A Lighter Shade of Black

In today's relativistic society, the idea of anything being as plain as black and white or right and wrong is shunned as too simplistic and unrealistic.  Since everything is thought to be relative to each individual set of circumstances, all that is left are varying shades of gray.  The irony is that gray is merely a lighter shade of black.

Anyone who has studied art knows that white is an absolute.  If you mix something into white then the white no longer exists -- it merely lightens the original color.  In much the same way, mixing a little goodness into something that is bad does not make it good -- what is good merely ceases to be, and all that is left is the bad.

History gives us scores of examples of people who have done evil with good intentions.  Hitler believed that he was doing what was best for humankind, yet the whiteness of his good intentions did not change the blackness of genocide to white.  Maximilien Robespierre, the leader of the French Revolution, wanted to free his fellowman from the tyranny of the aristocrat and the bourgeois, yet all he brought was the horror that is the guillotine.  70% of those killed in the French Revolution were workers and peasants -- the very people Robespierre was to be championing.  The communism of Stalin was no better.  From 2.5 to 10 million Ukrainians died due to a government induced famine known as the Holodomor.  In addition to the famine, Stalin ordered purges within the Soviet Union of any person deemed to be an enemy of the state. In total, estimates of the total number murdered under Stalins reign, range from 10 million to 60 million.  These three leaders as well as many others attempted to gloss over their evil by claiming good intentions, but this did not vindicate them -- it merely brought about a lighter shade of black.

Few people would argue with the idea of naming the aforementioned men as "evil" in spite of their good intentions.  History books still call them "murderers."  However, these men did not come to be so deluded as to the inequality of their actions versus their intentions overnight.  Daily gray decisions that were not good nor completely evil slowly brought about their moral disgrace.

Take a care for the "white lie," for it is not white at all -- merely a lighter shade of black.

As opposed to the irrational relativism of today's society, we have the absolute Word of God.  With God, something is not white unless it is completely absent of any other color.  While our Lord may recognize the existence of the mix of good intentions with evil actions, He does not rationalize or justify it.  The perfect example of this can be found in 2 Samuel 6 with David and Uzzah.

David had the best of intentions when he loaded up the ark of the covenant onto a cart to bring it back to Jerusalem.  He was joyful to finally be able to return the ark to its rightful place after it had been among the Philistines for many years.  However, this did not change the fact that an ox cart was not the prescribed way to move the ark.  There is a long list of rules and regulations concerning the ark in Leviticus and Numbers, and the manner set down to move the ark was very specific: it required that it be carried on foot by priests of the tribe of Levi -- no carts allowed.

Because David, against advice that he was sure to have received, decided to move the ark in this way he was open to the displeasure of God.  Because the ark was not being carried correctly, someone had to come along to watch the cart and ensure that the ark did not fall.  Because it was not being transported in a stable manner it tipped and Uzzah reached out his hand and grabbed it to steady it.  Because God is a just God and keeps his word He struck Uzzah dead as He said He would in His warning to "not touch any holy thing, lest they die," in Numbers 4:15 when He gave instruction concerning the moving of all things pertaining to the tabernacle in this chapter.

This Bible example was used precisely because it shows the unwavering character of God ... and because many people are unsettled by it.  This comes as no great surprise.  It says in 2 Samuel 6:8 that David was first "displeased" with God because his relatavistic mindset felt that God was unfair; however in the next verse it says that David, "feared" (and we know that "fear" means "respect") God.  The rest of the chapter goes on to tell how the ark was joyfully returned to Jerusalem ... in the manner directed by God.

This Biblical view of things being either white or black often flies in the face of our egos -- no one wants to be told what to do or if what they are doing is wrong.  However, this philosophical position of absolutes provides stability and leads to respect between God and man and between man and his fellow.  The absolute idea of right and wrong -- or more appropriately right and not-right -- provides a reliable foundation for our daily lives.  A foundation that will not allow for cracks "relative" to the terrain that undermine the total stability of any society built on it.

White, black and gray.  Three colours in two categories: what is white and what is not.  Do we view our actions in similar categories: what is good and what is not?  Or do we try to rationalize?  Or judge relative to the circumstances?  Do we live with clear and defined classifications?  Or is everything kind of "gray"?  Remember, gray is just a lighter shade of black.

Some verses on God's view of absolutes:

"But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."  Matthew 5:37

"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."  Matthew 7:16-20

Stuffed and Wrapped Chicken Breast Recipe

Occasionally the hubby has a craving for something ... unusual.  He knows that when it comes to cooking I LOVE a challenge, and he will start out by saying, "I don't know if you can make this, but..."  And thus begins another one of my cooking adventures!

The poor guy ended up being sick on Valentine's Day so it was rather a non-event; therefore, no special meal -- we usually eat at home on this day and go out another day since neither one of us like crowds.  But he felt better by yesterday morning and had a special request.  He had seen something similar to this at a deli, and wanted me to make it with (of course) a few tweaks to the recipe.  The above picture shows the finished product of my little experiment, and since I have not made anything exactly like this previously I decided to blog it (for my own failing memory's sake!).

Ingredients:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

ricotta cheese

baby spinach

bacon

salt and pepper

1.  Preheat oven to 375F

2.  Butterfly cut the chicken breasts and beat with a meat mallet until chicken is uniformly 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick.  Dust inside with salt and pepper.



3.  Add some baby spinach leaves to the right hand third of the chicken breast.



4.  Add 3 spoonfuls of ricotta cheese and dust with salt and pepper.



5.  Place a few more baby spinach leaves on top and roll chicken breast tightly.



6.  Wrap chicken breast in strips of bacon and affix shut with wooden toothpicks.





7.  Place in a covered dish and bake for 1 hour at 375F.  After 1 hour, uncover and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes at 400F.

