If you can make it to the end (I watched in two sittings to get there), you will not be sorry. Wow.
I do not think I have ever seen anyone that fired up sharing their name before they ever get to the heart of their message.
HT: @drmoore and Political Wire
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Two Completely Unrelated Things
(1) I have a new reason to watch The Biggest Loser this season. One of the contestants is a woman who was one of my really good friends in middle school and part of high school. You can read more about Sandy here. She lived within walking distance of my house, so I remember hanging out quite a bit. I hate the color pink, but I will be rooting for pink this season on The Biggest Loser! Sandy's brother, Mike, died this past spring just a few days after trying out for The Biggest Loser. His death was due to complications because of his weight. I hope that Sandy and Mike's story will encourage people to get up and get moving. So if you see any Facebook/Twitter posts pulling for pink, I have not lost my mind, but I am cheering Sandy on!
(2) It is probably unfair to include this in the same post since it is so completely unrelated. I do not usually write about things that are too written about on blogs, but I am making an exception for the Florida church. There are some things that strike me about the burning of the Koran in the Florida church. One of the things that struck me was covered here with some of the same thoughts I had about how it might not be smart to burn other people's religious books. Something else that I have been pondering is that this Florida church seems to be willing to risk other people's lives for what they think is the gospel instead of their own lives. It is no secret that certain Muslim zealots are willing to kill, riot, terrorize when someone does something offensive to a belief that they hold dear. There were murders, riots, and calls for death due to a cartoonist drawing a picture of Mohammed. This Florida church knows this. Yet this church is willing to risk the lives of others around the world because it wants to prove a point? What point it is exactly that they are trying to make anyway? We are called to risk our lives for the gospel, not the lives of others. Sometimes our actions for the sake of the gospel may put others at risk. New converts are often subject to persecution and therefore, conversion can result in a risk. However, this church is putting lives at risk without conversion, without risking their own lives, without actually taking the gospel where it needs to go.
Finally, if you have a heart for reaching the Islamic world for Christ, you are not going to do what is quite possibly the most offensive display towards the Muslim community in an effort to reach the community for Christ. We are called to love our enemies, not hate them. Burning the Koran is a sign of hate. I do not like to see millions/billions of people around the world deceived by the Koran, but that makes me pray for those who are sharing the gospel to Muslims around the world, or send money to missionaries in that part of the world, or research ways to share teh gospel with a Muslim, or show acts of love and mercy towards Muslims. Love would not lead you to burn the books just to be completely shut off from all opportunities to share the gospel because of your act of hatred.
I am slightly encouraged to see that the pastor is now "praying" about his decision due to the government attention that he has received and due to the counsel he is receiving from others in the Christian community. I sincerely hope and pray that he considers whether his church's actions are going to bring glory to God and further the spread of the gospel or hinder the spread of the gospel. I cannot think of how this act will spread the gospel. Instead I can only see how it can potentially endanger mission efforts around the world. I do trust that God can use this event to open conversations in mission efforts around the world and hopefully lead God's people to prayer and a commitment to spreading the gospel to those who are of the Muslim faith.
(2) It is probably unfair to include this in the same post since it is so completely unrelated. I do not usually write about things that are too written about on blogs, but I am making an exception for the Florida church. There are some things that strike me about the burning of the Koran in the Florida church. One of the things that struck me was covered here with some of the same thoughts I had about how it might not be smart to burn other people's religious books. Something else that I have been pondering is that this Florida church seems to be willing to risk other people's lives for what they think is the gospel instead of their own lives. It is no secret that certain Muslim zealots are willing to kill, riot, terrorize when someone does something offensive to a belief that they hold dear. There were murders, riots, and calls for death due to a cartoonist drawing a picture of Mohammed. This Florida church knows this. Yet this church is willing to risk the lives of others around the world because it wants to prove a point? What point it is exactly that they are trying to make anyway? We are called to risk our lives for the gospel, not the lives of others. Sometimes our actions for the sake of the gospel may put others at risk. New converts are often subject to persecution and therefore, conversion can result in a risk. However, this church is putting lives at risk without conversion, without risking their own lives, without actually taking the gospel where it needs to go.
