My turn came up to guest preach at church. I'll be doing that on the first of August.
Which is a communion Sunday.
As the pastor for the day, I will be handling that task also.
Ever since I became a Christian, communion has been a very moving experience for me. When I was still in the Lutheran Church, I served on the church council and was expected to assist with serving communion. I took that very seriously.
Christian communion is a remembrance of what happened 2000 years ago at a place called Golgotha.
The God of all eternity who created the universe set aside His glory, and humbling Himself, He became a man.
But not just any man, people. No sir.
He came here as Jesus. The Christ. The long prophesied Messiah. Emmanuel. God with us. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Wonderful. Counselor. Prince of Peace. Living Water. Bread of Life. Alpha and Omega.
At the young age of 33 years, He died a brutal death on a cross outside of Jerusalem so I could be with Him.
He did it just for me. Jesus came, was scorned, beaten, and crucified to save the souls of all mankind. and if I was the only person in history to decide to accept His gift, He still would have come. He still would have suffered. He still would have died.
And He would still rise from the dead.
I will too.
This is what makes communion so special to me.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Nothing happened, and that's a pretty good thing
Back to work after a long weekend. It was tough to get into the swing.
Thursday I took a vacation day to go to the dentist to have work started on a crown. As previously posted, the last time I took a day off to go to the dentist I spent 4 days in the burn unit and missed 3 weeks of work. That didn't happen this time. The only issue I had is the way they numb your mouth to do the work. Whatever they inject into the nerve keeps my face numb for close to 7 hours.
It rained the rest of the day, and I didn't do anything. Sat in my chair and dozed on and off. I need days like that once in a while.
Friday we loaded up the van and drove to D and M's cottage. It's only about 40 miles so we were able to get there shortly after noon. We unloaded and the kids were in the water almost immediately. The adults just hung out, had a couple of beers, and cooked on an old Weber kettle. Dinner was good, the company even better. We all sat around the campfire while the kids "cooked" marshmallows.
Now this is a difficult thing for me to witness.
When I was 8 my family took the entire summer off and we drove to Alaska. Yes, drove. We traveled in a 1968 Ford Econoline van that had been specially modified by my dad. We stayed in campgrounds the entire way up, and roasted marshmallows every night. (Mind you if 'smores' had been invented then, we didn't know it and we ate just the marsmallows.) My dad showed us how to do it without igniting the delicate white puffs, and by the end of the trip we were turning out perfect, gooey, golden brown marshmallows every time, and our personal marshmallow sticks were revered and pampered.
My kids don't seem to be concerned with producing good eats.
I think they are fire bugs.
You know, pyromaniacs.
If they had archery equipment they would shoot flaming-marshmallow-tipped-arrows at each other. Or us.
Friday night brought severe thunderstorms to the area. No wind really, but a lot of rain and a lot of lightning.
And with lightning comes thunder. There was a massive BOOM so close to the cottage that it woke me up. That never happens. The kids were all outside in a pop up camper, and never even stirred.
Saturday we were up early to prep a brisket to throw on one of the WSMs. I used my pork butt rub on it instead of my brisket rub as I had a huge batch left over. It was OK, but not nearly as good as my brisket rub. The biggest issue is the pork rub produces a great bark, which I like on butts, but made it hard to slice a brisket. Everyone who ate it said it was excellent, but I knew better. I didn't get a chance to rest it and it was dry.
Prior to the brisket being done D and I did a test cook of an idea we had for competition chicken. We were thrilled with the results, but we can do better and will find time in the next couple of weeks to test a couple more things.
When all of the cooking was done we had a feast of brisket slices, burnt ends, smoked chicken thighs, pinto beans, potatoes, and fresh green beans. It was truly a great meal.
I think the company (which included D's mom and dad, co-owners of the cottage and really lovely people) covered a multitude of errors in my cooking.
The leftover burnt ends and potatoes were converted to hash on Sunday served with fried eggs and toast. Waste not, want not. Right?
After a stop at Culver's we were home before 2:00pm Sunday.
A truly wonderful weekend.
Thursday I took a vacation day to go to the dentist to have work started on a crown. As previously posted, the last time I took a day off to go to the dentist I spent 4 days in the burn unit and missed 3 weeks of work. That didn't happen this time. The only issue I had is the way they numb your mouth to do the work. Whatever they inject into the nerve keeps my face numb for close to 7 hours.
