Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
And blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll Turn back to praise
And when the darkness closes in,
Lord Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's "all as it should be"
And blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

I edited the words a little, but we sang this song Sunday night, and it ministered to me deeply.

I want to bless the Name of the Lord. When the world is "as it should be", and when my road is marked with suffering. He is still worthy.

Mike Huckabee responds to evolution question

This Sunday it was Justin; a small young man who quietly walked into yak bak two months ago holding a bible in an old embroidered bible cover, that looks like one his grandmother made and carried. This quiet young man, was respectful, and responsive all in a reserved manner. He would listen, and answer honestly. He would smile rarely, but you felt like he probably was listening.

A week ago Sunday night Justin's Dad, and Dad's girlfriend brought Justin to Sunday night service. They came again last night. And while the Holy Ghost was moving across the congregation, and the power of God was obviously ministering to the people, Justin's Dad tapped me on the shoulder. He wanted to give his life to God.

The experience was so new to him. I knew that his prayers were sincere and true, but held in by a gate that the man himself didn't know how to open. Bro McLaughlin came to talk with him for a moment, and while he did I motioned for Justin to join me. I spoke with him briefly but then went back to pray for his father. It was while that man was trying so hard to reach to God, that his son's heart burst. Justin began to weep before the Lord.

I prayed with Justin and we talked to God. Neither one received the Holy Ghost, but what a powerful step both made. To truly open themselves and seek after God. "Oh what fellowship divine. I am His, and He is mine. In the presence of the Lord, there's fullness of joy."

God is doing wonderful things in the city of Euless. Please pray for the souls that are coming in. 15 have received the Holy Ghost in 6 weeks and 9 have taken on His name in baptism.

First United Pentecostal church of Euless has an exciting program called Kidz Zone. They have catered a Sunday morning to evangelism, with three different bus routs, a hot breakfast, and an involved program with puppets, projection, music, and teaching. Each Sunday morning 40-75 kidz fill their fellowship hall to hear the word of the Lord.

As an extension of this ministry they started Yak Bak. An intermediary class where kids would transition from Kidz Zone, to a traditional Sunday Morning Apostolic church service. The age is 12-15 (aka Jr. High).

It wasn't long after makeing FUPC Euless home that someone mentioned me being in Yak Bak. And so after a few months we began. We spend two hours or so every Sunday morning drilling principles of the Word into the lives of our young adults.

The first month we talked about Prayer. The second we spent five weeks on the Word of God. This month we focused on Praise and Worship, and to conclude the month we went into the sanctuary to worship with the greatest music minister on the planet (my lovely wife). Praise and Worship was filled with power, and Bro Chad Mooney delivered a word from the Lord.

At the first mention of altar call, a young man made his way to the altar. With tears in his eyes he started to pray. After praying together and believing in faith Eddie began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance. Baptized at the age of 8 in our church, God completed the work of salvation in his life and we are so excited!

I just had to share.

Go check out our wedding pictures!

"And behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it." Matt 28:2

I love the precious word pictures that just pour out of the Word. Resurrection morning: The Prince of Peace has risen, the king's seal was broken, his greater error has become a reality, and an angel of the Lord is sitting on his stone. What a finality and dominion. No need to stand in defiance for it was no act of defiance to roll your stone away. Simply sitting will do fine. Perhaps the angel was whistling a tune as he sat upon the broken seal. What a King, what a power, what a wonderful communion.


Julie and I had a wonderful Easter this year. Saturday night we were busily preparing for the family to come over. Julie's older sister, April, has two kids, Hannah who is six and Brendon who is three. April and Jerome, Nathan (Julie's brother) and Rachel (his fiance), Bro Jones and Sis Jones, all came over for Easter dinner. Julie and I made Easter eggs for our Easter egg hunt.



It was fun, and not near as messy as I had thought it would be.




And for dinner we had fillet Mignon! Julie's mom had bragged to everyone about my steak, so the pressure was on. Thankfully we found this AWESOME meat market that sold 8 oz, bacon wrapped filet's for just 4.99! I took the picture of them marinating Sunday morning to send to the guys, but my phone was having problems... Anyway all went well. I missed my family and my church family, but I had a beautiful Easter morning.



When she pulled this one out of the die she said, "I'd been waiting on that one..." I can hear the gag reflexes now, Lynn... she is actually anticipating my cheesyness. Isn't it great!




