Because I haven’t posted
There are a number of things that have happened over the last week. Firstly:
Cake
Whereas before, I used to make cakes once in a while, I’ve now really got into it. I actually like baking the things more than eating them, which will probably surprise many of you.
In the past week or so, I’ve baked three things:
Zuccini Bread
This recipe has its birth in Shawnee, which is Monika’s parents’ hometown. Monika is my inspiration as far as making cakes are concerned. Oh yes, and I must mention Lois, who treated us to a load of Northern Ireland style tray bakes a couple of weeks ago, which is cool.
German Hazelnut/Chocolate cake
This is a recipe Monika gave me, and it is the second best recipe I have ever tasted, second only to Tiramisu, which is definitely saying something. It was covered in melted white chocolate. This was made for our church’s International Night, which was an event based on the one done on MV Doulos.
Chocolate Cookies
I got this recipe from:
It tasted good despite the book’s silly name. There’s nothing sinful about eating cake, unless you eat too much, in which case the person eating it or forcing it on someone else, and not the person who prepared it who is guilty of decadence. Please show me any Bible verses you think show otherwise.
Cake on Fridays
Having brought in two cakes on two Fridays to college, I thought it was a nice tradition, and one that other people should try. I’m aiming for it to become worldwide.
I must agree with Jonathan however:
“Why just Fridays?”
Fair question IMHO, but one day a week is a good start. I suppose we want to still be able to get through doors though.
Now we move onto our next point, which is nameably how I’m progressing with being offline.
The eye removed, or merely temporarily closed?
Well, unfortunately I’ll have to go with the latter. I’m still lazy. And me ending every day talking on MSN is gradually moving away from being other people’s fault to being my fault. Most of the time I’m simply to busy to go online, which is not really a very pious reason for not going online. This has been particularly a problem in the last week, which was a time where I could see definite roots of bitterness and backsliding in my life.
Emma did the second CU session this week, which followed a terrible (not to be too judgemental) session in which we debated whether or not it was possible for God to do something evil. It was a liberal leading. Bad idea.
For those who are not sure whether or not God can do evil, please read 1 John 1:5. I also made my doubts about Limited Atonement probably a little too clear, which I don’t think was helpful. I should’ve shut up. I was debating whether to even go to the first session, because I knew I’d say something I’d regret.
But I digress. The main point was that Emma reminded us of “Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding”, which was something she had found helpful. I thought about this and realised I always have a plan B when praying. I’ll invent a new analogy, which may or may not be helpful:
It’s difficult to get off stilts, but it’s much safer on the ground. Our “Plan Bs” being the stilts of course.
That verse is one of the verses I have secretly and subconciously looked down on as something for people who don’t read the Bible properly, and look for inspiration passages. I’ve been guilty for a long time of a sense of oneupmanship on the Chrisitans who create inspirational calendars that never give any sort of context and gave us Father’s love letter. It’s like how people who have only read small parts of the Bible keep quoting Psalm 23. It’s not that I don’t believe that psalm or think it’s not an amazing passage, but I often feel like I’ve gone further in my spiritual walk than that psalm is catering for. I hate the pride in me, but at the same time I often feed it.
My pride showed up glaring red today when I started complaining to my mum about how my Geography teacher had given me such a low predicted grade (E). Rather than wanting to work hard to prove him wrong, my first reaction is to want to argue that he’s marked my work incorrectly and the marking system is stupid, which I have argued on several occasions.
Anyway, good bye for now. I know the last part of this post was a bit dismal, but I’m often at my most critical at 10, because it’s too late in the day to fix anything I’ve done. Good Night
Finally found a few minutes to add a comment here.
Concerning Proverbs 3:5- (just to assure you, I DO read the Bible and not just look for inspiration passages) I do think it’s a very important verse, not just because it teaches us to see the positive side of situations, but also because it advises us to have faith. I know we’ve talke about this a lot, so you already know my view, but we really have no choice but to step out of our comfort zones sometimes. Whilst it’s so easy to make plan B’s (unless you’re like me and hate making decisions), it’s also very important that we have patience with God, and trust that he will answer our prayers, even if they seem to be answered in the opposite way to our desire. God loves us, and knows the best for us in every situation, so our plan B’s of “if God doesn’t answer my prayer I will…” are really not necessary…and I wonder when we make them if we are doubting God’s power.
Concerning cake…i’m becoming a fan and like your friday idea…though after tasting your baking I think you should give up on german…geography…physics etc…and just cook instead…DAILY! Seriously though you have a talent there! I attempted to follow in your footsteps tonight…not a bad attempt methinks, though I could do with borrowing a member of your family for the evening to domesticate me!
Ahh well back to eating cake…it’s keeping the kids quiet!
God bless Peter,
Em