2010-12-11 12 days of advent | evangelical environmental network blog

8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 1/22

12 Days of Advent [Give the Gift of Life]

[33]

December 11,2010, 13:52 PM

Over the next 12 days we will follow stories of life and hope in the developing

world. This Advent devotional is designed to be followed day by day and can be

used for your private devotional time or for churches partnering with EEN this

Advent. Our partner is Plant with Purpose [34]and chronicles their importantdevelopment work in Haiti.

Each day will build upon the last one with visuals from the field, a verse for

reflection, and a suggested action. Advent is the time to put off the old man and

put on the new man by practicing our peace, patience, kindness, self-control,

generosity, and love. Each day will end with an encouragement to support the

work of the particular partner.

Please let us know what the Lord is doing in your midst by e-mailing us [email protected] [35]. EEN offers its' special thanks to High Street

Hymns [36] who have graciously donated the music around this devotional.

[37] Add a comment | Email [38] | Print [39] Like



Day 1

[40]

December 12,2010, 22:25 PM

The Photo

The Story

Travel brochures depicting sparkling blue waters and swaying palm trees belie

the severe environmental degradation, corrupt governments, and deadly tropical

storms that are endemic to the Caribbean. In Haiti and theDominican Republic, widespread deforestation has led to compromised soil fertility. The land has

stopped producing, and as a result, thousands of subsistence farmers have

become dependent on revenues from cutting forest trees, locking them into a

cycle of poverty and deforestation. Plant With Purpose [41] reverses the cycle by

making environmental restoration a profitable endeavor, simultaneously

improving farmers' livelihoods and restoring the land on which they depend.



With the help of Plant With Purpose [42], farmers in the Caribbean haveplanted

more than three million trees"restoring watersheds, reviving watersources, and

improving health and nutrition by creating income opportunities.

Scripture for Today

Creator of the Stars of Night [43](click link and start music while you begin your

reflection)

Isaiah 2 (NIV)

1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:2 In the

last days

the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established

as the highest of the mountains;

it will be exalted above the hills,

and all nations will stream to it.

3 Many peoples will come and say,

"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,

to the temple of the God of Jacob.

He will teach us his ways,

so that we may walk in his paths."

The law will go out from Zion,

the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

4 He will judge between the nations

and will settle disputes for many peoples.

They will beat their swords into plowshares

and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation,



nor will they train for war anymore.

5 Come, descendants of Jacob,

let us walk in the light of the LORD.

The Day of the LORD

6 You, LORD, have abandonedyour people,

the descendants of Jacob.

They are full of superstitions from the East;

they practice divination like the Philistines

and embrace pagan customs.

7 Their land is full of silver and gold;

there is no end to their treasures.

Their land is full of horses;

there is no end to their chariots.

8 Their land is full of idols;

they bow down to the work of their hands,

to what their fingers have made.

9 So people will be brought low

and everyone humbled"do not forgive them.[a]

10 Go into the rocks, hide in the ground

from the fearful presence of the LORD

and the splendor of his majesty!

11 The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled

and human pride brought low;

the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

12 The LORD Almighty has a day in store

for all the proud and lofty,

for all that is exalted

(and they will be humbled),



13 for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty,

and all the oaks of Bashan,

14 for all the towering mountains

and all the high hills,

15 for every lofty tower

and every fortified wall,

16 for every trading ship[b]

and every stately vessel.

17 The arrogance of man will be brought low

and human pride humbled;

the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,

18 and the idols will totally disappear.

19 People will flee to caves in the rocks

and to holes in the ground

from the fearful presence of the LORD

and the splendor of his majesty,

when he rises to shake the earth.

20 In that day people will throw away

to the moles and bats

Reflection/Question for Today

Do we believe the Lord will do what he promises in response to injustice?

Response

Consider giving $1 to reforestation through our partner Plant with Purpose [44]




Day 2

[48]

December 14,2010, 10:18 AM

The Picture

The Story

By Doug Satre, Director of Outreach and Development, Plant With Purpose

Recently, I returned from myfirst trip to Haiti. I confess that I went with sometrepidation. From everything I had read, very little had been accomplished in

Haiti since the earthquake; a million people still live in camps waiting for more

permanent shelter and streets are plagued by violence that the government is

powerless tostop.

We were met at the airport without incident and were shepherded by our local



staff into the mountains, to the region of Fonds Verettes. While not directly

impacted by the earthquake,this area saw the influx of thousands of exiles from

Port au Prince who were returning to their home villages because they had no

place else to go.

