Bacon Blues

I was preparing breakfast for my wife the other day and realized we had no bacon!   

That’s a horrible discovery!   

When you think you had bacon only to open he fridge and the hallowed bacon drawer is empty!   

We called the grocery store….”Has it happened to you TO?”  “NO?  You have a whole aisle of bacon?  Oh thank goodness!   

We have a bacon emergency!  I am sending my husband!”  

They say “We’ll clear the aisle ma’am!”   

I pull up in front of the grocery store, the have a guy open the door and they usher me in and we run down the aisles shouting “get out of the way”!  Move people!   

I get there and, I can’t decide!  I go into bacon brain lock!   

There are too many varieties!   

What do I want?   

Maple flavoured, low sodium, Apple wood-smoked, hickory, peppercorn crusted, back, pea meal, turkey, chicken?     

HELP ME!   

I make a snap decision and go with a thick cut Hickory, because I am really hungry by this time.   

I get home and the pan is ready.   

Bacon shrinks so I load the pan as much as possible. It’s all hanging over the sides. 

The sizzle is tantalizing!   

I go into a bacon trance.   

Watching the pop of the fat, gazing as the meat turns translucent and begins to curl up.   

I snap out of it!  It’s time for the flip!  

Gingerly I use the tongs to grasp two or three slices at a time and turn them over.   

Now the sizzling is taken to a whole new level!  Watch out, the grease is flying everywhere!  

I don’t care!  It’s almost done!   

I have to focus now because you have to hit that exact moment before the bacon becomes too crispy, and just after it’s fully cooked.   

It’s the mystical bacon perfection zone!   

I get a plate ready with exactly two paper towels neatly folded.  This will absorb the last of the precious grease.   

Here we go three, two, and one…NOW!  It's over to the plate and there it sits.   

The aroma is intoxicating.   

Only then do I realize, I haven’t cooked anything else!  

Now the wonderful bacon must sit and wait until the eggs are scrambled and the toast is toasted and the coffee is perked!   

How could I have been so utterly foolish?   

Ok, let’s just get it done.  I scramble eggs, all the while the bacon is looking at me.   

I’ll just have one.  It’s an appetizer I say!   

I sneak one and my mouth goes into a flavor happy dance!  

My tongue is twerking with delight!  So good!  

 “Watch the eggs, don’t burn the toast!” I hear my wife say.   

This is taking too long, so I grab another slice…I am weak.  Now what?  

When breakfast is served, there needs to be a proper amount of bacon on the dish to be acceptable! 

I know!   

I put the eggs and toast on the plate and then I cut the remaining bacon strips in HALF!   

Genius!   

Now it looks like double bacon!  Breakfast is saved!  We sit down to eat.   

We have no more ketchup…

What is confidence?

Who does this guy think he is?

He's Gene Simmons, that's who!

Gene Simmons said this in an interview...

"People often confuse, at least in my estimation, my pride and self-confidence with arrogance. Because they are not used to people who have an in-your-face, 'take it or leave it/this is how I am' point of view. I'm more like an animal in the jungle that (urinates) on the ground and doesn't ask your permission. 'This is me, this is my territory.' It's simply defining who I am and what I stand for."

"That's called full disclosure, before the facts. Others simply hold their opinions to themselves and never say who they are. You will always know who I am. You don’t have to like it; that's OK if you don't."

I need help with something...

What exactly is confidence?

I hear about being humble as a Christian.  Humility is something characteristic of a good person in general.

But what is it?

Is confidence a good thing when it comes to being a Christian or is it the thin edge of pride?

I need a certain degree of confidence in my everyday life just to get through the day.

I can hear the response to this in my head, "It's being confident in God, and knowing who you are in HIM that gives us true boldness."

I understand that, but sometimes that can come off as pride to.  

1 Peter 5:5New International Version (NIV)

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud

    but shows favor to the humble.”

I admire those who are confident, but I find it hard to be so myself at times.

Any thoughts?

Jedi Wisdom

Yoda was a cute character when he was introduced in "The Empire Strikes Back"  in 1980. (One of my favorite movies of all time).  He was full of laughter and mischief, and then Luke Skywalker realized who he really was, a wise Jedi Master!  Then his personality changed.  Yoda became the strict teacher, the disciplinarian and the one who made you think hard about your life.  At one point, Luke thinks he can handle what's coming and says "I'm not afraid"!  Yoda responds with surprise and says...

At that moment we understand that Luke is in for the ride of his life!

My life is like that lately.

There are thing that I want to do.  I am eager to do them, but that lurking enemy, FEAR holds us back!

Facing fear is no fun at all.  Telling stories afterwards is fun.  Looking back on the memories is fun.  Stepping out to the things you are afraid of is nothing short of terrifying!

Thank God for the wonderful people who speak words of strength to us!  Thank God for those who see reality and can give us a non-glossed-over statement of the truth.  Thank God for the Yoda's in our lives who can steer our enthusiasm and make sure we land on our feet!

My next fear-defeating exercise is stand-up comedy. I am up for about 5 minutes.  On radio we get a minute and a half to tell a story and be entertaining and interesting.  But, FIVE WHOLE MINUTES?  Whoa!  The internal struggle is very real!

It could be anything that generates fear, but the more you talk about it and reach out to those who have the wisdom of Yoda, the fear subsides a bit.

Maybe your going for a job interview, giving a presentation or leaving on a missionary journey, it does not matter.  Fear can stop us from moving ahead in big and small things.  Face it head on and grab on to those who will hold you up in prayer.

1John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 

May the Force be with you!