Living In Context

Chocodillas

David — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:13:00 GMT

Chocodillas
8/21/2009 9:13:00 AM
David

Sometimes you need a quick chocolate fix and it is way too late to bake brownies.

Other times you are just wondering what to do with those left-over tortillas from taco night.

Here is a quick and easy recipe for a hot and gooey delicious chocolate snack that takes less than 5 minutes to make.

Bring your dates home for dessert and really impress 'em with this one. You can lick the chocolate off each others fingers...

Worthy are the lambs

David — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:37:00 GMT

Worthy are the lambs
8/5/2009 10:37:00 PM
David

If your theology and the daily experience of your faith does not free you from shame, then maybe "you ain't doin' it right."

For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 1 Peter 2:6 NIV

I personally do not have time to live in a revolving door worried about my 'sinful nature' vs. 'godly nature'. Paul dealt with this issue in his legal brief called the book of Romans. He said, "Yeah, I was like that but, bottom line: in all these things we are now more than conquerors through Him who loves us."

What does shame do to us spiritually? Or rather, what does spiritual shame do to us?

Mandarin Fizz

David — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:03:00 GMT

Mandarin Fizz
8/3/2009 11:03:00 PM
David

Refreshment for morning, noon and night:

Fresh Orange Juice and Ginger Beer. It absolutely can't be a wimpy Canada Dry ginger ale, use a Jamacan ginger beer that knocks your socks off!

Alcohol? Why ruin the sugar buzz?

Shame is Pain

David — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:52:00 GMT

Shame is Pain
7/31/2009 6:52:00 AM
David

Psychologists and psychiatrists are learning that many of the conditions and behaviors previously defined or ascribed to other conditions are actually stem from shame. Shame is being identified as the root of most depression, anxiety disorders, relationship problems, and sexual disfunction. In fact, one writer suggested that shame is the basis of of crime and 'all extravagant behavior.'

“There’s no record of a violent action other than as a reaction to shame or humiliation.” Donald I. Nathanson, M.D.

Is there shame in you?

What a Shame

David — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:21:00 GMT

What a Shame
7/30/2009 7:21:00 AM
David

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalms 34:4-5 NIV

The Bible, in a quick computer search, reveals 119 references to the word "shame." It is no wonder that so many in the Judeo-Christian heritage experience shame as one of the main emotions of their religions.

However, shame is systemic in the human psyche - perhaps it is the "original sin" and the very thing we must conquer in our journey with Christ to be able to lead healthy and creative lives.

What is the nature of shame?

Instant Fruit Cobbler

David — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:19:00 GMT

Instant Fruit Cobbler
7/23/2009 11:19:00 PM
David

I grew up on a ranch in California where we had an orchard of apricot trees. When July rolled around Mom would send us down to pick a pail of tree-ripe fruit we used in salads and many desserts. Sadly you have probably never had an apricot that tasted that good, because the ones in the market are picked long before the sugars have done their thing.

My favorite use of these lovelies was baked into a cobbler. Baked with the fresh fruit was the best, of course, loaded with sugar, cinimmon and other spices under a single top crust. But even out of season, we baked up the cobbler using a full quart of canned 'cots.

Here is a 10 minute cobbler that I make as a poor substitute when I get homesick. This will seem pretty good to YOU, because you never tasted my Mom's fresh apricot cobbler.

The World is a changin’

David — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:39:00 GMT

The World is a changin’
7/3/2009 8:39:00 AM
David

Certainly, a day at the Pride Parade showed me a shift towards acceptance and celebration of diversity. The detractors quoted at the top of the article were 13 people strong and not even allowed on the parade route this year. However, the young people congregating in their area were completely unphased by the ranting.

One teenager had written in marker pen across his chest, "I'm straight but you can kiss me anyway."

I think what I heard one fellow say sums it up, “Get over yourself, Mary, it’s just life.”

Pride in context

Don't sneeze - I mean it!

David — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:27:00 GMT

Don't sneeze - I mean it!
7/2/2009 7:27:00 AM
David

Homosexuality is not an allergy which can be avoided by removing the presumed causes (lust) or treating the symptoms (by repressing physical expression).

Suppression of something as fundamental as sexuality and gender identity has proven highly damaging and self-destructive. Living in the closet of self-denial and social condemnation leads to psychological trauma, severe stress, acting-out with dangerous behaviors (such as drug abuse and unsafe sexual practices), and suicide.

Sexuality in context

Perverted Judgment

David — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:12:00 GMT

Perverted Judgment
6/30/2009 7:12:00 AM
David

The fundamentalist quoted above was not just a victim of poor theology. He was actually making a moral judgment when he presumes that the only definition of homosexuality and transgenderism is “perversion” based on chosing an immoral behavior or lifestyle.

Extreme fundamentalists (in Christianity and other religions as well) who don’t really care what the nature or cause is, define the very concept of homosexuality or gender deviation as “evil” and condemn it to eradication. Some of these take judgment into their own hands by bombing gay bars, lynching perceived homosexuals, beating and murdering transgendered people, imprisoning, castrating, and the latest torture of super-gluing shut the anus of suspected Gay men to let them die of septic poisoning.

"Moral Failing" in context

When did Creation stop?

David — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:16:00 GMT

When did Creation stop?
6/29/2009 8:16:00 AM
David

The statements also assume that God stops creating the person at the moment of birth. Perhaps their understanding is that “perfect” means “complete” in the sense of “with no need for change or further effort.”

This misconception takes 37 seconds of thought to correct. Is it not perfectly obvious that the growth begun in the womb continues for twenty or more years, and then slower changes happen continuously until death?