I know to the casual observer these may look bad, but they are primed and ready for grilling, olive oil marinade with italian dressing and a bunch of Montreal Steak Seasoning... mmm!!

It is a beautiful day. I don't know what the temperature is, I really don't care. There is just this combination in the air. It's a warm sunshine, a cool breeze, a lightness in the air because of some level or lack of humidity. Regardless, it makes me want to walk in the grass barefoot and throw around a frisbee with my love. It's a beautiful day.

My Honeymoon

I really can't tell you how excited I get at just the thought of being completely done with the wedding and enjoying time off with Julie. Especially here!

Check out the wedding blog if you want to hear more!

French Toast

This weekend Julie and I were able to go to Wichita Falls. I got off work last night and picked up Julie. We got some Subway... mmm and got to Mom's house about nine.


I slept as long as I could at Joseph's and came over to start breakfast. I made French Toast and bacon. I thought the bacon would never be done... Dad taught me how to make French Toast. I personally (and Julie agrees) think my French Toast is the best! Whenever I would go to visit her while we were dating I always wanted to cook her breakfast on Saturday morning. At first she didn't want me to, she was afraid she wouldn't like it and not know how to lovingly, but honestly, tell me.

The first time I convinced her to try I made French Toast. Her mom loved it! She started to ask me what I was going to make for breakfast when I was there. Really simple, three eggs for four pieces. A little bit of milk, just a pinch. And then some cinnamon and nutmeg. Always use butter to grease your pan, and cook on medium to low heat. Butter the pan each time you cook a new piece.

Toppings are the FUN!... lol... This morning was a little powdered sugar with bananas and strawberries... It really was perfect. An Ouellette tradition was to put peanut butter and syrup. It is delicious!

There is a study bible that is called the Serendipity Bible. Serendipity is defined as an aptitude for encountering unexpected desirable discoveries. What a great thought! Anytime you open up the word you really can expect an unexpected discovery. There are many better study bibles out there, I just thought I would mention the name of this particular one.

My mind has found so much to think on in a passage we recently read. In his second letter Peter lists a hierarchy that can be applied so many ways.

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. II Peter 1:5-7

It really is a beautiful transition. That first with our faith comes an intent and desire for goodness. Then through that we thirst and desire knowledge of Him and His word, for in it we define what is good and what is not. Then comes that self control to abstain from not only what isn't lawful, but what we also find imprudent. Next we have to find patience to wait on Him. Then we truly start to see that Holiness and Separation (perhaps why holiness is not seen quickly in a new believer is because these other foundations must have some sort of foothold). Then as all men can see that we are called into his marvelous light we love one another, and last but not least comes that unconditional and undeserved love that we all need so much more of.

The only problem with the word serendipity is that it implies happenstance or the unexpected. Perhaps if I reminded myself of how constant the blessings are that I find in the word I would linger at the table a little longer.

In the morning...




There is just something to be said of rising early in the morning. I know I don't love sleep as much as some. My lovely bride, my honorable brother... they seem to study sleep and know it well. I kind of feel like I enjoy it as much as the next guy. I do enjoy it enough to have a hard time getting up, but I love to meet with Him in the morning. I love to read His word, and I find meeting with Him early is different than my time in the evening.



I love this painting. I don't know if it's morning or evening, but I think it beautifully speaks of the times when Jesus would find solitude and pray. I hope your mornings find as much of Him as possible.

Weight Watchers Garden Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

2/3 cup sliced carrot

1/2 cup diced onion

2 garlic cloves

3 cups broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable)

1 1/2 cup diced green cabbage

1/2 cup green beans1 tablespoon tomato paste

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup diced zucchini

Directions:
In a large saucepan, sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, saute carrot, onion, and garlic over low heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add broth, cabbage, beans, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and salt; bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer, covered about 15 minutes or until green beans are tender. Stir in zucchini and heat 3-4 minutes. Serve hot.

So the picture online dosen't look half as good as my bowl did tonight. Julie told me about this soup a day or two ago - last weekend was a little rough. Kristopher Prince dragged us to Fudruckers and Cheesecake Factory both after having Papadeaux's with all the family last Tuesday. Needless to say this yummy recipe was overdue. I love cutting up fresh vegetables and this tastes awesome. You have to try it

Tips: I don't know what those white looking beans are other than sick looking... If you like green beans you can load them up, but if you make sure and really dice the cabbage you can get all the filler you need. Also make sure you "dices" of zucchini aren't the size of a quarter cubbed, it looks like that one would take an hour to cook... Next time I'll take my own picture.

