text:
'Doctor Who': When Justice Seasons 'Mercy'
Clearly showrunner Steven Moffat, scriptwriter Toby Whithouse, and the gang have been reading Speculative Faith and are thus crafting Doctor Who stories perfect for discussion.
Both recent episodes of series 7a touched on themes of evil, vengeance, and forgiveness.
Notice I said "touched on," not fleshed out or explored. Like most stories, especially those by folks outside of God's forgiveness, they have limits. Here I hope to explore those.
But first, a bit about Batman, from the 2005 film Batman Begins. (With some spoilers.)
Also a bit about Egyptians, embassies, and terrorists.
Bruce Wayne on trial
Ra's al Ghul (posing as Henri Ducard): You are ready to become a member of the League of Shadows. But first, you must demonstrate your commitment to justice.
(They bring forward a captive, panicked man. Earlier Ducard told Bruce Wayne that the man was accused of crimes. They then force the man to kneel, and Bruce realizes they mean to ask him to kill the man now.)
Bruce: No. I'm no executioner.
Ra's al Ghul: Your compassion is a weakness your enemies will not share.
Bruce: That's why it's so important. It separates us from them.
Ra's al Ghul: You want to fight criminals. This man is a murderer.
Bruce: This man should be tried.
Ra's al Ghul: By whom? Corrupt bureaucrats? Criminals mock society's laws. You know this better than most.
Naturally the just-recently-ninja-trained Bruce Wayne finds a way to avoid being vigilante killer against the accused man, and (seemingly) bring down the entire headquarters of the League of Shadows. But that raises one question: did the accused man die anyway, in the melee? Also this one: what was Bruce's preference over acting as an executioner?
He could have said, "No, if we kill or punish him for his crime, we'll Become Just Like Him."
Or, "Threatening or taking life is always wrong" (immediately betrayed by his ensuing self-defense during the fight and his own war against criminals).
Or worse, he could have said, "I am judge and jury, and I declare this man innocent."
Instead Bruce simply and rightfully replied, "This man should be tried."
That of course raises the question about what kind of judge should oversee the trial.
Terror suspects
One week ago as I write this, people in the nations of Egypt and Libya began raising a ruckus. Ultimately they killed the American ambassador to Libya and several others, and (in my view) raised a question many U.S. citizens naïvely hoped had been already answered by other people some years ago: what is the best response to radical "acts of terror"?
Some reply that the maker of an obscure, apparently Islam-mocking video should be put on trial or punished, made a scapegoat for the sins of the people.
Others more accurately say that such mobs tend to get worked up by many factors, and that it would have been impossible for them to have seen this obscure video. But among those — I heard one the other day — some accuse American leaders of promoting these sorts of crises out of political opportunism. So vote this November! Make them a scapegoat for sin.
Skipping here the Biblical truth that governments are tasked with enforcing some justice on Earth on God's behalf, all of these are missing the point. Just as Doctor Who almost did.
The Doctor's sin doctrine
('Ware spoilers.) In Dinosaurs On A Spaceship, the Doctor showed a shocking side: a desire for vengeance, leading to action. Apparently seeing a defenseless Triceratops killed pushed him too far. Suddenly the Doctor is shoving the villainous Solomon (played by David "Mr. Filch" Bradley) out an airlock, who's later helpless as his ship careens into an explosion.
Last Saturday, such themes reprised. In an Old-Western town, the Doctor and his friends learn that a cyborg gunslinger wants to take vengeance on an alien resident. Then when the Doctor finds the harmless-appearing alien is a criminal who created the cyborg assassins, the Doctor is ready to throw the man out of town, a scapegoat in the wilderness.
The Doctor: We could end this right now. We could save everyone right now!
Amy Pond: This is not how we roll, and you know it. What's happened to you, Doctor? When did killing someone become an option?
The Doctor: Jex has to answer for his crimes.
Amy: And what then? Are you going to hunt down everyone who's made a gun or a bullet or a bomb?
The Doctor: But they keep coming back, don't you see? Every time I negotiate, I try to understand. Well not today. No, today I honor the victims first. His, The Master's, the Daleks'. All the people that died because of my mercy!
Amy: See this is what happens when you travel alone for too long. Well listen to me, Doctor, we can't be like him. We have to be better than him.
The Doctor: Amelia Pond. Fine. Fine! We think of something else. But frankly, I'm betting on the Gunslinger.
Scenes like this are why we may enjoy great stories, not because they are all beautiful and truthful or because they are all controversial, but because they are often perplexingly both.
On the negative side:
- Another science-fiction staple: the wise, seemingly all-powerful alien and/or leader who is vulnerable to extremes, who needs a balanced Human Influence to sort him. Potential theme: our gods must work justice according to human views.
- "We have to be better than him" — as if this is the only humane justice. As if killing, a necessary evil, isn't at least potentially a sobering choice in our sinful world.
- "Today I honor the victims first." With this contradicted, we may doubt victims' rights to be avenged.
On the positive side:
- Humans, even powerful ones, do have limited views and abilities to carry out justice.
- One person alone should not make such life-and-death decision. "Power corrupts."
- Later in the episode, Jex realizes he must die to save the townspeople for whom he claimed to care. And he believes he will face justice. "In my culture, we believe that when you die your spirit has to climb a mountain, carrying the souls of everyone you wronged in your lifetime," he says. "Imagine the weight I will have to lift." And later: "I have to face the souls of those I've wronged. Perhaps they will be kind."
This confirms a raw, refreshing honesty of Doctor Who, in particular this writer: honest touching on true justice must ultimately surrender the question. At least in this age. Our only assurance that killers will be punished or mercy shown lies beyond this life.
"This man should be tried," Bruce Wayne gently admonished.
And who is the judge? Human beings? In one sense yes, per Romans 13, yet in our justice systems (which can be corrupt, as Ra's al Ghul said) we can only begin to reflect the perfect justice God has in store beyond this age. He, as the One Who has been most sinned against — not people — is the true Judge. Only He has the right to choose when to show mercy and execute punishment. Moreover, He will not falter, or lunge about for a spontaneous scapegoat as we often do. All sin will be punished and His holiness vindicated, whether 2,000 years ago on the Cross, or for eternity in torturous separation from His presence.
Doctor Who misses that, though episodes such as A Town Called Mercy echo this truth. Perhaps more directly than the writers know.
The Preacher: He's coming. Oh God, he's coming!
Abraham: Preacher, say something.
The Preacher: Our Father, who art in Heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.
Who decides who lives or dies? The answer to The Question is "hidden in plain sight."
The Doctor seems to have these moral struggles when he's letting a companion go. Like on Waters of Mars. Without someone to keep him grounded, he might very well become the Master instead of the Doctor. (Would the Master have been a nuts as he is had he always had a companion? Who can say?)
And if you take the theory that he's doing season seven in reverse order–having already said goodbye to the Ponds–it really intensifies that feeling. Amy points it out; "This is what happens when you travel alone too long." And I think it's gonna be worse for 11 than 10, since he's had the Ponds for so long, as well as River's role…
Side note about Dinosaurs on a Spaceship–it wasn't just Tricey's death that had the Doctor angry. It was the fact that Solomon had taken the entire crew of Silurians, woken them in small groups, and thrown them out the airlock when they refused to sell him the dinosaurs. Plus, he threatens Queen Nefertiti and plans to sell her as a slave. So it's not quite the overreaction you'd think.
I think what really set the Doctor off here, deep down, is this idea of atonement. He's still trying to atone for the Time War–I could provide examples–but he doesn't think he'll ever reach it, so it's a sore spot for him.
You wrote: "Honest touching on true justice must ultimately surrender the question. At least in this age. Our only assurance that killers will be punished or mercy shown lies beyond this life."
Thank you for this insight. As writers, and especially as Christian writers ("if anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God" –1 Peter 4:11), I think it is imperative that we search the scriptures, our own souls and query the Spirit for insight as to what questions have answers that we cannot know this side of the afterlife.
Stop pretending that everything is "black and white". Stop pretending that there are easy answers to certain questions. And artfully point people towards eternity and the reality of it. Towards the questions it raises: If eternity is there, how will I spend it? How do my choices in this life matter to my eternity?


text:
Thousands of people gathered in Times Square May 4 to celebrate the dignity of human life with song, prayer, inspirational stories and a live ultrasound screening of a baby in the third trimester of development.
Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, said the "Alive from New York" rally organized by his group was the "largest pro-life event in New York history." Organizers said 10,000 participants registered for the experience.
