Transcending the Kitchen

The smell of fresh cut grass. The feel of the lingering warmth of dusk in the air. The wonderful smell of cooking meet filling the nostrils. Welcome to the world of grilling. As I have have gotten older, I have found that I am developing a love of cooking out on the grill. There's just something about cooking meet under a charcoal or propane-generated flame that just makes you feel like a man. It's kind of funny though. For as long I can remember (and way before hand, as well), the roll of cooking has fallen on the woman. It has become a symbol of femininity to enjoy cooking. If you asked a man if he enjoys baking or preparing new recipes, chances are he will say "no". However, if you were to suggest that his wife (or any other woman, for that matter) prepare dinner on the grill, he will look at you like you have just asked to castrate him. I know this sounds incredibly chauvinistic, but I honestly believe that this is the way it is. Now, please don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that "the woman's place is in the kitchen" or any other sexist bullcrap like that. I am just saying that society tends to have the woman in the kitchen more of then than the male. Anyway, back to the subject at hand. After thinking about this for a while, I believe I have found the major components that separate the grill from the stove: four walls and a roof. Grilling brings together two things that men love: nature and meat. Men (most, at least)enjoy being outside! In a small way, it reminds us of the days when we lived and thrived in the wilderness. The smell of sizzling beef is reminiscent of the time when we hunted our own food, prepared it, and cooked it with our own hands. And there is just something about a big hunk of ground beef or a thick steak that just makes a man's taste buds on the verge of jumping out of his mouth. It makes us feel as that we've conquered the beast! The combination of taste and power creates a feeling in a man's soul that can be equaled by little else. So men, as we enter the summer months, I encourage you to fire up the grill and enjoy the experience that is cooking out. Get yourselves a package of burgers, a few steaks, a pack of brats, or some Ball Park hot dogs, and allow yourself to enjoy the great outdoors.

Hands Off!!

Any guitar player will tell you: his guitar(s) are positioned only below his God and his woman. Because of this, many single men hold their guitars in the esteem of a woman. Personally, I have five guitars that are by far my most prized possession. I have even gone so far as to name them:

"Yvonne" the Yamaha
"Carly" the Carlo Robelli
"Olivia" the OLP
"Emily" the Epiphone
"Autumn" the Fender (I know Autumn's name has nothing to do with her brand name, but she's my favorite and so she get's a special name, due to her color)

Anyway, on to the point of this explanation...

I think we can all agree: you NEVER put your hands on another man's woman in a disrespectful manner. Let's use a wedding reception as a pseudo-metaphor. Let's say I'm the groom. If a friend of mine whom I trust asks for a dance with the bride, I will most likely feel comfortable allowing it. Even if you aren't a skilled dancer, I will allow the dance, and even give you pointers on dancing (not necessarily always with my wife). However, if someone who I don't know, or who I don't trust fully around my new wife asks for a dance, I may allow it, but you can be certain that I will have a close eye on the goings-on. The second that I see said person disrespectfully handling my wife, you can be CERTAIN that it's not going to end well.

In the same way, you never handle a man's guitar without the care that is expected of you. This includes: carelessly strumming, violently plucking strings, knocking it against objects (tables, walls, etc.), banging on the guitar, or even mockingly pretending to play. If you are experienced in playing guitar, by all means, it is most likely acceptable to play another person's guitar ON THE CONDITION THAT YOU FIRST ASK. If you are in the process of learning to play guitar, it is still alright to ask to play someones guitar. They may even teach you a little of what they know.

The point is this: You WILL treat my guitars (and one day my girlfriend/fiancee/wife) with the respect she deserves!!!!

The workers are few...

Earlier today I was thinking about the concept of youth group and how much I actually kind of dislike it. I know it sounds horrible, but it just seemed like something I didn't want to have any part in. As a Young Life leader, I began thinking about how much I prefer the concept of Young Life to that of a church youth group. Knowing this was a terrible thought to have, I began examining my mind to see what it was that I have against this institution that many of America's youth (including myself in the past) take so much part in. What I found was this:

The church youth group, as well as college groups such as Intervarsity and Campus Crusade, really is an extremely valuable tool. There are middle school and high school students all throughout America who believe Jesus Christ is who he says he was, have seen his power, and have (to use a cliche that, again for reasons I can't explain) rubs me the wrong way) have accepted Him into their hearts. These students, however, have so much growing to do. They need to be poured into by adults who have already been where they are and have grown closer to the Lord with time. There are people who are called by God to lead this young group of believers. They have been given a passion for helping young Christians who aren't exactly sure what the implications of their decision are become the thew mature Christ-followers they were meant to be.

A majority of my housemates fall into this category. Out of the eight of us, four are involved in Intervaristy and one is involved in Cru. They have been previously mentored by older Christians who helped them mature into the people they are now. Because of that, they want to do the same for others who are new to the faith. Furthermore, my housemate Jeremy has an ambition to be a Youth Minister after he graduates. He has spent time with middle schoolers who are trying to figure out what this whole "Christianity" thing is supposed to look like. I know his heart goes out to those kids. Jeremy, and others like him, are an asset to the Kingdom. Without someone here on earth guiding us by means of the Word, we would never grow.

But if I have all these good things to say about youth group, then why did I have negative feelings before toward them? It's as simple as this: I'm a moron. I allowed myself to forget that even Christians need to be led. I felt a call at the beginning of College to become a Young Life leader, as I have been given a passion for kids who do not know the Lord. I am a fool to think that the work I do is in any way more important than the work done by my brothers and sisters who work with believers. I forget that we are all a part of the same army. I can lead kids to Christ all day (hypothetically speaking), but if the kids I bring to Christ aren't being mentored in their faith, that faith is just going to die out. This is why I love our YL Leadership meetings so much. It is a time for me to be a pupil instead of a leader. It is a time where I can be poured into by someone who is strong in their faith, so that my strength can be renewed.

To use a modified biblical analogy, the harvest really is plentiful, and workers really are needed. However, let's assume that the "crop" is oil. Now, not all of the workers can do the same thing. Some people, like myself and my 2 other housemates, are responsible for acquiring the oil. However, others, like my 5 previously mentioned housemates, are needed for refining the oil. As followers of Christ, we are responsible for contributing to the Kingdom. However, it is crucial that we be in touch with the spirit to discern where we are most needed. Similarly, we must not forget that we all have the same goal in mind: serving God.

Introduction

So, I decided to start a blog for a number of reasons. First of all, I am an English major who would like to write for a career. If I want to get become an accomplished writer, I need to start practicing. What better way than to write for the whole world to see? None, exactly. Although perfection is completely unattainable, I would like to get as close to it as possible by means of practice.

However, practice isn't the only reason to blog. If you were look inside my head, chances are you would run away frightened at the chaos you would find. I have a hard time organizing my thoughts unless I am putting them into writing. If you've ever talked to me, you probably have seen that I have a hard time putting my thoughts into words sometimes. This is most likely because I have a tendency to have my words come tumbling out of my open mouth before they have a chance to cross my brain. Writing them out forces me to think about what I say before I put it out there, and it let's me take my time.

Often times, I tend to have a profound thought (or just even just an amusing thought) that I would like to share with someone...but noooobody's around. Due to my treacherous memory, by time I strike up a conversation with someone later, I've completely forgotten what I was thinking about. Here is an opportunity for me to share those thoughts, whether people care about them or not.

So there it is, the reason I have decided to start a blog. It's time I start vocalizing the things that are important to me and the things that I find interesting or just plain amusing. Please feel free to comment, or ask me any questions at www.formspring.me/GIJimbo929. Thank you, and good night.