Finally, if you have a heart for reaching the Islamic world for Christ, you are not going to do what is quite possibly the most offensive display towards the Muslim community in an effort to reach the community for Christ. We are called to love our enemies, not hate them. Burning the Koran is a sign of hate. I do not like to see millions/billions of people around the world deceived by the Koran, but that makes me pray for those who are sharing the gospel to Muslims around the world, or send money to missionaries in that part of the world, or research ways to share teh gospel with a Muslim, or show acts of love and mercy towards Muslims. Love would not lead you to burn the books just to be completely shut off from all opportunities to share the gospel because of your act of hatred.
I am slightly encouraged to see that the pastor is now "praying" about his decision due to the government attention that he has received and due to the counsel he is receiving from others in the Christian community. I sincerely hope and pray that he considers whether his church's actions are going to bring glory to God and further the spread of the gospel or hinder the spread of the gospel. I cannot think of how this act will spread the gospel. Instead I can only see how it can potentially endanger mission efforts around the world. I do trust that God can use this event to open conversations in mission efforts around the world and hopefully lead God's people to prayer and a commitment to spreading the gospel to those who are of the Muslim faith.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Entering the World of the Casserole
I am 30 and nothing shows my age more than my recent desire to cook instead of eat out all the time. I realized I was wasting money on food and that I could eat out only one to three meals a week and still save money by cooking at home. My investment into a Crockpot has more than paid for itself in the money I have saved by making as many meals as possible and packing my lunch for work. This weekend I dared to go where I had not gone before in the Crockpot. I made a casserole.
I have made dishes that are close to casseroles before this weekend. I made a meatloaf, but I do not count that as a casserole (although it does share some of the same characteristics as a casserole so you might). I made a lasagna, but I do not consider that a casserole because it is a lasagna. Again, you can disagree. This weekend I wanted to make something that was Mexican food like in my Crockpot but I could not find a recipe that sounded good, so I made one up.
All good casseroles, I concluded as I enjoyed my creation, have to be born of a similar process. I wanted to make enchiladas in the Crockpot, but I could not find a recipe that sounded right. I found some inspiration by reading different recipes and comments to get some tips. I wrote down a list of ingredients in quantities that sounded right before heading to the store. Once in the store as I picked up the two cans of enchilada sauce and headed back down the aisle, my eye caught the chili. I remembered mom putting chili over enchiladas. I pondered how good it might be to mix a can of the enchilada sauce with the chili and use that instead of two cans to add more meat. You see, I am going through an anemic stage right now, and chili has more iron in it than enchilada sauce. I even checked the can to make sure. I threw in some black beans too for the same reason. I then went back to the chili section to trade out cans of chili because I decided that the brand in hand would be too chunky and I would need a runny chili for the casserole so that it would be more like enchilada sauce. I never buy the runny chili. I was being bold. Then it came time to buy the meat. I decided on fajita chicken. The recipe called for ground beef. I could not leave out onion because I do not consider a meal a meal unless there is onion in it. By the time I left the store, I had 2-1/2 of the original ingredients in the recipe - corn tortillas, cheese, and one of the two cans of enchilada sauce called for. The recipe was officially inspiration. Or guidance on how to cook a casserole in a Crockpot.
As I threw the casserole together and left it alone while it cooked, I was nervous and excited about how it would turn out. It was either going to be a keeper or a dud. The chili mixed with enchilada sauce did not look promising as the casserole was being assembled. In fact, the whole thing looked pretty unappetizing in the Crockpot before it cooked and after it was done. I encouraged myself by reminding myself that I cannot think of a single casserole that I like that is appetizing when you put it in and pull it out of the oven.
It came time to take the first bite. The first bite was not good. I burned my tongue. My tongue was in so much pain I do not remember the rest of the first bite, including how it tasted. I waited a while longer before the second bite. Finally, I could tell that this was going to be a keeper, not a dud. In fact, the more I ate, the better it tasted. By the second helping, I was loving it. It reminded me of enchiladas, but without having to prepare the tortillas, assemble the little rolls, remember to put the tortillas with the seem side down, and pouring the sauce on top. The sauce had soaked into the chicken and the tortillas infusing them with deliciousness. It was incredible. I thought that the world should know about this recipe. Of course, it looked very unappetizing (still) but the taste made up for it.
