Dairy Free Chocolate Cake

Anticipating a Weekend Full of the Finer Things in Life: Fun, Family, Food, Friends and Fellowship.

Dairy Free Chocolate Cake???

So... I admit, I haven't been doing the greatest of jobs keeping up with my menu planning and shopping list. As a result I've found myself "high and dry" a few times this week. May I just say that google is a wonderful thing when you are stuck for ideas and lacking ingredients in the cooking department...

Came across this amazing recipe for chocolate cake that require NO EGGS and NO MILK, who ever heard of such a thing?! Well, may I just say... this is a keeper. Moist and yummy... and sooooo super easy on the pocket book and pocket watch...

Oh and yes, obviously once you finish lathering it with whipped cream and icing, it's not dairy free anymore... but you get the idea!

1/2 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 ts baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup veg. oil
1 ts vanilla
1 ts white vinegar
1 cup water (I used left over coffee instead of just plain water)

Sift dry ingredients, mix wet ingredients, combine, pour into two small, greased, round cake pans, bake at 350f for 20 min. Let cool then transfer one layer to cake plate, spread with your choice of topping (I blended up oreo cookies and mixed them up into whipped cream). Top with next layer and ice or spread with your choice of topping. This is a great, moist, EASY cake if you ever find yourself without eggs or milk!

Lovable Literature

Every spare moment The Poppet (my kindergartner) finds, she is diving head first into artistic pursuits. Be it creative writing, drawing, or creating photo projects on the computer from her new digital camera. We recently discussed how, although a dog's bark sounds the same to all people, we *express* that sound differently. Some people say a dog says "bow wow" or "woof" or "arf, arf" etc. Well.... this is where *that* conversation took her;

Translation:
I say hi when the Indian says bye
I say bye when the Indian says hi
Why does the Indian say hi while I say bye
and the Indian say bye while I said hi?
Why, why, why?
Well, cause he is an indian and you are not.
Yes.

I asked her why the 'yes' at the end. She said she didn't think it was right to put "amen" at the end of a story, so she put.... 'yes'. I think the term she was looking for was 'The End'?? LOL!

Weather Wimp

photo courtesy of hubickc @ stock.xchng

I can be such a dunce sometimes... it's true. Driving into town one morning last week I am literally *shaking* with cold. I glance up at the exterior thermometer guage on the Suburban and notice that it is set to mileage. I give it a quick click to convert it to temperature and am shocked to see that it is only -8. NICE temperature for a February morning on the canadian prairies....

Irregardless of the temperature right in front of my eyes I continued shivering and freezing all the way to town wondering *what* on earth was wrong with me. Usually I'm a pretty tough nut to crack when it comes to bearing the hardships of prairie life, I was really surprised by my own wimpishness.

It wasn't until I got half way back from town that I realized "doh".... yes, the temperature guage was reading -8..... FAHRENHEIT! Another quick jab at the guage revealed a nippy -24 degrees celsius. No wonder!

Thankful 27 & Counting

Sowing Seeds of Thankfulness to Reap a Harvest of Happiness.


He Holds the Hammer.
While friends and acquaintances and perfect strangers grieve and struggle beneath the strains of life's trials, I feel the tears spill over as the words to this song sink into the tender reaches of my soul. It may seem backwards, and beyond comprehension, but it's true. I'm thankful that He holds the hammer.

(photo courtesy of RavenMedia)

A shapeless piece of steel, that's all I claim to be
This hammer pounds to give me form, this flame, it melts my dreams
I glow with fire and fury, as I'm twisted like a vine
My final shape, my final form I'm sure I'm bound to find

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me my future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for they, the hammer holds

And the water, it cools me gray, and the hurt's subdued somehow
I have my shape, this sharpened point, what is my purpose now?
And the question still remains, what am I to be?
Perhaps some perfect piece of art displayed for all to see

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me my future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for they, the hammer holds

The hammer pounds again, but flames I do not feel
This force that drives me, helplessly, through flesh, and wood reveals
A burn that burns much deeper, it's more than I can stand
The reason for my life was to take the life of a guiltless man

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the pain
And hurt a little, hurt for me, my future is so bold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for they, the hammer holds

This task before me may seem unclear
But it, my maker holds

Bebo Norman, The Hammer Holds.



