Should Christians embrace Green Living?

One of my favorite shows on TV these days is Whale Wars.  I really enjoy watching these environmentalists try to save the lives of defenseless whales.  It is quality entertainment.  I find myself rooting for both sides (the Japanese whalers and the Sea Shepherds).  However, I must ask myself the question: "Who's right?"  As a Christian, should I be protecting marine life or eating it?  As with all life questions, I turn to Scripture for the answer.
Genesis 1 gives us the account of creation; verses 26-31 describe the creation of man along with the cultural mandate.  Genesis 1:28 says, "And God blessed them.  And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"  God has assigned man (read mankind, or humans) the task of taking care of the planet and everything in it.  Surely he has also provided plants and animals as our source of nourishment (see verses 29-30), but our main job regarding the earth is to manage it well.
I've heard many people - even within the Church - talk about tree-huggers, animal-lovers, and hippies with a sense of disdain.  Some who would thirst to death before taking a sip of wine, gossip unceasingly about those, perhaps misguided, whale-lovers.  But if God has given man the responsibility to take care of the earth shouldn't Christians be leading the charge for Green Living?
The main difference in the approach between Christians and the green crowd should be motive.  Christians are to take care of the planet because it was made by God and we have been commanded to do so.  I am not worried about what might happen if we destroy our planet; I know where I'll be when I die.  However, I am worried about offending Almighty God!
So do not be so quick to dismiss the tree-hugger community; they may be acting more "Christianly" than the Church.  We can all find areas of needless waste in our lives.  I do believe that we please God when we live simply and thoughtfully.  We can start by questioning our daily activities.  Find areas of excess and cut them out.  Think biblically (this assumes you have knowledge of the Bible) about the things you do every day.  At the very least perhaps we will begin to appreciate those who have chosen to live "greener" than ourselves.  Appreciation will lead to love for our neighbor, which is the second greatest commandment.  Unless we have this love for our neighbor, we cannot possibly love God.

Share My Faith?

I've been a Christian for almost twenty years.  You could say that I have never known a day without God.  That is to say that as far back as I can remember I was in Church hearing about God.  Even though I know that millions of people have never heard the name of Jesus, that fact is difficult for me to comprehend.
I need to check myself periodically to see if I am becoming calloused to the needs of the world.  Do I lock myself into my comfortable little cocoon and pretend everything is fine outside?  Do I see the world's ignorance of Jesus as "not my problem?"
The world has more than 7 billion people.  I will never be able to reach them all.  The good news is I don't have to.  But I can reach the people I work with, my family, my friends, and even people I meet through the course of daily life.  If I do not love my neighbor, then I do not love Jesus.
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.  And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.  (John 14:21)
If I claim to know Jesus yet I show no love for my neighbor, I am lying to myself.
Share the truth of the gospel in love.

Read the Syllabus

I recently heard someone say that many people try to pass the course of life without first reading the syllabus.
I don't understand how anyone can look around (at the solar system, our planet, the cycle of life) and say "there is no God."  But what astounds me even more are the people who say "I believe in God," and yet they refuse to read the Bible or seek to follow its commandments.  At least the atheist is consistent with his professions and his actions.  Professing Christ with your mouth does not make you a Christian.  For more information on how to pass this course called Life 101 ... read the syllabus.