Creation Care

It's hard to count it all joy
Distracted by the noise
Just trying to make sense
Of all your promises

-Thy Will (Hillary Scott) 

In this episode, Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat shares the theological underpinnings that inspire the sustainable efforts and regenerative agriculture practices at Russet House Farm. She and Chris also discuss worshipping outside, eating locally, times of Sabbath and Jubilee, and caring for creation as we long for God’s ultimate goodness for our world and our neighbours.

 “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.” - John 1:5

Our call to be good stewards of God’s earth and to care for one another is under threat in many places, but none more notable than Alaska. For the first time, oil drilling will be allowed in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, located in the northern part of Alaska. This breathtaking parcel of God’s creation, home to the Gwich’in people, is unique in its wilderness qualities and ecological integrity, where natural processes remain mostly uninfluenced by people.

“I want to bake 100 cookies!” my 5-year-old announced over the noise of a crying baby and loud kitchen fan. 

I wanted a nap. 

We were finally getting around to our goal of trying to help the animals of Plaster Creek. Plaster Creek brings my family countless hours of joy as we hike and bike on the trail near our home in the Garfield Park neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Mich. 

Plaster Creek also happens to be the most contaminated creek in West Michigan. In fact, when coloring a picture of the creek, my son commented, “Shouldn’t the water be BROWN instead of blue?” 

"Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal."  Philippians 3:17

Lytton, BC destroyed by fire, after record breaking heat, in minutes.

The village of Lytton, BC broke records for the highest heat ever recorded in Canada last week (49 C or 120 F) and then on June 30, residents had to flee due to a wildfire that demolished most of the town in less than 30 minutes.   

"He leads us on by paths we did not know.
Upward He leads us, tho' our steps be slow;
Tho' oft we faint and falter on the way,
Tho' storms and darkness oft obscure the day,
Yet, when the clouds are gone,
We know He leads us on."

- He Leads Us On (Hiram O. Wiley)

The path leads on to love,
And love is fearless in its ways,
For Love Himself was not afraid
To die that we'd be saved.

- The Way of Wisdom (Michael Card) 

On May 20th, the Climate Witness Project had the privilege of hosting a book talk with professor and author Finis Dunaway. His new book, Defending the Arctic Refuge: A Photographer, an Indigenous Nation, and a Fight for Environmental Justice, takes a look at how photographer Lenny Kohm’s grassroots advocacy alongside the Gwich’in people helped protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

"I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice" - Proverbs 8:20