On a Lighter Note

27. I'm thankful for blue skies and melting snow... even though there's ALOT of snow yet to melt...

28. Saskatoon berry tarts and coffee with friends.

29. One more year granted from above to my Prairie Guy. What can I say, he is the best man in the world... for me.

30. Kicks and nudges from little fists and heels in utero.

31. Silly little stories from my kindergartner... stay tuned for her latest installment tomorrow.

Every good thing and every perfect gift is from God. These good gifts come down from the Creator of the sun, moon and stars, Who does not change like their shifting shadows. James 1:17

Winsome Wednesday

Winsome- charming in a childlike or simple way-attractive - pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm.

Beautiful Bathrooms

Ahh, I love my half hour in the bathroom before the kids get up or that hour of reprieve after an exhausting day. Bathing and basking in the ever changing light of dawn or the deepening shadows of dusk. Luxuriating in the warmth, the bubbles, the heady aroma's that only bath products can produce. I especially revel in my bathroom time since it is the first and so far only room in this dear old house to be (mostly) finished.

The 50's something ivory lino with the silvery micah grain, no more, although the hardwood uncovered from beneath still wants refinishing.

The white plaster and lathe walls, cracked and austere, now covered and warmed in ivy tones.

The old Moen sink with the plywood doors retired to the dump,

The perfect mirror for the big, bare wall...


The sloped ceiling above the shower and the old baby blue 4 foot tub boasting a shower nozzle at adam's apple height, magically transformed to full two story height and 6 foot glory by my very own Prairie Guy.



The only shame being that we were in such a hurry to beautify we forgot to take before pictures!


For a snap shot tour of some truly beautiful bathrooms check out this website, and click on the link, "take a look at some beautiful bathrooms". I love the country and victorian ones!

Shepherding a Child's Heart

On the Matters of Marriage, Motherhood and Ministry.

Have been considering the following weighty words from Socrates (469 BC);

"If I could get to the highest place in Athens, I would lift up my voice and say, 'What mean ye fellow citizens that you turn every stone to scrape wealth together and take so little care of your children, to whom you must one day relinquish it all?'"

When I hear the statistic that 3 out of 5 churched kids in America abandon the church and wander in religious limbo after leaving home, I am shaken to the core. What is going wrong? It makes me all the more passionate about "training up our children in the way they should go". I think there's a reason that the bible says; talk about these things and impress them on your children's hearts when you rise, when you sit, when you walk along the path, when you lay down." The reason being, it's a full time job.

I Thank God for the many parents in these days who are being called according to His purpose to be there, be active, be purposeful in the training up their children, it rejoices my heart. May we see a turn-around in that sad 3/5 statistic in the lives of the next generation.

On a personal level, it amazes me that despite conscious choice and effort to be a family that is present when "they rise, when they walk, when they sit, when they lay down"; A family that "stays, plays and prays" together in all the different facets of life, I still feel the moments slipping through my fingers like sand through an hourglass. My "baby" will soon be 9... The math magically writes itself out on the whiteboard of my brain, 9 X 2=18, equating to half-way gone. My heart feels a nostalgic and near painful squeeze. No! I'm not ready! My darling husband just smiles and shakes his head at me... my daughter quizzically asks; "but do I have to leave when I'm 18?" I smile. "No, sweetheart... you surely don't!" Words that melt a mother's heart.

Whatever I am, whatever I do, whatever happens to me, I pray I will leave behind a legacy of Faith, Hope and Love in the lives of these little lambs who follow in my shadow, that I will lead them by being an example in word, faith and deed.

"It was a sheep- not a lamb, that strayed
In the parable Jesus told:
A grown up sheep that had gone away
from the ninety and nine in the fold.

Out in the meadows, out in the cold,
'Twas a sheep the good shepherd sought:
Back to the flock, and into the fold,
'Twas a sheep the Good Shepherd brought.

And why, for the sheep, should we earnestly long
And so earnestly hope and pray?
Because there is danger if they go wrong;
They will lead the young lambs astray.

For the lambs will follow the sheep, you know
Wherever the sheep may stray
If the sheep go wrong, it will not be long
'Til the lambs are as wrong as they.

So with the sheep we earnestly plead,
For the sake of the lambs today:
If the lambs are lost, what a terrible cost
Some sheep may have to pay.

Author unknown.

God's Best and Surrender

Musings and Reflections from Recent Moments in the Word.