It rained the rest of the day, and I didn't do anything. Sat in my chair and dozed on and off. I need days like that once in a while.
Friday we loaded up the van and drove to D and M's cottage. It's only about 40 miles so we were able to get there shortly after noon. We unloaded and the kids were in the water almost immediately. The adults just hung out, had a couple of beers, and cooked on an old Weber kettle. Dinner was good, the company even better. We all sat around the campfire while the kids "cooked" marshmallows.
Now this is a difficult thing for me to witness.
When I was 8 my family took the entire summer off and we drove to Alaska. Yes, drove. We traveled in a 1968 Ford Econoline van that had been specially modified by my dad. We stayed in campgrounds the entire way up, and roasted marshmallows every night. (Mind you if 'smores' had been invented then, we didn't know it and we ate just the marsmallows.) My dad showed us how to do it without igniting the delicate white puffs, and by the end of the trip we were turning out perfect, gooey, golden brown marshmallows every time, and our personal marshmallow sticks were revered and pampered.
My kids don't seem to be concerned with producing good eats.
I think they are fire bugs.
You know, pyromaniacs.
If they had archery equipment they would shoot flaming-marshmallow-tipped-arrows at each other. Or us.
Friday night brought severe thunderstorms to the area. No wind really, but a lot of rain and a lot of lightning.
And with lightning comes thunder. There was a massive BOOM so close to the cottage that it woke me up. That never happens. The kids were all outside in a pop up camper, and never even stirred.
Saturday we were up early to prep a brisket to throw on one of the WSMs. I used my pork butt rub on it instead of my brisket rub as I had a huge batch left over. It was OK, but not nearly as good as my brisket rub. The biggest issue is the pork rub produces a great bark, which I like on butts, but made it hard to slice a brisket. Everyone who ate it said it was excellent, but I knew better. I didn't get a chance to rest it and it was dry.
Prior to the brisket being done D and I did a test cook of an idea we had for competition chicken. We were thrilled with the results, but we can do better and will find time in the next couple of weeks to test a couple more things.
When all of the cooking was done we had a feast of brisket slices, burnt ends, smoked chicken thighs, pinto beans, potatoes, and fresh green beans. It was truly a great meal.
I think the company (which included D's mom and dad, co-owners of the cottage and really lovely people) covered a multitude of errors in my cooking.
The leftover burnt ends and potatoes were converted to hash on Sunday served with fried eggs and toast. Waste not, want not. Right?
After a stop at Culver's we were home before 2:00pm Sunday.
A truly wonderful weekend.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Weekend can't get here soon enough.
I am really looking forward to the weekend.
Mine starts Thursday. Took a vacation day to go to the dentist. I have to have a crown done (my second in six months - I think stemming from a head injury in 2008 or 2009 but that's another story), and this is the first appointment for that.
Now that I mention it, the last time I took a day off to go to the dentist, I wound up in the UW Burn Unit for 4 days and missed three weeks of work. (But that's another story!)
Maybe I'm not so excited after all. .
Friday we'll load the family up for a couple of days at my friends cottage in Central Wisconsin. I'll be taking a WSM with me, and he'll have his there too. I ordered a 12lb brisket for us to cook, and we are going to play around with a comp chicken idea I had.
We spent a weekend there last year as well, and our kids had a blast. One of my friend's kids was not there last year, but will be this weekend. My boys are really looking forward to it. What's there for kids not to like? Great BBQ, water, boats, tubin', sleeping in a camper, boats, campfires, tubin'... Get the picture? For me it's a chance to hang with D and M (both of whom I just adore), have a few cocktails, play with the kids, and just not worry for a few days.
Last year Derek asked me to bring a WSM with me. He was going to supply the St. Louis trimmed spares and wanted me to cook them. I think we cooked six racks. While we were having supper, M looked at me and told me they were the best ribs she had ever had. Then she asked me if I could teach D to cook ribs like this. I told her I could, and that D had learned a lot on this cook. With that she looked at D and said "OK, you can buy a WSM." She's a smart girl.
Of course, that means we'll miss worship on Sunday morning, but I know God loves me, and He knows the feeling is mutual. I'll still worship Him, just not in an organized way.
Mine starts Thursday. Took a vacation day to go to the dentist. I have to have a crown done (my second in six months - I think stemming from a head injury in 2008 or 2009 but that's another story), and this is the first appointment for that.
Now that I mention it, the last time I took a day off to go to the dentist, I wound up in the UW Burn Unit for 4 days and missed three weeks of work. (But that's another story!)