As we pulled into the village, we were met with a choir, welcome banners, and

clapping. This community had recently established a tree nursery of 15,000 trees

and described their vision to replant the denuded slopes around their village,

protecting their crops, raising their incomes, and keeping their children in

school.

In the days that followed, we worshiped in church services, visited savings

groups, and heard from dozens of farmers about what they were doing to

improve their communities. They had planted over 200,000 trees since the

earthquake and hundreds of them had been employed to build soil conservation

barriers to protect their fields and homes from the coming hurricane season. All

these activities reflect a growing sense of hopefulness in Fonds Verettes.

One person I met who really made an impact on me was a young man named

Ronald. He was one of the leaders of a farmers group of 50 men and women who

are growing thousands of trees and who are committed to transforming theircommunity. He told us, "We want to plant trees everywhere around our

community; we are dreaming of a forest! We know that if we can do this, the

young men of our community will find hope and opportunity here, rather than

having to look for work in the sugar can fields of the Dominican Republic, or

food in Port au Prince."

The next day, we drove down to Port au Prince and witnessed the devastation

that still exists there. In the midst of all the broken buildings and make shift

camps, I met another young man, about Ronald's age. He approached us to beg

for something to eat, pulling up his shirt to show me how skinny he was. As I

talked with him, I could not help but think of the contrast with the energetic and

hopeful young man, Ronald, who I had met the day before.



Even today as I write this, there are fresh reports in the news of the desperate

living conditions in Port au Prince. In the midst of those reports, one

recommendation was especially striking: "Donor agencies should designate

more resources for livelihoodopportunities in rural areas outside of Port-au-

Prince." That is exactly how we choose to work, creating opportunity for those in

the urban slums to live healthy lives in their home communities.

Scripture for Today

Veiled in Darkness Judah Lay [49](click link and start music as you begin your

reflection)

Isaiah 6

Isaiah's Commission

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on

a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim,

each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they

covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to oneanother:

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;

the whole earth is full of his glory."

4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the

temple was filled with smoke.

5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live

among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD

Almighty."

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he



had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said,

"See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned

for."

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will

go for us?"

And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

9 He said, "Go and tell this people:

"'Be ever hearing, but never understanding;

be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'

10 Make the heart of this people calloused;

make their ears dull

and close their eyes.[a]

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

hear with their ears,

understand with their hearts,

and turn and be healed."

11 Then I said, "For how long, Lord?"

And he answered:

"Until the cities lie ruined

and without inhabitant,

until the houses are left deserted

and the fields ruined and ravaged,

12 until the LORD has sent everyone far away

and the land is utterly forsaken.

13 And though a tenth remains in the land,

it will again be laid waste.

But as the terebinth and oak



leave stumps when they are cut down,

so the holy seed will be the stump in the land."

Reflection/Question for Today

Take some time to walk outside and reflect. Are you willing to do your part tofollow Jesus in caring for His creation?

Response

Consider supporting the ministry work of Plant with Purpose Haiti [50]


Day 3

[54]

December 14,2010, 22:08 PM

The Picture



The Story

Edzer (not pictured) is a farmer from the Bwanef group who has benefitted from

Plant With Purpose's [55] soil conservation program. He has worked with Plant

With Purpose [56] since 1997, and he says that the group has helped him with a

lot of things. They have showed him how to protect his land with ramps, soil

conservation, and many other techniques, as well as how to plant trees and

create nurseries.



Following the January 12th earthquake, Edzer became involved in Plant With

Purpose's [57] "Cash for Work" program. With the cash he is making from this

program, he said he is able to get a bit of food to feed his family. Edzer says that

planting trees and protecting the land is the most important thing he can do

following the earthquake. Last February, he was given bean seed to plant, and by

May he was already starting to see the first harvest!

"For those who support Plant With Purpose, I want to say a big thank you,"said

Edzer. "I don't know what will happen next, but we are waiting on God and we

are thankful for all he has provided for us so far. Things could have been alot

worse for us."

Scripture for Today

In the Bleak Midwinter [58] (click link and start music as you begin your

reflection)

19 In times of disaster they will not wither;

in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

20 But the wicked will perish:

Though the LORD's enemies are like the flowers of the field,

they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.

21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,

but the righteous give generously;

22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land,

but those he curses will be destroyed. 23 The LORD makes firm the steps

of the one who delights in him;

24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,

for the LORD upholds him with his hand.



25 I was young and now I am old,

yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken

or their children begging bread.

26 They are always generous and lend freely;

their children will be a blessing.[b]

27 Turn from evil and do good;

then you will dwell in the land forever.

28 For the LORD loves the just

and will not forsake his faithful ones.

Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed[c];

the offspring of the wicked will perish.

29 The righteous will inherit the land

and dwell in it forever.

