Stuff That Matters in Life

Katy’s Weblog

I made this to put on my broiled pomfret. It’s an adaptation of several sauces I was looking at.

I think I’ll make it again to put on other dishes.

1/2 – 1 Tablespoon lemon juice – or lime but I only had lemon. I used 1/2 because I don’t like it too sour

1/2 teaspoon pepper flakes -or chili or whatever spicy ingredient you want

4 garlic cloves

2 -3 green onions – depending on how big they are, it’s up to you

2 Tablespoons fish sauce

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves – this is a must. I love basil so I added more

4 Tablespoons coconut oil – if you don’t like coconut, you can use olive or other healthy, yummy oil

1 teaspoon melted butter

optional 3 kaffir lime leaves – I did not have this, but one recipe includes this. I would like to try it next time if I ever get some.

Blend all the ingredients together in a blender.

I had a little leftover sauce after the fish meal. The next day I stirred it in some yogurt and put it on leftover shredded chicken. I’ve cut taco shells out of my diet, but my hubs put the chicken and the sauce in the shell along with some zucchini. It made a great lunch.

 

In keeping with my goal of reading a book a month, I count this one even though technically I used this book to lead small groups. Actually, I read this more thoroughly than other books and marked it up quite a bit because I had to internalize it in order to lead a discussion on it. It’s a book made for group discussions.

Read more of “The Gospel-Centered Community study guide by Thune & Walker”

I like these small books, they are concise, and gives me enough that if I want to dig deeper, I can get a bigger book on the topic, and maybe even by the same author.

Found: God’s Peace by John MacArthur is a book (88 pages excluding notes) I would read again to be reminded of why I don’t need to worry when God so abundantly takes care of me. The idea of humility, to be under the submission of God’s will, is a point I need reminding. But the book also gave me the perspective of submitting myself under God’s love and care, not just his will. If I merely submit myself under his will, I may be fearful of his will. But I can know that he loves and cares for me, then there’s no need for fear.

The end of the book contains excerpts of Psalms that are really good. I will put them on index card or in my phone to review them.

 

 

 

I don’t eat spicy, but decided to make some hot wings for a potluck.

This sauce turned out well. Spicyness can be adjusted according to your taste. You can use this for anything. I think I’ll use it on ribs next time.

I don’t measure, all according to taste, so these are approximate measures for a reference point. You can figure out how much or little of it you would like. For example, I like cumin, but if you don’t, then don’t add it. I add less of the spicy ingredients!

5 T butter, melted

Add 1 T of flour

Add:

2 T soy sauce

1 T cumin

1 T paprika

1 T oregano

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp crushed pepper flakes

1/2 tsp chili powder

1 T chili garlic sauce (if you have it)

Siracha to taste approx 2 T

Honey to taste approx 1/3 cup

Juice of lime or lemon approx 2 T

 

 

 

 

I downloaded a free ebook titled “Pipeline-Creating and Curating a Recruiting Culture” by Todd Adkins (Lifeway).

The title of the book drew me in because it’s exactly what our church needs. As with all books I read, I always hope for an easy answer to a complex problem, same as when I google for a health remedy (omega 3 antioxidants will cure all my problems!) It’s no surprise when the book doesn’t give an easy solution. But I was not disappointed with this book because it does give good insights of what I would run up against when trying to curate a culture different than the current culture. There are some ideas I haven’t thought of or needed to be reminded of.

My takeaways:

  • leadership pipeline is a long-term investment in people, not delegate a task
  • people must multiply themselves at their current leadership level
  • there has to be core competencies and responsibilities for each level of the leadership pipeline ie all must be learners, be able to handle conflict, etc. in addition to role-based skills
  • there must be a training pathway for the person to develop
  • create an environment that builds biblical community during training

The book is a simple introduction with the intent of upselling you to a conference. I don’t mind that, that’s usually what free ebooks do. But it still gave helpful information.

In keeping with reading a book a month (small or big books count), I read A Practical Guide to Culture – Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World, by John Stonestreet & Brett Kunkle.

The book breaks down the various issues of the day such as gender identity, addiction, racial tension. Then it explains the cultural lies, and why we should not buy into those lies.  It ends each chapter with ideas for parents to engage their children on this issue, additional resources, the hope of change, and discussion questions. I find many of the ideas for parents are very idealistic, such as “have a conversation with your child” – unfortunately many parents do not know how to engage their teens in conversation – when their teens don’t want to talk to them.

Part 4, the last part of the book on Christian worldview essentials was most helpful. The chapter titles are how to read the Bible, why to trust the Bible, the right kind of pluralism, taking the Gospel to the culture.

I recommend this book to parents and those who work with teens, as an overview.

I have a hard time finishing this book. It started well, but I started skimming through it. It took me a long time to get through.

It’s not theologically accurate to the interpretation of the parable Jesus told, but that doesn’t bother me. I didn’t read it for it’s theological content. The book is more about Nouwen’s interpretation of the painting by Rembrandt.

Typical of Nouwen’s writings, reading this takes a lot of introspection. If you just read the words, it’s not very meaningful. But the introspection got too much – how he sees himself in all the characters of the story just got too long. Maybe I could not personally relate to much of what he says. But I can see how the book can hit audience who are struggling with accepting the Father’s love.

 

 

Finally decided to read A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, and then I find out it’s a Disney movie.

I’m trying to read a book a month; so far I’ve read short books the first 3 months of 2018. The idea is not the length, but just keep reading stuff that I want to read. (check Book Review category)

I borrowed A Wrinkle in Time from the library, and it turns out to be the Disney edition with color pictures from the movie in the middle of the book. I intentionally avoided looking at the pictures and not let Disney distort my imagination.

It’s a fun read, I have no complaints about the adventure/fantasy story. But I’m disappointed at the writing style and the ending. Even a children’s book could’ve had more style, not a plain ‘he said this, she said this’. And it sounded like the author got tired of the story and just ended it quickly.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler shows how a children’s book can be well written.