Rabbi Jesus in the first century knew snakes and doves as neighbors and teachers, as discussed in chapter 8 of my book, Green Kingdom Come. The Bible states clearly that the neighborhood of creation includes “every green herb.” Genesis 1:30.

So, how do I name who is my green neighbor among the species of the world? By looking up any of 1.7 million species listed in the first data base, Encyclopedia of Life, which is seeking to identify every living species on Earth, including  hibiscus, peregrine falcon, and bulrush. Now for the first time in history, all of us 7 billion folk in the world can open a window, 24/7, on the biodiversity of, for, and by the world.

Stewart Brand writes in his new book, Whole Earth Discipline, that the pocket calculator potentially has made us all math literate and the DNA barcode process in Encyclopedia of Life bio-literate. Now we have every opportunity to meet and to love our green neighbor as ourselves and to be full time university of life students.

Bulrush

Hibiscus

Peregrene Falcon

Author: Stewart Brand

President Nasheed of the Maldives gave a speech about the negotiations leading up to the climate conference held in Copenhagen last December. He said that rich countries are keeping their own carbon emissions high.

“They never make commitments unless someone else does first. This is the logic of the madhouse, a recipe for collective suicide. We don’t want a global suicide pact. And we will not sign a global suicide pact, in Copenhagen or anywhere. So today, I invite some of the most vulnerable nations in the world, to join a global survival pact instead.”

With the hottest summer on record in Russia and peat and forest fires causing unprecedented soot and carbon monoxide levels in Moscow, President Medvedev has awaked from denial about global warming.

But generally, the rich nations are not taking decisive action on carbon targets, and have chosen suicide, not survival.

In a most politically incorrect satire on the status of the Emperor and the High Priest, Jesus said that children are the “greatest in Heaven’s domain.” Matt. 18:4.

For the first several centuries of the Christian era people portrayed Jesus as a child to help remember his “greatest” statement. I made a sketch of Jesus as a child, based upon the Roman sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, 357 A.D.

The chapter entitled “Downside Up” in Green Kingdom Come! shows that children are the greatest in the domain of aroma, of touch, and of imagination

Thus young Americans, with the greatest sensitivities in smell, touch, and intuition, need to be freed to help guide adults in the green movement. No child must be left inside. Earth community must become the primary classroom of children.

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus.

drawing rendered by Joe Grabill

I’m walking on the IU campus at night last week. I see in the distance a sculpture of a seated figure that was not on this path when I was a student in the 1950s. I guess it is Herman B, looking over his handiwork. Sure enough. I read in the semi-dark— Eleventh President (1937-1962). Chancellor (1962-2000). I didn’t know he was in a leadership role for 63 years, or that he was the same age as my mother (97) when he died

I am astounded to read about values of his. Perhaps I sensed these values as I met trees day and night, walking and meditating along the length of the campus from the library on the west edge to my home on the east at the headwaters of the Jordan River.

Herman said, OUR PRECIOUS ISLANDS OF GREEN AND SERENITY TRANSCEND OUR CLASSROOMS AND LABORATORIES IN THEIR ABILITY TO INSPIRE STUDENTS TO DREAM LONG DREAMS. He also said that cutting a tree unnecessarily is an act of treason. No wonder I still dream of my Indiana University home.

Ch. 4 in my book is about the priority Jesus placed on youth and about green education for them.

Photographs by Joe Grabill

Today in Savoonga the love of cash, of which there is not enough, has replaced the love of teamwork in hunting animals, of which traditionally there have been more than enough. Youth, 30% of the population, have turned to drugs and alcohol. There have been as many as six teenager suicide attempts in one month.

The values Jesus taught are closer to the traditional Eskimo culture, with no money, than to Wall Street. See chapter 12 in my book, Green Kingdom Come! Jesus said that folks, born bare and broke, need community cooperation more than they need clothes and money.

Chester the teenager was not a candidate for suicide.

