Enough for Everyone

Back on the bike, and lovin' it

Recently I started riding my bicycle to work again. I first started cycling several years ago when I inherited a bike from a friend who moved cross-country. I had been contemplating purchasing a bike anyway, so I was thrilled to get a good one, just my size, for free! I promptly had it serviced with a tune-up, bought a helmet and lock and some other gear, and started learning routes around town that felt safe and manageable. (Louisville isn't a particularly bike-friendly city, though efforts are being made to improve existing bike paths, build new ones and paint bike lanes onto streets that get new pavement.)

Then I had an accident, and it took a while to heal and re-gain my confidence. Just as I started riding again, a friend was killed while riding his bicycle, at a complicated intersection I traversed (and dreaded) every day on my way to work. That kept me off the bike even longer. I would ride occasionally, but only for recreation in parks. I was afraid to make cycling a primary mode of transportation, because doing so involved streets and cars, and I feared drivers who aren't educated or aware enough to share the road responsibly with cyclists. Recently I began reading about bike safety and learning laws and strategies, and sure enough, my readiness and confidence returned.

There are so many reasons I love riding my bike! First of all, it's just plain fun. Riding a bike was a simple, joyful part of childhood that meant speed and strength and freedom. I'm fortunate to have a strong, healthy body, and the abilities to pedal, balance and move quickly. I love to feel the wind and fresh air. I love to feel my muscles' strength as I use my own energy (rather than fossil fuels) to get where I need to go. I love the feel of adrenaline and blood pumping, of lungs and heart being challenged and growing stronger. I love the camaraderie with other cyclists as we pass each other on the path or road. In the morning I love the quiet time the ride affords me to start thinking about the day and mentally prepare; I arrive to work alert and ready for the day's challenges. In the afternoon I love the opportunity to pedal out any stress after a long day's work and process any difficult situations. I love the satisfaction of getting around on my own two feet, of getting to work and back completely free of cost (no gas or bus tickets needed). I love to ride through the park and along the creek. I love sleeping more soundly at night because I've had a good workout. I love it all.

Sure, it takes me longer to get to work (by about 15 minutes each way), but at the end of the day, I have already exercised and don't need to schedule that additional time. Sure, it takes a little extra preparation, as I must pack my work clothes for the day and change once I get to the office. But the benefits far outweigh the extra time spent allowing for--and doing--something I truly love. 

Did you love riding a bike as a kid, too? Do you ride as an adult? What other activities strengthen you in body, mind and spirit?

Creation Groans, "No more plastic bags, please!"

A couple of days ago I received an interesting and rather shocking link to a presentation that covers some of the devastating effects that plastic bags are having on our world. After looking over the presentation, I was reminded of Romans 8: 19-21, "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." (NRSV)

This passage and presentation made me think about the number of plastic bags that I use or end up with on a regular basis and how quickly I can make a difference in the world by ceasing to use bags altogether. A few years back, I stopped using plastic grocery bags. I opted for cloth bags that I could use again and again. These bags continue to work well, but I now find I still have plastic bags accumulating in my home. Sometimes new plastic bags seem to blossom like forest mushrooms, seemingly out of nowhere. I suppose they came from grocery store produce, friends coming over for dinner and bringing items for the meal, and a variety of other places I simply don't think enough about. I know the bags still accumulate and I am certain that I can stop their accumulation by putting forth stronger efforts and consuming more reflectively.

In the past I have used the bags for cleaning up after my dog as we would walk through the park, and I recycled the bags I didn't need. However, recently I discovered that there are better options for picking up after my dog: biodegradable and, better yet, compostable bags. All of these items have come from people trying to find creative ways around the problem of plastic bags in the world.

I also recently discovered that there is at least one massive floating plastic landfill in the ocean. This Texas-sized trash heap struck me as a visible embodiment of the bondage the creation is being subjected to for many creatures are dying as a result. As the fish and ocean creatures consume bits of trash, they are becoming toxic to consume and human populations are affected as well. I know that I can help to make a difference in this by continuing to avoid plastic bags.

Together all of us can work to ease the suffering of creation and stand as witnesses of God's glory in the world by making responsible choices that help to liberate the creation from bondage. These choices can include not using plastic bags, avoiding disposable materials as much as possible, and helping out wherever we perceive need. Yes, all this garbage is disgusting and causing suffering, but we can work to prevent it, clean it up, and ease the burden on the creation by working with God. We do not have to live in such a polluted world. God calls us to embody a greater vision.