Focus on the Family is a Colorado-based Christian evangelical organization that was moved to help reinvigorate the pro-life movement in New York after the Jan 22 passage of the aggressive Reproductive Health Act in New York.
Daly and Jeanne Mancini, president of March for Life, were emcees for the event, appearing on a stage with a screen just north of 43rd Street. A second screen was set up north of 45th Street. Ms. Mancini said the New York law "is out of step with mainstream America. In the last 10 years, eight out of 10 Americans would limit abortion in some way."
Cardinal Dolan welcomed the participants via a video message introduced by Auxiliary Bishop Peter Byrne. The cardinal said New York is "seeing an unprecedented attack on the unborn."
"Through your efforts, many hearts have been converted. We're live from New York, and it's good to be alive!" the cardinal said to applause.
The fast-paced program included appearances by pro-life activists, celebrities and survivors of abortion. Musicians Francesca Battistelli, Phil Stacey and Phil King performed throughout the event. Protesters on the west side of Seventh Avenue tried unsuccessfully to drown out the proceedings with vulgar chants.
Rev. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., said pro-life action is an extension of the civil rights movement. She punctuated her remarks with song and recalled her uncle's words, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." She described her personal experience with live birth, abortion and miscarriage. "A woman has a right to do what she wants with her body, but the baby's not her body," she exclaimed.
Christina Bennett of the Family Institute of Connecticut said, "In New York, there are more black children aborted than born each year. Abortion is the number one cause of death in the black community."
Retired National Football League player Benjamin Watson, father of newborn twins and five other children, addressed men who think they might not have a voice in the abortion debate. "It's time to step up and step into this conversation with boldness, grace and conviction. We must expose the lies that are being told. We were made to be protectors and providers," he said.
"You have what it takes to be the man God wants you to be. Fatherhood begins in the womb and with the relationship you have with the mother. Talk to the child in the womb," Watson said.
Ms. Mancini introduced three adults who survived abortion in their mothers' wombs. "Abortion proponents say there is no need for legal protection for those who survive abortion. Here is living proof that there are survivors."
Melissa Ohden, who survived a failed saline abortion in 1977, said, "We're not imaginary! We exist! We put the alive in 'Alive from New York'!"
The event's culmination was a live ultrasound performed on Abby Johnson, the former Planned Parenthood manager whose story was told in the movie "Unplanned." While Ms. Johnson was in a medical trailer behind the stage, a narrated ultrasound examination of her unborn baby pointed out well-developed features on the child's face and thrilled to the baby's movements. Ms. Johnson then appeared on stage with Ashley Bratcher, the actress who portrays her in the movie.
"Those who speak out against life are people who are hurting. We pray for them to find truth because we want them to know peace," she said.
Ms. Johnson predicted, "We will see a day where abortion in this country is unthinkable."
Earlier in the day, worshippers gathered for a concelebrated noon Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Bishop Byrne was the principal celebrant and homilist. He explored the theme "Do not be afraid" as written in the Gospels, explained by St. John Paul and lived by the pro-life community.
"In a sense, Mary represents all pregnant women, especially women left alone," the bishop said. "One of the purposes of the pro-life movement is to give reassurance to the woman in distress, to say, 'Do not be afraid.'"
Paraphrasing the words of St. John Paul, Bishop Byrne said, "Life belongs only to God, and whoever attacks life attacks God."
"We can only pray that the legislators who passed the bill 'know not what they do.' It's an awful thing to declare yourself an enemy of God," the bishop said.
He said the legislation attacks the most defenseless, the child in the womb, and the Alive from New York event was an opportunity to be tell truth to those in power.
"We're here because we want to be witnesses," said Michael Tiesi, who came with with his wife, Christine, to the Mass and rally from Harrison where they are parishioners at St. Gregory the Great.
Lorena Finnell of St. Augustine parish in Larchmont said having many people turn out is important to spread the message. "Abortion is murder," she said simply.
Father Peter Pilsner, chaplain at Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx, said he was there "to be part of this great event for the pro-life community and share support and excitement for what Focus on the Family is doing."
Alive From New York was the conclusion to New York Life Week, an initiative sponsored by the archdiocesan Respect Life Office. It was intended as an opportunity for parishioners to "See Life Clearly," uphold life in New York and promote the dignity of every human life. Parishioners were urged to contact their state legislators to express opposition to physician-assisted suicide.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Arburg - Allrounder 221 KS 350-100U (1999) - 39 Ton, 1.44 oz. Arburg Allrounder Injection Molding Machine
|US Tonnage
|Shot Size
|1.44 oz
|Tie Bar Distance
|8.7"x8.7" (221mm x 221mm)
|Screw Diameter
|25 mm
|Platen Size
|13.46"x9.8" (342mm x 250mm)
|Opening Stroke
|7.87" (200mm)
|Min/Max Mold Height
|5.9"/11.8" (150mm / 300mm)
|Ejector Stroke
|2.36" (60mm)
|Pivoting clamp and injection unit for vertical and horizontal molding
Thank you for your interest in this equipment.
TERMS: Cash or Cashiers Check with order, and all equipment is FOB on floor from sold location unless otherwise stated. All equipment subject to prior sales and is exclusive of any government tax. Equipment descriptions are intended only as a guide and their accuracy is not guaranteed.
CONDITIONS: Item(s) are sold "As Is, Where Is" unless other arrangements have been made and conveyed in writing. There are no warranties which extend beyond the description on the face hereof; quotation subject to change without notice. All agreements and/or contracts made by sales person are subject to approval.
EQUIPMENT SAFETY: It is the buyer's/user's responsibility to provide proper safety devices and equipment to safeguard persons from harm resulting from any particular use, operation or set-up, and to adequately safeguard the equipment conform to all Federal, State and Local Government Safety Standards and all Industrial Standards.
INDEMNIFICATION: Buyer/User agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Seller and Salespersons from any and all claims or liabilities caused by or arising from the equipment on the face hereof. All equipment quoted is subject to prior sale. It is purchaser's responsibility to verify specifications. Absolute Machinery Corporation Standards Terms and Conditions Apply to this Offer - these are included as an attachment to this file.
If you have any questions regarding this equipment or offer, please don't hesitate to call our Sales Office at Tel: 1(508)792-4305


text:
Undertaking 1.1
- Feeling INADEQUATE:
This means the client is non really confident about his/her wellness. Some of the client could non experience them physical tantrum which may do them experiencing lonely and unequal. This can besides do many effects on them: they will pass on less, they will take less portion in day-to-day activities, client may besides be sad or concern, they may eat less and they will non portion their feeling with others, which may can impact the clients wellness.
- Shame:
Client may experience shame when a male physician gives a female organic structure cheque. The client may experience like person is non esteeming him/her. The client may non collaborate good with the physician in this type of state of affairs. So doctor or RN should explicate them clearly everything what they are traveling to make with them.
When a client bash non make task good or if they can non make their undertaking in proper manner, they may experience self degradation. Some client wants to walk, eat by their ain but that is really hard for them do that because they are ever dependent on others. They do non desire anyone aid and they think they can make their work themselves.
- Feeling MISUNDERSTOOD:
This means fail to understand person and acquire the information incorrect manner. Sometimes we communicate with client rapidly they can non understood us decently. For illustration: When a physician explain rapidly why they want to eat that sometimes they can non retrieve that, so they became misunderstood.
Undertaking 1.2
- One to one audience with a wellness worker:
There are some things which are secret to person, so it is one to one audience. Such diseases like: HIV, malignant neoplastic disease, encephalon tumour, the client thinks that this type of diseases are shame to state everyone. They might believe that when they talk about that disease to their wellness worker, they might give them negative image of that, they might be small spot concern of sharing this diseases to them. They try their best to conceal disease until it became so serious. This makes that disease excessively late to handle. So the heath attention worker occupation is to state them that would seek to screen out their job instead than to know apart any disease. They should seek to maintain secretiveness and they should seek to assist them of that disease.
- Group audience with a wellness worker of a different gender:
For illustration: When a female physician negotiations with the group of male clients about how to forestall AIDS OR carcinoma of neck womb. Some clients may experience diffident to hear that, so we have to sort the subject which is female physician talk with female client and male physician talk with a male client. This can assist the client to take their shyness.
- Consumer study:
Presents, every installation have a consumer study which can assist us to roll up consumer sentiments and it is easy to work out any job. Without consumer study it is difficult to better the installation. After that client easy cognize about the installation. The installation should hold all the equipment, the old should be renewed. That can increase the quality of life of the client. There should be a good environment in the installation.
