ComfortZone

At church last Sunday we were given important reminders about caring for our environment and being good stewards of our resources. I really am grateful for the way Gregg presented the information and challenge. It was scriptural and practical. I like the idea that re-using, reducing and recycling can actually be a form of worshiping God. It shows that we care about what He made.

Gregg’s message has stimulated some interesting blog discussions which have all been very good. I started thinking last night about the environment and our minds. There are similarities between pollution and sin:

• We all are stuck in a system where both are out of control
• Maybe we can’t avoid either of them completely, but we all need to try to be as pure as we can
• We each need to look at both pollution and sin on a personal level. It’s more important than judging what other people do.
• Pollution is sin against the earth, sea, and sky; sin is pollution in our minds, bodies, and relationships

This comparison breaks down when I think about solutions.

The problem of pollution and wise use of resources will only be solved when we all work together. The problem of sin and impurity will only be solved when we individually come to Christ.

This is a picture of a contaminated river. It is also what we all look like inside.

I’ve been a Blazer fan since the 70’s. I haven’t always been thrilled with the guys they’ve had on the roster, but like a lot of people, I’m liking what I’m seeing these days.

Stories came out today about the coach and a group of Blazer players touring some MLK sites in Atlanta on Sunday. I like to read about this team whenever I can, but these articles caught my attention in a different way. They paint a picture of the players as people, and what they did on their day off.

To see the house where he was born, and to go to the gym where he played some hoop was kind of cool. It’s like you get to walk in his shoes for a minute, which is a great moment, especially for us being African American males. Because of a lot of the things we are able to do today are things he fought for.”—Brandon Roy

It’s not so much that the game means anything more (the Blazers play Atlanta on MLK Day), but the day itself means a lot. You get to reflect on some of the things that he did to make it easier for minorities in this nation. So just to be a part of that, and to know the history, it’s something special.”—Martell Webster

I think it is good for them to see that, it’s educational for them. Life is about opportunities, and for me, I ask, ‘Would I have had this opportunity (to coach) 40 or 50 years ago?’ No. So that’s what this is all about: In life, we hope for an opportunity to show what we are capable of doing, and he helped give us all that opportunity.”—Nate McMillan

I like to use it as a day of reflection. Just to look back and remember how people sacrificed their lives just to have us be able to have a chance or opportunity in life like this.”—Jarrett Jack

We all benefited by Mr. King’s efforts, but it is especially cool to see these particular guys making the effort to go back and honor the man that made it all possible.

You can read more in this Oregonian story, and here at ESPN. I like how the ESPN story mentions that that education and scripture were important in the King household. These are good foundations for everyone.