by Kimberly | Jul 6, 2010 | Uncategorized
Since I’ve been gone for about 10 days – I had 713 google reads to sift through. When I have that many, I quickly scan and star. Then go back. I wanted to let you in on the good ones of the week: whether food, Bible, life, etc – here you go:
1. I have plenty of cast iron in my kitchen. Almost like it as much as my stainless steel – depends on what I’m cooking. Here is why you need cast iron!
2. Ever wonder how or why to study the Bible? The rising 10th graders at my church were studying this recently…this would have been a help to them – and maybe to you. Hand it to Tim Challies – uber blogger to pen this.
3. Carolyn McCulley writes a brilliant piece on Learning to Be Married.
4. Who says practical can’t be beautiful? Birthday is less than 6 months away (or just an anytime gift would be good!)
5. Keeping with my Johnny Cash theme – thought you might like this short video. How can you not like Johnny’s bass voice?
6. Feminists strike again. Dr. Denny Burk, new father, and Dean of Boyce College, makes us aware of their latest.
7. My friend Courtney writes here about the trend for women (of child-bearing age) to opt out of it (maybe in search of seomthing “more”).
8. Ephesians 4.29 is usually stuck in my head somewhere. I wish I obeyed it more often. But, especially in light of social media – how do you find yourself living obediently of this verse? Kevin Deyoung helps us out.
9. Becoming a better writer doesn’t just happen. I remember getting low Cs and even a D in high school (I really think it was just because the teacher didn’t like me) and then made As on writing assignments in both college and seminary. But, here are some tips.
10. And speaking of Kevin DeYoung and writing – here are more tips.
11. Many Christian women ask this: can I work outside the home once I’m married. I do not believe there is a biblical mandate – just wisdom and Scriptures on priorities and submission. John Piper talks about it here.
12. Billy Joel. Genesis 11. How in the world is there a connection? Stephen Altrogge makes one. Its a good one. John 3.30.
13. Yummy summer treats. I still want to make these soon.
Ok – these should keep you busy for a while.
by Kimberly | Jul 5, 2010 | Uncategorized
It has been a while since my last blog post – but I have good reason – I was at youth camp all last week. So, you get a brain dump in this post – and the next post will be a compilation of some google feeds I found interesting. These are in no particular order.
1. Camp was great.
2. Kids were saved – always a plus
3. I like sleeping in my own bed without ants.
4. Sometimes I wish I could shut my brain off.
5. It is hard to be in worship (singing/listening to the Word preached) for 4 hours a day and no be able to be alone to digest it – 5 days total. Overload.
6. It is a good thing to be in worship that much.
7. Yes – I don’t know how I reconcile the two.
8. My heart breaks for young girls who are struggling like I had to.
9. Fiction is a good thing to read when I want to read – but don’t want to think.
10. I struggle with idolatry. I have 3 main ones – I realized one of those today.
11. I love and hate to journal.
12. I am working on my photog with shadows and light. I don’t always win.
13. I’m not cool.
14. Having a good dance partner makes all the difference in the world. I don’t have one. But, line dancing is fun.
15. I want to be cool in front of teenagers.
16. When will that ever go away?
17. I like being reminded of what/who I am waiting for.
18. I miss Huber’s
19. I miss some great friends in the Ville.
20. I wouldn’t trade RDU for anything.
21. I love to travel by myself.
22. I love Caribou’s signature teas for the summer.
23. Nick Roark can preach.
24. Satan is real
25. Lies damage
26. Guys puzzle me.
27. The heart is a mysterious thing.
28. It is also desparately wicked – who can know it.
29. I don’t know everything.
30. I like (and don’t like) being reminded that it is not all about me.
31. I love to sing with abandon.
32. I like watching people who are skilled and joyful at what they do.
33. I am glad I have 3 trips to the beach planned – I miss water. (Insert Brad Paisley song here).
34. I ate too much junk food for meals at camp.
35. Being sick wipes me out – I don’t like it.
36. I think I might buy a fountain pen – should I get a bottle or cartridge?
37. I like peace and quiet.
38. I envy.
39. The cross covers that envy.
40. I struggle between the balance of Romans 8.1 and Titus 2.10
41. Life is much easier when I don’t have so much to think about.
42. It is just easier or better?
43. I love my job.
44. I love my church.
45. I love to celebrate people’s birthdays.
46. How my life would be completely difference if a handful of things had gone differently earlier in life.
47. God is sovereign and has a great plan.
48. He will not withhold anything good from those who walk uprightly.
49. I like to control things.
50. I am not in control.
I think that’s a good one to end on. Stay tuned tomorrow for a recipe and some good links.
