Image by Dieny Portinanni from Unsplash
THINKING ABOUT:
Since there’s a whole host of legislation popping up to try and force the United States to become a “Christian country,” you might be wondering what exactly a Christian is. I grew up Lutheran, so here’s a handy guide, as they are surprisingly difficult to find out in the wild. Real Christians don’t brandish their faith. Instead, you’ll find them:
Working in soup kitchens, feeding their less-fortunate neighbors
Finding solutions to homelessness while also making eye contact with an unhoused person and maybe taking them for lunch
Donating gallons of blood
Fighting to save our planet as “stewards of the earth”
Welcoming and loving strangers and anyone different from them into their homes and communities
Supporting women’s right to care for our own bodies
Loving their neighbors as themselves
Building houses with Habitat for Humanity
Voting to take guns out of commission
Disguises you might see that usually mean someone ISN’T following Christ’s teachings:
Cross-shaped jewelry embedded with blood diamonds
Family Christmas cards featuring AR-47s
Showing off a Bible (upside-down is an instant tell)
Pickup trucks adorned with the Confederate flag
Anyone opposing critical race theory being taught in schools and/or banning books
WATCHING:
Fake Christians abound in the new Hulu/Nightline documentary: Secrets of the 2X2 Church. This pseudo-Christian cult is so secretive, it doesn’t even have a formal name, church buildings, or church structure. A friend of mine was raised in this cult and I appreciate her telling me about it. This was so powerful I sent a thank-you message to the lead survivor/advocate as well as the amazing attorney who prosecutes these horrific cases. Trigger warning for childhood sexual abuse.
READING:
If you happen to be a person of faith struggling with how to serve our Black brothers and sisters, you need Loving Your Black Neighbor as Yourself by Chanté Griffin. I was honored when Chanté asked me if I would review it. It would be a perfect study guide for faith-based book clubs, Bible study groups, and for any white person who truly wants to understand how to be anti-racist. Infused with love, the book reflects Chanté’s beautiful spirit. She re-interprets familiar New Testament stories like the Good Samaritan through the lens of today’s culture, and provides prayer pauses and other exercises to help readers gently explore their own biases and put on “cultural love lenses.” If you’re not coming from a faith-based perspective, there’s plenty to glean as well, although it is overtly Christian throughout.
EATING:
As an homage to my Lutheran potluck heritage, I present a recipe I “renovated” per a reader request back when I was a baby food blogger.
Church Supper Cornbread Casserole
10” prep
20-30” bake time
16 servings
1-1/2 cups cornbread mix (gluten-free or regular)
2-1/4 cups frozen corn, divided use
1/4 cup agave syrup, maple syrup, or honey
1/4 cup grapeseed or olive oil
1-1/4 cups water
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9" x 13" pan or prepare 16 muffin cups.
Put 1 cup of corn in the blender with the agave syrup, oil, and water. Blend until fairly smooth.
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and pour into prepared pan. Bake casserole for about 30 minutes or until the top springs back in the center when touched with a finger. If making this in muffin tins, check after 20 minutes.
Cut casserole into 16 squares for the potluck.
Cook’s Note: Use filtered or spring water for the best flavor.
Migraine peeps: This is Plan-approved.
Low-so peeps: Use no-salt-added corn and check the packaging on the cornbread mix.
Plant-based peeps: As the cornbread mix is vegan, this is plant-based!
Chronic illness peeps: With a quick prep time, this should be easy to make.
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