I have determined that this must be how all casseroles are formed. Or at least how they are formed in the information age when cooks can compare recipes. I started with several recipes, but decided on one that sounded best. Then as I bought the ingredients, I altered the recipe based on what sounded good. At that point you can only hope that it is edible because you are in charted (or unblogged about) territory. Once you determine that the recipe is a keeper (and secretly thank yourself for writing down the ingredients as soon as you threw them together into a pot), you want to share it with others. I am going to share it, but more for your inspiration and guidance!
Crockpot Enchilada Casserole
1-1/2 lbs of precooked meat. I used frozen chicken fajita meat, thawed.
1 can of enchilada sauce
1 can of chili
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 onion
3 cups Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese
12 corn tortillas
Cook the meat if it is not cooked already. This recipe has a relatively short cooking time for meat, so raw meat probably will not get done. Cut the tortillas into six wedges per tortilla. Use a Crockpot liner (that part is not inspiration - trust me, it is worth it!), but spray the liner with cooking spray. Layer the ingredients starting with one stack of the tortilla wedges, meat, sauce, beans, onions, cheese. Repeat three to four more times. After you have used up the meat, sauce, beans and onions, top it off with a final layer of tortilla wedges and cheese only. Cook in the Crockpot on low for 4-6 hours. My Crockpot has an automatic warmer, so I set the timer for 5 hours and then let it warm for a few more. It was perfect for consumption after 3 hours on the warmer setting. At two hours, the sauce was a little runny still, but that could have been because it was so hot. Plus, at two hours on warm I burned my tongue with the first bite which may have had something to do with my thinking it was perfect for the second helping and hour later.
I have made dishes that are close to casseroles before this weekend. I made a meatloaf, but I do not count that as a casserole (although it does share some of the same characteristics as a casserole so you might). I made a lasagna, but I do not consider that a casserole because it is a lasagna. Again, you can disagree. This weekend I wanted to make something that was Mexican food like in my Crockpot but I could not find a recipe that sounded good, so I made one up.
All good casseroles, I concluded as I enjoyed my creation, have to be born of a similar process. I wanted to make enchiladas in the Crockpot, but I could not find a recipe that sounded right. I found some inspiration by reading different recipes and comments to get some tips. I wrote down a list of ingredients in quantities that sounded right before heading to the store. Once in the store as I picked up the two cans of enchilada sauce and headed back down the aisle, my eye caught the chili. I remembered mom putting chili over enchiladas. I pondered how good it might be to mix a can of the enchilada sauce with the chili and use that instead of two cans to add more meat. You see, I am going through an anemic stage right now, and chili has more iron in it than enchilada sauce. I even checked the can to make sure. I threw in some black beans too for the same reason. I then went back to the chili section to trade out cans of chili because I decided that the brand in hand would be too chunky and I would need a runny chili for the casserole so that it would be more like enchilada sauce. I never buy the runny chili. I was being bold. Then it came time to buy the meat. I decided on fajita chicken. The recipe called for ground beef. I could not leave out onion because I do not consider a meal a meal unless there is onion in it. By the time I left the store, I had 2-1/2 of the original ingredients in the recipe - corn tortillas, cheese, and one of the two cans of enchilada sauce called for. The recipe was officially inspiration. Or guidance on how to cook a casserole in a Crockpot.
As I threw the casserole together and left it alone while it cooked, I was nervous and excited about how it would turn out. It was either going to be a keeper or a dud. The chili mixed with enchilada sauce did not look promising as the casserole was being assembled. In fact, the whole thing looked pretty unappetizing in the Crockpot before it cooked and after it was done. I encouraged myself by reminding myself that I cannot think of a single casserole that I like that is appetizing when you put it in and pull it out of the oven.