by Kimberly | Jun 23, 2010 | Uncategorized
How do you pray for your kids? If you are like most Christians in America – you are praying for your kids to get good grades, make good friends, get into good schools with great scholarships, good jobs, good marriages, the American life. What if you prayed a dangerous prayer like this for your children:
“Heretofore we fears bias you, but no we must tell you why we praise God for the decision to which you have been led. Your father’s heart was set upon being aminister, but other claims forced him to give it up. When you were given to them, your father and mother laid you upon the altar, their first-born, to be consecrated, if God saw fit, as a Missionary of the Cross; and it has been their constant prayer that you might be prepared, qualified, and led to this very decision; and we pray with all our heart that the Lord may accept your offering, long spare you, and give you many souls from the Heathen World for your hire.” (John Piper, Filling up the Afflictions of Christ, page 73)
This is a conversation had by John Paton with his parents. John faithful served in the South Seas amongst hardship, disease, death of spouse and child, fearing being eaten alive – every day for decades.
You never know how God will answer the prayers of a parents. Make them good ones.
More on Paton and the rest of the Piper book in the book review soon.
by Kimberly | Jun 23, 2010 | Uncategorized
Two of my favorite topics. Food – I love to cook, buy, bake, talk about, read about all things food. And yes, that includes eating out at all sorts of local dining establishments. It isn’t always fun to cook for one (since I’m single), and I can use the time eating out to eat with friends and broaden my food perspective. Like just the other day – tried a new sushi place with a friend and during dinner we discussed Paul David Tripp’s book War on Words.
Feminism – no, I’m not a feminist – but I love to study it and the effect that culture has on women and the home and the way God has created women to be. If you want two books to read about what I’m referring to: Mary Kassian’s Feminist Mistake and Carolyn McCulley’s Radical Womanhood.
How are the two brought together? Read the following quotes from different articles I’ve been reading:
“How do we both scale the career heights and bake our own bread?” – Jennifer Jeffrey
“We watch cooking shows on TV but we cook very little. We’re seduced by convenience. Who knew liberation would be found in a kitchen cupboard full of produce, not purses. Sure, women have been unfairly stuck with the brunt of domestic labor for a long time in a culture that has deemed it lower status than say, working in an office. Stepping away from the hearth is a form of rebellion and liberation and a way to gain more cultural status. This idea…that liberated women don’t prepare food…is part of the Sex and the City cultural hangover. Carrie Bradshaw, of course, famously used her oven as a shoe cupboard far before Grace, as a kind of feminist triumph. She likes sec and (therefore)doesn’t have to cook. Men come across as evolved, sexy, and creative when they mix things up in the kitchen. But women seem stuck in Leave it to Beaver land when they step in front of the stove: domestic suckers who aren’t paying enough attention to their ambition or their libidos.” – Vanessa Richmond
“Why do women cook in the domestic sphere but male chefs reign in restaurant land?” – Cooking with Ideas
“Besides drawing women into the work force, falling wages made fast food both cheap to produce and a welcome, if not indispensable, option for pinched and harried families.” – Michael Pollan
“In a challenge to second-wave feminists who urged women to get out of the kitchen, Flammang suggests that by denigrating foodwork, everything involved in putting meals on the family table – we have unthinkingly wrecked one of the nurseries of democracy: the family meal. Pollan doesn’t question the notion that feminists are to blame for urging women to leave the kitchen, when one might imagine that those who left the aprons behind were thinking beings who made their own choice to leave, regardless of the persuasions of feminists and family alike.” – Anna Clark
What does all this matter?
In the rise of a foodie nation – which we are (food channels, competitions, magazines, restaurants, stores) – I also want to draw your attention to what it looks like for families and feminism.
Personal Testimony: I grew up in a non-traditional family. Both of my parents were (and still are) married. But, my mother wasn’t always able to do the “normal” mother things, so my brother and I would go grocery shopping, cook, prepare our breakfasts, and eat school lunches. I went to Publix with a check and a grocery list in 3rd grade. My Dad cooked. My Mom would sometimes cook. We would eat out before school basketball games. I learned how to cook early on. Now, I love to cook – but I would still rather cook for people than just myself. I want people to appreciate my cooking. So, if it’s just me – I’m going to make a salad or eat hummus and raw vegetables, or maybe even a bowl of light ice cream for dinner.
Now that I’ve gotten older, learned more, been around more people – I see food and cooking in a different light. I don’t see preparing food in a kitchen at your home for your family as a demeaning task or one that should only be done by the wife. Proverbs 31 does mention this: “She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household.” (31.15) But, I don’t believe that means that if the husband cooks, then the wife is falling down on her wifely/motherly duties.
