Stuff That Matters in Life

Katy’s Weblog

I am trying to finish a book a month, in addition to other books I’m trying to read.

Cold-Case Christianity for Kids by J. Warner Wallace is a good introduction to anyone, including adults, who is interested in knowing a little about how you can know if Christianity is true. The methods are similar to a detective solving a mystery.

Of course this is a simple book for kids, so the subject is presented at a low level. But the basic principles are the same. And it’s nice that it’s easy to read.

I wish I could read faster, but being a slow reader doesn’t stop me from reading.

This is a basic “Asian” flavor marinade. Anytime you use soy sauce and garlic, it tastes Asian.

You can add variations to it to make it different every time: siracha or red pepper flakes, 5 spice, herbs, lemon zest are a few examples.

I used it for pork chops, but I think it’d be good for chicken.

Basic Asian Marinade

3 T soy sauce

1 T ketchup

1 T worchestershire

2-3 T honey

1 T chopped garlic

1 tsp apple cider vinegar (you can skip this if you don’t have it on hand)

1 tsp oil

Mix all the ingredients, reserve a tablespoon or 2 to brush on the meat before serving if all the sauce dries out during cooking.

 

I like sauces because they are usually easy to mix up, and adds extra flavor to any food.

Last night I had some leftover grilled fish. I don’t like to eat leftovers for dinner. Lunch is ok, but dinner is my biggest and most enjoyable meal, so I like to have something interesting – not leftovers.

The leftover fish was perfectly good, just needed a new sauce on it! So I made this and it was delish. Made a leftover meal into a fresh dish.

Parmesan sauce

1/3 cup grated parmesan (I use parmesan and romano interchangeably. That’s just me because I like both.)

1/2 cup softened butter and/or mayo and/or sour cream and/or cream cheese (I used a combo of mayo and cream cheese)

1-2 Tablespoons chopped green onions (the amount depends on your preference)

1-2 Tablespoons of lemon juice

1 tsp dill

Mix all the ingredients together. Put it on top of cooked fish or chicken or whatever you like. Grill it just enough to brown the sauce a little bit. Don’t do it too long or it’ll all melt. That’s ok too, but it tastes better with the parmesan just a little brown.

 

 

 

 

Mayo siracha

Filed under Saucesby Joyful

I am adding a new category – Sauces

I want to experiment with cooking but I don’t like to have to get all complicated and buy multitudes of ingredients. So I decided to experiment with sauces. If the sauce is good, it makes all the difference in the meal.

Read more of “Mayo siracha”

I read this small book many moons ago, I have it somewhere. I read it again this week, borrowed it from my daughter.

One insight: We already have the Holy Spirit, and that’s like having Jesus with us all the time.

If Jesus was with me, I would not be afraid of anything. I would be bold, and do whatever God asks me to do with no hesitation. My fears come because I depend on my own [lack of] strength. I want to practice Jesus’ conscious presence with me. I like to think of that as him holding my hand.

 

 

Trickle-down Evangelism

“Here’s the version you’re most likely to hear: “We have to focus on our people. So many of them are immature and in desperate need of spiritual instruction. If we prioritize the growth and maturity of our people then that will have a trickle-down impact on their passion and ability to live on mission and share the gospel.” And so we design our churches for growth, consciously or unconsciously, through this filter.

This rationale at first-blush seems prudent, but far too often the stated goal never comes to fruition. Rather than passionate, mobilized, mature believers, the church’s efforts end up fostering an inwardly-focused people who are increasingly isolated from the world they are commissioned to reach. Instead of a kingdom warrior, our trickle-down efforts seem only to muster an isolated, insulated, and evangelistically impotent churchman.”

The Courage to be Ordinary 

“And finally, as you embrace your limitations, you will cry out to God in “Jesus only” prayers. My pastor, Geoff Bradford, introduced me to the idea of “Jesus only” prayers. A couple of years ago, he started making a list of things he longed to happen that only Jesus could make happen. And he started to pray for those things every day. I hear the massive problems and start looking for quick fixes. He keeps praying Jesus only prayers, and therefore often getting Jesus only answers.”

 

In Children Worship today, a 3rd grader asked me about my Taiwan short term ministry trip:

Boy: How many people did you lead to Christ?

Me: Our team led 10 people to Christ!

Boy: Wow, that’s great, you were able to harvest.

That was the best conversation I had about the STM.

I love that boy!