Mar 31, 2008


It has been a long time since I allowed myself the indulgence of a new pair of Bunny's Shoes. I walked in and turned to the sales rack and there they were, just calling my name. The last pair, in my size, and 50% off. You really didn't expect me to walk out empty handed did you?

Mar 30, 2008

Foodie in Me - Revisited

"Other creatures receive food simply as fodder. But we take the raw materials of the earth and work with them—touch them, manipulate them, taste them, glory in their heady smells and colors, and then, through a bit of alchemy, transform them into delicious creations. Cooking demands attention, patience, and, above all, respect. It is a way of worship, a way of giving thanks." -Judith Jones

Had I read this quote even three years ago it would have meant nothing to me. I would have perhaps appreciated the writing but I would not have grasped the sentiment. Why? Because I did not like cooking.


Thankfully something in me changed, somehow I have developed not only a tolerance for spending time in the kitchen but a passion for creating good food. Out of this newly discovered love of food I can read this and identify with every word. I have in fact thought of cooking as not only a way of giving thanks but also as a way of showing thanks. I do not worship the food, but the one who created it, the one who created me, and who has allowed me to enjoy the various flavors of life.

What if, we spent an entire Sunday morning worshiping God together, in a kitchen instead of a sanctuary; then gathered together around the abundant feast that He has provided? What if we moved from giving thanks for the meal to actually thankfully enjoying the meal and showing our thankfulness by the fullness of our contentment with what we have been given?

The quote above is from an article in the Jan/Feb 2008 edition of Books&Culture. The article is entitled "A Way of Giving Thanks", written by, LaVonne Neff. It is a great little piece on the book "The Tenth Muse My Life In Food", by Judith Jones. A book I plan on picking up in my next trip downtown. If for no other reason then a little more food for thought.

I have spent a lot of time lately contemplating the idea of Faithfulness. What does it look like to be Faithful in all things? Faithful to God, to who He has created me to to be, to what He is calling me to, to myself, to friends, to family, to work, to all that I do.

How can one person remain faithful in all of these areas?

That is the question that I am Faithfully wrestling with.

This idea of Faithfulness came up during my Prayer Retreat and then became our focus at RAW (Real Authentic Worship) and as is often the case when God is trying to work something out in me it keeps creeping up into various areas of my life. Into realtionships, situations, books and so much more.

Thinking about it I realize that the people I look up to most in life are those who have displayed Faithfulness. Nothing else ties these individuals together other than their Faithfulness. What do you picture when you think of Faithfulness?

The more I think about Faithfulness the more deep it becomes so I want to know what you think of.

So friends what are your thoughts on Faithfulness?

Does it come easy? Do you struggle? How do you define Faithfulness?

Mar 26, 2008

The Foodie in Me

I don’t know if I have just lived in Santa Cruz too long or if it was the fact that Margaret Feinberg was the author, but I found myself drawn to her new book, The Organic God. So, I suggested that my dad and I read it for our next reading assignment (we work through books together). I was to read the first two chapters by the following week. (Today) Never having been one to follow the guidelines or have patience, I finished the entire book in two sittings and less than four hours. Needless to say I would recommend the book, to anyone who is looking for a more organic understanding and relationship with God.

Feinberg is quick to defend the title of the book explaining that while organic is most often associated with food that is grown naturally it is also a lifestyle, as we in Santa Cruz County are well aware of; a simple, natural and healthy way of approaching life. It is out of her desire to know God without any additives of culture, tradition and society and her desire for an organic relationship with God that she writes.

As I have with her other writings I found myself in her stories and examples. I joined in her longing for a deep spiritual hunger. My own thoughts mingled with hers and my fathers as we discussed the concepts of an Organic God.

A bit of a Foodie myself the idea of organic versus non-organic painted a picture for me that I hope you will be able to see. We live in what has been described as a “Fast Food Nation” where we have forgone taste and nutrition for a quick fix on the go. Many have studied the effects on our systems. What hasn’t been studied to my knowledge is the effect of a Spiritual Fast Food diet, on our health.