Congratulations Donnie & Sondra

Mr. & Mrs. Donnie Allen Gandee

In 2007 there will be four weddings in my Euless church... still waiting on how many will be at home to add to it. As I sat there through the ceremony I had so many thoughts of what will happen in less than just four months time.


It was a beautiful ceremony and a beautiful day to be wed!

Happy Birthday Sis Karla.

Not that anyone who reads this blog, dosen't already know, or hasn't told you themselves... But regardless. You are such a beautiful example of a Lady. I love you dearly, and wish you a wonderful and blessed next year.

p.s. I unfortunately do not have any pictures of you on my laptop, so I just got some off of y'alls blog ;)

The Internet, it is quite unreal. I mean what in this life compares to a realm in which the vast majority of so much is right at your finger tips. Few really know all that you can experience partially. Amazing that you can come so close to reality as satellite images of your neighbors house, a virtual tour of a hotel room in Cancun, watch Nat King Cole sing unforgettable and get a recipe for lemon crusted chicken but still never come so close to reality as the taste of a simple peanut butter sandwich. No surprise that some get so lost in the vastness and still feel empty...

Any way. I am sitting here looking for wedding songs. And I come across something so silly I have to blog about it...

"Go hang a salami, I'm a lasagna hog" What in the world? Well, it's a palindrome. Just like "mom", "pop" or "Hannah", it is spelled the same backwards as it is forwards. Yeah... I made you look. pretty cool huh... try "I prefer pi". That's a fun one!

I have a thought that has started to really turn in my head. I think it's something of being grown up, responsible... maybe it's something of my mother's strength. It has to do with dealing. Not cards or negotiation, but the kind of dealing you do when you realize that sometimes it doesn't matter how that makes you feel, or how you wish something would be different. That no matter how you look at it, the situation really won't change. Or worse yet, if you don't just deal with it, you will probably just make it worse.

Something of choosing the higher road, the road less traveled maybe even Samuel's more perfect way. Either way America needs more men, more people, if you'll forgive my gender neutrality, that will just be consistent- not because of their feelings, pressures or inclinations, but rather because the moral authority they're standing upon has not and will not change. Because that other guy won't deal, and I'm not better, but I'm also not of his/her world I'm of His.

How's that for one incredibly random post?! :)

Believe it or not it has actually been less than a month since my last post. However, it has been made known through conversation, even text's, that how ever long it has been has been to long. And so here it is.

Life changes, sometimes radically. I remember what has now been about ten months ago when I started working in Lawton, OK. I would leave the house anywhere between 6:00 - 6:30 am every weekday morning and get home around 7:00 - 7:15 most every night. I worked a lot and spent my leisure time on the phone with Julie, or hanging out with the guys, or spending time with family. That was all quite a change. The past few months have been even more radical. I have kept the tradition of a long ride to and from work, but the work and frequency has changed. I probably put the same amount of hours in, maybe a little less. Thank the Lord I get paid a little more.

I usually get to spend time each evening with Julie. On Tuesdays the church has a Crisis Care Class (trying to equip the saints to minister to those faced with crisis in their lives). On Wednesday is mid-week service, which consists of singing and Young Married's class ( Bro McLaughlin wanted all of his many engaged couples to join). Thursdays I usually work late and Julie every other has choir practice, and Friday nights have been occasionally helping with youth or traveling or whatnot... Mondays are wonderful! Julie usually has dinner ready when I get in from work and we go and play tennis or go for a walk, and try to sit down and read and study together. It is a wonderful time together...

Along with all these changes or experiences have come so many new lessons. Many are lessons previously taught, and principles that I seemingly understood, but with life and days and coming and going has come and brought a clarity that I hadn't had. A clarity of love and life. Giving and receiving. God and His grace, His mercy, His provision, His love. A clarity of how I need Him. I need thee oh I need thee every hour I need thee.

Yesterday afternoon a heathen walked into the break room of MARDEL Christian and Educational Supplier and STOLE my phone. I called my number and the thief actually answered. LORD I pray for those that have spitefully used me. I pray that the blessing of truth will reign in their lives, for the wages of sin is death.

