Hey for those that didnt know, I was briefly in TN and GA this past weekend for a quick trip before school started. I had such a blast it was great! I wish I could have hung out with everyone but there was just not enough time! Fourtunately, in 4 months that won't be a problem because I'm moving to Chattanooga! Its been an interesting journey making the decision but I think its definitely where the Lord is leading me to go. I'm currently working on getting my transcripts in order so I can finish up at UTC in a couple of semesters. I'll keep ya'll updated.

So on the plane ride home last night I read this verse in my Bible while I was killing time. Its from Ecc 9:7 "Go,eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do." As a disclaimer I should point out that I'm not into taking one verse and building an entire world view out of it, but this verse has been resonating with me in light of several convos I have with TP and others over the last few weeks. The main thing I keep going back to is what it looks like to live well?

Am I doing it?

Do I find joy in the meanial and the everyday things I do?

Am I living life with others in a way that brings them joy?

Another thing that I've been thinking about is that God approves of what we do! And the cool thing is its not necessarially because of what we do but because of what he has done for us through His son Jesus Christ. When we are living out our relationship with Christ we will want to live life in holiness, even through our struggle with sin. It reminds me a lot of Augustine's quote "Love God and do as you please." So many times we struggle with this idea that we can fall out of God's Will based on something we do. I just don't think thats biblical. If we are living out our relationship with Christ then he is pleased by the decisions we make,( the exception of course being when we sin) So that gives us SO much freedom to live life, being joyful all along the way. How awesome is that?

So in between doing laundry and school stuff I thought I'd post a little sumthin, sumthin. Ususally when I do the whole blog thing, I have a set topic or idea in mind and have an idea of what I'm going to say, but today I think I'm just going to wing it.God has really been challenging me on a lot of things recently. Specifically, on what santification, community and on His Character as it relates to those two things.

In regards to the first thing, it seems so many of us want to have an "experience" with Jesus Christ. Usually this consists of a going to a conference, a retreat, or something and getting a "spiritual high" at the end. Then a couple of weeks later after we've processed the experience, we look foward to the next time we'll experience something similar. I think theres also this frustration for some of us when we experience God in a powerful way like that and then go back to our everyday lives wondering why we don't have those experiences everyday.

While those experience are incredible important to our growth as Christians, I'm finding that so much of the Christian life is the daily process of Sanctification in our lives. In 1 Peter 1:1-2 Peter talks about how the process is created by the Holy Spirit producing obedience in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus Christ. I think the flipside of that, is that God wants to have a daily relationship with us as well. He doesn't wait for us to come to Him on the mountaintop, but wants to be with us throughout our everyday experiences! How amazing is that?!

I think the process also relates to how we connect in community. So many of us think that as long as its just me and Jesus that everything else doesn't really matter, but that is just not the case. The way we connect with one another greatly effects the way we relate to God and vice versa. Think about what Jesus said are the two greatest commandments. First we should love God, but secondly we must also love one another. I think without being in some kind of community you can't properly do either one of those. Now just to be clear, I'm not saying go to a megachurch and get to know everyone there. I would actually argue that community starts with at least two people and grows from there.

I started going through Acts yesterday and one of the first things you see is what authentic community looks like. Look at 2:42 "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." When I read this I see 4 things that define what authentic community looks like: 1) The teaching/preaching of God's Word, 2) Fellowship 3) Hospitality 4) Prayer. All four of these things are so important especially in our culture today. If we don't do this are we not in community? I'm honestly not sure. I definitely lean towards no though.

Anyways seeing that this is post is becoming a little long winded I might post a part 2 later on this week. Here are a couple of final thoughts:

1. Are you living for a spirtual high or are you working through the daily process of sanctification in your own life?

2.What is the process looking like in your own life?

3. Are you comfortable just having a relationship with Jesus Christ or are you in authentic community with other Christians?

4. If you are in a strong community of believers, in what was are you personally encouraging those around you?

So if you've been following my Twitter or Facebook feeds you might have seen that I've recently started working on a concept album called Postmodern Hymns. The project is based around the idea that there are some great hymns out there with amazing lyrics but unfortunately dated arrangements. I'm basically trying to update the sound and still keep the message of the songs the same so that a new generation can discover some great music with solid theology. It's an ambitious undertaking but it's something I'd like to do...