30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,

and their tongues speak what is just.

31 The law of their God is in their hearts;

their feet do not slip.

32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,

intent on putting them to death;

33 but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked

or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

34 Hope in the LORD

and keep his way.

He will exalt you to inherit the land;

when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.

35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man

flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,

36 but he soon passed away and was no more;



though I looked for him, he could not be found.

37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;

a future awaits those who seek peace.[d]

38 But all sinners will be destroyed;

there will be no future[e] for the wicked.

39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;

he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

40 The LORD helps them and delivers them;

he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,

because they take refuge in him.

Reflection/Question for the Day

What would it mean for you to be more deeply visited in the lives of the poor at

home and around the world? What steps will you commit to take?

Response

If you made a commitment take some time to think about that commitment.


Day 4

[62]

December 16,2010, 07:44 AM

The Picture



The Story

Iloma Jean Baptiste"Since the earthquake, we have had an influx of farmers and

community members who want to join in our reforestation efforts. New

participants are asking to join our community groups because they have

seentheir friends and neighbors benefit from tree planting and soil conservation

activities. Iloma Jean Baptiste, a member of our Cheridant group since 1998, said

he has seen lots of benefits from planting trees in his own community. He said,



"Trees we planted, for example these trees you see behind you, we now use to

build our houses and make charcoal, and have made a good profit. We have done

soil conservation to control erosion. The soil conservation work gives us a

guarantee that we will not lose too much soil."

Scripture for Today

Isaiah 7:10-25 (NIV)

O Come O Come Emmanuel [63] (click on the link as you begin your reflection)

10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, 11 "Ask the LORD your God for a sign,

whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights."

12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test."

13 Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the

patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the

Lord himself will give you[a] a sign: The virgin[b] will conceive and give birth to

a son, and[c] will call him Immanuel.[d] 15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before

the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the

two kings you dread will be laid waste. 17 The LORD will bring on you and on

your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim

broke away from Judah"he will bring the king of Assyria."

Assyria, the LORD's Instrument

18 In that day the LORD will whistle for flies from the Nile delta in Egypt and for

bees from the land of Assyria. 19 They will all come and settle in the steep

ravines and in the crevices in the rocks, on all the thornbushes and at all the

water holes. 20 In that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the

Euphrates River"the king of Assyria"to shave your head and private parts, and to



cut off your beard also. 21 In that day, a person will keep alive a young cow and

two goats. 22 And because of the abundance of the milk they give, there will be

curds to eat. All who remain in the land will eat curds and honey. 23 In that day,

in every place where there were a thousand vines worth a thousand silver

shekels,[e] there will be only briers and thorns. 24 Hunters will go there with

bow and arrow, for the land will be covered with briers and thorns. 25 As for all

the hills once cultivated by the hoe, you will no longer go there for fear of the

briers and thorns; they will become places where cattle are turned loose and

where sheep run.

Question/Reflection for Today

Take some time to thank the Lord for His goodness and ask him for your daily bread today.

Response

Go out of your way to be generous today


Day 5

[67]

December 17,2010, 10:28 AM

The Photo



The Story

"We want to plant trees everywhere around our community; we are dreaming of

a forest! We know that if we can do this, the young men of our community will

find hope and opportunity here, rather than having to look for work in the sugar

cane fields of the Dominican Republic, or for food in Port au Prince." " Ronald, a

community leaderin Fonds Verettes, Haiti -Image: "Ronald"



Scripture for Today

Isaiah 8:11-15 (NIV)

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly [68](click on the link as you begin your reflection)

11 This is what the LORD says to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me

not to follow the way of this people: 12 "Do not call conspiracy

everything this people calls a conspiracy;

do not fear what they fear,

and do not dread it.

13 The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,

he is the one you are to fear,

he is the one you are to dread.14 He will be a holy place;

for both Israel and Judah he will be

a stone that causes people to stumble

and a rock that makes them fall.

And for the people of Jerusalem he will be

a trap and a snare.

15 Many of them will stumble;they will fall and be broken,

they will be snared and captured."

Question/Reflection for Today

Why is this Isaiah passage so challenging?

Response

Go on a walk today 15 minutes or longer.

1. http://creationcare.org/view.php?id=141



2. http://plantwithpurpose.org/

3. mailto:[email protected]

4. http://highstreethymns.com/home/



7. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253



10. http://plantwithpurpose.org/donation_pages/haiti-relief





























37. http://www.verecom.com/new-york-web-design.php

38. javascript:Email(141)

39. javascript:Print(141)

















2010-12-11 12 days of advent | evangelical environmental network blog

Documents