Taste and See God is Good!
Celebrating Psalm 34:8 for body and soul…Lent and The Baptist Girl
I craved a juicy sirloin patty from my local meat market. They season them well and my mouth watered at the thought of the flecks of blue cheese in the patty. I decided to treat myself!
The line at the meat counter was long for an early afternoon, but I was rushed to the head of the line because I was the only one buying red meat! The fish monger worked feverishly weighing and packaging fish fillets for the growing line. I guess he noticed the scrunched up wrinkles on my forehead as I tried to figure out what was up. He saved me an extra dose of wrinkle cream by explaining.
“We’re always busy during Lent.” he said.
“Oh, that’s right. Doesn’t that happen right before Easter?” I asked. The crowd looked at me like I was from another planet.
“Yes, that’s right.” He stifled a laugh.
I laughed at my own silliness and explained I was a Baptist girl, so didn’t totally understand Lent. An idea popped into my always rambling brain–this could be a great ministry moment!
Looking at the crowd, I bravely asked, “So, what’s Lent all about?”
Silence.
“How long does it last and why is it done?”
More silence. The crowd exchanged glances, and it became obvious they didn’t know why they were in the fish line, much less following Lent!
Finally, a woman five spots back in the line spoke up. “Lent is for 40 days in observance of the days Christ was tempted by satan in the desert.”
“Awesome! I didn’t know that. So why do you have to give up stuff during Lent?”
“You don’t have to, it is a personal choice to show respect for the sacrifice Christ made for us.”
The crowd agreed by show of their in-unison bobbleheads. But I was focused on the brave woman who spoke up and knew why she followed this tradition. Her conviction resonated to my core — I want to be a part of Lent! I want to show my respect for my Savior. I want to be in prayerful thought leading up to Easter and I want my time to be personal–between me and my Lord.
Lent doesn’t belong to any one religion, just like Passover and the Passover meal doesn’t just belong to our Jewish friends. I believe we should honor our Lord in our daily lives and I’m excited to do that this season by experiencing Lent. I’m starting late, but God knows my heart!
I found a fun recipe for us today. It’s from the Weight Watcher archives and is suitable for the season!
Matzo Crunch (2 points for 1/4 sheet)
4 boards Matzo (salted or unsalted, but the salted adds to the flavor!)
1/3 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 1/2 oz. bittersweet chocolate
2 sprays cooking spray
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line a large cookie sheet with aluminum foil; cover foil with parchment paper. Arrange matzo on parchment in a single layer; set aside.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine butter and sugar and bring to a boil over medium heat; boil for 3 minutes. Evenly drizzle butter mixture over matzo.
Reduce oven temperature to 325ºF. Place cookie sheet on middle rack in oven for 15 minutes (check frequently to make sure it doesn’t burn). Remove matzo from oven; sprinkle with chocolate. Let it stand for about 5 minutes, then spread the chocolate over each sheet with a spatula that’s been coated with cooking spray.
While still warm, cut each matzo into four even pieces; spread into a single layer on a metal pan. Freeze matzo until chocolate sets, about 20 to 30 minutes.
The Simple Things
The ladies were hooked on the wassail. Forget the festive decorations and all the homemade treats — they were all about the wassail!
The Sunday before Christmas, I prepared a spread of yummy treats for my Sunday school class. We cozied up in my small house and enjoyed a few hours of food and fellowship. I was pleased with how the food turned out and was not surprised when my mom’s old wassail recipe was a big hit. The ladies talked about how involved it is to make wassail–too time consuming. I sheepishly smiled at my mom because I knew the secret to her holiday beverage. Such a simple thing, but these ladies were sure she’d made it the “old fashioned” way. Afterall, that’s why it tasted so good, right?
When Mom finally shared the recipe with my apple-spiced guests, they were in shock! How could something so simple taste so good?
Why do we make simple things difficult? Somehow, we’ve convinced ourselves that if an activity is less than a step or two–less than an ingredient or two–then the outcome couldn’t possibly be worthwhile. Think about it — we make things so much harder than need be. Though I always cringe at the notion of KISS (keep it simple, stupid), it makes sense!