God's Word is filled with visions of a greater world where life abounds. God chooses to work through people and we are called to be Christ's evangelists in the world. Each one of us has the power to make a difference by minimizing our trash output and advocating for recycling and environmental restoration programs as an embodiment of our faith in this world.  Together we can celebrate and share in God's vision by working for justice as stewards of creation.

Just Living Series: Green Living

We, at Enough for Everyone are pleased to announce the launch of our new Just Living Series. The Just Living Series seeks to assist individuals, couples, and families as they strive to practice their faith in all aspects of daily life. Within the Reformed tradition there are a number of ways in which we are called to live justly. Each piece in the Just Living series focuses on one aspect of daily living, offering  myriad ways we can practice our faith on a daily level within an ever-changing world. The Just Living series invites personal transformation and is offered as a tool to assist in lifelong journeys of faith.

Our first piece in the series is, "Green Living." This piece provides a brief introduction to ways in which our faith is reflected as we live as just stewards of the earth. The piece contains three areas of concentration: Consumption, Transportation, and Household Living. We have also included a selection of resources to further assist Christians seeking to live into God's call to environmental justice and stewardship. You can download a PDF of the "Green Living" piece here: Download green_living.pdf

After we return from the Global Market Place at General Assembly, we will be developing the next portion of the series. Currently we are developing piece on food and a piece on water.  Our hope is to create resources that will serve the expressed needs of people in the church and we invite you to share your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to make recommendations for pieces that you would find helpful. Also please share your stories of how you and your friends and family are living as Christians in the world.

Trouble with the Bottle

Water flows throughout our scriptures as a life giving force: we are baptized with water, our bodies need water to survive, and God is described as a well from which we can drink and thirst no more. For those of us with access to clean, safe drinking water water, it is easy to spend little time thinking about this commodity. However, I have recently been thinking about how I consume water and what this consumption means for me, my health, and for others.

I only drink bottled water when I have no other option. I support the think outside the bottle campaign and other efforts to reduce the privatization of water so that all may have clean, safe drinking water. Water is necessary for survival and should be a commodity to which all people have inexpensive and reliable access. Tap water in the U.S. is nearly always safe to consume without filtration and is strictly controlled and monitored. In contrast to tap water, bottled water is not as strictly regulated, carries a massive carbon footprint, and 8 out of 10 plastic bottles end up in landfills. The environmental impact of bottled water is devastating and strongly contributes to the destruction of God's good creation.

Knowing that bottled water is a bad option, I chose to use a polycarbonate Nalgene bottle. Every day new evidence surfaces about the potential dangers of Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical leached from certain plastics, most notably polycarbonate water bottles (generally listed as #7) and canned foods.

While I find it hard to justify buying a new water bottle when the risks of BPA continue to be listed as "negligible" for adults by the National Institutes for Health, I also do not want to ignore or minimize the potential risks of consuming BPA. The body of evidence against BPA grows steadily as more research is conducted. I am now beginning to avoid products containing BPA all together. The potential developmental risks for children are significantly greater according the National Institutes for Health report on BPA. The New American Dream offers a number of great resources for finding BPA free products for children.

Nalgene is now phasing out plastic bottles made with BPA in response to consumer demand for "safer" bottles. While some Eco-conscious consumers are switching to aluminum bottles, like SIGGs, or stainless steel bottles, like Klean Kanteens, I remain in limbo about what is truly the best water bottle option because no clear, conclusive, long term research provides evidence that any plastic, stainless steel, or aluminum bottles are 100% safe and free of leeching. Each option contains it own perks and risks.

What then is the best option for drinking water from the tap? I have decided to go the simple, sustainable, natural, and ecofriendly way of using and reusing a glass bottle. Glass is a great option because it is infinitely recyclable, easily cleaned, readily sterilized, free from chemical leeching, and inexpensive. Unfortunately glass is breakable and not well suited to adventurous hikes, so I will hold onto my Nalgene for those purposes. I am also excited to craft some sort of casing out of knitted or crocheted wool to help insulate and protect my glass bottle. If I develop a great bottle covering/carrying option I will be sure to include it in a future post. Until then happy and safe drinking!