Strawberry Goodness

If I had to pick a favorite food that definitely wells up worship inside me, it would be a hard choice between Ruffles & Hidden Valley ranch dip, spicy fried chicken, bacon, and strawberries. Most of my friends might be surprised to find that good strawberries probably top my favorites list above bacon (for which my admiration is well known, hehe). It's just that bacon is pretty consistent whereas some batches of strawberries are good and others are mediocre at best.

Anyway, I am always interested in recipes for pretty much homemade strawberry anything! I recently came across a simple recipe for strawberry ice cream that does not require an ice cream maker and thought I would share it with you. I found the recipe here and have made measurement conversions and ingredient adjustments to be able to make this recipe in the U.S. My trial run led to delicious tasting ice cream, but I did find it to have a bit of an icy/grainy texture. Let me know if you end up with a creamier consistency. I may have slacked a little on whisking times as sometimes you just have to make allowances for spontaneous steakburgers and games of 42!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/3 1lb containers of good strawberries
• 2/3 cup of extra fine granulated sugar (can be found in grocery stores or you can be cheap like me and try to make your own with a food processor or clean coffee bean grinder)
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 10oz heavy whipping cream
• 1/3 cu + 1Tbs + 1tsp milk

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Wash, de-stem, and core (if necessary) strawberries. I also halved or quartered them for easier processing (since I don't own a food processor).
2. Set aside about a dozen strawberries, and put the rest in a food processor (or blender) with the sugar and lemon juice. Process (or blend) until smooth, and transfer to a bowl.
   
3. Put the dozen strawberries into the food processor until mangled. I used my little electric chopper for this job. Add mangled strawberries to the bowl of liquidy, strawberry goodness.
   
4. Put the cream into the processor until it is thickened but not stiff.
   
5. Pour the cream and milk in with the strawberries and mix thoroughly with a whisk.
   
6. Place the bowl in the freezer. Remove from the freezer and whisk every hour for at least four times total.
   
7. After the last whisk, transfer to a tub with a lid and freeze until solid.
   
8. Eat and enjoy!
   

Domestic Bliss

Growing up, it seems we never appreciate the opportunities we're given until we're older. Now, I find I really enjoy domestic arts. Sorry, mom, for refusing your cooking lessons for so many years. Also, with grandparents and aunts and uncles in other states, there was no one to teach me the arts of crochet or sewing.

I love all these domestic arts, because they are such wonderful tools God has given us with which to reflect the light of love from its Source. I enjoy cooking/baking, because I love caring for my family in this way and hosting and feeding others. It is a reflection of God's provision for us and His richness. He doesn't just give us food to sustain us and keep us alive, but He gives us flavors and tastebuds, noses and scents, eyes and colors to behold to enjoy. I love crochet, because I can give something homemade, time/thought/effort-rich, and prayed over with love to encourage another. Every other crochet project I work on is a small blanket for our church's miscarriage and infertility ministry; the hope is that it will be a small tangible reminder of God's compassionate character. I (once I really get started, am sure that I will) love sewing, because it will help me serve my household and help and encourage others. I look forward to reflecting how God made me in sewing projects and perhaps giving others sewn gifts one day as a reminder that the recipient is loved.

So as I am just starting to really grow in these domestic arts, I wondered whether I should include my journey in this blog, in a separate blog, or not at all in the internet world. But as I searched the depths of the internet for crochet goodness the other day, I stumbled across a blog that helped me make this decision. The internet has been such a helpful tool in encouraging me in the Lord through growing and equipping me in the areas in which He has given me a passion to glorify Him. So I don't think it would be out of place on this blog of our lives and learnings to share these adventures, recipes, skills, projects, and tips with you.

I know some of you readers have no interest in domestic arts, but I encourage you also to remember, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17). Whether your thing is computer programming, reading books and seeking out knowledge, athletics, or sci fi, remember, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). God created you with your passions, talents, and giftedness that you may passionately, gratefully, and joyfully glorify Him.

So to kick things off, I will write two posts in one day - this one and a recipe for strawberry goodness. I know strawberries certainly lead me to worship! Enjoy!