Here's a tenative track listing:

1.Be thou my vision
2.Beautiful Scandalous night
3.Before the Throne
4.Come Ye Sinners
5.Nothing but the Blood
6.Come Thou Fount
7.All Creatures of our God and King
8.Arise my Soul Arise

9.Praise to The Lord, The Almighty
10.Oh Lamb of God
11.Amazing Love
12.Holy Holy Holy
13.Oh for a THousand tongues to sing
14.Oh the Deep Deep Love of Jesus
15.Oh Worship the King
16.Thou Lovely Source of true delight

So I am not someone who likes to jump on fads. I didn't get an iPod when they first came out. I wasn't into the myspace/Facebook craze at first. I only now am seeing how OS x is superiour to Windows in almost every way. So when I signed up for my twitter account, at first I asked myself "what's the point?" Most of my friends are on Facebook so it seemed kinda dumb just have a site that basically did what Facebook status updates did with less ammount of characters ( about 140 including spaces) But the more I used the more I realized that it's an amazing window into the world of people in my region. People are so willing to share what's going on in their own lives. It's really quite amazing. For those of us who are Christians, it's a great tool for understanding the local culture we're immersed in. You can see the popuular 3rd places that people socialize. You can see the music and enterainment that people are into. You can also see the issues that people struggle with. It's so much information and it litterally can be accessed from your fingertips. If we are serious about reaching people in our own particular contexts, then we have to understand our local cultures and not just western/eastern culture as a whole. So I seriously recommend getting a Twitter account, even if you don't plan on using it for personal updates.

SO Its been about a little more than a month since I left California, ( which henceforth shall be called Purgatory) and after coming back to CLM's kitchen here in Indiana, its been interesting comparing the experiences. Here are a few lessons I've learned:

First, stress does not ever go away in a kitchen, no matter how well its ran.  The important thing is how you deal with it. There are always going to be factors that you cannot control, so you are just going to have to get over it.

Second, focus on the stuff you can control. Like it or not being a sous chef means that the majority of what the guest experiences during service is all on you, good or bad.  If you burn that piece of chicken, or run out of food, that's no ones fault but your own. So don't let it happen!

Third, work with a purpose.  Why am I doing what I do?  Is it for my glory or God's? Am I a hard worker or just lazy ass? Do I work hard even when it seems pointless? That last question was an especially difficult question for me to ask when I was in Cali.  When you work with a purpose its makes any job, even a tedious one, more focused, and I think easier.

Lastly, Font of the house service is the number one priority.  As a guy that is more comfortable being behind the scenes instead of front and center, this a difficult thing for me to do. During service I'd rather be on a grill than checking  the food line. But as a leader you gotta be able to put yourself out there, so that you're ensuring that the guest is having the best service possible. You can't do that in front of a fryer.

I've been  thinking a little bit about the kitchen crew I left in Cali. How are they holding up? What impact did we leave with them? Have they used any of the lessons we taught them or have they gone back to the way it was before we came?

Its also been cool being back at CLM. The kitchen crew is solid, professional, and really cares about what they are trying to do. I've also got a lot of positive feedback from the staff. Its a culture shock but a good one!


One last note, I'm sorry for the lack of updates, I keep getting people asking about what my plans are for the fall, and so Ill take this opportunity to set the record straight.

1. I'm not going to be in TN this fall like I originally thought. To all my TN friends I'm sorry for giving out more false hope! To all my NWI friends, um lets hang out?
2. I'm attending PUC in August, and in the spring I'll either be at PUC, UTK, or PU in Laffeyette
3. Obviously, I'm still working at CLM for the time being, if/when things start slowing down, I'll be working (hopefully) at restaurant in the area.

 

So tonight was my last shift at Pine Summit. I couldn't have had a better experience ending my time here. We menued out Pork Tenderloin, Italian Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Normandy Style Vegtables and Wheat Rolls. I took charge of the proteins and made special marinades for both meats. I slow roasted the pork for 5 hours at 275 and grilled the chicken on a flat top grill. Both turned out great, so much so that the group gave us a standing ovation!

Now I share this not primarily to toot my own horn, but to say that, despite what the higher ups might think, I feel like every meal that I have served has been a great experience for the guests I've served. And tonights meal has vindicated any doubts I've had about my performance.