- One to one audience with a wellness worker of a different gender:
For illustration: If a male nurse help a female nurse organic structure cheque. Even thought we know the nurse or physician are professional but still the client feel diffident and want to retreat. To work out this job we need to sort if every installation arrange female nurse aid client and the male nurse help the male client so this job can avoided.
Undertaking 1.3
Adverse socio-cultural factor 1: for illustration some Maori populating criterion is non excessively high so they may be non understand the doctor's linguistic communication, because they can't understand proper English. So they might be unable to understand what the physician or nurse said to them and the physician or nurse thought that they have understood. Then the Maori usage incorrect manner to handle their disease. They didn't retrieve in the terminal they get more serious than earlier. So the physicians should cognize their linguistic communication so that they can understood them easy.
Adverse socio-cultural factor one ( 2 ) : Some of the Maori have their ain manner of populating a life. Some of them have a particular tattoo in their organic structure. That is Maori traditional civilization, it is hard for them who don't know it. Maori traditional facets or civilization may consequence the health professional feeling. They might be feel scare to handle them because they tends to hold civilization difference and they need to cognize their cultural facets and their faith.
Adverse socio-economic factor ( 1 ) : Some of the Maori are populating in rural countries they might non hold adequate installation: infirmaries, wellness attention Centre. They find hard when they are in the aid, as more of installations are in a urban countries. It is difficult for them to see a physician or nurse because they have to go a long distances. It can impact their wellness due to less installations. So the authorities should give more installations to them.
Adverse socio-economic factor ( 2 ) : Some of the chief jobs in a Maori civilization is that the people are less educated, due to the several jobs. So they gain less instruction and that causes large job in life and hereafter. They don't acquire good occupations due to they are less educated. Some of them besides suffers from many physical jobs.
Undertaking 2.1
NEGATIVE OUTCOME ONE ( 1 ) : Self degradation: when a client see that he can't make his/her work by their ain, they feel self degradation. For illustration: Some of the clients eat their nutrient by their ain, some of them can't walk. So they feel shamed and they think that we can't make anything by their ain. In some state of affairss they doesn't wants any one aid, to take attention of them.
Negative result two ( 2 ) : Feeling lonely: In some remainder place and wellness attention centre some of client feel lonely and sad every clip. They may believe that no 1 is with them or no one support them. They might shout at dark or forenoon clip. Some of the clients may non pass on, they don't eat plenty. So this can besides effects they appetite, they will non take portion in day-to-day activities, they will ever retrieve their household and it can impact their wellness.
Negative result three ( 3 ) : Shamed: Some clients may experience shamed when a female or male nurse or health professional change their dressing. They will seek to avoid them. Some of clients eat or drink less that they will necessitate to travel to toilet less clip. For dressing they try to by their ain even that it is really hard for them to make. This can besides impact their organic structure.
Positive result one ( 1 ) : Every installations have their ain activities besides tell them to take portion in day-to-day activities, so that they may acquire review all twenty-four hours. Like do speaking with them, promote them ever so that they may experience person is closer to them.
Positive result two ( 2 ) : Always handle the clients like a household member like they are of import to you. Try to construct a good relation with them so that they comfort when you are with them. Supply them a good nutrient. Always make them experience like they are non off from their place. Always let their household member visits twice a month so that they feel good.
Positive result three ( 3 ) : Promote them to imbibe more liquids like: H2O, juice. Some of the clients like a milk, so give them a milk or that merchandise. Make certain that they don't experience diffident in forepart of you, and construct a good relation with them so the client ever trust you and take attention of their personal things and demands.


text:
Environmentalism- Facilitator's Guide
Login or Create an Account
With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later!
This Facilitator's Guide is intended to assist the facilitator in leading the discussion of a group on the following topic. It is not meant to give an exhaustive review of the question, but rather give pointers from the Bible. To that end we have inserted a few comments and Bible verses that are relevant to the discussion – this may help get the discussion started. For a more comprehensive study of this topic see the related online resources at the end of this guide.
"Today is 'Earth Day,' began Mr. Green the social studies teacher, "so class today will be devoted to discussing its meaning, the reason for the Day, and what we can do about the environment. Who wants to start the discussion? Who has a comment?"
Benedict had read much of what scientists and politicians have written about the current and forecasted ecological problems. So, he immediately raised his hand and began waving it in an effort to get Mr. Green's attention. Happy to see someone wanting to say something, Mr. Green called on him saying, "Yes, what do you want to say?"
Speaking in an assertive, confident voice, Benedict said, "Christianity is responsible for our environmental and ecological crisis. Christianity teaches that man has the right to plunder the earth for his selfish interests. If the earth is going to remain a place where life can exist, we humans must renounce the Christian religion."
"You're right, Benedict, that some authorities blame Christianity for our current environmental problems," said Mr. Green matter-of-factly. Does anyone have a response to Benedict's claim? Are there any Christians here who care to refute Benedict?"
Is Benedict right concerning Christianity's teaching? Some have asserted that we must return to pre-Christian religions which venerated nature. If you were in Mr. Green's classroom that day, could you give an answer regarding what the Bible teaches about man's relationship to all the earth? This study guide is designed to help you understand what is God's instruction to man about the care of the earth and his place in it.
In the Beginning
When Jesus was asked a difficult question about laws regarding marriage and divorce, He answered by referring back to the beginning — to when God created Adam and Eve — to ascertain God's original intent. The apostle Paul did the same regarding the roles of men and women in the Church of God. So, let's go back to God's original instruction to the first man and woman about their relationship to the earth's environment.
GENESIS 2:15: "Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it."
1. What does "tend" mean?
· Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary defines "tend" as "to listen, to pay attention, and to apply oneself as a servant or a manager of operations."
· Genesis 2:15 Genesis 2:15And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
American King James Version×infers that mankind's role is that of a bondsman or servant when it comes to caring for the earth.
2. Explain what "keep" means.
· Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary defines "keep" as "to take notice of by appropriate conduct, to fulfill, and to faithfully watch over and defend."
· In Exodus 19:5 Exodus 19:5Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
American King James Version×– in this verse, God tells the Israelites that He wants them to carefully watch, protect, and preserve His covenant with them. Likewise, the instruction in Genesis 2:15 Genesis 2:15And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
American King James Version×is to protect and preserve God's creation because it is special and created by God.
· The word "keep" in Genesis 2:15 Genesis 2:15And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
American King James Version×infers that another role of mankind is that of faithful protector or watchman of God's creation. When the meanings of "tend" and "keep" are combined in the context of Genesis 2:15 Genesis 2:15And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
American King James Version×, it should be noted that when God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he wanted mankind to manage and care for His creation, as well as watch over and protect it.
· This instruction from God was not self-serving or solely for the sake of His creation. Rather, He understood that mankind would benefit from tending and keeping the Garden of Eden and the earth. Note Proverbs 27:18 Proverbs 27:18Whoever keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waits on his master shall be honored.
American King James Version×: "Whoever keeps the fig tree shall eat its fruit; so he who waits on his master shall be honored." (MKJV)
3. Do you think this verse gives man the right to pollute his environment or to plunder the earth? Why or why not?
People like Benedict would probably point to Genesis 1:28 Genesis 1:28And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.
American King James Version×as evidence that Christianity is to blame for the pollution of the planet.
GENESIS 1:28: "Then God blessed them [Adam and Eve], and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"
· Genesis 1:28 Genesis 1:28And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.
American King James Version×contains absolutely no language that instructs mankind to pollute or plunder the earth. What is contained in this verse is a command for mankind to fill (or replenish, KJV) the earth, along with an explanation of the resources God has provided to sustain mankind.
· It could be argued that the instruction for mankind to multiply and use the earth's resources found in Genesis 1:28 Genesis 1:28And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.
American King James Version×is going to be carried out by most of humanity, regardless of adherence to Christianity or any religion at all. Therefore, it is incorrect to blame acts of pollution and plundering on Christianity, especially in light of the true meaning of Genesis 1:28 Genesis 1:28And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.
American King James Version×.
4. What does the command to "subdue" the earth mean? Remember that God had just called His creation "very good" (Genesis 1:31 Genesis 1:31And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
American King James Version×), and that God is not the Author of discord. So, in this context, what could "subdue" mean? Does this command imply that God did not intend for the earth to remain in its "natural" state? If God did not so intend, does this conflict with your understanding of environmentalism?
