🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 157 (from laksa145)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa157.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2017/11/27/little-things-matter\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2017/11/27/little-things-matter\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2017\/11\/27\/little-things-matter","crawl_time":1775942966,"first_indexed_time":1736393901,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,profmarkbaker!www,\/blog\/2017\/11\/27\/little-things-matter h80","src_root_hash":"8543047589439310357","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Little Things Matter — Mark D. Baker","meta_descriptions":[""],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"I am the type that retrieves a water bottle from a trash can and puts it in the recycle bin. Just did it leaving class last night. I often feel compelled to take small actions like that—with a sense that they matter. Once in Honduras I joined neighbors to stop a forest fire from reaching our homes. A trail in the woods was our line of defense. We cleared brush on both sides of the trail so the fire would not cross that line. Then we stood guard in case sparks blew across the trail. As I watched the fire crawl down the hill towards us I looked at the little pine trees in between the trail and the approaching flames. While others stood by, I went up the hill a few yards and began clearing more brush. I made a new line of defense that saved a few of the trees. In the months ahead I would pass those trees and think, “little things matter.” We see this in the Bible—a few loaves and fishes, a mustard seed, a few coins. Thinking of forest fires reminds me that James states it explicitly. The tongue is a small thing, but like a small fire can set a whole forest ablaze so the small tongue can do great harm (James 3:1-12). Little things matter. Big things can come from them. Although I can make a biblical case for this point, I can’t claim my attention to small things flows from reading the Bible. Perhaps it does. Perhaps it is my personality. Whatever the origin of it, I do live as if little things matter.\nMy conviction that little things matter was reinforced in a number of ways in the last couple weeks. Articles warning of negative consequences of overuse of mobile devices have gone mainstream. I have read and heard many in recent days. An\narticle in Time\nreported that, since 2010, rates of teenage depression and suicide have increased dramatically. Many believe mobile phone use and social media are a significant reason. (Just one statistic, see the article for more: adolescents who use electronic devices three or more hours a day were 34% more likely to have a suicide related outcome than those who used them two hours or less; with five hour daily use the likelihood increased to 48%.) That article, or news clips like\nthis one\nand\nthis one\nfrom NPR, saddened and sobered me. Yet, little things matter. There is hope.\nA student, Matt Vincent, wrote this in a post last week:\nA while ago, we \"woke up\" to the reality that our kids were spending more and more time online—either playing games or watching youtube\/video content. We were beginning to notice some behavioral changes like those mentioned in the\naudio posts\n--grumpy, irritable, temper, and withdrawn. My wife and I decided to impose a \"technology fast\" for the kids—taking away phones, computer, etc. for a week. Our kids were not fans of this idea, and tried their best to argue that it wasn't needed and everything was fine :)\nAlmost immediately, we noticed a change in them. They started hanging out and playing more together; they spent more time outside with friends, and our time together as a family was better. We enjoyed longer conversations around the dinner table, and did more activities together. It was a pretty remarkable change.\nLittle things matter, and studies affirm what this student observed—remarkable positive change can come quickly. In a\nNew York Times article\nSherry Turkle describes an alarming drop in empathy amongst children and youth. Then she writes:\nBut we are resilient. The psychologist Yalda T. Uhls was the lead author on a 2014\nstudy\n of children at a device-free outdoor camp. After five days without phones or tablets, these campers were able to read facial emotions and correctly identify the emotions of actors in videotaped scenes significantly better than a control group. What fostered these new empathic responses? They talked to one another. In conversation, things go best if you pay close attention and learn how to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.\nResiliency is not limited to humans, it is found throughout God’s creation. I saw this in another student’s reflection a couple weeks ago. Eric Miller visited a Kansas farmer as part of an\nact-observe-reflect-adjust assignment\n. Eric retells the farmer’s story from a recent seven-year drought.\nOne August morning he walked out of the house and it was already uncomfortably hot as the sun began to rise. He thought about his 2,000 acres of crops and his ten irrigation pivots which were each pumping 1000 gallons per minute out of the Equs Beds Aquifer. It was in that moment he started to call into question the sustainability of these methods where much of the crops grown in our state are consumed by animals so we can consume the animals. When I asked him about the future, he said without missing a beat, “We’re going to run out of water. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.”\n He is currently in process of transitioning a quarter section (160 acres) back to grass and grazing his cows on it. This is only possible because there is now a growing market for grass-fed beef. He is also planting cover crops all winter and using the cover crops as mulch in which he plants grain in the spring. These methods have allowed him to use one tenth of the water he had been using! The young man who is working alongside him and in process of taking over the farming operation has hired a crop consultant who is helping them move away from monocultural farming methods in order to reduce the amount of herbicides and pesticides needed, which in turn reduces input costs and increases profitability. At one point in our conversation he told me, “Kansas was meant to be prairie. At some point it will need to return to Prairie.” Their crop consultant is helping them consider how to use the natural gifts of the prairie to produce food in the most sustainable ways. \nLittle things matter. They are worth doing. Of course one could say, “this is a huge farm these are not little things—that is a lot of cover crop.” True, but the huge ramifications that flow from small changes still led me to think, “little things matter.” There is hope.\nIt is not just in growing food that little things matter, also in eating it. One student described radical life-giving changes that flowed from his avoiding sugar in his diet. Little things matter. They can bring positive changes to our lives. And little things matter not just in what we eat, but also in the setting, the meal itself. This semester a few students wrote of making the commitment to prepare meals at home and eat together around a table for the week the course focused on food and farming. As students have observed other years, this contributes to so much more than intake of healthier food. They describe increased laughter, connection, sharing. The relational impact from this simple change exceeded expectations. Little things matter.\nAs we seek to\nname\nothers, little things matter—a question, looking someone in the eyes. Last week a woman told me of a vivid memory from a few years ago. She was sitting with her husband and another man—all three were in leadership roles in ministry. She recounted that her husband brought up a controversial Rob Bell book. She said, “so I braced myself for a long theological discussion where my brain wanders but my face pretends to listen attentively. My husband casually mentioned that I also had read the book and at the next pause in conversation the other man looked at me and asked, ‘What did you think about it?’ This small question spoke volumes. I’ve been in Christian settings and leadership positions for many years, and I remember this as the first time someone specifically and genuinely asked for my thoughts. It was one of those revealing moments that was disappointing because it shed light on how often I’m not asked questions–especially when my husband is around–but it also was an incredibly beautiful moment.” Little things matter.\nHow have you gained hope and been encouraged by seeing God use little things in your life or ministry? What little things might God be calling you to do?","attrs_markdown":"- [Home](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/)\n- [Bio](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/bio)\n- [Contact](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/contact)\n- [Blog](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog)\n- [Publications]()\n  - [Books](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/books)\n  - [Articles](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/articles)\n- [Podcasts & Videos](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/podcasts-videos)\n- [Atonement Resources](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/atonement-resources)\n- [en Español]()\n  - [Marcos Baker en Español](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/marcos-baker-en-espanol)\n  - [Libros](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/libros)\n  - [Artículos](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/articulos)\n  - [Podcasts y Videos](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/podcasts-y-videos)\n  - [Peregrinaje de Fe](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/peregrinaje-de-fe)\n\n![unsplash-image-qutNazk9dpk.jpg]()\n\n- [Home](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/)\n- [Bio](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/bio)\n- [Contact](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/contact)\n- [Blog](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog)\n- [Publications]()\n  - [Books](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/books)\n  - [Articles](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/articles)\n- [Podcasts & Videos](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/podcasts-videos)\n- [Atonement Resources](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/atonement-resources)\n- [en Español]()\n  - [Marcos Baker en Español](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/marcos-baker-en-espanol)\n  - [Libros](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/libros)\n  - [Artículos](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/articulos)\n  - [Podcasts y Videos](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/podcasts-y-videos)\n  - [Peregrinaje de Fe](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/peregrinaje-de-fe)\n# [Mark D. Baker](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/)\n- [All](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog)\n- [Atonement](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Atonement)\n- [Biblical interpretation](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Biblical+interpretation)\n- [Centered-set church](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Centered-set+church)\n- [Character ethics](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Character+ethics)\n- [Concept of God](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Concept+of+God)\n- [Digital Technology](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Digital+Technology)\n- [Discipleship](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Discipleship)\n- [Economics](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Economics)\n- [Evangelism](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Evangelism)\n- [Exhortation -- centered](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Exhortation+--+centered)\n- [Food systems](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Food+systems)\n- [Galatians](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Galatians)\n- [Holistic