Better Late Than Never

A long time ago, I mentioned that I was reading through Genesis and planned on posting reflections from my reading. Oops! It never happened! Well, I started over reading the Old Testament due to a new Bible in a Year Plan I have been working through and was convicted yesterday evening, by the Spirit through a great friend, that I don't even remember a quarter of what I learned and haven't ever shared it with the hopes of encouragement and edification of others. So I figured better late than never! Here are just a few things that jumped out at me as I read:

• Fruit bearing: God didn't just call us to bear fruit; He showed us what it looks like first. He designed it, spoke it into being, brings forth new life from it, and produces from it according to its kind or designation. Then He commands us to do likewise. Fruit carries the seed to bring forth new life; this is what we are called to do spiritually! We carry the seed, but it is He who designates what type of fruit it will be, when it will come to fruition, and how it will come to fruition. We also know that not every seed from fruit that hits the ground bears lasting fruit, but fruit carries and scatters its seed nonetheless. Furthermore, spiritual fruit then is not just about qualities or characteristics that a person would want to attain, but it is about bringing forth life! Joseph was grateful for his suffering, recognized it came from God, was quick to forgive those God used, and He realized his suffering was used to bring life. He knew his role as a fruit bearer!
  
• Blessing: Many people think of blessings as stuff - things we get that we're thankful for. My family is a blessing. My house is a blessing. We wish each other blessings. Some people even wish others a blessed day. There are different types of blessing in the Bible, but I'm just going to discuss this one. A blessing isn't just something graciously given to us that generates thanksgiving; it's actually a call by God and a means to fulfill the call - the ultimate call being to glorify Him. How awesome is that?
• Sovereignty & Prayer: Genesis 6:5-7 is tough in regard to this subject. God created man, and as He is omniscient, He knew what sinners we would become. Yet, He was sorry (as in grieved, not apologetic) He had made men and planned to destroy them. Noah actually changed God's mind. Later, Abraham interceded for Lot and Sodom. God's mind is so unfathomable! It's crazy that He could plan to destroy something and yet save that same something at the same time, and that He would use human pleas and prayers to accomplish His purposes.
• Questioning: Abraham, named the father of faith, could converse honestly with God about questions and details, but he believed. His questions were asked in faith - in God's promises rather than whatever his desires or passions were. This is encouragement to me that it's okay to talk with God and ask Him questions.
• Big Picture: God often promised things to the people in Genesis that would not be fulfilled until many years and much suffering later. But aside from the fact that He was still faithfully fulfilling His promise, He was often accomplishing part of a bigger picture (such as judgment of a nation) while slowly (to us) fulfilling His promises. This was a great reminder that God's work in my life is just one small part of a huge picture. Also, when Abraham didn't trust that the Lord was enough or that the Lord would keep Him safe, he almost brought sin upon others. Our sins and lack of trust do have consequences that may affect others.
• Weight of Sin: It is said that Esau 'despised' his birthright, because he gave it up so easily in exchange for immediate fleshly desires (food in this case). Wow! 'Despise' is a strong word! So when we choose the created over the Creator, could it be said that we are essentially in that moment 'despising' Him? It is clear that we are showing a low valuation of Him at the time. How weighty is that? Thank God that He has mercy on us!
  
• Valuable Presence: When the trinity appears to Abraham, he RAN to serve them for the pleasure of the Lord's presence. Why do we serve? Do we truly value the presence of the Lord? What does the presence of the Lord stir in us? How awesome must the Lord's presence be?!

Well, those are just a few things that stuck out to me. I hope they have encouraged and/or edified you! I will do the same for the other books as I complete them (hopefully). It will take me a while for Exodus, Leviticus, and Matthew as I stopped taking notes for a while.

Let The Field Exult, And Everything In It!

This past weekend, Robbie and I spent a delightful day taking family and friend pictures at an arboretum. We were absolutely blown away by God's incredible beauty and creativity! It is crazy to think that this beauty is just a shadow and nothing in comparison to the beauty of His face (Psalm 27:4), that all of creation "...waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God" (Romans 8:19), and that the way He clothes the fields is nothing compared to the beauty in which He clothes His children - in Christ's righteousness (Isaiah 61)! I thought we would share some of the pictures with you; enjoy!

Psalm 96
1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth!

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.

*Not that my pics are that spectacular, but they may be copied and used for personal use. However, please do not use them for any advertising and money-making reasons. Thank you.

Thoughts on Supposed Contradiction of Genesis 1 and 2

One of the awesome blessings of this past year, was having our discipleship resource pastor visit our home group. It was an awesome night where we got to go through questions we had about various passages of scripture. It was not to fill our heads with facts and make things fit our small understanding but to further open our eyes to the character of God and His truths and to be transformed by Him.

We emailed our questions in advance to make good use of our discipleship resource pastor's time and give him an opportunity to prepare. But one question was asked toward the end of the evening that we did not get a chance to look into together very deeply. The question is, knowing that scripture is the inerrant word of God, how do you reconcile Genesis 1 and 2's timelines of the creation of plants, animals, and man? This question is not a vital part of the core theology of Christianity, but God did not create us to turn our heads the other way to questions and pretend that faith is to not think. As our pastor reminds us so often, it is good to think, to question, to wrestle. God sanctifies us through these things. At the end of the day, there will still be mysteries. Not all things are for us to know at present (see 1 Cor. 13:12).

