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A Day to Pray in Copenhagen

by Tim Costello 12-14-2009 | 3:15pm
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Sunday was officially a day of rest for delegates at Copenhagen who took a break from the Bella Centre.

Some of us took the opportunity to go to church and pray for a miracle. With talks deadlocked, and the planet's well-being swinging in the breeze, we needed to remind ourselves of a fundamental Jewish and Christian notion -- "The Earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof" (Psalm 24:1).

This most strikingly reminds us that we are stewards, not owners. All of God's children deserve a future: the poor, and those yet unborn in the first and third world. It reminds us that stewardship requires the recognition that all of Creation is groaning as in childbirth (Romans 8). And those groans can be heard -- from the Arctic cracking, to the onset of cyclones and typhoons, the monsoons failing, and unprecedented droughts.

Our World Vision staff report what they see: in some regions the birds whose appearance had always signal the time to sow seed and plant crops are no longer appearing; the highlands of Papua New Guinea -- once too cold for mosquitoes -- now are plagued with malaria. Creation care and stewardship have never been more important to recover as fundamental Christian responsibilities.

Maybe this is why Copenhagen's traditionally deserted churches, this Sunday, were packed.

Tim Costello is the CEO of World Vision Australia.

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by: meurig

12-15-2009 @ 3:43pm

Some come to church out of deep love for Jesus, some out of an awareness that we desperately need him. And maybe some out of a sort of solidarity with the Creator at a time when human greed is wrecking the creation.
These three motivations are not mutually exclusive.

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 3:10pm

I would say that it is a given that carbon dioxide is not the "killer" the EPA makes it out to be. Last I checked, it's what we exhale and trees inhale.

It's called "photosynthesis". Ever hear of it?

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 2:45pm

As much as I support World Vision, this statement, "Maybe this is why Copenhagen's traditionally deserted churches, this Sunday, were packed." is atrocious.

I would think that churches should be filled because we love Jesus, not due to a knee-jerk reaction to save the earth. But that's just me, I guess.

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 2:44pm

And when you say "absolute zero", you mean what?

by: pooch

12-14-2009 @ 2:24pm

There are legitimate health and environmental concerns in these regions that need our prayers. Carbon dioxide is not one of them. Temperatures were warmer in the MWP and ice core samples show CO2 concentrations have been much higher in past millennia, and during those times the earth was still the Lord's! Anecdotal staff observations of birds is not scientific study and the increase in mosquitoes in PNG is largely due to forestry practices and deforestation ( see http://www.tropmed.org/rreh/vol1_11.htm ).

by: Lord_Voldemort

12-14-2009 @ 8:15pm

A few months ago temps were in the eighties in my upper midwest hometown. Now they are in the thirties. I predict that in about five years they will be approaching absolute zero, because short-term local variations in climate are an infallible guide to global climate trends.

LV

by: pooch

12-14-2009 @ 2:24pm

There are legitimate health and environmental concerns in these regions that need our prayers. Carbon dioxide is not one of them. Temperatures were warmer in the MWP and ice core samples show CO2 concentrations have been much higher in past millennia, and during those times the earth was still the Lord's! Anecdotal staff observations of birds is not scientific study and the increase in mosquitoes in PNG is largely due to forestry practices and deforestation ( see http://www.tropmed.org/rreh/vol1_11.htm ).

by: NC77

12-14-2009 @ 10:21pm

Good one. :)

This one is hot of the presses.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091215/ap_on_sc/cl...

The dog and pony show goes on ad nauseum. Did you see the AP story this morning about how they did an analysis of the hacked emails from ClimateGate? They made an independent determination that those emails actually prove global warming rather than question the validity of science and the agenda behind the so called science.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091213/ap_on_sc/cl...

by: meurig

12-14-2009 @ 10:55pm

Pooch, I suggest that when you make statements which are in contradiction to the current scientific consensus you should cite your sources.

by: Lord_Voldemort

12-14-2009 @ 8:15pm

A few months ago temps were in the eighties in my upper midwest hometown. Now they are in the thirties. I predict that in about five years they will be approaching absolute zero, because short-term local variations in climate are an infallible guide to global climate trends.

LV

by: NC77

12-14-2009 @ 10:21pm

Good one. :)

This one is hot of the presses.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091215/ap_on_sc/cl...

The dog and pony show goes on ad nauseum. Did you see the AP story this morning about how they did an analysis of the hacked emails from ClimateGate? They made an independent determination that those emails actually prove global warming rather than question the validity of science and the agenda behind the so called science.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091213/ap_on_sc/cl...

by: meurig

12-15-2009 @ 3:43pm

Some come to church out of deep love for Jesus, some out of an awareness that we desperately need him. And maybe some out of a sort of solidarity with the Creator at a time when human greed is wrecking the creation.
These three motivations are not mutually exclusive.

