Fall 2002

Download Fall 2002 issue (PDF, 760 KB)

From the Publisher's Desk by Jim Ball
Creator, Savior, Lord, & Prince of Peace (*)
Transportation is a Moral Issue (*)
Moving Ahead: Action suggestions (*)
Because Creation Waits by Helen Turnbull
Walk the walk, and drive the talk by Jim Ball
Connecting with Creation and the Creator by Nancy Regensburger
The outside story by John Krueger
Watchmen, Shepherds, and the Sheep by Cal DeWitt
West Nile virus alert

(*) Articles are from the WWJDrive campaign, and are available as factsheets on the campaign web site.

From the Publisher's Desk

Jim Ball

The question never fails to evoke a response. For many, their first reaction is a smile and a chuckle. When I explain that we are launching an educational campaign using the question, some say, "That's great!" Most are glad to hear we're doing such a campaign. A few, however, think the question simplistic, a cliche. One critic even went so far as to say that our use of this question "suggests a very superficial, fundamentalist-like shallowness that I think will go nowhere." I thanked him for his honest feedback!

What's all the fuss about? It's about the question "What Would Jesus Drive?"

It is, of course, a take-off on the more general question "What Would Jesus Do?," which is known to many simply by the initials WWJD. This past summer while browsing in the Westminster Abby gift shop in London I came across a display of small smooth stones with Christian symbols and words carved in them, including "WWJD." It was then that I knew WWJD had become pervasive in western culture and that many would recognize our more specific question, WWJDrive, as related to it.

It doesn't matter to me that WWJD has become somewhat commercialized. I don't think the question shallow at all just like I don't think Christmas is shallow even though it is the apex of commercialization. No, WWJD is for me a serious question because I confess Jesus Christ to be my Savior and Lord. I'm His follower. As such, it is perfectly natural for me to ask, "What would my Lord do in this situation?" It's the equivalent of asking, "what is God's will for me in this situation?" I can't think of a more serious moral question to be asked.

There's no doubt about it. We are asking the question WWJDrive to attract attention. We think it will help us start a discussion about our transportation choices that they are moral choices. Much of the content of this issue lays out exactly why we think so. I urge you to use this issue in educational settings. I invite you to show it to a friend, show it to your pastor. I invite you to visit our new website, www.whatwouldjesusdrive.org (available by November 20), where you can take the WWJDrive Pledge and sign up for a WWJDrive bumper sticker. Finally, I ask that you support this campaign with your prayers and donations.

We're pretty crazy here at EEN. We're perfectly willing to be fools for Christ with this WWJDrive campaign. We think we can change the world. Give us a hand, will you? Thanks!

Your brother in Christ,
Jim Ball

Because Creation Waits

Helen Turnbull

So I've never bought a new car before. I just received a big raise, and I've decided that I deserve something new! I work hard, and I try to do the right thing--it's time that I treat myself. Maybe something a little sporty. A convertible perhaps. But then, I've always had a thing for SUVs. In my little car, it's so hard to see when those monster-pickup cowboys are always pulling up so far into traffic that you can't see anything. I'd like to sit up a little higher and give myself a traffic advantage. And look good at the same time!

But since I've never bought a car before, maybe I should take someone else along to test drive--someone who knows what he's talking about. Who should come with me? My dad know cars, but I'd be driving a wood-paneled station wagon if it were up to him. And I'm guessing the Car Guys might be a little busy. Wait...who's that...

Jesus? Huh? Now it's true, I definitely want you with me when I'm ready to wring the neck of my co-worker when she tries to steal my marketing ideas. And if you weren't with me when I'm at the movies and someone's cell phone rings, and he actually answers it and carries on a conversation, there's no telling what I commandments I would break. No doubt, on occasion, when I'm on the sin track, you're always there to make my path straight. You're definitely the expert when it comes to moral issues.

But, Jesus, do you know anything about carburetors? Have you read the Consumer Reports reviews for new cars? Do you have any experience with the reliability of cup holders in a convertible? What's that you're saying? Car shopping is a moral issue? Hmm. I never thought of it that way. Oh, that's true--I should be thinking of you with everything I do. Yeah, I guess what I drive impacts the world that God made. OK, I'll take you along with me--I could use a different perspective.

