always good to keep evaluating

walking gently on the earth
by lisa graham mcminn & megan anna neff

i feel like i am always evaluating where i can give up more.
where to live simpler.
where to make choices that reflect god's care for his creation.
i didn't feel like anything in this book was new. i had either read it before, thought through, or talked with someone about it. the main difference is the authors come from a distinctly christian, biblical point of view.

some key principles from the book:

• give first
• live with margin
• share and borrow stuff
• reuse, buy used, recycle
• pursue justice for people using your consumer power
• do no harm - protect ecological systems
• seek contentment

just the idea of giving first and finishing with being content are challenging whether or not you consider your carbon footprint. god has called to us as stewards of his creation, and this book gives good basis for it and good resources in each chapter for considering it further.
warning.... they do get controversial. they don't shy away from the hard issues.... just don't say i didn't mention it when you get your feathers all in a ruffle over a few of the things they discuss. which, frankly i am not sure i can really totally disagree with much in their book. just sayin'

just a few interesting quotes:

We need to help one another, and we need to allow other to help us. our actions in our farms, in grocery stores, in kitchen and on our plates affect one another. part of finding abundant life is discovering how and where we are interconnected and how and where we may help our neighbors near and far. (page 64)

i want holiness, sanctification and compassion that is microwavable. but the really important things in life take time, patience, persistence and energy. being a compassionate person is one of those really important things in life. seeing faces is a powerful starting point -- choosing to do the hard work to look for and at the faces behind the products we purchase. (page 97)

when we understand that the redeemer's goals align with that of the creator, caring for the earth is part of the gospel message of redemption.... this is why conversations about climate change, how we consume energy and natural resources, and our environmental responsibility are not periphery conversations to be had but are essential to the larger conversation about redemption and the kingdom of god. (page 124)

agriculture accounts for 30% of greenhouse gases... by way of comparison, trucks, cars and other transportation account for 13% of greenhouse gas emissions. isn't it interesting that how we eat impacts global warming more than what we drive? (page 136)