An inspiration for this post is the story on Yupik culture, “Snowbound,” in the book by Gene Weingarten, The Fiddler in the Subway.

Author – Gene Weingarten

Exhibit on Yupik culture.

Bonobo primates are as close to homo sapiens genetically (over 98 overlap) as the chimpanzees, and are powerful examples that our genes do not make us violent. The latest research, as documented in Bonobo Handshake: A Memoir of Love and Adventure in the Congo, by Vanessa Woods, shows that our species is not alone in showing tolerance and empathy.

Bonobos demonstrate tolerance and empathy systemically. Unlike chimpanzees and humans, there is no abuse of females, no infanticide, and no warfare.

Bonobos make peace because for 6 million years they have not had to be aggressive to eat. They have lived in the tropical forest of Africa (left bank of the Congo River) where food is abundant. Children receive food first. A female network equally distributes food and nurture, and collectively nips male power displays in the bud.

For our species to survive, we must imitate the bonobos, our very close, exemplary cousins.

My book discusses bonobos in chapter 5, which asks the question, Would Jesus picket against warfare?

Follows developments in a bonobo sanctuary called Lola in the Congo which includes a photo comparison of bonobo and chimpanzee faces, a photo of Vanessa Woods and a bonobo and a photo of woman holding a bonobo.

Our area has a green legend in Joe Grabill, who plants groves of trees.  Children & Elders Forest is a living legacy to the environmental vision of this man.  Joe realizes he is “a member of the community of life, not a superior.”

Mother Burr Oak Photograph by Joe Grabill

His new book, Green Kingdom Come, documents his call to save God’s good earth.  Lincoln found inspiration from the Bible, and often used biblical quotes in his powerful speeches.

Tree Of Life Photograph by Joe Grabill

Joe’s home in Normal, “Tree Haven,” is itself an example of the difference one person can make.  On his lot he has planted over 200 trees.   Joe embodies the spirit of Jesse Fell, Lincoln’s good friend, founder of Illinois State University, and avid tree planter.

We have the power to shape the future, tree by tree.

Japanese Maple Photograph by Joe Grabill

We adults would do well to be like children who laugh on average 400 times a day.  You Tube child Ethan laughs every time paper is torn.

Our dog, Lavani, happy howls.   Earth laughs with flowers.   Ocean laughs with surf spray.  Buddha, in his stock sculptured look, laughs himself into Nirvana.

Don’t get mad, get funny.  On how to make laughter a contagious health epidemic, see pp. 146-147 in my book, Green Kingdom Come! May the farce be with you.

Jesus laughing drawing by Joe Grabill

Our Lavani by Joe Grabill

Monterrey by Joe Grabill

On Earth Day weekend I visited my home area of Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

In addition to speaking to a group about my book, Green Kingdom Come, I met with staff at Trinity English Lutheran Church. The church building has a green roof and steeple.  In 2009 Trinity was the first congregation to win an Energy Patriot Award from U.S. Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana.

The Trinity story stimulated new words for a familiar hand game to show children.

“Here’s the green church.  Here’s the green steeple.  Open the door, and see the green people.”

Trinity, in a $5 million remodeling program in 2008-2009, insulated walls and roof, dug three geothermal wells for heating and cooling, and installed solar panels to generate electricity.

The manager of Energy Star for Congregations, Jerry Lawson, says that the 300,000 houses of worship in the U.S. can conserve $200 million a year by greening their buildings, the equivalent of taking 400,000 cars off the road.  Lawson’s organization has comprehensive on-line guides with cost-tracking software and free Web-based seminars.

Lawson says that the green movement in houses of worship, like the Trinity example, has taken off in the last three years.

Article on Trinity by Rosa Salter Rodriguez, “Divine Power,” Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette, Nov. 7, 2009

Time line of the Trinity green building project

Energy Star for Congregations

Trinity Church photograph by Joe Grabill

“Here is the church”

Jerry Lawson