Excuses Bay Area Residents Use To Justify Paying Four Times The National Average In Housing: Part One

Heath Bar, Caramel and Hot Fudge Sundaes at Fenton's. Rest assured that I lapped up every drop of that pool of chocolate on the plate.

SimChurch

The early 90’s were truly the golden age of computer games. I spent many an afternoon attempting to uncover “Where in the USA is Carmen San Diego?” (Given that I can’t locate anything in Eastern Europe, “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?” might have been a better option.) I loved “Jeopardy” and learned many cheerful facts (including that prostitution is also known as the world’s oldest profession.) I took daily journeys down the “Oregon Trail” and always named my passengers John, Laurie, Jenny, Jeffrey, and Cassie (after my rabbit.) Sadly, it pained me much more to read that my rabbit had cholera or diphtheria than my brother or parents. Seeing “Cassie is dead” emblazoned at the bottom of the screen brought a little lump to my throat.

The one game I never liked was “SimCity” (I’m not a big civil engineering enthusiast), but my brother and cousins spent hours constructing residential areas, factories, and parks. Well, for your enjoyment and edification, I’ve constructed a little game called “SimChurch” (and by "game" I mean "question you can ponder and then comment about on this blog.")

The more I read the New Testament, the more I realize how much freedom we have in conducting large group church meetings. So what would you do if you got to design a service from the ground up? What traditional elements might you exclude? What new elements might you embrace? How long would it be? How often would it be? Would you include kids and teenagers?

Here’s my tentative SimChurch plan:

11:00-11:10: Personal Testimony/Open Praise and Thanksgiving Sharing
11:10-11:20: Corporate Prayer Concerning Community, Nation, Church Members, Missionaries, Persecuted Church, etc.
11:20-11:40: Sermon
11:40-11:50: Questions and Discussion About the Sermon
11:50-12:00: Music and Communion
12:00: A Hearty Lunch and Sports/Games

I think we'd include all ages in this gathering and then have a midweek synagogue school style meeting for the kids.

I'd love to read your ideas. Post away!

Captain Vegetable

Corn and potatoes are the only vegetables I really enjoy, and I've been informed that they're technically starches. So it's no wonder that the "Captain Vegetable" sketch on Sesame Street terrified me as a child. A creepy rabbit turning poor little kids' delicious food into carrots and celery? That's the stuff of nightmares.

Mission Statement: Impossible

The year was 2002. Everyone was listening to a promising new artist named Alicia Keys. The Osbournes won an Emmy for best reality show. Scientists reported a new type of black hole. A little indie movie called My Big Fat Greek Wedding struck box office gold. Martha Stewart was accused of insider trading. And I was an idealistic young children's director, fresh out of college and ready to change the world.

According to some experts, I couldn't change the world until I'd written a mission statement (not to be confused with a vision statement, which I apparently also needed.) So I got right to work. I toiled over those mission and vision statements. I wanted them to encapsulate every single conviction about children's ministry that I'd come to embrace over four years of college. And I didn't want them to sound like everyone else's mission and vision statements. Mine had to be unique. Distinctive. Awe-inspiring. To put it bluntly: the best children's ministry mission and vision statements ever written.

So after much labor, I finally produced two dazzling statements. And then I forgot them a week later. To this day, I really don't know what our children's ministry mission and vision statements are. I think they might have something to do with discipleship, but I could be wrong.

Thus, I think Isaac Watts' amazing hymn, Let Children Hear The Mighty Deeds is going to become our new mission statement. It pretty much sums up my major convictions about children's ministry and it rhymes!

Let children hear the mighty deeds
Which God performed of old;
Which in our younger years we saw,
And which our fathers told.

He bids us make His glories known,
His works of power and grace;
And we’ll convey His wonders down
Through every rising race.

Our lips shall tell them to our sons,
And they again to theirs;
That generations yet unborn
May teach them to their heirs.

Thus shall they learn in God alone,
Their hope securely stands;
That they may ne’er forget His works,
But practice His commands.

Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Vote

As I've said before, I think voting is pretty swell and not just because you get a nifty "I Voted" sticker (although I always wear that sticker for the entirety of election day.) So, it's no surprise that I was rather miffed when I read that Dr. James Dobson plans not to vote in the 2008 election if Senator John McCain receives the Republican nomination.

I'm tempted to launch into an "everyone and their brother needs to vote" rant, but I'm discovering the importance of thinking before I blog. Therefore, I'll put a few questions to you instead.

1. Do you think it's ever appropriate to abstain from voting? If so, when?

2. What potential good could come from abstaining from voting?

Your thoughts and opinions would be most appreciated. And a quick shout out to JP Sander! See, now you've been mentioned on a blog.

I've Got The Music In Me

"How Can I Keep From Singing?" is not only an excellent hymn by Robert Lowry, but it could also be the title of my autobiography. I seriously sing all the time. I sing "Jenny, that was so stupid" to myself when I do something stupid. I sing harmony to every song on the radio (with the exception of any wretched tune by James Blunt or Snow Patrol.) I sing "Why are we going so slow?" when I'm behind a driver doing 30 in a 65 mph zone. I sing "I'm so excited!" if a friend tells me we're going out for ice cream. I sing "Let's go out to the lobby, let's go out to the lobby, let's go out to the lobby, and have ourselves a story" when I'm coaxing my Sunday schoolers to come out for story time (they're even faster if I threaten to continue singing.)

While you may not enjoy spending half of your day in song, I hope you enjoy this fantastic hymn. It's climbing the charts and may actually break into my top ten (it's currently neck and neck with "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.")

My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the sweet though far off hymn
That hails a new creation:
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul,
How can I keep from singing?

What though my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Savior liveth;
What though the darkness gather round!
Songs in the night He giveth:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of Heav’n and earth,
How can I keep from singing?

I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smoothes
Since first I learned to love it:
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing:
All things are mine since I am His,
How can I keep from singing?

It's A Bird, It's a Plane . . .

It's Super Tuesday!

I truly enjoy voting and went to the polls this morning all bright eyed and bushy tailed.

When I gave my address and last name to one of the volunteers, he looked at his roster and then said "Republican" in a slightly surprised tone.

I jokingly remarked, "Yeah, I think I'm probably one of three in this area" to which the other volunteer replied, "Actually, I think there are six."

Vote early, and vote often!

Queue And A

I hate winter. I hate the bitterly cold days (granted, in the Bay Area “bitterly cold” is technically anything under 60 degrees, but still . . .) I hate how night begins at 4:30 p.m. and ends at 8:00 a.m. I hate that I can’t wear any of my adorable short sleeved blouses. And most of all, I hate the abysmal winter movie season.

It’s no secret that movie studios choose to unload their lousiest movies during the winter months. I guess it makes sense strategically. It’s way too early to release the Oscar contenders and the big budget popcorn flicks will probably make more in spring and summer. But couldn’t those studio executives show us poor moviegoers some compassion? We’re already freezing and stressed out about taxes, do we really need to sit through a romantic comedy with Abigail Breslin?

If you’d like to avoid the winter onslaught of mediocre movies but still want a way to unwind on a Friday night, let me suggest you add some of the following films to your Netflix queue. Or you could always go see Paris Hilton’s latest, The Hottie and the Nottie.

My Kid Could Paint That: This documentary was one of my favorite films of 2007. It tells the story of child artist Marla Olmstead, who sold her first painting at age four and became an overnight media sensation only to fall from grace when 60 Minutes suggested that she might not be sole creator of her work. It’s a fascinating story and probes questions such as “Who decides what makes art good?” “Is modern art a sham?” and “What ethical standards govern documentary making?” Plus, the Olmstead children are quite possibly the cutest kids to ever roam the earth. Watch it with friends and then go out for coffee and discuss.

Stardust: I’m a sucker for fairy tales and damsels in distress and this August 2007 release is a winner. I think it’s the best of its genre since The Princess Bride and it actually made me like Claire Danes, which is high praise. It’s funny and sweet and doesn’t take itself too seriously – a great little jewel of a film.

