Deconstructing a Chicken

We love rotisserie chicken.  Chiefly because we can buy one and have a simple meal of chicken, bread, and cheese and still have enough left over to make some sort of casserole or chicken dish.  Yesterday that meal was chicken enchiladas.  I love them and they’re super easy to make.  After I get the chicken ready.

I do hate the chicken part.  It’s messy and yucky and I am driven to clean off every little piece that isn’t good meat.  

So yesterday, I opened the container and started the process.  And I was two-thirds of the way through when I realized “this is going really quickly today.”  I was ripping bones apart and skinning the bird with no sense of ooginess.  Then I stopped to consider why and I laughed out loud.

I just finished reading “The Hunger Games.”  That little slip of a girl was efficiently killing, skinning and tearing apart rabbits, squirrels, and birds on a daily basis to stay alive.  And that had worked its way into my brain.  

And once again, I remembered Romans 12:2, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I’m not sure that we realize what we read, watch, listen to or text gets so deeply ingrained in our minds.  It becomes a part of who we are.  And if it is the world, we become more a part of the world.

Don’t misunderstand me.  I loved “The Hunger Games” and I am running to the store to buy book two.  I just believe though that I need to make sure the time I spend communicating with God and studying His Word is enough so that my mind is renewed by His purpose and will rather than conformed to the world.  

A little TV, Facebook, Pandora?  Absolutely!  But not so much that my ears are stopped up when He calls my name.

Mixing Ideas

My grandson has been baking and cooking with me ever since he was old enough to stand on a chair and place frozen break-apart cookies on a cookie sheet.  We’ve stirred spaghetti sauce together and spilled chocolate chips from the bag on purpose so we could eat them.

This Christmas he is seven and baking Christmas cookies was more of an adventure.  He measured and poured and gingerly turned the mixer to the numbers I told him.  It was a cooperative and memorable Saturday afternoon.  I had left the butter out for a while to come to room temperature and I told him he could unwrap it and put it in the bowl.  “Don’t I need to cut it up, Gramma Jo?”  I assured him that it would blend without a problem.  Several minutes later as I continued to scrape and mix, he wondered what was the holdup.  I explained that I was having a little trouble getting the butter to mix in.  With the wisdom of an experienced chef, he said, “I told you we should have cut it up, Gramma.”

His mother and I chuckled over the story later.  I said they must have covered this question while baking cookies at home.  She assured me that they hadn’t, but that he is an intuitive kid and probably just reasoned it out.  I smirked.  I’ve been cooking for forty years; he’s a seven-year-old.  

I’ve got my ideas set in a lot of areas.  My faith is most important to me.  And I think I have it all figured out.  I’m so sure of it that I begin to feel proud, willing to tell anybody who wants (or doesn’t want) to listen how this world works.  Then someone older, or younger, a new Christian or one whose eyes have recently opened to the joys of the Word will make a statement that feels funny.  It doesn’t quite fit in with all the little blocks and pieces I’ve worked out for myself.  I have to tiptoe up to the creaky door of my mind and force it back open.  God wants me to be as excited about learning as I was when I started this journey.  He wants me to be willing to change my habits and continue to grow.  Today I baked cookies again.  I want you to know, I cut up the butter.

Proverbs 11:2, 1:5
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom…let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.

You're Not the Boss of Me

The two’s bring it on.  We learn to stand on our own two feet, push our boundaries a bit, and handle things we used to rely on others for.  We begin to get the idea of independence and it feels good!

The phrase follows soon after – “You’re not the boss of me!” – particularly if we have older siblings.  As we grow older, and braver, we get bold enough to use it on our parents, probably only once depending on the parents we have.

Isn’t it an idea, though, that we struggle with from that time on?  Teachers – oh how we wish we could use it with them!  Professors – we argue with them, but we know when to back off.  Spouses – where do you think the rebellion against submission comes from?  Bosses – that dream of walking in and quitting on the spot comes from those first thoughts as a toddler.

But consider this – what if that boss loved you more than you could imagine; wanted only the best for you; was in control of and allowed or caused every single thing that happened to you for your good; knew you better than you know yourself; had untold gifts to shower on you; and had a plan worked out for your life that would astound you if you knew it?  How would you feel about him?

