We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?
There's something special about cookbooks. We can learn about different cultures, history, strangers, even relatives, just by reading cookbooks. With the current unpleasantness it seems there is more home cooking going on that is usual. I've heard it said that "We're all coming out of this either alcoholics or really resourceful gourmet cooks." I know I'd prefer the latter. Resourcefulness is a good thing. To illustrate that, here's a brief cautionary tale:
A new bride called her mother one evening in tears.I've always heard that it's important to know the context of what you're reading. I guess it really does pay to know something about when and where what you're reading was written!
"Oh, Mom, I tried to make Grandma's meatloaf for dinner tonight, and it's just awful! I followed the recipe exactly, and I know I have the recipe right because it's the one you gave me. But it just didn't come out right, and I'm so upset. I wanted this to be so special for George because he loves meatloaf. What could have gone wrong?"
Her mother replied soothingly, "Well, dear, let's go through the recipe. You read it out loud and tell me exactly what you did at each step, and together we'll figure it out."
"Okay," the bride sniffled. "Well, it starts out, 'Take fifty cents worth of ground beef'..."
That goes for Scripture too, of course, and we're about to hit the pinnacle of the Greatest Story Ever Told - here comes Easter! To prepare for that, and considering that we're all stuck at home with our ovens, I've found a great project for you. Please post pictures of your results tagged with #PlagueJournal30.
Read this whole recipe before beginning, and try to do this with family or friends, or whatever co-quarantinians you have tonight: the night before Easter Sunday.
Resurrection Cookies
Even if you don't like or eat these cookies, making them will be a meaningful devotion.
Even if you don't make these cookies, reading this recipe will be a meaningful devotion.
Ingredients:
1 C whole pecans
1 C sugar
3 egg whites
1 t vinegar
pinch salt
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Place pecans in zipper bag and have someone beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces. This represents how Jesus was beaten by the soldiers after His arrest. Read John 19:1-3
Smell the vinegar. Put 1 t into mixing bowl. This represents the vinegar Jesus was given to drink when He was thirsty on the cross. Read John 19:28-30
Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. This represents Jesus giving His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11
Sprinkle a little salt into each person's hand. Everyone should taste it, then put a pinch into the bowl. This represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers. Read Luke 23:27
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 C sugar to the bowl. This is because the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know Him, and to belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 11-15 minutes, until stiff peaks are formed. Now, the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon-full onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:65-66
Put cookie sheet into the oven. Close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each person a piece of tape, and seal the oven door, just as Jesus' tomb was sealed.
GO TO BED!
Although it seems sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight, this represents the despair Jesus' followers felt when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie! Notice the cracked surface, and take a bite: the cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection Day, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb opened and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9
The Lord Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed! Hallelujah!
Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
In times like these, it's more important than ever to come together. Grand Teuton Press is proud to join the #StayHome Movement uniting our entire industry to encourage everyone to stay home if you can to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Together we can save lives. #AloneTogether
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