Gospel](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Holistic+Gospel)\n- [Honor-shame](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Honor-shame)\n- [Inequality\/poverty](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Inequality%2Fpoverty)\n- [Jail ministry](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Jail+ministry)\n- [Jesus centered](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Jesus+centered)\n- [Jesus centered theology](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Jesus+centered+theology)\n- [Money\/Consumerism](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Money%2FConsumerism)\n- [Naming](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Naming)\n- [Peace\/restorative justice](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Peace%2Frestorative+justice)\n- [Race](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Race)\n- [Sexuality](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Sexuality)\n- [Technique\/efficiency](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Technique%2Fefficiency)\n\n# Little Things Matter\n![pines.jpg](https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/55fb2558e4b0a6c907acc5ce\/1511842603452-7HGG4QRQCWBT5KU3QQC4\/pines.jpg)\n\nI am the type that retrieves a water bottle from a trash can and puts it in the recycle bin. Just did it leaving class last night. I often feel compelled to take small actions like that—with a sense that they matter. Once in Honduras I joined neighbors to stop a forest fire from reaching our homes. A trail in the woods was our line of defense. We cleared brush on both sides of the trail so the fire would not cross that line. Then we stood guard in case sparks blew across the trail. As I watched the fire crawl down the hill towards us I looked at the little pine trees in between the trail and the approaching flames. While others stood by, I went up the hill a few yards and began clearing more brush. I made a new line of defense that saved a few of the trees. In the months ahead I would pass those trees and think, “little things matter.” We see this in the Bible—a few loaves and fishes, a mustard seed, a few coins. Thinking of forest fires reminds me that James states it explicitly. The tongue is a small thing, but like a small fire can set a whole forest ablaze so the small tongue can do great harm (James 3:1-12). Little things matter. Big things can come from them. Although I can make a biblical case for this point, I can’t claim my attention to small things flows from reading the Bible. Perhaps it does. Perhaps it is my personality. Whatever the origin of it, I do live as if little things matter.\n\nMy conviction that little things matter was reinforced in a number of ways in the last couple weeks. Articles warning of negative consequences of overuse of mobile devices have gone mainstream. I have read and heard many in recent days. An [article in Time](http:\/\/time.com\/4974863\/kids-smartphones-depression\/) reported that, since 2010, rates of teenage depression and suicide have increased dramatically. Many believe mobile phone use and social media are a significant reason. (Just one statistic, see the article for more: adolescents who use electronic devices three or more hours a day were 34% more likely to have a suicide related outcome than those who used them two hours or less; with five hour daily use the likelihood increased to 48%.) That article, or news clips like [this one](https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/health-shots\/2017\/05\/18\/527799301\/is-internet-addiction-real) and [this one](http:\/\/www.npr.org\/2017\/07\/10\/536505290\/tech-design-ethicist-works-to-raise-awareness-of-internet-addiction) from NPR, saddened and sobered me. Yet, little things matter. There is hope.\n\nA student, Matt Vincent, wrote this in a post last week:\n\nA while ago, we \"woke up\" to the reality that our kids were spending more and more time online—either playing games or watching youtube\/video content. We were beginning to notice some behavioral changes like those mentioned in the [audio posts](http:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/health-shots\/2017\/05\/18\/527799301\/is-internet-addiction-real)\\--grumpy, irritable, temper, and withdrawn. My wife and I decided to impose a \"technology fast\" for the kids—taking away phones, computer, etc. for a week. Our kids were not fans of this idea, and tried their best to argue that it wasn't needed and everything was fine :)\n\nAlmost immediately, we noticed a change in them. They started hanging out and playing more together; they spent more time outside with friends, and our time together as a family was better. We enjoyed longer conversations around the dinner table, and did more activities together. It was a pretty remarkable change.\n\nLittle things matter, and studies affirm what this student observed—remarkable positive change can come quickly. In a [New York Times article](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2015\/09\/27\/opinion\/sunday\/stop-googling-lets-talk.html) Sherry Turkle describes an alarming drop in empathy amongst children and youth. Then she writes:\n\nBut we are resilient. The psychologist Yalda T. Uhls was the lead author on a 2014 [study](http:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0747563214003227) of children at a device-free outdoor camp. After five days without phones or tablets, these campers were able to read facial emotions and correctly identify the emotions of actors in videotaped scenes significantly better than a control group. What fostered these new empathic responses? They talked to one another. In conversation, things go best if you pay close attention and learn how to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.\n\nResiliency is not limited to humans, it is found throughout God’s creation. I saw this in another student’s reflection a couple weeks ago. Eric Miller visited a Kansas farmer as part of an [act-observe-reflect-adjust assignment](http:\/\/www.discipleshipandethics.com\/blog\/2017\/9\/12\/act-observe-reflect-adjust). Eric retells the farmer’s story from a recent seven-year drought.\n\nOne August morning he walked out of the house and it was already uncomfortably hot as the sun began to rise. He thought about his 2,000 acres of crops and his ten irrigation pivots which were each pumping 1000 gallons per minute out of the Equs Beds Aquifer. It was in that moment he started to call into question the sustainability of these methods where much of the crops grown in our state are consumed by animals so we can consume the animals. When I asked him about the future, he said without missing a beat, “We’re going to run out of water. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.”\n\nHe is currently in process of transitioning a quarter section (160 acres) back to grass and grazing his cows on it. This is only possible because there is now a growing market for grass-fed beef. He is also planting cover crops all winter and using the cover crops as mulch in which he plants grain in the spring. These methods have allowed him to use one tenth of the water he had been using! The young man who is working alongside him and in process of taking over the farming operation has hired a crop consultant who is helping them move away from monocultural farming methods in order to reduce the amount of herbicides and pesticides needed, which in turn reduces input costs and increases profitability. At one point in our conversation he told me, “Kansas was meant to be prairie. At some point it will need to return to Prairie.” Their crop consultant is helping them consider how to use the natural gifts of the prairie to produce food in the most sustainable ways.\n\nLittle things matter. They are worth doing. Of course one could say, “this is a huge farm these are not little things—that is a lot of cover crop.” True, but the huge ramifications that flow from small changes still led me to think, “little things matter.” There is hope.\n\nIt is not just in growing food that little things matter, also in eating it. One student described radical life-giving changes that flowed from his avoiding sugar in his diet. Little things matter. They can bring positive changes to our lives. And little things matter not just in what we eat, but also in the setting, the meal itself. This semester a few students wrote of making the commitment to prepare meals at home and eat together around a table for the week the course focused on food and farming. As students have observed other years, this contributes to so much more than intake of healthier food. They describe increased laughter, connection, sharing. The relational impact from this simple change exceeded expectations. Little things matter.\n\nAs we seek to [name](http:\/\/www.discipleshipandethics.com\/naming\/) others, little things matter—a question, looking someone in the eyes. Last week a woman told me of a vivid memory from a few years ago. She was sitting with her husband and another man—all three were in leadership roles in ministry. She recounted that her husband brought up a controversial Rob Bell book. She said, “so I braced myself for a long theological discussion where my brain wanders but my face pretends to listen attentively. My husband casually mentioned that I also had read the book and at the next pause in conversation the other man looked at me and asked, ‘What did you think about it?’ This small question spoke volumes. I’ve been in Christian settings and leadership positions for many years, and I remember this as the first time someone specifically and genuinely asked for my thoughts. It was one of those revealing moments that was disappointing because it shed light on how often I’m not asked questions–especially when my husband is around–but it also was an incredibly beautiful moment.” Little things matter.\n\nHow have you gained hope and been encouraged by seeing God use little things in your life or ministry? What little things might God be calling you to do?\n\nPosted on November 27, 2017 by [Mark Baker](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?author=5637fb6de4b01ae184705687) and filed under [Digital Technology](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Digital+Technology), [Food systems](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Food+systems), [Naming](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?category=Naming).\n\n[Newer](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2018\/1\/9\/lets-talk-about-sin) \/ [Older](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/13\/from-sabotage-to-collaboration-a-factorys-dramatic-shift-from-a-bounded-to-centered-approach)\n\nReflections on what it looks like to center on Jesus and create alternative communities that resist the currents of culture that are shaped by forces of death and alienation.\n\n## Mailing List\nSign up to receive a monthly email from Mark, including his latest blog post and recommended reading and listening.\n\n*If you encounter any difficulties signing up, please* [*contact us*](mailto:markdavidbaker8@gmail.com?) *to be added to the list manually.