So what should we test-drive first? How about an SUV? I was thinking the purply ones are a cool color. Jesus, what's that look for--you don't like purple? I could go for blue, too. What's that--what do I need all that car for? Well, you never know when I might be stranded in six feet of snow, or if I need to carry stuff. It could be useful. Well you never know! OK, OK, I get your point. If I am trusted with something valuable, I need to be worthy of that trust. You're right, that is a lot of car to be trusted with. Oh, you're talking about God's creation! But come on...is my one little car really going to make all that difference? Oh. It makes a difference to you...

So, how about a convertible then? I'm thinking something sleek, with a nice stereo. Convertibles are fuel efficient, aren't they? I could pick other people up and we could carpool to church. I though you might like that idea. And Jesus, it'd be good exposure for you, too. You know, the whole Jabez thing. I'll put a little fish on the back of the car, and then people will know that if you pray hard enough, you could have a convertible! Jesus, you're giving me that look again! Oh. That's not the point?

OK, Jesus, then if you were me, what would you drive? I mean, you know, if you weren't God or anything, and you had to get around in a human kinda way, what wheels would you have? It's not about the vessel? The question I need to ask is not what car should I drive, but am I putting you first? Am I seeing the consequences of what I do? I'm not following you, Jesus. I mean, if you want to be the first to ride in my new car, by all means, you've got the shotgun seat! Now what!?!

The creation waits in eager expec- tation for the sons of God to be revealed...We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time...

Wow. I see. My choices have consequences that can affect all of creation. Even my transpor- tation choices. I never really thought my car had anything to do with you. Oh, everything I do has everything to do with you...

Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.

You put me in charge of creation? I don't know if that's such a good idea. Thanks for the confidence, but that's a pretty big responsibility. Can I get some help? Oh good. You sure you want me to do something? So it sounds like I might need to revisit my transportation needs. I wonder if they sell rickshaws here. OK, one step at a time. Good, because I'm not sure that I'm ready for that change yet anyway. I've got a lot to think about. I'll start with figuring out how I can cut back my car use.

So I guess this means I should forget about the dual-tank, full-cab pickup, eh? I'm kidding! I'm kidding!

Walk the walk, and drive the talk

Jim Ball

I grew up in the Dallas suburbsa place where you needed a car to go just about anywhere. Places like the Dallas- Fort Worth metroplex that seemingly popped up out of the ground in the 20th century are car-central. (Just ask anyone stuck on the infamous Central Expressway!) You want to talk about sprawl and traffic crawl? Dallas was way ahead of the curve on that one.

I grew up thinking that a car was essential. Indeed, a car meant freedom. But it also was something a functioning adult had to have.

So it also meant maturity and responsibility. Mature, responsible adults with jobs and/or households to maintain had a car. The freedom and maturity of adulthood were based in part on the irony of car- dependency. I took this as a given, one of the contradictory unques- tioned myths of my worldview.

As I journeyed through young adulthood (college, seminary, my first ministry position, graduate school) I had various old cars to travel in. I always worried about breakdowns and it was hard afford- ing the upkeep. Toward the end of graduate school my car required major repairs. I was teaching 40 miles away at a college part-time and there was no other way to get there except by car. I felt trapped. I had to get my car fixed, even though it pushed me deep into debt.

After graduate school I wanted to work for several years in an environ- mental organization to understand such organizations better and eventually be a bridge between them and the Christian community.

I was offered an introductory position at the Union of Concerned Scientists in Washington, D.C. It paid little, but with some creative budgeting I was able to just scrape by. After several months of living in D.C. I began to think about selling my car. It was actually more of a burden than a help. Parking was a nightmare, and I re- ceived numerous parking tickets out of ignorance. (Apparently, getting a Ph.D. in theology is no help in trying to decipher D.C.'s intentionally Byzan- tine parking laws!) I only drove it about once a weeknot because I needed to, but simply as a maintenance mea- sure. When choosing where to live in D.C. I intentionally picked a place that would limit my need to use my vehicle. The main reason was because I wanted to use it as little as possible to cut down on my own transportation pollution. I commuted to work using D.C.'s excellent subway system called the Metro, which was much preferable to driving. My church was a 3-minute walk away. The grocery store was a 7- minute walk. I could walk or Metro to just about anywhere I needed to go, and catch a cab when necessary. But I couldn't quite shake free of my car-dependency. Could I be a mature adult without a car? Wouldn't I lose some precious freedom?