Regardless. I have received a new phone. In less than 18 hours my replacement had arrived. I do not however though, have any one's phone number. If you have my number in your cell phone. And would like to hear from me in the future, then give me a call. I would love to save your number so that I could in turn call sometime to say hello. Thanks!

Proverbs 18:13 has spoken to me so frequently in the past few days. How many times it has been such a horribly daunting task to study silence.

There is a professional relationship of mine that started off on the wrong foot. She thought I was wrong, and I was too right to let her continue being so wrong, regardless of how few the days I had been around.

Needless to say her stubbornness was introduced to my own and she still hasn't gotten over it. In fact, she did a very effective job of influencing the initial view of a few others. Now we have all entered that fun stage where everyone else has realized how wrong she was and is now falling on the other side of nice to make up for their missperceptions, except of course The Thorn.

And so it is through the relational workings of Thorn and myself that I have come reacquainted with some psychological understandings that interest me. I have in a since, continually tried to manipulate Thorn so that I can increase my influence. John Maxwell builds a staircase to influence. It begins with relationship, then calls for success and finally requires the development of others leading to their own successes. Let me share with you a few of the 'experiments' I am trying to conduct to reach the first step on Maxwells staircase.

One finding (I would source these, but my Social Psychology book is at Julie's and I don't want to waste the time Google'ing), shows that when someone is asked or convinced to perform a favor or work for another that the view of the recipient is heightened by the giver. It seems that while the person giving is performing the task they tend to justify their actions by increasing their perceived value of the person they are performing for. (i.e. Yesterday I asked Thorn if she would store my bag of starlight mints in her desk drawer, of course she could have any she wanted... True I give away a few mints, but now everytime she opens that drawer she is reminding that she is doing something for me. Why would she do that if she hated me? Maybe she dosen't really hate me.)

Another finding shows that a moderate amount of negativity towards a bystander also increases the perception the bystander has for that individual. I loved the way this one played out. Last Thursday. I walked up to a desk and Thorn was standing their with Pleasant. I said hello to both, but only asked Pleasant how her weekend was. Afterward I started to slowly leave without speaking to Thorn.

She quickly bit, and said, "Aren't you going to ask how my weekend was?'

Of course I turned around and said, "Oh! I didn't know you would even want to tell me."

"Well I enjoy talking to you..."

Simple examples really, some would say those 'findings' are mere common since to a skilled communicator. However, regardless of how new or old the information, it still brings about a pause. Is it wrong to use your knowledge and understanding, however limited it may be, in interpersonal relationships toward an end that serves a purpose? Does a nice gesture, when done with an ulterior motive, cease to be nice? Of course I wouldn't dare propose that one shouldn't serve and be nice just for the sake of being nice, 1 Peter would certainly detour such missconceptions. I would be dishonest if I said that I had never used some psychological principles in every relationship I have. I guess the question is: Should I apologize for it?

Tonight was a wonderful service. I found myself once again getting lost in praise and worship. Oh how wonderful He is.

It is so sweet to just love the Lord and praise Him. He has been so merciful when my attention has been so divided. He truly is the Lover of My Soul.

It's 9:15 on Saturday morning and my brother is now 29. Do I call him and wake him up to wish him a happy birthday or do I let him sleep in. If your into the blog thing then you already know how much he enjoys sleep, But he loves me too right :)? Ah what to do.

People talk so frequently of sleep and how much they enjoy it. Bill Cosby relates it to a good steak. His retelling reminded me of mom. He said he wouldn't tear into sleep with long and loud log cutting action, but more soft and subdued humms and murmurings of fondness. Regardless Joseph James, Bill Cosby, Sis Karla and many others in great company love sleep. I think I don't.

We all know I'm a hopeless romantic, but if Julie is going somewhere in the morning and I wont see her for a while, I like her to call and wake me up. I want to hear her say good morning and encourage each other at the beginning of the day. Sometimes when friends are over and work is looming on the horizon there is just to much gold lying in those hours to sell them to sleep.

Yes, Lord, You've made us fearfully and wonderfully, but I do long for the day when this body will be made new. When rest and regeneration will not be needed and I can spend every drop of eternity with You, You're wonderful people, and the angels.

9:22... I've waited long enough. Goodmorning Sunshine!!!

