NUTS!  

Posted by Daniel in , , ,

Yes that does describe my general sate of mind. However, this post is about delicious candied nuts. You know those nuts that have at the fair? The ones that you can smell from 10 booths away, immediately drawing you in but you pass up because you hate paying $7 for a little bag? Yea those. Well I needed stocking stuffers, and with no fairs around and being the poor recent college student I am (graduated 6 days ago I did) I decided to make my own. Here is the link for the recipe.

Bavarian Vanilla Almonds {Candied Nuts}


Yield: one pound candied nuts

Ingredients:

1 egg white
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract if you are using regular granulated sugar instead of vanilla sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 pound almonds or pecans
3/4 cup of vanilla sugar (if you do have vanilla sugar, simply substitute regular granulated sugar)
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 ½ teaspoons of Vanilla Fleur de Sel (if you do not have Vanilla Fleur de Sel simply substitute fine grain sea salt)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine egg white, vanilla extract and water. Beat mixture until frothy. Stir in almonds and mix to coat.
3. Gently combine sugar, cinnamon, and sea salt and stir into almond mixture, thoroughly coating all nuts.
4. Evenly spread nuts onto prepared baking sheet and place into oven.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
6. When cool, pack in an airtight jar. They will keep at room temperature for about 2 weeks.


I used a mix of walnuts and almonds, they each provide something different in regards to flavor

 I decided I needed coffee at this point. Katz Coffee is a local roasting company that I worked for a couple years ago that makes a great product.

This is what happens to your fine grain salt (or anything) when you have lots of humidity. YAY!

 Spending money on quality spices is a must. Seriously buy them, your food will be so much better.

 Even though I'm TECHNICALLY supposed to be egg free, meh. I haven't noticed any improvements. So yea I used the egg whites. I would think so long as you used finely ground flax, chia, or a commercial egg replacer it would still work, you just don't want lumps. 

 I wanted to add a little spice, but the Ancho Chili really didn't add any. However, it did add a very nice depth of flavor to the nuts. It wasn't so much an identifiable flavor, but it was more complex if that makes any sense.

I did some with the Ancho, and some without. My mother agreed that the ones with the Ancho were better. Interestingly though the sugar on the nuts with the added chili powder was more granular.

 Mmmm... My favorite beverage besides water.

 The finished product!

These are completely addicting and you should make some. NOW! I also tried making kettle corn. Lets just say it was not a shining success... There will be a few more Christmas tinkerings coming soon!

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Put Put or Putt Putt?  

Posted by Daniel in , ,

Do I even say anymore that I know its been awhile since I've posted? Or is it really just a waste of both our time? I'll let you decide.

So back in July we moved my brother up to Arkansas for him to start work on his PhD. After about 4 days of mostly spending time in his apt I got incredibly stir crazy. So I convinced/forced my family to take part in some extended out door activity. We found a putt putt course. Pictures follow.



My brother being ridiculous.

 Same shot, two different focuses for those who can't tell hehe.

 My amazing shoes :D


A fuzzy picture taken by someone else, yes I blame them. 

So there are some aspects of my life that have been missed by all my readers. (right... I have readers, hah! :-p) I have been trying to think of a way to force myself to blog more. I think I am going to find a good cookbook and go through the whole thing. Maybe a recipe or two a week, with photos and perhaps recipes. Though I suppose would that count as me plagiarizing? hmm... Well at least notes and pictures, everybody loves pictures!

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How We Should Work  

Posted by Daniel in

This is an excellent post from A Disciples Notebook on how we should be viewing our jobs, whether it is menial labor or running a Fortune 500 company. Let us not forget as well that our main purpose in whatever we do is to glorify the King of the Universe. So if for no other reason we should work our hardest and do our best.  And thanks to a good friend for long ago sharing this site.



