Lightening Bolt Struck in a Cubicle

I just had an idea.
Would it be possible to do pre-climate change research by:
1. finding a poor urban area likely to be affected by global warming, either fisheries (economics, natural resources) rising tides or even increased likelihood of hurricanes
2. partner with community to make preventative measures against likely events to come in future. Of course it's difficult to predict the future. But we can try, for this hypothetical purpose at least.
--You could even do this in New Orleans, possibly?

Now THE question: Could this get funded? Is there any likelihood of getting funding for the "pre-emergent" as opposed to the gaping wounds that plague the groaning world of today?

Get Comfortable

Are we all insecure with our beliefs? Specifically, are we insecure that people believe differently than us? Yes. I think so. I think to a large extent we are threatened by these beliefs that are different than our own, even when the different beliefs are not actually threatening our own. Is it because we don't understand the other person? The Christian doesn't understand their atheist classmate, as the conservative doesn't understand their liberal cousin... And all of the misunderstanding lead to fear and assumptions.

This undercurrent of insecurity appears to be pretty constant, especially in our polar political climate. Therefore I was refreshed by reading this from Dennis Prager's article "Ann Coulter Wants Jews to Become Christian -- So What?"

"As a practicing Jew, I do not agree with Ann Coulter's theology any more than those attacking her do. But I am neither offended by her nor frightened by her or her beliefs. She believes that Christianity is better than Judaism. So what? Why is that in any way different from liberals thinking that liberalism is truer and morally superior to conservatism? Or conservatives thinking that their values are superior to liberal values?"

Prager's transparency is refreshing. Sometimes being candid about the elephants in the room-- such as our polar beliefs-- is just what is needed. And it reminds me to step back, and accept that it's okay for people to believe differently. I don't need to freak out or immediately become defensive, my natural response. I don't need to be fearful when my co-workers are secure in their belief in evolution-- as I am secure in my belief in creationism. I guess I am arguing for a holistic tolerance-- one that accepts not just the politically correct queer student group but also the so-called politically incorrect pro-family group.

Is this possible?

And even more importantly, is this Biblical and honoring to God?

Quotidian

In my GRE studies I ran across the word 'quotidian.' What a good word. So in order for it to be cemented in my brain, I dusted off the blog. It induced a coughing fit (A year of sitting around will do that) but I think it's good to be back rambling & thinking & processing the world in light of the gospel in this format again-- it's almost like talking out loud. I'm more accountable to what I say.
So here it goes...
I would argue that the gospel is quotidian. That is, the gospel belongs to each day. Each and EVERY day. It's not just a Sunday thing. Everyday I need to belong to the good news that Jesus is for me-- 100% for me-- and that his death and life opened the way to forgiveness and hope and joy and fulfillment in God. This daily "appropriation" of the gospel (As Jerry Bridges says) is NECESSARY. And the constancy of it does not make it commonplace or ordinary-- not in the least! Rather it increases my joy, because as I know myself more and more (and the depth of my sin and unbelief) I am more and more amazed at God's mercy to me...Mercy that is quotidian.