Labor Day Weekend (which is this weekend in America) signals the end of all the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer and kicks off the fall season with its flurry of exciting activities.
My German-American grandchildren with their Schultüte (One is starting first grade this year.)
If you’re young, it’s the beginning of school for the year (and I have lots of grand children who are celebrating the beginning of their schooling for the year). For those of us who are older (did you say OLD? 😦 ), the fall season still picks up with Sunday school (at least for me) and lots more organized social events. If you’re looking for something that everybody will love to eat but takes very little preparation time, here’s one super simple recipe for meatballs that works great either as an appetizer or as a main dish for potlucks and parties:
Sweet and Zesty Meatballs
The recipe is super simple! in a crock pot, combine: 5 pounds of prepared, Italian-style meatballs 1 jar (32 oz.) grape jelly 1 jar (32 oz.) ketchup 8 oz. horseradish 2 T. garlic 1/2 cup water Salt and pepper to taste if needed
Once you’ve unceremoniously dumped everything into your crock pot, cover it and let it simmer for 2 hours on medium-low heat (although it can simmer longer or be reheated just before you serve it). Stir it occasionally (but with gentle care) to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot. If you’re going to be simmering it for a longer time, make sure it has enough water so it doesn’t burn on the bottom. After it’s simmered for at least one hour (because it takes about the first hour just to heat everything slowly through to the point of simmering), test it for salt and pepper and “doctor it” up a little if you think it needs more spice.
In fact, I got so busy before our party that I failed to take photos of the finished product, but you can imagine. It should be uniform in color and texture and taste terrific! Hope you like it. We do. 🙂
“There shall none of his meat be left; therefore shall no man look for his goods” (Job 20:21. Talk about taking a verse out of context! 🙂 However, if you’ll forgive my lightheartedness, I did come home with an empty pot when I took these meatballs to the party.)
Last weekend we had the joy of a visit from Bruce, who was one of Alan’s closest friends during residency days and with whom Alan shared his first practice in Ann Arbor. Bruce married in his thirties, so we knew him as a single man, watched him fall in love, and rejoiced in his marriage. Bruce and his wife were best of friends! She was his greatest fan, and they were a “match made in heaven.” All that sweetness came to a bitter end five years ago when Lisa died of stage IV colon cancer.
There are no words to comfort someone who is grieving the loss of someone they love deeply. No words will ameliorate the pain, but there are plenty of words that can feel like sharp knives piercing an already wounded heart.
Alan and Kathi at Meijer Garden
Because Alan lost both his parents in a tragic event when he was only twenty-nine, and because he is a geriatrician who has cared for many dying patients over the past forty years, I used to stay tucked under his wing when we attended funerals, wanting to be present but feeling totally helpless as far as having any comforting words to offer, knowing that what I would imagine might comfort me could cause stinging pain to my friend.
Now that Alan and I are nearing seventy, and more and more of our friends are experiencing life-threatening illnesses, I’ve been trying to learn more about how to comfort those who are experiencing great loss. In that quest, I listened to an audio book called Grieving the Loss of Someone You Love: Daily Meditations to Help You Through the Grieving Process, by Raymond R. Mitsch and Lynn Brookside.
There are a plethora of books on grief recovery, and this particular one wasn’t my all-time favorite, but there are several ideas I want to pass on. It also reminded me that if you are grieving, or if you love someone who is grieving, there are many resources out there, probably most of which will offer at least some helpful insights. If you’re grieving, consider reading what others have experienced on their journeys of sorrow. For many, there’s truth in the old adage that “misery loves company.” (However, Bruce tells me that what really soothed him was the still, small voice, not the whirlwind of other voices.) If you enjoy writing, consider starting a journal about your personal pilgrimage. Writing can be one of the most therapeutic exercises on earth!
So, here are my favorite takeaways from Grieving the Loss of Someone You Love (along with some photos from Meijer Garden, where Alan and I took Bruce for a quiet stroll after church last Sunday afternoon).
