Why non-Christians are unable to love where it matters

One of my non-Christian friends posed this question on me when I was engaged to Tim. Below was my response in an email ~

Even though it seems like a simple question, it is actually quite complicated to understand. However, it can be summed up easily and a simple answer would be this: an essential part of loving is to point the other person to the Gospel and to God. Non-Christians obviously would not do this because they don’t see the value in it.

Now to elaborate on that, Christians see value in this because it is the core of what is “perfect” love. Unlike what most people think, love is more than mere emotion. Emotion is fickle and sometimes fleeting — Love is more than that, it is consistent. I think most people can understand this idea to an extent. For example, when parents love their children, it’s not because their children are always lovable or parents always feel loving towards their kids. It’s something more than that, however, I don’t think most people can clearly define what love really is or why they try to love.

For Christians, it is simply this: God is love (definition). We try to love because God loves us (reason).

The bible says: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.* Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

*This is the Gospel (very streamlined version).

In the Bible, love has multiples aspects (Greek culture itself had a deeper understanding of love); there is sacrificial love, familial love, friendship love, and erotic love. Perfect love, should encompass all of those things, but an emphasis is placed on sacrificial love. Non-Christians can undoubtedly love in one way or another, however, it is not perfect love because it does not care for the soul of the other person. Certainly, there are people who can imitate perfect love, but they leave out what Christians consider the most important part (since it deals with eternity). Even then, I think people who are able to do that are rare. If you look at our world, people don’t love each other. Divorce rate is at least 50% and many people are so disillusioned by the commitment of marriage that they just avoid it. Even amongst so-called Christians (people who should have no excuse), many are self-centered and more likely to think of themselves before another person. But God calls us to something beyond this... Beyond ourselves. He says that real love is being kind, compassionate, gracious, and giving way to people, regardless of circumstance, even if they hate you and torture you. One of the best (and possibly easiest) ways of accomplishing this is through marriage. Non-Christians will probably see this as foolish, but to the Christian, it is something that is good.

I’m not sure if any of that made sense... And it’s most definitely incomplete. Love is a HUGE topic. But yea, below is an article that may help you understand this idea a little bit better, if you’re interested. And definitely, the best way for you to see this through example. So hopefully our marriage can be a good example!

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2008/2647_Regeneration_Faith_Love_In_That_Order/

tifo

Sweet Corn Tomalito (i.e., Chevy's Corn Mush)

From Sweet Corn Tomalito

Since the budget crisis hit, my department is always trying to improve the office morale by throwing "recession friendly" parties (i.e., potlucks). Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo... so, accordingly, my office is having a potluck during the lunch hour. I decided that it would be a great time to bring in some of my Sweet Corn Tomalito. Yummmieeee ~! :) If you've ever eaten at Chevy's and wondered what that delicious-melt-in-your-mouth corn mush is... well, now's your chance to find out (and make it too!). It's actually really simple to put together, however, it does require a bit of patience during the time it's cooking.

Prep time: 15 minutes / Cook time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Ingredients ~

• 1/2 Cup + 2 Tablespoons of Softened Margarine or Butter (1.25 sticks)
• 1/2 Cup Masa Harina
• 1/2 Cup Sugar
• 2 Cans Creamed Corn (~15 oz/can)
• 1 Can Corn (~15 oz)
• 1 Cup Cornmeal
• 2 Heaping Teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 Cup Milk

Directions ~

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix together the margarine/butter, masa harina and sugar. If the butter is cold, pop it in the microwave at 40% for 30 seconds.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix together well.
4. Spread out the mixture onto a 9x13 glass pyrex dish (other pans may work as well).
5. Place the dish with the mixture on top of another dish that is filled halfway with water.
6. Cover the dishes with aluminum foil.
7. Carefully place the dishes into the oven and bake for ~1 hour and 15 minutes.
8. Check with a toothpick if the dish is done. When done, the toothpick will come out clean. Scoop into serving dish or tupperware... or serve directly onto plates!
9. Enjoy your tifolicious tomalito! :D

And now that I finally found my camera (and also fixed my netbook), I can post up some pictures of the tifolicious food making process. Just click on the link under the picture to get to the album.

Nacho compromise

On the first floor of my office building (it's really outside and around the corner) there is a Lox, Stock and Bagel. This bagel place has everything from sushi to bul-dogs (hot dogs topped with bulgogi). They also have deliciously cheap NACHOS. I mean REAL nachos... the stuff that's topped with the fake liquid cheese -- mm... yummmy. Here's a delicious example:

Anyway, it's always so tempting (especially when I'm sitting at my desk at work for like 6.5 hours) for me to go downstairs and buy some. They are actually quite affordable -- <$5 for a plate of nachos topped with beef, salsa, beans, sour cream, chives and etc. But you know... that's like a MEAL. Sometimes I just want a taste... a small snack. So today I headed over to Walgreens and picked up a few items and made myself a 100 calorie version of nachos. :D

They didn't have baked tortilla chips, so I used 3 of these Organic Corn Thins:

They are only 22 calories each and are practically fat free. Don't let them soak in your nacho cheese though... they get soggy pretty fast.

Then I microwaved a tablespoon of Tostitos Salsa Con Queso:
Did you know that 2 Tablespoons of this is only 40 calories and only has 2.5 grams of fat? Some of the other ones have 7 grams of fat per serving!!

And topped it off with like a teaspoon of generic Walgreens brand of salsa. It was all very yummy and totally hit the spot! :)

Cutesy Aprons ~

Patty and I took a class at Stonemountain & Daughters. It was so fun!! This was the apron that I came up with... what do you guys think? :)

I'd really like to make more half aprons... but I think I have too many aprons already (I received 3 full ones for my bridal shower!!)... so I think I'll make a few in the next month or so and give them away.

So... make sure to stay tuned for my apron giveaways! :D

Nostalgia

Today I was walking around campus and I realized how much I missed being a student. Maybe I'm just lazy and I don't want to work... I wish I could go back and relive my college years. I wonder what I would do differently? Would I be more productive? I'm not sure... I really enjoyed the freedom of being a student.

Of course, I don't miss all the midterms and finals and etc.

I guess my job isn't too bad. My office is <5 minutes walking distance from the gym, near lots of good eats, in front of the BART, a 15 minute walk from home and it's still close enough that I can meet up with students from my church. The workload is pretty manageable (I'm used to it now) and the social work environment is pretty fun. :) I guess I have a lot to be thankful for... though, I still kinda wish I could just not work. That would be pretty darn wonderful too.


I saw these posters today at Etcheverry Hall. I thought it was so funny -- I guess there really aren't that many female engineers? :P

The greatest invention that altered lives!!!

Well... it changes my life (made working out less boring) and it's less expensive than the Kindle. Or even just buying Kindle books and loading them onto my iphone.

Just clip the book to the clipboard and place 2 rubberbands around the book strategically (for easier page turning).


And then when you turn the page, instead of clipping the page, just place it under the other rubber band. VOILA! Amazing, isn't it. :P It fits perfectly on a treadmill book holder thingy.

I hope my brother doesn't mind that I'm doing this to his book... I promise it is gentle on the book (at least I hope so).

faithful Father

Today I witnessed a brother return to Christ after a year of living in rebellion. Though many were probably faithful in praying for him, I realize that I was not one of those faithful friends. Yet, despite any of our human shortcomings, God remained so faithful to him and refused to let him go. God is true to His word and still remains the most faithful friend of all.