Saving the earth or saving souls

 

Back in 1970, we celebrated the first Earth Day. I thought it a strange thing. What were we celebrating? Turns out that it united groups around the country who had been fighting pollution, oil spills, etc. Earth Day created a platform for people who cared about taking care of the earth. Some looked at it as saving the earth and for others it was about doing a better job of taking care of what God gave us. But it morphed into something more. We started to hear about the imminent cooling of the Earth and dire predictions of a coming time of extensive glaciation, due to the cooling effects of aerosols and orbital forcing. But science didn’t back that up those claims, so the message changed to global warming. When science didn't back up these predictions either, this earth-religion changed its name to climate change. Now it’s about saving the earth and keeping people safe.

The climate-change earth religion isn’t something new. If we look back in history, we see a wide range of peoples and beliefs who fall into this group. This includes paganism (polytheistic, nature-based religion); animism, (worldview that believes all living things possess a spirit including: people, animals, and plants); and Wicca which embraces the concept of an earth mother goddess.

 

Ancient Earth worship deities

In Greek mythology, Gaia (also spelled Gaea) is the representation of the Earth. Her title is goddess of the earth, mother of all life. Similarly, Tellus, also called Terra Mater, is ancient Rome’s version of the earth goddess who is often pictured reclining with a cornucopia. But ancient Greece and Rome weren’t the only ones who worshiped the Earth rather than the Creator God. Pachamama is another Earth goddess. This one, according to Inca legend, is an ever-present and independent deity. She was believed to be the creative power that sustained life or took it away with the ability to control fertility and even cause earthquakes. Prithvi Mata known as “the Vast One” is the Sanskrit name for the Earth as well as the name of a Hindu goddess (as well as in some branches of Buddhism). The Hopi believed in Kokyangwuti, Spider Grandmother, who along with their Sun god Tawa created the Earth and its creatures.

Christian stewardship

Christian stewardship refers to the Christian's responsibility in taking care of and using the gifts God has bestowed on us. This includes  the Earth which God created as well as the things on the earth. We are charged to be good stewards or managers. But we must be careful to hold fast to the truth of God’s Word and not be swayed by worldly wisdom or carnal thinking. 2 Peter 2:7 says that "the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly." All our works, the good deeds we've done will be tested by fire, and only things eternal will survive the test.

Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God (Col. 3:2-3).

Believers need not fear climate change. We need not worry about saving the Earth. Instead, we should be seeking to save souls, and to live for Christ. If we do that, we will care for the earth and care about things eternal. Ask yourself, which are you putting most effort into: Saving the earth or saving souls.

 

About The Inheritance

Written within the allegorical tradition of classics like Pilgrim's Progress, The Inheritance offers a literal but symbolic story for today's fantasy enthusiasts. This cleverly devised tale doesn't tell you what to think, but stimulates thought as to why you believe what you believe in your own quest for the Eternal City. The Inheritance is an ideal discussion starter for youth groups, homeschoolers, and families who enjoy meaningful discussions.

The Inheritance is available on Kindle, paperback on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Nook, Kobo (Christian fiction), and Googlebooks. When you read it, be sure to leave a review! Thanks for your support.

Photo credits: pixabay,

A focus of praise

The other morning, as I prayed before slipping out of bed, I asked God to help me praise him more. I realized that I thanked him often, and said, “I thank and praise you,” but I wanted to be more specific with praise. After all, believers will praise him in eternity. I figure I should get into the practice now…”on earth as it is in heaven.” God started to answer my prayer that morning through my morning Bible reading.

 

I opened to Psalms 117. It was so short! Only two verses which call for universal praise of God.

Praise the Lord, all nations! Glorify Him, all peoples!  For His faithful love to us is great; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Hallelujah! Psalm 117 (HCSB)

Even though it is the shortest of the Psalms it was by God’s providence that I read it that morning after my prayer. I was reminded to the praise him for his faithful love and his merciful kindness that I don’t deserve.

Since it was such a short Psalm, and did speak about praising God, I decided to study it. You know what I mean. Dig in a little deeper and see if God had a nugget to help me learn to praise him more. And I did. I learned that Psalms 113-118 is known as the “Hallel” which in Hebrew means praise. It’s where we get the word halleluiah. These Psalms are recited as a Jewish prayer by observant Jews on Jewish holidays as a way to offer praise and thanksgiving.

Jesus sang these Hallel Psalms

In ancient times, these Psalms were traditionally sung at the celebrations of the Feast of Passover, Feast of Tabernacles, and the feast of Pentecost. I found it inspirational to think Jesus sang these same Hallel songs with his disciples. In Mark 14:25-26 following the Passover meal (last supper) we see that Jesus and His disciples sang psalms before going to the Mount of Olives.

I assure you: I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in the kingdom of God.” After singing psalms, they went out to the Mount of Olives (Mark 14:25-26).

They would have sung the Hallel. Psalm 118 is the traditional song sang at the close of the Passover Feast, and it just so happens to be a prophetic Psalm of Jesus that was fulfilled that very night! As Jesus sang these words he knew what was about to happen in the garden, on the cross and everything in between.

As I read Psalm 118 equipped with this bit of history, it choked me up. It starts with giving thanks to God for his goodness and love which endures forever. Vs. 4 speaks of his faithful love, “Let those who fear the Lord say, ‘His faithful love endures forever.’”

Vs. 5-7 speak of calling on the Lord when in distress. "I called to the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and put me in a spacious place. The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is my helper; Therefore, I will look in triumph on those who hate me.”

But the vs. that stood out to me were verses 22-24.

“The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone.

 This came from the Lord;

it is wonderful in our eyes.