Zen Garden at Meijer Garden in Grand Rapids, MI
“‘I feel your pain.’ Those four words say it all. You don’t have to have answers, just be present.” Personally, I’m not sure if “I feel your pain” is adequate, since I usually feel like their pain is often beyond my comprehension, since I haven’t lost a spouse or child yet. Nevertheless, Bruce (and others) confirm that saying nothing is better than saying anything trivial, but being present with the person is crucially helpful. Listening with compassion and without any criticism or shock over whatever they might express is also a healing balm. Their wounds are raw and sometimes ugly. “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). Don’t try to play the Holy Spirit and “cure” them. Pray for the Holy Spirit to comfort and cure them.
Hydrangeas in sunshine at Meijer Garden
“Don’t stare constantly at either the sun or death.” If you’re grieving loss, don’t allow yourself to spend all your waking hours experiencing pain, or your soul will become as blind as someone who stares constantly into the sun. Instead, look into the face of God to find “safe” sunshine and beauty to relieve your aching heart. Ditto if you’re trying to encourage someone else. Don’t PREACH! Walk alongside your friend in some beautiful place where she/he will feel refreshed. “And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us” (Psalm 90:17).
“The seemingly little things you grieve are not little! The whole fabric of your life has been rent!” I thought this was profound. The authors went on to say we need to allow ourselves to experience and process pain without trying to minimize or ignore it. Each person’s pain is unique and probably unbearable. “It will be alright,” or “Someday it will be better” doesn’t help present-tense and is like rubbing salt in the wound. Better to say nothing than try to smooth the mountain into a mole hill. It’s NOT!! (BTW, God can overcome our mountains: “The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills” (Song of Solomon 2:8).
“I thought it would be too hard to say goodbye until I refused to do so.” This point is good to process personally if you’re grieving, and I suppose there may be a time in which you can share the authors’ experiences (and both authors were writing from the wells of their own grief), but be careful on this one. Each person’s time to feel released from the intense sense of grieving out of loyalty (which follows grieving out of personal loss) is so unique that the grieving person may feel you (as the one who wants to comfort) are just pushing the person to heal so that you and she/he can both “get on with life.” My friend still wears his wedding ring after five years as a widower. That’s just fine! He’ll take it off when and if he’s ever ready to! Don’t push. Pray!! “Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant” (Psalm 119:76, and for the comfort of our loved ones).
“Suicide is a permanent end for a temporary problem” (the temporary problem being grief). I’ve never been suicidal, but I’ve known a number of people who have suicided, and I definitely think some people have a genetic pre-disposition for turning to this age-old solution to chronic pain. God wants us to turn to Him in our grief (and all our troubles). He does not want us to take matters into our own hands and “end it all.”
Think of the prodigal son. When he returned to his father, his father’s arms were open, and the prodigal found forgiveness and a whole new life opening up to him. I’m not saying we are “prodigals” when we grieve, but I am saying that God is there, whether or not we’ve stayed on the farm or run off to some far country. He is waiting for us to come back and rest under the covert of his wings. He loves us. As long as He wants us on earth, He has good reasons for our being here, even if we don’t see them or understand them. “He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death” (Psalm 68:20).
Listening to History at Meijer Sculpture Park
Another verse to consider for yourself (but would probably not be good to offer someone else who is grieving) is Job 13:15, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” We’re responsible for living with integrity and faith; God is responsible for choosing when we are born and when we die. He is also available to help us every day from birth to death and offers us eternal life through Jesus Christ, his Son, which is—to me—the ultimate comfort in the death of loved ones who have trusted in Jesus as their Lord and Savior: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Plaque in the Faith Reflective Garden. Meijer Gardens, Michigan
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). Do your loved ones know God and Jesus Christ? Do you?
“Change is Worth Fighting For”—The Best of Enemies
Jesus talked a lot about loving our enemies, which includes praying for them and allowing good to overcome evil in our lives . . . and hopefully—eventually—in their lives as well. One beautiful example of this is played out in the movie, The Best of Enemies. I absolutely LOVE this story and hope you all take the time to watch it!
The Best of Enemies is a new release (2019) based on the true story of what happened when a school for African American children burned down in Durham, North Carolina, back in 1971.
It’s a PG-13 (which I think it very appropriate), and the language is rough . . . but so was the community.
