July is National Ice Cream Month

Posted by | July 27, 2010

Looking for ways to lick the heat this hot summer? Well, did you know that the month of July was designated National Ice Cream month by former president Ronald Reagan?
The origins of ice cream can be traced back to at least the 4th century B.C. Early references include the Roman emperor Nero (A.D. 37-68) who ordered ice to be brought from the mountains and combined with fruit toppings, and King Tang (A.D. 618-97) of Shang, China who had a method of creating ice and milk concoctions. Ice cream was likely brought from China back to Europe. Over time, recipes for ices, sherbets, and milk ices evolved and served in the fashionable Italian and French royal courts.
After the dessert was imported to the United States, it was served by several famous Americans. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson served it to their guests. In 1700, Governor Bladen of Maryland was recorded as having served it to his guests. In 1774, a London caterer named Philip Lenzi announced in a New York newspaper that he would be offering for sale various confections, including ice cream. Dolly Madison served it in 1812.
The first ice cream parlor in America opened in New York City in 1776. American colonists were the first to use the term “ice cream”. The name came from the phrase “iced cream” that was similar to “iced tea”. The name was later abbreviated to “ice cream” the name we know today.
The United States is the largest consumer of ice cream in the world, followed by New Zealand and Denmark. The favorite flavor for most is vanilla, followed by chocolate, and strawberry. So, stay cool this summer and eat your favorite ice cream!

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

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Spiritual Maturity

Posted by | July 27, 2010

Hebrews 5:12-14 reads, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
One way to evaluate spiritual maturity is by looking at the choices we make. The writer of Hebrews notes many of the ways those choices change with personal growth. Here are a few examples to check and see if you are making spiritually mature choices versus immature choices.

  1. Are you teaching others rather than just being taught
  2. Are you developing depth of understanding rather than struggling with the basics
  3. Are you seeking unity rather than promoting disunity
  4. Are you desiring spiritual challenges rather than desiring entertainment
  5. Are you walking in confidence rather than walking in fear
  6. Are you walking by active faith rather than cautious apathy and doubt
  7. Are your feelings and experiences evaluated in the light of God’s Word rather than experiences evaluated according to your feelings

These are just a few of the spiritual maturity checklist choices that will help us to determine if we are immature or spiritually mature.

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God Is…

Posted by | July 13, 2010

The apostle John wrote the book of First John to squash doubts and to build assurance by presenting a clear picture of Christ. Entering history, Jesus was and is God in the flesh and God in focus; seen, heard, and touched by the author of this letter, John the apostle. He walked and talked with Jesus, saw Jesus heal, heard Him teach, watched Him die, met Him arisen, and saw Him ascend. John knew God because he had lived with Him and had seen Him work. Having laid this foundation, there are three points that the apostle John made in 1 John chapter 1 about God.

First, he presents God is light, symbolizing absolute purity and holiness. “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5-7) He goes on to explain how believers can walk in God’s light and have fellowship with Him with Christ as their Advocate.

Second, John presents God is love, giving, dying, forgiving, and blessing. God is love, and because God loves us, he calls us His children and makes us like Christ. This truth should motivate us to live close to Him. We can be sure of our family relationship with God when our lives are filled with good works and love for others. Also, john warns of false teachers who twist the truth. We should reject these false teachers as we continue to live in God’s love.

Lastly, John presents God is life. God’s life is in his Son. To have his Son is to have eternal life. Do you know that you have eternal life? First John was written to help you know the reality of God in your life through faith in Christ, to assure you that you have eternal life, and to encourage you to remain in fellowship with the God who is light and love.

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July is National Grilling Month

Posted by | July 13, 2010

The National Fire Protection Agency reports that about 1,000 structure fires and 3,400 outdoor fires were caused by barbecue grills in one recent year. It is important to realize that safe grilling begins before the cooking starts. So, here are some tips to ensure all your summer grilling is safe.

  • With gas grills, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line to be sure it is working properly and not leaking. If you suspect a leak, put soapy water on the area and watch for bubbles to discover where it is. Never use a match to check for a gas leak, and never light the grill until the leak is fixed.
  • Position any grill on a level surface that is at least three feet away from other objects, including the house and shrubs or bushes. Keep children and pets away from the cooking area.
  • When you are ready to barbecue, protect yourself with a heavy apron and oven mitts that fit well over your forearm.
  • When the party is over, store the grill outside and away from the house. Make sure the valves are turned off.
  • For charcoal grills, use only starter fluids designed for that purpose. Never use gasoline. If the fire is slow, add dry kindling. Don’t add more liquid starter or you could cause a flash fire.
  • Remember to soak the coals with water before you put them in the trash.
  • Never use a barbecue grill indoors or in an unventilated space. It’s a fire hazard and could cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

And now, since you know what you need to do to be safe, fire up the grill and barbecue to your heart’s content.

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