Best Isn't Always Beautiful, at the Time.
While reading Job I was moved by these words in the column of my Max Lucado Devotional Bible. "When we're new in the faith, or immature, we tend to think that God will always do what is best for u s. Indeed He will. But what *we* think is best, and what *He* does are as different as whipped cream and concrete. We think He'll make us happy. In effect, we envision these warm, fuzzy feelings. But He plans to make us holy. That often calls for plenty of knocks and raps..."

Impossible Tasks Require Ultimate Surrender
Twice this week I have been reminded how we are asked, urged, indeed *commanded* to do certain things as followers of Christ that, and scripture makes no qualms about this, are essentially *impossible* for us to do. First was in my devotional reading from Matthew 19 about the rich young ruler. After telling the young man to go and sell all he had and give it to the poor, and pronouncing how difficult it was for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, he is met with gasps of surprise on the part of his followers who choke out; "Then, who can be saved?!" Jesus responds with; "This is something people cannot do, but God can do all things."

Then last night in our small group we were discussing James 3. In essence the chapter is urging caution and control in the area of speech, the "taming of the tongue". But make no qualms about it, verse 2 realistically informs us "We all make many mistakes. If people never said anything wrong, they would be perfect and able to control their entire selves too."

How comforting, how reassuring to understand that what God wants from me, who He wants me to be, has nothing to do with my own merit or ability. I *can't* do it, be it, and that's that. But He can, and He promises to accomplish with power what He requests of me *if* I surrender. Surrender all.

Food and Stuff

Anticipating a weekend full of the finer things in life; Fun, Family, Food, Friends & Fellowship

FOOD
Chris, you asked for my noodle recipe... I use this simple recipe for making thick noodles for chicken noodle soup, or linguine-like noodles for eating with lamb stewed in tomato sauce.

2 cups flour
2 eggs
1 tspn baking powder
water to make a moist-but-not-tacky workable dough.

Work with hands to elastic consistency
Roll out to medium thickness on a lightly floured surface
Cut into pasta maker diameter strips (or roll extra thin and cut into strips if you don't have a pasta maker)
work through the flat barrell of your pasta maker 3 or 4 times before selecting your noodle type and running it through. Leave long for linguine, cut up into 2 inch lengths for soup.

These cook FAST. They need all of 2-3 minutes, so don't add your noodles till people are ready to eat. Enjoy!

FUN!
Just received my Poppet's inaugural short story (this was not an assignment, she did it in her "craft time"). She had to read the first line to me, before I finally was able to decipher her style, but for a first story from a kindergartner I thought this was GREAT! If you are wondering why the upper/lower case confusion, she learned upper case last year, and we are working on lower case this year, but haven't got through all the letters yet! So fun.

WUNS LUR WOOS a GRL Se WONiD a PEt
HR MOM GOt a DOG Se WUS haqe
the DOG Dis NOt et cuRits
the DOG ets DOG FOOD
The DOG hAS A BED
The GRL FeDS HR DOG DOG FOOD
THE END.

Once there was a girl, she wanted a pet
Her mom got a dog, she was happy
the dog does not eat carrots
the dog eats dog food
The dog has a bed
The girl feeds her dog dog food.

(That's my girl and her dog in the picture above btw).

And not to be outdone, Prairie Girl (8) just ran off to bring me a poem she wrote during her quiet time yesterday.

The wind wakes the sun up
the clouds put the sun to sleep.
But who wakes the moon up?
I guess it's the stars.

Frugality

Found some great, simple tips in frugality on Crystal's Blog.

So here are ways we practice frugality in our home.

-I wouldn't have thought of this as money saving, just something I never considered a neccessity... I also use moisturizing body wash for shaving :D

-Like I said in my "Let's Talk Laundry Post" we are very careful about wearing clothes until they are dirty and cutting back on towel laundry by using our terry towel bathrobes after baths.

-we raise our own lamb, and will get our first steer this spring. The future plan is to raise all of our own meat.

-we have never been subscribers to cable or sattelite or any extra phone features

-we get movies from the library rather than rent, or the odd time rent rather than go to the cinema, only go to the cinema once a year maybe, as a special treat (which happens to be tonight!)

-We don't have a cell phone, calling card is MUCH cheaper, and pay phones abound....

-We never buy NEW clothes, excepting socks, underwear and shoes unless I happen to stumble across a really wicked sale where new costs the same as used. God has always blessed us with amazing hand me downs and/or great finds at second hand stores.

-Despite being an absolute book lover I don't buy NEW books, excepting home school curriculum. One of my favourite leisure passtimes is fingering through my used bookstore haunt for old favourites and new reads at one to two dollars a pop.