Then the most helpful misfortune that has ever befallen me occurred. My car was stolen and totaled.

After getting over the initial shock, I realized I was free from my car-dependency! Far from immobilizing me, the absence of my car actually liberated me from many things: the pollution I created when I drove, upkeep and maintenance, the fear of a breakdown and the loss of independence, the stress of driving, sitting in traffic jams, the potential for accidents, insurance, vehicle registration (which is a nightmare in D.C.), parking, the cost of gasoline, the need to refuel, and exposure to the carcinogen benzene while filling up.

Living a full, satisfying life without a car was not only possible, it was desirable. I felt much better without one. I didn't miss it and got along fine without it. My car-dependency was broken. The myth that a car meant freedom and maturity was exposed as untrue.

Connecting with Creation and the Creator

Nancy Regensburger

Texts: Psalm 148, Matthew 6:25-34

The photo of the earth taken by astronauts while rocketing through space has forever changed our view of the earth.

The pictures did not show human boundaries of countries, cities, rich suburbs, poor city neighborhoods. It did not show divisions between races, nationalities, economic status. It did not even distinguish between animal, plant, and human life, or even air, water and land. The earth appeared as a single organism, flowing and blending, beautiful as a sparkling blue ocean. The truth revealed by that picture is that at the deepest level, everything is connected.

Ephesians 1:9-10 states: "God has made know to us his hidden purpose - such as his will and pleasure determined beforehand in Christto be put into effect when the time was ripe: namely, that the universe, all in heaven and on earth, might be brought into a unit in Christ." Beneath all our diversity, there exists a common unity of all life. Everything is connected. All forms are respected and needed. None are inferior or superior but simply different, each contributing to the whole. Mark Twain is reputed to have said he never could understand why God created a fly. God's ways are higher than our understanding. The human family stands in unity before God with other creatures and the natural world.

The Genesis story teaches that humans are created from the earth and return to it (Gen 2:7). We are creatures, not the Creator. We modern humans have somehow located ourselves on the wrong side and imagined ourselves as over on God's side, operating as little gods. We think we are in charge, when we are simply caretakers. In our pride we stand above and against the created order and thus feel free to degrade and abuse it. Our environmental crisis challenges us a search for a more appropriate humble image of humanity.

My first point, then, is that humans are creatures, and as such are intimately connected with the whole creation. My second point is that all of creation prays and praises God. In Psalm 148, first the heavenly hosts and angels praise God, then the sun, moon, stars, and waters above the heavens. From the earth the creatures of the deep, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind, obey God's command. Then praise arises from mountains and hills, fruit trees and cedars, wild animals and cattle, creeping things and flying birds. Finally, kings and all people, princes and all rulers, young men and women, old and young together praise the name of the Lord. It is not just humans but all creation that breaks forth in praise of the Lord.

A literal understanding of this psalm may seem strange because of our conception of faith as dogma or intellectual beliefs. If, however, we view faith as trust or devotion, the rest of creation exhibits these qualities in abundance. My dog exhibits far more trust than I do. If we confine our idea of prayer to speaking rational thoughts, we again exclude other creatures. But if we experience prayer as feeling or sensing the presence of the Creator, some creatures possess keener senses than we.

Birds see better, dogs smell better, cattle feel the vibration of a coming earthquake. Might animals not sense God in their own way? If we as creatures are connected with creation, and if creation does pray and praise, then this brings us to our third point: Creation can lead us to God and teach us the wisdom of God. Creatures can help us grow spiritually.

In Romans 1:20, the Apostle Paul writes that since the beginning, "God's eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things God has made. "Someone has said that revelation comes through two Words: The Word of God in scripture and the Word of God in nature.