I really enjoyed the time we spent digging into the Word together working through questions, so I decided to work through this one on my own. I am posting my study here in case anyone else has wondered about this or has had someone point these texts out to them as contradicting each other. I figure it's better to share in hopes of building up and encouraging the body than hoarding learnings and risking getting puffed up. Afterall, isn't that what God gave us our personalities, gifts, and abilities for - to glorify Him? Plus, it gives others a chance to review my study and gently point out if there are any flaws. I would love feedback! Please note that the ESV was used for my study as exact wording differs per version, and my study tools were my Bible, Blueletter Bible, and Strong's Concordance. Here goes!

The Issue:

• Genesis 1 can seem to convey that vegetation was created on day three, birds on day five, and beasts of land and man on day six.
• Genesis 2 can seem to convey that man was created before shrubs, small plants, birds, and beasts of land, inferring that he would have to have been created on or before day three.
  

Observations from the text (with the help of Blue Letter Bible and Strong's Concordance):

• Different Hebrew words are used in Genesis 1 than Genesis 2 in regard to plant life. The word 'vegetation' in Genesis 1 is the Hebrew word 'deshe' which means "tender grass, first sprouts of the earth" which is different than grass ripe for mowing and more mature herbage already in seed. 'Bush' in Genesis 2 is the Hebrew word 'siyach' which means "a shoot (as if uttered or put forth), i.e. (generally) shrubbery;--bush, plant, shrub. So Genesis 2:5 could mean that no plant life that was the result of cultivation by man existed before man was formed, though beginning plant life did already exist.
• There is also a distinction in place. Genesis 1 refers to vegetation on the earth 'erets'. I believe this is referring to the earth at large as it is the same word used in Genesis 1:1 where it says that God created the heavens and earth. Genesis 2 specifically states that what does not exist yet are bushes and small plants specifically of the field. The Hebrew word for 'field' is 'sadeh' which is used in the Bible as a cultivated field, home of wild beasts, plain (as opposed to mountain), and land (as opposed to sea). It is possible that this designation of field used in Genesis 2 refers specifically to a cultivated field. I believe this is a possibility due to reading Genesis 2:15 where man is then placed in the garden that God created after man to cultivate it and due to the curse on man and the land found in Genesis 3.
• Genesis 1:26 does specify a timeline with the word, 'then'. So God made man in His image after the creation of the birds of the air and beasts of the field.
• Genesis 2:19 does not specify an exact timeline; it merely states that at some point God had made every beast of the field and birds of the air. It never says that He created them after man, so I would be careful in making that inference. Being a sequential person, I struggled with the word 'So' at the beginning of the verse, but if you're like me, remember that so is not a time indicator it's an indicator of a causal relationship. Meaning that because God deemed that it was not good for man to be alone, He brought all the beasts and birds that He had created at some point in time. 'So' does not indicate time.
• The phrase 'to make' in Genesis 1:26 is from the Hebrew word 'asah' which in its broadest sense and widest application aside from the literal 'to do' or 'to make' can also mean to accomplish, advance, appoint, bestow, etc. Which means it's possible that Genesis 1:26 is not necessarily referring to the creation/formation of man but to the appointing of the image of God in man occurring on that sixth day with man having already been created earlier.

My Conclusions:

• I am not God and do not pretend to know His mind fully - I only know what He has revealed to me and to the extent that He has revealed it to me. So I confess that I don't know with certainty whether man was created on day three or six. Also, I am no Hebrew scholar.
  
• It is clear that these passages can easily (and without stretching anything) be reconciled with each other so that there is no conflict between them whether one thinks creation of man occurred on day three or six. That is the important thing - that scripture is indeed inerrant.
• I personally lean more toward man being created on day six due to the observations from the text I made above. While 'asah' can mean appointing or accomplishing as well as physically making something, I personally think that the word 'made' is used consistently throughout the first chapter of Genesis in terms of physical creation. Granted the case referring to men is differentiated from the rest, because it is in the present tense as 'make' rather than the past tense 'made', I still believe it is in regard to physical creation. But this is just my personal leaning. As it is not vital to the faith to know, I simply conclude that I lean this way in belief but openly admit that I could be wrong in that; however, even if I am wrong, scripture still holds up as inerrant. :)

Hope you all enjoyed the food for thought. I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback! Please make sure that your comments are not divisive or to stir up trouble but are delivered gently in hope and love. I do filter comments.