COMMENT: God planted a garden (which included trees) in Eden and told Adam to work it and preserve it. Should humans have followed their Creator's example and planted gardens as the human population grew and spread over the earth?
· In this context, the word subdue would mean "bring into subjection" or "bring into bondage." When this designation is combined with the appointment of mankind as the caretaker of earth in Genesis 2:15 Genesis 2:15And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
American King James Version×, a reciprocal relationship is created.
· Did God intend for the earth to remain in its "natural" state? God created the plant kingdom to be able to grow and produce. Without the human and animal element included in Genesis, the earth would eventually become filled with plant life. This, however, was not God's desire. He commanded man to fill the earth.
· Should humans have followed God's example and planted gardens as they spread over the earth? The Creator God provided an excellent learning situation in The Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were shown that the earth could sustain their physical needs if they cared for it. Even after their sin of disobeying God, Adam and Eve were told in Genesis 3:17-19 Genesis 3:17-19 [17] And to Adam he said, Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it: cursed is the ground for your sake; in sorrow shall you eat of it all the days of your life; [18] Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to you; and you shall eat the herb of the field; [19] In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, till you return to the ground; for out of it were you taken: for dust you are, and to dust shall you return.
American King James Version×that the earth would still support them, but with more toil and pain. As mankind did spread across the earth, gardening and hunting had to follow for survival.
5. To whom does the earth belong? Read Psalms 24:1 Psalms 24:1The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
American King James Version×and answer.
· Psalms 24:1 Psalms 24:1The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
American King James Version×– "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him."
· Job 1:21 Job 1:21And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
American King James Version×, Job states that we enter and leave life with nothing. Everything else is from God.
6. If God retains ownership, what does it mean that mankind has "dominion" over the earthly creation? Explain the concept of "stewardship." Read Christ's parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-28 Matthew 25:14-28 [14] For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods.
[15] And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
[16] Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
[17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
[18] But he that had received one went and dig in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
[19] After a long time the lord of those servants comes, and reckons with them.
[20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered to me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
[21] His lord said to him, Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your lord.
[22] He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered to me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
[23] His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your lord.
[24] Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are an hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not strewed:
[25] And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: see, there you have that is yours.
[26] His lord answered and said to him, You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strewed:
[27] You ought therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received my own with usury.
[28] Take therefore the talent from him, and give it to him which has ten talents.
American King James Version×for a clearer understanding of what a good steward is. How does a faithful steward utilize the goods entrusted to him? Does he leave them undeveloped?
COMMENT: Man was given a special role in nature that no other being has. Mankind's position in nature is ordained by God, and God fitted humans for that position by creating people in His own image with superior capabilities, intelligence, and an aesthetic sense. Because of his position of dominance, man is responsible to God for how he rules.
· We are not owners, but managers of the earth. The parable in Matthew 25 deals with how well we manage what we are given by God. A good manager will invest, cultivate, grow, or expand with what he or she is given (without being wasteful or destructive). A manager who is hired and does not produce is considered lazy (see Proverbs 10:4 Proverbs 10:4He becomes poor that deals with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
American King James Version×).
· What does 'aesthetic' mean?
· Man was given a special role to be able to cultivate using the resources from the earth. Even so, God has built into his animal creation the instinct to construct homes and feed themselves using the earth's resources.
7. People have an aesthetic sense. How do the things God has created affect that sense? Consider Hosea 14:6 Hosea 14:6His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
American King James Version×and Matthew 6:28-29 Matthew 6:28-29 [28] And why take you thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say to you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
American King James Version×. God put Adam and Eve in a garden. What affect does being in a botanical garden have on you?
COMMENT: There are many similes and metaphors relating to beauty from God's earthly creation in the Song of Solomon. What a loss to humanity if we besmirch or destroy that which is sublime and beautiful in the earth! Furthermore, businesses have known for a long time that one's environment affects worker productivity and morale. Many Fortune 500 companies now have interior landscaping because they found attractive floral arrangements make for employee contentment and higher productivity (http://www.corporategreen.com/html/think_green.html).
· A close look at God's creation can create a sense of awe, from the molecular level to the cosmic level. A complexity in design can be quickly realized. People have different aesthetic tastes, but they generally include an enjoyment of some form of nature.
Source for Environmental Ethics
COLOSSIANS 1:16: "For by Him [Jesus Christ] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him."
1. What does this verse teach concerning whether the earth was made for mankind? Should we look at the earth and its resources from a human-centered or God-centered point of view?
· This verse demonstrates a God-centered approach. Mankind did not and cannot create all that is in heaven and on earth. An individual may adopt a human-centered approach, but the rest of the universe is not human-centered.
2. If the earth and all that is in it — including mankind — was made by God and for God, and if He retains ownership, then where should we look for the values and ethics to properly manage the earth: people, animals, "nature," or God?
· The entirety of people, animals, and nature is temporary. Even the earth itself is temporary and will pass (Revelation 21:1 Revelation 21:1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
American King James Version×- "…And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…"). The only constant is the Creator God. We should look to Him for the values and ethics to properly manage the earth.
· Also, there is no possible way to receive advice from the earth or animals, which cannot communicate with us. Some humans will claim to be able to present thoughts from these entities, but they are only presenting their own humanistic ideas.
3. How does mankind's sins affect nature? Read Hosea 4:1-3 Hosea 4:1-3 [1] Hear the word of the LORD, you children of Israel: for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
[2] By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood touches blood.
[3] Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwells therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yes, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.
American King James Version×before answering. Contrast with descriptions of the earth during Christ's millennial rule (as in, for example, Isaiah 35). What do you conclude about humanity solving environmental problems while transgressing God's law?
· At some point, mankind's sins can be so severe that nature is affected. The first way is a direct intervention from God, such as is found in Hosea 4:1-3 Hosea 4:1-3 [1] Hear the word of the LORD, you children of Israel: for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
[2] By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood touches blood.
[3] Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwells therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yes, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.
American King James Version×. The people of the land of Israel had turned their back on God. As a result, the land and sea were cursed.
· We see this will happen in the future, even in Christ's millennial reign:
· Zechariah 14:17 Zechariah 14:17And it shall be, that whoever will not come up of all the families of the earth to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even on them shall be no rain.
American King James Version×And it shall be, whoever will not come up from all the families of the earth to Jerusalem to worship the King, Lord of Hosts, even on them shall be no rain.
· A second way mankind's sins can affect nature is simply the physical results of not caring for the earth. This can include severe over-hunting, over fishing or pollution. This can also create the same results found in Hosea 4.
· Whether an adverse effect on nature is caused by natural results of sin or divine intervention can only be known by God. It is up to us to avoid the sins that may create the adverse effect from either.
Principles for Environmental Management
LEVITICUS 25:2-4: "'…When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a sabbath to the LORD. Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the LORD. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard.'"
1. What benefit is there to agricultural land resting? Does this verse imply man can ruin the land? Does this verse imply man should be concerned about sustaining the land? Can you think of any other implications for land management that this verse makes?
· The answer comes in verses 6 and 7: "And the Sabbath of the land shall be food for you, for you and for your servant, and for your slave woman and for your hired servant, and for your stranger who stays with you, and for your cattle, and for the beast that is in your land, shall all the increase of it be for food."
· These verses describe an "if, then" relationship. If mankind follows God's command to observe a sabbath land rest, then mankind will be blessed with an increase of food. There are no specific penalties provided for what happens if this command is not obeyed. However, modern research has supported the idea of land resting, and has demonstrated that most soil that is not rested becomes nutrient-deficient and requires artificial methods of fertilizing.
2. Why do you think people would not obey this command?
· If a farmer views land as his or her property, rather than belonging to God, a short-term approach of greed may be adopted. The farmer wants to get as much out of the land as soon as possible, rather than considering the sustainability of the land.
DEUTERONOMY 23:12-14: " 'Also you shall have a place outside the camp, where you may go out; and you shall have an implement among your equipment, and when you sit down outside, you shall dig with it and turn and cover your refuse.'"
3. God tells us to bury our wastes away from homes. How would this apply to production of toxic industrial waste? Would it be wise to build homes downwind of smokestacks emitting poisonous gases? Would God's law permit passing harmful liquid wastes into lakes and rivers?