It came time to take the first bite. The first bite was not good. I burned my tongue. My tongue was in so much pain I do not remember the rest of the first bite, including how it tasted. I waited a while longer before the second bite. Finally, I could tell that this was going to be a keeper, not a dud. In fact, the more I ate, the better it tasted. By the second helping, I was loving it. It reminded me of enchiladas, but without having to prepare the tortillas, assemble the little rolls, remember to put the tortillas with the seem side down, and pouring the sauce on top. The sauce had soaked into the chicken and the tortillas infusing them with deliciousness. It was incredible. I thought that the world should know about this recipe. Of course, it looked very unappetizing (still) but the taste made up for it.
I have determined that this must be how all casseroles are formed. Or at least how they are formed in the information age when cooks can compare recipes. I started with several recipes, but decided on one that sounded best. Then as I bought the ingredients, I altered the recipe based on what sounded good. At that point you can only hope that it is edible because you are in charted (or unblogged about) territory. Once you determine that the recipe is a keeper (and secretly thank yourself for writing down the ingredients as soon as you threw them together into a pot), you want to share it with others. I am going to share it, but more for your inspiration and guidance!
Crockpot Enchilada Casserole
1-1/2 lbs of precooked meat. I used frozen chicken fajita meat, thawed.
1 can of enchilada sauce
1 can of chili
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 onion
3 cups Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese
12 corn tortillas
Cook the meat if it is not cooked already. This recipe has a relatively short cooking time for meat, so raw meat probably will not get done. Cut the tortillas into six wedges per tortilla. Use a Crockpot liner (that part is not inspiration - trust me, it is worth it!), but spray the liner with cooking spray. Layer the ingredients starting with one stack of the tortilla wedges, meat, sauce, beans, onions, cheese. Repeat three to four more times. After you have used up the meat, sauce, beans and onions, top it off with a final layer of tortilla wedges and cheese only. Cook in the Crockpot on low for 4-6 hours. My Crockpot has an automatic warmer, so I set the timer for 5 hours and then let it warm for a few more. It was perfect for consumption after 3 hours on the warmer setting. At two hours, the sauce was a little runny still, but that could have been because it was so hot. Plus, at two hours on warm I burned my tongue with the first bite which may have had something to do with my thinking it was perfect for the second helping and hour later.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Where have all the ladies gone?
I am in the midst of a really difficult period at work, so I enjoy coming home to Netflix movies to escape. However, I am often disappointed at what I am seeing. Last night, the selection was The Break-Up. I knew that I probably would not like the movie, but I guess part of me hoped it would be funny. Plus, it was just PG-13, so how bad could it be? It was REALLY bad. The profanity was unbearable. What I noticed most as I watched it though was how unladylike Jennifer Aniston's character was as she cursed in almost every sentence. When did it become ok for women to use that type of language? Society used to believe that cursing was an indication of lower class or lack of class. Now it is accepted no matter the class. I find it completely unattractive. There are plenty of words to use in the English language without having to use vulgar words. Women (and men) have lost their creativity in speaking. Society becomes more and more disrespectful. People begin to lose respect for themselves and others.
On the flip side of this, I am learning that society begins to respect you more just because of your difference in speech when you choose not to curse. Women want equality in the workplace, but yet they put themselves on the same level as men by using foul language. Why not gain more respect by being more careful with words? It definitely gives the appearance of being more professional, and it is an easy thing to do. I have not even gotten into all of the religious reasons that words need to be spoken carefully. I will save that for another post on another day. For now, I will turn to faithful friends in books instead of vulgar movies. Maybe it is time to invest in a language filter for my TV too.
On the flip side of this, I am learning that society begins to respect you more just because of your difference in speech when you choose not to curse. Women want equality in the workplace, but yet they put themselves on the same level as men by using foul language. Why not gain more respect by being more careful with words? It definitely gives the appearance of being more professional, and it is an easy thing to do. I have not even gotten into all of the religious reasons that words need to be spoken carefully. I will save that for another post on another day. For now, I will turn to faithful friends in books instead of vulgar movies. Maybe it is time to invest in a language filter for my TV too.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Clearance Aisle Chicken
I am the clearance aisle chicken queen. You know the game. You are in a store that has a big clearance sale and there are aisles and aisles of disorganized clearance items. If you are patient enough, you can find shirts for less than $10.00 that are not too out of date.