The confrontation was over integration.
Taraji P. Henson in the role of Ann Atwater
The contestants were Ann Atwater, who was a black civil rights activist,
Sam Rockwell portraying C.P. Ellis
and C. P Ellis, the president of the local Ku Klux Klan.
The venue was a 10-day “charrette,” where the leaders and team members on both sides of the issue were forced to work together to solve the problem through discussion and information gathering in the city.
The prize: Well, to integrate or not to integrate was the question, but the prize was much greater, as we learned from the movie!
If you’re looking for a movie with a happy ending where “love wins,” this is one of those rare and wonderful times when good really did overcome evil! This movie has won all sorts of awards and received twelve Emmy nominations. Even the real families who were involved were happy about the way it turned out, so that makes it a win-win, and if you watch it and find it increases your understanding, empathy, and love for both blacks and whites, then it will be a win-win-win for all of us!
“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:13-19).
The “them” is “them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” I’ll tell you, the concepts Jesus taught are so radical it’s no wonder he was both amazingly popular and singularly hated at the same time!
I just finished listening to an interview between Dennis Prager and Jordan Peterson. Prager identifies himself as Jewish; Peterson identifies himself as a “Christian” who does not believe in God. (Not sure how that’s possible, but there you have it.) So, I don’t exactly agree with either of these men spiritually, because I do believe in God, and I do believe that Jesus is the Messiah. However, despite religious differences, I still respect what they are attempting to do, which is to live out their understanding of truth, and most of their understanding of truth comes from both the Judeo-Christian scriptures (which they believe is corroborated by their research and life experiences).
Although I’m not politically savvy, it was obvious from their discussion that Peterson has come under a lot of fire for his stand against “political correctness” pressuring American and Canadian society to conform to speech regulations that are contrary to “biblical correctness.” I haven’t followed either of these men closely enough to know what all they believe or teach, but one clear message that came out of the interview was that Peterson is both immensely popular and immensely hated. He mentioned that at one time 200 of his fellow colleagues signed a petition trying to have him fired from his position at the university where he was teaching. But, in the next breath, he said that no matter where he goes, people thank him—often with a great deal of emotion—for what he’s taught about the fact that we are individuals who are responsible for our own lives and decisions and need to accept and act on our personal responsibility for self-control and self-improvement.
I definitely agree with Peterson’s understanding of individual person-hood and responsibility, and the great ambivalence surrounding Jordan Peterson helps me understand the tremendous emotional upheaval that Jesus caused. The religious leaders hated him, and the common people—who experienced the healing benefit of his teachings—loved him.
I have no clue if Peterson prays for those who despitefully use him and persecute him, but I know that’s what Jesus did . . . and what he tells us to do. Peterson professed being afraid to say he believed in God, because if he truly believed, he would have to live out the Christian faith, which seems impossibly hard to him. In fact, it is impossibly hard, but that is okay. Jesus died to bridge the gap between our best and perfection. We are works in progress. We are challenged to be perfect, but we fall short. Jesus paid the price for our failures. That’s what it means to be a Christian: to become a child of God through faith in Christ. But, just like Jesus, we have the wonderful capacity to find help and grace through God who helps us take responsibility for self-control and self-improvement! Through God we can learn how to humbly “pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
We may end up dying for what we believe, like Jesus, or we may end up with a thrilling triumph of good over evil (such as I’m going to write about this coming Tuesday). Either way, it is our job to be faithful to the truth as we understand it, to do good and not evil to others, and to pray for (rather than physically bully or attack) those who oppose us.
Texts for this meditation: Matthew 5:45, “and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Luke 6:27, “Pray for them which despitefully use you.”
(Reproduction of the painting, “Jesus Praying in Gethsemane,” by Yongsung Kim, used by permission. Website: Havenlight.com)
Alan used to say he may be Scottish but he has an Italian stomach! Chicken cacciatore is a staple for all of us who love Italian pastas with red sauces. It’s simple to make and lasts well if you have any leftover for another meal.
Mama’s Chicken Cacciatore (Serves 6-8)
In a large frying pan, brown one boneless chicken thigh per person in hot olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. (You can also use grilled chicken, which tastes marvelous, or leftover baked chicken, boned and cut into bite-sized pieces.)
