Tennis anyone? We all got to attend another tennis practice today, which was a little warmer now that the weather outside is heating up. It was quite a spike in temperature, up the higher eighties. Suddenly everyone is remembering global warming again.
It was certainly warm inside the facility today where Madison and the others were practicing tennis. We all had to drink a lot of water, and Madison was looking a little flush by the hour's end. She's getting better and better - one area we were really impressed with today was her serving. Her teacher was pretty impressed too! Out of all the students in her class, she certainly has the best serve right now. She doesn't have the best return yet, but that's why we're going to practice, right?
It was nice to see Madison if for only a little bit this afternoon. Of course, we see each other in the mornings as well on the way to school. We're back to listening to the "Frozen" soundtrack again - Madison had a request for "Let it Go" again today, which I believe we've listened to one squillion times since November. This weekend Daddy read that this soundtrack is the number one album in the country right now - the biggest seller out of any musical artist for the past twelve weeks. The movie came out in November, and here we are in May, and the soundtrack is still selling better than all the pop stars of this time. Our generation had "The Lion King" soundtrack, which after a little research we have learned was at the number one position for ten weeks. So this has eclipsed that record for a soundtrack, and the way all these kids keep singing it, I don't see it stopping too soon. We were a little tired of hearing it repeatedly, and were blessed to have the soundtrack to "The Muppets Most Wanted" for a time. We're still into that one. Madison loves the songs to that one too, especially the one by Mrs. Piggy. However, there is another song there that Mrs. Piggy has a part in, with a quote that Madison loves blurting out over and over again: "Go jump in a lake, that's my suggestion!"
This cracks everyone up, which only encourages her to say it more.
Tonight was our first message returning to the Tribes series we covered last year. We're busy setting up for Summer Xtreme this week, so there's a bit of sacrifice on the current services to set things up for the big week coming up in June. Yes, that's really, really soon.
Anyway, for the time being, here's the general theme of the message we're doing tonight at KidPak. You'll see why in a moment that we're all suddenly feeling a bit peckish:
It was certainly warm inside the facility today where Madison and the others were practicing tennis. We all had to drink a lot of water, and Madison was looking a little flush by the hour's end. She's getting better and better - one area we were really impressed with today was her serving. Her teacher was pretty impressed too! Out of all the students in her class, she certainly has the best serve right now. She doesn't have the best return yet, but that's why we're going to practice, right?
It was nice to see Madison if for only a little bit this afternoon. Of course, we see each other in the mornings as well on the way to school. We're back to listening to the "Frozen" soundtrack again - Madison had a request for "Let it Go" again today, which I believe we've listened to one squillion times since November. This weekend Daddy read that this soundtrack is the number one album in the country right now - the biggest seller out of any musical artist for the past twelve weeks. The movie came out in November, and here we are in May, and the soundtrack is still selling better than all the pop stars of this time. Our generation had "The Lion King" soundtrack, which after a little research we have learned was at the number one position for ten weeks. So this has eclipsed that record for a soundtrack, and the way all these kids keep singing it, I don't see it stopping too soon. We were a little tired of hearing it repeatedly, and were blessed to have the soundtrack to "The Muppets Most Wanted" for a time. We're still into that one. Madison loves the songs to that one too, especially the one by Mrs. Piggy. However, there is another song there that Mrs. Piggy has a part in, with a quote that Madison loves blurting out over and over again: "Go jump in a lake, that's my suggestion!"
This cracks everyone up, which only encourages her to say it more.
Tonight was our first message returning to the Tribes series we covered last year. We're busy setting up for Summer Xtreme this week, so there's a bit of sacrifice on the current services to set things up for the big week coming up in June. Yes, that's really, really soon.
Anyway, for the time being, here's the general theme of the message we're doing tonight at KidPak. You'll see why in a moment that we're all suddenly feeling a bit peckish:
REUBEN
Think of Judah, and you think of praise. Think of Levi, and you think of
priesthood. Think of Reuben, and you think of... a sandwich.
We all have a legacy, a story that others will remember – and what a tragedy that we can’t remember much about this brother, when this was the firstborn tribe, the one destined to lead, and claim the inheritance.
Listen to the father Israel, who sums it up quickly: “You were my first child. You were the first sign of my strength. You were first in honor. You were first in power. But you are as unsteady as water. So you won’t be first anymore.”
Reuben was first born, and therefore the supposed leader. Yet he did not act as one. And on occasion, the Tribe of Reuben sat idly when it was time to go to battle. This isn’t good. God has made us leaders, a light unto the world. Don’t sit on the sidelines wishing things were different. It’s time to act like the leaders God has called you to be!
And sometimes words and well wishes are just not enough. At one point, Reuben spoke up to save his brother Joseph. Yet he didn’t stand in the way when Joseph was thrown into a pit. And later on, the Tribe of Reuben could have helped in the battle against Sisera and his nine hundred iron chariots. They felt bad about it, but that didn’t do much good, did it? No, there are times God has called us into action, not just with good words or thoughts.