· Toxic industrial waste can certainly be more harmful than human wastes in some cases. Therefore, it would be unwise to release these wastes where they would end up where an individual lives. If the wastes are knowingly released where it would only harm others, that would violate God's command to "love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39 Matthew 22:39And the second is like to it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
American King James Version×)
EXODUS 35:2-3: "Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day."
4. How would universal obedience to this command improve the environment?
COMMENT: From the context, the kindling of fire has to do with one's occupation, that is, industrial fires. Burning is one of the major sources of air pollution. In Tokyo, Japan in 1970, automobiles were not allowed in certain parts of the city one day a week as an experiment. Carbon monoxide (an air pollutant) was significantly reduced. ("Tokyo Curbs the Car, Beats the Smog," Washington Post, Aug. 3, 1970, p. A1.)
· Observance of this command would likely bring many benefits we cannot even imagine, both physical and spiritual. This example of the experiment in Tokyo demonstrated that even a partial observance of resting from work for a small part of a city for one day brought tangible results.
5. Read Joshua 17:14-15 Joshua 17:14-15 [14] And the children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, Why have you given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, for as much as the LORD has blessed me till now?
[15] And Joshua answered them, If you be a great people, then get you up to the wood country, and cut down for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for you.
American King James Version×. May man clear land to live on or should he learn to live with the way he finds the land?
COMMENT: A principle we can derive from Deuteronomy 22:8 Deuteronomy 22:8When you build a new house, then you shall make a battlement for your roof, that you bring not blood on your house, if any man fall from there.
American King James Version×as well as 1 Corinthians 8 is that we need to take responsibility not only for our actions, but also for the effect those actions have on others. We need to consider what effect our activity has on the earth in order that we can fulfill God's command to "keep" the earth. David Attenborough said, "It is a mistake to believe conservation is the opposite of development. That is a wildly simplified and misleading generalization. The fact is that unless we conserve, there is going to be nothing to develop." (A quote from "Night on the Living Stream" which was produced for The Living World exhibits at the St. Louis Zoo.)
· There is no command in the Bible from God not to responsibly clear land for habitation. In Joshua 17, Joshua commands the crowded children of Israel to clear land to be able to spread out. This was not a command to destroy nature for destruction's sake.
6. What does Deuteronomy 20:19-20 Deuteronomy 20:19-20 [19] When you shall besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, you shall not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an ax against them: for you may eat of them, and you shall not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life) to employ them in the siege:
[20] Only the trees which you know that they be not trees for meat, you shall destroy and cut them down; and you shall build bulwarks against the city that makes war with you, until it be subdued.
American King James Version×teach concerning wanton tree destruction?
· Even when the children of Israel were attacking an enemy in a foreign land, they were to follow certain commands concerning how they would treat the earth. These verses present an idea that while the children of Israel may be in the country of an enemy, the land there has done nothing wrong. The battle will eventually pass, and afterward there needs to be a habitable environment.
Mankind and Animals
PSALM 104:10-13: "He sends the springs into the valleys; They flow among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst. By them the birds of the heavens have their home…. He waters the hills from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works."
1. Do you think God values all His creation or only humanity? Why do you think so? Is there value to the creation independent of its usefulness to mankind?
· Genesis 1:20-25 Genesis 1:20-25 [20] And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that has life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
[21] And God created great whales, and every living creature that moves, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
[22] And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
[23] And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
[24] And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
[25] And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creeps on the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
American King James Version×shows that God dedicated two days for the creation of sea and land animals. The sea creatures, winged birds, livestock, reptiles, and wild animals were commanded to be fruitful and multiply across the earth and seas. God blessed the animals and saw that all that He created was good.
· Genesis 1: 20-25: And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day. And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so."God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good."
· God saw that His animal creations were good, and reflected the great deal of thought He put into making them.
2. What job did God give Noah to do? With whom did God make a covenant in Genesis 9:12-15 Genesis 9:12-15 [12] And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
[13] I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
[14] And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
[15] And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
American King James Version×?
· God found wickedness on the earth and the Lord was grieved that He had made man.
· Genesis 6:5-6 Genesis 6:5-6 [5] And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. [6] And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
American King James VersionדThe LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain."
· The Lord found righteousness in Noah's generation and so God commanded Noah to build an ark to withstand the flood waters that were to come upon the earth. Noah and his family built an ark and collected two of every clean and unclean bird, animal, and creatures that move along the ground to be housed in the ark.
· After the flood God made a covenant between man, as well as every living creature on the earth.
PSALM 8:6-8: "You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen— Even the beasts of the field, The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas."
3. Was man put in a position of preeminence?
· God has a plan for mankind to be heirs with Jesus Christ when the Kingdom of God is established. Read Romans 8:17 Romans 8:17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
American King James Version×. God has created man in the image of Himself. None of the creatures on earth was created in the image of God. Man alone has cognitive capabilities that allow him to build character in order for him to grow in the knowledge and truth of God. No animals are able to receive the Holy Spirit and receive sonship at Christ's return.
4. According to Jesus Christ, are humans of greater worth than animals? Read Matthew 12:11-12 Matthew 12:11-12 [11] And he said to them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
[12] How much then is a man better than a sheep? Why it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
American King James Version×and Luke 12:6-7 Luke 12:6-7 [6] Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? [7] But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.
American King James Version×.
COMMENT: God ordained animal sacrifices.
God has created man to rule over the earth and all the creatures upon it. God states in Matthew 12 and Luke 12 that man is worth more than sheep or sparrows.
5. What attitude are we to have toward animals? What do the following scriptures teach: Exodus 20:10 Exodus 20:10But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD your God: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates:
American King James Version×, Deuteronomy 22:4 Deuteronomy 22:4You shall not see your brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide yourself from them: you shall surely help him to lift them up again.
American King James Version×, 10, Proverbs 12:10 Proverbs 12:10A righteous man regards the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
American King James Version×, and Romans 1:25 Romans 1:25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
American King James Version×?
· We should treat animals with respect because they are created by God.
· Exodus 20:10 Exodus 20:10But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD your God: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates:
American King James Version×states that all members of the household, servants, and animals should rest on the Sabbath.
· Deuteronomy 22:4 Deuteronomy 22:4You shall not see your brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide yourself from them: you shall surely help him to lift them up again.
American King James Version×tells us that we should help an animal if they are in pain or injured.
· Proverbs 12:10 Proverbs 12:10A righteous man regards the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
American King James Version×says, "A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." A wicked man who is quick to anger will likely be unmerciful to his animal, just as he is to his fellow man.
· Romans 1:25 Romans 1:25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
American King James Version×shows us that we should not put anything above God, including the animals He created. The worship of animals described in this verse is by extension a violation of the second commandment.
6. Read Deuteronomy 7:22 Deuteronomy 7:22And the LORD your God will put out those nations before you by little and little: you may not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase on you.
American King James Version×. Would God approve of the elimination of wild animals on land near people's homes and fields?
7. What conditions does God put on hunting animals? Read Deuteronomy 22:6-7 Deuteronomy 22:6-7 [6] If a bird's nest chance to be before you in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting on the young, or on the eggs, you shall not take the dam with the young:
[7] But you shall in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to you; that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days.
American King James Version×before answering. Is hunting animals to extinction a transgression of God's law?
· This verse demonstrates in a small way that animals need to be left with the ability to sustain life. Hunting an animal species to the point of extinction, or where others could easily cause extinction would not be in harmony with the principle exhibited in this passage.
8. Other than for food, work, and pets, what value do animals provide mankind? Consider Job 12:7-9 Job 12:7-9 [7] But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach you; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell you:
[8] Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you: and the fishes of the sea shall declare to you.
[9] Who knows not in all these that the hand of the LORD has worked this?
American King James Version×, Proverbs 6:6 Proverbs 6:6Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
American King James Version×and 30:24-28, and then answer.
· The animals in God's creation can provide us with inspiration and reveal His supreme intelligence. In Romans 1:20 Romans 1:20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
American King James Version×, we read "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse…"
COMMENT: John Michael Beers mentions (in his article "Have Dominion Over All These," Religion and Liberty, vol. 7, no. 2, March and April 1997) an apparent success story in environmental stewardship. The International Paper Company has specialists in wildlife preservation overseeing development of its forests. Their forest management has provided a better environment for animals such as deer, turkeys, rabbits, and quail than unmanaged forest.
As long as Satan is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4 2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine to them.
American King James Version×), true Christianity will be counter-culture. This principle applies to man's relation to his earthly environment. The challenge for man as stewards of God's earthly creation is to develop and use the earth's resources for mankind's benefit while maintaining a livable planet for all life. This requires knowledge of God's law and a humble, prayerful seeking of God's mind and Spirit, not a pantheistic adoration of the creation.
1. Who should determine what is ethical and unethical treatment of the environment?
· We should seek the advice of our Creator who placed us in a position to subdue and care for His creation. Man-made governments will bend and twist ethics for self-serving purposes such as economic, military, and political dominance. Without a God-centered approach to determining how to treat our earthly environment, we can have good intentions, yet fall short because we are not following His principles. We must remember the admonition given in Jeremiah 17:9 Jeremiah 17:9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
American King James Version×- "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" We must seek God's will and not our own.
2. Does God approve of an attitude of indifference to how human activity affects His creation? Upon what do you base your answer?
· Jesus Christ provided an excellent example when he was on earth almost 2000 years ago, soon before He faced death. As He stood outside of Jerusalem in Luke 19, He wept over the stubbornness and sin of the city, and the suffering it would go through as a result.
· Today, we see that the mistreatment of God's creation, and mankind ignoring much of our Creator's laws and eternal principles. This disregard for God's way will bring even more suffering to mankind in the future. We should share the grief Jesus felt as He stood outside Jerusalem.
3. Describe a Christian's approach to the environment and how it differs from those who virtually worship the environment and from those who disregard it altogether.
· The care and concern for God's creation should be part of a larger effort to follow our elder Brother, Jesus Christ, rather than a religion in itself. If care for the environment consumes our thoughts and priorities above all else and becomes the center of our life, we then violate the first commandment to put no other gods before God.
· We are provided many principles from God's Word:
· Care for and manage the earth. Do not diminish the earth's sustainability.
· Do not release wastes that will harm people where they dwell.
· Treat animals with care - do not hunt to extinction.
· Observe God's Sabbath in relation to farming the land, industrial production, and resting our work animals.
These are wonderful principles that the entire earth would benefit from if observed.


text:
Ahamed isn't just a kind and professional photographer. He's so much more. He has amazing, creative, new (NEW!) ideas. He is a skilled and meticulous artist. His photography is what started my modeling career. People will notice that you are working with a talented photographer. Don't settle for your friend to do your photos. Hire a pro. Hire Zinc Photography.
Ahamed from ZINC Photography did a fantastic job covering a huge event of over 400 people at the Seattle Center's Chihuly Museum, providing magnificent photos for an event we produced.He was very professional, calm, understanding, kind and generous.
We had our family photos taken and absolutely LOVE them!
Definitely would recommend ZINC Photography for any event! Love all of the photographs I have seen and we were very pleased with our wedding photos!
I worked with Zinc Photography on shoot for both professional actor headshots and creative fashion images. Ahamed was nothing short of professional and easy to work with the entire time. I felt very comfortable working with him and the photos were beautiful. I definitely recommend working with Zinc Photography!
Highly creative and extremely professional. Ahamed is great to work with!
Ahamed of Zinc Photography, not only gets great images, he is calm and encouraging. I have worked with him many times in a collaborative nature, as a model and stylist, producing fashion and boudoir photographs. Ahamed is intelligent and super easy to work with; he will understand your needs and produce images worthy of print in a timely manner. No reason to hesitate in hiring Zinc Photography for any and all of your photographic needs.
Zinc shot our wedding and the photos were exactly what we were looking for. Nothing staged or overly-posed. Zinc totally captured the essence of our special day. So glad we have the PERFECT photos of such a memorable day.
Ahamed was very professional and polite, took amazing photographs. I felt at ease, comfortable, and was thrilled with the pictures. Would highly recommend!
I had the pleasure of having a photo shoot with Ahamed last year. I wasn't sure what to expect but I had a great experience. He had great ideas about setting, background, even the poses ( I'm a yoga student) that would work in the different surroundings! Best of all, he is such a sincere person and this showed through in our conversation along with his kindness.
Ahamed from ZINC is amazing! Shot with him two times, for my portfolio update. A model from Wilhelmina Philadelphia, he helped give my book some new looks. Very easy going, down to earth, creative and fun! He takes your concepts and adds his artist view to them and it becomes a great collaborative process to get some beautiful photos. I miss working with him in the Philadelphia area, and I would highly recommend any new models, and other industry professionals as well and non industry professionals to work with him because it will be a great session.
There aren't enough kind words to compliment a talented and professional photographer who also makes the experience fun! Ahamed's photos are in every one of my advertisements and all over my website. They are high quality and certainly capture the right intention of my business. I would recommend him to anyone and am looking for an excuse to have him come back and take some more photos!
I went to Zinc Photography and worked with Ahamed. Super friendly, professional, great environment and he knows what he is doing. A friend of mine from acting class told me he's a great photographer and to work with him so I did! I would definitely recommend him to someone else.
Great photographer! Had a couple really fun and comfortable photoshoots with him. Very professional and FUN to work with! Would suggest for any type of photography wants/needs.
If you have ever had family photos taken, you know how stressful it can be. Ahamed made the day comfortable, fun, and we have wonderful photos to show for it. He is able to capture kids (and husbands) at their best, even when they would rather be doing anything else. He took such beautiful pictures with an artistic edge, that my brother and his wife asked him to shoot their wedding and he did an amazing job. We highly recommend Ahamed at Zinc Photography for any occasion.
We recently hired Zinc Photography to get some photos of our family. Ahamed was highly recommended to us by a friend. Our 2-year old does not have long attention span and my wife and I were expecting a very difficult session. Ahamed was simply amazing! He was able to make our 2-year old have fun during the entire process. When we hired a professional photographer, we were expecting to get posed shots. This is nothing like that! Ahamed is extremely creative and was able to capture our family having a good time. I get endless complements on the photos he took of us.
We chose Zinc Photography to shoot a session of our 10 month old. Ahamed did a wonderful job. He was great with our daughter and captured beautiful shots that will be treasured for a lifetime. As most parents know, it's not always easy introducing children to new people, let alone getting them calm and relaxed enough to sit still for their picture to be taken! Ahamed, we found out is a father himself, and it showed throughout the session. He put our daughter at ease, was patient with her wiggles, playful, knew how to interact with children, was open to our ideas, and didn't mind that Auntie, Grandma, and our daughters best friend tagged along. He didn't use squeaky toy gimmicks, bright lights, and other tactics that photographers sometimes employ hoping to get a smile. He was genuine with our daughter and it was a great experience for all of us. In addition, Ahamed was very timely with the edits and we received our photos in less than a couple weeks of the shoot! He also was very responsive to our emails and went above and beyond working with the images. We will definitely be coming back in the years to come and recommend Zinc Photography for anyone in search of beautiful pictures.
When I sat down with Ahamed to plan our photo shoot and time lapse video I had no idea of the best way to capture what I do in business and express it. He took his time to ask specific questions during our laid back, simple conversation. After that he took care of everything and I just showed up for the shoot. I would recommend Zinc Photography to any person or business that is looking for someone who "gets it". This person is passionate about his business!
I have had the pleasure of working with Ahamed on a number of shoots. Most recently he worked on our engagement session and we could not be happier with his work. His shots capture you in a light that you never thought was possible and we are very thankful that we chose Ahamed to work with. I also have worked with him on two personal sessions which turned out amazing. He thinks up angles and backdrops that you never know what to expect until you see the shot developed. He really has a special talent and an amazing eye. I highly recommend him if you are looking for someone who is creative and not your ordinary photographer. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Making faces for 40 minutes is new to me. Looking in the camera or at the empty space behind and to the sides of the photographer while attempting to look sultry, serious, naive is pretty surreal. Also, you have all these hands you don't know what to do with...ugh. Thank god, Ahamed had some ideas... He basically taught me how to pose!
He managed to put us at ease, despite our fussy infant, and he quickly and efficiently took a series of shots. I was impressed at the time, but the best part is that the photos turned out so well that my husband and I actually look relaxed and happy in them. Amazing!


text:
- Parallel slider- With/without frame- Top rolling- 6 mm ESG- Hmax = 1500 mm, glass statics on site
- Seven different types- Various glazings- Virtually unlimited dimensions- Motor driven (optional)
- Parallel slider- Bottom rolling- 6/8 mm ESG- Hmax = 1600 mm (6 mm glass), glass statics on site- Hmax = 2400 mm (8 mm glass), glass statics on site
- VKF approved for CH- Parallel slider- Top rolling- 15-20 mm Pyrostop- Hmax = as per approval
Applications with sliding glass doors by Aweso optimally combine quality, functionality and aesthetic appeal. Whether hanging sliders, lifting counters, glazed sliding doors, or fire protection counters, we offer optimum solutions for demanding requirements. Aweso glass fittings stand for Swiss quality with an exceptionally long life.