Add one at a time while frying and cook until tender: 1 large onion, diced 8 oz. sliced mushrooms 1 large red bell pepper, diced (optional; actually most everything is optional of the veggies, although cacciatore is traditionally made with onions, garlic, and tomatoes)
1 cup diced black olives 3 cloves of garlic, chopped fine or pressed 1 cup (or up to one jar, depending on how thick you like your sauce) spaghetti sauce 1 teaspoon crushed oregano 1 teaspoon crushed rosemary 1 teaspoon crushed basil (or all the fresh you like if you like it!) 1 teaspoon seasoning salt (your favorite works fine; I used Lawry’s) 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
This particular time, I also added: 2 zucchinis, sliced 2 summer squash, sliced (mostly because I had them and wanted to use them, although they will make your sauce more liquid, and they definitely get mushy if you cook them too long, so just let them get tender [about 10-15 minutes], don’t simmer them for hours.)
Various types of pasta
While the sauce is simmering, make your pasta. I happened to have bits and pieces from several types, leftover from summer company, so I threw them all in together, although I wasn’t sure how it would work out. It turned out fine, since the types were all approximately as thick and required similar boiling times. If they require slightly different boiling times, go with the shortest time.)
Cooked, mixed pastas
I tend to use less water so that it is all absorbed and I don’t pour off any nutrients, so either follow the directions on the side of the package or reduce the water to about 1/2. However, if you reduce the water, you have to stir the pasta more often and watch it carefully, adding more water if needed.
At any rate, after you have boiled about 16 oz. pasta until it’s al denta (“to the tooth,” meaning just barely done and you can still feel a little bite to it [aka don’t even think about letting it get mushy!]), drain off any excess water and then add: 8 oz. butter 1/2 cup parmesean cheese Salt to taste (should have been added to boiling water at the beginning, but if you need more, add it)
Chicken Cacciatore with Garlic Bread and Sides
Serve it immediately, hopefully at least with some garlic bread (bread, butter, garlic salt, and chives warmed or toasted in the oven or under the broiler) to soak up the liquid (and there will be liquid with this recipe). I served it with grape juice, a caprese salad, and a fresh citrus salad, but whatever you have on hand would doubtless be delicious! If you like it, chances are your friends and family will too!
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:2-5).
I’m wondering if our grandson Samuel is a bit of a budding prophet . . . maybe a little like his namesake from the Bible!
Last year, before his mother was pregnant, he asked her if she had a baby boy in her tummy named Alex (with whom Samuel planned to shoot hoops).
Brianna thought Sammy’s question was cute, but she did take note, and when she became pregnant soon afterward, it made us all wonder if the baby was going to be a boy . . . especially since Sammy had informed us all the his first younger sibling was going to be a girl . . . and she was!
Brianna and Daniel like to be surprised so don’t test for gender but rather wait until delivery to learn the good news!
Can you guess?
Samuel was right!
We are now celebrating the birth of our 18th grand child, a beautiful baby boy.
Vision of Cornelius the Centurion by Gerbrand van den Eeckhout, 1664, Public Domain
Dan and Brianna have named him Cornelius both to honor Brianna’s grandfather and because the Cornelius in the Bible was a very honorable person who sought out God and opened the door to the gospel in Caesarea, where he became the first gentile convert to Christ.
However, Cornelius is going to go by the nickname “Neil” (rather than “Cory” or whatever).
The New Neil Armstrong
We are all overjoyed with Baby Neil Armstrong and hope he lives up to the virtuous examples of those brave and godly men who’ve come before him.
Oh, and for the record, his mom and daddy blessed him with the middle name of “Alexander,” which means “Defender of the People,” so Sammy can call him “Alex” any time he wants!
We are all in love with our new grand child/son/nephew/cousin/little person!
May he grow up to be a man of great faith and courage, one who is full of good works and prayers and loves God and man.
May he walk in the Truth, defend the just, and live a long, fruitful life!
Baptism of Cornelius
“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway . . . Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee . . .
34 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” (The entire story can be found in Acts 10.)
Have you drifted away from being involved in a church? If so, I would love to hear your “why” and if there is anything you can think of that would make the Church so appealing to you that you would want to go again.
My grandchildren keeping busy during a message at church
I am thankful all my kids are involved in church communities, but it almost seems like this is now unusual rather than the norm for those between twenty and fifty. When I was a young mom, I very much admired a woman whose husband had been the pastor of our church. They had eight grown children who were all involved in churches, but in very different denominations. I thought that was really strange and wondered how the children of a minister could possibly end up going to such diverse churches. A generation later, I am no longer amazed. In fact, I’m sort of like that pastor’s wife!
Alan and I always attended very conservative evangelical Baptist/Bible/Brethren churches, and I assumed our children would follow in our footsteps. Totally not so! Now, I will say that I’ve attended almost all the churches where my kids fellowship (except our military kids, who moved to Belgium last summer), and I almost always feel blessed and instructed by what I hear, but a few of them have found church homes quite different from those in which they grew up.
What happens? Well, for one thing, as we mature, we have to decide for ourselves what we believe and what we’re going to prioritize in life. We aren’t born with spiritual life, we are born again into spiritual life. We may grow up in a Christian home, but we aren’t born with faith in God. We may be taught about God (as in the case of my children), or we may become curious about whether or not there is a God (as in my case, who did not grow up in a church). Either way, as we grow up, we have to evaluate what we believe about God, the Bible, and spiritual life.
For most of us, spiritual life is largely explored and lived out in community, and the “community” God has given us is the local church. If you want to learn more about God, read your Bible and pray, but also get involved in a church family. Like coals of fire, we burn brighter and longer when sharing the heat with other coals in the fireplace! Embers that explode and fall off the grate usually burn out very quickly.
Some of our kids visiting Calvary Church with us in Grand Rapids
That being said, as we approach the beginning of a new school year, I hope you make being part of a local church one of you priorities. If you live in the Grand Rapids area and don’t have a church home, I would like to invite you to visit my church, Calvary Church (on the East Beltline). We have a fabulous Sunday school class called Heirs Together that is really helpful for ages 55-75, but there are excellent classes for all ages. Please consider visiting our class if you’re in town and around that age!
This past Sunday our pastor, Jim Samra, just began a new series on the Book of Titus. It’s the first of a series of topical messages that will find their roots in Titus but cover a plethora of very practical topics, such as “What is Godliness?” The first message can be found here:
If for any reason you are disabled, have to work on Sundays, live in a country where there is no local church, or are otherwise unable to attend church in person, this sermon series will be online each week. (The new message is downloaded each Tuesday morning.) If you’re looking for a prayer group, I am part of a weekly “Zoom” prayer group that you are welcome to join. Just email me at kathrynwarmstrong@gmail.com and I will connect you. Nurturing your spirit is every bit as important as nurturing your body (and I would say— “Even more so!”).
Hope to see you or hear from you soon—either at church, on Zoom, or in the comment box below with suggestions for how to make church a more spiritually nurturing environment for you and members of your generation! Thanks, and may God bless you in your spiritual journey!
“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” (Psalm 34:3).
If there was ever a human being who did good to those who hated him, it was Jesus Christ. How so, you ask? Well, one of the best examples is in Matthew 26. At the beginning of the chapter, Jesus warned his disciples that in two days he would be betrayed to be crucified, but Jesus didn’t skip out of the country, even though he knew exactly what was going to happen. By verses 3-4, we learn that the religious leaders all came together for a secret meeting trying to figure out how to capture him and kill him. Why? Because they were so envious that they hated him (see Matthew 27:18 and Mark 15:10).
Despite revealing to his disciples what was about to happen, Jesus’ s twelve closest friends found fault with him because he accepted the ministry of Mary anointing him with oil. The disciples were critical of such a “waste” when the money might have been given to the poor. Instead of lashing out at them for failing to appreciate what Mary was doing, Jesus patiently explained that Mary was preparing Jesus for his high-priestly ministry of dying for our sins! He was going to die in our place, as payment for our sins so that we could be reconciled to God, and she was anointing him for his burial.
