Books & Music...

In his first book on the environment, evangelical pastor Tri Robinson presented a succinct argument as to why the church should care about the environment and how it can get involved. In his latest book, Small Footprint, Big Handprint, Robinson plunges deeper into the world of simple living with the hope that with all the things we simplify in our lives we will now go out and make a bigger difference in the world.

Here are some green nuggets from this book that hits the shelves this month:

"The thing about a footprint is that it disturbs the peace of something in its environment--the bigger the footprint, the bigger the disturbance. Footprints sink deep into the ground without regard for the land on which they leave a lasting impression. It's merely a way to travel from one place to another. It's not creative; it's not thoughtful. It's nothing more than a big stamp of your presence that isn't positively memorable or helpful to others.

"Likewise, we make a big footprint with the rest of our lives when we get involved in too many activities to really enjoy any of them or busily scurry about to make ends meet because we have too large of a mortgage payment or decide to acquire more possessions just because we want them. The wake of our lives is far-reachng, but more often than not, it's not in a positive way. We are seemingly everywhere but truly present nowhere. ... A smaller footprint can only occur when we make a concerted effort to live more simply."

In calling an audience that largely ignores the impact their church buildings make or how their lives disconnect with this call to a simplified life, Robinson is doing anything but preaching to the choir. However, for those who want a purpose to go green, Robinson presents one clearly, concisely and with all the conviction of a man who is personally building a sustainable eco-friendly home.