*\n***\n## Blog Posts\nArchive by Topic\n\n- [Atonement 4](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Atonement)\n- [Biblical interpretation 11](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Biblical+interpretation)\n- [Centered-set church 24](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Centered-set+church)\n- [Character ethics 2](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Character+ethics)\n- [Concept of God 8](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Concept+of+God)\n- [Digital Technology 14](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Digital+Technology)\n- [Discipleship 6](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Discipleship)\n- [Economics 3](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Economics)\n- [Evangelism 5](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Evangelism)\n- [Exhortation -- centered 6](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Exhortation+--+centered)\n- [Food systems 5](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Food+systems)\n- [Galatians 4](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Galatians)\n- [Holistic Gospel 3](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Holistic+Gospel)\n- [Honor-shame 13](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Honor-shame)\n- [Inequality\/poverty 8](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Inequality%2Fpoverty)\n- [Jail ministry 5](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Jail+ministry)\n- [Jesus centered 7](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Jesus+centered)\n- [Jesus centered theology 7](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Jesus+centered+theology)\n- [Money\/Consumerism 13](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Money%2FConsumerism)\n- [Naming 5](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Naming)\n- [Peace\/restorative justice 5](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Peace%2Frestorative+justice)\n- [Race 2](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Race)\n- [Sexuality 2](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Sexuality)\n- [Technique\/efficiency 9](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/category\/Technique%2Fefficiency)\n***\n- [2026](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?year=2026)\n  - Apr 8, 2026  [Lessening Inequality Through Business—A Honduran Story](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2026\/4\/8\/lessening-inequality-through-businessa-honduran-story)  Apr 8, 2026\n  - Mar 11, 2026  [Compelled to Say it Again, Greed + Efficiency = Poison: What to Do About Greed?](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2026\/3\/10\/compelled-to-say-it-again-greed-efficiency-poison-what-to-do-about-greed)  Mar 11, 2026\n  - Feb 3, 2026  [Atonement: Sea Change Needed\\!](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2026\/2\/3\/atonement-sea-change-needed)  Feb 3, 2026\n  - Jan 8, 2026  [Our Concept of Sin Can Facilitate or Hinder a Centered Approach](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2026\/1\/8\/our-concept-of-sin-can-facilitate-or-hinder-a-centered-approach)  Jan 8, 2026\n- [2025](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?year=2025)\n  - Nov 3, 2025  [Decades Later I'm Still Working At It: An Example from Philippians](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2025\/11\/3\/decades-later-still-working-at-it-an-example-from-philippians)  Nov 3, 2025\n  - Oct 7, 2025  [How My Thinking About the Atonement Has Changed](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2025\/10\/6\/how-my-thinking-about-the-atonement-has-changed)  Oct 7, 2025\n  - Sep 1, 2025  [Holy Kissing Today?](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2025\/9\/1\/holy-kissing-today)  Sep 1, 2025\n  - Jul 14, 2025  [Bounded Church + A Reformation Shift = Less Character Development](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2025\/7\/14\/bounded-church-a-reformation-shift-less-character-development)  Jul 14, 2025\n  - Jun 3, 2025  [Developing Against-the-Current Character in Others Through the Questions We Ask](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2025\/6\/3\/developing-against-the-current-character-through-the-questions-we-ask)  Jun 3, 2025\n  - May 7, 2025  [Talking About Jesus on the Pacific Coast Trail](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2025\/5\/7\/talking-about-jesus-on-the-pacific-coast-trail)  May 7, 2025\n  - Apr 2, 2025  [Ways to Enrich Conversation and Become a Better Namer](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2025\/4\/2\/ways-to-enrich-conversation-and-become-a-better-namer-2)  Apr 2, 2025\n  - Mar 4, 2025  [Digital Technology: Lenten Fasts are Good But not Enough](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2025\/3\/4\/digital-technology-lenten-fasts-are-good-but-not-enough)  Mar 4, 2025\n  - Jan 23, 2025  [New Insights on Grace and Discipleship, and on Grace and Community](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2025\/1\/23\/new-insights-on-grace-and-discipleship-and-on-grace-and-community)  Jan 23, 2025\n- [2024](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?year=2024)\n  - Oct 7, 2024  [Bonus Material: Things I Wish Were in the Book](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2024\/10\/7\/centered-set-church-book-bonus-material)  Oct 7, 2024\n  - Aug 11, 2024  [Thoughts for Today from Reading My Old Letters](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2024\/8\/11\/thoughts-for-today-from-reading-my-old-letters)  Aug 11, 2024\n  - Jul 5, 2024  [How Can We As Individuals Live in a More Centered Way?](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2024\/7\/5\/40do7pfi9e2mengb0lbc4jml86m5k7)  Jul 5, 2024\n  - Feb 6, 2024  [Freedom from the Pull of “Everyone is Doing It”](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2024\/2\/6\/freedom-from-the-pull-of-everyone-is-doing-it)  Feb 6, 2024\n  - Jan 8, 2024  [Reconciliation: Broadening its Meaning (a video)](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2024\/1\/8\/reconciliation-broadening-its-meaning)  Jan 8, 2024\n- [2023](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?year=2023)\n  - Nov 8, 2023  [Heal the Divide: Turn Away from an Honor System that Wounds](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2023\/11\/8\/heal-the-divide-turn-away-from-an-honor-system-that-wounds)  Nov 8, 2023\n  - Sep 11, 2023  [Let's Honor Each Other More](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2023\/9\/11\/lets-honor-each-other-more)  Sep 11, 2023\n  - Aug 4, 2023  [Learning From the Trees](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2023\/8\/4\/learning-from-the-trees)  Aug 4, 2023\n  - Jun 26, 2023  [Centered-Church Story: My Expectations Were Too Low](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2023\/6\/26\/centered-church-story-my-expectations-were-too-low)  Jun 26, 2023\n  - May 2, 2023  [Our Celebrity Problem](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2023\/5\/2\/our-celebrity-problem)  May 2, 2023\n  - Mar 13, 2023  [The Cross Upends the Status-Grasping Ways of Society](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2023\/3\/13\/bmrvkxy23wlip0k7kqubfdxfao9rss)  Mar 13, 2023\n  - Jan 18, 2023  [Even Better than TV](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2023\/1\/18\/even-better-than-tv)  Jan 18, 2023\n- [2022](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?year=2022)\n  - Nov 28, 2022  [Less is More](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2022\/11\/28\/less-is-more)  Nov 28, 2022\n  - Aug 19, 2022  [The Way of Jesus: 3 : 12 : 120](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2022\/8\/19\/the-way-of-jesus-3-12-120)  Aug 19, 2022\n  - Jul 6, 2022  [Restoring Personhood – In the Early Church and Today](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2022\/7\/5\/restoring-personhood-in-ancient-rome-and-today)  Jul 6, 2022\n  - Jun 1, 2022  [Jesus: Carpenter or Construction Worker?](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2022\/6\/1\/jesus-carpenter-or-construction-worker)  Jun 1, 2022\n  - Feb 10, 2022  [Liberated from Bounded-Church Shame by the Cross](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2022\/2\/10\/liberated-from-bounded-church-shame-by-the-cross-1)  Feb 10, 2022\n  - Jan 18, 2022  [Centered-Set Church: The Story Behind the Book](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2022\/1\/18\/centered-set-church-the-story-behind-the-book)  Jan 18, 2022\n- [2021](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?year=2021)\n  - Nov 22, 2021  [Passing God’s test or commands of love?](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2021\/11\/22\/passing-gods-test-or-commands-of-love)  Nov 22, 2021\n  - Sep 9, 2021  [Same Text, Different Lens: From Burdensome to Energizing](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2021\/9\/9\/same-text-different-lens-from-burdensome-to-energizing)  Sep 9, 2021\n  - Jul 6, 2021  [Kicked Out of the Band: Good News or Bad?](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2021\/7\/6\/kicked-out-of-the-band-good-news-or-bad)  Jul 6, 2021\n  - May 18, 2021  [Enough for All](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2021\/5\/18\/enough-for-all)  May 18, 2021\n  - Mar 24, 2021  [The Need to Hear the Good News Again, and Again](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2021\/3\/24\/the-need-to-hear-the-good-news-again-and-again)  Mar 24, 2021\n- [2020](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?year=2020)\n  - Dec 19, 2020  [The Radicalness of a List of Names](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/19\/the-radicalness-of-a-list-of-names)  Dec 19, 2020\n  - Oct 26, 2020  [Thriving Rather than Growth: Digging Deep, Changing Defaults](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2020\/10\/26\/thriving-rather-than-growth-digging-deep-changing-defaults)  Oct 26, 2020\n  - Sep 17, 2020  [Freedom from Superficiality, Distorted Definitions of Worth, and Exhausting Status Management](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2020\/9\/17\/freedom-from-superficiality-distorted-definitions-of-worth-and-exhausting-status-management)  Sep 17, 2020\n  - Aug 10, 2020  [Naming](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2020\/8\/10\/naming)  Aug 10, 2020\n  - Jun 15, 2020  [Race: What has Been Constructed can be Deconstructed](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2020\/6\/15\/race-what-has-been-constructed-can-be-deconstructed)  Jun 15, 2020\n  - May 23, 2020  [Exhorting Ourselves and Exhorting Others, Part 2](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2020\/5\/23\/exhorting-ourselves-and-exhorting-others-part-2)  May 23, 2020\n  - Apr 13, 2020  [The Cross: Atonement Analysis is One Thing. What does it Mean for Me?](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2020\/4\/13\/the-cross-atonement-analysis-is-one-thing-what-does-it-mean-for-me)  Apr 13, 2020\n  - Mar 6, 2020  [Exhorting Ourselves and Exhorting Others](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2020\/3\/6\/exhorting-ourselves-and-exhorting-others)  Mar 6, 2020\n  - Jan 10, 2020  [The Times Demand It: Something New in My 45th Time Teaching Discipleship and Ethics](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2020\/1\/10\/needed-now-something-new-in-my-45th-time-teaching-discipleship-and-ethics)  Jan 10, 2020\n- [2019](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?year=2019)\n  - Nov 25, 2019  [Automating Humans: The Costs of Amazon’s Extreme Efficiency](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2019\/11\/25\/automating-humans-the-costs-of-amazons-extreme-efficiency)  Nov 25, 2019\n  - Oct 7, 2019  [Distraction: Insights from an Amish Man and a Professional Blogger](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2019\/10\/7\/distraction-insights-from-an-amish-man-and-a-professional-blogger)  Oct 7, 2019\n  - Aug 20, 2019  [Deepening Already Deep Convictions Through Being on the Ground in Israel](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2019\/8\/20\/deepening-already-deep-convictions-through-being-on-the-ground-in-israel)  Aug 20, 2019\n  - Jun 5, 2019  [Greed + Efficiency = Poison: What to Do About Greed?](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2019\/6\/5\/greed-efficiency-poison-what-to-do-about-greed)  Jun 5, 2019\n  - May 9, 2019  [Intentional Simplicity…Actions Must Follow Thoughts](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2019\/5\/9\/intentional-simplicityactions-must-follow-thoughts)  May 9, 2019\n  - Apr 8, 2019  [The Power of Boundless Compassion](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2019\/4\/8\/the-power-of-boundless-compassion)  Apr 8, 2019\n  - Feb 18, 2019  [Timely Words from Another Time](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2019\/2\/18\/timely-words-from-another-time)  Feb 18, 2019\n  - Jan 9, 2019  [Let’s use More Indicatives! (but not all indicatives are the same)](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2019\/1\/9\/lets-use-more-indicatives-but-not-all-indicatives-are-the-same)  Jan 9, 2019\n- [2018](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?year=2018)\n  - Dec 7, 2018  [Advent Reflection: Presence in an Age of Absence – Luke 1:68-79](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2018\/12\/7\/advent-reflection-presence-in-an-age-of-absence-luke-168-79)   Dec 7, 2018\n  - Oct 17, 2018  [Inequality, Shame, and