daily life as life goes on . . .

With our “Guys in Kitchen” potluck today, I spent part of yesterday preparing.  I cooked a roast, made a  broccoli salad and brownies.  I must admit, this was fun.  In many ways the kitchen has become a relaxing point in my life.

After all the “hard” work, I posted this on Facebook.  Immediately there were a number of guys who replied about their dishes.  I hear there will be ham, another one is bringing brownies.  And believe it or not, the teen-age sons are more into this than their fathers!

Never expected that!

So, I’m off to church soon.  Dale Gilbert will coordinate the food service.  He mentioned that this will be either well organized or pure chaos.  Men in the kitchen is always interesting (and I use that word loosely!).

May your meals of this day be as welcomed as this meal is for me!!

As I stepped from my house this morning, I was greeted by two neighbours.  One was completing his morning walk.  We remarked on the weather – the wind has died down.

The second was on her way home from work at our local seniors complex.  She also said “Hi.”  Then we verged into talk about her kids, the opportunity to get together for a meal and about church. 

I’m glad for early morning risers.  Makes the day begin well and encourages me that my home here is a great place to live.

Writing about a 1/2 century ago, A.W. Tozer talked about the term, “Accepting Christ”.  In our day and age, that is still bandied about, but certainly not as much part of the vocabulary of the regular person.

The part that struck me was his thoughts on being inclusive and exclusive.

As you know, our society has made inclusivity the hallmark of a citizen.  We must include everyone in everything.  The flattening on society has meant that excellence is not necessary, nor is a sense of right and wrong.  Those are general statements that carry exceptions.   But, “in general . . .”

Tozer states that a Christian is all-inclusive.  All of their life is given all to Jesus.  Not a part – all of life is included in our commitment to Jesus.

A Christian is also all-exclusive.  There is no giving of partial allegiance to Jesus and partial allegiance to another person, force or consideration.  All to Jesus!

Reading these statements a 1/2 century later means I am in a different world than that in which Tozer wrote.  But somehow the atmosphere of life has not changed.  Christians live in the balance of exclusivity and inclusivity.  Just not the way our society proclaims these terms.

What fun to watch the final episode of “Master Chef” with some friends.  Being the neophyte cook that I am, I had all sorts of comments.  Mostly, from my vast store of experience, I would pronounce truths of culinary expertise!

NOT!

A few months ago, I knew very little.  Now I know a little more.  But not much, in comparison to those who have made this their passion.

Now, I enjoy cooking more than I expected.  And I tend to have opinions on many things.  As the evening went on, though, I needed to zip my lip (quite literally). 

What makes us experts when we have so little knowledge?  Often times this may be part of our learning curve – when others help us see our stupidity.  Other times we are full of ourselves and what we know – when we know very little.

And every ONCE in a while you may actually hit on a great nugget of truth.  I remind myself – every ONCE in a while.  And last night was probably more on the other side.

But it was fun!!!!