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
matthew25biker.blogspot.com