Sketches of Frank Gehry: I pride myself on knowing a little bit about a lot of things and I’m not afraid to fake my way through lots of conversations on that small amount of information. However, there are three subjects that I won’t even attempt to discuss: Geography, Baseball, and Architecture. But now that I’ve seen Sydney Pollack’s sharp documentary on architect Frank Gehry, I might be able to fake my way through a few more discussions. The film is an interesting look at Gehry’s creative process and was highly instructional and entertaining. Plus, I think it might help me up my Jeopardy score.

Once: Let it be known that I have absolutely no problem with a character suddenly breaking into a song and dance routine in a busy street in the middle of a movie. However, I understand that this might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Once is one of those rare musicals for people who don’t like musicals. It’s realistic and thoughtful, the songs never feel out of place, and the music is simply gorgeous. The movie develops gently, but I sobbed through the last two minutes. If you don’t rent it, at the very least download “Falling Slowly” from the soundtrack.

So those are my picks. What are yours?

Jane's Addiction

Mark your calendars, because Masterpiece Theater is about to present the BEST SERIES EVER.

The Peanut Butter And Jelly Of Carols

Macaroni and Cheese. Rogers and Hammerstein (or Hart). Ben and Jerry. Batman and Robin. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Brown and Pink. Chocolate Chips and Cookie Dough. These are just a few of history's dynamic duos, and I think we should add Charles Welsey and Felix Mendelssohn to the list. Wesley's brilliant lyrics and Mendelssohn's gorgeous tune make "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" one of the greatest hymns of all time. Yet had these genuises had their way, this perfect pairing would never have been.

Wesley wrote the lyrics in 1739 and wanted them coupled with a solemn tune. Mendelssohn wrote the music in 1840 as part of a cantata commemorating Gutenberg and the invention of the printing press and specifically requested that the music not accompany sacred choruses. Thankfully, both men's wishes were ignored, resulting in this fantastic carol.

I'm posting the lyrics once again. Enjoy -particularly the last two verses.

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Come, Desire of nations, come, fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed, bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Now display Thy saving power, ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface, stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above, reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain, Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart, formed in each believing heart.
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Why Christians Should Take The Christ Out Of Christmas

My freshly watered Christmas tree topiary is currently resting in my sink beneath my handmade apple and cranberry Christmas wreath across from my freshly baked Christmas cookies. As I plug in my Christmas lights and gaze at the gold and cream Christmas ornaments arranged in soda fountain glasses on my bookshelf, I begin to wonder what would happen if Christians decided to take the Christ out of Christmas. By this I mean that Christians stopped treating Christmas as a Christian holiday and simply viewed it as a cultural phenomenon. I’m pondering this for several reasons:

1. Christmas is not an ancient Christian holiday. The Bible never tells us to remember and celebrate Christ’s birth. Many Christmas traditions are rooted in pagan winter festivals. Christians did not celebrate Christmas until the 4th century, when the established Church declared December 25th to be Christ’s birthday. At the time of the Reformation, Protestants refused to celebrate Christmas because they considered it a Catholic holiday. Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans cancelled Christmas in England in 1645 because of the drunken and debauched celebrations. American Puritans outlawed Christmas in Boston from 1659-1681. The celebration of Christmas was not widespread in America until the 19th century.

2. American Christmas traditions have nothing to do with Jesus’ birth. There are easier ways to dwell on the incarnation than decorating trees, making cookies, and wrapping presents.

3. Viewing Christmas as a Christian holiday gives us license to embrace many traditions that aren’t necessarily biblical because the holiday is linked to Jesus. Presents, decorating, parties and the like become almost religious observances.

4. Christmas is full of many fantastical characters (Santa, Rudolph, Frosty, etc.) and we have to work extra hard to explain to children that Jesus was a real person. There are more productive ways to teach this story.

It seems that trying to remember Jesus’ birth in the midst of all these traditions is fighting a losing battle. So what if we just stopped trying? What if we treated Christmas like any other secular holiday (Thanksgiving, Independence Day, New Year’s Day, etc.)? I see the following potential benefits:

1. We use Christmas as an opportunity to show solidarity with our friends and neighbors. Christians no longer worry about the secularization of Christmas or fill their schedule with church activities and pageants. Instead we wholeheartedly embrace community holiday celebrations. We attend office parties, host neighborhood desserts, support Christmas school concerts, and go to city tree lightings and parades, all with the intention of building relationships with our community for the sake of spreading the gospel.

