Dying A Slow Death in the Gulf

The sad news continues as thousands of gallons of oil continue to flow into the Gulf of Mexico though the latest cap is capturing approximately 650,000 gallons of oil a day. The nightmare doesn't seem to end for the Gulf Coast of the U.S. The Gulf of Mexico is still in crisis. The leak has lasted for 54 days. The fish and wildlife who depend on the clean waters of the Gulf for existence as well as the livelihoods of the fishermen in the area, are dying a slow death. Some scientists think it will take decades to clean up the mess and that's once they've stopped the flow of oil. It's an ecological disaster of apocalyptic proportions. In one article I read a rig worker said, "That oil rig and oil well gave us trouble from the start. It was one problem after another. It's as if Mother Nature didn't want it to be built." And now we know why. The worst case scenario has happened. The oil well was too deep to begin with-5,000 feet below the water's surface and that's one reason it's such a problem to control.

I made a comment at a meeting recently that people without faith or without belief in the power of prayer, would think ridiculous (I imagine). But it's not ridiculous to me or the believers at the meeting. I was wondering if large corporations who were going to have to alter land or the sea to extract energy, considered that they were dealing with a divine creation, God's creation and considered treating it carefully, considering every implication for the natural environment. After all, they would not only have to deal with the President or Congress, the shareholders of their company, or the Coast Guard or environmentalists, if something went wrong but they would also have to give an account to God.  What if leaders and administrators prayed to the Creator before plans are drawn to drill, dig or extract energy, praying for wisdom and God's guidance? I'm serious.  Do I think the outcome would be different if people would pray about these monumental decisions beforehand? Definitely.  Is consideration given to the sacredness of the natural world and the environment? Is it viewed as a divine creation, a gift from a generous and loving God? The Bible clearly states over and over again that God's creation is sacred and should be protected and cared for. There is much wisdom in the Bible, which is why I read it everyday and pray with it as well, as millions do. Sacred wisdom and guidance should not be ignored, even by the secular world, because to ignore the wisdom of the Bible or God's will, is to open the door to uncertainty, problems and even chaos, as we are seeing unfold. There are many warnings about that in the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Scriptures as well.  

I know we need energy, I understand that for now, at this time, until other forms of renewable, "green" energy can be developed we have to depend on oil. But this catastrophe we are living through and the consequences of not giving a high priority to the environment, in all decision -making, are severe.  I can only imagine what the people who are directly affected are going through. And tragically, it's still not over. 

NJA

Compassion for the Gulf Coast Region of the U.S.

The weather has been so beautiful in the Northeast and there are so many wonderful occasions to celebrate in the Spring, such as graduations, Holy Communions and Confirmations, that it bothers me to keeping writing about negative events. But I guess on some level it helps me to process them and also keeps me mindful to pray about them. I feel compassion for the people of the Gulf Coast region whose livelihoods come from fishing, which is now off limits in many parts of the Gulf of Mexico. And also, of course for those who lost loved ones in the explosion that caused the oil spill.  The massive oil spill in the Gulf is being called one of the "worst environmental disasters of the modern era." That's very serious. When I saw video footage of the toxic oil pouring into the Gulf last night on CNN, I couldn't sleep afterwards. It might seem ridiculous to some, but I get very upset with visual video footage like that, knowing sea life and many forms of wildlife will die from this catastrophe and possibly be affected for generations.

In congressional testimony on Wed. the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration  (NOAA) was criticized for "failing to conduct adequate scientific analysis of the spill."  At present there is still no confirmed estimate of how much oil is flowing into the Gulf." This oil spill has now invaded some of the sensitive marshes of the Gulf Coast region. 

Some people, like me, believe that God suffers for our failings, sins and the atrocities that humans cause, whether it's intentional or not. I'm sure God is suffering through this oil spill and others like it. Believers think that the earth and all living creatures are part of God's creation and should be protected. All living things are gifts from our Creator. One definition of the word greed that I read was, "disregard for the spiritual realm." 

There are certainly lessons to be learned from this environmental disaster, but the question is: Will we learn? Will we change our priorities? After other massive oil spills which happened in the past, why weren't the best and brightest experts, innovative leaders in their field, given jobs to ensure this event never occurred again. And yet here we are in the 21st century, powerless to turn off a toxic plume of crude oil pouring into the Gulf of Mexico. It almost sounds like fiction, like a scene from a doomsday movie. 

I hope future generations make sure these oil spills are things of the past. I hope they read these accounts of the Gulf Oil spill with disbelief and concern. I hope future generations extract oil and other forms of energy with the greatest care and safeguards, using every resource available to make sure the environment is cared for and protected, at all cost. 

Thank God I have some pleasant, fun things to do this weekend with friends, I have to get away from the news. That's obvious enough.

NJA

You can't pressure-wash a marsh  (Denise Reed)

The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea. The sea turned to blood like that from a corpse; every creature living in the sea died. 

(Rev. 16:3)