School, Conservation, and Money

Hey, let me begin by encouraging you a bit in your decision to go back to school. First off, it's a super decision. It seems as though Brett is in your corner there so there's one hurdle down. Two, I can understand that you're a bit down about leaving the boys but consider that you've had a lot more time with them than a lot of moms and dads have had. It's not a justification or whatnot but as the old adage goes, "Count your blessings." Lastly, money. Yeah, it sucks and yeah, we need it, but I think we both know and can agree that money is not your motivation here. Learners are learners and to not learn is to simply not live. This is something that you need to do and not just for some "woo-hoo" job promotion. Therefore, money becomes something thats, well, a bit expendable. Plus, in all our talks of simplicity, isn't part of the idea to free up funds to use, not to mention help? Tah-dah! And, as for choosing a school, I understand your affinity for UF but remember to again be thankful to be going. Now, I apologize for sounding like an overbearing friend and will just promise to keep you in our thoughts and prayers as you start studying to get back into, ugh, math.

As far as the Christians/materialism/waste issue goes, yes, I agree with both of you. It's sort of a cliche question but one that Christ-followers must really ask which is (everybody remember those stinking bracelets?) "What would Jesus do?" Yet, the question is paramount to the discussion. Again, I suggest that most Christians, as you clarified, don't necessarily feel it's their right to waste and whatever but that they are operating off of a "modern" mindset.

The modern paradigm seemed to compartmentalize and to systematize things which detracted from any understanding of holism or the interplay of all the parts. Therefore, Christianity, and to a degree, rightly so, became about saving souls as efficiently as possible. Things like altar calls, revivals, and the like spread across the globe. Yet, lost in the evangelistic furor was the idea of living in the Kingdom of God now. With a growing prominence of that theological system, dispensationalism, which enabled some students of prophecy to start predicting the end of the world, things grew a bit weird. We weren't worried about the material because it was all going to be burned up anyway.

Anyway, I feel like there's more I should say but I'm running late. Keep your head up regarding school! It's gonna be okay!