This is the day the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

This cornerstone is Jesus. This Psalm describes his rejection and his triumph. The builders in verse 22 are the Jewish religious leaders, who rejected Jesus as their Messiah. The Stone, which they disavowed, received the place of honor as the headstone of the corner. The rejected stone now sat at God's right hand.

Stop and think. Jesus sang Psalm 118 knowing what was ahead. He went to the cross as a willing sacrifice. I can’t begin to imagine. But I can praise God for his example. I can praise God for providing the way for us to escape the second death. And I definitely can praise him for his lovingkindness and mercy.

Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor will never be harmed by the second death (Revelation 2:11)

Praise God

I'm a whosoever (John 3:16)

A couple Mother’s Days ago, my son bought me a red tee-shirt with a simple white script across the front that says, “I’m a whosoever” (John 3:16). I’m one of those people who dresses simply, avoids things that clash, goes for comfort, but hopes that they don’t look like a slob. Once I’m dressed, I don’t often think of what I’m wearing. For this reason, I am amazed at how many people read what tee-shirts have to say. This particular shirt brings out something more. People don’t just say, “What’s your shirt say?” and read it with little comment. This particular shirt has people coming up to me saying, “I like your shirt. I’m a whosoever too.”

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16)

The first time it happened, things were still sketchy with going out to eat with all the Covid restrictions. My husband and I had the opportunity to enjoy a lunch at an understaffed Steak & Shake We stepped up to the host and were told it could take up to 20 minutes to seat us. With a quick look at each other we decided to wait. A couple of women were ahead of us. Next a man and his son who looked about eight. Soon the entry way turned into a crowd of people waiting. A few more women joined the first waiting before us. When the host came to seat us, I pointed out the people who were before us. He thanked me and seated them. Poor kid didn’t have a clue who to seat next. When our turn came, we were seated at a table for six, just the two of us. It did have the surreal feel with the hoops everyone had to jump through to comply. Through it all, our waitress, Chandler, did a marvelous job and served with a genuine smile. 

I'm a whosoever

As we stood to leave, one of the women from the first group seated, walked over to me and said, “I love your shirt.”

With all the chaos going on around us, it surprised me. “Thank you, my son gave it to me for Mother’s Day.”

She smiled. “I’m a whosoever too.”

The knowledge of the truth connected us as sisters at that moment. We chatted about our Lord and Savior for a few minutes, and said goodbye knowing we would see each other in heaven if not before.

The most recent person to approach me about being a whosoever happened in a Buc-ee’s so crowded it reminded me of being at a theme park attraction. A woman came up to me as I stood before a wall of assorted gummies, shouting over all the noise. “I love your shirt!”

“Thank you, my son gave it to me.”

“He has good taste. I’m a whosoever. In fact I have a website.” She handed me a card. Christiantellmewhy.info. “It’s a site that answers questions about being a Christian.” We chatted among the chaos and said goodbye.

The Christian fish symbol

I thought about how the people who know Scripture are the ones who knew what my shirt meant. And when they said they were a “whosoever,” I knew that they realized Christ’s sacrifice for them, believed in Him, and received his truth.

The early church didn’t have tee-shirts, but they did have the Christian fish symbol that helped them recognize other believers. The story, as I’ve been told, is that not long after Jesus ascended into to heaven, the church grew quickly, but just as quickly the Christians found themselves persecuted by the Romans and the Jews. (Just take a look at the early part of the apostle Paul’s life story in the book of Acts. At that time he was known as Saul and was a Pharisee on a mission to arrest Christians.) And so, when two people met and thought the other might be a fellow believer, one would draw the upper half of the fish symbol on the ground. If the other person was a believer they knew to draw the second curved line to complete the fish.

While I’ve always heard this called the Christian fish, it is actually the Greek word for fish as an anagram/acronym for “Jesus Christ God’s Son, Savior.”

The thing that stands out in my stories and the story of the Christian fish is that people were able to recognize people as to be believers. For this reason, we should really think about what we are doing and how it reflects back on our Heavenly Father. We are to reflect God's love. The question is, what are we reflecting!

Remember, whether you eat, drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31)

 

Excerpt from The Inheritance

Here’s an excerpt from The Inheritance which relates to this very topic:

"You know Truth?" Tenderheart asked. He took another swig from the water skin and offered it to Jejune. "I wondered, when I saw you carrying that." He pointed to the walking stick.

"This?" Jejune raised the stick and tossed it to the ground to accept the skin. "Thank you."

He motioned toward the staff with a tick of his head. "That's a reward for saving Chary's sister's life in Goodeeds. It has been useful on the trip."

Tenderheart scratched the back of his neck. "Do you know that the people in Goodeeds think the notches marking their deeds get them into the Eternal City?"

Jejune stopped drinking and wiped his mouth. "What? The notches in the walking stick? They really believe that? Absurd!"

Tenderheart nodded. "They believe the more notches they earn, the better their dwelling will be within the Eternal City. And if they arrive at the gates without a walking stick, they may not get in at all."

"They will get in, even if they have the Condition, just because they are holding a piece of wood?"

"It does sound absurd, now," Tenderheart agreed, "but I grew up in Goodeeds and believed in notches with all my heart."

"I didn't understand all that," Jejune said. "I didn't stay long. I admit I heard some of that, but never really took it to heart."

"It's quite an impressive stick." Tenderheart picked up the carved stick. "It's one of the nicest I've seen. I'm happy to hear you've met Truth instead of putting your confidence in this." He handed it to Jejune in exchange for the water skin.

Jejune fingered the carvings. "I never believed in notches. In fact, I didn't really understand their ceremony at the Hall of Strokes." He tapped his chest. "Truth gave me his Light, and he gave me an inheritance in the Eternal City." He looked into Tenderheart's dark eyes. "Do you know Truth well?"