Violence](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/17\/inequality-shame-and-violence)  Oct 17, 2018\n  - Sep 21, 2018  [Unkindly Eyes or Compassionate Eyes?](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2018\/9\/21\/unkindly-eyes-or-compassionate-eyes)  Sep 21, 2018\n  - Aug 28, 2018  [Who Your Friends are Matters](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2018\/8\/28\/who-your-friends-are-matters)  Aug 28, 2018\n  - Jul 3, 2018  [Downsides of Efficiency: A Lesson from Vietnam](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2018\/7\/3\/downsides-of-efficiency-a-lesson-from-vietnam)   Jul 3, 2018\n  - May 12, 2018  [Needed in the Court of Reputation—Alternative Voices](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2018\/5\/12\/needed-in-the-court-of-reputationalternative-voices)  May 12, 2018\n  - May 4, 2018  [Marvelous Pigness of Pigs](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2018\/5\/4\/marvelous-pigness-of-pigs)  May 4, 2018\n  - Apr 11, 2018  [Conflict-Aversion and Worship](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2018\/4\/11\/conflict-aversion-and-worship)   Apr 11, 2018\n  - Mar 8, 2018  [What is Your Relationship with Money?](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2018\/3\/8\/what-is-your-relationship-with-money)  Mar 8, 2018\n  - Mar 3, 2018  [The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2018\/3\/3\/the-tech-wise-family-everyday-steps-for-putting-technology-in-its-proper-place)   Mar 3, 2018\n  - Feb 15, 2018  [Of Smart Phones and Emotional Safety: A Reflection on iGen](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2018\/2\/15\/of-smart-phones-and-emotional-safety-a-reflection-on-igen)  Feb 15, 2018\n  - Jan 9, 2018  [Let's Talk About Sin](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2018\/1\/9\/lets-talk-about-sin)  Jan 9, 2018\n- [2017](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?year=2017)\n  - Nov 27, 2017  [Little Things Matter](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2017\/11\/27\/little-things-matter)  Nov 27, 2017\n  - Oct 13, 2017  [From Sabotage to Collaboration: A Factory’s Dramatic Shift from a Bounded to Centered Approach](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/13\/from-sabotage-to-collaboration-a-factorys-dramatic-shift-from-a-bounded-to-centered-approach)  Oct 13, 2017\n  - Sep 12, 2017  [Act, Observe, Reflect, Adjust](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2017\/9\/12\/act-observe-reflect-adjust)  Sep 12, 2017\n  - Aug 22, 2017  [Which Gang are you Running With?](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2017\/8\/22\/which-gang-are-you-running-with)  Aug 22, 2017\n  - Jul 7, 2017  [Honduras, Galatians, 25 years](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2017\/7\/7\/honduras-galatians-25-years)  Jul 7, 2017\n  - Jun 3, 2017  [Whiteness](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2017\/6\/3\/whiteness)  Jun 3, 2017\n  - May 12, 2017  [Seven Strategies for Finding Freedom from Digital Adultery](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2017\/5\/12\/seven-strategies-for-finding-freedom-from-digital-adultery)   May 12, 2017\n  - Apr 5, 2017  [Postmodern Christians, We Have a Problem (Or Two)](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2017\/4\/5\/postmodern-christians-we-have-a-problem-or-two)  Apr 5, 2017\n  - Mar 2, 2017  [Inequality: Businesses Lessening the Gap, Healing the Wounds](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2017\/3\/2\/inequality-businesses-lessening-the-gap-healing-the-wounds)  Mar 2, 2017\n  - Feb 8, 2017  [Helping the Poor: Getting Beyond the Superficial](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2017\/2\/8\/helping-the-poor-getting-beyond-the-superficial)  Feb 8, 2017\n  - Jan 25, 2017  [America First?](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2017\/1\/25\/america-first)  Jan 25, 2017\n- [2016](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?year=2016)\n  - Dec 30, 2016  [A Facebook Fast: from loneliness to love](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/28\/ppkswhkad5vmzv8w2ownl2qk0ztz0n)   Dec 30, 2016\n  - Dec 7, 2016  [Red, Blue, Jesus?](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/7\/red-blue-jesus)  Dec 7, 2016\n  - Nov 6, 2016  [Bringing Ellul to the City Council](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/11\/6\/xc1822l8ez2b9h6088p0jz0nd0xewu)  Nov 6, 2016\n  - Oct 12, 2016  [The Urgency of Resistance: A Confrontation with Consumption](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/10\/3\/jy9gjvox8wfyncs8zde3bvqi2fluwb)  Oct 12, 2016\n  - Sep 9, 2016  [Book Review: The Omnivore's Dilemma](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/9\/9\/book-review-the-omnivores-dilemma)  Sep 9, 2016\n  - Sep 8, 2016  [The Power of Food](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/9\/8\/food)  Sep 8, 2016\n  - Aug 11, 2016  [Re-Orientation](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/8\/11\/re-orientation)  Aug 11, 2016\n  - Jul 11, 2016  [Mammon's Theft of Shalom](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/7\/11\/mammon-blocks-shalom)  Jul 11, 2016\n  - Jul 5, 2016  [Book Review: Sex and the iWorld by Dale S. Kuehne](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/7\/4\/book-review-sex-and-the-iworld)  Jul 5, 2016\n  - Jun 13, 2016  [Same-Sex Relationships -- A Centered Alternative?](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/6\/8\/gy8djnkun96kya7u8p8vl6od7j7myc)  Jun 13, 2016\n  - Mar 29, 2016  [Speaking of Jesus...](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/3\/29\/speaking-of-jesus)  Mar 29, 2016\n  - Feb 27, 2016  [Talking About Peace Peacefully](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/2\/27\/s7xig29w60diwu21fqhk32ksaeeuuv)  Feb 27, 2016\n  - Feb 16, 2016  [The Paradox of Generosity](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/2\/16\/the-paradox-of-generosity)  Feb 16, 2016\n  - Jan 29, 2016  [Greed vs Generosity](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/1\/29\/greed-vs-generosity)  Jan 29, 2016\n  - Jan 5, 2016  [Busyness vs. The Disciplined Pursuit of Less](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/1\/3\/busyness-vs-the-disciplined-pursuit-of-less)  Jan 5, 2016\n  - Jan 1, 2016  [I Once Was Lost](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2016\/1\/1\/i-once-was-lost)  Jan 1, 2016\n- [2015](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog?year=2015)\n  - Dec 14, 2015  [How to Invite People to Shift from a Fuzzy Paradigm to a Centered Approach](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/9\/how-to-invite-people-to-shift-from-a-fuzzy-paradigm-to-a-centered-approach)  Dec 14, 2015\n  - Dec 9, 2015  [Lost in Transition](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/9\/book-review)  Dec 9, 2015\n  - Nov 24, 2015  [Bounded or Fuzzy - What is the Problem Today?](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/23\/es2j3yanbg54oatjv6cfpyjheemd1n)  Nov 24, 2015\n  - Nov 23, 2015  [Living into Focus](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/23\/living-into-focus)  Nov 23, 2015\n  - Oct 27, 2015  [Presence in an Age of Absence](http:\/\/www.profmarkbaker.com\/blog\/2015\/10\/27\/presence-in-an-age-of-absence)  Oct 27, 2015\n***\n***\n\n### Partner Website: [centeredsetchurch.com](https:\/\/www.centeredsetchurch.com\/)\n***","attrs_readable_markdown":"I am the type that retrieves a water bottle from a trash can and puts it in the recycle bin. Just did it leaving class last night. I often feel compelled to take small actions like that—with a sense that they matter. Once in Honduras I joined neighbors to stop a forest fire from reaching our homes. A trail in the woods was our line of defense. We cleared brush on both sides of the trail so the fire would not cross that line. Then we stood guard in case sparks blew across the trail. As I watched the fire crawl down the hill towards us I looked at the little pine trees in between the trail and the approaching flames. While others stood by, I went up the hill a few yards and began clearing more brush. I made a new line of defense that saved a few of the trees. In the months ahead I would pass those trees and think, “little things matter.” We see this in the Bible—a few loaves and fishes, a mustard seed, a few coins. Thinking of forest fires reminds me that James states it explicitly. The tongue is a small thing, but like a small fire can set a whole forest ablaze so the small tongue can do great harm (James 3:1-12). Little things matter. Big things can come from them. Although I can make a biblical case for this point, I can’t claim my attention to small things flows from reading the Bible. Perhaps it does. Perhaps it is my personality. Whatever the origin of it, I do live as if little things matter.\n\nMy conviction that little things matter was reinforced in a number of ways in the last couple weeks. Articles warning of negative consequences of overuse of mobile devices have gone mainstream. I have read and heard many in recent days. An [article in Time](http:\/\/time.com\/4974863\/kids-smartphones-depression\/) reported that, since 2010, rates of teenage depression and suicide have increased dramatically. Many believe mobile phone use and social media are a significant reason. (Just one statistic, see the article for more: adolescents who use electronic devices three or more hours a day were 34% more likely to have a suicide related outcome than those who used them two hours or less; with five hour daily use the likelihood increased to 48%.) That article, or news clips like [this one](https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/health-shots\/2017\/05\/18\/527799301\/is-internet-addiction-real) and [this one](http:\/\/www.npr.org\/2017\/07\/10\/536505290\/tech-design-ethicist-works-to-raise-awareness-of-internet-addiction) from NPR, saddened and sobered me. Yet, little things matter. There is hope.\n\nA student, Matt Vincent, wrote this in a post last week:\n\nA while ago, we \"woke up\" to the reality that our kids were spending more and more time online—either playing games or watching youtube\/video content. We were beginning to notice some behavioral changes like those mentioned in the [audio posts](http:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/health-shots\/2017\/05\/18\/527799301\/is-internet-addiction-real)\\--grumpy, irritable, temper, and withdrawn. My wife and I decided to impose a \"technology fast\" for the kids—taking away phones, computer, etc. for a week. Our kids were not fans of this idea, and tried their best to argue that it wasn't needed and everything was fine :)\n\nAlmost immediately, we noticed a change in them. They started hanging out and playing more together; they spent more time outside with friends, and our time together as a family was better. We enjoyed longer conversations around the dinner table, and did more activities together. It was a pretty remarkable change.\n\nLittle things matter, and studies affirm what this student observed—remarkable positive change can come quickly. In a [New York Times article](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2015\/09\/27\/opinion\/sunday\/stop-googling-lets-talk.html) Sherry Turkle describes an alarming drop in empathy amongst children and youth. Then she writes:\n\nBut we are resilient. The psychologist Yalda T. Uhls was the lead author on a 2014 [study](http:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0747563214003227) of children at a device-free outdoor camp. After five days without phones or tablets, these campers were able to read facial emotions and correctly identify the emotions of actors in videotaped scenes significantly better than a control group. What fostered these new empathic responses? They talked to one another. In conversation, things go best if you pay close attention and learn how to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.\n\nResiliency is not limited to humans, it is found throughout God’s creation. I saw this in another student’s reflection a couple weeks ago. Eric Miller visited a Kansas farmer as part of an [act-observe-reflect-adjust assignment](http:\/\/www.discipleshipandethics.com\/blog\/2017\/9\/12\/act-observe-reflect-adjust). Eric retells the farmer’s story from a recent seven-year drought.