Friday, September 18, 2015

like a cook with no recipes

















My wife loves the beans at The Golden Rule BBQ in Birmingham.  And when mentioning this to the waitress, she explained how they are concerned for the recipe, as the same lady has been making them since the 50’s, and she is the only one who has the recipe.  In her head.  It is almost on a par with the recipe for Coca Cola, designated 7x.  Legend has it that only six men within Coca Cola know the secret recipe, and they are never seen together, travel together, and even not identified as to who knows the recipe and who doesn’t.  The same goes for Miracle Whip, and many other products unique enough to be a standard.  And some are even discovered by accident, like Nutrasweet, rumored that a chemist was working on another experiment, spilled it, tasted it and and it was sweet.  And was a proprietary product for 17 years until the patent ran out.  Now they have competition....but all artificial sweeteners are still referred to as Nutrasweet.  Just as I used to watch someone open a cooler door and ask “what kind of Coke do you want?” referring to soft drinks in general.  And so it goes, and for what it is worth, I prefer mayonaise over Miracle Whip.  And I don’t eat baked beans.  And Coke is still it for me.
As I sit through the Cooking Channel with Theresa and watch them cook, the really good ones know just how much a pinch is, or a half cup is, or a 1/4 pound is by sight or feel, rarely using measuring cups or scales.  Just like the old Brylcream commercial, “where a little dab will do ya” they know just how much to put in, and what brands to use.  They know the recipe by heart, and although it may be written on some recipe card somewhere, they might get confused if they had to bake from it.  Cooking from the heart, they know when 2 1/2 minutes at 400 degrees is over without a timer, and when to poke in the tooth pick to see if it is really done.  They are so familiar with their cooking, it is part of them, and why my Grandma’s dressing just doesn’t taste the same, although it is the same recipe when cooked by anyone else.  Some intangible makes the difference....let’s just call it love.
Years ago when touring a warehouse that distributes nuts and bolts, I was amazed at the accuracy of those who repackage them into smaller quantities.  After much repetition  they could grab the desired amount almost all the time on the first grab.  Verified by weight, they had done it over and over so much they knew the recipe of weight, the count didn’t matter, because they were filling the order by weight.  And were very good at it.  Like a cook with no recipes it didn’t matter how many, how long, or for who they worked for, they knew it by heart.  And it became am acquired skill rather than a habit over time.  Good when baking the same thing, or weighing the same thing, but what happens on an assembly line when the product changes?  Like automobiles for example?
We all know about the Edsel debacle, and many books have been written about it, and the car.  Quality wasn’t Job 1 anywhere at Ford in the 50’s, and one reason given for the Edsel not selling was lack of quality.  A trained and experienced manufacturing manager once explained, “the assembly line would be 100 Fords, then an Edsel.  Just different enough that the worker had to bend different, reach farther, or was so caught up in routine he didn’t care, and would skip a nut or two.”  My personal view is they were ugly, and not all new as promised.  Like the 1958 Chevy Impala...sad words from a Ford guy.  But no matter the reasons, they didn’t build from the heart, but from the head, and the 18” difference can be a long journey to success.
Character can be defined as who we are when alone and how we react.  Or just how we react under pressure.  As a Christian I would not like to base my salvation on that.  I blow up, lose my cool, and the seven words you cannot say on TV will come out of my mouth.  Expressing who I really am, at least for the moment.  For what is on our hearts will come from our mouth scripture relates to us.  Are all of our hearts really so bad?   Are we really living a double life, Jesus and the situation?  Or am I like a cook with no recipes, just making the cookies for me, and if you don’t like them, don’t eat them?   Probably all, but as a work in process, I can tell you I feel remorse when I act out of character...or is it in character?  But I know that when I know what I say or do is wrong, then I repent.  If not, I just mumble something religious like “I’m sorry, “ until the next time. 
Many run right to the word, which is not bad, but need the spirit’s guidance.  Like you, I can find an excuse in scripture for anything, any sin I have committed.  A favorite is “well David did it and he was known as a man after God’s own heart.”  Or “be still, and know that I am God.”  Dangerous when not quoting God as it is written.  So we need the spirit to guide us, to reveal the mysteries of Christ to us, mysteries meaning not a who dunnit, but things we don’t know yet, and need to.  Only by the spirit will the words of the Bible come alive, and insight and understanding be given.  If you think you can do it alone, read Leviticus and tell me all about it!  It was and is the spirit that tells us we need Jesus, and the spirit that tells us God is a spirit and must be worshipped as such.  And where we can truly be ourselves in Christ, not some denominational victim who is rubber stamped by what they are told.  God likes us to ask questions, and even tells us to question the spirit?  Does any religion advise you the same? 
So unlike Coca Cola, the recipe for salvation is known to all.  In one word Jesus.  So it is easy to remember.  No other way.  But just as there are other colas, there are other gods, but only one real thing.  A Hydrox may look like an Oreo, but anyone can tell in one bite.  Mayo or Miracle?  Easy to tell the difference.  So why do we allow ourselves to be confused when it come  to Jesus?  The difference is the Holy spirit, given at salvation, but not readily called upon.  Sadly we can be in the spirit, and not know it until we are out of it.  But things to look for are love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, meekness, long suffering and self control.  No law against any.  If these describe your character, the spirit is within you showing Jesus.  If not, we all need some homework.  And again Jesus is the answer.  The guidance counselor, the comforter.  Found in the spirit!  There will come a day when the beans will taste just different enough that the old timers can tell who isn’t making them anymore.  Coca Cola is now Classic, Edsels are collectible, and I still prefer mayo.  And Oreos.  Still don’t care for beans.  But I know Jesus, and I know the spirit.  He gives me life and freedom to choose.  To deny also.  So unlike a cook with no recipes, I know the recipe for salvation.  Jesus.  And only Jesus.  All others are a fake.  But only by the spirit will you know.  Backed up by Gods word.  Where he doesn’t say study to find yourself saved, but study to find yourself approved.  The word confirming the spirit, and the word is Jesus.  Where the three will bear witness, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 
Don’t be an assembly line Christian, let the words from my mouth, and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to God.  And find they will be pleasing to your heart.  And you don’t have to ask the cook for the recipe....you already have it.
love with compassion,
Mike
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