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 3:10pm

I would say that it is a given that carbon dioxide is not the "killer" the EPA makes it out to be. Last I checked, it's what we exhale and trees inhale.

It's called "photosynthesis". Ever hear of it?

by: meurig

12-14-2009 @ 10:55pm

Pooch, I suggest that when you make statements which are in contradiction to the current scientific consensus you should cite your sources.

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 2:45pm

As much as I support World Vision, this statement, "Maybe this is why Copenhagen's traditionally deserted churches, this Sunday, were packed." is atrocious.

I would think that churches should be filled because we love Jesus, not due to a knee-jerk reaction to save the earth. But that's just me, I guess.

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 2:44pm

And when you say "absolute zero", you mean what?

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 12:44pm

And when you say "absolute zero", you mean what?

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 12:45pm

As much as I support World Vision, this statement, "Maybe this is why Copenhagen's traditionally deserted churches, this Sunday, were packed." is atrocious.

I would think that churches should be filled because we love Jesus, not due to a knee-jerk reaction to save the earth. But that's just me, I guess.

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 1:10pm

I would say that it is a given that carbon dioxide is not the "killer" the EPA makes it out to be. Last I checked, it's what we exhale and trees inhale.

It's called "photosynthesis". Ever hear of it?

by: meurig

12-15-2009 @ 1:36pm

I'll leave it to a 10th grader to answer that piece of irrelevance, John.
I was referring to pooch's MWP claim. And for that matter the CO2 claim (given that I assume the relevant period of observation for our concern is the period that humans have been around)
So how about it, poochie - publish your sources

by: meurig

12-15-2009 @ 1:43pm

Some come to church out of deep love for Jesus, some out of an awareness that we desperately need him. And maybe some out of a sort of solidarity with the Creator at a time when human greed is wrecking the creation.
These three motivations are not mutually exclusive.

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 12:44pm

And when you say "absolute zero", you mean what?

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 12:45pm

As much as I support World Vision, this statement, "Maybe this is why Copenhagen's traditionally deserted churches, this Sunday, were packed." is atrocious.

I would think that churches should be filled because we love Jesus, not due to a knee-jerk reaction to save the earth. But that's just me, I guess.

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 1:10pm

I would say that it is a given that carbon dioxide is not the "killer" the EPA makes it out to be. Last I checked, it's what we exhale and trees inhale.

It's called "photosynthesis". Ever hear of it?

by: meurig

12-15-2009 @ 1:36pm

I'll leave it to a 10th grader to answer that piece of irrelevance, John.
I was referring to pooch's MWP claim. And for that matter the CO2 claim (given that I assume the relevant period of observation for our concern is the period that humans have been around)
So how about it, poochie - publish your sources

by: meurig

12-15-2009 @ 1:43pm

Some come to church out of deep love for Jesus, some out of an awareness that we desperately need him. And maybe some out of a sort of solidarity with the Creator at a time when human greed is wrecking the creation.
These three motivations are not mutually exclusive.

Comments sorted by highest rated. After voting you must refresh your page to see the sort order change.

by: pooch

12-14-2009 @ 2:24pm

There are legitimate health and environmental concerns in these regions that need our prayers. Carbon dioxide is not one of them. Temperatures were warmer in the MWP and ice core samples show CO2 concentrations have been much higher in past millennia, and during those times the earth was still the Lord's! Anecdotal staff observations of birds is not scientific study and the increase in mosquitoes in PNG is largely due to forestry practices and deforestation ( see http://www.tropmed.org/rreh/vol1_11.htm ).

by: pooch

12-14-2009 @ 2:24pm

There are legitimate health and environmental concerns in these regions that need our prayers. Carbon dioxide is not one of them. Temperatures were warmer in the MWP and ice core samples show CO2 concentrations have been much higher in past millennia, and during those times the earth was still the Lord's! Anecdotal staff observations of birds is not scientific study and the increase in mosquitoes in PNG is largely due to forestry practices and deforestation ( see http://www.tropmed.org/rreh/vol1_11.htm ).

by: Lord_Voldemort

12-14-2009 @ 8:15pm

A few months ago temps were in the eighties in my upper midwest hometown. Now they are in the thirties. I predict that in about five years they will be approaching absolute zero, because short-term local variations in climate are an infallible guide to global climate trends.

LV

by: Lord_Voldemort

12-14-2009 @ 8:15pm

A few months ago temps were in the eighties in my upper midwest hometown. Now they are in the thirties. I predict that in about five years they will be approaching absolute zero, because short-term local variations in climate are an infallible guide to global climate trends.

LV

by: NC77

12-14-2009 @ 10:21pm

Good one. :)

This one is hot of the presses.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091215/ap_on_sc/cl...