-We are very careful about gas mileage, we don't commit to anything that will require us to be on the road more than once a week, and try to never make two trips to town on the same day or to the city in a week. (With two 8 passenger vehicles, gas adds up!)

-I got my first magazine subscription *ever* this year when the local school was having a fund raiser. Usually we don't subscribe to any magazines or papers.

-Dh does all of our reno's/repairs on house, outbuildings, vehicles, you name it. He's the best.

-We have never bought anything we had to borrow money for or pay interest on (including vehicles) except for the mortgage on our first two homes. We are now mortgage free, debt free and don't lose one penny interest to our name.

-I design and dh makes much of our furniture, anything that can be built of wood and wrought iron that is...

Thankful 15 & Counting

Sowing Seeds of Thankfulness to Reap a Harvest of Happiness.


I'm thankful for;

15. the beauty of the full moon washing over the waves of snow in the fields.

16. the soothing combination of sunlight spilling over hardwood floors and leather furniture.

17. peppermint facial scrub, ahhh, gotta love that refreshing coolness

18. cream of wheat on frosty mornings

19. steamy showers and aroma therapy body wash

20. waterslides, hot-tubs and $13.00 family swims

21. sharing supersized all dressed Sardegna special pizzas with family and friends

22. afternoon scrapbooking with a friend over Toblerone, coffee and Michael Buble accompaniment.

23. Dinosaurs in my bed, and dinosaurs on my head... see here

24. hanging out and laughing over coffee and banana muffins with "the gals"

25. a playroom that can finally be played in, yay!

26. homemade ham sandwiches with mustard, mayo and crispy lettuce, yum!

Every good thing and every perfect gift is from God. These good gifts come down from the Creator of the sun, moon and stars, who does not change like their shifting shadows. James 1:17

Your turn!

Winsome Wednesday

Winsome- charming in a childlike or simple way-attractive - pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm.

Winsome Dining
I was recently charmed by a lovely blog post I stumbled across regarding "feeding our families".

The basic premise being that the dinner table should be a place of beauty and joy and peace. Ah yes, dreamy indeed. I wistfully remembered her pictures the next time I set the table with Corelle dishes and plastic sippy cups, our tupperware water jug and mix-matched glasses.... I have long been thinking of how I could make the table a more inviting place. I have gotten as far as cloth table cloths (sometimes) and candlelight and soft background music (most of the time), matching plates and actually using serving plates rather than just putting the pots on the table :P.

This week I decided to take the plunge and go for broke. I fondly remember my dear friend Val's belief that "things just taste better when eaten off a silver spoon." and so, with firm resolve... while the practical-schmactical side of me may never allow us to arrive at silver, crystal or china, I have taken some serious strides to make our time at the dinner table a more winsome experience. Drumroll please.....

Last time I was in the city I resolved to buy myself fresh flowers (okay, so they are only carnations, but hey, I still have to be practical... it may be two weeks before I make it to the city again, these babies need to last!) an actual ceramic water jug (yay! who'd have thought such a simple thing could bring such joy :D ) and while I haven't done away with the Corelle and plastic sippy cups *yet*, they have been retired to a higher shelf for now, and I have been setting the table with good dishes and (ready for this?) wine glasses every meal that we share together as a family (with dh I mean). Amazingly enough, the nice table setting does something to the kids, programs them to actually eat *nicely* and there hasn't been a single spill or upset glass all week! Now *maybe* I can haul out my italian tablecloths to replace this practical old vinyl one...

I find even the dirty dishes are rather a delight to look upon, don't you think?


A delight to wash might be taking it a bit far, huh? I've been contemplating finding the sacred in the suds, but I'll shut up now and save that for a future installment. Happy dining y'all.

Dinosaur Dilemma

Dinosaurs are one of the biggest pains of motherhood around here. How you might ask? Here's a quick run-down;

-hard plastic dinosaurs digging into my flesh when I roll over in bed at night.

-said plastic dinosaurs cutting into my bare feet when I jump up to console a crying child in the middle of the night.

-same plastic dinosaurs playing merrily on my head in the morning when my 18 month old comes to cuddle.

I guess if plastic dinosaurs are the only hardship I have to lament over I've got it pretty good.

Putty In My Hands

Random musings on Marriage, Motherhood and Ministry.





