Well the potatoes are done...

At first I thought my daughter's room smelled weird.  But when I stuck my head inside her doorway and took a big whiff, there was nothing.  As I walked down stairs to get a cup of tea, the odor increasing as I went, I finally discovered what did smell weird — it was my kitchen.

We're having friends over for dinner this evening, and one of the dishes I plan on serving is potato salad.  Thinking I'd get a jump on things, I put potatoes on to boil and then went upstairs to put in some hours at work (it's fiscal year end in a few days, don't you know).  But I completely forgot about the potatoes! 

So the potatoes are "done."  And so are my pan, stove, and kitchen cupboards. 

Actually, though, it's not as bad as the last time I did something like this.  One Sunday morning several years ago I put eggs on to boil and then left for church.  When we returned home hours later, the pan was completely black, burnt egg and egg shells were all over the stove, cupboards and kitchen ceiling, and our dog was cowering in the basement.  In fact, for several months afterwards our dog cowered and whined anytime the stove was turned on or a candle was lit.

But this time wasn't so bad.  Sure, the pan was black again, but there was only a little bit of burnt potatoes on the stove and cupboards.  Nothing was on the ceiling.  And, our dog wasn't cowering in the basement. 

Of course, we no longer have a dog.  She was quite old and we had to have her put down because of quality of life issues.  I'm pretty sure my "egg incident" had nothing to do with those.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

James 3:17

It is of utmost importance that we understand what the Scriptures teach so that we may believe what God has said, for 'faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God' (Rom. 10:17).  The type of 'faith' which some advocate today is sheer superstition, which dispenses entirely with the need for searching or studying the Scriptures.  But the faith which the Scriptures themselves call for is always based on an intelligent understanding of what is said (Mk 6:34; Eph 1:17-18; Col 1:9-10; 2:1-3; 2 Tim 2:15)"

(CR Stam)

Rhubarb Pie

A few weeks ago I finally planted my vegetable garden.  I didn't put in as much as I have in years past — only tomatoes (though several different varieties) and green peppers.  I usually plant green beans too but they are such a pain to harvest. Tons of them hide amongst the green leaves of the plants, and finding and picking them during our typical hot and buggy summers is quite miserable.  Besides, there's always fresh green beans at our grocery store that taste every bit as good.

I also put in something completely new this year — rhubarb.  (Valentine rhubarb, to be exact.)  I love rhubarb!  There's so much you can make with it — jams, breads, muffins, and pies.  Of course my pie, pictured above, does not contain rhubarb from my garden; it takes several years for rhubarb plants to establish themselves.  But I was able to buy fresh rhubarb at our grocery story last week.

Pastry for 9-inch Two-Crust Pie.  If you don't already have a favorite pie crust recipe, try this one here.

1 1/2 c sugar, plus 1 tbsp

1/3 c flour
4 c cut-up rhubarb (1/2-inch pieces)
2 tbsp butter

Heat oven to 425 degrees.  Prepare pastry.  Mix sugar and flour.  Turn half of the rhubarb into the pastry-lined pie plate; sprinkle with half of the sugar mixture.  Repeat with remaining rhubarb and sugar mixture; dot with butter.  Cover with top crust, seal, flute the edges, cut slits in it, and sprinkle with with 1 tbsp sugar.  Bake 40 to 50 minutes, covering with foil for the last 15 minutes to prevent excessive browning.

Stephen and Paul

And Saul approved of his [Stephen's] execution (Acts 8:1).


"Concerning Saul the Lord said to Ananias, 'For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name' (Acts 9:16). What was done unto Stephen was done unto Saul. The Jews and Saul with them, as we believe, disputed and resisted Stephen in the synagogue. The Jews disputed with Paul, resisted him, and rejected his testimony. Stephen was accused of blasphemy; so was Paul (Acts 19:37). Stephen was accused of speaking against Moses, the holy place and the customs; so was Paul (Acts 21:28; 24:6;25:8; 28:17). They rushed upon Stephen with one accord and seized him. The same happened to Paul (Acts 19:29). Stephen was dragged out of the city. So was Paul (Acts 14:19). Stephen was tried before the Sanhedrim; so did Paul appear before the Sanhdedrim. Stephen was stoned and Paul was stoned at Lystra. Stephen suffered martyrdom; so did Paul in Rome. And yet, with all the sufferings that Paul had to undergo, he rejoiced. His eyes rested constantly upon that glorious one, whom Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, beheld in Glory. Later we hear him crying out from the prison in Rome, 'That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death' (Phil. 3:10)." (A.C. Gaebelein)