“Oh, now we see!” they all exclaimed. I wish!! No, the disciples didn’t understand at all. In fact, Judas got so mad that he left the group and went straight to the chief priests, where he plotted to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
Now, in a somewhat similar situation of danger (in 2 Kings 1), when Elijah’s life was at risk, Elijah called down fire from heaven that consumed the men who came to capture him. Not so, Jesus! When Judas brought the soldiers into the Garden of Gethsemane to capture Jesus, he still called Judas “Friend.” Friend? How could Jesus call Judas “Friend” knowing full well that he was plotting Jesus’ death?
Why didn’t Jesus call down fire from heaven to consume them? As Jesus explained to Peter a few verses later, God would have given Jesus more than 12,000 angels to protect them had Jesus asked him to! But, he didn’t! Why? Because he loved his enemies. He was doing good to those who hated him.
You might wonder how Jesus surrendering himself to die at the hands of wicked men could possibly be “doing good” in any sense, but don’t forget that Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen, had prayed fervently for God to intervene if He wanted to, and then surrendered completely to God’s will. Jesus could “do good to them that hate you” by surrendering to God’s will.
How could being tortured and killed be God’s will? Well, we know from studying the entire Bible that Jesus was the Lamb of God who came on the mission of dying for the sins of the world, so that “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ” (John 3:16-17).
And, what about you and me? What does it look like to “do good to them which hate you”? Does it mean killing everybody who doesn’t believe in Jesus, or fire-bombing those who don’t worship God? NO! It means being like Jesus, who patiently taught and lived the truth. It means doing what’s best for others, whether or not they like it! The religious leaders would have preferred for Jesus to stop preaching the gospel, but that wouldn’t really have been doing good; that would have been doing what they wanted, which is different!
Doing “good” can only happen when we do what God wants us to do, and that we can only figure out by meditating on the Bible and asking the Holy Spirit to teach us how to “do good.” We do good to those who hate us, not only by being kind and caring for them, but also by setting our face “like a flint” to obey our heavenly Father. To be good is to be like God. To be like Jesus. To give our lives so that others may find eternal life in Christ, who gave his life for all of us.
Believest thou this?
Jesus said, “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:26).
Here is a beautiful song about Jesus, our Gentle Shepherd, who can help us.
I am a big drinker, although I’ve never had a drink . . . if you know what I mean! That is to say, I seem to need a lot of liquid in my diet and enjoy all sorts of different types and flavors of beverages, but I’ve never had an alcoholic drink, and I hope I never do, because the world is full of people who are in unbelievable pain because someone they love has misused alcohol.
Italian Mango Soda with Cream
In this area, I side with fundamentalist Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians. My party line is this: When I get to heaven, if Jesus offers me something to drink, I’ll drink it, but I’m certain it won’t be anything that will make me drunk!
That being said, there is a world of non-alcoholic pleasure just waiting for whosoever will and can! They’ve become popular as “Mocktails” (non-alcoholic cocktails). There are no end of imaginative combinations of flavors that can perk you up on a hot summer day, and this past summer (a year ago now), on our trip cruising the North Atlantic on Holland America’s Koningsdam, the dinner menu suggested over a dozen possibilities, many of which I tried.
The Ultimate Unleaded Margarita (behind the shrimp cocktail)
While we were cruising, I was intent on photographing some of the more succulent dishes and failed big time by not capturing visions of the delicious drinks, but I did take photos of the menu offerings, and they at least give you some ideas if you want to try a few fun and fancy beverages to serve on special occasions (like today, since every day’s a cause for celebration—right?)!
Ginger Mango Splash
Although I really delighted in all the various offerings, I discovered that some of them were like eating fresh fruit, and some of them were so filling they were more like dessert, so I had to be careful with my overall menu plan so that I didn’t end up over full!
The smoothies were especially wonderful . . . and so filling they were almost a meal in themselves. Some of these combinations—particularly if made at home with Greek yogurt (which is super high in protein)—can make a perfect breakfast. When I used to visit Mommu (a spiritual mother to me), we would often enjoy a smoothie for breakfast and feel completely satisfied. (The older I get, the less it takes to fill me up.)