Inevitably someone else will start at the opposite end of the rack working toward you instead of coming behind you. There is going to be a meeting at some point in the racks. I am always determined to win the chicken meeting. This involves careful positioning and posturing. I avoid all eye contact. Eye contact results in the need to be polite. Eye contact would make me want to surrender. I speed up my search not skipping any articles of clothing no matter how hideous. If you are grazing, you are going to feel it is polite to step out of the way. Plus if you are going fast, the other person feels that it will not take you long to move past them and will let you pass.
Saturday, I won four games of clearance aisle chicken. I only scored three shirts. However the shirts are from Macy's (which used to mean something but now is turning into another JC Penney's). I challenge anyone to beat me at a game of clearance aisle chicken!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Inevitably someone else will start at the opposite end of the rack working toward you instead of coming behind you. There is going to be a meeting at some point in the racks. I am always determined to win the chicken meeting. This involves careful positioning and posturing. I avoid all eye contact. Eye contact results in the need to be polite. Eye contact would make me want to surrender. I speed up my search not skipping any articles of clothing no matter how hideous. If you are grazing, you are going to feel it is polite to step out of the way. Plus if you are going fast, the other person feels that it will not take you long to move past them and will let you pass.
Saturday, I won four games of clearance aisle chicken. I only scored three shirts. However the shirts are from Macy's (which used to mean something but now is turning into another JC Penney's). I challenge anyone to beat me at a game of clearance aisle chicken!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The Wire
I will be writing more on this, but I have to recommend The Wire for pretty much anyone. It was on HBO, so a language/nudity/violence disclaimer is necessary. However, it is the most realistic depiction of the inner city that has ever been written. It watches like a novel in five parts with each season taking a different theme/focus. I do not think that any other television show comes close to the writing, directing, producing of The Wire. Now I can't wait to watch Treme which has I believe the same producer as The Wire. Brilliant.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, June 11, 2010
Learning Early
I am so excited that my lil guy loves books! I have brought at least one book for him with me each time I have visited since July of last year, and this past weekend, the first thing he asked for was a book. Nevermind that the Mr. Potato Head was right there. He wanted a book. Fortunately I brought him two this trip. I am very excited that he likes to read. It will also make it easy for me to know what to bring him each time I come in - a book of his own. I recently read an article that said that the number of books a child has in the home is a better indicator of educational success than socio-economic level. Books (which usually result in the love of reading) are important. I have a feeling that I will do my part to stock lil guy's own personal library!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
These are a few of my favorite things!
Here are some things that I am currently obsessed with:
1. My Crockpot -
I decided to purchase a Crockpot in April, and I have thoroughly enjoyed cooking in it since. My oven has been broken for a while now, but the Crockpot has been the perfect solution for me. I usually feel like cooking on Saturday mornings, so it is really convenient to put the dish together on Saturday morning, and have lunch for the rest of the week. How is it that more people are not using this wonderful tool?!?! I have made meatloaf, taco soup, chicken chili, Mexican corn chowder, baked regular and sweet potatoes, buffalo chicken, baked potato soup, bread pudding, and French toast since buying the Crockpot. I have been eating good (and cheap)!
2. A Year of Slow Cooking blog - In line with number 1 above, I have found that I can explore my obsession with the Crockpot and create culinary experiments using this blog as inspiration. Who knew that you could make so many different things in a Crockpot?
3. Billy the Exterminator -
If you have not yet watched an episode of Billy the Exterminator on A & E, you do not know what you are missing. I mean, where else can you find a guy who is going to tell you that all household pests are carriers of dangerous bacteria that can kill you. If you are lucky, you will catch an episode where he is bitten by a snake, stung by a wasp, bit by a bat, wrestles a gator, or accidentally kills an animal. It is highly entertaining, although hard to explain what is entertaining about the show. Plus, you get to see all sorts of socio-economic classes on the show. Most of the people Billy "helps" are middle and upper-middle class, but it is extremely funny to see what they choose to wear on TV. Some women dress to impress, have the big hair and full make-up. Others open the door in their pajamas, making you want to say "is that the best you can do for national TV?" Throw in some family drama, and it makes for a very entertaining 30 minutes.