2. If Christmas is a secular holiday, there’s no obligation to put up a tree, buy presents, or make cookies. Instead we decide which traditions we want to embrace in light of the whole counsel of Scripture. Decorating your home and throwing parties might stem from a biblical conviction about the importance of hospitality. You may choose not to buy gifts or limit your gift giving based on the Bible’s teaching about good stewardship. You might decorate dozens of cookies with your children because of a biblical conviction about parenting. Instead of trying to push a square peg into a round hole and forcing the story of Jesus’ birth to apply to our traditions, we examine what the Bible says about each tradition and develop convictions about what we should embrace and what we should discard.

3. We use Christmas as a way to teach our children biblical principles that actually relate to our celebrations. For instance, “Mom, why are we buying presents for Grandma?” “Well Sally, buying presents is one way that we can show Grandma we love her. I’m so glad that God has blessed us with such a wonderful family. What do you think are some other ways we can show love to our families?” or “Kids, you are doing such a great job decorating this Christmas tree! Isn’t it fun to have an actual tree in our house? I’m so glad that God made different trees for us to enjoy. And doesn’t this tree smell good? I’m happy that God made so many different smells. God is so creative!”

4. We don’t view the incarnation through the rose colored glasses of Christmas. If we stop connecting Jesus’ birth with family, presents, soft lights, and cinnamon buns, we can read the story more accurately as a scary, harsh, and beautiful piece of history.

5. Pastors don’t have to devote a month of each year to the same story and can focus on the specific needs of their church.

Treating Christmas as a secular holiday does not mean that we forget about Christ’s birth. Perhaps we just choose to celebrate it in different ways. For instance:

1. We listen to and sing music about the birth of Jesus all year long at home and at church. Some of the best hymns ever written are songs about Jesus’ birth.

2. We reflect on Jesus’ birth whenever it comes up in our personal Bible study or a pastor’s sermon series.

3. If we want to focus on the incarnation during December, we refuse to link it with Christmas celebrations and treat it as something separate.

Agree? Disagree? Let me know what you think. I'm going to drink some egg nog and rock around my Christmas topiary (my apartment was really too small for a tree.)

About A Boycott

I love going to the movies. I love going with my parents and whispering jokes about the dialogue to my mom. I love going with my friends and discussing the movie over hot chocolate or Coldstone. I even love going by myself occasionally, which can be a deliciously freeing experience. I love giant bags of popcorn. I love medium sized Diet Cokes with a little bit of Cherry Coke at the top. I love watching previews (sometimes more than the actual movie). I love huge multiplexes. I love small independent theaters. I love summer blockbuster season. I love fall art house season. I love holiday Oscar season. I loathe the January-April "let's release films that wrapped three years ago" season, but will still see those films because I love going to the movies.

All that to say, I have a question about movies and I need your help (don't you feel important and affirmed?) As many of you know, "The Golden Compass" is causing a bit of hubbub in the Christian world (my brother just wrote two excellent posts about this film on his blog) and some Christians are encouraging others to boycott. While I don't think that all Christians need to avoid this particular movie, it raises the question if there are any movies that all Christians should avoid. Are there any movies that would be across the board sinful for every Christian to see or does it always depend on the individual's conscience? And if there are indeed movies that no Christian should see, what is the criteria by which we judge these movies?

Once again, I'm forcing you to do the dirty work and help me develop a solid opinion, while I get to sit back and eat Salt and Pepper Kettle Chips. So here are my specific questions to you:

1. Are there any movies that no Christian should see?
2. If so, what criteria would you use to decide whether or not Christians should see that movie?
3. What criteria do you personally use to decide which movies you will or won't see?

Put on those thinking caps and let me know what you think! Meanwhile, I have some television to watch.

Well, I Know The Answer's Jesus, But I Still Think It's A Squirrel

I'm currently teaching my Sunday school kids about the Biblical basis behind various Christmas carols and this morning we discussed "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen."

