So we haven’t exactly been keeping up on this whole blog thing. It’s okay, God forgives. I didn’t exactly understand today’s tip, but I think it has something to do with putting a brick in your toilet bowl so it’ll use less water. Sounds pioneer-ish to me.

Perhaps this is a way of seeing that we shouldn’t be afraid to try ways that may seem weird or old fashioned when it comes to worshiping God. Who knows, maybe you could make it the latest trend. Apparently, everything comes back through the cycle, no matter how unorthodox it was.

Did anyone get that reference? Darn punk kids with your ipods and nintendos… Anyway, when you’re in a store and you see something you want, do you just buy it? Or after you buy something that you desparately wanted, do you immediately forget about it and then start desperately wanting the next thing on your list? I know I’m all too guilty on this. Well, CPC tells us to sleep on it. Give it 24 hours and see if you still want it tomorrow.

I heard a statistic once that the majority of trash in landfills is packaging. It isn’t stuff we used for a year and got rid of, it’s not even stuff we actually ever used, it’s just the plastic and cardboard used to package the actual product we wanted.

Last week, I bought a wireless laser mouse for my laptop. I didn’t have one for it and determined that I had lived for long enough without a mouse. When I actually got the product from Amazon, I literally had to take apart this monstrous creation of cardboard and plastic just to get to the mouse. There was a green and black flap of cardboard on top. Then another flap beneath it that held the clear plastic part that held the mouse in place. Then there was the actual cardboard of the box itself, not to mention the cardboard box that held the CD with the drivers on it. I was amazed at how much there was to it and a little sad that I was about to just throw all this stuff away.

So next time you’re at the store and you’re considering buying something big or even something small, give it a day or two and see if you really do need the thing you’re wanting.

Today’s CPC challenge was about reusing items… such as paper towels to help spare our ecological world from destructing any faster.  While worthy of consideration (and I will think of this before throwing stuff away), it reminded me of something else that is good to reuse… a good line, a good story, a good quote.  These things bring more light and joy to the lives of others.  If you’ve got a good one to share, please do!

I loved the challenge for today… it forgives the dirty clothes pile:).  The idea was to wear certain clothing items more than once before washing them to help save detergent and water resources.  I remember living away from home in my college days without a washer and dryer or a clothes iron for that matter.  I can only imagine what my clothes looked like most days.  Apparently I was not up for the laundry mat (or didn’t know that was a realistic option for me) so I would wait until I could get back home (an hour away) to let mom help me out (which was every other weekend or so).  I’m embarrased to say I was “that guy” who took the dirty clothes home to mom… what a saint she is.  So, while cleanliness is next to godliness, so too is being good stewards of our resources.  To honor the code, I’ll wear these same pants again tomorrow… (shhh…don’t tell anyone).   

It’s a holiday… I guess.  It does seem pretty random that this “extra” day once every four years is added to our calendar… as if it somehow balances the rotation of the earth’s axis or something.  It does feel a little like cheating however… like Daylight Savings Time.  You just feel like you’re getting something extra.  So enjoy… be kind… smile a little longer… time is on your side (at least for today). 

So I have to confess that today’s challenge makes me feel very guilty.  I’m the person who takes a stack of paper towels in the ladies room.  I am also the owner of a cat who LOVES to shred toilet paper and paper towels. Kinser goes to town and can shred an entire roll before I notice.  If you come to my house, you will have to ask for paper products because they are all hidden in cabinets.  I also must admit that I am not very conscientious of the number of squares I use. 

I think as American consumers, we are used to our waste (trash, wasteful car emissions, toilet, any kind) disappearing. We don’t have to deal with its removal or the reprecussions of using it all. We don’t have to drive by landfills or junkyards very often, and so I think we become blind to the effects of our wastefulness. I will definitely be thinking about this the next time I pick up one or two towels in the restroom… and my cat will never be left unattended with paper products!

Today’s CPC challenge found me guilty.  They suggest that when you are making small purchases you should pay in cash as small businesses often have to pay fees for credit/debit card processing.  I could be a spokesperson for the ”debit card” because I almost never have cash on hand.  I’ll work at this one… especially as we open our north campus and have a small coffee bar there.  Remember the little guys!  Any of you use cash more than plastic?

I loved today’s 5 minute challenge to save the world… mostly because it was about books and good causes… what could be better?  CPC suggested buying books online through “Abunga.com” which “empowers decency” by not allowing XXX advertisments and offers 5% of every purchase to the charity of your choice.  I went to their site and purchased my first Abunga book and offered my 5% to the Christian Hospitality Network.  Have you read anything good lately?  Cow-”Abunga” dudes!

I have a confession to make.  I experienced what I’m referring to as a Mid-Lent Crisis last week.  This is similar to a mid-life crisis except that I’m not a “mid-lifer” yet and I don’t have the urge to buy a new sports car or anything.  We’re drenched in Lent right now so I figured I could chalk it up to a mid-Lent crisis.  Now, crisis is also a strong word and considering the “crisises” that many face, mine is minor.  Today’s CPC challenge, however, made me feel like writing this post.  The challenge concerns eating disorders and the underlying affects that bring them to the surface.  I do not claim to have a disorder though I do tend to use food as a stress release and comfort… more than I should.  A quote from the challenge says, “Be comfortable in your genes. Wear jeans that fit the TRUE you.”  This is a challenge of accepting yourself but also not settling for being less than your best, true, authentic self that God intends you to be.  I believe that my mid-Lent crisis is my way of “nesting” before our son is born in two months.  I want to be at my personal best when he arrives so I can be the father he needs… the father my two year old deserves… the husband my wife is worthy of… the pastor our young people can follow.  So, I have found a devotional material that will guide me for the next forty days to becoming the best me I can be:  a picture of health, stewardship, and discipline.  I give you permission to check me on this throughout this time to keep me focused and I certainly covet your prayers.  Keeping it “real” and “cool”…

Ok, looks like we missed a few days there, huh? But that’s ok. God forgives Anyway, on Saturday Mai Kou, Charlotte and I went to the Children’s Museum. It was the first time that Charlotte has gone since she was really little, so this time she actually got to walk around and touch things. She had plenty of fun.

One of the exhibits there was called The Power of Children. It was about kids who had to overcome great adversity in the form of persecution for something they couldn’t control: Ryan White with AIDS, Anne Frank during WWII and Ruby Bridges as the one of the first kids integrated into the previously all white school system. Well, coincidentally CPC urged us to learn about the individuals involved and how Black History Month eventually came about. So if you don’t already know, go check it out!