"You shall not pollute the land in which you live"

"In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." (Job 12:10)

April 22nd is Earth Day. And after 40 years Earth Day remains a time to celebrate restoration and stand up for the planet. I agree with many of the slogons out there, "Earth Day should be Everyday." And I tend to think the Powerful Creater also agrees.

"You shall not pollute the land in which you live.... You shall not defile the land in which you live, in which I also dwell; for I the LORD dwell among..." (Numbers 35:33-34)

Although we have polluted and defiled the land in which God created there are many ways we can be good stewerds of what we have been blessed with. We can turn from our wasteful ways one little step at a time and show respect to the creation we have been gracisly instructed to take care of.

My family is going to use Earth Day 2010 as a day in which we make commitments to live more sustainably, to reduce and follow through with some "good ideas". I look forward to sharing more with you tomorrow about our Pledges (to hold me accountable) and acts of service for God. Here are easy/ practical thing that you and your family can do on Earth Day and EveryDay to live more respectfully:

1. Wash your cloths in Cold Water
2. Make a clothes line in your basement, outside or between trees to dry your cloths instead of using the dryer
3. Bring your own bags to not only the grocery store, but every place you go shopping (Mall, Pet Store, Borders, Lowes etc)
4. If you forget your shopping bags...only buy as much as you can carry
5. Make a compost
6. Go Paperless in your kitchen: Use only washable reusable cups, plates, silver ware, rags, napkins
7. Make cloth napkins. Purchase material (or use an old sheet...thanks Leslie) and cut to make cloth/reusable napkins
8. Use your children's art work as wrapping paper (after it has been displayed on the fridge for a while)
9. Use public transport, carpool or plan your day to reduce trips and vehicle emissions
10. Buy hose plants that improve the indoor air quality
11. Leave clipped blades on the grass, it is good for the grass becuase they recycle nitrogen
12. Buy a non-motored mower or electric mower
13. Pick up trash at your favorite park, school, or in your neighborhood
14. Buy locally or grow your own produce
15. Shop junk mail by calling the companies to take you off thier mailing list and sign up to the National Do Not Mail List
16. Install Rain Barrels outside to catch rain water that can be used for watering flowers, plants or grass when needed
17. Choose Organic Lawn Care
18. Use Biodegradable and Enviormentally friendly products
19. When avaiable buy in bulk to reduce packaging
20. When purchasing goods, opt for sustainable, energy star, recycled, or reused resources.
21. Plant a tree
22. Recycle, donate or give away items in you don't want in your home. Remember "one mans trash is another mans treasure." Advertise your items on craigslist or freecycle

For great information, articles and videos visit National Geographic's Green Guide

The EPA has podcasts with Green Tips and a Pick 5 For the Enviornment tool to help you decide how you can help make a difference and show it!

"He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate-bringing forth food from the earth." (Psalm 104:10-14)