"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

It's interesting that what I am reading in two different books came together to speak to me in "stereo" today. First in my 6 year old's story from Gramma's Attic, a tale of a dear (senile) old Grampa who came to stay with the story's protagonists. The poor old gaffer's sense of time and memory came and went leaving the pour children in a state of utter confusion. Interestingly enough (true story) when little Mabel forgets her dictation assignment at school, (a recital of Shakespeare) the old Grampa is able to dictate the lengthy and eloquent passage in question with great vibrato. He made a comment about how he wasn't likely to ever forget that, since he had put it to memory at a very young age.

Then in "Little Children, Big Joy" Maria Theresa de Giustina writes about her interaction with the elderly; "They might not be capable of remembering their present street address but can recite perfectly a poem or passage they put to memory in their early years."

Children's minds are so impressionable! Their little consciences are like soft putty in our hands. What a joy and responsibility to make the most of every opportunity to mold these little minds into the image of God by leading them daily into His Printing Press and watching His words be written on their hearts.

I know from personal experience that exposure to God's love and truth from a young age can shape a child's entire future, even if that child grows up in a non-christian, disfunctional home. I can't wait to meet and hug (in heaven) the lady who came to collect me as a young child to take me to sunday school whenever she had the chance, and to bring me bags of goodwill clothing and sit on the step and talk to me and tell me God loved me. I don't know her name, I can't picture her face anymore, but I know that she probably remembers me and mine, and I know she prayed for me. I very well may not have become who I am today, or arrived where I have today, if not for her. She was not a relative, not a friend of the family even really, just a "neighbour" (not even in the literal sense, I know she drove quite a way to pick me up) but she shaped me just by sharing God's love and truth with me.

Can you recall special people who impacted your life from early on? Pray a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing upon them for the impact they had on you and think about how you can "pay it forward" and be a blessing in the lives of children around you this week.

Mmmmm.....

I love Fridays. Fridays are my day to gear up for two full days of all those wonderful "F" words. Fun, family, friends, food and fellowship! What more could a girl look forward to?

In the food department, here's our family's favourite spaghetti and salad that is SOOOOO QUICK, authentically italian (of course!) and *simply* scrumptious.

Spaghetti
150 grams per person (100 for kids)

Sauce
1 quart (or two large cans) of stewed tomatoes (no additives). I pass fresh or canned tomatoes through a hand press to give them a thick but not lumpy consistency and throw the skins out.
1/8 cup olive oil
1/2 TS salt
1/2 TS oregano
1 clove crushed garlic
3 cups sliced or shredded zucchini (I slice and freeze this in HUGE quantities when it is in season).
Fresh grated parmesan as a garnish

Bring sauce ingredients to a boil then reduce to low heat and let simmer for half hour. Cook spaghetti per box instructions (and not a moment longer! It will keep cooking in the pot/sauce after you drain it and you want it to be "al dente" or in plain english "slightly firm to the bite").

Maria's Insalata Incredibile
Mixed greens
1/4 cup olive oil
1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
salt to sprinkle

It doesn't get any simpler than this, or yummier either. Add some crusty garlic bread and a bottle of Lambrusco and voila'.... Viva La Pasta!

Have a fabulous Friday (and Saturday and Sunday :D ) folks!

Thankful 9 and counting

I'm thankful for;

9. the joy of waking up every morning to the feeling of pudgy hands on my face and 4 (yes, always exactly four) smacking kisses from my 18 month old (dh puts him in bed with me when he leaves for work).

10. the heartfelt (and long) prayers of my six year old "and thank you for making trees so we could have wood so we could build houses so we could stay warm...."

11. the humor of my 4 year old "Do you know why fish can go to bed quicker than little boys, Mommy?" "No, why is that son?" "Because they don't have jammies to put on! Ha ha ha...." LOL!

12. The tenderness of a sweet and thoughtful husband who loves me just as I am and wouldn't change me even if he had the chance. Wow. That's saying alot. *tears*.

13. The spiritual insight and sensitivity of my 8 year old, who teaches me more than I think I will ever teach her just by being who God has created her to be.

14. The patience of a perfect, loving, gracious Father who is ever present, ever ready to strengthen, heal and help me in every situation.

And since it is Valentine's Day, the fact that this just "happened" to be the hymn I turned to this morning brought tears to my eyes...

Jesus is Mine
Fade, fade each earthly joy, Jesus is mine!
Break every tender tie, Jesus is mine!
Dark is the wilderness, earth has no resting place
Jesus alone can bless, Jesus is mine!