My plan as I get ready to welcome 2010 is to commit to one or two things in my life that needs to be simplified. Before the hectic cooking season, I cleaned out my pantry, putting labels on containers and putting items in an order that made sense. I was amazed at the timesavings when it was time to cook! I could find everything and didn’t double-buy anything! Amazing! What else can I declutter? Organize? Discard?
I get overzealous sometimes in my desire to study God’s Word. I’ll have too many books going at one time on top of teaching and working full time. I love devotional books–the ones with a daily blurb in them–and somehow I ended up with three of them going into 2010. I’ve managed to make time with God complicated!!!
I want to make 2010 all about simplicity…how about you?
RECIPE: Mom’s Simple Wassail
64 oz. apple cider or juice One bag redhot candies
Put cider or juice in a large pot. Dump in the redhot candies and heat until melted. A variation that is really good is to use 32 oz. apple cider and 32 oz. pineapple juice. Add candies as directed above.
Who Am I to Blog?
I started this blog to feed the body and soul. Soul food from scripture and life experience. Body food from all the great southern cooks in my life who understand that butter has a place on the food chain! But I started listening to the negative thoughts — who am I to blog…telling people stuff? What could I possibly have to share that matters?
God led me to 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 this morning. Paul told the people to finish what they’d started. Wow – what a novel idea!
God called me to this writing ministry to finish–not to stress over acceptance or etiquette or appearing weird (as most of us writers are!) He called me to leave it in His hands so He could take care of the rest. Obedience, pure and simple.
Do you have starts with no finishes? Are you hoarding talent or using it for His glory and honor? My prayer today is that we identify what is rightfully His and that we’ll use it…before we lose it!
Several weeks ago, God started dealing with me on the body food for this blog. It was time to cut the butter…
My cousins, Debby and Don Jackson, renewed their wedding vows after 40 years . Their grown children, grandkids, family and tons of friends were in their home for the event. As I watched Debby, I realized I had a spiritual hero right in front of me. Her faith in God is unwaivering. Her strength as a mother is amazing. Her devotion as a wife is unshakable. But then she became another kind of hero to me that day. A healthy hero! Debby is in her late 50′s, healthy, vibrant, striking and…well…gorgeous! How? Besides God’s Word, she nutritionally feeds her body well and takes care of it. With healthy foods and healthy exercise and healthy affirmations from His Word, I knew I could too…and it’s working. How? When I’m weak, I think about my hero and all she’s accomplished in her life and I think about my ultimate Hero who sees me through choice by choice…
So today’s recipe is from a friend who caught the ‘get healthy’ bug from me after I caught it from my cousin! Judy Vandiver is a fellow writer and accountability partner. (We all need those!) This recipe is a great way to welcome in Autumn…http://bit.ly/8D9fi
Dedicated to the One I Love
TASTE AND SEE blog can’t officially start without paying tribute to the person that inspired the idea. Danita Henderson is friend, fellow church member, sister in Christ, and the best cook on the planet! I wanted my blog to be different and fun, and it just so happens “different and fun” are two words that describe Danita perfectly. So I named this blog after her ministry, “Taste and See.” Danita and her volunteers share Jesus’ love through servitude and food — they’ve served the local police department, fire department, city hall, school teachers, and folks attending National Day of Prayer at the courthouse. All for free! It is a testament of Danita’s heart for others.
Talking up love for God is common these days–we see it on TV, sporting events, etc. But to show the love of Jesus has impact and is much more personal. And real!
Today’s recipe — the first on my blog — is Danita’s favorite. If you love comfort dessert (and banannas!) you’ll love this recipe. Show a neighbor or friend you care about them. Bake this cake and share the message GOD IS GOOD. http://bit.ly/637D
Feeding Bloggers, one soul at a time…
Come and Get It!
I love Jesus and I love people, so there was no question what my blog would be about–I can’t wait to serve you! You’ll find recipes for your tummy and food for your soul as we TASTE AND SEE GOD IS GOOD! Psalm 34:8