Millions of Americans come to church throughout the week to get their quick fix nourishment. A half hour sermon or lesson that relieves the hunger pangs. There is nothing wrong with this meal on the go, prepared for the masses, however just like fast food these tidy tid-bits offer very little lasting nutritional value. If this is all the average American Christian is feeding themselves with the long term spiritual health of our nation is in danger.

We can take a lesson from the Slow Food Movement; “Slow Food USA envisions a future
food system that is based on the principles of high quality and taste, environmental sustainability, and social justice – in essence, a food system that is good, clean and fair.” Is this not what we should aim for when feeding not only our physical selves but our spiritual as well? If we want long term spiritual health then we must take time to feed our selves. Reading God’s word, seeking out His nature and listening for His voice, are a few of the ongoing things to feast on. Just like food the more time you spend and the less things you add to or take away from the food, the better the nutritional value and the more enjoyable a meal becomes.

Once you have begun to enjoy fine dining wheather at home, or prepared by a master chef the harder it is to be satisfied with the quick fixes, you begin to hunger for the best. You might stop in now and then and enjoy the comfort food of your youth, but you know it can be so much more. So I invite you to eat well, to savor the many flavors this world has to offer both physically and spiritually. Taste of all that God has to offer and enjoy.


Tapestry Family CenterIs participating in The Human Race,
May 10, 2008 Registration Begins at 7 A.M. Walk Starts at 8 A.M.

"What is the Human Race?

The Human Race is a nationwide community fundraising event for nonprofit organizations. The Santa Cruz County Human Race features a 10k walk and fun run beginning at Natural Bridges State Park and winding along beautiful West Cliff Drive.

Local organizations and businesses recruit walkers/runners/pledge-gatherers to raise funds for various participating Santa Cruz County non-profit organizations.

Participating nonprofit organizations receive 75-85% of funds raised and the Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz receives the remaining percentage to coordinate and stage the event."



I am participating by walking along West Cliff in Santa Cruz and I would love for you to join me if you live in the area. If you don't you can also show your support by making a pledge. Either way please visit My Human Race Page to join me in raising support for Tapestry Family Center.

Thanks so much! Trinity

Mar 17, 2008

Sight Seeing

Friday is my normal day off, but not usually a day off for my other friends so not usually worth too much of a fuss. This week though my friend Brandon and I took off for Monterey to board a boat to watch for whales. The weather decided to cooperate with our plans, and the rain held off, as the sun broke through.

We had just left the parking lot when we were stopped by a man with a badge. He claimed that I had been caught smiling. Immediately I thought, "oh no. We are on Candid Camera." (because the shoot that show in Monterey.) As it turned out we were just being asked for a donation to help battered women and children. We both got a sticker mine having a cat smiling, and Brandon's was supposed to be a still shot of him, was in actuality a cartoon of Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes picking his nose.


Since arrived at Fisherman's wharf early so we grabbed a bread bowl of award winning clam chowder enjoying it and the view. After some browsing of gift shops we made our way over to our boat. The Sea Wolf II.
We boarded the boat and rode the waves out to sea. There were some nice size swells and we got sprayed in the face more than once, but we both kept our lunch. Once we had traveled a bit whales were spotted at 1 O' Clock and for the next hour or so we spotted quite a few of them. We saw mostly their backs and spouts but caught a glimpse of a few tails as well. It was a good way to spend a Friday.



You can check out all the pictures on my Flicker site just click on the Flicker icon on the Right of the page.

quotes i love

  • "they will never care how much you know until they know how much you care."
  • "never be afraid to trust a well known God with an unknown future." - Corrie Ten Boom
  • "God doesn't need you, He loves you, that is much better."
  • "the world has yet to see what God can do through a man/woman who is totally commited to him." - D.L. Moody
  • "be who you is, cause if is ain't who you is, you is who you ain't."-
  • "some people say movies should be more like real life. I say real life should be more like the movies."