As a specialist for fittings for balcony and patio glazing, shading systems, counter systems, and room dividers we have offered the widest range of products and premium solutions for more than 80 years.


text:
Tip 200!
🔥 Checkout our new Azure Developer page at azure.com/developer.
💡 Learn more : Extensions with Azure CLI.
📺 Watch the video : How to build your own Azure CLI Extensions.
Side note: Michael here - I just wanted to thank all the readers and contributors to this project. It wouldn't be successful without your help and support. Here is to another 200!
Azure CLI extensions are really helpful. You can read about them in this [Azure Tip](link to tip about Azure CLI Extensions). You can use extensions from the list here, which you can also get when you enter the az extension list-available --output table command in the Azure CLI.
And you can also built Azure CLI extensions yourself. You do that by creating a Python wheel, which is a package of Python code.
Let me show you how you can create and use your own Azure CLI extension.
Azure CLI extensions can currently only been Python wheel packages. So to create a new extension, you need to have the following prerequisites installed on your development machine:
Now that we have Python and wheel installed, we can start to create the extension.
Tipsextension folder, we'll create some files that make up the extension. These are:
(folder) azext_tipsextension
setup.<nolink>py file. This file will tell the Azure CLI what is in the extension. We'll put in this code:
from codecs import open
from setuptools import setup, find_packages
'Development Status :: 4 - Beta',
'Intended Audience :: Developers',
'Intended Audience :: System Administrators',
'Programming Language :: Python',
'Programming Language :: Python :: 2',
'Programming Language :: Python :: 2.7',
'Programming Language :: Python :: 3',
'Programming Language :: Python :: 3.4',
'Programming Language :: Python :: 3.5',
'Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6',
'License :: OSI Approved :: MIT License',
description='My CLI extension',
long_description='An example Azure CLI Extension.',
author='MY CORP.',
from knack.help_files import helps
from azure.cli.core import AzCommandsLoader
helps['gimme tips'] = """
type: command
short-summary: Points you to a world of Azure Tips and Tricks.
def showtipsurl():
print('Azure Tips and Tricks - The Complete List: tip-complete-list/')
class TipsAndTricksCommandsLoader(AzCommandsLoader):
def __init__(self, cli_ctx=None):
from azure.cli.core.commands import CliCommandType
custom_type = CliCommandType(operations_tmpl='azext_tipsextension#{}')
super(TipsAndTricksCommandsLoader, self).__init__(cli_ctx=cli_ctx,
def load_command_table(self, args):
with self.command_group('gimme') as g:
g.custom_command('tips', 'showtipsurl')
return self.command_table
def load_arguments(self, _):
COMMAND_LOADER_CLS = TipsAndTricksCommandsLoader
cd /Source/extension/Tipsextension
python setup.py bdist_wheel
This output of the build result looks like this and produces a .whl file.
(Results of building the extension)
az extension add --source C:\Source\extension\tipsextension\dist\tipsextension-0.0.1-py2.py3-none-any.whl
(Trying the extension)
The above is the happy flow of developing an Azure CLI Extension. Usually, you need to debug the extension and have more control when you are developing it. You can read more about that here. And you can also publish the extension so that people can start using it. You can read about how to do that here.
Here are some of the published CLI Extensions that I find very useful:
Azure CLI extensions are a very powerful way to make the CLI work for you. The steps to develop an Azure CLI extension are relatively easy. The downside (to me) is that it is currently only possible to develop the extensions in Python. Maybe in the future, other languages will be supported. In any case, it is wonderful that it is possible to extend the CLI. Go and develop your ultimate extension and share it with the community!


text:
Modern Bathroom Mirror Cabinet LED Illuminated Wall Mounted Demister Switch IP44
Reference: ME17935736
Out of stockView full description
- Free delivery (postcode specific)
Sold by: Plumbworld
Mains Powered
Take the hassle out of having to replace batteries with this mains powered LED illuminated bathroom mirror cabinet. LED's are very energy efficient, so you don't have to worry about your electric bill going up when you're using it!
Powerful LED Lighting
LED lighting is becoming more and more popular thanks to the life that the bulbs have and also the reduced cost in running them when compared with ordinary lighting. Our mirrors have great light power, assisting you in seeing what you're doing and lighting your bathroom.
Shelf Storage
This mirror features a handy storage compartment on the inside of the cabinet. There are 2 double layered adjustable tempered glass shelves inside, giving you plenty of space to store your bottles and products away from sight. Storage is key in a bathroom due to lack of space, so this mirror cabinet is extremely practical as it doesn't take away any important floor space.
Double Sided Mirror
This mirror features a double sided design, allowing you to still being able to see your reflection whilst the door is open when you're using products that are stored inside the cabinet.
Soft Close Door
Glass is extremely fragile so the last thing you want to do is accidentally slam your mirror cabinet door and risk shattering your mirror. The soft close hinges prevent any accidental heavy hands, protecting your cabinet and keeping noise levels to a minimum in those quiet early mornings.
Demister to keep your mirror clear of steam
We all have our own personal bathroom routine which is why it's pretty annoying if you've had a shower and now can't see even the blur of your outline in your very steamy mirror. Thankfully those woes aren't an issue thanks to a handy demister fitted within the mirror. They guarantee you a steam clear patch so you can carry on with your day, problem free.
Integrated Shaver Socket
Charging your shaver in various places around the house can be a pain, especially if you can do it right there in your bathroom. This mirror comes with a built-in shaver socket so you can charge conveniently, any time you want!
Infrared Operated Lighting
It's no secret that these mirrors look great, but they're packed with clever functions too like the easy to use, no-touch lighting. It's activated by motion using an infrared sensor on the side of the mirror, providing you with extra light to complete the day's pruning. Simply turn back off by repeating the same motion.
IP44 Rated
With any electrical product that's fitted within a bathroom, or any moisture rich environment, it's important that they exceed the safety standards required for installation. Our mirrors do and are rated IP44 which means they've been fully tested to ensure complete safety anywhere that might pose a water spray risk.
3 Year Guarantee
When buying anything for your home you need to know that its going to stand the test of time. This is why this product comes with a fantastic 3 year guarantee against any manufacturing defects should the worst happen and the product is not up to standard.
- Brand ARTIS
- Kind Wardrobe and mirror
- Material Glass
- Warranty 3 years
- ManoMano Reference ME17935736
What do our customers say about us and our sellers?
Ok under current circumstances arrived earlier than expected
Products arrived early which was good.
Great for the price!! Moves around easily and very comfortable material used. Easy/ zero maintenance.
Got my delivery on time good condition
These arrived well packaged and much earlier than estimated.
Would certainly recommend this company and most definitely use them again
Very happy
The seller provided several updates of delivery information which was a rather lengthy 3 weeks, but as it was dispatched...
I had a query which was resolved without any issues.. Good customer care.
Her quick and good for the money
Great seller!
Very happy. Product was well packed and arrived on time. Thank you
arrived on time
Very happy


text:
Join our live webinar on 3rd October at 13.00 BST to find out how our Salesforce integration lets you perform contract magic with Juro.
We know that for a contract management platform actually to deliver ROI, it needs to be widely adopted by sales. Our design-first approach means that adoption is never a problem for Juro customers, but to help our sales users, we know that the ideal experience is to let them handle contracts where they do everything else - in Salesforce.
Our team will show you how to create contracts in Salesforce with a few clicks and get to yes faster, by taking advantage of:
Auto-synced contract data that means you'll never see a contract sent back by legal again
Dynamic product tables that update your contracts in Juro when you make changes in Salesforce
The ability to send out contracts for signing directly from Salesforce
As Juro's Sales Manager, I use our Salesforce integration every day as Juro wins new customers. I'll talk through the sales user experience, with real examples from my day-to-day work. Joining me will be our CEO Richard Mabey; as a former corporate lawyer at Freshfields, Richard has plenty of first-hand experience of how constant back-and-forth with legal can block closing - that's why he founded Juro. Our Director of Customer Success, Alex McPhie, takes the lead on getting our customers up and running with their Salesforce integration, helping them get to value as fast as possible and making faster closing a daily reality.
