Viva la Difference

You might think "How did THEY ever get together?" I know that's the way it was for my husband and I. He had a serious, intuitive, methodical, perfectionist, deep-thinker personality. I, on the far end of the spectrum (as far as the East is from the West), was/am a lighthearted, sanguine, fun-loving, upbeat, go-with-the-flow personality. It worked well for us. We completed each other. We made each other better because of what one of us lacked, the other had. It didn't come without years of maturing and adapting. but there was no denying we were a perfect match made in heaven. It definitely made for some interesting challenges for us but we had a chemistry that worked. This scripture explains what God has in mind for all of his children:
“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.” Romans 12:4-5

It’s “la difference” that makes relationships interesting, and many times….lasting. The fact is we are better together. Take making a cake for example. I love taste-testing along the way. I admit that I enjoy a few chocolate chips while mixing the sugar and butter for chocolate chip cookies. The ingredients of a dessert sort of describe how all of our parts – whether, spicy, sweet, sour, bitter – when all combined together – result in a delicious dessert. The ingredients, by themselves, may not be tasty at all, but combined – viva la delicioso!

Just as each ingredient in a recipe is necessary, every member in Christ’s body also has a special function. This is why scripture says we are many parts of one body. God gives each person a unique purpose, and together, we can serve others in the way God intended. In this way, we belong to each other. Because we need each other.

Every member of Christ’s body is essential. Those who are bold, daring, outgoing, public speakers who are confident and articulate need those comfortable-to-be-behind-the-scenes, hospitable, calm, easy-going, and steady folks to get the job done or for the program or project to be a success. Some parts function in visible ways, but the parts that function in invisible ways are just as important. We need everyone to come together, to do each part. Because we really are better together. And TOGETHER we can sure make this world a better place -- especially when they see the love we have for each other!
Oh you're my brother, you're my sister
So take me by the hand
Together we will work until He comes
There's no foe that can defeat us
When we're walking side by side
As long as there is love we will stand!

Be the Chocolate Chip!

I'll admit it. Of the many foods I hold near and dear to my heart, one of my favorites is a chocolate chip cookie. In fact, I'm a connoisseur of chocolate chip cookies. I've tasted many -- store-bought and homemade. Still the winner for me, is Hilton's Doubletree Hotel ones. If you go to the Doubletree Hotel to stay for a night, you'll be indulged with their scrumptuous, fresh, warm cookies. Since you can only buy them at their hotel, or order them online, someone came up with a cloned version, that I can barely tell the difference. So you know what I mean, I've included the cloned recipe here. You're welcome!

But this post is more than just about chocolate chip cookies. In a chocolate chip cookie recipe, the first ingredients are flour, salt, brown sugar, butter, baking soda. Once you beat those ingredients all up, you can't tell which ingredient is which. They've all blended together. But, chocolate chips added into those ingredients -- you can always tell it apart from the rest. That's why I pick the chocolate chip cookie that has the most yummy chocolate chips in it!!

Jan Brewer and Amy Stucky wrote a book called "Be the Chocolate Chip". Here's a paragraph from their book: "You can be the chocolate chip. You can choose to be 'in the cookie, but not of the cookie'. Just as the chocolate chip made the cookie better by retaining its true nature, you can make the world better by retaining your true nature as a follower of Christ. You don't have to be something or someone else. You don't have to melt into the crowd; you can be the chocolate chip! You will get noticed for being different. You will stand out. That is what makes all the difference, and is what makes a chocolate chip cookie so great. What good would it be without the chocolate chip? Be you. Be different. Be better. Be the chocolate chip!"

I love that! I don't think I can add to those words except for God's Word that says in Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Isn't it time we are the chocolate chip cookie that draws others to our taste, our look, our smile, our light, our warmth and our aroma! Sure we'll be different than ALL the OTHER COOKIES in the store (world), but standing out as different than all the rest, sure brings God's favor and blessings to us!

Here's that yummy, cloned version recipe that I promised! It's a cloned version. DoubleTree seems to hold a tight rein on their version, but this one is as close as can be expected!

DOUBLE TREE COOKIES (cloned version)
Be sure to get the cookies out of the oven when they are turning light brown. This way they'll stay soft in the middle when cool. For even better results, you can chill the dough overnight before you commence with the ceremonial baking.
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
2 eggs
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grind oats in a food processor or blender until fine. Combine the ground oats with the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
3. Cream together the butter, sugars, vanilla, and lemon juice in another medium bowl with an electric mixer. Add the eggs and mix until smooth.
4. Stir the dry mixture into the wet mixture and blend well. Add the chocolate chips and nuts to the dough and mix by hand until ingredients are well incorporated.
5. Spoon rounded 1/4-cup portions onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Place the scoops about 2 inches apart. You don't need to press the dough flat. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes or until cookies are light brown and soft in the middle. Store in a sealed container when cool to keep soft. For the best results, chill the dough overnight in the refrigerator before baking the cookies.