8.  Remove from dish and allow to cool for 3 to 5 minutes before slicing.  Serve with mashed potatoes and Caesar salad.

Servings: 2 to 4

*Notes*

• The number of servings depends on the size of the chicken breasts.  My husband and I like to eat a lot; however, we each only ate half of one prepared chicken breast.
• The amount of salt and pepper may seem exaggerated, but both spinach and ricotta cheese require quite a bit of salt in order to taste them.
• The chicken breast is not seasoned on the outside because the bacon adds enough flavour and saltiness.

Cut Flowers or Potted Plants

            Cut flowers have always seemed to me to be the most perverse sort of gift to give someone as an expression of undying love.  Such a bouquet is already dead.  They have been separated from the root of the mother plant and the nourishment it provides.  Their appearance of life and vigor is brought about by purely artificial means.  Any pleasure these kinds of flowers can give is short-lived with no hope of renewal.

            Certainly a vase of roses is beautiful … for a time, but after a week or two their lives are spent.  The fate that awaits them is one of wilting completely out of shape and rotting, or if extra care is taken they dry into a stiff, fragile, slowly disintegrating mockery of their original beauty.  Should love or a relationship really be compared to the tragic existence of cut flowers?

            By comparison, potted plants are a much healthier kind of gift and a much more accurate symbol of love.  It is not that a potted plant cannot die, but it is still alive and has the chance to grow and thrive and become more beautiful.  Sustenance can be taken in by its roots to feed it.  Leaves continue to grow and replace themselves keeping the little plant covered with daily evidence of life.  Long-lasting flowers bloom in abundance when the proper conditions are present, and their loss is not as sad because there is hope that they may return again to brighten their bearer’s countenance.

            However, a potted plant requires regular attention and care.  It takes work if you wish for it to thrive, but any effort made is repaid tenfold by its continued health.  While the little plant may grow and change in the normal cycle of life its presence remains ever constant and faithful to its caregiver.  If it was given as a gift every glimpse of it is a reminder to the viewer of the one who gave it.

            All melodrama aside, I’m not saying that cut flowers are a bad gift.  If you or the person to whom you are giving them likes them, then “more power to ya” as the saying goes.  I personally would much rather receive a living plant since (honestly) I think too much and the symbolic meaning of such a gift would never be far from my mind.

            To sum up: Hey!  All you guys out there!  It’s Valentine’s Day today – so for pity’s sake don’t forget the flowers and the chocolate … and the card!!!  If she’s happy, then you will be happy my friend!

... joy cometh in the morning

Everybody has messed up and had an abominably bad day before.

As Christians, we know that we have to deal with the consequences of our actions.

Fortunately, God is merciful, and if we trust in Him he will help us have joy

in the midst of those consequences!

Ginger Ale and Soda Crackers -- the cure for what ails ya...

[image taken from http://rightinfrontofme.wordpress.com]

The considerable virtues of the combined efforts of ginger ale and soda crackers on the pitiable condition of a poor soul (namely myself) suffering from the stomach flu are not fully appreciated by a healthy person.  And while I know I am being dramatic, after going for several days without being able to even think of food, that first salted-top cracker that I was able to eat was absolutely divine.

Most people interested in home remedies know that both baking soda (a base) and apple cider vinegar (an acid) are good for upset stomachs.  However, this is a situation theory where theory and practicality diverge considerably.  From my own recent, personal experience taking either one of these remedies may well alleviate your stomach problems -- if you can get it down.  The taste and the consistency were my primary problems since I could barely handle a slurp of it much less sip on it for an extended period of time (this was a particularly nasty bit of stomach flu)!

Then, O glorious day!  My husband brought home a bottle of ginger ale and some soda crackers.  After two days of being unable to stand even the smell of food, I was able to eat six crackers and sip a glass of cold ginger ale.  It was amazing how quickly my stomach settled down.  The baking soda in the soda crackers started to do its magic, and it actually tasted good too!

It has been a couple of days since those first few crackers, and as a testament to the nastiness of that particular strain of flu, my stomach is still rather sensitive -- But thank God for ginger ale and soda crackers!!!

After the Ladies Meeting...

Yeah!  The Ladie's Meeting last Friday went off without a hitch!  Last week was a crazy mix of running aound for last minute decorations and prizes and food.  The devotional seemed to be a big success as well (for my bilingual friends, the Bible study is posted in Spanish on my other blog).

We had a great time together even though (as usual) quite a few people arrived late.  Those who were unable to come due to sickness really missed a great time of fellowship, fun and food! 

Since it's almost Valentine's Day we had a few holiday related games that were greeted with more enthusiasm than I had expected.  I thought that I was going to have to separate some of the ladies. LOL  It was particularly interesting to watch them during the matching game where they had to see who could find heart puzzle pieces that fit together to make two hearts first.  (chuckle)  They were practically ripping the pieces from one another's hands, but it was all in good fun.

This year we are going to be doing a series of Bible studies about women whose lives have been used by God even though they have been broken.  For example, February's study was about Naomi (I wasn't trying to be narcissistic by choosing the personality with the same name as myself; I actually had three different studies ready but my husband said that that study would be the best).  In the study we discussed how her bad decisions led her to a place where she lost her family and was left destitute with thwo daughter-in-laws in tow; however, through the mercy of God she was restored to her homeland and had another family in her daughter-in-law Ruth.  I was surprised at how well it was received considering that I did not pull any punches while I was writing it.  The study was not written "at" anyone, but while it was being given it easily applied to everyone's situation in some way or another.

Anyway, it was good to see all of the ladies so involved in the meeting.  There are usually a few who hang back from the group, but everyone took part this time.  It was very encouraging!  Hopefully next month will be as successful.