I have recently started attending a Methodist church with the short, cute Johnson boy bears. Oops, sorry mommy talk momment. Anyway, we love the church. The people are very friendly, the bible study class uses a guidebook and they tolerate questions really well. Thank you again to C.S. Lewis for talking to me about Christianity in a way that I can understand. I truly believe that God had a hand in the selection of that book. I really must stop digressing...
So, back to the point. The Methodists talk about Advent in a very serious and thought provoking way. I have been nodding and looking really reflective during every mention of Advent. The fact is, I had no idea what they were talking about. I mean no clue. How embarrassing!
I was raised in a nice, conservative, southern baptist church; how can it be that I have never heard of Advent? This reminds me of the first time I saw someone wearing ash on their forehead during Ash Wednesday. I believe the scenerio went something like this- (me) "Hey, you got a little somethin' on your head" (poor other person) "Huh?" (me) "Yep, come closer, let me get that for you". Well, it was all down hill from there. Anyway, I did not want a repeat of that little situation at my new church, so I done educated myself.
Tune in tomorrow for what I learned about Advent and my plans for sharing it with the little fellas.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thanksgiving Pie
The other day, I was searching for something to feed the starving husband and my two mini men. I was feeling particularly adventurous and sooooooo the Thanksgiving pie was born.
One frozen pie crust, thawed
Leftover Turkey or Chicken, cubed
Leftover Stuffing
Bag of frozen veggie mix, cooked
Velveeta, cubed
Cream of Chicken soup- 1 to 2 cans?
Ritz Crackers
Butter
Salt and Pepper
Ok, so mix meat, stuffing, veggie mix, Velveeta, Cream of Chicken soup and salt and pepper. Pour into pie crust. Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes at 350ish.
Melt about 3 Tbsp butter and crush crackers. Combine crushed crackers and butter. After about 30 minutes, uncover pie and add topping until lightly browned.
Sorry for the vague instructions. I will start writing recipes down when I make them.
Anyway, the boys loved the pie! Since I am a vegetarian, I can't speak for the recipe. It smelled yummy.
One frozen pie crust, thawed
Leftover Turkey or Chicken, cubed
Leftover Stuffing
Bag of frozen veggie mix, cooked
Velveeta, cubed
Cream of Chicken soup- 1 to 2 cans?
Ritz Crackers
Butter
Salt and Pepper
Ok, so mix meat, stuffing, veggie mix, Velveeta, Cream of Chicken soup and salt and pepper. Pour into pie crust. Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes at 350ish.
Melt about 3 Tbsp butter and crush crackers. Combine crushed crackers and butter. After about 30 minutes, uncover pie and add topping until lightly browned.
Sorry for the vague instructions. I will start writing recipes down when I make them.
Anyway, the boys loved the pie! Since I am a vegetarian, I can't speak for the recipe. It smelled yummy.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Meditations on Life in "The Hall"
If logic did not prevail, I would swear that C.S. Lewis was talking directly about me when he discussed "The Hall" in his work Mere Christianity. Those who are not familar with this topic; I will provide a crude overview. C.S Lewis discusses the process of accepting Christianity as entering "The Hall", once in there are many doors to choose from representing specific beliefs and denominations. Let me let him do the talking...
C.S. Lewis- On what Mere Christianity means:
"It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms... But it is in the rooms, not the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. For that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, I think preferable. It is true that some people may find they have to wait in the hall for a considerable time, while others feel certain almost at once which door they must knock at. I do not know why there is this difference, but I am sure God keeps no one waiting unless He sees that it is good for him to wait. When you do get into the room you will find that the long wait has done some kind of good which you would not have had otherwise. But you must regard it as waiting, not as camping. You must keep on praying for light: and, of course, even in the hall, you must begin trying to obey the rules which are common to the whole house. And above all you must be asking which door is the true one; not which pleases you best by its paint and paneling."
I have been living in "The Hall" since I was old enough to question the beliefs instilled in me by my religion of birth; Southern Baptist. I have always had more questions than faith. A character flaw truly frowned upon by the Baptist church as I understand it. I have opened and closed doors while running thorough "The Hall". I have sat in "The Hall" and cried, screamed and pondered. I have tried on religions with record speed and have accumulated a small well of knowledge regarding most religions. Of course, all the academic knowledge in the world will not solve a problem of faith. I have lived in "The Hall" for so long that it no longer resembles a hall to me. I have decorated, hung curtains, installed cable.
C.S. Lewis states that living in the hall in the least desirable choice. That choosing any door is preferable. Although, he does go on to say that those of us dwelling in "The Hall" for extended periods of time are there due to God's will. I believe that C.S. Lewis must be absolutely right on this point. Why would God give us the ability to question if he did not want us to use it? Dear God, I have not let my questioning nature sit idle. I have used it to anaylze, philosophize and theorize. Am I any closer now then I was at the begining of this rather lengthy journey? I like to believe that every day my vision improves and truth becomes clearer.
Why did I share this rambling with you? Well, because I know there are others living in "The Hall" and I wanted you to know that I am there too. "The Hall" is a very lonely place. Keep the faith my friends and if you see me in "The Hall", open a door, shove me in there and lock it behind me.
C.S. Lewis- On what Mere Christianity means:
"It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms... But it is in the rooms, not the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. For that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, I think preferable. It is true that some people may find they have to wait in the hall for a considerable time, while others feel certain almost at once which door they must knock at. I do not know why there is this difference, but I am sure God keeps no one waiting unless He sees that it is good for him to wait. When you do get into the room you will find that the long wait has done some kind of good which you would not have had otherwise. But you must regard it as waiting, not as camping. You must keep on praying for light: and, of course, even in the hall, you must begin trying to obey the rules which are common to the whole house. And above all you must be asking which door is the true one; not which pleases you best by its paint and paneling."
I have been living in "The Hall" since I was old enough to question the beliefs instilled in me by my religion of birth; Southern Baptist. I have always had more questions than faith. A character flaw truly frowned upon by the Baptist church as I understand it. I have opened and closed doors while running thorough "The Hall". I have sat in "The Hall" and cried, screamed and pondered. I have tried on religions with record speed and have accumulated a small well of knowledge regarding most religions. Of course, all the academic knowledge in the world will not solve a problem of faith. I have lived in "The Hall" for so long that it no longer resembles a hall to me. I have decorated, hung curtains, installed cable.
C.S. Lewis states that living in the hall in the least desirable choice. That choosing any door is preferable. Although, he does go on to say that those of us dwelling in "The Hall" for extended periods of time are there due to God's will. I believe that C.S. Lewis must be absolutely right on this point. Why would God give us the ability to question if he did not want us to use it? Dear God, I have not let my questioning nature sit idle. I have used it to anaylze, philosophize and theorize. Am I any closer now then I was at the begining of this rather lengthy journey? I like to believe that every day my vision improves and truth becomes clearer.
Why did I share this rambling with you? Well, because I know there are others living in "The Hall" and I wanted you to know that I am there too. "The Hall" is a very lonely place. Keep the faith my friends and if you see me in "The Hall", open a door, shove me in there and lock it behind me.
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