Frosty Chocolate Mint Buzz
The ultimate dessert mocktail was competition for a gourmet chocolate malt, and I learned pretty fast that I could not have such a fabulous mocktail and still finish a nutritious dinner. Since coming home and experimenting with beverages, I’ve concluded that specialty drinks are fun, but for me, at least, they need to be reserved for truly special occasions, not just every day pleasure.
Virgin Pina Colada
One of my favorites is a “Virgin Pina Colada,” and it’s super simple to make! Here’s how: In a blender, for each drink, add: 1 cup ice cubes 1 cup pineapple juice 1/3 cup coconut cream (or 1/2 cup coconut milk). Blend until the ice is is small chunks and pour over ice cubes in your glass. Top with 1/2 cup more pineapple juice and a dollop of whipping cream. If you like it sweeter, you can add a little sugar. Some people add crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, heavy cream, or some type of sparkling water/Sprite/lemon-lime soda, so if the way I make it is too simple for your taste, experiment. To me, light and not too sweet is more refreshing unless you’re trying to make a dessert out of it!
Virgin Pina Coladas
Nutritionists say “Eat your fruit and drink your water!” Good mantra for me.
In a world where being overweight is the cause of more deaths than being underweight (except in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, according to the Whole Health Organization, January 2019), I have a renewed determination to serve milk or cold water rather than fancy drinks with my meals. Way better for myself and my grand children!
“Eat your fruit and drink your water!”
“And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42).
Have you ever read The Pilgrim’s Progress? If you’re under thirty, you may not have even heard of The Pilgrim’s Progress, although it’s one of the most significant works ever written in the English language (some say it is the first English novel), and until recently it was second only to the Bible as the most published book in the English language!
“Christian Reading His Book,” by William Blake from the Frick Collection, NYC
If you love reading, this is the one classic I hope you don’t miss. During World War I, many of the English soldiers carried a copy in their pockets to help keep up their courage!
The Pilgrim’s Progress from a 1683 printing
Written almost 350 years ago (1678) by John Bunyan and originally titled The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That Which Is to Come, the story is an allegory about the spiritual journey every Christian takes.
If you’re not familiar with the story, this might be the perfect time to learn about it, as an animated version of this great classic has just come out, and anyone can watch it free online August 25-26 (2019) if they register using the link below (which simply asks for your email address so they can send you the link).
When our children were little, Alan read through Little Pilgrim’s Progress several times aloud to our family.
Little Pilgrim’s Progress is a charming adaptation by Helen Taylor and told in a way that will make little eyes grow wide from time to time without causing nightmares! (It can be ordered on Amazon right now for $4.41.)
Although the artwork in older editions of this classic tale is wonderfully detailed,
and I love all the beautiful pictures,
the 2019 animated version combines more realistic graphics with a more “modern” fairy-tale look that will be familiar to children today
without compromising the story (or so I’ve read).
Heretofore I’ve always reviewed movies after I’ve seen them, but this time I’ll be watching right along with you if you choose to view the movie during their free event. Therefore, I’ll be especially interested to hear any comments you might have about the movie. Is the movie true to the book? Is the message compelling? Are the characters believable and likeable?
Have you started on your own pilgrimage toward heaven? If so, do you identify with all the frightening, disheartening, and thrilling adventures that befall Christian? If you haven’t started your journey, does the movie inspire you to strike out in search of God?
A Plan of the Road from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City (1821, Wiki)
Will you join me on the pilgrimage from this world to that which is to come?
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13, speaking of a multitude of faithful believers who went on their pilgrimage to heaven before Jesus came to earth).
“Find Us Faithful” by Steve Green
“We’re pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road, and those who’ve gone before us line the way. cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary, their lives a stirring testament to God’s sustaining grace. o may all who come behind us find us faithful, may the fire of our devotion light their way. may the footprints that we leave, lead them to believe, and the lives we live inspire them to obey. o may all who come behind us find us faithful. Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run the race not only for the prize, but as those who’ve gone before us. let us leave to those behind us, the heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives. o may all who come behind us find us faithful.”
Summer Setting 