Reuben was turbulent as the waters, and because of that he would no longer excel. The Tribe of Reuben ran like hot and cold water, one moment passionate about doing the right thing – and the next, cold with fear to stand up. This sort of thing doesn’t please God. In the book of Revelation, He said this about those who run hot and cold: “But you are lukewarm. You aren’t hot or cold. So I am going to spit you out of my mouth.”
A Reuben is a great sandwich that you don’t want to spit out. But ultimately, the Tribe of Reuben acted in ways that were tasteless. They persevered to take their place in history as one of the Twelve Tribes. But what might have been, if only they got the lead out and went to action, with fiery
passion for God. What might have been...
We all have a legacy, a story that others will remember – and what a tragedy that we can’t remember much about this brother, when this was the firstborn tribe, the one destined to lead, and claim the inheritance.
Listen to the father Israel, who sums it up quickly: “You were my first child. You were the first sign of my strength. You were first in honor. You were first in power. But you are as unsteady as water. So you won’t be first anymore.”
Reuben was first born, and therefore the supposed leader. Yet he did not act as one. And on occasion, the Tribe of Reuben sat idly when it was time to go to battle. This isn’t good. God has made us leaders, a light unto the world. Don’t sit on the sidelines wishing things were different. It’s time to act like the leaders God has called you to be!
And sometimes words and well wishes are just not enough. At one point, Reuben spoke up to save his brother Joseph. Yet he didn’t stand in the way when Joseph was thrown into a pit. And later on, the Tribe of Reuben could have helped in the battle against Sisera and his nine hundred iron chariots. They felt bad about it, but that didn’t do much good, did it? No, there are times God has called us into action, not just with good words or thoughts.
Reuben was turbulent as the waters, and because of that he would no longer excel. The Tribe of Reuben ran like hot and cold water, one moment passionate about doing the right thing – and the next, cold with fear to stand up. This sort of thing doesn’t please God. In the book of Revelation, He said this about those who run hot and cold: “But you are lukewarm. You aren’t hot or cold. So I am going to spit you out of my mouth.”
A Reuben is a great sandwich that you don’t want to spit out. But ultimately, the Tribe of Reuben acted in ways that were tasteless. They persevered to take their place in history as one of the Twelve Tribes. But what might have been, if only they got the lead out and went to action, with fiery
passion for God. What might have been...
Reuben heard them. He tried to save Joseph from them. “Let’s not take his
life,” he said. “Let’s not spill any blood. Throw him into this empty well here in
the desert. But don’t harm him yourselves.” Reuben said that to save Joseph
from them. He was hoping he could take him back to his father.
Later, Reuben came back to the empty well. He saw that Joseph wasn’t there. He was so upset that he tore his clothes.
Genesis 37:21-22, 29 NIrV
“My dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Don’t let anything move you. Always give yourselves completely to the work of the Lord. Because you belong to the Lord, you know that your work is not worthless.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIrV
How to Make a Reuben Sandwich
Sandwich ingredients:
Directions
1. Butter one side of four slices of bread, and place the slices buttered-side down on a large piece of wax paper on a flat surface. Top each with a slice of Swiss cheese, and then divide half of the corned beef among them.
2. Using paper towels, squeeze out excess moisture from the sauerkraut. Divide the sauerkraut among the sandwiches, and top each with one tablespoon of Russian dressing. Add another layer of corned beef and a second slice of Swiss cheese to each sandwich. Top with the remaining bread slices; butter the side facing out.
3. Preheat a griddle or frying pan to medium heat. Cook the sandwiches on one side until the bread is golden brown. Use a spatula to carefully flip the sandwiches over and finish cooking on the second side. Cut the sandwiches in half before serving.
Later, Reuben came back to the empty well. He saw that Joseph wasn’t there. He was so upset that he tore his clothes.
Genesis 37:21-22, 29 NIrV
“My dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Don’t let anything move you. Always give yourselves completely to the work of the Lord. Because you belong to the Lord, you know that your work is not worthless.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIrV
How to Make a Reuben Sandwich
Sandwich ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp butter, softened
- 8 slices rye bread
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 3/4 lb corned beef brisket, thinly sliced 1/2 lb sauerkraut
- 1/4 cup Russian Dressing
- Russian Dressing: Combine the following ingredients. Makes one-half cup.
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 Tbsp ketchup
- 1 1/2 teaspoons prepared horseradish 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Butter one side of four slices of bread, and place the slices buttered-side down on a large piece of wax paper on a flat surface. Top each with a slice of Swiss cheese, and then divide half of the corned beef among them.
2. Using paper towels, squeeze out excess moisture from the sauerkraut. Divide the sauerkraut among the sandwiches, and top each with one tablespoon of Russian dressing. Add another layer of corned beef and a second slice of Swiss cheese to each sandwich. Top with the remaining bread slices; butter the side facing out.
3. Preheat a griddle or frying pan to medium heat. Cook the sandwiches on one side until the bread is golden brown. Use a spatula to carefully flip the sandwiches over and finish cooking on the second side. Cut the sandwiches in half before serving.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment