather warms, get your entire pruning done and the cuts painted. Then when the tree begins to come back to life next summer it will grow the way you want it, and overall your plants will be much happier.
The Earth Was Created for Us to Rule Over It
The Bible doesn’t specifically say that humans are destroying the environment and we need to recycle more. But God gives us commands that we are to care for the earth, as it is a gift from him.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so (Genesis 1:28-30).
From the time the earth was created, man has had specific instructions to use and enjoy the earth and everything on the earth. We are to rule over the earth. A good ruler is one that will treat his subjects with love and respect. Just as God rules over us with love and respect, we should rule over His creation with love and respect. We need to use the earth for our benefit, but we must respect it so that it can continue to produce.
If we all do our part to love and respect the earth, the earth will last and we will continue to have it for our benefit.
Ten Ways to Save Energy and Money This January
I thought I would start off the New Year with a quick list with 10 easy ways you can save some energy and money. You can take it the extra mile and keep the tips going through the rest of the year, but try to at least commit for January.
1: Turn down the thermostat. Set your thermostat 4 degrees cooler than you usually keep it. You can save as much as 5% off your bill. The winter clothes are already out, so just wear an extra sweater and throw an extra blanket on the bed. If you have a health condition or an infant, this might not be the best choice.
2: Upgrade one room to using all CFL light bulbs. You can often find deals where the CFL’s are as cheap as $1 each. When these deals come around, stock up on the bulbs. There have been concerns with CFL’s using mercury and thus are dangerous, but as the technology improves the mercury usage is less and less. Be sure to take them to the recyclers if they break or burn out. Find the closest facility here: earth911.com
3: Limit your shower time to 3 minutes. You won’t be able to bask in the warmth every morning, but you’ll feel better knowing you’re saving both water and gas (electricity if you have an electric water heater).
4: Turn off the TV two nights per week. You can get the family together to play board games using one or two CFL bulbs, save energy and create quality family time all without the TV. Or, everyone grabs a book and sits around reading. If you do, don’t run off to all corners of the house; just use one room so you can share the light from a lamp.
5: Turn off the lights, unplug unused devices, and use a small lamp instead of an overhead bulb. Granted some tasks need more light, but when you leave a room and will be gone for more than 5 minutes, just click the lights off. Unplug unused devices, especially the dreaded “vampires,” when you’re not using them. This can be as simple as hooking up the radio, DVD player, TV, Playstation etc. to a single power strip and flipping it to the off position when not in use. This goes for the computer too, don’t just put it to sleep; power it down.
6: Run the dishwasher only when it’s full. Sometimes you run out of glasses but you have plenty of plates. It’s tempting to just run the dishwasher. Instead, clean a single glass (don’t run the water the entire time you’re washing though), plate, or whatever you need. Most people can cut the number of times per month they run the dishwasher in half.
7: Only run full loads of laundry. Ok this is kind of a cheat from the dishwasher tip, but it’s still legit. You might have to wait a week to wear your favorite shirt or pants again, but the washer and dryer are two of the biggest energy suckers in the house.
8: Run a clothes line through an empty bedroom. If you don’t have an empty bedroom, try the living room or the hallway. Clothes will dry by hanging them just as they will dry in the dryer. It will take a little longer, but if you run 2 loads per week the savings will add up.
9: Close the curtains. If you have big thick drapes even better. Unless the sun is shining in and warming the room, close the curtains. It’s a simple way to help insulate the house around the place most prone to heat loss in the winter. Same goes for the summer too but keep them closed so the sun can’t find its way in.
10: Replace the furnace filter. Not only is a dirty filter a fire hazard, it’s also very inefficient. It’s recommended that you inspect your filter once per month and replace it at least every three months, more if it looks really dirty. Along the same lines, vacuum out register vents to keep the air flowing freely.
Of course doing all these tips isn’t going to save you a fortune, but it will cut back your energy expenses. That’s the easiest way to see if you’re saving energy; lower bill means less energy used.
If every one of us practiced these tips just once per year we could make a drastic impact and significantly decrease our consumption. None of the tips here are that hard, they just take a conscious effort to do our part. That’s what being “green” is all about isn’t it? Each one doing their part so everyone benefits?
