Reminder. Your Kids Are Watching.

Last night we went to an open house for my two boys at their school.  The more I grow up and mature and watch my boys, the more I am reminded about how much they enjoy the time we spend together and that time we spend together is what influences them the most.  I wrote a post on "Everyone Makes Disciples" and I was reminded just how much this is true last night.  


My 8 year old had to do a "September Project" and he decided he wanted to do a project on how much he likes baking with his mom.  It was awesome.  I wish I had pictures for you, but it was a great example of our boy telling us with his actions how much we influence him.  


Then, as we entered his classroom, it was filled with the reminders of our times together and another reminder of how much food is central to our family and our society.  


Check out these different things my boy wrote and drew about that were in his classroom.  Just be reminded...you are discipling your children, and those around you...whether you know or like it. 

Foodie Friday: Recipe for Korean Steak and Taqueria Steak Tacos

So this past Tuesday night, I made some tacos...some real.good.tacos.  Figured I'd share the recipe here. 

Korean Steak Tacos

Marinade

3/4 cup soy sauce

3/4 cup water

3 tablespoons white vinegar

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

2 tablespoons white sugar

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1/4 cup minced garlic 

1/2 white onioin minced

3 lbs of short ribs or Korean cut ribs.  Both will work...you can use this recipe with rib eye.   If you buy short ribs or rib eye, make sure you cut it to the thickness of an actual rib, so the flavors soak into the meat.  

Here is the easy part.  Just combine all that crap above in a non reactive bowl, throw the meat in and then marinate for at least 8 hours. 

Why I Believe in God. The Basics

I am, by no means, a highly intelligent individual, but these reasons have given me a deeper understanding of why I believe in God.  If you want to read some dudes that are far smarter than I am who can give deeper explanations...check these out: 


The Francis Schaeffer Trilogy: The God Who is There; Escape From Reason; He is There and He is Not Silent

Apologetics to the Glory of God: An Introduction by John Frame


The Reason for God by Timothy Keller


Here are my basic reasons: 


1. We are Most Like God, Not Some Impersonal Matter


Metaphysics, which I am no way a professional in this area, tells us that when something is brought into the world, it comes from something that is like them.  So, a tree that drops seeds from its branches will bring forth another tree, not a horse.  When a horse has a baby, it doesn't birth a 7-11.  My wife is due to give birth to our daughter in 4 days, not an iPod. 

To My Daughter

On Monday, October 10th, 2011, my little daughter Madelynn will be born to my wife, my two sons and I.  We are really excited to meet her and I figured I'd write her a letter to inform her of a few things. 


Dear Madelynn. 


Your mom, your two brothers and I are very excited to see your face.  We have been talking about it for months and were stoked when we saw on the video screen during the ultrasound that you were missing the key ingredient of being a boy.   As an aside, if you are a Benjamin and not a Madelynn, you will probably beat everyone in hide-and-seek.   As you prepared to come into this world, I figured I'd give you some things that you'll need to know in preparation. 

God's Recipe

Forgive me up front for this being cornier than a knock knock joke from a Christian radio DJ.  But, I had to give this perspective of God and desire for our joy, not our demise.  


I have been reading a couple of books.  One is "A Meal with Jesus" by Tim Chester and the other being "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain.  Both are a really good read and the first one will give anyone insight to why I believe meals and food are to be central in my life as I desire to bless my community.  


Anyways.  


Yesterday I was following a couple of recipes to make Korean steak tacos and also just some regular marinated steak Mexican tacos.  This got me thinking. 


Never once did I think, "Man...this person who gave me this recipe is a jerk for making me follow all these rules of the recipe.  Why can't I add peanut butter and popcorn seeds to this recipe?"