4. Chocolate milk -
Thanks to an article about the benefits of chocolate milk before and after working out, I have made chocolate milk part of my daily routine. I prefer Bordens to the Walmart brand because the quality of chocolate is much better, but really any chocolate milk will do. Considering that I have not lost weight, but I continue to lose inches, at least I can say that the chocolate milk is not hurting me. Plus, it is better for me than the empty calories in Gatorade, so that is a bonus!
5. The Biggest Loser: The Workout - Last Chance Workout
-
I am officially obsessed with this workout. It is tough. Seriously. Do not try this workout. Seriously. The workouts on the 30 Day Shred became a little too "easy" (the term is used very loosely), but this workout is no easier today than when I started almost 5 weeks ago. It is tough. However, this probably accounts more for my continued loss of inches, but not weight, than the chocolate milk. If you have seen the show, you know that it would be crazy to buy, much less do, the Last Chance Workout DVD. However, it is awesome for quick toning of the arms and legs. Consider this your warning if you choose to purchase this amazing, almost-instant liposuction for the small price of $10. As with all workouts that I have tried where Jillian Michaels is the torturer/trainer, this workout is extremely effective and the results start to show pretty quick. However, I would highly recommend using another of her workouts or the Biggest Loser workouts as a starter before jumping to this workout.
1. My Crockpot -
I decided to purchase a Crockpot in April, and I have thoroughly enjoyed cooking in it since. My oven has been broken for a while now, but the Crockpot has been the perfect solution for me. I usually feel like cooking on Saturday mornings, so it is really convenient to put the dish together on Saturday morning, and have lunch for the rest of the week. How is it that more people are not using this wonderful tool?!?! I have made meatloaf, taco soup, chicken chili, Mexican corn chowder, baked regular and sweet potatoes, buffalo chicken, baked potato soup, bread pudding, and French toast since buying the Crockpot. I have been eating good (and cheap)!
2. A Year of Slow Cooking blog - In line with number 1 above, I have found that I can explore my obsession with the Crockpot and create culinary experiments using this blog as inspiration. Who knew that you could make so many different things in a Crockpot?
3. Billy the Exterminator -
If you have not yet watched an episode of Billy the Exterminator on A & E, you do not know what you are missing. I mean, where else can you find a guy who is going to tell you that all household pests are carriers of dangerous bacteria that can kill you. If you are lucky, you will catch an episode where he is bitten by a snake, stung by a wasp, bit by a bat, wrestles a gator, or accidentally kills an animal. It is highly entertaining, although hard to explain what is entertaining about the show. Plus, you get to see all sorts of socio-economic classes on the show. Most of the people Billy "helps" are middle and upper-middle class, but it is extremely funny to see what they choose to wear on TV. Some women dress to impress, have the big hair and full make-up. Others open the door in their pajamas, making you want to say "is that the best you can do for national TV?" Throw in some family drama, and it makes for a very entertaining 30 minutes.
4. Chocolate milk -
Thanks to an article about the benefits of chocolate milk before and after working out, I have made chocolate milk part of my daily routine. I prefer Bordens to the Walmart brand because the quality of chocolate is much better, but really any chocolate milk will do. Considering that I have not lost weight, but I continue to lose inches, at least I can say that the chocolate milk is not hurting me. Plus, it is better for me than the empty calories in Gatorade, so that is a bonus!
5. The Biggest Loser: The Workout - Last Chance Workout
- 
I am officially obsessed with this workout. It is tough. Seriously. Do not try this workout. Seriously. The workouts on the 30 Day Shred became a little too "easy" (the term is used very loosely), but this workout is no easier today than when I started almost 5 weeks ago. It is tough. However, this probably accounts more for my continued loss of inches, but not weight, than the chocolate milk. If you have seen the show, you know that it would be crazy to buy, much less do, the Last Chance Workout DVD. However, it is awesome for quick toning of the arms and legs. Consider this your warning if you choose to purchase this amazing, almost-instant liposuction for the small price of $10. As with all workouts that I have tried where Jillian Michaels is the torturer/trainer, this workout is extremely effective and the results start to show pretty quick. However, I would highly recommend using another of her workouts or the Biggest Loser workouts as a starter before jumping to this workout.