During our review time I asked, "What country was "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" written in?" and one bright eyed little kindergartner immediately responded, "God!"

Sigh.

Paint It Black Friday

I feel a bit guilty for not doing my part to bolster America's economy on the busiest shopping day of the year (I did purchase an Entertainment Weekly and some green apples, but I don't think that really counts.) To atone for my lack of shopping, I thought I'd post some gift ideas that will encourage my readers to spend their hard earned cash and hopefully eliminate some of the stress that comes with the search for the perfect Christmas present. I'll post a variety of suggestions over the next month. Here are this week's picks:

A Measuring Gaggle: About a week ago, I was unwinding on my couch with a copy of the latest Anthropologie catalogue when I spied this adorable quartet of goose shaped bone china measuring cups. I actually exclaimed, "Oh my goodness, those are so cute!" (talking to yourself is one of the delightful/disturbing things about living alone.) Your mom/sister/girlfriend/wife would probably never think of buying something as frivolous as goose measuring cups, but just imagine how darling they would look resting on her kitchen shelf. And how they'll add a touch of whimsy to even the most mundane culinary chores. And they're microwave and dishwasher safe. Sheesh, I've convinced myself. I think I'm going to order a set tonight.

Artwork: This gift requires a solid grasp of the giftee's design aesthetic, but can be a fun and unexpected present. For some unique ideas, check out etsy.com, a website where thousands of artisans sell their handmade wares. I'm fond of John Golden's digital prints, especially the By Order Of The Management series, Lunastrella Record Player, Lowtops On Baby Blue, and Mind Your P's And Q's.

Personal Stationary: I was raised by one of the most gracious women I know, yet somehow I can't seem to write a proper thank you note. I understand that lack of cute stationary is no excuse for my rudeness, but perhaps I'd be a bit more on the ball if I had some lovely cards to send. Personal stationary is a great gift because it's a luxury most people wouldn't think to buy for themselves, it's practical, there's a plethora of options, and people will enjoy it regardless of their shoe size, taste in music, or 2008 diet plans. I'm particularly enamored with Paper+Cup's OldSchool Numbered Note Card and Framed Silo Note Card and Erin Condren Design's Sugar Spots Note Card (they even come with matching return address labels!)

A National Geographic Magazine From The Month And Year They Were Born: This gift comes across as incredibly sensitive and thoughtful, yet all you really have to know is the giftee's birthday. It's always fun to look back on the events and trends of your birth year and it may spark some fascinating stories on Christmas morning. Check out National Geographic to learn how to order back issues.

On Top Of The World Globe: This globe won't be everyone's cup of tea and it's fairly expensive, but it could be a super buy for any vintage lovers or travel enthusiasts on your list. Restoration Hardware's nifty replica is modeled after globes on the desks of 1950s travel agents and would look gorgeous on a coffee table.

Happy Shopping!

We Gather Together To Read This New Blog Post

On this Thanksgiving day, I'd like to take a moment to express my gratitude for the following things that are consistently excellent: Christopher Guest movies, Bittersweet Cafe hot chocolate, my mom's jokes, Stephen Sondheim musicals, Martha Stewart DIY projects, my dad's sermons, Zachary's deep dish pepperoni pizza, Tim Keller Bible studies, Anthropologie sweaters, discussions at my small group, Project Runway, Amy Butler textiles, Tim Goodman's column in the SF Chronicle, service at San Leandro Honda, Safeway, Mimi's buttermilk spice muffins, Spark on PBS, Disneyland, Discount School Supply products, and Isaac Watts' hymns, including "Is This The Kind Return." I thought it was particularly appropriate for today. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Is this the kind return,
And these the thanks we owe,
Thus to abuse eternal love,
Whence all our blessings flow?

To what a stubborn frame
Has sin reduced our mind!
What strange rebellious wretches we,
And God as strangely kind!

On us He bids the sun
Shed his reviving rays;
For us the skies their circles run,
To lengthen out our days.

The brutes obey their God,
And bow their necks to men;
But we, more base, more brutish things,
Reject His easy reign.