We'll work through actionable insights on how Juro could accelerate your contracts and help your business grow. Join us on 3rd October at 13.00 BST and find out how to close faster with Salesforce and Juro.


text:
Kids Goat Gallery and Workshops at Jimmy Little CentreWorkshop: Sunday 11 Mar 18, 11am to 12noon
A workshop for 8 - 12 year olds (bookings required). It's all about goats at Nanny Goat Hill / Jimmy Little Centre. Join artist Jann French for her children's workshop and learn how to draw and sculpt goats. There will be a special visit on the day by some of our furry friends.
The workshop will be followed by a drop in session from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
Date: 11 March
Time: 11am - 12noon
Cost: Free
Inner West Council
Various addresses , across the Inner West, Petersham, NSW 2049
view website
Alternative Venue:
Jimmy Little Centre
Bookings required


text:
Sunday 17th June 2018 - 1:30 pm
Music Charge: £10.00
Born in Chiswick, Catherine spent her formative years in the North and then in Spain before returning to London where she spent eight years performing lead roles in musical theatre. Her introduction to jazz singing was at an invitation to perform with the great jazz pianist Pete Churchill and since then she has worked regularly with some of the finest jazz musicians in town, appearing at the Spice of Life, the Vortex, Pizza on the Park, the Pheasantry, Pizza Express Dean Street, the Belvedere Jazz Club, Annie's Jazz Club and St. Ants Jazz Club. Drawing on influences such as Anita O'Day, Patricia Barber, Barbra Streisand and Peggy Lee with a nod toward Hoagy Carmichael, Catherine is a charismatic singer with a warm expressive tone that she uses to expertly create moods from sultry to joyous. Besides a repertoire that includes jazz classics/blues and Latin, she also writes and performs her own songs and is a featured vocalist with two big bands - the John Ongom Big Band and MOJO. Her latest album, 'Stories and Lies', was released at the end of last year and she tells us she will "do some of the songs from my new album plus some better known standards". Accompanying Catherine this afternoon will be Aled Thomas-piano, Alex Keen-bass and Luke de la Salle-drums.
"versatile talent…entertaining." Phil Church, The Belvedere Jazz Club


text:
THE DAYS of dodgy MPs' expenses claims are over, Parliament's sleaze watchdog said as the latest batch of claims was published.
MPs from the south cost taxpayers just over £1.5m last year, the annual figures showed.
There was a wide variety in the amounts paid out to each MP, from New Forest West Tory Des Swayne on £86,894 to Winchester Conservative Steve Brine on £142,083.
Southampton Labour duo Alan Whitehead and John Denham, who share a base in the city, cost taxpayers the most in office expenses with bills including staff wages of £123,081 and £127,329.
Chris Huhne (Eastleigh) and George Hollingbery (Meon Valley) did not claim accommodation expenses for a second home. Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage's accommodation costs of £22,084 were the highest in the area.
Expenses are managed by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, which was set up in the wake of the 2009 scandal which saw MPs castigated for bizarre claims and "flipping" their second homes to maximise profit.
Sir Ian Kennedy, IPSA chairman, said expenses claims were now published every month following the "shocking" reports in 2009.
He said three things were clear from yesterday's publication.
"First, the expenses scandal is behind us. Remember what it was like – report after report of MPs claiming for all sorts of things; 'flipping' homes; no system of scrutiny; and all this behind closed doors. That world is behind us. We have overhauled the system and the expenses scandal is clearly history.
"Second, MPs are keeping to the rules. Ninety-nine per cent of claims are within the new rules. So it isn't just us doing our job – MPs are behaving responsibly and claiming within the rules.
"Third, we are talking about significant sums of money. We should be clear about this. We are publishing the details of £89m worth of costs and expenses – about the same likefor- like sum as last year."
Sir Ian said people had to expect a cost if they wanted a service from MPs, pointing out that the majority of the outlay related to staffing offices.
He added: "If we want a good service from our MPs, we have to fund them. And if you don't think you get a good service from your MP, the answer is not to withhold funding – it is to use your vote."
MP CONSTITUENCY ACCOMM. TRAVEL OFFICE MISC TOTAL John Denham Soton Itchen £11,594.31 £3,402.53 £123,081.01 £0 £138,077.85 Alan Whitehead Soton Test £7,414.87 £4,150.18 £127,329.11 £0 £138,894.16 Caroline Nokes Romsey/Soton North £12,712.48 £6,110.53 £89,826.38 £0 £108,649.39 Desmond Swayne New Forest W £2,713.53 £2,202.1 £81,844.98 £133.50 £86,894.11 Julian Lewis New Forest E £6,926.38 £3,850.8 £113,022.68 £0 £123,799.86 Andrew Turner Isle of Wight £21,793.02 £5,459.94 £139,541.95 £0 £166,794.91 Chris Huhne Eastleigh £0 £2,091.94 £102,675.61 £0 £104,767.55 Mark Hoban Fareham £16,431.85 £2,959.5 £75,706.35 £430.83 £95,528.53 Caroline Dinenage Gosport £22,084.25 £5,199.55 £108,393.07 £21 £135,697.87 Steve Brine Winchester £18,108.31 £3,308.75 £120,666.78 £0 £142,083.84 Maria Miller Basingstoke £13,729.28 £3,349.40 £107,648.93 £0 £124,727.61 George Young NW Hants £17,450.26 £3,398.75 £90,379.97 £0 £111,228.98 George Hollingbery Meon Valley £0 £390.95 £117,805.04 £0 £118,195.99


text:
Convert Spending into Earningwww.shop.com/dreamgreat firstname.lastname@example.com
Tag Archives: Cypress Gardens
The Art of Photography
We were attracted to Deer Isle for many reasons – the splendor of the scenery, the warm welcome we received from everyone we met, and the opportunity to live on an island with the combination of an active fishing village and world class art. Generalizations are always subject to contradiction however I've found that artists tend to be open-minded people. There is something about their ability to see the world from a unique perspective that makes them able to see the possibilities in people and conceive of a better, more brilliantly colored world. While I am only an avid admirer, my scientist husband has the soul of an artist. Recently he has had four of his photographs displayed in the Pearson Gallery on Deer Isle and today he has launched his website: http://www.bobwilsonphotos.com/index.html . Continue reading
Posted in Bob Wilson Photos, Community Relations, Retirement/Reinvention, Things to Do in Downeast Maine Tagged art, artist, Bastimentos, Bob Wilson, Bob Wilson photography, Bocas del Toro, Coastal Maine, Costa Rica, Cypress Gardens, Cypress Swamp Preserve, deer isle, Downeast Maine, family trip, family vacations, Fishermen, Florida, living, Louisiana, maine, New Jersey, Panama, Pearson Gallery, Pearson Legacy Gallery, photography, photos, Robert Wilson photography, South Carolina, stonington 4 Comments


text:
Snow geese in a field near Lake Champlain (2010)
Outside Plattsburgh, agitation in a light gray sky. We pass a large stand of trees, and come upon a field nearly covered with white, its dark furrows filled with the stocky bodies of snow geese. Above the cornfield, the geese rise, wheel and settle in groups of hundreds out of a congregation of thousands. It reminds me of something, and I finally realize it's the motion of rice grains as I wash them, my hand swirling the water into a clockwise vortex.
Once I made a journey to Cap Tourmente, on the estuary of the St. Lawrence, the famed staging area for the snow goose migration. Thousands upon thousands of geese stop there every year on their way between the Arctic and their wintering grounds in the Chesapeake. We had timed our trip to coincide with the usual peak of the migration but that year we arrived ahead of the geese, and saw only a dozen or so, far off in the salt marshes, and a few taxidermy specimens in flight in the interpretive building's dioramas.
So this is the largest number of snow geese I've ever seen, and because we're on the highway, we can't stop, can't hear, can't photograph, can only try to commit the sight to memory. On our own journey back north, three days later, J. has his camera on his lap, but the geese have moved on.


text:
Western Australian government scientists have partnered with marine wildlife experts to develop a new whale rescue tool that tracks the real-time location of whales entangled in fishing gear.
The technology allows responders from the Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to remotely monitor the whale before safely attempting a disentanglement.
A total of 10 trackable buoys have been provided to specialist whale disentanglement teams at strategic locations between Esperance and Broome, including three in Perth.
The technology was developed by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development scientists, with $73,000 in funding from the Australian Department of the Environment and Energy. The Western Rock Lobster Council has provided $20,000 for the purchase of the 10 buoys.