Monday, November 12, 2012

Religion and "Bones" and Our Veterans

I love the TV show Bones.  I think I have watched it since it began.  The main character absolutely makes me laugh because she is so.....................

Tonight Dr. Saroyan was referring to Bones (Temperance Brennan) when she said:

Where Dr. Brennan is concerned - All the conventional rules of the universe become obsolete.

I LOVE that quote.  Sometimes I find myself following that same idea.

But tonight's episode was far more than a great quote - but I do think considering conventional rules was a bit of foreshadowing.

To make an hour show into a couple of sentence - the general plot was unsolved crime/body found it the archives, group decides to figure out details of the crime/death, several interns work together.  They surmise that the body is a victim of something related to the 9-11 tragedy and he was a Veteran.

As they are working - one intern says to another (who just happens to be of middle eastern descent) Is this too difficult for you - because I can take over your part.  The middle eastern intern says Why.  The other guy Because you share the same religion as those men.....(meaning the ones who hijacked & bombed).

He responds:

This was not the work of religion it was arrogance, hypocrisy, it was hate.  Those horrible men who hijacked those planes hijacked my religion that day too.  They insulted my God.  So, no, this isn't too difficult - it is a privilege to be able to serve this victim to show him the care and love that was so absent that day.

I know it is just a TV show - but oh my - what a great comment.

I think we get caught in rules.

I think we get caught in religion.

I think we forget that in the end all of that becomes obsolete.

What is the only thing that matters?



It does - LOVE is what makes the difference.  And our challenge is to LOVE - all.  No matter what the difference is and many times not to assume that it is too difficult for us all to be together.

Remember the Faithful Love song I have shared with you before?  And I'll never be the same - because I've seen faithful love and Jesus is His name.

I so hope I am doing just that - I hope that I am not the same because I have seen that faithful love -

I do - almost enjoy - throwing out the "religion rules" ........... they can be obsolete - because in the end I hope we can both say....




The show concluded with a plea to help Veterans.  Please click on the link - please call if you know of a Veteran who needs help.

Veterans Crisis Line


Our USCG Veteran - Brian - was here this past week - with his amazing wife Lauren and...... our Great nephew - Hayden!

Nephew two, Son one (holding Great Nephew one), Niece one, Son two, Nephew three





Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Friday, November 9, 2012

GF - a Constant Reminder

Gluten Free - It really is a most bizarre way to live - and I find it even difficult to explain.  I guess because I am often explaining it in casual conversation - therefore it is not so easy to "see" why I am making that choice.

I won't even go into the physical demands gluten makes on the body - but you can google the topic and read those - digestion issues tend to be the most noted and those can happen within a couple of hours of eating gluten to a day or so - all depends upon the person.  I guess the main thought is that if you notice that you feel better when you are not eating it - then it makes sense to try to be gluten free!

The only medical test I have had said I do not have Celiac Disease.  For that I am thankful but I am also suspect.  The more I learn about the disease the more I realize that our testing is not so exact and now that I have been without for many months - we will never know!

Recently I spent a whole day around wheat flour (I prepared, mixed, fried all with flour) - the main culprit in a gluten free world.  And I am now quite sure that my concerns about gluten in my world have only been certified.  I spent the next two weeks recovering from the exposure.  Arthritis symptoms can also occur with gluten exposure/ingestion - and the temporomandibular joint on my right side was the target.  (Thank heavens for Adria - Why Knot with Adria  - I am not so sure I could have managed without her!)

So now my challenge more than ever is to eat gluten free - but also to avoid large volumes of wheat flour too.  And it is worth it!

Here's a GF recipe I made today - it turned out even better than I suspected.  You should try it - and it would be even better with some homemade whipped cream or vanilla ice cream!

My new recipe for Apple & Pear Crisp - so wonderful!!!

Pealed & chopped organic pears, apples, and cranberries

Lemon juice, orange juice, flour, cinnamon, sugar added to the fruit

The topping is GF oats, bread mix, sugars, & 2 sticks of cold butter

The fruit is poured in first - then the topping is spread across the top.

Here's the recipe:

Apple & Pear Crisp

Filling:
About 4-6 organic pears, pealed & chopped
About 4-6 organic apples, pealed & chopped (whatever kind available)
Handful of organic cranberries
2 T orange juice
2T lemon juice
1 – 2 tsp cinnamon
½ cup sugar
¼ gluten free flour

Mix together and pour into an oval baking dish

Topping:
1 ½ cups of Pamela’s GF bread mix
½ cup sugar
¾ cup brown sugar
½ tsp kosher salt
1 cup GF oats
2 sticks cold butter (diced)

Mix together much like you would a pie crust resulting in large crumbles.  Spread evenly on top of fruit mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes to one hour – until the top is brown. 




Enjoy!




Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.