Here are two thoughts all these above-mentioned articles mentioned:
1. What has fast food (whether eating out or pre-packaged) done for the feminism movement? If you think back to when these TV dinners started really hitting the supermarket shelves (or fast food icons, etc) – it would be in the late 50s and on. Which came first – the feminism movement of the 60s and 70s or the rise of food? Is there a correlation – yes, but I don’t think its the driving correlation. As I walk through Harris Teeter or Whole Foods now – look at all the “organic” specialized TV dinner and prepared foods. So, not only do we have parents (both men and women) – but probably a majority of women – who are now trying to be the do-it-all-Mom (corporate exec, teacher, PTA superpower, and Mom, cook, cleaner, housewife extraordinaire) and they must have the convenience foods. There is no way to have it all. It can’t be done. Something will take a back burner. And maybe what is on the back burner – just foodie wise – is the health and nutrition of what you put in your mouth and on your child’s plate. This leads to unhealthy families (but that is for another blog).
2. Entitlement. We live in a culture now where we can get local, organic, grass-fed, cage-free, no pesticides foods. We have specialty shops like Whole Foods. We have Fresh Market. We eat non-processed foods or only plants. Is all of this good – sure. Is all of it a necessity? No. Women (yes, mostly women) think in terms of entitlement or status. During a conversation I had this morning – we think it’s a status to walk into our kid’s classroom holding our Whole Foods recyclable bag. How dare we bring in a plastic Food Lion or Aldi bag? Would anyone eat the food we brought if it wasn’t organic? And the question raised in one of the articles I read – does this “slow-food” culture (the return in politics and foodie circles to non-processed foods, grind your own wheat, bake your own breads, etc) really mean that women are giving up their careers and returning to the kitchen. I don’t think the argument can be made. I think it can be more made that as women/wives/mothers get more into culture and the world – they think they are entitled to more and better things (including their food). So, they will spend more money on gratifying self in the way of the Whole Foods salad bar and bulk bins. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that their hearts are returning to a God-given love of the home and their children.
As Mary Kassian states in her book Girls Gone Wise, “Do you believe that treasuring Christ holds greater pleasure than sec, wealth, power, and prestige? Are you willing to forego worldly gratification?” Is shopping at Whole Foods and Fresh Market and local farms wrong – no, please don’t hear that. But, what is the heart behind your actions? Do you want to have it all? Do you want to be a status symbol? Do you want to be able to hang with the green, organic Moms who you think have it all together from the outside looking in? Or do you want to reclaim your role as a wife and a mother who’s best interest is her love for Christ and that she “looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” (Prov 31.27)
by Kimberly | Jun 23, 2010 | Uncategorized
This is a late night post, straight out of my head – so who knows what might come out in this blog. It is something I’ve thought about before now, so that should give you some comfort of mind!
If you want to be excellent at something – what must you do? Thoughts… Here are my two:
1. Surround yourself with people who are better at you in what you want to be excellent. If I want to be a good cook – hang out with better cooks (Phyllis, Granny (chicken and rice and fried chicken), Alan (grilling steaks – but that must mean I get a grill too), Lauren (Italian food because she is), Wilders (homemade pizzas)…I could go on. If I want to be a good photographer – I hang out with people who are good and I look at their photos: Sherri, Aarica, Casey, Angie, Alan, Travis, David… I watch them as they take photos, look at their angles, ask them questions…and learn. If I want to be a better writer…I write, read, learn, study. If I want to be a better runner…I read running magazines, I hang out with people who will push me to run more.
But…I can watch and learn all I want…I eventually have to cook, take photos, write, and run. If these are the four things that I want to excel at in life – than I need to be around people who are better than me and actually do the things I want to be better at.
2. There’s the last one…I must practice. That means I look through recipes and make things that may or may not turn out because I want to practice on that one thing. Like fried goat cheese. Bruschetta – that’s this weekend. Cookies – the more I make them the better they will be. Photog: that means I actually have to make outings just about taking photos. That means I carry my camera with me everywhere I go. That means I see the world differently because I want to see it through a lens of my Canon Rebel. That means I actually must write. Whether that is through this blog, writing letters, or writing what I actually do for a living – I have to do it. I have to be prepared to get my work cut to shreds by people because that will only make me better. It means I must divorce myself from my writing and not take criticism personally. That means I must buy more pens and more paper and always have something with me on which to write. It means I must think more. That means I sign up for races and go run. That means I get up at the crack of dawn or go run in the heat/humidity. That means I sacrifice. That means I use the saying no pain no gain in running a 1/2 marathon.