\n\nOne August morning he walked out of the house and it was already uncomfortably hot as the sun began to rise. He thought about his 2,000 acres of crops and his ten irrigation pivots which were each pumping 1000 gallons per minute out of the Equs Beds Aquifer. It was in that moment he started to call into question the sustainability of these methods where much of the crops grown in our state are consumed by animals so we can consume the animals. When I asked him about the future, he said without missing a beat, “We’re going to run out of water. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.”\n\nHe is currently in process of transitioning a quarter section (160 acres) back to grass and grazing his cows on it. This is only possible because there is now a growing market for grass-fed beef. He is also planting cover crops all winter and using the cover crops as mulch in which he plants grain in the spring. These methods have allowed him to use one tenth of the water he had been using! The young man who is working alongside him and in process of taking over the farming operation has hired a crop consultant who is helping them move away from monocultural farming methods in order to reduce the amount of herbicides and pesticides needed, which in turn reduces input costs and increases profitability. At one point in our conversation he told me, “Kansas was meant to be prairie. At some point it will need to return to Prairie.” Their crop consultant is helping them consider how to use the natural gifts of the prairie to produce food in the most sustainable ways.\n\nLittle things matter. They are worth doing. Of course one could say, “this is a huge farm these are not little things—that is a lot of cover crop.” True, but the huge ramifications that flow from small changes still led me to think, “little things matter.” There is hope.\n\nIt is not just in growing food that little things matter, also in eating it. One student described radical life-giving changes that flowed from his avoiding sugar in his diet. Little things matter. They can bring positive changes to our lives. And little things matter not just in what we eat, but also in the setting, the meal itself. This semester a few students wrote of making the commitment to prepare meals at home and eat together around a table for the week the course focused on food and farming. As students have observed other years, this contributes to so much more than intake of healthier food. They describe increased laughter, connection, sharing. The relational impact from this simple change exceeded expectations. Little things matter.\n\nAs we seek to [name](http:\/\/www.discipleshipandethics.com\/naming\/) others, little things matter—a question, looking someone in the eyes. Last week a woman told me of a vivid memory from a few years ago. She was sitting with her husband and another man—all three were in leadership roles in ministry. She recounted that her husband brought up a controversial Rob Bell book. She said, “so I braced myself for a long theological discussion where my brain wanders but my face pretends to listen attentively. My husband casually mentioned that I also had read the book and at the next pause in conversation the other man looked at me and asked, ‘What did you think about it?’ This small question spoke volumes. I’ve been in Christian settings and leadership positions for many years, and I remember this as the first time someone specifically and genuinely asked for my thoughts. It was one of those revealing moments that was disappointing because it shed light on how often I’m not asked questions–especially when my husband is around–but it also was an incredibly beautiful moment.” Little things matter.\n\nHow have you gained hope and been encouraged by seeing God use little things in your life or ministry? What little things might God be calling you to do?","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

4 days ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0.2 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2017/11/27/little-things-matter
Last Crawled	2026-04-11 21:29:26 (4 days ago)
First Indexed	2025-01-09 03:38:21 (1 year ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	Little Things Matter — Mark D. Baker
Meta Description	null
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	I am the type that retrieves a water bottle from a trash can and puts it in the recycle bin. Just did it leaving class last night. I often feel compelled to take small actions like that—with a sense that they matter. Once in Honduras I joined neighbors to stop a forest fire from reaching our homes. A trail in the woods was our line of defense. We cleared brush on both sides of the trail so the fire would not cross that line. Then we stood guard in case sparks blew across the trail. As I watched the fire crawl down the hill towards us I looked at the little pine trees in between the trail and the approaching flames. While others stood by, I went up the hill a few yards and began clearing more brush. I made a new line of defense that saved a few of the trees. In the months ahead I would pass those trees and think, “little things matter.” We see this in the Bible—a few loaves and fishes, a mustard seed, a few coins. Thinking of forest fires reminds me that James states it explicitly. The tongue is a small thing, but like a small fire can set a whole forest ablaze so the small tongue can do great harm (James 3:1-12). Little things matter. Big things can come from them. Although I can make a biblical case for this point, I can’t claim my attention to small things flows from reading the Bible. Perhaps it does. Perhaps it is my personality. Whatever the origin of it, I do live as if little things matter. My conviction that little things matter was reinforced in a number of ways in the last couple weeks. Articles warning of negative consequences of overuse of mobile devices have gone mainstream. I have read and heard many in recent days. An article in Time reported that, since 2010, rates of teenage depression and suicide have increased dramatically. Many believe mobile phone use and social media are a significant reason. (Just one statistic, see the article for more: adolescents who use electronic devices three or more hours a day were 34% more likely to have a suicide related outcome than those who used them two hours or less; with five hour daily use the likelihood increased to 48%.) That article, or news clips like this one and this one from NPR, saddened and sobered me. Yet, little things matter. There is hope. A student, Matt Vincent, wrote this in a post last week: A while ago, we "woke up" to the reality that our kids were spending more and more time online—either playing games or watching youtube/video content. We were beginning to notice some behavioral changes like those mentioned in the audio posts --grumpy, irritable, temper, and withdrawn. My wife and I decided to impose a "technology fast" for the kids—taking away phones, computer, etc. for a week. Our kids were not fans of this idea, and tried their best to argue that it wasn't needed and everything was fine :) Almost immediately, we noticed a change in them. They started hanging out and playing more together; they spent more time outside with friends, and our time together as a family was better. We enjoyed longer conversations around the dinner table, and did more activities together. It was a pretty remarkable change. Little things matter, and studies affirm what this student observed—remarkable positive change can come quickly. In a New York Times article Sherry Turkle describes an alarming drop in empathy amongst children and youth. Then she writes: But we are resilient. The psychologist Yalda T. Uhls was the lead author on a 2014 study of children at a device-free outdoor camp. After five days without phones or tablets, these campers were able to read facial emotions and correctly identify the emotions of actors in videotaped scenes significantly better than a control group. What fostered these new empathic responses? They talked to one another. In conversation, things go best if you pay close attention and learn how to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Resiliency is not limited to humans, it is found throughout God’s creation. I saw this in another student’s reflection a couple weeks ago. Eric Miller visited a Kansas farmer as part of an act-observe-reflect-adjust assignment . Eric retells the farmer’s story from a recent seven-year drought. One August morning he walked out of the house and it was already uncomfortably hot as the sun began to rise. He thought about his 2,000 acres of crops and his ten irrigation pivots which were each pumping 1000 gallons per minute out of the Equs Beds Aquifer. It was in that moment he started to call into question the sustainability of these methods where much of the crops grown in our state are consumed by animals so we can consume the animals. When I asked him about the future, he said without missing a beat, “We’re going to run out of water. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.” He is currently in process of transitioning a quarter section (160 acres) back to grass and grazing his cows on it. This is only possible because there is now a growing market for grass-fed beef. He is also planting cover crops all winter and using the cover crops as mulch in which he plants grain in the spring. These methods have allowed him to use one tenth of the water he had been using! The young man who is working alongside him and in process of taking over the farming operation has hired a crop consultant who is helping them move away from monocultural farming methods in order to reduce the amount of herbicides and pesticides needed, which in turn reduces input costs and increases profitability. At one point in our conversation he told me, “Kansas was meant to be prairie. At some point it will need to return to Prairie.” Their crop consultant is helping them consider how to use the natural gifts of the prairie to produce food in the most sustainable ways. Little things matter. They are worth doing. Of course one could say, “this is a huge farm these are not little things—that is a lot of cover crop.” True, but the huge ramifications that flow from small changes still led me to think, “little things matter.” There is hope. It is not just in growing food that little things matter, also in eating it. One student described radical life-giving changes that flowed from his avoiding sugar in his diet. Little things matter. They can bring positive changes to our lives. And little things matter not just in what we eat, but also in the setting, the meal itself. This semester a few students wrote of making the commitment to prepare meals at home and eat together around a table for the week the course focused on food and farming. As students have observed other years, this contributes to so much more than intake of healthier food. They describe increased laughter, connection, sharing. The relational impact from this simple change exceeded expectations. Little things matter. As we seek to name others, little things matter—a question, looking someone in the eyes. Last week a woman told me of a vivid memory from a few years ago. She was sitting with her husband and another man—all three were in leadership roles in ministry. She recounted that her husband brought up a controversial Rob Bell book. She said, “so I braced myself for a long theological discussion where my brain wanders but my face pretends to listen attentively. My husband casually mentioned that I also had read the book and at the next pause in conversation the other man looked at me and asked, ‘What did you think about it?’ This small question spoke volumes. I’ve been in Christian settings and leadership positions for many years, and I remember this as the first time someone specifically and genuinely asked for my thoughts. It was one of those revealing moments that was disappointing because it shed light on how often I’m not asked questions–especially when my husband is around–but it also was an incredibly beautiful moment.” Little things matter. How have you gained hope and been encouraged by seeing God use little things in your life or ministry? What little things might God be calling you to do?