Joseph James Ouellette

On Saturday February 3, 2007 my brother will be a score and nine years old. I have met men with twice as many years and not half as much wisdom. Somewhere along the way that wisdom revealed itself in the value of passion. And so what ever work it was that his hands found to do, he would sacrifice of himself, and it would resound in excellence. So often he quotes an interview that he conducted with Terry Creekmore. He would tell the story of asking Bro Creekmore about his calling into ministry, he loved the reply. 'I don't really know that God ever called me. It was just that I saw a need and knew I could do it. So I did.' There is no better description of the principal foundation of Joseph James Ouellette than that. If there is something that HAS to be done, he can do it, will do it and probably do it better than you.

If you have a mission field of 6000 students you can count on him to spend years toward creating an organization to try and reach them. If your church has been uncounted in the work of reaching children while others are taking advantage of the opportunity you wont even need to solicit his response in ministry. There are not ways to convey the depth that my brother will pour himself into a masterful job of baking an apple pie or sharing the word of the Lord.

Along that 29 year wisdom illuminated the path of knowledge. If you have something to share then share it. You will find in Joseph a mind that is ready to hear what you offer. You may get it back, and you may not appreciate what he did with it, but you won't have to think long or hard to find the truth in his reply. Oh how aggravating when you are arguing and you know that you have been exposed... how well I know that feeling. Overcoming what some would have considered obstacles Joseph James is a man who seeks understanding, gives it the attention it deserves and shares it freely with those around him.

I guess I will leave you with this. I find in you, Joseph, a picture of a man. A man who seeks to fulfill the role that God has revealed to him. A man who does truly know the meaning of success and refuses to seek after the cheap imitations the world portrays. A man who will lead. A man who will follow. A man who knows where he falls in between the two. I love you. Happy Birthday!

There are times when I lie in bed before sleep succumbs me and I think. Think, dream, call it what you may, but my mind wonders off into a world of ideas. One of my most recent ideas was a restaurant.

I think I'll call it Cookies & Milk. The sign would be a bold all capitol "cookies" while the ampersand and "milk" will be in some fancy script overlapping. The idea is a simple clean sit down restaurant, where every meal comes with dessert. And dessert is always Cookies&Milk. I like the idea of a restaurant with few choices. So I'm thinking you don't have a lot of choices. The sou chef will make cookies without nuts and cookies with. Oreo's will be available for the kids or the kid in you. Maybe go with Chocolate or White Milk, Skim for those who are kidding themselves, and there you have it.

I've thought a lot about the other menu items as well. Again I like the idea of utter simplicity. Perhaps a Single sheet menu that changes daily. My wait staff would be pleased with a total of ten choices. One choice will be the sandwhich. One day turkey and avocado on a nine wheat bread another brie, lettuce and tomato. Other choices include steak, chicken and pasta. Every day the dish a little different, but always the same price. And always including Cookies & Milk for dessert. Want to come?

Well yesterday was inventory. Economics has always interested me in forms and fashions. Retail stores of course operate by selling various selections of merchandise at a price that is higher than what they purchased it for. It isn't unethical. Because of their quantity and consistency vendors, publishers, wholesalers, etc. offer them products at a cost that they would not offer a normal customer. And so all retail stores succeed or fail, by how effectively they make money, by sales, from what they spend, by purchasing product (as well as payroll, fixed costs, etc.)

While cycles revolve of sales and restocking of inventory (ie product) each store keeps an idea of what they have sitting on their shelf. This is called their inventory and most of the year it exists in the form of a soft number. If I had this on Monday, and I got another one of these on Tuesday, and I sold one of those over there on Wednesday, On Thursday I should have this plus one of these minus one of those. (Confused yet? :) In short you can spend the year adding what you buy and subtracting what you sell, but there has to be a time when you definitively measure everything you have so you have a more accurate number to add to and subtract from.

And so this time of the year is very important for retailers. Their inventory measurement will reflect on the way they have run their business, how well they have sold things at the right time, and what potential sales they can have for the next year.

At 6pm yesterday evening an outside auditor came to perform our yearly inventory. There were many of them, but they weren't as skilled as they should have been, so they didn't finish until 5:45 am this morning. Now some of you may know that I live about 40 minutes away from the store that I work at and when viewed in the light that we had a shipment of new merchandise coming in at 7am this morning I had an hour and fifteen minutes before I had to be back to work. So I went to IHOP and had a little breakfast. ( I did get to leave work at 11am this morning, so I was only there for 23 hours :).

