Pinteresting...

Well, after Jonathan's deeply thoughtful post, I thought I'd lighten things up a bit and post some recent Pinterest successes (mostly successes). First, food:

Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Bell Peppers (click on photo for recipe)

I have to admit, one of the best recipes we've tried so far! Absolutely delicious. And yes, mine came out actually kind of looking like the picture.

Cheesy Cauliflowers Pancakes

Beyond delicious! Tasted like potato patties (but without the carbs). The only thing is that it was hard to keep them from falling apart - but then again, I almost always flip things too early. :)

Microwaved Potato Chips

I was skeptical if this would actually turn out well - but it did (the picture is one that I took of my own chips). These were delicious. However, they were also a lot of work. If I had a mandoline slicer it might have made things easier. But as it was, I sliced by hand. And then, you can only microwave 1 plate of chips (read: not very many) at a time - for every 4 min. of microwaving you get about 10 chips. AND there was frequent stopping of the microwave to check whether or not they were getting scorched. Needless to say, this is one I won't be doing very often!

Now the non-foods:

Yes, we're that lazy - I rigged up this contraption so that we could turn off the light while lying in bed. It works like a dream. Though not strictly from Pinterest, it was inspired by this website (I've also had success with # 4 and #27).

Granny Ripple Crochet Tutorial

If you're like me and you hate to read crochet patterns (ch 5, 3 dc in 5th ch from hook, sl st to join, 4 sc...whaaaaattt??)...never fear, you will like this! This was easy to follow and included lots of pictures. Not to mention that it is a simple yet pretty pattern to begin with. You get lots of blanket for the amount of yarn you use. In case you've missed it, I've linked the picture to the tutorial itself. 

This didn't work as hoped. The picture above shows my stove in the beginning stages. By the end, it still looked like that. :( Truly disappointing. I guess my stove is too far gone. 

Valuing Life

This past week marked the 40^th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision “Roe v. Wade.” Much has been written about abortion this past week, but I want to look at the issue in a little different light. To start off, I will look at another tragedy.

***

On December 14, a ruthless gunman entered an elementary school and shot and killed innocent children. The tragedy in Sandy Hook will unfortunately be forever etched in our memories as one of the most senseless acts of violence in our lifetimes. It also became a “call to arms” (no pun intended) for stricter gun control laws. As Barack Obama said, “meaningful action” must be taken. In another statement, Obama said that even though the issue is “complex” and often “political,” action must be done to save children’s lives. One form of action is to introduce laws to limit access to the kinds of weapons the shooter used.

Though I personally believe the world would be a better place without guns (though, to be clear, I don’t necessarily advocate for stricter gun laws), I think we have to ask ourselves: isn’t there a deeper issue? Our culture gasps at the atrocities committed at mass shootings, but goes to the movies and watches gun violence on the big screen for entertainment (I am guilty of this myself). Many in our culture even put themselves a little closer to the experience by playing “first-person shooter” video games. A different, but no less troubling, problem is that when most of us know someone who is hurting and dealing with anger issues, our individualistic and self-centered selves often ignore them. We think, “Someone else will take care of them, it’s not my responsibility.” 99% of the time these people won’t resort to gun violence, but if we cared more for those around us that are hurting, perhaps we could prevent more tragedies. I agree with Barack Obama that meaningful action must happen, but I think it needs to be much deeper than more gun laws.

***

Today is the annual “March for Life” in Washington DC. This year should be especially large because of the Roe v. Wade anniversary. I am deeply saddened by the laws in our country allowing for the murder of innocent children (in much larger quantities than at Sandy Hook elementary). But in a similar way to the issue of gun violence, I’ve come to realize recently that the issue of abortion is much deeper than what laws are in place and which party has political control. It pervades the whole culture.