Maybe I'm not so excited after all. .
Friday we'll load the family up for a couple of days at my friends cottage in Central Wisconsin. I'll be taking a WSM with me, and he'll have his there too. I ordered a 12lb brisket for us to cook, and we are going to play around with a comp chicken idea I had.
We spent a weekend there last year as well, and our kids had a blast. One of my friend's kids was not there last year, but will be this weekend. My boys are really looking forward to it. What's there for kids not to like? Great BBQ, water, boats, tubin', sleeping in a camper, boats, campfires, tubin'... Get the picture? For me it's a chance to hang with D and M (both of whom I just adore), have a few cocktails, play with the kids, and just not worry for a few days.
Last year Derek asked me to bring a WSM with me. He was going to supply the St. Louis trimmed spares and wanted me to cook them. I think we cooked six racks. While we were having supper, M looked at me and told me they were the best ribs she had ever had. Then she asked me if I could teach D to cook ribs like this. I told her I could, and that D had learned a lot on this cook. With that she looked at D and said "OK, you can buy a WSM." She's a smart girl.
Of course, that means we'll miss worship on Sunday morning, but I know God loves me, and He knows the feeling is mutual. I'll still worship Him, just not in an organized way.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Thank the Lord of Earth and Heaven I can cook BBQ...
...'cuz I sure can't bowl!
We went to worship today (as we do most every Sunday) and God showed today that he listens to prayer.
We are a new, small church and we all know each other by name, and we notice when regular attendees have not been to worship in a while. As secretary of the board of elders, it is my job to send cards to those we haven't seen at worship, so I pay closer attention than most.
God had been telling me that I needed to be in prayer for three families. So I listened, and I was praying for them.
Today was my turn to do announcements and prayer reports/praise requests, and who was in church? Why, all three families that God had laid on my heart to pray for, that's who! One of the families who was there told me they came because they didn't want to get a card! We all had a good laugh about it.
God loves it when we laugh.
One of our members is moving to Georgia this week, and she wrote us a note and thanked her for the spiritual growth she had experienced in the three years she attended our congregation. That made us feel good. We are a conservative congregation, built on what we read to be the Biblical model. We are elder led (a radical idea in the 21st century church). She said she really appreciated the way our congregation was run. I'll put that in the "+" column.
Oh yeah, bowling.
After worship we went home and caught the IndyCar race. It was nice to see one of the drivers from my favorite team win (Team Penske and Will Power).
Then, we went bowling. I am terrible at bowling. Awful really. It doesn't help that we wore rented shoes that made the ball of my right foot blister, or that the only balls with holes big enough for my fingers had once been used to knock down buildings from the end of a cable, but I have no excuse. I am just that bad. We played two games, and I didn't break 100 in either game.
Yep, that bad.
But to see the smiles on the kids faces when they got a strike or picked up a spare makes all of the pain worth it.
I may complain sometimes about how my boys behave, but I really do have three very wonderful sons, and I am reminded of that every time I see them have as much fun as they did today.
We went to worship today (as we do most every Sunday) and God showed today that he listens to prayer.
We are a new, small church and we all know each other by name, and we notice when regular attendees have not been to worship in a while. As secretary of the board of elders, it is my job to send cards to those we haven't seen at worship, so I pay closer attention than most.
God had been telling me that I needed to be in prayer for three families. So I listened, and I was praying for them.
Today was my turn to do announcements and prayer reports/praise requests, and who was in church? Why, all three families that God had laid on my heart to pray for, that's who! One of the families who was there told me they came because they didn't want to get a card! We all had a good laugh about it.
God loves it when we laugh.
One of our members is moving to Georgia this week, and she wrote us a note and thanked her for the spiritual growth she had experienced in the three years she attended our congregation. That made us feel good. We are a conservative congregation, built on what we read to be the Biblical model. We are elder led (a radical idea in the 21st century church). She said she really appreciated the way our congregation was run. I'll put that in the "+" column.
Oh yeah, bowling.
After worship we went home and caught the IndyCar race. It was nice to see one of the drivers from my favorite team win (Team Penske and Will Power).
Then, we went bowling. I am terrible at bowling. Awful really. It doesn't help that we wore rented shoes that made the ball of my right foot blister, or that the only balls with holes big enough for my fingers had once been used to knock down buildings from the end of a cable, but I have no excuse. I am just that bad. We played two games, and I didn't break 100 in either game.