As I sat at IHOP though I read from the book of James. The scripture came to life inside those dead bones, "Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." Bro Benson had preached Sunday morning in Bro McLaughlins absence on Not Being Weary in Well Doing. One thing that echoed so true was that "our good works are the world's proof of our power." I was tired and drowsy, and I almost fell asleep before I got my food. But how merciful is our God to even when my enthusiasm was lacking to still speak to me. To still remind me that it really is putt up or shut up. I remember the playground banter of ain't nothin to do but do it. Whatever smack your giving me, whatever you think you will do with that basketball or rather with your faith, ain't nothin to do but do it.

Life Tabernacle has two of the most beautiful little girls in this world. One of the reasons I just love Sis Elm's blog are the pictures of her beautiful grandbabies and this one just tugged my heart strings this morning.

I don't have as many pictures of Onjolyce, but she is so adorable too.


A really old picture of Alayna.

I have not nor do I now think that I will ever understand a man who would not want to dance with his wife. I find it tearful that the world would treat something so seemingly intimate profane by engaging in the practice with friends, coworkers, complete strangers and the like. I think so fondly of an evening that I can hurry home. Make a fire, dim the lights, find a soft CD and push the coffee table aside. To hold her and softly move to the music. What a beautiful joy I envision - the dance.

There is another dance that I think of today. The dance of initiation and response. From creation the plan and design of God was for man to initiate and the woman to respond. In creation, in relationship, even in physiology God's design is so beautiful when done according to His will. It is so aptly referred to as a dance. Two softly engaging, one leading tenderly, the other respectfully responding. One holding and choosing direction. The other being held and trusting. What a beautiful dance of initiation and response.

Of course the greatest gift is that dance was created to display the ultimate in intimacy. The intimacy that the bride of Christ can find in her Lord's arms. As I prepare for marriage and look to fulfill the role of initiation, I seek even more to find my place in response to my Lord. I long to life a life of grace and beauty, waltzing in His mercy. How I wish for my life to be a clear picture of my Lord gently leading me, my life warmly responding. How I long to learn His slightest leading... how I long for my response to warm His heart for He knows how close I am and how intently I am searching for His initiation.

Except the Spirit draw Him - Initiation. No man commeth unto the Father - Response. When I think of the goodness of Jesus and all that He has done for me - Initiation. My soul cries out Hallelujah - Response. And you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you - Initiation. Ye shall be witness unto me... and unto the uttermost part of the earth - Response. I long to enjoy the dance of initiation and response with my wife, but I thank you today Lord for the ability to enjoy the greatest fulfillment in You.

It is a simple thing really. Two or three eggs fried in a pan with various ingredients to add flavor. It is a common name that most people know and a few have used to make fun of my own. The etymology of the word omelet is not for certain. The French are most widely known for omelettes (yeah yeah yeah the resemblance is striking), however most credit the Roman epicure Apicius who used to make an overmele which consisted of eggs with honey and pepper. Either way the omelet is also very similar to the frittata which is basically mixing your additives in with the eggs instead of folding the egg around the mixture.

However I have most recently became acquainted with how much I enjoy making omelets. I have never been a skilled chef. Joseph was the creative accomplished workman, Mom was always quite an improvisionist, but I just floated by. There was a season when we were all working jobs, Joseph and I in school, and so we all took a night. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday were all divied up. My night was always reserved for something simple like burritos, tacos, spaghetti. Creating in the kitchen just wasn't my forte. But recently I have found quite a bit of pleasure in it all.

There are a few universal necessities in an omelet. Salt and pepper - I'm beginning to think you cannot cook anything without them. Butter - real butter, make up for the points someplace else it just isn't worth it here. Medium Heat - if your blessed enough for stainless steel then go down to Medium Low. Cheese - as we will cover later the type of cheese is optional the presence of it is not. And an 8-10 inch pan. I prefer 8 but if you can manage a 10 your better than I and probably don't need any of my advice.

