Monthly Archives: May 2011
No Bake Cookies
| May 24, 2011 | Posted by matt under Uncategorized |
I remember my mom making these cookies for me as a kid, I loved them with a glass of milk. They’re perfect for that time when you decide you want a cookie but don’t want to go through any of the work to bake. I can whip these up in about 10 minutes time.
No Bake Cookies
- 3 T cocoa powder
- 2 C sugar
- 1 square oleo (stick, or 8 T butter or margarine
- dash of salt
- 1/2 C milk
Stir above ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add:
- 3 C oatmeal
- 1/2 C peanut butter
- 1/2 t vanilla
Stir together and scoop onto wax paper with two tablespoons or an ice cream scooper. Allow to cool.
Makes 2 dozen cookies. About 160 calories/cookie.
Book Review: Dug Down Deep
| May 14, 2011 | Posted by matt under reviews, Uncategorized |
I read Dug Down Deep by Josh Harris on the recommendation of my pastor. It is a book about theology which Harris dedicated to his three children, saying “One day when you are older I hope you’ll read this book and realize I wrote it for you.” I wish that this book had been available when I was younger, it is a clear introduction to a number of theological topics including salvation, sanctification, the roles of the Bible and the Church, the divinity of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Harris’ writing style in this book is to mix narrative with sections on theology, making the book an easy read. The book also contains many quotes and references from well known Christian authors so digging through the bibliography for books to add to my ‘To Read’ pile is in order. There are ample scripture references, and I chose to read the book slowly and read them as I went along.
Like me, Harris grew up in a Christian home and was ‘saved’ at an early age. It took him much longer to grasp what it really meant to be a Christian and to understand how much of his view of God was incorrect or misinformed. I can identify with him in this area and found myself relating to many of the experiences he describes as he grew up. I can also look back over the years and see how I have let my lack of knowledge about theology allow me to have incorrect beliefs about God and what the consequences have been and still are in my daily living.
My favorite chapter is the last one, Humble Orthodoxy. Our church has adopted this as one of our ‘ethos anchors‘, and I can appreciate it much more after reading this book. Harris introduces humble orthodoxy as the opposite of what we see so often in the evangelical church today: arrogant orthodoxy. I have seen this arrogance play out in real life and my reaction has been to hold less tightly to some truths because those fighting for those truths have been arrogant and confrontational. Just because someone is being arrogant doesn’t mean they are wrong or agreeing with them is taking on their arrogance. While my reaction has been the incorrect one, I hope that I won’t push others in the same direction through my arrogance. We should contrast that with the charges that Paul gives to the young pastor Timothy in 2 Timothy, which Harris sums up as “Don’t be a jerk.”
Dug Down Deep is a good introductory book on theology for younger Christians, or a good refresher for older Christians who need it.
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