The dog and pony show goes on ad nauseum. Did you see the AP story this morning about how they did an analysis of the hacked emails from ClimateGate? They made an independent determination that those emails actually prove global warming rather than question the validity of science and the agenda behind the so called science.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091213/ap_on_sc/cl...

by: NC77

12-14-2009 @ 10:21pm

Good one. :)

This one is hot of the presses.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091215/ap_on_sc/cl...

The dog and pony show goes on ad nauseum. Did you see the AP story this morning about how they did an analysis of the hacked emails from ClimateGate? They made an independent determination that those emails actually prove global warming rather than question the validity of science and the agenda behind the so called science.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091213/ap_on_sc/cl...

by: meurig

12-14-2009 @ 10:55pm

Pooch, I suggest that when you make statements which are in contradiction to the current scientific consensus you should cite your sources.

by: meurig

12-14-2009 @ 10:55pm

Pooch, I suggest that when you make statements which are in contradiction to the current scientific consensus you should cite your sources.

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 12:44pm

And when you say "absolute zero", you mean what?

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 12:44pm

And when you say "absolute zero", you mean what?

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 12:45pm

As much as I support World Vision, this statement, "Maybe this is why Copenhagen's traditionally deserted churches, this Sunday, were packed." is atrocious.

I would think that churches should be filled because we love Jesus, not due to a knee-jerk reaction to save the earth. But that's just me, I guess.

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 12:45pm

As much as I support World Vision, this statement, "Maybe this is why Copenhagen's traditionally deserted churches, this Sunday, were packed." is atrocious.

I would think that churches should be filled because we love Jesus, not due to a knee-jerk reaction to save the earth. But that's just me, I guess.

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 1:10pm

I would say that it is a given that carbon dioxide is not the "killer" the EPA makes it out to be. Last I checked, it's what we exhale and trees inhale.

It's called "photosynthesis". Ever hear of it?

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 1:10pm

I would say that it is a given that carbon dioxide is not the "killer" the EPA makes it out to be. Last I checked, it's what we exhale and trees inhale.

It's called "photosynthesis". Ever hear of it?

by: meurig

12-15-2009 @ 1:36pm

I'll leave it to a 10th grader to answer that piece of irrelevance, John.
I was referring to pooch's MWP claim. And for that matter the CO2 claim (given that I assume the relevant period of observation for our concern is the period that humans have been around)
So how about it, poochie - publish your sources

by: meurig

12-15-2009 @ 1:36pm

I'll leave it to a 10th grader to answer that piece of irrelevance, John.
I was referring to pooch's MWP claim. And for that matter the CO2 claim (given that I assume the relevant period of observation for our concern is the period that humans have been around)
So how about it, poochie - publish your sources

by: meurig

12-15-2009 @ 1:43pm

Some come to church out of deep love for Jesus, some out of an awareness that we desperately need him. And maybe some out of a sort of solidarity with the Creator at a time when human greed is wrecking the creation.
These three motivations are not mutually exclusive.

by: meurig

12-15-2009 @ 1:43pm

Some come to church out of deep love for Jesus, some out of an awareness that we desperately need him. And maybe some out of a sort of solidarity with the Creator at a time when human greed is wrecking the creation.
These three motivations are not mutually exclusive.

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 2:44pm

And when you say "absolute zero", you mean what?

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 2:44pm

And when you say "absolute zero", you mean what?

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 2:45pm

As much as I support World Vision, this statement, "Maybe this is why Copenhagen's traditionally deserted churches, this Sunday, were packed." is atrocious.

I would think that churches should be filled because we love Jesus, not due to a knee-jerk reaction to save the earth. But that's just me, I guess.

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 2:45pm

As much as I support World Vision, this statement, "Maybe this is why Copenhagen's traditionally deserted churches, this Sunday, were packed." is atrocious.

I would think that churches should be filled because we love Jesus, not due to a knee-jerk reaction to save the earth. But that's just me, I guess.

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 3:10pm

I would say that it is a given that carbon dioxide is not the "killer" the EPA makes it out to be. Last I checked, it's what we exhale and trees inhale.

It's called "photosynthesis". Ever hear of it?

by: John Mulholland

12-15-2009 @ 3:10pm

I would say that it is a given that carbon dioxide is not the "killer" the EPA makes it out to be. Last I checked, it's what we exhale and trees inhale.

It's called "photosynthesis". Ever hear of it?

by: meurig

12-15-2009 @ 3:43pm

Some come to church out of deep love for Jesus, some out of an awareness that we desperately need him. And maybe some out of a sort of solidarity with the Creator at a time when human greed is wrecking the creation.
These three motivations are not mutually exclusive.

by: meurig

12-15-2009 @ 3:43pm

Some come to church out of deep love for Jesus, some out of an awareness that we desperately need him. And maybe some out of a sort of solidarity with the Creator at a time when human greed is wrecking the creation.
These three motivations are not mutually exclusive.