One thing I want to be good at: being a wife. That means…if I ever get the chance…I want to be the best darn wife God will have created me to be. That means…for now…I hang out with great wives, I learn from them. That means…I read books on biblical femininity and the roles of a wife and a mother. That means…I talk about where I struggle. That means I learn how to be real with people (oh, don’t I just love that). One pastor’s wife said to me, “Kim, you may be an open book but that doesn’t mean you are vulnerable.” I didn’t believe her at the time. But, I think being around people who are about me and want to love me for who I am and not what I can do or how I succeed has taught me that it is ok. Also, being surrounded by grace has gone a long way. But, I still can’t settle. And that brings me to my last point of this post…
I want to excel at loving Jesus. That means…I come to him and bring all my requests to him in boldness (Eph 3.12, 20). That means I repent of the same sins that I do over and over (Until sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet). That means I cling so tightly to the cross of Christ that that is all I talk about because without it I wouldn’t be alive (Gal 6.14). That means I saturate myself in the Word and know that anything I say, do, think, or read will be colored by the Truth that I find in that book. That means I live in grace. That means I live in grace. That means I live in grace.
For what are you striving for excellence? What steps are you taking to get there?
by Kimberly | Jun 21, 2010 | Uncategorized
This recipe is a result of good blog reading. I love Hannah’s blog – don’t know her personally, but I’ve been a fan of her blog for a few years now. She is a creative photographer, thinker, and baker. I wanted to bake something for our Singles Gathering at Providence the other night, so this is what I came up with. If you like butterscotch – these are dangerous. I had to get them out of my house and clean the bowl real quick so I wouldn’t lick it clean!
Makes 9×13 pan
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 c brown sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, melted, slightly cooled
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 (heaping) cup butterscotch chips
Mix dry. Melt butter. Stir together butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Combine with dry. Fold in butterscotch chips. Line pan with foil and spray. Dump in batter. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Let cool for about an hour and cut. Best when served warm in my opinion.
by Kimberly | Jun 21, 2010 | Uncategorized
I had a friend in the ministry tell me, “I wish every pastor would have to read Total Church.” That should give this book on practical ecclesiology merit in its own right. I don’t know if I would go as far as to say that – but I can definitely see its usefulness for ministry team discussions and personal wrestling with ecclesiology.
Timmis and Chester come from many years of pastoral and church planting ministry in the UK. That is what gives them credibility to write a book such as this. Their goal in writing is simple: how to be the church as a we – not an I – and how the gospel must shape that model.
The best part about this book is you almost have to engage it and think and process for this book to do you any good. They have designed it well that way; it is full of thought-provoking ideas.
The thing that is most difficult in this book is the UK slant. Yes, the church is the church is the church. But, the church will look different in different cultures. The examples from The Crowded House they use may not necessarily transfer to church in American culture – or in a non-Acts 29 church.
I think this book would best be read by 1) a ministry team in a local church. We just read through it as a ministry team at my church and we had good conversation on many aspects of this book and how we could incorpate/improve in many areas. 2) by a ministry student who is studying and then preparing to do full-time ministry. It is important to know and understand why you have the ecclesiology you hold to. If you don’t like multi-site, cell group, family integrated, seeker friendly, traditional SS model, etc – you should know why. You should definitely be able to articulute what is important to you in the life of a church. This book will help you clarify that belief.
“Where God’s Word is not heard, chaos and darkness close in again. God rules as his word is trusted and obeyed. God is rejected when his word is not trusted and not obeyed.” (p 25) I am so grateful to be in a church where the Word of God is clearly and passionately taught at every event I go to (whether singles events, youth training events, and most definitely the worship service on Sunday).
“Few Christians are going to object to being gospel-centered, just as no one is against mothers or apple pie. The problem is the gap between our rhetoric and the reality of our practice. The continual challenge for us is to apply this principle to church life and ministry without compromise.” (33)
“The UK (USA) will never be reached until we create open, authentic, learning and praying communities that are focused on making whole-life disciples who live and share the Gospel wherever they relate to people in their daily lives. We need non-full-time leaders who can model whole-life, gospel-centered, missional living. This means creating church cultures in which we see normal, celebrating day-to-day gospel living in the secular world and discussions of how we can use our daily routines for the gospel.” (37)
“God is at the center of the gospel word. Yet much evangelism tends to place people in that position. The gospel becomes skewed toward me and how Jesus meets my needs.” (55)
“We need to be communities of love. And we need to be seen to be communities of love. People need to encounter the church as a network of relationships rather than a meeting you attend or a place you enter.” (59) Based on some recent conversations, perception is reality – for those people. We need to always strive to be reaching out to people – whether they look like they have it all together or not. People need people.
