Whistling, Algebra, and Keys

There are three things in life that are persistently impossible for me. Alright, so there might be a few more, but these three head the list of things that render me absolutely incapable. For one, my mouth simply isn't designed to whistle. If God wanted me to, I would have been born with a silver whistle in my mouth. I wasn't. Algebra and refolding road maps almost tie for second place in the list of utterly incorrigible tasks for me, although algebra wins out. I suspect they are related in some way, on some dark, unknown level of conspiracy. Lastly, but by no means less obnoxious on the list of my inabilities, is the use of keys in locks...

No, I am not joking, keys are a riddle to me. Maybe that's why I love them, collect them, and misplace them regularly. No matter how fond I am of keys, how to manipulate one in a lock remains baffling to me. Give me an unfamiliar key and door-lock and you'll have me occupied for long minutes of attempts and reattempts at opening the door. I have said numerous times that someday I am going to learn to pick a lock--simply because it would be faster.

I remember one of my churches to which I was given a key; it was such a thoughtful gesture of them, giving me a key...You would be amazed at the many ways a new key will not open a door. I discovered them all.

To take my idiosyncrasies a step further, the other day I approached a door, my hands full, my brain brimming with more thoughts than it could process at one time. I stood in front of the door with my car keys in hand, clicking the remote 'unlock' button. The only trouble was, I was in front of the church door--not my car. I chuckled with some embarrassment, mentally wishing all doors would accommodate my handicap by opening remotely.

After a few tries, I let myself in with the right key...and I remembered this quote: "Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence?"

Really, why should we be reluctant to pray? Well, if I compare it to my own experience with keys, it's because it doesn't come naturally to begin with--sometimes it takes multiple tries. Besides that hurdle, there's the fact that unused keys always are harder to work in locks...I leave you to draw the comparison there. And on top of that, maybe we don't use our key because we're so accustomed to an automatic, push-button life that we'd prefer prayer-by-remote.

I guess that last one could be the greatest obstacle for me. Prayer means putting our modern, fast-paced life on hold, shutting off the push-button mindset where we do everything by remote, and taking the time for conversation with God. At least for me, that can be very hard to do when life seems to have two paces: fast and faster. However, when I get too rushed for prayer-time, I'm reminded of the command to "Be still and know that I am God;" if that is a challenge for you as well, maybe it's time to prioritize.

For myself, I have a perfect strategy for getting my prayer time in...Every time I stand fiddling with my key in the lock at every door I encounter during the day, I will have long minutes to devote to prayer.

Something to Chew On...

This week's Healthy Holiday Meals program (which I am doing for one of the churches) is--believe it or not--half over already. I have to say it's been both stressful and very enjoyable on my end, but demoing the recipes keeps it engaging for both sides. Turnout has been impressive, all things considered. We've had a full house. While I wouldn't turn anyone away, at this point I am not sure where we would seat them if they came.

The audience is really fantastic; I could not ask for a more enthusiastic, attentive group. I think they might just be too nice to admit that they really don't like some of the recipes, however for the most part I can tell the ones that are "big hits" because all the samples are gone.

So you guys give it a try. Here are some seasonal dishes you might find different and fun. Let me know if you like them; I'll post more recipes from the upcoming nights (including desserts ;) Like I keep drilling the class...Don't be afraid to experiment!

Curried Butternut Squash Soup

1 tbsp. Smart Balance margarine

1 small onion, chopped

4 cups butternut squash, peeled and cut into chunks

1 small apple, peeled, cored, and chopped

1 qt. Vegetable broth (I like Swanson's Organic)

1 ½ tsp. Curry powder

1 Tbsp Chicken-Like seasoning (McKay's, Bill's Best, etc.)--optional

¼ tsp. Salt

¼ cup soy milk

Spike Natural Gourmet Seasoning to taste (like Vege-Sal, just a personal favorite)--optional

Heat Smart Balance in large stockpot with the onion, cooking until soft (about 3 min.). Stir in squash and apple. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil, then allow to simmer until squash is soft and tender, stirring occasionally (about 25 min.). Let cool 5 minutes, then puree in blender (in batches, if necessary). Return to pot to reheat before serving, if needed.

Creamy Pumpkin Soup

½ cup chopped onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp. Olive oil

1 (15 oz.) can unsweetened pumpkin puree

1 (15 oz.) can diced potatoes, drained (opt.)

2 cups unsweetened soy milk (Westsoy recommended)

salt to taste

½ tsp. Ground sage

1 tsp. Spike

Sauté the onion and garlic in the olive oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and pour into a large stockpot.