Yep, that bad.
But to see the smiles on the kids faces when they got a strike or picked up a spare makes all of the pain worth it.
I may complain sometimes about how my boys behave, but I really do have three very wonderful sons, and I am reminded of that every time I see them have as much fun as they did today.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Pinewood Derby
My oldest son spent an hour a day for the last week attending a class at school where they designed, built, and painted pinewood derby cars. My wife and I were surprised by how much he enjoyed doing this. We were happy about it, but still surprised.
Tonight was the big race. My sons car was in the first heat of 5 cars. He won all of his races and advanced to the final round of 8 cars. He was pretty excited about it, and so was I.
Unfortunately he didn't fare as well in the championship round, losing in his first set of races. Understandably he was a little disappointed. Mostly (I think) because he didn't win a trophy.
You see, he is a member of the "Trophy Generation". One of the kids who has always gotten a participation trophy so no one would ever get their 'feewings' hurt.
And it has been a pet peeve of mine ever since he started in sports. I have spent the last 6 years telling him that when he gets older, there are ACTUALLY GOING TO BE LOSERS in competitive events. I guess he found that out a little tonight.
Giving all of the kids trophies doesn't do jack squat to build self esteem. It only delays the inevitable fact that there are winners and there are losers. More losers than winners. So chances are, you will lose more than you win. I believe it's a good idea to learn that lesson right away, the first time.
Rant off.
For anyone interested, I will be preaching at my church on August 1st. John chapter 14 (my choosing). If you can't be there to hear me, pick up a Bible and read it yourself. Read it closely. Lots of wonderful theology in there.
Also, today I decided I needed some more "stuff" for my outdoor cooking passion. I tire of there never being clean knives or other utensils when I am cooking outside, so I have been building my own set of kitchen gadgets to use outside, keep outside. I've been ordering stuff from Mission Restaurant Supply in San Antonio. They have pretty good prices and quick shipping. Today I ordered some 11 inch stainless serving spoons, some grill tongs, an oven thermometer, and come stainless 'burger flippers'. I'll let y'all know when they come in.
Tonight was the big race. My sons car was in the first heat of 5 cars. He won all of his races and advanced to the final round of 8 cars. He was pretty excited about it, and so was I.
Unfortunately he didn't fare as well in the championship round, losing in his first set of races. Understandably he was a little disappointed. Mostly (I think) because he didn't win a trophy.
You see, he is a member of the "Trophy Generation". One of the kids who has always gotten a participation trophy so no one would ever get their 'feewings' hurt.
And it has been a pet peeve of mine ever since he started in sports. I have spent the last 6 years telling him that when he gets older, there are ACTUALLY GOING TO BE LOSERS in competitive events. I guess he found that out a little tonight.
Giving all of the kids trophies doesn't do jack squat to build self esteem. It only delays the inevitable fact that there are winners and there are losers. More losers than winners. So chances are, you will lose more than you win. I believe it's a good idea to learn that lesson right away, the first time.
Rant off.
For anyone interested, I will be preaching at my church on August 1st. John chapter 14 (my choosing). If you can't be there to hear me, pick up a Bible and read it yourself. Read it closely. Lots of wonderful theology in there.
Also, today I decided I needed some more "stuff" for my outdoor cooking passion. I tire of there never being clean knives or other utensils when I am cooking outside, so I have been building my own set of kitchen gadgets to use outside, keep outside. I've been ordering stuff from Mission Restaurant Supply in San Antonio. They have pretty good prices and quick shipping. Today I ordered some 11 inch stainless serving spoons, some grill tongs, an oven thermometer, and come stainless 'burger flippers'. I'll let y'all know when they come in.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Manly Things
I spent a week away from home and away from my family. Once I got back to the Yacht Club I decided I needed to do something with my sons.
You know, bonding type things.
So I asked if they were interested in doing Manly Things with their dad.
We had already gone to worship on Sunday, which was our first Manly Thing. Real men worship Jesus Christ, real men love Jesus, and I want to make sure my kids know that.
With our weekly manly thing complete, we set off to do a new Manly Thing. I loaded a couple (ok, four) of my favorite .22LR guns into the van and we went to the range. Well, the gravel pit actually. We ventilated pieces of paper. We riddled cardboard boxes and old soup cans with holes. We went shooting.
Once at the gravel pit I showed my boys the proper way to hold a firearm. I showed them the basics of gun safety: Treat EVERY gun as if it were loaded. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Be sure of your target and beyond.