Tempt not my soul away, Jesus is mine!
Here would I ever stay, Jesus is mine!
Perishing things of clay, born but for one brief day
Pass from my heart away, Jesus is mine!

Farewell you dreams of night, Jesus is mine!
Lost in this dawning light, Jesus is mine!
All that my soul has tried, left but a dismal void
Jesus has satisfied, Jesus is mine!

Farewell mortality, Jesus is mine!
Welcome eternity, Jesus is mine!
Welcome oh loved and blessed, welcome sweet scenes of rest
Welcome my Savior's breast, Jesus is mine!

What are *you* thankful for today?

Where God Lives

"I wish I knew where to find God so I could go to where He lives... I would learn how He would answer me and would think about what He would say. Would He not argue strongly against me? No, He would really listen to me." Job 23:3-6

This passage jumped out at me this morning. I couldn't help but see how blessed I am to sit in my wingback chair with the presence of the Lord around me and within me, and His living Word open on my lap with His ear open to my every cry. I don't need to go to where He lives because He lives in me! Wow. That was the tear jerker of the day. Are you reveling in the presence of God?

Thankful

We try to follow a weekly theme in our house to focus especially on one aspect of prayer and worship each day of the week. Thursday is our day to be especially conscious of the things we are thankful for and to express those thanks to God, the fount of every blessing. I had to smile today as I consciously started to recount my blessings. Thought it was worth a share... As you might guess the majority of these thanksgivings were birthed from our studies in early american history...

1. I'm thankful I don't ever lie awake at night fearing that the owl hoot or coyote call I hear is a native warrior signalling his parties attack on my home and family.

2. I'm thankful I can enjoy soft candlelight whenever I want to but don't have to make my own candles or rely on them solely for evening light.

3. I'm thankful for running water and flushable toilets.

4. I'm thankful for vaccines, medication, and doctors that actually know something about how the human body functions and what causes disease.

5. I'm thankful I don't have to get up multiple times in the middle of the night to stoke a fire to keep my babies from freezing in their beds.

6. I'm thankful for the chance to learn, read, study, research whatever strikes my fancy, from books in my own library, to the public library to the amazing resource of the world wide web. We are so blessed!

7. I'm thankful to have my husband literally at my fingertips when he is in the office, ICQ is WONDERFUL.

8. I'm thankful for Jesus in whom all my wants, desires, and needs are fulfilled.

My list will continue to build throughout the day, but thought I'd share. So what are YOU thankful for?

Bono on Faith and Religion.

Brilliant.

"The Gospels paint a picture of a very demanding, sometimes divisive love, but love it is. I accept the Old Testament as more of an action movie: blood, car chases, evacuations, a lot of special effects, seas dividing, mass murder, adultery. The children of God are running amok, wayward. Maybe that's why they're so relatable. But the way we would see it, those of us who are trying to figure out our Christian conundrum, is that the God of the Old Testament is like the journey from stern father to friend. When you're a child, you need clear directions and some strict rules. But with Christ, we have access in a one-to-one relationship, for, as in the Old Testament, it was more one of worship and awe, a vertical relationship. The New Testament, on the other hand, we look across at a Jesus who looks familiar, horizontal. The combination is what makes the Cross."

"Religion can be the enemy of God. It's often what happens when God, like Elvis, has left the building. A list of instructions where there was once conviction; dogma where once people just did it; a congregation led by a man where once they were led by the Holy Spirit. Discipline replacing discipleship."

"I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I'd be in deep s---. It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity."

"I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there's a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, let's face it, you're not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That's the point. It should keep us humbled… . It's not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven."



Yahweh Lyrics, U2

Take these shoes
Click clacking down some dead end street
Take these shoes
And make them fit
Take this shirt
Polyester white trash made in nowhere
Take this shirt
And make it clean, clean
Take this soul
Stranded in some skin and bones
Take this soul
And make it sing

Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh
Still I'm waiting for the dawn

Take these hands
Teach them what to carry
Take these hands
Don't make a fist
Take this mouth
So quick to criticise
Take this mouth
Give it a kiss

Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh
Still I'm waiting for the dawn

Still waiting for the dawn, the sun is coming up
The sun is coming up on the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean

Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, tell me now
Why the dark before the dawn?

Take this city
A city should be shining on a hill
Take this city
If it be your will
What no man can own, no man can take
Take this heart
Take this heart
Take this heart
And make it break