Jesus saw many lessons from God in the natural world around him. "Consider the lilies of the field and the birds of the air," Jesus said when encouraging his followers not to be anxious. Lilies and birds are presented as models of trust. "Be wise as a serpent and cunning as doves," he advised his disciples. Most of Jesus' parables draw parallels between Jesus' environment and the kingdom of God: a seed which falls upon rocky ground, a field full of wheat and weeds, leaven working in bread, fish in a net, a shepherd with his sheep, a seed growing silently, on and on.

Those with eyes to see and ears to hear can discern the truth of God all around.

Creation teaches about God

Further, the Bible gives many examples of people drawn to God through revelations in nature. Moses heard God's voice from a burning bush, the giving of the ten commandments was accomplished through smoke and fire on Sinai, the people of Israel were led through the desert by a column of fire by night and clouds by day, Elijah prevailed over the prophets of Baal through fire from heaven onto the altar, a dove symbolized God's spirit at the baptism of Jesus, Pentecost was accompanied by wind and fire. Sensitivity to God's creation is foundational to religious experience in the scriptures. Not to connect with nature is to miss the presence of God.

A few years ago I led a workshop for Presbyterian women on developing awareness of God's presence. I asked where participants had seen God at work in their lives recently. One women immediately offered to share how she had seen God's presence that very morning. She proceeded to tell in details of the exquisite beauty of a tiny spider spinning its fragile web. Every- one listed with rapt attention. But when she ended her story, she said, "I'm sorry; I shouldn't have mentioned anything so small." But the people in the room, almost with one accord, said, "Oh, no, it was so beautiful!" None of us doubted that this woman had encountered God precisely because she was so attentive to the small and ordinary. She saw God's handiwork in a spider.

In Job 12:9-10 we read: The creeping things of the earth will give you lessons, and the fish of the sea provide you an explanation: there is not one such creature but will know that the hand of God has arranged things like this! In this hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of every human being.

Psychologists tell us that pets are more and more becoming primary relationships. Blood pressures actually drop as we stroke a cat or dog. Autistic children appear able to relate to dolphins, and elder folks in nursing homes can be made joyful by the visit or a mutt from the dog pound. Chimpanzees are serving as limbs for quadriplegics and dogs assist in finding missing earthquake victims. Animal friends can soothe away tension and fears. When we connect with them, we are nurtured ourselves and more likely to want to improve their conditions.

Our environmental crisis has come about largely because modern humans have disconnected themselves from the natural world. We have forgotten that all of nature, including the creatures, pray nd praise God, and that they can lead us into a deeper life in God.

In Isaiah 11 we learn of God's goal for creation. In the end time, the wolf will live with sheep, the leopard with the kid, the calf and young lion shall grow up together, the cow and bear shall be friends and the child will play over the hole of the cobra. They shall not hurt or destroy in all God's holy mountain.

This will happen, the text tells us, because the earth becomes full of the knowledge of God.

Nancy Regensburger lives in Vassar, Mich.

The outside story

John Krueger

Lugging the TV video camera on the trail was awkward, but this human interest story was worth it. Members of St. Andrew's United church in Sudbury wound their way along the Cup and Saucer trail on an afternoon hike. The reporter waved her mike in front of a church member who stopped to rest amid the white pine, spruce and granite. "What prompted your congregation to come way out here?" The woman clutched the straps of her day pack and then motioned, "Look around you. What better place is there to learn about God the Creator?"

A congregational hike is news worthy because most churches have retreated indoors. Of course, there's nothing wrong with wanting to avoid being drenched or frostbitten through an open air service, but nearly all our meetings take place inside. The climate is controlled with a switch of a thermostat. Everything we stare at--walls, pews, and altar--bear the human imprint. Even our baptisms have moved from the river to an indoor marble font.

But modern conveniences come with a price. We may miss something if we always hear about God or read the scriptures behind church walls. Wendell Berry contends that biblical miracles which may seem incredible inside, outdoors will seem merely natural. "Whoever has really considered the lilies of the field and the birds of the air and pondered the improbability of their existence in this warm world within the cold and empty stellar distances will hardly balk at the turning of water into wine--which was, after all, a very small miracle. We forget the greater and still continuing miracle by which water (with soil and sunlight) is turned into grapes."