First, more and more Americans seem not to care about this issue. I recently saw a survey stating that 7 in 10 Americans oppose a reversal of “Roe vs. Wade.” If we want laws to protect the unborn, we first need to pray for a culture shift. Secondly, I believe casual sex has been a factor. The issue of birth control is very complex, but while I don’t believe it’s inherently bad in the right situation, I think it has fostered a mentality among many that sex should be enjoyed without any worry of the “problem” of pregnancy. And when birth control fails, abortion – partly because it’s legal – is seen as an acceptable “back-up” form of birth control. In a godless society that views pregnancy as a “nuisance,” rather than a gift from God, unborn babies become “disposable.” This may sound harsh, but I’ll call it what it is: selfishness.

I don’t deny the issue is complex. Many women don’t feel financially or emotionally ready to be a mother. Sometimes they are pressured by a boyfriend to abort the baby.  On (extremely rare) occasions the life of the mother is at risk. Sometimes women are senselessly raped and become pregnant. It has also become a political issue. One risks becoming “anti-woman” in being pro-life (or “anti-abortion,” depending on what news source you read). But as Obama himself said, when referring to the tragedy of gun violence, if we can take action that would save even one life, wouldn’t that action be worth it?

Taking action might mean laws to protect the lives of those “unseen” by society, those without a voice: the unborn. But laws reflect the culture. It’s our culture that misunderstands comments like those by Senate candidate Mourdock, who was blasted for his statement that when a woman gets pregnant from being raped, it’s God’s will. Sure, his statement was probably unwise, but I can’t disagree with it theologically. No Christian in their right mind believes that being raped is a good thing, but when properly cared for, a woman who gets pregnant from such a horrible event can find redemption. Pregnancy can be a gift from God.

What we as Christians need to be praying for is a culture that values the lives of the unborn. A culture that values sex as to be saved for marriage, in which there can be a stable environment for a child. A culture that values pregnancy as eager expectation of new life, rather than a nuisance and unfortunate consequence of sex. And yes, a culture that cares for those who are faced with unwanted pregnancies. Our country doesn’t need laws protecting the unborn any more than it needs a broad culture change. A change only God can bring about.

Why Music?

Why Music?

Music seems to be a part of everyone’s life. Whether you listen to music on your iPod while working out, turn on the radio in your car, or just hear music in the elevator (unfortunately that’s where most of the world seems to hear classical music), I think it’s a fair assumption that you listen to music. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself: Why music? Why do we listen to it? Why do we enjoy it? And as a Christian, what does music have to do with my walk with Christ?

Most people in society have probably never asked these questions, but I think they can help point us to Christ when we think about music.

For most people, music is entertainment. Not that entertainment’s inherently bad, but I can’t believe that’s all there is to music. As a Christian, one way I experience music that’s beyond simple entertainment is corporate worship in church. Think about it: where else do people convene in large groups and sing together, unrehearsed? (Singing at a rock concert doesn’t count because the focus is on the performance of those on stage). Besides perhaps the National Anthem, this only really seems to happen in church. Also, no one who has grown up going to church can imagine a church service without music. There has to be something spiritual about music itself.

Another way I think music can bring us closer to God is it helps us express things that cannot be put into words. Romans 8:26 says “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” I recognize this in my own life. At times something doesn’t feel right in my spirit, but I can’t quite pin down what’s wrong. When I listen to music, such as a Mahler symphony, I often feel emotions I didn’t even know I had. I think it’s even more than just emotions. It’s something spiritual. I cried while watching Les Misérables, not just because of the story, I think, but because the story was told through song.

Lastly, I wonder how someone who has a purely atheistic worldview would answer the question “Why music?” I can’t think of any biologically necessary reason for music. I can think of no other reason as to why we have music other than it was God’s good pleasure to give it to us to enjoy, and in fact to enjoy God through our music! Just like appreciating a beautiful sunset or a view of the Grand Canyon, I am in awe of our Creator when listening to a Beethoven symphony or a chamber work by Brahms. I think our simple appreciation of beauty points to something beyond the natural world.

Music has always been a passion of mine, as has been my faith. But it’s been exciting to start seeing how these areas of my life fit together. Please feel free to add your own thoughts as a comment. Soli Deo Gloria.