Everything to taste

Every once in a while I come across a creative meal or appetizer that I feel I should remember and share. Because this act of remembering usually doesn't happen, I thought I would post an account of it so there is somewhat of a record. It is a bruschetta-like snack that is pretty simple to make.


Ingredients: Tomatoes, basil, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, and oregano. I also bought some bruschetta biscuits that were pre-baked, due to time and lack of oven.

Oh, and everything's "to taste"

Where to go?

So, I am trying to figure things out about what trips I am doing next. Within the next month I will be going to California to visit a lot of good friends. After that, I did not have anything planned until this coming summer when I was going to do a little traveling through Europe. This has been a little more difficult to plan because of not only the price of the trip, but also the timing (since I work in the summer). I really want this one to work out because it is not often I get to head out of the country, which I really do enjoy. Also, I really want someone to go with (Anyone?). On top of all that, a few friends from our House Church community are moving to Thailand to be missionaries. This presents another wonderful opportunity for me to go there and visit them. I guess I should just do all of them, even though I will have no monies left when I am through... aaaaahhhh well. I will let you know when I decide

Grace be with you.

brb

Again without nets, brb.

To be or not to be... predestined

I have been discussing the idea of predestination with numerous people the past week or so which has forced me to re-examen what I believe about it. I have always been a huge advocate of "free will" and that God has a plan for us that WE can fail to accomplish. Some say that this idea shows a lack in understanding of the sovereignty of God.

So you have these two conflicting points

God creates a worthless plan for someone that never comes to pass

-or-

God creates a person, and plans for them to go to hell in order to show his glory

When Paul writes to the church in Rome, he discusses how God hardened the heart of Pharaoh for the purpose of displaying his power. This made no sense to me. Why would God, in order to show how great he is, purposefully harden someone's heart? When questioned, the response was...

19 Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?”

20 No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? 22 In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. 23 He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. (Romans 9:19- 23)

He seems to deal out just about everything at his will with no rhyme or reason (to our human minds); health, wealth.... salvation?

This does not make sense to me. If God has a plan for everyone (Proverbs 16:4), and he will always accomplish his plan (Isaiah 46:8-11*), than we conclude that God forces us to do what he wants against his will, even if it means hardening our hearts. To add to the confusion, I will go to Luke 7:30, where the Pharisees "rejected Gods plan".

It is as though scripture supports both ideas, any thoughts???

-Grace be with you

* This verse is also the reason I have a little issue with strict "red letter" Christians.

Old dog, new tricks

Teaching my dad how to create a new folder and move files to it... enjoy.

The Halloween bathroom massacre

Today I started remodeling my bathroom. I feel kinda as though I am in over my head with the amount of projects I have started around my house, but this one has officially become top priority... seeing that I currently have no shower. One thing that is good to know as a homeowner, is the location of your main water shutoff. It is especially important to have this information before the time of needing it. Also, wear gloves in order to keep your point of demolition from looking like a crime scene.

I will eventually post pictures of the new bathroom and other projects when they are complete.

Grace be with you