Then we took turns shooting. We started off with a single shot Ruger revolver. Of course, I got to shoot the first cylinder worth, and then each of the boys got to fire of two or three cylinders. We then switched to the Ruger 2245, a semi auto. They really liked shooting the 2245 more than the Single Six. I did too. I also shot a cylinder through my Hi-Standard double action revolver, just because I hadn't done that in awhile. I had forgotten how much I love that gun. It's my first handgun. We never got around to shooting my Brazilian knock-off Nylon 66. Maybe next time.
We were shooting Remington Thunderbolt .22LR rounds, and they were terrible. Duds just about every time we loaded. Not a real big issue with the revolver, but a serious pain in the a$$ in the auto-loader. Thank goodness there was a fork in the van to pry the dead rounds out of the chamber.
I think all of the boys need some help lining up the sights and target, but they were able to hit our target nonetheless. Of course we were only shooting from about 15 feet.
But this wasn't about hitting the target. This was about spending some quality time with dad. We did that.
Once we got home we took the time to make sure the guns got cleaned, oiled, and put away. I explained that some of these guns could not be replaced and that is why we take care of them. None of the guns have intrinsic value, but they have sentimental value. The Single Six was given to me by my father-in-law. As mentioned the Hi-Standard was my first handgun. Sure, I could probably find each of those guns somewhere, but they wouldn't be the same and wouldn't have the same value.
I guess it's just about stewardship. Taking care of that which God has given us.
Guns.
And kids.
You know, bonding type things.
So I asked if they were interested in doing Manly Things with their dad.
We had already gone to worship on Sunday, which was our first Manly Thing. Real men worship Jesus Christ, real men love Jesus, and I want to make sure my kids know that.
With our weekly manly thing complete, we set off to do a new Manly Thing. I loaded a couple (ok, four) of my favorite .22LR guns into the van and we went to the range. Well, the gravel pit actually. We ventilated pieces of paper. We riddled cardboard boxes and old soup cans with holes. We went shooting.
Once at the gravel pit I showed my boys the proper way to hold a firearm. I showed them the basics of gun safety: Treat EVERY gun as if it were loaded. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Be sure of your target and beyond.
Then we took turns shooting. We started off with a single shot Ruger revolver. Of course, I got to shoot the first cylinder worth, and then each of the boys got to fire of two or three cylinders. We then switched to the Ruger 2245, a semi auto. They really liked shooting the 2245 more than the Single Six. I did too. I also shot a cylinder through my Hi-Standard double action revolver, just because I hadn't done that in awhile. I had forgotten how much I love that gun. It's my first handgun. We never got around to shooting my Brazilian knock-off Nylon 66. Maybe next time.
We were shooting Remington Thunderbolt .22LR rounds, and they were terrible. Duds just about every time we loaded. Not a real big issue with the revolver, but a serious pain in the a$$ in the auto-loader. Thank goodness there was a fork in the van to pry the dead rounds out of the chamber.
I think all of the boys need some help lining up the sights and target, but they were able to hit our target nonetheless. Of course we were only shooting from about 15 feet.
But this wasn't about hitting the target. This was about spending some quality time with dad. We did that.
Once we got home we took the time to make sure the guns got cleaned, oiled, and put away. I explained that some of these guns could not be replaced and that is why we take care of them. None of the guns have intrinsic value, but they have sentimental value. The Single Six was given to me by my father-in-law. As mentioned the Hi-Standard was my first handgun. Sure, I could probably find each of those guns somewhere, but they wouldn't be the same and wouldn't have the same value.
I guess it's just about stewardship. Taking care of that which God has given us.
Guns.
And kids.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy Birthday America
It is likely that many of us spent the day grilling, swimming, golfing, or any number of other activities.
Sure, we got together with family. Played baseball with the kids. Went to a water park. Some of us may have had too much to drink. We lit sparklers, or some other quasi-legal fireworks. Then we got into our cars, or walked to the local park to watch the official community fireworks. Just another 4th of July, right?
I did some of that myself.
We went to the home of my aunt and uncle. His MS has him confined to a wheelchair now.
But I get to spend time with my cousins, the closest friends of my youth. My kids get to see very extended family.
I had a Leinies today. Ice cold. Could have drank 11 more, but I stopped at one.
We told stories about our kids, and laughed our asses off.
But I did none of that until I read the Declaration of Independence. I don't count it as scripture, but I sure as hell consider it to be inspired by God.