“Three men, all engaged at the same employment, were asked what they were doing. One said he was making five dollars a day. Another replied he was cutting stone. The third said he was building a cathedral. The difference was not in what they were actually doing, although, the spirit of the third might quite possibly have made him the more expert at his task. They were all earning the same wage; they were all cutting stone; but only one held it in his mind that he was helping build a great edifice. Life meant more to him than to his mates; he saw further and clearly. He had a vision of hope in his task.
The farmer may be only planting seed, but if he opens his eyes, he is feeding the world. The railroad man, the factory hand, the clerk in the store, likewise, are building their cathedrals. The investors in stocks and bonds, the executives of great corporations—they are building cathedrals likewise, if only they can catch the vision. The homemaker does not count the dollars she receives for her exertions. If she did, her life might be unhappy indeed.
The rest of us, the great and the humble, are thinking too much about such things as cutting stone and making profits. Stop! Realize the beauty of life. Stir up the hope that lies with you.”
The Omaha Bee Newspaper
Fill Me With Hope, August 1
Compiled by Paul M. Miller

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Two Unrelated Thoughts  

Posted by Daniel in

During the sermon this morning the man preaching (not our regular pastor) encouraged us to read the rest of Colossians to gain a better understanding of the passage we were studying. He said it was only a few pages, and should not take much time at all to read it. This reminded me of something I have thought on before. I think frequently as Christians we treat the Bible differently than other books in regards to how much we read. We easily sit down and read 20 or 30 pages of a book, or an entire section of the newspaper, but gasp when we think about reading more than 2 or 3 chapters in God's Word. It is generally no more than 3 or 4 pages, ok fine sometimes it might even be 7 pages, but it is never much longer than what most people read in blog posts. I certainly agree that we should take Scripture seriously, and spend our time and meditate on it. I just wonder if we have gotten a skewed perspective on reading it, and look at it in an incorrect view.



Adam Clarke's commentary on Aaron interceding for the Isrealites after their grumbling against Moses. (Num 16:41-50)
If Aaron the high priest, with his censer and incense, could disarm the wrath of an insulted, angry Deity, so that a guilty people, who deserved nothing but destruction, should be spared; how much more effectual may we expect the great atonement to be which was made by the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom Aaron was only the type!

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It's ALIVE!  

Posted by Daniel in ,

So yes I've been absent, life has a way of getting in the way of blogging and other activities. As to life, it has been interesting and changing as of late. Things that in some ways I would not have preferred happening, but I think in the end are for the better, and if nothing else grow me in my sanctification. We are so often eager to let God be sovereign in things that we want to do, and I think even accept Him saying no in those things, but if it is something we most certainly don't want to happen, then we have a much harder time accepting God's providence. However, it is always for our better, even if it is not something we thought would ever happen, or want. (Which has me wondering lately about the sovereignty of God is unbelievers lives but thats for another day.) I am doing an internship at Luby's cafeteria this summer. It is going fairly well, I don't think its what I would want to do, but not a bad job.

I made yeast rolls this morning for breakfast, and was going to post pictures, but I can't find my camera cord, so... Maybe I'll post those later. For those of you who remember my allergies, yea... not sticking with those too well at the moment lol.

I thought I had more to say somewhere, but maybe it will reappear in my mind at some point, probably in the middle of church of course. Oh and no, my spelling and grammar has not gotten better since I last blogged. Sorry, but not really.

So stay tooned for more of something, assuming anyone reads this anymore... (yes I meant to put tooned)

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Dog?  

Posted by Daniel in ,

As promised, though somewhat late *cough*, here are pictures of our new dog pumpkin.







She is a tad ridiculous, she enjoys eating kleenex, and if at all possible will climb in your lap...

It is also that lovely time of year where Bluebonnets bloom around campus. I'll try and get some pictures sometime soon. If you have never seen Bluebonnets, or are around campus but don't pass them, I feel immense sorrow for you.

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Notes from Gospel Generosity  

Posted by Daniel in ,

I decided that I would post the outline, and my thoughts from the sermon "Gospel Generosity". I thought maybe those of you who don't have the time right now to listen to the sermon but still wanted to get the gist of it might be interested. And if not... Bake me cookies?

Gospel Generosity 2 Cor 8-9
  9 Marks of Gospel Generosity
(My notes are in sub points)
  1. Our Circumstances should not be the decisive factor in our giving. (8:1-6)
  2. We are to excel in our giving (8:7-8)
    1. We would never think twice about being called to grow in utterance, love, faith, etc. However, we never would consider that we should grow/excel in our giving, yet Paul is calling us to.
  3. Our giving should never be separated from the Gospel.  (8:9)
    1. AKA our generosity should never be separated from the generosity of Christ
    2. Even  if Jesus did not die for us, simply that God created us, sustains us, and has gifted us with our money (and everything else), we should give.
  4. Our giving should be according to our needs. (8:10-12)
    1. Don't put yourself into debt by giving to the Church (or elsewhere). However, still have the willingness to give.
  5. Our giving displays the glory of God. (8:13-15)
  6.  Our giving should be done wisely, and with accountability. (8:16-24)
    1. We need to have wise people within the church who are responsible for the funds given, and they need to be held accountable.
  7. God desires our giving to be done cheerfully (9:6,7)
  8. We should give with expectation to gain a harvest (9:8-11)
  9. Our generosity (or lack thereof) is an evidence of the state of our soul. (8:8, 9:12-15)
    1. Certainly simply being generous (or any other good thing) does not grant salvation, but if it is absent in one who claims Christ, we need be deeply concerned.