Many of us have experienced our own miracles through a life-changing event at a Christian camp or retreat centre. Here God's word and world could resonate together and broadcast in stereo as it were. Our surroundings influence our perception of God. If our worship and devotion always occur indoors, we may be drawn to God as Redeemer or Holy Spirit, but feel detached from scripture which speaks about God's work in creation. We may be quick to offer praise but slow to care for the earth. It's easy to stay indoors because we are conditioned to avoid rain or snow. Sometimes I ignore the weather forecasts, fling on my rain coat and hike under bleak and somber skies. They draw meto by true center--into the weather of my heart. One rainy day I headed for the Spencer Gorge wilderness-area; a niche in the Niagara Escapement.

I've hiked the Bruce Trail that runs through the gorge many times, but one afternoon stands out. It was too wet to take along the scriptures, but the psalms of the waterfalls were enough. I edge along the rim of the gorge. As it cooled, mist rose above the trees. I had learned why this happens from high school science and a tea kettle. But chemistry doesn't take the mystery from the mist. The translucent angel hovered and rose like a prayer while I shivered from the damp. I wanted to share the gorge with others so I took a group of thirty young adults for a hike. No TV cameras followed us on the trail that quiet Sunday morning. Yet it was a special time for these college Residence Advisors to gather before the busy semester started.

We saw how glacier melt water once plunged over the escarpment and carved what felt like a remote mountain canyon. Following the trail, we came to an open area where huge chunks of dolomite cap stone had once tumbled into the gorge. We perched on top of them, ready for our morning service. Mark took his violin out of his back pack and we sang, "This Is My Father's World."

Some hikers stopped to listen. They had a, "Isn't this quaint?" look on their faces. One of our students stood up and read from Job. "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, ...Which of all of these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" There is an illuminated manu- script, a text in the creation itself--in the rocks, trees and streams--which the written scriptures exhorts us to read.

I looked around and felt like many others. God can be found among the pines as well as the pews. We need the straight lines of church architecture; the steeples and theology to point us heavenward. We also need the curves of creation which are full of the swirling finger prints of God.

Watchmen, Shepherds, and the Sheep

Cal DeWitt

People who think of themselves as the only thing important, and do everything out of self-interest are destructive of society. "Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, `I am, and there is none besides me.'"(Is 47:10b). Users of the rich blessings of the creation provided by the Creator must use things thoughtfully and caringly:

"Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet."(Ezekiel 34:1-4; 17-21).

Citizens appointed to warn the society of danger have a serious obligation to fulfill their task. If they sound the alarm and no one responds, the unresponsive society is at fault and will pay the consequences. If the ones appointed to sound the alarm fail to do so when hazards and danger are present or coming, they are at fault (Ezekiel 33:1-6). It is unworthy and irresponsible for such people to be blind to what is happening, to lack knowledge, to use their position merely to satisfy their own appetites, to lead or mislead people without understanding, or to occupy to seek one's self-interest and gain.

"Come, each one cries, "let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better"(Is 56:10-12).

We learn from scripture that all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God. Brokeness permeates all of the society, and unless we vigorously pursue God's will, we may well succumb to self-interest, muddying the drinking water, and destroying the land's capacity to provide us and all creatures with food. The integrity of God's creation is complemented by people whose integrity images and mirrors God's integrity.

The Persistent Goodness of Creation

Has the goodness of the creation so persisted and continued to the present that it is sufficient to proclaim God's eternal power and divine majesty? The scriptures say it has: Ps 97:1-4; Acts 14:16-17; Rom 10:18; Rom 1:20.

The heavens are declaring His righteousness, and all the people see His glory (Ps 97:6). The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims His handiwork. Day to day they pour forth speech, and night after night they proclaim His knowledge. While not with human speech, their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words go out to the end of the world (Ps 19:1-4 RSV).

God's sustaining care for His creation bears Him witness to all nations, a witness seen by all through His goodly provision of rains, fruitful seasons, food and gladness (Ac 14:16- 17).

"Did the people of earth not hear the heavens declare God's glory? Of course they did: 'Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the end of the world'"(Rom 10:18). "His creation has so testified to Him from the beginning until now that we are left with no excuse but to know His power and majesty: For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Rom 1:20 NIV).