Markdown	- [Home](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/) - [Bio](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/bio) - [Contact](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/contact) - [Blog](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog) - [Publications]() - [Books](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/books) - [Articles](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/articles) - [Podcasts & Videos](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/podcasts-videos) - [Atonement Resources](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/atonement-resources) - [en Español]() - [Marcos Baker en Español](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/marcos-baker-en-espanol) - [Libros](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/libros) - [Artículos](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/articulos) - [Podcasts y Videos](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/podcasts-y-videos) - [Peregrinaje de Fe](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/peregrinaje-de-fe) ![unsplash-image-qutNazk9dpk.jpg]() - [Home](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/) - [Bio](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/bio) - [Contact](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/contact) - [Blog](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog) - [Publications]() - [Books](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/books) - [Articles](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/articles) - [Podcasts & Videos](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/podcasts-videos) - [Atonement Resources](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/atonement-resources) - [en Español]() - [Marcos Baker en Español](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/marcos-baker-en-espanol) - [Libros](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/libros) - [Artículos](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/articulos) - [Podcasts y Videos](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/podcasts-y-videos) - [Peregrinaje de Fe](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/peregrinaje-de-fe) # [Mark D. Baker](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/) - [All](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog) - [Atonement](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Atonement) - [Biblical interpretation](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Biblical+interpretation) - [Centered-set church](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Centered-set+church) - [Character ethics](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Character+ethics) - [Concept of God](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Concept+of+God) - [Digital Technology](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Digital+Technology) - [Discipleship](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Discipleship) - [Economics](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Economics) - [Evangelism](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Evangelism) - [Exhortation -- centered](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Exhortation+--+centered) - [Food systems](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Food+systems) - [Galatians](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Galatians) - [Holistic Gospel](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Holistic+Gospel) - [Honor-shame](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Honor-shame) - [Inequality/poverty](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Inequality%2Fpoverty) - [Jail ministry](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Jail+ministry) - [Jesus centered](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Jesus+centered) - [Jesus centered theology](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Jesus+centered+theology) - [Money/Consumerism](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Money%2FConsumerism) - [Naming](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Naming) - [Peace/restorative justice](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Peace%2Frestorative+justice) - [Race](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Race) - [Sexuality](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Sexuality) - [Technique/efficiency](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Technique%2Fefficiency) # Little Things Matter ![pines.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55fb2558e4b0a6c907acc5ce/1511842603452-7HGG4QRQCWBT5KU3QQC4/pines.jpg) I am the type that retrieves a water bottle from a trash can and puts it in the recycle bin. Just did it leaving class last night. I often feel compelled to take small actions like that—with a sense that they matter. Once in Honduras I joined neighbors to stop a forest fire from reaching our homes. A trail in the woods was our line of defense. We cleared brush on both sides of the trail so the fire would not cross that line. Then we stood guard in case sparks blew across the trail. As I watched the fire crawl down the hill towards us I looked at the little pine trees in between the trail and the approaching flames. While others stood by, I went up the hill a few yards and began clearing more brush. I made a new line of defense that saved a few of the trees. In the months ahead I would pass those trees and think, “little things matter.” We see this in the Bible—a few loaves and fishes, a mustard seed, a few coins. Thinking of forest fires reminds me that James states it explicitly. The tongue is a small thing, but like a small fire can set a whole forest ablaze so the small tongue can do great harm (James 3:1-12). Little things matter. Big things can come from them. Although I can make a biblical case for this point, I can’t claim my attention to small things flows from reading the Bible. Perhaps it does. Perhaps it is my personality. Whatever the origin of it, I do live as if little things matter. My conviction that little things matter was reinforced in a number of ways in the last couple weeks. Articles warning of negative consequences of overuse of mobile devices have gone mainstream. I have read and heard many in recent days. An [article in Time](http://time.com/4974863/kids-smartphones-depression/) reported that, since 2010, rates of teenage depression and suicide have increased dramatically. Many believe mobile phone use and social media are a significant reason. (Just one statistic, see the article for more: adolescents who use electronic devices three or more hours a day were 34% more likely to have a suicide related outcome than those who used them two hours or less; with five hour daily use the likelihood increased to 48%.) That article, or news clips like [this one](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/05/18/527799301/is-internet-addiction-real) and [this one](http://www.npr.org/2017/07/10/536505290/tech-design-ethicist-works-to-raise-awareness-of-internet-addiction) from NPR, saddened and sobered me. Yet, little things matter. There is hope. A student, Matt Vincent, wrote this in a post last week: A while ago, we "woke up" to the reality that our kids were spending more and more time online—either playing games or watching youtube/video content. We were beginning to notice some behavioral changes like those mentioned in the [audio posts](http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/05/18/527799301/is-internet-addiction-real)\--grumpy, irritable, temper, and withdrawn. My wife and I decided to impose a "technology fast" for the kids—taking away phones, computer, etc. for a week. Our kids were not fans of this idea, and tried their best to argue that it wasn't needed and everything was fine :) Almost immediately, we noticed a change in them. They started hanging out and playing more together; they spent more time outside with friends, and our time together as a family was better. We enjoyed longer conversations around the dinner table, and did more activities together. It was a pretty remarkable change. Little things matter, and studies affirm what this student observed—remarkable positive change can come quickly. In a [New York Times article](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/27/opinion/sunday/stop-googling-lets-talk.html) Sherry Turkle describes an alarming drop in empathy amongst children and youth. Then she writes: But we are resilient. The psychologist Yalda T. Uhls was the lead author on a 2014 [study](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563214003227) of children at a device-free outdoor camp. After five days without phones or tablets, these campers were able to read facial emotions and correctly identify the emotions of actors in videotaped scenes significantly better than a control group. What fostered these new empathic responses? They talked to one another. In conversation, things go best if you pay close attention and learn how to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Resiliency is not limited to humans, it is found throughout God’s creation. I saw this in another student’s reflection a couple weeks ago. Eric Miller visited a Kansas farmer as part of an [act-observe-reflect-adjust assignment](http://www.discipleshipandethics.com/blog/2017/9/12/act-observe-reflect-adjust). Eric retells the farmer’s story from a recent seven-year drought. One August morning he walked out of the house and it was already uncomfortably hot as the sun began to rise. He thought about his 2,000 acres of crops and his ten irrigation pivots which were each pumping 1000 gallons per minute out of the Equs Beds Aquifer. It was in that moment he started to call into question the sustainability of these methods where much of the crops grown in our state are consumed by animals so we can consume the animals. When I asked him about the future, he said without missing a beat, “We’re going to run out of water. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.” He is currently in process of transitioning a quarter section (160 acres) back to grass and grazing his cows on it. This is only possible because there is now a growing market for grass-fed beef. He is also planting cover crops all winter and using the cover crops as mulch in which he plants grain in the spring. These methods have allowed him to use one tenth of the water he had been using! The young man who is working alongside him and in process of taking over the farming operation has hired a crop consultant who is helping them move away from monocultural farming methods in order to reduce the amount of herbicides and pesticides needed, which in turn reduces input costs and increases profitability. At one point in our conversation he told me, “Kansas was meant to be prairie. At some point it will need to return to Prairie.” Their crop consultant is helping them consider how to use the natural gifts of the prairie to produce food in the most sustainable ways. Little things matter. They are worth doing. Of course one could say, “this is a huge farm these are not little things—that is a lot of cover crop.” True, but the huge ramifications that flow from small changes still led me to think, “little things matter.” There is hope. It is not just in growing food that little things matter, also in eating it. One student described radical life-giving changes that flowed from his avoiding sugar in his diet. Little things matter. They can bring positive changes to our lives. And little things matter not just in what we eat, but also in the setting, the meal itself. This semester a few students wrote of making the commitment to prepare meals at home and eat together around a table for the week the course focused on food and farming. As students have observed other years, this contributes to so much more than intake of healthier food. They describe increased laughter, connection, sharing. The relational impact from this simple change exceeded expectations. Little things matter. As we seek to [name](http://www.discipleshipandethics.com/naming/) others, little things matter—a question, looking someone in the eyes. Last week a woman told me of a vivid memory from a few years ago. She was sitting with her husband and another man—all three were in leadership roles in ministry. She recounted that her husband brought up a controversial Rob Bell book. She said, “so I braced myself for a long theological discussion where my brain wanders but my face pretends to listen attentively. My husband casually mentioned that I also had read the book and at the next pause in conversation the other man looked at me and asked, ‘What did you think about it?’ This small question spoke volumes. I’ve been in Christian settings and leadership positions for many years, and I remember this as the first time someone specifically and genuinely asked for my thoughts. It was one of those revealing moments that was disappointing because it shed light on how often I’m not asked questions–especially when my husband is around–but it also was an incredibly beautiful moment.” Little things matter. How have you gained hope and been encouraged by seeing God use little things in your life or ministry? What little things might God be calling you to do? Posted on November 27, 2017 by [Mark Baker](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?author=5637fb6de4b01ae184705687) and filed under [Digital Technology](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Digital+Technology), [Food systems](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Food+systems), [Naming](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?category=Naming). [Newer](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2018/1/9/lets-talk-about-sin) / [Older](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2017/10/13/from-sabotage-to-collaboration-a-factorys-dramatic-shift-from-a-bounded-to-centered-approach) Reflections on what it looks like to center on Jesus and create alternative communities that resist the currents of culture that are shaped by forces of death and alienation. ## Mailing List Sign up to receive a monthly email from Mark, including his latest blog post and recommended reading and listening. If you encounter any difficulties signing up, please [contact us](mailto:markdavidbaker8@gmail.com?) to be added to the list manually. * ## Blog Posts Archive by Topic - [Atonement 4](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Atonement) - [Biblical interpretation 11](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Biblical+interpretation) - [Centered-set church 24](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Centered-set+church) - [Character ethics 2](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Character+ethics) - [Concept of God 8](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Concept+of+God) - [Digital Technology 14](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Digital+Technology) - [Discipleship 6](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Discipleship) - [Economics 3](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Economics) - [Evangelism 5](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Evangelism) - [Exhortation -- centered 6](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Exhortation+--+centered) - [Food systems 5](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Food+systems) - [Galatians 4](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Galatians) - [Holistic Gospel 3](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Holistic+Gospel) - [Honor-shame 13](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Honor-shame) - [Inequality/poverty 8](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Inequality%2Fpoverty) - [Jail ministry 5](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Jail+ministry) - [Jesus centered 7](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Jesus+centered) - [Jesus centered theology 7](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Jesus+centered+theology) - [Money/Consumerism 13](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Money%2FConsumerism) - [Naming 5](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Naming) - [Peace/restorative justice 5](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Peace%2Frestorative+justice) - [Race 2](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Race) - [Sexuality 2](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Sexuality) - [Technique/efficiency 9](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/category/Technique%2Fefficiency) * - [2026](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?year=2026) - Apr 8, 2026 [Lessening Inequality Through Business—A Honduran Story](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2026/4/8/lessening-inequality-through-businessa-honduran-story) Apr 8, 2026 - Mar 11, 2026 [Compelled to Say it Again, Greed + Efficiency = Poison: What to Do About Greed?](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2026/3/10/compelled-to-say-it-again-greed-efficiency-poison-what-to-do-about-greed) Mar 11, 2026 - Feb 3, 2026 [Atonement: Sea Change Needed\!](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2026/2/3/atonement-sea-change-needed) Feb 3, 2026 - Jan 8, 2026 [Our Concept of Sin Can Facilitate or Hinder a Centered Approach](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2026/1/8/our-concept-of-sin-can-facilitate-or-hinder-a-centered-approach) Jan 8, 2026 - [2025](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?year=2025) - Nov 3, 2025 [Decades Later I'm Still Working At It: An Example from Philippians](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2025/11/3/decades-later-still-working-at-it-an-example-from-philippians) Nov 3, 2025 - Oct 7, 2025 [How My Thinking About the Atonement Has Changed](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2025/10/6/how-my-thinking-about-the-atonement-has-changed) Oct 7, 2025 - Sep 1, 2025 [Holy Kissing Today?](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2025/9/1/holy-kissing-today) Sep 1, 2025 - Jul 14, 2025 [Bounded Church + A Reformation Shift = Less Character Development](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2025/7/14/bounded-church-a-reformation-shift-less-character-development) Jul 14, 2025 - Jun 3, 2025 [Developing Against-the-Current Character in Others Through the Questions We Ask](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2025/6/3/developing-against-the-current-character-through-the-questions-we-ask) Jun 3, 2025 - May 7, 2025 [Talking About Jesus on the Pacific Coast Trail](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2025/5/7/talking-about-jesus-on-the-pacific-coast-trail) May 7, 2025 - Apr 2, 2025 [Ways to Enrich Conversation and Become a Better Namer](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2025/4/2/ways-to-enrich-conversation-and-become-a-better-namer-2) Apr 2, 2025 - Mar 4, 2025 [Digital Technology: Lenten Fasts are Good But not Enough](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2025/3/4/digital-technology-lenten-fasts-are-good-but-not-enough) Mar 4, 2025 - Jan 23, 2025 [New Insights on Grace and Discipleship, and on Grace and Community](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2025/1/23/new-insights-on-grace-and-discipleship-and-on-grace-and-community) Jan 23, 2025 - [2024](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?year=2024) - Oct 7, 2024 [Bonus Material: Things I Wish Were in the Book](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2024/10/7/centered-set-church-book-bonus-material) Oct 7, 2024 - Aug 11, 2024 [Thoughts for Today from Reading My Old Letters](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2024/8/11/thoughts-for-today-from-reading-my-old-letters) Aug 11, 2024 - Jul 5, 2024 [How Can We As Individuals Live in a More Centered Way?](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2024/7/5/40do7pfi9e2mengb0lbc4jml86m5k7) Jul 5, 2024 - Feb 6, 2024 [Freedom from the Pull of “Everyone is Doing It”](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2024/2/6/freedom-from-the-pull-of-everyone-is-doing-it) Feb 6, 2024 - Jan 8, 2024 [Reconciliation: Broadening its Meaning (a video)](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2024/1/8/reconciliation-broadening-its-meaning) Jan 8, 2024 - [2023](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?year=2023) - Nov 8, 2023 [Heal the Divide: Turn Away from an Honor System that Wounds](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2023/11/8/heal-the-divide-turn-away-from-an-honor-system-that-wounds) Nov 8, 2023 - Sep 11, 2023 [Let's Honor Each Other More](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2023/9/11/lets-honor-each-other-more) Sep 11, 2023 - Aug 4, 2023 [Learning From the Trees](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2023/8/4/learning-from-the-trees) Aug 4, 2023 - Jun 26, 2023 [Centered-Church Story: My Expectations Were Too Low](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2023/6/26/centered-church-story-my-expectations-were-too-low) Jun 26, 2023 - May 2, 2023 [Our Celebrity Problem](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2023/5/2/our-celebrity-problem) May 2, 2023 - Mar 13, 2023 [The Cross Upends the Status-Grasping Ways of Society](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2023/3/13/bmrvkxy23wlip0k7kqubfdxfao9rss) Mar 13, 2023 - Jan 18, 2023 [Even Better than TV](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2023/1/18/even-better-than-tv) Jan 18, 2023 - [2022](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?year=2022) - Nov 28, 2022 [Less is More](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2022/11/28/less-is-more) Nov 28, 2022 - Aug 19, 2022 [The Way of Jesus: 3 : 12 : 120](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2022/8/19/the-way-of-jesus-3-12-120) Aug 19, 2022 - Jul 6, 2022 [Restoring Personhood – In the Early Church and Today](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2022/7/5/restoring-personhood-in-ancient-rome-and-today) Jul 6, 2022 - Jun 1, 2022 [Jesus: Carpenter or Construction Worker?](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2022/6/1/jesus-carpenter-or-construction-worker) Jun 1, 2022 - Feb 10, 2022 [Liberated from Bounded-Church Shame by the Cross](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2022/2/10/liberated-from-bounded-church-shame-by-the-cross-1) Feb 10, 2022 - Jan 18, 2022 [Centered-Set Church: The Story Behind the Book](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2022/1/18/centered-set-church-the-story-behind-the-book) Jan 18, 2022 - [2021](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?year=2021) - Nov 22, 2021 [Passing God’s test or commands of love?](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2021/11/22/passing-gods-test-or-commands-of-love) Nov 22, 2021 - Sep 9, 2021 [Same Text, Different Lens: From Burdensome to Energizing](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2021/9/9/same-text-different-lens-from-burdensome-to-energizing) Sep 9, 2021 - Jul 6, 2021 [Kicked Out of the Band: Good News or Bad?](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2021/7/6/kicked-out-of-the-band-good-news-or-bad) Jul 6, 2021 - May 18, 2021 [Enough for All](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2021/5/18/enough-for-all) May 18, 2021 - Mar 24, 2021 [The Need to Hear the Good News Again, and Again](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2021/3/24/the-need-to-hear-the-good-news-again-and-again) Mar 24, 2021 - [2020](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?year=2020) - Dec 19, 2020 [The Radicalness of a List of Names](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2020/12/19/the-radicalness-of-a-list-of-names) Dec 19, 2020 - Oct 26, 2020 [Thriving Rather than Growth: Digging Deep, Changing Defaults](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2020/10/26/thriving-rather-than-growth-digging-deep-changing-defaults) Oct 26, 2020 - Sep 17, 2020 [Freedom from Superficiality, Distorted Definitions of Worth, and Exhausting Status Management](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2020/9/17/freedom-from-superficiality-distorted-definitions-of-worth-and-exhausting-status-management) Sep 17, 2020 - Aug 10, 2020 [Naming](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2020/8/10/naming) Aug 10, 2020 - Jun 15, 2020 [Race: What has Been Constructed can be Deconstructed](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2020/6/15/race-what-has-been-constructed-can-be-deconstructed) Jun 15, 2020 - May 23, 2020 [Exhorting Ourselves and Exhorting Others, Part 2](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2020/5/23/exhorting-ourselves-and-exhorting-others-part-2) May 23, 2020 - Apr 13, 2020 [The Cross: Atonement Analysis is One Thing. What does it Mean for Me?](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2020/4/13/the-cross-atonement-analysis-is-one-thing-what-does-it-mean-for-me) Apr 13, 2020 - Mar 6, 2020 [Exhorting Ourselves and Exhorting Others](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2020/3/6/exhorting-ourselves-and-exhorting-others) Mar 6, 2020 - Jan 10, 2020 [The Times Demand It: Something New in My 45th Time Teaching Discipleship and Ethics](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2020/1/10/needed-now-something-new-in-my-45th-time-teaching-discipleship-and-ethics) Jan 10, 2020 - [2019](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?year=2019) - Nov 25, 2019 [Automating Humans: The Costs of Amazon’s Extreme Efficiency](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2019/11/25/automating-humans-the-costs-of-amazons-extreme-efficiency) Nov 25, 2019 - Oct 7, 2019 [Distraction: Insights from an Amish Man and a Professional Blogger](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2019/10/7/distraction-insights-from-an-amish-man-and-a-professional-blogger) Oct 7, 2019 - Aug 20, 2019 [Deepening Already Deep Convictions Through Being on the Ground in Israel](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2019/8/20/deepening-already-deep-convictions-through-being-on-the-ground-in-israel) Aug 20, 2019 - Jun 5, 2019 [Greed + Efficiency = Poison: What to Do About Greed?](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2019/6/5/greed-efficiency-poison-what-to-do-about-greed) Jun 5, 2019 - May 9, 2019 [Intentional Simplicity…Actions Must Follow Thoughts](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2019/5/9/intentional-simplicityactions-must-follow-thoughts) May 9, 2019 - Apr 8, 2019 [The Power of Boundless Compassion](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2019/4/8/the-power-of-boundless-compassion) Apr 8, 2019 - Feb 18, 2019 [Timely Words from Another Time](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2019/2/18/timely-words-from-another-time) Feb 18, 2019 - Jan 9, 2019 [Let’s use More Indicatives! (but not all indicatives are the same)](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2019/1/9/lets-use-more-indicatives-but-not-all-indicatives-are-the-same) Jan 9, 2019 - [2018](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?year=2018) - Dec 7, 2018 [Advent Reflection: Presence in an Age of Absence – Luke 1:68-79](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2018/12/7/advent-reflection-presence-in-an-age-of-absence-luke-168-79) Dec 7, 2018 - Oct 17, 2018 [Inequality, Shame, and Violence](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2018/10/17/inequality-shame-and-violence) Oct 17, 2018 - Sep 21, 2018 [Unkindly Eyes or Compassionate Eyes?](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2018/9/21/unkindly-eyes-or-compassionate-eyes) Sep 21, 2018 - Aug 28, 2018 [Who Your Friends are Matters](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2018/8/28/who-your-friends-are-matters) Aug 28, 2018 - Jul 3, 2018 [Downsides of Efficiency: A Lesson from Vietnam](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2018/7/3/downsides-of-efficiency-a-lesson-from-vietnam) Jul 3, 2018 - May 12, 2018 [Needed in the Court of Reputation—Alternative Voices](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2018/5/12/needed-in-the-court-of-reputationalternative-voices) May 12, 2018 - May 4, 2018 [Marvelous Pigness of Pigs](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2018/5/4/marvelous-pigness-of-pigs) May 4, 2018 - Apr 11, 2018 [Conflict-Aversion and Worship](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2018/4/11/conflict-aversion-and-worship) Apr 11, 2018 - Mar 8, 2018 [What is Your Relationship with Money?](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2018/3/8/what-is-your-relationship-with-money) Mar 8, 2018 - Mar 3, 2018 [The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2018/3/3/the-tech-wise-family-everyday-steps-for-putting-technology-in-its-proper-place) Mar 3, 2018 - Feb 15, 2018 [Of Smart Phones and Emotional Safety: A Reflection on iGen](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2018/2/15/of-smart-phones-and-emotional-safety-a-reflection-on-igen) Feb 15, 2018 - Jan 9, 2018 [Let's Talk About Sin](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2018/1/9/lets-talk-about-sin) Jan 9, 2018 - [2017](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?year=2017) - Nov 27, 2017 [Little Things Matter](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2017/11/27/little-things-matter) Nov 27, 2017 - Oct 13, 2017 [From Sabotage to Collaboration: A Factory’s Dramatic Shift from a Bounded to Centered Approach](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2017/10/13/from-sabotage-to-collaboration-a-factorys-dramatic-shift-from-a-bounded-to-centered-approach) Oct 13, 2017 - Sep 12, 2017 [Act, Observe, Reflect, Adjust](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2017/9/12/act-observe-reflect-adjust) Sep 12, 2017 - Aug 22, 2017 [Which Gang are you Running With?](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2017/8/22/which-gang-are-you-running-with) Aug 22, 2017 - Jul 7, 2017 [Honduras, Galatians, 25 years](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2017/7/7/honduras-galatians-25-years) Jul 7, 2017 - Jun 3, 2017 [Whiteness](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2017/6/3/whiteness) Jun 3, 2017 - May 12, 2017 [Seven Strategies for Finding Freedom from Digital Adultery](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2017/5/12/seven-strategies-for-finding-freedom-from-digital-adultery) May 12, 2017 - Apr 5, 2017 [Postmodern Christians, We Have a Problem (Or Two)](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2017/4/5/postmodern-christians-we-have-a-problem-or-two) Apr 5, 2017 - Mar 2, 2017 [Inequality: Businesses Lessening the Gap, Healing the Wounds](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2017/3/2/inequality-businesses-lessening-the-gap-healing-the-wounds) Mar 2, 2017 - Feb 8, 2017 [Helping the Poor: Getting Beyond the Superficial](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2017/2/8/helping-the-poor-getting-beyond-the-superficial) Feb 8, 2017 - Jan 25, 2017 [America First?](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2017/1/25/america-first) Jan 25, 2017 - [2016](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?year=2016) - Dec 30, 2016 [A Facebook Fast: from loneliness to love](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/12/28/ppkswhkad5vmzv8w2ownl2qk0ztz0n) Dec 30, 2016 - Dec 7, 2016 [Red, Blue, Jesus?](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/12/7/red-blue-jesus) Dec 7, 2016 - Nov 6, 2016 [Bringing Ellul to the City Council](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/11/6/xc1822l8ez2b9h6088p0jz0nd0xewu) Nov 6, 2016 - Oct 12, 2016 [The Urgency of Resistance: A Confrontation with Consumption](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/10/3/jy9gjvox8wfyncs8zde3bvqi2fluwb) Oct 12, 2016 - Sep 9, 2016 [Book Review: The Omnivore's Dilemma](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/9/9/book-review-the-omnivores-dilemma) Sep 9, 2016 - Sep 8, 2016 [The Power of Food](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/9/8/food) Sep 8, 2016 - Aug 11, 2016 [Re-Orientation](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/8/11/re-orientation) Aug 11, 2016 - Jul 11, 2016 [Mammon's Theft of Shalom](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/7/11/mammon-blocks-shalom) Jul 11, 2016 - Jul 5, 2016 [Book Review: Sex and the iWorld by Dale S. Kuehne](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/7/4/book-review-sex-and-the-iworld) Jul 5, 2016 - Jun 13, 2016 [Same-Sex Relationships -- A Centered Alternative?](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/6/8/gy8djnkun96kya7u8p8vl6od7j7myc) Jun 13, 2016 - Mar 29, 2016 [Speaking of Jesus...](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/3/29/speaking-of-jesus) Mar 29, 2016 - Feb 27, 2016 [Talking About Peace Peacefully](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/2/27/s7xig29w60diwu21fqhk32ksaeeuuv) Feb 27, 2016 - Feb 16, 2016 [The Paradox of Generosity](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/2/16/the-paradox-of-generosity) Feb 16, 2016 - Jan 29, 2016 [Greed vs Generosity](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/1/29/greed-vs-generosity) Jan 29, 2016 - Jan 5, 2016 [Busyness vs. The Disciplined Pursuit of Less](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/1/3/busyness-vs-the-disciplined-pursuit-of-less) Jan 5, 2016 - Jan 1, 2016 [I Once Was Lost](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2016/1/1/i-once-was-lost) Jan 1, 2016 - [2015](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog?year=2015) - Dec 14, 2015 [How to Invite People to Shift from a Fuzzy Paradigm to a Centered Approach](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2015/12/9/how-to-invite-people-to-shift-from-a-fuzzy-paradigm-to-a-centered-approach) Dec 14, 2015 - Dec 9, 2015 [Lost in Transition](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2015/12/9/book-review) Dec 9, 2015 - Nov 24, 2015 [Bounded or Fuzzy - What is the Problem Today?](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2015/11/23/es2j3yanbg54oatjv6cfpyjheemd1n) Nov 24, 2015 - Nov 23, 2015 [Living into Focus](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2015/11/23/living-into-focus) Nov 23, 2015 - Oct 27, 2015 [Presence in an Age of Absence](http://www.profmarkbaker.com/blog/2015/10/27/presence-in-an-age-of-absence) Oct 27, 2015 * * ### Partner Website: [centeredsetchurch.com](https://www.centeredsetchurch.com/) ***
Readable Markdown	I am the type that retrieves a water bottle from a trash can and puts it in the recycle bin. Just did it leaving class last night. I often feel compelled to take small actions like that—with a sense that they matter. Once in Honduras I joined neighbors to stop a forest fire from reaching our homes. A trail in the woods was our line of defense. We cleared brush on both sides of the trail so the fire would not cross that line. Then we stood guard in case sparks blew across the trail. As I watched the fire crawl down the hill towards us I looked at the little pine trees in between the trail and the approaching flames. While others stood by, I went up the hill a few yards and began clearing more brush. I made a new line of defense that saved a few of the trees. In the months ahead I would pass those trees and think, “little things matter.” We see this in the Bible—a few loaves and fishes, a mustard seed, a few coins. Thinking of forest fires reminds me that James states it explicitly. The tongue is a small thing, but like a small fire can set a whole forest ablaze so the small tongue can do great harm (James 3:1-12). Little things matter. Big things can come from them. Although I can make a biblical case for this point, I can’t claim my attention to small things flows from reading the Bible. Perhaps it does. Perhaps it is my personality. Whatever the origin of it, I do live as if little things matter. My conviction that little things matter was reinforced in a number of ways in the last couple weeks. Articles warning of negative consequences of overuse of mobile devices have gone mainstream. I have read and heard many in recent days. An [article in Time](http://time.com/4974863/kids-smartphones-depression/) reported that, since 2010, rates of teenage depression and suicide have increased dramatically. Many believe mobile phone use and social media are a significant reason. (Just one statistic, see the article for more: adolescents who use electronic devices three or more hours a day were 34% more likely to have a suicide related outcome than those who used them two hours or less; with five hour daily use the likelihood increased to 48%.) That article, or news clips like [this one](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/05/18/527799301/is-internet-addiction-real) and [this one](http://www.npr.org/2017/07/10/536505290/tech-design-ethicist-works-to-raise-awareness-of-internet-addiction) from NPR, saddened and sobered me. Yet, little things matter. There is hope. A student, Matt Vincent, wrote this in a post last week: A while ago, we "woke up" to the reality that our kids were spending more and more time online—either playing games or watching youtube/video content. We were beginning to notice some behavioral changes like those mentioned in the [audio posts](http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/05/18/527799301/is-internet-addiction-real)\--grumpy, irritable, temper, and withdrawn. My wife and I decided to impose a "technology fast" for the kids—taking away phones, computer, etc. for a week. Our kids were not fans of this idea, and tried their best to argue that it wasn't needed and everything was fine :) Almost immediately, we noticed a change in them. They started hanging out and playing more together; they spent more time outside with friends, and our time together as a family was better. We enjoyed longer conversations around the dinner table, and did more activities together. It was a pretty remarkable change. Little things matter, and studies affirm what this student observed—remarkable positive change can come quickly. In a [New York Times article](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/27/opinion/sunday/stop-googling-lets-talk.html) Sherry Turkle describes an alarming drop in empathy amongst children and youth. Then she writes: But we are resilient. The psychologist Yalda T. Uhls was the lead author on a 2014 [study](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563214003227) of children at a device-free outdoor camp. After five days without phones or tablets, these campers were able to read facial emotions and correctly identify the emotions of actors in videotaped scenes significantly better than a control group. What fostered these new empathic responses? They talked to one another. In conversation, things go best if you pay close attention and learn how to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Resiliency is not limited to humans, it is found throughout God’s creation. I saw this in another student’s reflection a couple weeks ago. Eric Miller visited a Kansas farmer as part of an [act-observe-reflect-adjust assignment](http://www.discipleshipandethics.com/blog/2017/9/12/act-observe-reflect-adjust). Eric retells the farmer’s story from a recent seven-year drought. One August morning he walked out of the house and it was already uncomfortably hot as the sun began to rise. He thought about his 2,000 acres of crops and his ten irrigation pivots which were each pumping 1000 gallons per minute out of the Equs Beds Aquifer. It was in that moment he started to call into question the sustainability of these methods where much of the crops grown in our state are consumed by animals so we can consume the animals. When I asked him about the future, he said without missing a beat, “We’re going to run out of water. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.” He is currently in process of transitioning a quarter section (160 acres) back to grass and grazing his cows on it. This is only possible because there is now a growing market for grass-fed beef. He is also planting cover crops all winter and using the cover crops as mulch in which he plants grain in the spring. These methods have allowed him to use one tenth of the water he had been using! The young man who is working alongside him and in process of taking over the farming operation has hired a crop consultant who is helping them move away from monocultural farming methods in order to reduce the amount of herbicides and pesticides needed, which in turn reduces input costs and increases profitability. At one point in our conversation he told me, “Kansas was meant to be prairie. At some point it will need to return to Prairie.” Their crop consultant is helping them consider how to use the natural gifts of the prairie to produce food in the most sustainable ways. Little things matter. They are worth doing. Of course one could say, “this is a huge farm these are not little things—that is a lot of cover crop.” True, but the huge ramifications that flow from small changes still led me to think, “little things matter.” There is hope. It is not just in growing food that little things matter, also in eating it. One student described radical life-giving changes that flowed from his avoiding sugar in his diet. Little things matter. They can bring positive changes to our lives. And little things matter not just in what we eat, but also in the setting, the meal itself. This semester a few students wrote of making the commitment to prepare meals at home and eat together around a table for the week the course focused on food and farming. As students have observed other years, this contributes to so much more than intake of healthier food. They describe increased laughter, connection, sharing. The relational impact from this simple change exceeded expectations. Little things matter. As we seek to [name](http://www.discipleshipandethics.com/naming/) others, little things matter—a question, looking someone in the eyes. Last week a woman told me of a vivid memory from a few years ago. She was sitting with her husband and another man—all three were in leadership roles in ministry. She recounted that her husband brought up a controversial Rob Bell book. She said, “so I braced myself for a long theological discussion where my brain wanders but my face pretends to listen attentively. My husband casually mentioned that I also had read the book and at the next pause in conversation the other man looked at me and asked, ‘What did you think about it?’ This small question spoke volumes. I’ve been in Christian settings and leadership positions for many years, and I remember this as the first time someone specifically and genuinely asked for my thoughts. It was one of those revealing moments that was disappointing because it shed light on how often I’m not asked questions–especially when my husband is around–but it also was an incredibly beautiful moment.” Little things matter. How have you gained hope and been encouraged by seeing God use little things in your life or ministry? What little things might God be calling you to do?
Shard	157 (laksa)
Root Hash	8543047589439310357
Unparsed URL	com,profmarkbaker!www,/blog/2017/11/27/little-things-matter h80