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Gospel Generosity  

Posted by Daniel in ,

So this was supposed to happen over a month ago... Whoops? I wish I could claim being so busy it was not possible to blog, but nope, just lax. Ah well, at least it's here now!

Way back yonder my pastor preached a fantastic sermon (well he always does, but that's besides the point) on what our approach, as Christians, should be to giving. He doesn't talk about what percentage, or how often, or any real specifics, which most people associate with sermons on giving. Instead, it is simply what God's Word has to say on the matter.  Here is the link to our sermon archive, and search for Gospel Generosity. Hopefully tomorrow I will get around to posting my notes/outline for the sermon.

Oh, and I might even post pictures of our new crazy(ish) white lab named pumpkin (we didnt name her)

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Worship and why it drives me nuts.  

Posted by Daniel in , ,

Many of you out there who know me have most likely heard my short but heated rant on why I severely dislike, even despise, the use of the term worship leader.  Before I begin I do want to say that this does not come from a hate of music.  I love listening to it, I enjoy making it, I even enjoy studying it to some degree. Second of all I understand that this is strictly semantics for some people and they use it just as the most commonly used term, I don't mind that as much. However, there is still a problem I think that needs to be addressed in regards to this term. This term carries the connotation that music is the only part of our church service and lives that God sees as worship. It also says that because that music is "true" Worship, that it is more important than preaching, fellowship, or any other thing. Once again I want to say that I do love music, and I know that it is precious to God, but it is not all that Worship is.

First off, the meaning of the word Worship in Biblical terms: is to prostrate oneself in homage to something or someone. This definition does not really bring to mind singing or music. We see hands being lifted up in song, but never singing happening being prostrate. If any of you have any experience singing you know being bent over, or lying down does not really produce the best sound, or even is really possible.So the meaning of the word does not really lend itself to a definition of song, certainly not meaning singing only. As well there are 181 uses of the word Worship in the Bible according to BibleGateway. I know that most likely there are more uses, but I think this is a pretty good run at it. Some of them have a reference of singing as part of that usage, but not all. As well some of them (listed below)indicate other things as worship, specifically referring to bowing in worship, or list singing along with worship.

When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to the camp of Israel and said, "Arise, for the LORD has given the camp of Midian into your hands."

All the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the LORD upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the LORD, saying, " Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting."

While the whole assembly worshiped, the singers also sang and the trumpets sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.

Moreover, King Hezekiah and the officials ordered the Levites to sing praises to the LORD with the words of David and Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with joy, and bowed down and worshiped.

Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, " Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

" All the earth will worship You,And will sing praises to You;They will sing praises to Your name." Selah.

Thus the LORD will make Himself known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day. They will even worship with sacrifice and offering, and will make a vow to the LORD and perform it.

and he said to Him, " All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me."

And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God's Son!"

[ Dedicated Service ] Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

So looking at the word's definition and the use of it in the Bible I believe that while singing can be/is a part of Worship it is not all that worship is. Another part of this is the use of the term Worship Leader. As already discussed when applying the term Worship it gives an incorrect understand of what Worship is. So when Worship is put together with Leader it creates an incorrect impression that the music leader is the head of Worship. In the very least we should consider them on equal footing with the pastor, at most they should be considered lower than the pastor. Most certainly the music leader is important, don't get me wrong, but we must consider what our labels show to others.

As I said music is near and dear to my heart, and I know God loves it, and this is not coming from dislike of it. However, words and labels can be extremely powerful, and I believe we need to be careful with how we label and structure our churches. As I also said I know some people just use it as the most convenient label, but even to them I pray that you will search your heart and make sure you are no improperly weighing one part of worship over another.

Solo Deo Gloria

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Are you ready to decrease in 2011?  

