Month: October 2011

Men Who COOK

Men Who COOK

*Note* I forgot to mention the date for this event – November 12 – from 6-9 Richard is participating as a celebrity chef at a fundraiser in November for Park Avenue Youth and Family Services. The mission of Park Avenue Youth & Family Services is 

Tuesday Create Day – Crayons and Heat

Tuesday Create Day – Crayons and Heat

This idea has been on quite a few blogs lately. like this one, and this one, and this one. But I didn’t have canvas, and I didn’t want my melted crayon art to look just like every body else’s. We’ve been listening to a lot 

Music Monday – Bruno Mars: Just The Way You Are

Music Monday – Bruno Mars: Just The Way You Are

Last year I was talking with one of the youth in my youth group.

She is one of the most beautiful children I have ever met.  Not just in a, her soul is beautiful way either, though it is.  Nor is she beautiful in a “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder,” kind of way either.  Just straight up, she is the picture of beauty.  We were talking about what she brings to school in her lunch.  Celery, spinach, carrots, and sometimes a couple grapes.  When I asked why she packed that she told me:

I am fat, I need to lose weight, and I need to be prettier.

When I asked my middle school girls who they admire last year, unanimously they chose Selena Gomez.  “She’s pretty,” they told me.

The psalmist writes that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”  Our bodies, our faces, our hair, our skin, our teeth, all wonderfully made.

I wish that more girls and women believed the message of this song.  I wish that I believed the message of this song.  But too often, we fall into just what Bruno Mars describes:

I know, I know, when I compliment her she won’t believe me                        

 And it’s so, it’s so sad, to think that she don’t see what I see

But every time she asks me do I look ok? You know I’ll say. . . You’re amazing just the way you are.  

Richard came across this cover of “Just the Way You Are” by Mary Mary the other day.  It’s very sweet.  Erica and Tina sing the song to their daughters.  Bruno sings it to a lover.  But this is a message that both little girls and grown women need to hear again and again.  This is a message that mom’s and dad’s need to tell their children.  This is a message that Pastor’s and minister’s need to speak to their congregations.  This is a song that we must teach our son’s to sing to the women in their lives.   This is a message that needs to be heard.

Something for Your Monday Morning – Prayer for Macaroni and Cheese

Something for Your Monday Morning – Prayer for Macaroni and Cheese

ht – Matt Houchin and the Park Avenue High School Youth Group

Wicked Tenants – Lectionary Sunday, October 2, 2011

Wicked Tenants – Lectionary Sunday, October 2, 2011

Sunday, October 2, 2011 Matthew 21:33-45 Isaiah 5:1-7 The lectionary has a challenging story for us this week: “The Parable of the Vineyard”, or it’s sometimes called “The Parable of the Wicked Tenants.”  Jesus tells a story of tenants who are charged with taking care