"Abiding" on "Angel Lane"....Thanks OPRAH!

I happen to have the OPRAH show (www.oprah.com) on in my office right now. They are showing the many houses that the "Angel network" is building in the aftermath of the Katrina disaster last fall.

I know a preacher who will deride Oprah Winfrey every opportunity he gets. And I'm truly saddened for him because of his great disdain for this lady with whom he disagrees.

I don't agree with many of her "spiritual" positions either. Actually, I disagree with just about all of them...

But, I cannot ignore all the good that this lady who has worked hard, been generous, and become a household name, had done for the desperate and needy in the Gulf Coast area.

My only question would be: "How can the Church of Jesus Christ do the same thing?"

We have the resources. We have the people.

Now, do we have the heart?

That really is something to consider.

From My Kitchen.....It's YUMMY

Tomato/Red Pepper Soup

You will need:
2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegetable oil)
1 onion, finely diced
4 cloves of garlic, pressed OR 2 teaspoons chopped garlic (from the jar)
4-5 large red Bell peppers, halved, ribbed, and seeded
5 large tomatoes, halved
1 1/2 cups tomato juice
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon curry powder (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large sauce pan, heat the oil and saute the onions and garlic over medium-low for five minutes while pan is covered. Set aside.

2. On a rimmed baking sheet, place the bell peppers cut sides down, and flatted with palm of hand. Roast them for ten minutes under the broiler flame--skins will turn brown/black. Take them out of oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. Then place in a blender.

3. On a rimmed baking sheet, place the tomatoes cut sides down and broil them for ten minutes. Allow to cool and place them in the blender with red peppers.

4. Blend them into a fine puree.

5. Return the puree mixture to the sauce pan with the onions and garlic. Add tomato juice, and the remaining ingredients.

6. Simmer on medium heat for approximately 20 minutes.

It is YUMMY!

And for my faithful readers, please tell me how you either LIKE or DIDN'T like this recipe.

Family Matters...

Well, even though I try not to "self-indulge" here, I felt that I should share something very close to my heart today: Family.

I grew up without parents. My biological producers decided to divorce shortly after I arrived on the scene, and my paternal grandparents (mostly my Grandmother) accepted the laborious duty of making sure that I grew up reasonably sane.

But I've always considered the "church" my family. God's family is so very precious to me on so many levels.

Even though I do have biological relatives, we are close from a distance--and it works well for everyone involved.

Or at least it does for me.

Yet, the family of God--those wonderful Christians who know God as Father, Christ as Saviour and Forgiver--these people have been my family now for more than 37 years.

These are the people who loved and nurtured me, faithfully though imperfectly, as a teenager.

These are the same people who loved me, nurtured me, and cared for me as a backwards, bumbling, and completely broken college student.

The family of God made sure that I never slept out in the cold, or missed a meal because I didn't have access to food.

The family of God became even more precious to me when I entered the United States Air Force, moved away from familiar surroundings, and expanded my horizons--whether I liked it or not.

And I did like it. Very much.

I cannot overstate the importance of the "family"--God's family in my life.

How very precious these people are.

Last night....I had a dream....

Last night...or very early this morning, I had a dream about someone whom I once considered a dear friend. A precious Christian brother, with whom I had tremendous fellowship for a while.

And due to some very terrible circumstances, our fellowship has been broken for a long time. I've not heard his voice for two years now. I've been rebuffed at every turn.

I often remember him, and wonder what I could have done, or could do even now to restore the fellowship that we once enjoyed.

I won't call names, but please pray for my friend. Pray for his safety, for his security, and for God our Heavenly Father to be close to him today.

Please.

Happy Birthday, Kevin Moses!

In the Spring of 1997 I met one of the most amazing and godly people that I have ever known.

It was in the second semester of my Historical Theology course in seminary, that Kevin Moses and I became pals. He wasn't understanding everything that was being presented by the professor, and he asked if I would be willing to help him.

I said sure...and I'm glad that I did.

Later that week, Kevin came over to my apartment, and I just happen to be cooking. I asked if he would like to stay. He said "sure", and a deep friendship began that is still strong today.

Now 9 years later, Kevin and I have the strongest of friendships.

We were roommates for two years, less two months. We have traveled to California and New York City together--a first for him, and not for me.

His parents regard me as part of the family--and warm my soul every time I talk with them.

His wife Monica, is one of the most gifted and gracious people you would ever want to meet.

And Kevin turns 31 today!

Happy Birthday my precious friend.

Who benefits from all of this?

In 2002 a major scandal erupted in the Roman Catholic Church here in the United States: Alleged sexual abuses, and worse yet, "cover ups" by the priests, archbishops, and cardinals who are responsible for "the church" here in the United States.

I'm not a Catholic. I never will be a Catholic, I'm pretty sure.

But I am concerned, and concerned on several levels.

If the "victims" were molested, violated, or abused in any way, why has it taken so long for them to come forward with their allegations?

I am not denying that sexual abuse ever happened in the Catholic Church, or in any other denomination for that matter. I'm sure it has, and it is sad indeed. And it should be dealt with here and now.

But what if the persons so accused are found to be "innocent" of the alleged abuses?

Who shepherds and cares for them? Who will be there to help them restore their lives? Who will be there to help them repair--if possible--their ministries and their personal reputations?

I am not denying the awful harm and the shame that surrounds those who have, in fact, been abused by people of the cloth, clergy and laity. It's shameful, it's illegal, and it should be dealt with. Now.

But, could some of this hullabaloo be about "money" and "anger" and other things?

For the sake of God's people--in every denomination--I pray the truth will come to light.

Sooner, rather than later.

Living in 2006....

A friend recently sent this to me, via email. I thought it was pretty funny....and so very true.
*************************************************************

Subject: Living in 2006

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2006 when...

1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )

12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this.

AND NOW U R LAUGHING at yourself.

Founder's Week 2006, Moody Bible Institute

http://www.foundersweek.org/defau1t.asp?SectionID=678AE4557481408D8E90682031C263D5

For many years, before I ever lived here in the Windy City, I listened to the Annual Founder's Week Conference, hosted by the Moody Bible Institute. It has always blest my soul, and encouraged me.

This is one of the premier Bible Conferences in the United States.

And thanks to modern technology, you can listen live over the Internet.

Check it out!