“The best thing we can do for the poor is offer them a place of welcome and community. People are often unaware of how much the culture of their church is shaped by their social class. Someone at the door of a church, for example, may hand a newcomer a hymnbook, a Bible, service guide, or bulletin with a small and greeting without realizing how intimidating these can be to someone from a nonliterate culture. The social activities to which the poor are invited, the decision-making processes of teh church, the unwritten dress codes, the style of teaching can all be alien to the marginalized.” (81). We take the culture of our church for granted. Would the poor feel welcome in a upper-class church? Would a traditional person feel welcome in a Acts 29/modern church? It goes both ways. And we always need to be aware of people who may not look like us – to make them feel just as welcome and to care for them.
“We have a simple rule of thumb in our church: if we do this as a family, we can do it as a church; if we would not do this as a family, why do it as a church?” (190). Baptism and Lord’s Supper – two ordinances Scripture gives the church – not the family. Acts 2 – clearly evidenced in both. Children and Youth Ministry – how most churches operate – is there a place for those ministries in Total Church churches?
This book is thought-provoking. Read through it critically.
by Kimberly | Jun 16, 2010 | Uncategorized
Love Mexican. It ranks up there with my fave foods. Can you go wrong (yes, you can, just let me tell you, bad Mexican is not good)? But, Mez is not one of them. This restaurant had been highly recommended to me – and it is owned by the same restaurant group that owns others I’ve loved (518 West, 411 West, Squids).
Unfortunately, my first taste of this restaurant was take out, but I’m not complaining. Its the best take out Mexican I’ve ever had. I can’t wait to actually go to the restaurant – I know it will be so much better. Authentic, contemporary Mexican – can it be done? Yes.
I had carne asada tacos – in corn tortillas (I would have preferred flour, but I was told these are more authentic). The meat wasn’t tough at all – and the gaucamole was fabulous. A perfect sauce to the seared meat.
You are going to pay for what you get – none of this 2$ taco thing. But, when they taste this great – its worth the money! I really want to go back and try everything on the menu? Who’s up for doing that with me?
by Kimberly | Jun 16, 2010 | Uncategorized
Pizza. You don’t usually associate Raleigh as being the pizza place. Well, Raleigh might not have great pizza – but as long as Lilly’s is in the city – we’ll have good pizza. When so many people recommend a place, I go with reservation. I hope it is going to be as good as everyone says, but have been let down in life with food choices of others, so I try to keep an open mind.
I was not disappointed. I went with a bunch of girlfriends on Memorial Day night. It is trendy, culture, eclectic place. Not Italian by any means. But, I loved the atmosphere. It was raining so we couldn’t sit outside, and I am wondering still if their a/c was broken because it was very warm in there. We arrived at 530 which was perfect because we were able to order our pizza and only had about a 10 minute wait in getting them. After 6, the wait is more like an hour if crowded. Note to consumer: go early!
It was hard making a choice, but room and I split one slice of their Big Star pizza: Homemade pesto, mozzarella, parmesan, gorgonzola, fontina, roasted red peppers & pistachios. Who would have thought pistachios on a pizza would be delicious. So so good. Also, I got their house salad: the croutons were made of pizza dough – how good is that. That’s a winner. Roasted pear vinaigrette – I was in heaven with that stuff. A dressing that I need to drink. That good. I tasted my friends stuffed mushrooms. Best I’ve had. Not too salty, so pretty to look at, and with pesto – can you go wrong? Roasted mushrooms filled with monterey jack, pesto, grilled shrimp and bacon. Topped with fresh basil!
So – note to self: split a slice, get a salad. Cheap and filling and delicious (if you can choose just one slice). Get there before 6pm. Enjoy yourself.
by Kimberly | Jun 16, 2010 | Uncategorized
I’m a little behind on my restaurant reviews – but here goes.
The American Tobacco district in Durham is home to some great night life, the Durham Bulls, and fabulous restaurants. Parking is not fun, especially when there is a football game, but it is a great way to spend a Friday night with friends.
Cuban Revolution is one of those places. The atmosphere is fun, eclectic, historical, cultural. The wait staff are wonderful and engaging and knowledgeable. The food – I really did love what I ordered.
We started with sweet potato fries. Good – but not the best I’ve had.
I ordered the Cuban salad – black beans and maduros – I fell in love. So good. Dressing on the side. Who knew maduros on a salad would be so good?
We went on a night with a baseball game across thestreet, so we had a pretty lengthy wait – but it was worth it, fun nightlife atmosphere, would be fun for some dancing if they ever had any times to do that, price was reasonable, and once the game started it cleared out and ended up as a quiet evening (until the game got out).