Our sovereign God is all of this and more and he adores us!  And still we disobey, rebel, and shake our fist and yell, “You’re not the boss of me!”  Oh yes, He is.  And He is good and powerful and loving.  He is the perfect boss.  He’s in control anyway, but I think I’m going to try this obedience thing a little more strenuously.

Ephesians 6:5-7; 1 John 3:21-24

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men…Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him. And this is His command: to believe the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.

My Father's Daughter

This afternoon I considered that the God I pray to today is the same as the One I prayed to when I was a little girl.  Not earth-shaking, right?  I’m pretty sure you probably knew that.  You learned the concept of “I AM” a while ago.  But doesn’t something dawn afresh every once in a while and make you reconsider what you thought you knew?

From the time I was a very little girl I had a relationship with my Abba Father.  When I prayed, it was not “Dear God” or “Dear Lord”, but “Dear Heavenly Father.”  I can remember lying in my bed when I was very young – after I had been on my knees and said my prayers in the presence of my Mom – and talking, still talking to my Heavenly Father.  (It was not until I was a much more mature Christian that I had that very personal relationship with Jesus.)  And I can remember praying the same way as a teen in high school, in college and throughout my adult life.  

Today, I am trying to get my arms around all the changes that I went through and all the ones that He did not.  In “Crazy Love” Francis Chan discusses the attribute of God that is the one I find most comforting – He is unchanging, faithful, and eternal.  (Psalm 102:12, 27) “But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

I got sick a bit ago and slept a great deal.  I also got distracted by life.  I found that I had so many things I wanted to do that I needed to cut back on something.  So, as I often do, I did the bare minimum in my prayer life and time in the Word.  Within the last week I have changed my habits back to serious prayer and Bible study.

And, once again as I often do, I waited for the good and warm, cozy feelings from God.  I was doing all the right stuff.  Where was the pay-off?  And then last night, as I talked to Him right before drifting off to sleep, I reminded myself that He was the same and that I rely way too much on my feelings.  I would continue to do what I tell everyone else to do – trust that He is Who He is and that He is there, even when I can’t feel Him.

Today Steve was playing golf and asked if I would like to ride along.  I sometimes say no because I think I need to be doing more “serious stuff.”  Today something told me to get out and enjoy life a bit.  

Before we went to the course, we drove down by the lake to see if there were any gators.  Apparently we surprised one because there was a huge splash in front of the cart and then we saw him gliding across the lake.  Then Steve pointed and there stood a great blue heron on the dock, just beautiful.  I began to relax and enjoy not just the warmth of the afternoon but also the warmth of God’s unchanging presence.  

When the thought of His unchanging faithfulness occurred to me, we were on the third hole; and Steve whispered, “Look!”  He stopped the cart and we both held our breaths as an eagle soared just overhead followed by an osprey.  Then the eagle circled and landed yards in front of our cart.  Sometimes I miss the feelings; but sometimes God just takes my breath away.

Small to Overflowing

Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 

Several weeks ago a dear friend had a birthday and I was searching for the best gift.  I found a beautiful little birdbath, cobalt blue porcelain.  It was small enough that, I warned her, her dog would consider it his perfect new source for fresh water outside, which he did.

Last week someone, also dear to me, presented me with a gift, a beautiful large birdbath, cobalt blue porcelain.  I was thrilled.  I remembered the other gift I had given and I recalled the saying that the gifts you give are usually what you would like to receive.

When I was refilling it with fresh water today, the analogy of what God had done caused me to stand and smile for several minutes.  I had given; He had given more, better and larger.  

Now before you run out to buy a Mini-cooper to give someone in hopes of receiving a Cadillac in return, let’s look at another verse or two:

Matthew 19:29, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for My sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”

The Father loves to give us gifts.  And I believe He loves it even more when He does it in response to our giving.  But we’re missing the point if we begin to give to get.  We may get our tithes, our offerings, our gifts back one hundredfold here and now, in this life.  We may be blessed with His loving approval.  Or we may find reward waiting for us in Heaven.  

