Cindy's Red Wine Shortribs

I am so excited to post one of the great recipes I borrowed from my friend Cindy. So here is the first one. Get your slow cooker or crock pot ready. More too follow.

Serves 4

2 C. dry red wine
2 T. tomato paste
1 packet au jus gravy mix
1/2 tsp. kosher or sea salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
8 shallots, halved
8 beef short ribs (approximately 3 lbs.)
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

In slow cooker, whisk together red wine, tomato paste, gravy packet, salt, pepper and thyme.

Add the ribs, placing them meatiest side down. Cover and cook until the meat is very tender, on low 8 to 10 hours; high 4-6 hours. Add shallots. You may also add mushrooms if you like.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the ribs to a plate. Using a ladle, skim and discard any fat from the sauce. Spoon sauce over ribs and sprinkle with parsley.

This is great served with garlic mashed potatoes and a green vegetable.

Where would I be?

So I often wonder where I would be without Jesus in my life. I mean, would I know what peace is, spiritually and emotionally speaking? Would I recognize contentment if I saw it? Would I have learned that all of the money and possessions and stuff this world has to offer could never bring me happiness? I don't think so. As a 46 year-old I might still be searching for these real but unseen values in life.

Religion is so not the answer. This photograph represents a gorgeous church in Savannah, Georgia. This church doesn't even hold the answers to life's big questions. A relationship with Jesus holds the answers. Simply put, He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. If you are wondering where to find some answers, look to Him...not a building, not his people, not your friends or family. Just look to Jesus. The answers will come if you ask.

Son of Hamas

I'm just going to quote part of what is written on the back of this book jacket. Hopefully, it will whet your appetite to pick up this moving memoir. Grab a used copy on www.amazon.com. It is current a New York Times Bestseller.

"But everything changed when Mosab embraced the teachings of another famous Middle Eastern leader."
What he learned changed his life and could alter the course of his country's future---forever.
He understands that the Biblical mandate of the Bible "to love your enemies" is the only way to peace in the Middle East. http://www.amazon.com/Son-Hamas-Gripping-Political-Unthinkable/dp/1414333072/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1286837536&sr=8-1

Lord, Save us from your Followers review

I love me some Jesus ya'll know I do. The problems I have occur when Christians give our neighbors who are lost or hurting real good reasons dislike us.

For example, we are continually viewed as judgmental and pretty often we just are.
We are viewed as not caring about the social issues that surround us like poverty, homelessness, alcohol and drug addiction, peace, justice, etc. I could go on but won't for the sake of this movie review.

One of my favorite parts of the movie was the take on Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz Confessional Booth. In the movie Christians sat in a confessional and let non-believers walk in for a chat. The Christian apologized for hurts that may have been inflicted upon the confesse (many of which were gay or lesbian, or of other faiths), by Christians in general. The responses were amazing. It was as if no Christian had ever apologized to them for Gay Bashing, being hypocritical, intolerant of other beliefs. You get my drift here. Some were homeless and felt as if no one really cared or would even hug them on the street.

Some had never even had an open conversation and felt loved by a "Christian." Loved. Accepted for being a real human being with questions or needs. Isn't that what we all desire in our deepest soul? And isn't it up to us as those who know Jesus to demonstrate his love to our neighbors?

I'd add Red, Yellow, Black or White here too, because we are all precious in His sight. So, go to Netflix and rent the movie, or add it to your instant queue. It's an eye-opening documentary that reveals how we are perceived.

everyday simplicity quote for the day

Spiritual kindness is, at its core, offering people acceptance, as well as a little of our time and attention when they are with us, no matter what their response to us may be.
Spiritual Tenet 18 from "everyday simplicity," by Robert J. Wicks

Mathare Valley