Did you stop and read the Declaration of Independence today?
Did you let the words sink in?
Do you realize that what those men did 234 years ago was treason?
Did you know they would hang if captured?
Do you realize there was NO GUARANTEE THEY WOULD WIN?
Think about that for a minute.
Now, if you haven't already, go find yourself a copy of the Declaration and read it.
Do it.
Now.
Sure, we got together with family. Played baseball with the kids. Went to a water park. Some of us may have had too much to drink. We lit sparklers, or some other quasi-legal fireworks. Then we got into our cars, or walked to the local park to watch the official community fireworks. Just another 4th of July, right?
I did some of that myself.
We went to the home of my aunt and uncle. His MS has him confined to a wheelchair now.
But I get to spend time with my cousins, the closest friends of my youth. My kids get to see very extended family.
I had a Leinies today. Ice cold. Could have drank 11 more, but I stopped at one.
We told stories about our kids, and laughed our asses off.
But I did none of that until I read the Declaration of Independence. I don't count it as scripture, but I sure as hell consider it to be inspired by God.
Did you stop and read the Declaration of Independence today?
Did you let the words sink in?
Do you realize that what those men did 234 years ago was treason?
Did you know they would hang if captured?
Do you realize there was NO GUARANTEE THEY WOULD WIN?
Think about that for a minute.
Now, if you haven't already, go find yourself a copy of the Declaration and read it.
Do it.
Now.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
I did what?
Do you think the Founding Fathers might have said that 234 years ago this morning?
Yesterday, July 2nd, 1776 they issued their own death warrant when the Continental Congress voted for independence from the British throne. Tomorrow they would sign their own death warrant.
How do you think they felt this morning?
Yesterday, July 2nd, 1776 they issued their own death warrant when the Continental Congress voted for independence from the British throne. Tomorrow they would sign their own death warrant.
How do you think they felt this morning?
Thursday, July 1, 2010
We all have to start somewhere, don't we?
Hello everyone!
That's called confidence. Confidence that more than one person will come here to read this site. Someday.
I am a meat eating Christian (Those who are in the Word may understand there is more than one meaning to that statement. More on that later). No reason to deny it. I love to cook meat over an open fire, whether it be a beautiful ribeye cooked hot and fast over red hot coals, or a perfectly marbled packer brisket slow smoked for endless hours to mouth watering perfection. See that picture at the top of the blog? That was my first ever brisket entry at a KCBS contest. It rocked! 5th place out of 39 teams. My own rub, my own sauce.
We are heading into the long Independence Day weekend, and I have yet to figure out what I am going to cook. Today I had a serious hankering for some pinto beans. Maybe that'll be part of it. I don't think I'm going to have time to do a long cook this weekend, so it will likely be brats, burgers, or steaks. I could squeeze in some spare though if I really wanted to.
Sometime in the last few years I find myself waking up on July 4th and breaking out a copy of the Declaration of Independence and reading it through. Have you ever done that? It is an incredible document that was, I believe, inspired by God. How else could men have written such an incredible treatise 234 years ago?
That's gonna have to do it for my first post. Time to go be a dad and help in the garage.
If you have read this, may God be with you until you come back again.
That's called confidence. Confidence that more than one person will come here to read this site. Someday.
I am a meat eating Christian (Those who are in the Word may understand there is more than one meaning to that statement. More on that later). No reason to deny it. I love to cook meat over an open fire, whether it be a beautiful ribeye cooked hot and fast over red hot coals, or a perfectly marbled packer brisket slow smoked for endless hours to mouth watering perfection. See that picture at the top of the blog? That was my first ever brisket entry at a KCBS contest. It rocked! 5th place out of 39 teams. My own rub, my own sauce.
We are heading into the long Independence Day weekend, and I have yet to figure out what I am going to cook. Today I had a serious hankering for some pinto beans. Maybe that'll be part of it. I don't think I'm going to have time to do a long cook this weekend, so it will likely be brats, burgers, or steaks. I could squeeze in some spare though if I really wanted to.
Sometime in the last few years I find myself waking up on July 4th and breaking out a copy of the Declaration of Independence and reading it through. Have you ever done that? It is an incredible document that was, I believe, inspired by God. How else could men have written such an incredible treatise 234 years ago?
That's gonna have to do it for my first post. Time to go be a dad and help in the garage.
If you have read this, may God be with you until you come back again.
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