Add the pumpkin puree, soy milk, salt, sage, and Spike and cook until the soup begins to boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 4 to 5 minutes. Garnish with sage leaves, if desired, and serve hot. {No More Bull! pg. 219}

Nut Loaf

1 1/4 cup cashew pieces, ground

2 cups Morningstar Farms Recipe Crumbles

1 cup onions, chopped fine, or 2 tablespoons dried minced onion

1/3 cup celery, finely chopped

1 cup bread crumbs (I like Pepperidge Farms, Country Style or Herb Seasoned)

¾ cup soy milk

2 tbsp. Cornstarch

2 tbsp. Chicken-like seasoning

1 Tbsp. Spike

1/4 Tsp. Salt

1 Tsp. Sage

1 Tbsp. Dried Parsley

Mix well in a large bowl. Oil-spray 1 large or 2 small loaf pans. Pour mixture into pan(s) and spread evenly. Bake at 350F for 45-60 minutes or until brown on top. Remove from oven and let sit 10 minutes before serving. {The Optimal Diet, pg. 133}

Green Bean Casserole

¾ cup cashews

3 cups soy milk

¼ cup cornstarch

1 tsp. Onion powder

½ tsp. Garlic powder

1 ½ tsp. Spike

Bragg's Liquid Aminos to taste

1 small can mushrooms

3 cans green beans

French Onions

Blend cashews and soy milk on high for several minutes until completely smooth. Add all seasonings and cornstarch and blend again. Add mushrooms and whiz briefly. Drain green beans well and place in a casserole dish. Pour the blended mixture in over the green beans and work in half the package of French onions. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, spread remaining half of French onions on top, and return to oven for 5 minutes longer.

Chunky Apple-Cranberry Sauce

4 large apples

¼ cup Florida Crystals

2 tbsp. Maple syrup

½ tsp. Cinnamon

¼ tsp. Salt

1 cup cranberries

1 ½ tsp. Lemon juice

Peel, core, and cut apples into 1 in. chunks. Place in large pot with ¼ water and all remaining ingredients except lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and cook covered for 20 minutes (or until apples are tender and sauce is thickened). Uncover pot and mash apples with fork until pulpy. Stir in lemon juice.

...For the rest of your life

In general, I must admit, I have a low opinion of facebook quizzes, surveys, and apps in general. This is not just because I no longer have time to do them but because they have such a tendency toward the utterly frivolous and irrelevant. Who seriously cares "Which Converse Color" you are, or if you are, in fact, a potato? Do any of us need to take a quiz to find out how old we are? Apparently there are too many people with an unlimited amount of time and curiosity, and so there will always be those who must try to determine who they were in a past life or what zombie they will become.

For all their downfalls, facebook quizzes, surveys, and apps do occasionally give one something of a more serious nature to think about. And when I say occasionally I mean very, extremely rarely. However, one of those rare occasions was a question that was on a facebook survey I was filling out.

Let me clarify. Actually, it was a question that was not on the survey I was filling out. The questions were basic and general, things such as "Where is the coldest place you've been," and "Which food describes you best," until I got to one that read: "Do you want to live for the rest of your life?" I chuckled...like I have an option. Then I noticed I'd missed the word "Where" on the above line at the other side of the page. "Where do you want to live for the rest of your life" was a much more understandable question, but it was the one I thought I read that stuck with me.

Is there some option other than living for the rest of our lives? The idea seems to have an inherent contradiction in terms. It seems there simply is no way to avoid living for the "rest" of our lives--not even a car accident or suicide can prevent us from being alive as long as we are alive.

I pondered the notion only briefly before I decided the question wasn't nonsense after all. As I thought quickly past the purely physical and literal approach to it, I suddenly sat back in my chair and turned to make a note on my bulletin board. Immediately I knew I would use it as an illustration in the future.

The thought that struck me so forcefully was how valid the necessary pretext of that question is--that it is possible to not live for the "rest of your life." I know it because I walk streets dotted with houses full of people living pseudo-lives, carrying out their existence more dead than alive. The quip "I hope life isn't a joke because I don't get it" is all too real to them.

This isn't a local concern, however; it's the chronic condition of the human race. If it wasn't, why would so many people chose suicide to end the charade? Why do we drive ourselves in the pursuit of anything and everything that offers to give us hope and meaning--to put "life" in our lives?

Before I turn this into an entire sermon, lecture, or thesis, I'll cut right to the point--the solution. It comes in the form of a Person. In Him, the Word, was life, and He came so that we might have life more abundantly--a life that is alive.

It should follow then that the degree in which we have Him and His word in us is the degree in which we will live...and I mean really live, in its truest sense. I love the way this author puts it:

"The Word of God contains our life insurance policy. To eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God means to study the Word and to carry that Word into the life in obedience to all its precepts. Those who thus partake of the Son of God become partakers of the divine nature, one with Christ. They breathe a holy atmosphere, in which only the soul can truly live." (White, The Upward Look, pg. 78)

Did you catch that little qualifying word--truly? How much we truly live will be directly proportionate to the amount of "life" we choose to accept from the Word. There is a life that is not living, an existence that is not alive, but it doesn't have to be that way. There is another option, and it is found in Jesus.

So how about your life--do you feel 100% alive? Are there those days when you go through the motions, but you feel more mechanical than human? Has your life felt lacking in meaning, direction, purpose...and life?

Would you like to live for the rest of your life?