But more importantly than my performance, the main lesson I've taken from my experiences here is that a good meal can enable people to get more out of their Retreat experience and grow closer to God. And at the end of the day, that's what it's all about. In a service environment, by definition, it isn't about you, it's about who your serving. In a christian camp environment, your serving not just the guest at the camp, but also Christ himself. It's very humbling thing to think about.

Well, that's my rant for today. In other news Elyse is flying in tomorrow and I can't wait! One week of hanging out and then Im off to TN for a couple of weeks!

Layers
J



Ps I figured out how to blog post from my itouch...this changes everything.

Posting test from iPod touch

Posting test from iPod touch

So 8 weeks after arriving here in sunny California, the Wilson Clan has decided to move to Tennessee. There are many reasons why we've made this decision, some of which I can't get into on here, but its suffice to say that our philosophy of ministry doesn't line up with that of the leadership of the camp. It really is a shame, especially since there is so much potential here, but we definitely have peace about our decision. God brought us out here for a reason and we realized that it has nothing to do with our jobs at the camp. We've learned a lot of lessons and can leave knowing that we've made a positive impact on the people that matter.

Its a really exciting time for us, especially for my parents. The opportunity to move back to TN seems like a no brainer to us. Its also a good opportunity for us to be salt and light in a secular environment, as opposed to living in a Pharisacal bubble and wasting our time and talents.

I also just want to say thanks to all the people in Cali who have made us feel welcome and loved, (you know who you are, and both of you will be missed!)

To everyone who've followed our journey thus far please, please, please, continue to keep us in your prayers as we live to glorify God in everything we do.




P.s In a previous post I mentioned how I'd like to read through the entire book of Leviticus before I left BB, and much to my amazement I did so! (Refer to post "Smoke Fills the Air")

So as often as I can I like to find inspiration from other chefs who actually know what they're doing. Thanks to google reader, i discovered this chef outta San Fran who started a blog about his experiences as a line cook, curiously enough called...line cook. So I was reading his more recent post about his kitchen brigade. For all you peeps who aren't familiar with the lingo the KB is basically your kitchen crew who are responsible for putting out whatever food you eat at the restaurant (or in my case conference center.) Anyways he shares some interesting thoughts about putting the guest's experience/needs above his own crew, and this idea is always my reason for doing what I do here at my job.

Bottom Line: the brigade DOES NOT exist if there aren't any guests.


http://linecook415.blogspot.com/2009/05/brigade.html

Smoke fills the air.

Bleeting is heard in the background. I lay my hand on the head the young bull. I take my knife to the animals neck and slit its throat. I place a bowl at the open wound and collect the animal's blood. Before me is an altar.I take the blood and sprinkle it against altar.

Its a gruesome sight, but it is required. Therefore I must do it.


I take the animal and hang it by its hooves in the air. I take my knife and run it from the carcass's tail to the base of its skull, removing its skin. I then begin removing pieces of the carcass, its legs, tail, torso, and skull. Standing before the altar, I arrange the animal in the way in which Elhoim requires. The organs and fat are cleaned and also placed before the LORD. The fatty aroma feels the air around me.

This is what I must do, this is what the Lord requires...


So I'm sitting here reading Leviticus chapter one and smelling of charcoal from grilling dinner tonight. It such an interesting experience to read about animal sacrifices when you smell charcoal in the air. Its like your senses are transported to that time.

I feel like I gotta read through the entire book before I leave Big Bear.

So I was off today and decided to try a fish and chips recipe I've been working on. Heres the recipe:

Fish And Chips

## 1 Cup Rice flour
1 Cup AP Flour
# 1 tablespoon baking powder
# 3 teaspoons salt, plus more for seasoning
# 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
# 1 (12-ounce) can Mountain Dew
# 1 large egg, lightly beaten
# 2 (8-ounce) Mahi Mahi fillets cut into strips
# 1/2 cup rice flour, for dredging
# Malt vinegar, for serving

Directions-

Crank the oil temperature up to 375 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper. Combine Mountain Dew and egg
and pour into the flour mixture. Whisk to a smooth batter. Spread the rice flour on a plate. Dredge the fish pieces in the rice flour and then dip them into the batter, letting the excess drip off. Fry for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown.


Chips:

Potatoes
Canola Oil
seasoning (to taste)

Wash and cut potatoes into halves and then cut into 3rds yielding 6 wedges per potato. Cover in oil and season. Cook in a for 20 minutes at 450. turn over and cook on the otherside for another 20 minutes.