If our motive is out of love, like His, our lives will be rich, abundant and full.  If it’s not, His blessing of approval here won’t mean anything to us anyway.  Start with love and give through it.  And God will give you everything you need to accomplish it.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Forward Thinking

“Just do it” is a good one.  My favorite is from “Meet the Robinsons”, a very cool kids’ animated movie that is entertaining for grammas as well.  Mr. Robinson’s favorite phrase is “Keep moving forward.”  I’ve adopted it as a personal anti-procrastination motto.  It works great when I remember to use it…and when I then decide to listen to myself.

I’ve written blogs before about feeling the need to  write.  Aside from a couple of closets that need cleaning and some plastic boxes of old pictures and papers that need to be filed, sitting down to get thoughts out onto the screen is my hardest area of discipline.  (Let’s just agree we’re not considering food or exercise in this one, okay?)  There’s an old saying about writing, that the hardest thing about it is the “BIC” (butt in chair) time.  It does require a level of self-discipline, whether you have a lot or a little time.

At the end of most days, if you asked me what I got accomplished, aside from some laundry and a few chores, I usually wouldn’t have an answer.  I don’t spend time in front of the TV and my time on Facebook could more likely be counted in minutes rather than hours.  I usually spend some time in God’s Word and in having quiet time with Him.  But I get discouraged because I don’t seem to have anything “concrete” to show for my time.

But there is another side to this issue of putting off writing and I’ve said this before as well.  I believe it’s something God wants me to do.  I get frustrated because I don’t know where to start.  But mainly, I think I just lack the faith to begin.  And really, what’s the worst that can happen?  I might learn something?

I am just finishing up Mark in my personal study and a few verses hit me hard this afternoon.  It’s early Sunday morning after Jesus’ death and burial.  Mark 16:1-3 says, “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, 'Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?'”

Are you wondering if I left off a verse or two?  My lesson was in verse 3 when it occurred to the women that Jesus’ tomb had a stone rolled in front of the entrance.  This stone would have been very large, round, flat and heavy.  It fit into a groove in front of the cave and was rolled down into place.  It would have taken several men to roll it back up.

The women realized this, they discussed it among themselves and still they “kept moving forward.”  God’s Word doesn’t address whether it was their level of faith that kept them going or whether they assumed someone (several men?) would be there to help them.  The point is they continued on to Jesus tomb.  And they were rewarded with being the first to know of His resurrection!  

So I’m going to make the writing a priority.  When you see me, keep me honest.  Go ahead and ask.  Or just remind me to keep moving forward.

Donuts for Breakfast

Is there anything better than a big cup of Starbucks coffee?  Okay, maybe a big cup of Starbucks caramel macchiato.  And to go with it one (or two, or three if they’re warm) sugary Krispy Kreme donuts with chocolate icing or cream filling.  I’ll wait while you savor the thought.  And the sugar high that hits gets us up and going!  

But what happens after a couple of hours?  We lose energy, start to drag, head for the vending machines and refill on more sugar or salt.

We all know these things.  Mothers, young healthy women, wise older grammas.  We know that to start the day we need juice, whole grains, milk, fruit, yogurt – healthy stuff!  This food doles out energy as our body needs it and keeps us going.

I got up this morning and, as usual, hit the laptop first.  I have a mental list of visits I make every day – check email, look for Facebook notifications, see what’s going on with Facebook friends; weather channel for the next 10 days; pinterest to see if anyone pinned any of my pins; iGoogle for world, US and entertainment headlines; back to Facebook for Words with Friends.  This keeps me busy and interested; but I’ve found that sometimes it also makes me a little discontented and grumpy.  I mull over dissatisfaction, feel slighted in some way, forget to be thankful for this very blessed life I’m leading.

It’s an old story – get up and read your Bible first!  We hear it too often.  But truth, God’s Word, is our oatmeal with cinnamon and apples, our granola with blueberries.  It is our life sustainer, our energy, our time-release pick-me-up that keeps us going with peace, gratitude, and hope throughout our day.

So I guess this is notice to my Words with Friends..friends.  You won’t be hearing from me as early as you did.  I’m changing my morning routine.  I’m going for healthy.

Psalm 119:27, 30-32
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.   I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.  I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.