With all the things that are happening throughout the world one would think, “What could happen next?” If you are like me you have been regularly following reports of the oil leak off the coast of Louisiana. Sure, oil leaks have happened before. From the Exxon Valdez to another Gulf oil leak from the 1970s we have experienced the pain of watching how oil and water don’t mix. Did you know that in Nigeria they are constantly having oil leaks into the Niger River?

 In addition to the water pollution, much wildlife is affected by the oil leak. Even people, whose livelihoods depend on clean oceans, are affected. It wasn’t too long ago that Hurricane Katrina struck. Remember the suffering? At least the hurricane blew itself out.

 The earth has sprung a leak and BP along with others has been working diligently to fix the leak. Hopefully the latest tactic will work.

Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, ac- cording to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”

 God gave us the responsibility to take care of creation. It is an awesome responsibility. We are also created in God’s image, which means that we need to love creation as much as God does.

 When thinking about the word “dominion” I wonder who or what has dominion over whom. I think we have a heavy appetite for oil. We en- joy some of the lowest gasoline prices in the world. Plastic products are derived from oil as well as some pharmaceuticals. If we depend on oil so much it seems to me that oil has dominion over us rather we have dominion over oil. If that is the case then we are not honoring God’s plan for us and for creation.

 I remember a bumper sticker from a long time ago, which had the written words, “Think Globally, Act Locally.” The things we do in our local community have consequences for the planet. Gasoline doesn’t become so cheap when it will take billions of dollars to clean up messes like the current oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.

 I believe that we all need to do our best in taking care of our planet. Changing driving habits would be a great start. Instead of being a type “A” driver, having to get some- where fast, become a type “B” driver, where driving in an easygoing manner will con- serve fuel.

 I see occasionally on the NBC network some commercials that advertise, “going green.” They provide many suggestions about helping the world to become “greener.” A simple act of not running water while brushing teeth can save tens of gallons of water.

 It is clear in Genesis that God wants to be partners with us in taking care of creation. Let’s do our best so that we can pass the best possible world to the next generation. I love creation and the ability to experience the many facets of creation. I’m sure that you do too. Let’s work together.

God Bless