Eggs are beat with a smudge of milk added in and salt and pepper. Have your additives ready for quick access. Don't cook anything prior in your pan or at least anything that requires more heat because you don't want it to get too hot. The butter goes first an eight of an inch off a stick should be fine, and then pour the eggs in the pan. No need to wait long for the ingredients. They go in the pan and are best placed around the center of the eggs. Then comes the hardest part. The wait. You want to be sure and let the eggs cook a little while so that you can fold. I usually start with one fold. I take one side and fold it toward the center. Wait a little while longer... then the other side. Either way you want the center of the omelet to be covered majoratively with eggs. If you have to you can try and roll the omelet over letting a few uncooked eggs to run out and produce a covering for any left over parts. Either way, a big key is to even after you have folded both sides over to let it cook. Your low heat comes into play here because it will be a while before you burn anything, and by letting the omelet sit there you are letting the eggs inside to fully cook and mix with your ingredients.

As far as ingredients I like mostly the Mexican flavor. Some Rotel, Mexican blend cheese, and Sausage is always good. Cilantro adds great flavor and little sprinkled on top looks rather cool. I did try something different for Julie and Sis Jones one Saturday morning. I diced tomatoes, mixed a few red onions (Julie just loves onions), some black olives, a touch of mango's and some feta cheese. It tasted really well. When I served it I sprinkled a little oregano on it and that shredded Parmesan cheese... mm mm good.

To make a long post longer... I would have to consider the joy I find not necessarily in the omelet or the kitchen, but rather in the ease of a Saturday morning. The time that I have to relax and put a little more of myself into something that is usually stolen by the important things in life. I wonder this morning how many pleasurable things I have missed in my life because I robbed them of the time that would bring to them simple joys.

Last night I listed again for the first time to the strong and powerful words that were spoken in the “symbolic shadow” of Abraham Lincoln on August 28, 1963. I have never been the follower of History that one should be. I know briefly of the figures that brought about a most pressing change in the United States, and know less of their persons. Black History month would come and go but I had neither the facilitation nor inclination to learn more than what I would consider to be an average understanding.

Even still I believe that there is a power beyond my comprehension found in the spoken word. When the word spoken is true, just, and righteous it stirs the soul. There are songs that open my heart and allow emotion to pour in. There are words that bring pause and consideration. But, then there is truth. Truth that moves, stirs, excites. I’ve heard it from the pulpit. I’ve read it on my brother’s blog. And thanks to contributors like MLK I’ve read it from the pages of my history. I don’t post to proclaim this man as more than what he was. Perhaps I will find Patrick Henry’s birthday and write some small epilogue near that day for such words as “give me liberty or give me death.” Perhaps I will write as well about those men who had consecrated Gettysburg “far above our poor power to add or detract,” but regardless I will say that Martin Luther King Jr. stood just a short time ago and with powerful words of truth hewn a stone of hope out of the mountain of despair. I think my world is better for it. I hope you had a wonderful Martin Luther King Jr. Day. If you would like to read and listen to the entirety of “I Have a Dream” you can do so here. It will take about 18 minutes.

I have had a new beginning. I have recently changed homes, changed jobs, and changed churches. I have started fresh and new. I remember the thoughts of a high school junior who searched for himself a little differently. I had analyzed what I thought being cool was all about and why some kids had it, why I didn't. It just had to be the time they spent together. They interacted at football games and dances, clubs and organizations, and so many other things that I rarely attended because a youth function or church service fell on the same night. I wanted to be cool. I decided to join them. I entered every club and organization I could. I made every excuse in the book to be a part of anything and everything at Wichita Falls High School. I found my name recognized. I found a number of 'friends', but I also found my soul wanting. At the end of that year there was a high school junior that wanted a new start. He wanted a new opportunity to set the priority. To be what he was raised and taught and knew to be. It would just make it easier. If I could go to a new school I could start over. I wouldn't have to listen about the 'old' Jason...

Well here I am. A new start. I don't have quite the same motivation for a new start. Not at all. But Lord, I want to approach it with a similar vision. One that says I have the opportunity to be all that You have shown me to be in this short life. I don't want to ignore my past and all the ways my lessons have been learned, NO not at all. But I do want to take all the newness that I have woken up to this last week and embrace it for the wonderful and merciful gift it is from God. I am starting a life with the most wonderful woman that God formed for me. I am joining a church led by a man led by God. There is a family of believers that have welcomed and loved me and believed in me without question. I am starting a job when I can lead as I see fit with no question or regard to mistakes made. Thank You Lord. Thank You for my new beginning.