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Rev. Dave's Blog: Dining On The Word
Trinity United
Methodist Church
Orrville, Ohio
Open Heart. Open Minds. Open Doors.
Rev. Dave Kowaleski's Blog
Rev. Dave Kowaleski shares a monthly word of inspiration for the congregation. This is an archive of past articles. To see the most recent blog entry, CLICK HERE.
In Jesus' ministry we see times when even he found it necessary to get away for a period of rest and refreshment. Many times he would go to a place away from the crowds and distractions. If this were important for Jesus it is something we too need to do for our health and well being.
One of the places I go to get away from the crowds and distractions is the kitchen. Not to eat, but to pull out a favorite recipe. I find that when I start measuring and reading the directions I can put all else aside, concentrate on what I'm preparing and end up with a creative and fulfilling result.
In thinking about this article, I thought of taking all of this a step further. For the course of this year and into next, I will be sharing some of my favorite recipes and looking at them from a biblical perspective. The title of this series will be "Dining on the Word." I hope that this will offer something different but meaningful to our journey of faith. Remember, some of Jesus' most effective ministry was centered around a meal.
This month's recipe is Corn Bread. I like mine with either honey or maple syrup and it goes great with winter meals like chili. Bread is something we find in virtually all households and is symbolically used in many ways throughout Scripture. One of the most familiar uses is from John 6:35 as "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.'"
These are important words in a world that is constantly changing. Jesus says he's not some fleeting, momentary experience that we encounter once in our lifetime only to move on to something else. Jesus promises to be a daily-bread presence for all who believe in him. His presence sustains and nourishes us everyday with wholeness that fills our life as nothing else.
It's a daily-bread presence that is life giving. He is our bread, our food, our source for daily spiritual nourishment. It's the promise of full participation in the presence of God.
It's a daily presence that's intimate. It offers us an opportunity to come close to the presence of Jesus, just as we are, to be transformed from within to discover our design and place in the world now and beyond.
It's a daily presence that's mysterious. It put us in touch with an awesome God that's far beyond our understanding. As someone once said, "There is a mountain top as well as a table top quality to the diving presence." It's his wonderful, mysterious grace that first invites us to his table. It's there that we find the bread of life that truly satisfies even our deepest hunger and thirst.
CORN BREAD
½ cup cornmeal ¼ tsp salt
½ cup all purpose flour 1 egg, beaten
2 Tbs sugar ½ cup milk
2 tsp baking powder 2 Tbs shortening, melted
In a bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, blend egg, milk, shortening; stir into dry ingredients. Pour into a greased
8-in x 4-in loaf pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until a clean knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan and serve warm.