Turn, turn us, mighty God,
And mold our souls afresh;
Break, sov’reign grace, these hearts of stone,
And give us hearts of flesh.

Let old ingratitude
Provoke our weeping eyes,
And hourly as new mercies fall
Let hourly thanks arise.

You Can't Judge A Carol By Its First Verse

I'm not a fan of Christmas carols like "Angels We Have Heard On High" or "The First Noel" that simply tell the Christmas story with no additional teaching or insight. You know, the carols that start "there were some important people in a special place," followed by a chorus of "alleluia" or "noel," followed by a second verse that explains "some other important people came to see them," followed by another chorus of "alleluia" or "noel," followed by a third verse that tells how "some other neat stuff happened," and finally closing with two rousing choruses of "alleluia" or "noel."

For years I foolishly grouped "Once In Royal David's City" with these types of carols, only to discover that it may be the sweetest children's song ever written. Cecil F. Alexander included it in Hymns For Little Children in 1848 and it's the first time I've seen Hebrews 4:14-16 specifically applied to children. I teared up when I read the lyrics today and I hope they encourage you as well.

Once in royal David’s city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her Baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little Child.

He came down to earth from Heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Savior holy.

And, through all His wondrous childhood,
He would honor and obey,
Love and watch the lowly maiden,
In whose gentle arms He lay:
Christian children all must be
Mild, obedient, good as He.

For He is our childhood’s pattern;
Day by day, like us He grew;
He was little, weak and helpless,
Tears and smiles like us He knew;
And He feeleth for our sadness,
And He shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love,
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in Heav’n above,
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him; but in Heaven,
Set at God’s right hand on high;
Where like stars His children crowned
All in white shall wait around.

You Kids Today Are So Spoiled . . .

In my day we didn't have any of those slick "Veggie Tales" videos with catchy songs and Monty Python inspired quips. All we had was the crudely animated "Flying House" series. And we had to walk five miles in the snow to watch it. Barefoot. Uphill. With wolves chasing us.

I Think I Should Take This As A Compliment

This morning in Sunday school, I received one of the greatest accolades a second grade girl can bestow. Cassie looked at me and said, "You look a little bit like Hannah Montana."

Merry Reformation Day Eve!

I know what you're thinking. "Reformation Day is less than five hours away and I still haven't bought Aunt Betty's gift! And I don't have any activities prepared for my child's class party! And I have no idea what to serve for dinner!" Never fear, oldlutheran.com is here to help. Check out their 2007 Reformation Party Kit.

Or, you could simply read "In The Bonds Of Death He Lay," an amazing hymn by Martin Luther.

In the bonds of death He lay,
Who for our offense was slain,
But the Lord is risen today,
Christ hath brought us life again;
Wherefore let us all rejoice,
Singing loud with cheerful voice.

Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son,
Came at last our foe to smite,
All our sins away hath done,
Done away death’s power and right;
Only the form of death is left,
Of his sting he is bereft.

’Twas a wondrous war I trow,
Life and death together fought,
But life hath triumphed o’er his foe,
Death is mocked, and set at naught;
Yea, ’tis as the Scripture saith,
Christ through death hath conquered death.

Now our Paschal Lamb is He,
And by Him alone we live,
Who to death upon the tree
For our sake Himself did give.
Faith His blood strikes on our door,
Death dares never harm us more.

On this day, most blest of days,
Let us keep high festival,
For our God hath showed His grace,
And His sun hath risen on all,
And our hearts rejoice to see
Sin and night before Him flee.

To the supper of the Lord
Gladly will we come today;
The word of peace is now restored,
The old leaven is put away;
Christ will be our food alone,
Faith no life but His will own.

Great Taste Is What It's All About

At least that's what Thomas Keller thinks. The chef and owner of the French Laundry, considered by many critics to be one of the best restaurants in the world, had this to say about my favorite eatery:

"I really respect a company that holds its ground when there is so much pressure to follow the "what’s next, what’s new" trend. In-N-Out’s quality lies in the simplicity of what it promises and delivers. To be able to do something over and over with integrity and excellence, even if it is fast food, is something to be truly admired."