Comments on: Precious Things of the Earth http://wonderofcreation.org/2010/02/01/precious-things-of-the-earth/ "Wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." —Job 9:10 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:04:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: SFDBWV http://wonderofcreation.org/2010/02/01/precious-things-of-the-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-606 SFDBWV Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:24:12 +0000 http://www.wonderofcreation.org/?p=5189#comment-606 Years ago when I began feeding the critters, I learned (the hard way) to buy some metal trash cans with lids to put my feed in. It works. Before, I only kept the seed bags in my garage. Then one morning when I reached in to fill my can a mouse ran up my sleeve. I ain't afraid of mice, but you can imagine my reaction to such an unexpected adventure as having a mouse scurrying up my arm inside my shirt. Now I have three, metal trash cans with lids. Even our occasional racoon visitor can't get to them. But I still look before reaching inside! Steve Years ago when I began feeding the critters, I learned (the hard way) to buy some metal trash cans with lids to put my feed in. It works. Before, I only kept the seed bags in my garage. Then one morning when I reached in to fill my can a mouse ran up my sleeve. I ain’t afraid of mice, but you can imagine my reaction to such an unexpected adventure as having a mouse scurrying up my arm inside my shirt. Now I have three, metal trash cans with lids. Even our occasional racoon visitor can’t get to them.

But I still look before reaching inside!

Steve

]]> By: Dean Ohlman http://wonderofcreation.org/2010/02/01/precious-things-of-the-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-605 Dean Ohlman Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:29:49 +0000 http://www.wonderofcreation.org/?p=5189#comment-605 Yes, Steve; I have those same feelings when working with wood. But I can certainly learn from you and your practice of praying before you set your hand to the task. I also have a restless, hungry chipmunk in our yard, and I made the mistake a few days ago of leaving the side door of our garage ajar. Now my sack of sunflower seeds has been breached and I have a pile of hulls on the floor! Yes, Steve; I have those same feelings when working with wood. But I can certainly learn from you and your practice of praying before you set your hand to the task.

I also have a restless, hungry chipmunk in our yard, and I made the mistake a few days ago of leaving the side door of our garage ajar. Now my sack of sunflower seeds has been breached and I have a pile of hulls on the floor!

]]> By: Dean Ohlman http://wonderofcreation.org/2010/02/01/precious-things-of-the-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-604 Dean Ohlman Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:24:12 +0000 http://www.wonderofcreation.org/?p=5189#comment-604 I do believe what Berry says applies to all our work. The "Protestant work ethic" that I referred to a few posts back, in fact, should have made that clear. The Reformers truly sought to sanctify all our work, not just the work of direct evangelism or church ministries. The problem was not with the ethic; it was with our loss of valuing the earth and the "resources" of the earth and seeming to forget that we are working not only with human creativity that is a gift of God, but also with the materials that are the gift of God. Part of that comes from the study of economics, which many economists want to call a "science." So we can talk about <em>goods </em>and <em>services </em>as though they are of neutral value. But they aren't. <em>Goods </em>are the "precious things of the earth" given to us by the hand of God. <em>Services </em>are the creative work of mankind, which is also a gift of God. Hence the stink of our landfills has to rise up into the nostrils of God as an affront---human despising of these two great gifts from the hand of our Creator. I do believe what Berry says applies to all our work. The “Protestant work ethic” that I referred to a few posts back, in fact, should have made that clear. The Reformers truly sought to sanctify all our work, not just the work of direct evangelism or church ministries. The problem was not with the ethic; it was with our loss of valuing the earth and the “resources” of the earth and seeming to forget that we are working not only with human creativity that is a gift of God, but also with the materials that are the gift of God. Part of that comes from the study of economics, which many economists want to call a “science.” So we can talk about goods and services as though they are of neutral value. But they aren’t. Goods are the “precious things of the earth” given to us by the hand of God. Services are the creative work of mankind, which is also a gift of God. Hence the stink of our landfills has to rise up into the nostrils of God as an affront—human despising of these two great gifts from the hand of our Creator.

]]> By: SFDBWV http://wonderofcreation.org/2010/02/01/precious-things-of-the-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-603 SFDBWV Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:44:35 +0000 http://www.wonderofcreation.org/?p=5189#comment-603 Wow, Dean, this is indeed a power packed commentary. Have to find myself agreeing with Wendell Berry. I have built buildings, furniture, just about every thing in the remodeling realm, with wood, as well as steel and concrete. There is no substitute for good work. There is a relationship that exists between the material and the worker. A creative experiance that comes only when you are able to take what's in your mind and manifest it by the work of your hands. It is a spiritual experiance for sure. Working with wood comes with many positives. The feel of it, the smell of it, and if I may say, some pride in it as well. Have learned to pray before undertaking any projects. So that God is honored in my work and a very needed ally in the work of my hands. Thanks Dean. PS I saw a chipmonk today. Can you believe it? We still have over a foot of snow on top of a hard ice covering the ground. Oh well, guess he was getting low on supplies. Steve Wow, Dean, this is indeed a power packed commentary.

Have to find myself agreeing with Wendell Berry.

I have built buildings, furniture, just about every thing in the remodeling realm, with wood, as well as steel and concrete.

There is no substitute for good work.

There is a relationship that exists between the material and the worker. A creative experiance that comes only when you are able to take what’s in your mind and manifest it by the work of your hands.

It is a spiritual experiance for sure.

Working with wood comes with many positives. The feel of it, the smell of it, and if I may say, some pride in it as well.

Have learned to pray before undertaking any projects. So that God is honored in my work and a very needed ally in the work of my hands.

Thanks Dean.

PS I saw a chipmonk today. Can you believe it? We still have over a foot of snow on top of a hard ice covering the ground. Oh well, guess he was getting low on supplies.

Steve

]]> By: rdrcomp http://wonderofcreation.org/2010/02/01/precious-things-of-the-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-602 rdrcomp Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:00:43 +0000 http://www.wonderofcreation.org/?p=5189#comment-602 I believe that Berry's comments about "Good human work honors God’s work" doesn't just apply to working with wood, or natural resources, but applies to all work. We evangelical types would say that Ephesians 2:10 applies to works of ministry such as teaching, preaching, witnessing, etc. but since we are saved by grace alone through faith alone and "that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them," don't you think that all work is holy? We are to work "heartily as unto the Lord" I like how the Message renders Colossians 3:22: Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God. Anything less, I believe, is as Berry says: blasphemy! Ouch, that hurts me, but causes me to look at work a little different. It is holy labor, and done for the King. I believe that Berry’s comments about “Good human work honors God’s work” doesn’t just apply to working with wood, or natural resources, but applies to all work.

We evangelical types would say that Ephesians 2:10 applies to works of ministry such as teaching, preaching, witnessing, etc. but since we are saved by grace alone through faith alone and “that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them,” don’t you think that all work is holy? We are to work “heartily as unto the Lord” I like how the Message renders Colossians 3:22: Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God.

Anything less, I believe, is as Berry says: blasphemy! Ouch, that hurts me, but causes me to look at work a little different. It is holy labor, and done for the King.

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