10.21.2010

Beloved

Listening to that voice [God's voice] with great inner attentiveness, I hear at my center words that say: "I have called you by name, from the very beginning. You are mine and I am yours. You are my beloved, on you my favor rests. I have molded you in the depths of the earth and knitted you in your mother's womb. I have carved you in the palms of my hands and hidden you in the shadow of my embrace. I look at you with infinite tenderness and care for you with a care more intimate than that of a mother for her child. I have counted every hair on your head and guided you at every step. Wherever you go, I go with you, and wherever you rest, I keep watch. I will give you food that will satisfy all your hunger and drink that will quench all your thirst. I will not hide my face from you. You know me as your own as I know you as my own. You belong to me. I am your father, your mother, your brother, your sister, your lover, and your spouse...yes, even your child...wherever you are I will be. Nothing will ever separate us. We are one.
-Henri J.M. Nouwen (Life of the Beloved)

10.16.2010

Trying new things

I'm a learner. And a human.
All that to say, I need food, and I enjoy learning and trying new recipes. Recently a photography/Photoshop blog I subscribe to shared a recipe from another blog (random, I know) for Coffee Crusted Steak. I was naturally curious because this recipe was considered worthy enough to mention on a photography/Photoshop blog (not for it's pictures...for the actual recipe!). Also naturally, I never thought I'd make it because of the coffee ingredient. My hubby does not like coffee. He doesn't like anything about coffee...the taste, the smell, how the smell stays with him after he HAD to go to a coffee shop for some form of a meeting...he does not like coffee. Anyway, the next day, a student I used to work with at Johnson & Wales University (a culinary school) mentioned something on her facebook status about coffee crusted steak. I took it as a sign. ;)

So, tonight, I made it. It's not a new favorite, but it was fun to make and photgraph. Here are some pics:





I have a feeling a flavored coffee, like hazelnut would help, so maybe someday I'll try it again. And in case you were wondering what my hubby thought of it...well, you are just going to have to wait. He wasn't home for dinner tonight, so he'll be trying it later. I'll keep you updated though. ;)

10.09.2010

"I'm ready..."

Yesterday afternoon, I spent some time with the Lord at McDonalds (What can I say?...I really like their sweet tea...and it's only a dollar, and I can get refills). While I was sitting outside near the equipment where kiddos can play, a boy (who was playing by himself) shouted out:

"I'm ready to transform!!!"

At first I chuckled to myself, thinking about the somewhat silly announcement the boy had just made (I'm sure in his imagination he was something else, like an alien or autobot and somewhere else, other than a McDonalds playground), but the more I thought about it (the words, that is), the more intrigued I became. I was, after all, in the middle of some deep reflection from reading my Bible. I wished I could have shouted out:

"I'm ready to transform!!!"

...in my own context, of course. ;)

In 3 verses

Last weekend, the speaker at Rocky Mountain Getaway (RMGA - a conference for students in the state of Colorado) challenged the audience to find 3 verses that communicate the gospel to them and memorize them during a time a reflection. The purpose of memorizing these scriptures was to remember on a daily basis or desparate need for Jesus Christ.

Two verses came to my mind immediately:
Galatians 5:1 (This quickly became a "life verse" for me after choosing to follow Christ)
Ephesians 2:8-10

Another verse that Ethan, the speaker, shared was from the book of Hebrews (verse 10:14):
For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

During that time of reflection, I came across the following verse:
When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. -Psalm 65:3

The Word of God is true and powerful. What verses communicate the gospel to you?

10.06.2010

Thanks

Lord, thank you for stovetop popcorn and time with my hubby.