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Ugliness of Sin
I have a confession to make. As I watched the Ohio man whose wife ran off with another man give an interview this morning, I wanted him to say what church he attended. Why? So I could immediately begin justifying what occurred and reasoning that the same could not happen in my church. It started with the piece leading up to the interview saying that the mother felt that she could not get a divorce, but instead would have to run off and start a new life because of her deeply held spiritual beliefs. Immediately I thought, she must be Church of Christ because of the stand that they take on divorce. I jumped to that conclusion because surely it had to be a church that put so much emphasis on the outer and works. My next thought was, maybe it is not a Christian church, but Mormon or some other type of religion. Mormons have the reputation of being oppressive to women. Cults are often oppressive to women. Soon the husband was talking, and I was only looking for hints as to what type of church it might be. Who cares if they are supportive, what do they believe? Who cares if they are stepping up and showing you love as the body of Christ (if it is a Christian church) should, what are they doing about her? Are they giving you permission to divorce since it is probably justified in Matthew? These are the things I wanted to know. Sure, I said one of those token prayers that you say for someone when you know it is the right thing to do so you do it, but your heart is not fully behind it. You know the type - the ones we pray in church to justify the spreading of gossip in the guise of prayer requests. There was no mention of the name of Jesus or even of God by the man, so maybe he is Scientologist or Episcopalian (don't they have an atheist preacher?) or Unitarian. All of these thoughts were going through my head.
These thoughts are sinful. I wanted to find some way that my religion and religious systems were better than this family. I wanted to distinguish myself from this family because the word church was used. I wanted to be able to say, well, what do you expect from a religious system that does not believe the true gospel, or is oppressive to women, or is legalistic. In reality, this situation could happen in any church that teaches the true gospel. Divorce is sinful. So is adultery. Churches should take both very seriously. If the church does take it seriously, it may result in decisions like this woman made. Instead of judging or distinguishing, I should have been driven to sadness over the sin at the heart of the scandal. Humans are sinners. There is a family hurting because of many sins, some of which are now very public, and some of which are probably very private. A church is hurting, and I sincerely hope it is a church that preaches the true gospel because the church has an opportunity to be the picture of the gospel to this family. I should also be humbled because my own sinfulness is apparent as I judge complete strangers and try to make myself feel better than them. I will also try to allow the Holy Spirit change the mindset that allowed me to think the sinful thoughts first into thinking about the ugliness of sin in my own life when I see others caught in a public way.
These thoughts are sinful. I wanted to find some way that my religion and religious systems were better than this family. I wanted to distinguish myself from this family because the word church was used. I wanted to be able to say, well, what do you expect from a religious system that does not believe the true gospel, or is oppressive to women, or is legalistic. In reality, this situation could happen in any church that teaches the true gospel. Divorce is sinful. So is adultery. Churches should take both very seriously. If the church does take it seriously, it may result in decisions like this woman made. Instead of judging or distinguishing, I should have been driven to sadness over the sin at the heart of the scandal. Humans are sinners. There is a family hurting because of many sins, some of which are now very public, and some of which are probably very private. A church is hurting, and I sincerely hope it is a church that preaches the true gospel because the church has an opportunity to be the picture of the gospel to this family. I should also be humbled because my own sinfulness is apparent as I judge complete strangers and try to make myself feel better than them. I will also try to allow the Holy Spirit change the mindset that allowed me to think the sinful thoughts first into thinking about the ugliness of sin in my own life when I see others caught in a public way.
My Dream Wedding Cake
OK ... maybe not, but it still made me think of how it matches my Peptobismal pink bedroom with Mardi Gras masks hanging on the wall. Now if it was gold, and had some purple beads mixed in too, maybe :)
You can find this and other wedding cake wrecks here on Cake Wrecks. Check them out!
** In case you are wondering about my mental health, beads are gross right out of the bag, so I would never subject guests at a wedding to a cake with real beads on it. Icing beads, maybe!
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