A three-century old Christian creed from the year 1561 summarizes this beautifully under the heading, By what means God is made known unto us, as follows:

"We know Him by two means: First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe; which is before our eyes as a most elegant book, wherein all creatures, great and small, are as so many characters leading us to see clearly the invisible things of God, even His everlasting power and divinity, as the apostle Paul says (Rom. 1:20). All which things are sufficient to convince men and leave them without excuse. Second, He makes Himself more clearly and fully known to us by His holy and divine Word, that is to say, as far as is necessary for us to know in this life, to His glory and our salvation."

God's eternal power and divine majesty can be read in the things He has made and in His sustaining love for His creatures. We, through His created works, are left with no excuse, but to recognize His eternal power and divine nature. His creatures speak clearly to human beings at all times and places. People and hills, birds and trees, turtles and streams, beetles and mushrooms--all creatures great and small speak forth God's divinity and everlasting power. All creatures proclaim Him!

West Nile virus alert

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that as of September 18, 2002 there have been 80 deaths and 1641 cases of illness from a virus new to the United States called the WEST NILE VIRUS. This virus has been detected in 42 states.

Could global warming have anything to do with the arrival and spread of this disease in the United States? Some are asking that question. Whatever the reason, it's here and active outdoor types and those concerned about the potentially indiscriminate use of pesticides should know the facts.

The West Nile Virus is transmitted primarily by bites from infected mosquitoes. Such West Nile cases occur primarily in the late summer or early fall, and even later in warmer areas. There is no evidence to suggest that West Nile virus can be spread from person to person contact or from animal to person contact. There is no vaccine against the West Nile Virus. Recently it was discovered that four people who received organs from a single organ donor developed West Nile virus infection following transplantation. To date, there are no documented instances where West Nile virus was transmitted through blood transfusion. However, the CDC is investigating this possibility.

Concerning possible transmission via mosquito bites, even in areas where the virus is circulating, very few mosquitoes are infected with the virus. Less than 1 percent of people who get bitten and become infected will get severely ill. The chances you will become severely ill from any one mosquito bite are extremely small. Most people who become infected with West Nile virus will have either no symptoms or only mild ones.

On rare occasions, West Nile virus infection can result in a severe and sometimes fatal illness known as West Nile encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain). The risk of severe disease is higher for persons 50 years of age and older. The CDC has also recently reported cases of "Acute Flaccid Paralysis Syndrome" associated with West Nile Virus.

The symptoms are similar to acute polio. Most of the new paralysis cases reported have occurred among people who were previously healthy and middle-aged. The extent of the paralysis varies widely: Some victims lost the use of an arm or a leg, while several others have needed ventilators to enable them to breathe. Likelihood of recovery remains unclear at this time.

What you can do

Prevention is the best defense. Mosquitoes depend on standing water for their survival (this is where they lay their eggs), so you can effec- tively limit the amount of mosquitoes in your yard by eliminating standing water. Mosquitoes normally remain within a hundred yards of their breeding ground, so tell your neighbors to pay attention to their yards, too. Take these steps to avoid mosquito bites.

Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening when mosquitoes are most active.
When outdoors where mosquitoes are present, wear long sleeves and long pants.
Apply a repellent with 10 percent DEET to clothes. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. Read and strictly follow label instructions. DO NOT use a repellent with more than 10 percent DEET on children.
Install or repair window and door screens so that mosquitoes cannot get indoors.
Empty bird baths at least every three days during the summer. Water can accumulate after it rains.
Have your family hunt down and dump out all of the standing water in your yard that has accumulated in trash cans, recycling bins, tires, boats, baby pools, and tarps.
Clean your gutters and check them regularly throughout the warm season, because they are also hotspots for mosquito breeding.
If you have a swimming pool, keep it clean and filtered.
If you have an ornamental pond, stock it with goldfish or mosquitofish, which will eat the mosquito larvae.

For More Information For FAQs from the CDC on West Nile Virus, see http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/q&a.htm.

See also the Food and Drug Administration's site, http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/westnile.html.