Recipes and Photographs

I feel restless. I know I ought to be cleaning, packing, or budgeting, but instead I'm baking, browsing, and writing. You should know first that I am making this incredible pound cake, the recipe for which I can take no credit for. My friend Audrey, who is a woman of many talents and also shares my love for English literature, gave it to me. And now I will give it to you, certain that it will brighten your day whenever you choose to whip together these sinful ingredients.

Eagle Brand Pound Cake

2 cups sugar

1 lb. (yes pound! you read that right!) butter

5 eggs

1 can eagle brand milk

1 tsp. almond flavoring

1 tsp vanilla flavoring

3 cups flour

Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs and beat well. Mix rest of the ingredients; beat well. Bake (in greased and floured) bundt pan for 1 1/2 hours at 325 degrees. Cool before removing from pan. Once, I had it served with strawberries and whipped cream which is a delicious addition.  

As a couple of my friends like to say - "That was free." While you're eating your cake, you should check out Audrey's website - Audrey Ryon Photography - beautiful work!

Another website that makes me happy is Shauna Maness' blog. In particular, this post made me giddy on a rainy day when I stumbled upon it....oh Paris, how I love thee. 

I love art. I sometimes struggle to balance my desire for an artistic lifestyle with my desire to have a clean room or check things off a check list or make phone calls to all the people I want to stay in touch with. The pursuit of art at some point requires a withdrawal from people. I never wish to push away people in pursuit of art, whether it's simply enjoying it or attempting to create it....So, I will cherish these moments that fall like gifts in my lap when there is nothing pressing to do (well, maybe there are a few things I should do, but to me they are not as important as a person in need or an appointment I can't miss). My prayer is that, when I do finally get this chance to sit and be still, my eyes would be open to all that there is to see.   

I love photography (though I'm not much of a photographer myself) because it captures images that we all see, but few of us take the time to zoom in and appreciate. Looking at a photo that truly captures the essence of that moment in time, something within me clicks. Why didn't I pause like the photographer did to look at that flower. It's extraordinary. I'm not entirely sure I appreciated those scrumptious pastries when I was in Paris. Surely, I would have remembered how lovely they look in these photos. And, that expression on my dear friend's face....she is made in the image of God and here in this snapshot, I can see it like I never have before - the intricate design of a Creator. 

Creator, Savior, Best Friend, Holy God, open my eyes today to the wonders of your creation, the tragedy of how it has fallen, and the redemption made possible only through you.

This is Jesus.

"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of His power." Hebrews 1:3

This is Jesus.

Acknowledge Him as God or don't acknowledge Him at all.

At Jesus' trial, the high priest commanded Him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." (Matthew 26:63)

Jesus response: "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Matthew 26:64)

If you want to label him a prophet or a good teacher, please search through the Bible first. Jesus would rather you dismiss Him than identify him as something He is not and never claimed to be. If you don't trust the Bible, do your research before you toss it in the trash as poor evidence (I would recommend Ben Stuart's message, "Has the Bible Been Corrupted?" which you can get by subscribing to the Breakaway Ministries podcast through iTunes).

If you already call Him "Lord," then take time to consider His deity today. He was man, but He is also fully God. He upholds the universe. And yet, He also bore the weight of our sin on His shoulders. This should humble us. He is not a sweet little Jesus we pray to. He is God. He is Savior. Let's give Him the praise and adoration He deserves.