Saturday, January 15, 2011

Cooking with Beer


Earlier this week I made beer bread. It turned out alright, but I think it could have used a little more time in the oven as it turned out a bit doughy in the middle. The recipe was pretty simple. Here it is if you want to try it.

3 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
12 oz. bock or lager

Combine all ingredients and bake for 1/2 hour at 350 in a greased loaf pan.

I used Boston Lager for my beer. Next time I might go with a lighter beer, and try baking it for a bit longer. If you try this let me know.

Later today I'm making pancakes that call for beer. I'll be sure to post how that goes.

As far as the East from the West

Pslam 103:12 reads, "As far as the east from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us" (ESV).

Struggling with habitual sin is something so many deal with, myself included. It is easy to feel unclean and unworthy of God when this sin starts to take control and we feel helpless to break free of it. We grow weary of coming before God time and time again as we plea for forgiveness and for help to be rid of this heavy burden. "Lord, I've failed again." My friend Steve pointed out last night, that if that verse above is true then God's response might be, "Again?"

God has already separated us from our sin before, and he can do it again. Even in our lowest moments, when we feel that we have wandered too far, a fresh start is available; God is ready to separate us from our sin again. Thank God for that.

Recently I've seen friends on both sides of this. I have friends who are self-loathing, feeling worthless and undeserving of God's love and grace. It sucks. At the same time I am excited to see my friends who are crying out to God for a revival of their heart. The excitement they have for God is contagious and you can't help but want to glorify Him when you are around them.

In myself, as I struggle with the same sins over and over again I have to keep reminding myself the God can and does separate me from my sins. My favorite verse of any song goes "My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more! Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, oh my soul!" What comfort it brings to know that there is nothing I can do to separate myself from the love of God.

Friends, what has been bringing you comfort lately?