You guys really should try this sometime! The mountain dew really gives the fish a nice citrus flavor and makes the batter light and fluffy.

I also tried to make some scotch eggs which were good but not my favorite...


Check out the facebook album for some pics and a couple of vids!

So I'm sitting here on my lunch breack at CLM catching up on my blogs.  Over the last few days I keep finding out about some of my favorite preachers have such single-sided views of scriptures and it really breaks my heart.  I get that not everyone can preach a 12 year series on the book of Romans (not a jab at you Tony, I'm thinking of J Piper,) and thats totally cool. But to say that not all Scripture is applicable to where I'm at now is just stupid. People who play Bible rullete tend to hold to this view. In fact I would argue that expository preaching, and sequential Bible study enables us to apply the Bible in our particular context better than any other preaching or studying practice. I would also argue that this is the way Jesus and the apostles taught as well,( Road to Emmauss anyone?) Its also interesting to me that those who preach this way are also the most culturally engaging preachers as well, (Matt Chandler, Mark Driscoll, Tim Keller,  heck even Rob Bell did an exposition of Philipians last year!) Anyways, just my two cents, what are your thoughts?

SO I've been thinking somewhat about the way we process scripture.  I recently have started listening to an audio version of the Bible and as a result, its been harder for me to sit down and read it. I'm not a big reader in the first place, but I was always told that you have to READ your Bible, in order to grow. In our fast paced, technological age, sitting down and reading may not be an option for some people.  What are your thoughts? Given the option would you rather listen, watch, or read the Bible? 

So this Friday, Lord Willing, I'll be brewing my newest,(and hopefully best) beer yet, a Belgian Dubbel. Dubbel's are strong ales that have a deep monastic roots. The particular one I'm brewing is based on a recipe brewed at Affligiem Abbey in 1129CE. Located in Belgium, the Abbey was founded in the late 1000's by former crusaders who repented for their sins and joined the Benedictine Order. It later became a popular stop for pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land.As a Christan and also as a brewer, I find a certain kinship with these warrior monks. It'll be a cool experience to drink something similar to what they did back then. 

So I found out today that Paul Kahan (of Avec and Blackbird in Chicago) just opened a gastropub called the Publican. I love the idea of simple delicious food with an amazing selection of food. As soon as I get my tax return back, I know where I am going to go.  Here's an idea of what to expect. 

So I've been thinking a lot about the way I do ministry in light of where God has put me, (Acts 17.)

I've been doing a Bible study with a couple of guys from my church, going through Galatians. The whole book is about Paul refuting the Jewish believers who are forcing their rules, customs, and culture on the newly accepted Gentile believers.  Although we're only in chapter 2, Paul has already argued that religion, (and the cultural customs that come along with it,) don't justify men before God, only Jesus can, through his death and resurrection.

For me this is very convicting as a 21st century Christian living in the USA, (totally cliche' right?) Being a church kid that became saved at an early age, I've been surrounded by the Christian culture most of my life. There are certain rules, I've followed, certain people I associate myself with, certain beliefs that I don't question, etc... So one thing I struggle with is being judgmental of my fellow bros & sis who are Christians but haven't been brought up in the same religious culture I have. Most of them have a lot more baggage, (although that's pretty relative!) and just "don't get it," when it comes to "living" the Christian lifestyle.  I struggle with converting them to Christian culture instead of discipling, and loving them.

I struggle being a modern Judizer.

So here are a few questions:

How many of us struggle with this if we were honest with ourselves?

How does this effect the way we share the gospel with people?

How does this effect those we are in community with (Christian and non?)

In what ways can we change?


I'll leave you with this passage, gal 2 17-21

Have some of you noticed that we are not yet perfect? (No great surprise, right?) And are you ready to make the accusation that since people like me, who go through Christ in order to get things right with God, aren’t perfectly virtuous, Christ must therefore be an accessory to sin? The accusation is frivolous. If I was “trying to be good,” I would be rebuilding the same old barn that I tore down. I would be acting as a charlatan.

Today I did my own take on egg in a basket, heres the result.

So this is a deconstruced version of a typical Ice Cream Cone I did a while back. I like ice cream.

So I've decided that I want to begin going through a lectionary this year. Its a really cool way of implementing Scripture with worship and historical Christianity. For more info check out the wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revised_Common_Lectionary