Posted by Daniel

As promised, here is the sermon from last week. On the player look for Are you ready to decrease in 2011?. It should be at, or near the top, or you can search for it. This sermon is on Mark 6:14-29, which is on John the Baptist being executed by Herod Antipas. I really liked this sermon because it was a reminder to check who we are seeking to please in the upcoming year - ourselves or God. Also, as Christians on earth we sometimes "lose" in the worlds eyes, as John does here with the loss of his life. However, while we may "lose" here, we ultimately win in Heaven.

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Would you like a tree with that quilt?  

Posted by Daniel in , , , , ,

So finally after two years my mother finished my graduation quilt! Now most of that time was because I never got around to going to the fabric store to pick out the backing I wanted. So it was my fault not hers, but I am very happy to have it! Sorry for the blurry pictures.



Aforementioned backing, tis a lovely plaid flannel. (The plaid is obvious... But I decided to mention it anyway :D)

Another of today's activities was doing some tree trimming. Or tree felling... By the way, if you are looking for extremely good exercise I would highly recommend splitting wood.



Tree.

I meant to post last weeks sermon from my church previously, but I somehow just never quite got around to it. Well I fully intend to tomorrow, yes when another one will be on the podcast as well, oh well. I would do it tonight, but I need to find my notes, and its past my bed time anyway.


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Reverb10: Community  

Posted by Daniel in

Yes I do realize that it is now 2011, and all Reverb10 posts were supposed to be done by dec 31st 2010, but too bad, they aren't. I might be going back to do ones before this one, but this is the one that has been bouncing around my red frocked head so I'm doing this one.

Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

I "discovered" community in 2010 at our new church of Baptist Church of the Redeemer. At the end of 2009 for various reasons we (my family) decided to look for another church. We wound up at BCR, and started seriously attending in February or so. I feel at home here, I always miss it even if I'm gone for just one week, and there is a warmth and love from everyone that is amazing. It is far from a perfect church but I love it, and wouldn't give it up. It has been an amazing time, and I look forward to many more years there. (That's the answer to the second part) The people are truly caring, they are very real, and are truly concerned about how you are doing. Its a fantastic church, certainly not perfect as no church is, but I believe we are seeking after God in all we do. I would recommend it for anyone who is looking for a church.

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Christmas 2010  

Posted by Daniel in , ,

Christmas can be such an interesting time. We get together with family, exchange presents, eat lots of food, and should be celebrating the birth of the Son of the Most High. It should be a happy, joy filled time, bursting with thankfulness towards EL SHADDAI at the very least. Yet for so many people its an uncomfortable, semi-joyous time. You may or may not get what you want, you have to be civil towards your relatives (who you don't really like) and celebrating when Christ chose to bind Himself to a weak, human form is far from their minds.
I'm not sure what the point of all that was but there it is.

For me this Christmas (and every one preceding it) was a very good one. I started reading a book about church membership and discipline, which I am just barely in to but really looking forward to. I also received for Christmas the Johnathan Edwards Essential series, which I am also really looking forward to reading. I am also getting a new pair of cowboy boots which I really need. As well as several other good things, including the first CD from the Welcome Wagon. If you haven't heard them, you should go do that, NOW! Anyway, it was a good Christmas. 

Another thing that made it a good time was that after Christmas, my dad, brother and I went down to my dad's cousins ranch to go hunting. Before anyone gets on me for hunting let me lay a few things out first. I hunt for meat, not for sport. We hunt so that we can have another source of meat. Also, killing one of God's creatures is not an easy thing to do. However, it is within our Biblical rights, and God provided His creatures to nourish us. I am thankful for what He has given, and it was a reminder that what He has given is precious, and that He has provided for us. 

It was also a time to marvel at God's creation. If any of you have been to South Texas you know it that is a bleak, one might say even desolate place. At the same time it is amazing to look at the plants, and animals that God has designed to survive in such land. There are even small bits of color that God has made to brighten up everything else.We can choose to look at the world around us as mundane, or we can marvel at what God has created, even in the little things.

Here are a few photos from our trip. Some are from near my grandparents house.





We shall meet down the road.

P.S. My candy cane attacked me today. Watch out for them, they be deadly.

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Humble Indie Bundle  

Posted by Daniel in ,

Well rather fittingly after reading about the Humble Indie Bundle on someone elses blog, I got it myself for Christmas from my cousin. For those of you who are not familiar with it. The bundle is a group of games from several different indie game developers to benefit charity. They are mostly different forms of puzzle/challenge games. One of the most fun is Braid, its basically a mixture of Mario, a jigsaw puzzle, and Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. Its highly amusing, the music is amazing, and basically it will eat your entire day if you're not careful. Than there is Osmos. You are an amoeba and  your objective is to absorb as many other single cell life forms as possible.  Its one of those games that frustrates you so much, and yet you must continue playing! Overall it is a really good deal, especially because you choose how much to give. So if you like puzzle/challenge games I would highly recommend it.  

Edit: I should probably also mention that you have a little under 2 days at this point to purchase the bundle. 

And as for Reverb10 Posts... Eh they're coming lol

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Reverb10 Post 1: One Word  

Posted by Daniel in

Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

 I think I would have to go with Change. No, that has nothing at all to do with our President, not that he has really changed much anyway.

There has been quite a bit of change this past year, all of it good, I think at least lol. We changed churches, my brother and I started a bakery, and of course school is always changing. I worked at Katz coffee, which was my first per say "factory" experience. Not exactly factory, but large scale, product production, without any real customer contact. It has been an interesting year, good, but interesting.

As to what word I would like to embody 2011? I think it would be faith. I know a dangerous thing to ask for lol. I'm not really just talking about general faith that God is in control, though I can also use a greater dose of that. But I want to have faith like a child, I want to have the faith that moves mountains. Faith that has rest in knowing that God will do what I ask in faith. Lord help my unbelief!

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December random post  

Posted by Daniel in , , , ,

So its time for my monthly blog post :D

This one is certainly a mishmash of random stuff, but those are the fun ones right?

Through someone elses blog I have been considering doing reverb10's month of reflection. Which being that it is the middle of the month I suppose I should get working on that if I am going to do it... I do think some of the prompts are rather silly, so I most likely won't be doing all of them, assuming I do any at all.

As well I plan on making myself a flannel sheet, which I'm sure many of my readers can attest that cold sheets are not welcome in the midst of winter.

I also intend to fix my moccasins before the school break ends. See picture below for reasons why.





We also intend on replacing our sliding glass doors on our back porch, as one of them pretty much refuses to open now. This will also involve building in a couple new windows, so that should be interesting and might even involve pictures!

I have also begun running everyday (not counting the weekend) 1. Because I need exercise, and 2 because I want a pair of these! *insert big grin*





The idea behind the shoes is to basically be running barefoot (when you have better balance and save more energy) but still have a bit of protection.


I also am trying making cookies with coconut sugar (insert your own picture) we shall see how those turn out.

Well thats it for now, we'll see how it all goes!

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Man's Chief End.  

Posted by Daniel in ,


 "What is man's chief end? Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." Enjoy Him forever. (From the Westminster confession of faith shorter catechism) It honestly sounds wonderful, but something I think all believers struggle with in one form or another.  It is certainly something we should strive for as He is our end all, and without Him we cannot even exist. However, is that really part of our chief end? Is it our end all, our reason for existing? If this is man's main purpose in life, then in the end (after we die, and we are judged to either Heaven or Hell) we will accomplish this task no matter what. There are two sides of this though, from a believer’s perspective, and from a non-believers perspective.
For Believers: It could be easy to say that this is part of our main purpose. We should be enjoying Him, if for no other reason (and there are many more reasons than this alone) than He chooses to save us from death and damnation. We will also be doing this once we reach glory.
For Non-believers: We know they are glorifying God, at least indirectly in how we figure things. They are certainly not singing Him praises, or attributing good things to Him. However, at the very least when they reach Hell they will be glorifying Him by receiving the punishment that is their due and just reward. I think we can all agree though that there is very little of their enjoying God in Hell.
So then, how can part of man's chief end be to enjoy Him forever if it applies to everyone? I could accept this a bit more if it was only a Christian’s chief end, but as far as I know this was not the intention of the writers of the Westminster confession. Even still it would not sit well. Not to mention the passage the catechism uses to support this does not really speak to it in my opinion.
The verse they use to support it is Ps73:25, 26 
25Whom have I in heaven but You?
         And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. 
26My flesh and my heart may fail,
         But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 

I have two problems with this. 1. This is basically a hymn written to the Lord, not a command, not even a wise saying, like proverbs. Now I certainly understand that it is inspired, and most certainly should be what we desire but still, a bit weak for a command. 2. This is the psalmist saying what is his heart's desire, not necessarily a direct command, and certainly far from our ultimate purpose.

I just feel that while enjoying God is something we should do, it is not part of man's chief end. Though giving God the glory certainly is. :)

Any thoughts?

soli deo gloria

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