The Seeds of Faith (Angel in the Kitchen)

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What does it take to “cut the mustard”?

We all have hopes and dreams, visions and goals. But the journey to accomplishing our goals, seeing our dreams fulfilled, or receiving a promise, can take years. Many people start the journey strong, but often, just short of the finish line, they run out of steam and give up. If we’re going to stay on course — and reach our goals — we need to be fueled by faith: an unshakeable belief in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel; an abiding trust in His goodness and lovingkindness; and a resolute confidence in His ability and willingness to fulfill His promises.

“…Faith is the reality of what is hoped for….” (Hebrews 11:1 Holman CSB) In other words, faith is treating God’s promises as a “done deal” — despite our circumstances or any obstacles, and regardless of what other people say.

But how much faith is enough? Jesus said, “…If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” (Matthew 17:20 NASB) To fully understand this verse we return now to the kitchen, that endless source of wisdom and inspiration.

Mustard seeds are among the tiniest in the plant kingdom, usually about 1 millimeter in diameter, smaller than this asterisk: * ! And yet, each edible seed is packed with a strong spicy flavor. When properly planted, these small and seemingly insignificant seeds, grow in size and strength, producing the largest of garden plants, with tasty leaves. There are three major types of seeds, black mustard, brown Indian mustard, and white mustard.

When the seeds are ground, the resultant powder is a potent spice that enhances many dishes.  The English name mustard  is derived from a Latin word meaning burning must. “Must” is the young, unfermented juice of wine grapes, and “burning must” refers to the spicy heat of mustard seeds that have been ground and mixed with a little wine to create a sauce.

Mustard was originally considered a medicinal plant rather than a herb for cooking. In fact, the Greek scientist Pythagoras used mustard as a remedy for scorpion stings, during the sixth century B.C.; and a hundred years later, Hippocrates used it in a variety of medicines and plasters to “cure” toothaches and several other ailments.

But in latter days, mustard was simply used to spice up dishes that needed … well … spicing up! And it’s been called a “food deodorant,” also, because it can mask any unpleasant taste of what the cook happens to be dishing out. Pope John XII was so fond of mustard that he created a new Vatican position, Grand mustard-maker to the Pope. He then promptly filled the post with his nephew. (Was this the historical origin of nepotism?)

So, when Jesus spoke of mustard-seed faith, our Lord couldn’t have drawn a better comparison: a tiny bit of faith can produce huge results; faith is potent; it can soothe us in times of misery and heartache; it helps us endure the unpleasantness of trials, and “deodorize” any circumstances of life that may stink! When it comes to Faith — just like mustard — a little dab goes a long ways.

“But what if I don’t have even a little dab of faith?” Yes, you do. You already have plenty of faith: “For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.” (Romans 12:3 Holman CSB) Would God ask you to put your faith into Him, without first giving you faith? Nah! God has given us everything we need to believe in Him and do his will.

A mustard tree: Huge results from such a tiny seed!

But we must activate our faith: One way we do this is by reading and listening to the Word of God. The historical account of His faithfulness to us, of His mercy and lovingkindness, of His miracles, encourages us and feeds our faith. “…Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17 King James 2000) And by fellowshipping with other believers. “…Encourage one another and build each other up….” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)

And by talking to God. Yes, we call this prayer, but that’s just a fancy word for sharing your thoughts, concerns, and problems with the Lord — in the same way you’d share with a really close friend, someone you totally trust and can confide in. We can trust and confide in our Heavenly Father; we can have total faith in our invisible God. No, we can’t see Him, but He’s there by our side at all times! (John 15:15) That’s faith!

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Popcorn, Passion and Petrol (Diet for Dreamers)

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The road to success is often long and bumpy. The journey necessary to fulfill dreams or achieve goals can take years. Many people start out on their “quest” strong and full of hope. But somewhere along the way, long before they arrive at that special place they desire to be, whether it’s a level of skill or scholarship, a career position or an accomplishment, they run out of steam. Like a car that’s out of gas, they begin to coast; their progress slows, their enthusiasm wains, until eventually they pull off to the side of the road, often just a few “miles” short of their destination.

As these people stand next to their stalled dreams, as others speed past them — all the way to the finish line. Why do some give up when they’re so close? What enables others to complete the journey? Simple. The ones who don’t make it, who give up and stop moving forward, failed to refuel. Those who made it all the way not only refueled, but they also had the right fuel. Faith is one such fuel. And there are others worth discussing, but today, however, we discuss just one … with an encouraging success story.

We may be tempted to think of the late Orville Redenbacher as the goofy-looking guy in horn-rimmed glasses and nerdy bowtie who pitched popcorn on television for several years. But he was anything but goofy. The glasses and bowtie were affectations he adopted for his TV ads. This prosperous popcorn patriarch had both business savvy and the determination not to quit. He also had the right fuel needed to make it all the way to the top of the popcorn heap. High test gas. Premium petrol. Rocket fuel. Redenbacher was passionate: he had an enthusiasm, a zeal, a fervor, a preoccupation — perhaps even a mania — regarding one single thing. He had passion for popcorn that began early and lasted to the end. It fueled his tenacity and ultimately his success.

Redenbacher was born in Indiana, July 16, 1907, and grew up on his family’s farm, helping out with assorted chores. As a teenager he’d finish his work early so he’d have time to work at his side business, selling — what else? — popcorn from the back of his car. When he graduated from high school he was in the top 5% of his class. He then attended Purdue University, where he ran track and performed in the Purdue All-American Marching Band. In 1928, he graduated with a degree in agronomy, the science of soil management and crop production. His obsession with popcorn was far from over. And he’d trained for it.

Redenbacher spent most of his life in the agriculture industry. He served as a Farm Bureau extension agent, and even sold fertilizer, but popcorn was never far from his thoughts. In his spare time he continued to dabble with the food and, in 1951, he and friend Charlie Bowman purchased an Indiana seed corn plant. Over the next twenty years, the two men experimented with tens of thousands of hybrid strains of popcorn. They eventually settled on one they named “RedBow,” which had all the perfect popcorn qualities they’d long sought.

In 1970, when Redenbacher was 63, the two entrepreneurs finally launched their popping corn. Orville hit the road as the official pitchman, appearing on talk shows and in commercials. By the mid 1970s, Redenbacher and Bowman had captured a third of the unpopped popcorn market. The rest is food history, but clearly, Redenbacher’s passion for popcorn sufficiently fueled him for a journey to success that took about fifty years — from selling it out of the trunk of his car, to pitching it on national television.

Are you passionate about your dreams? If not, you may wish to ask yourself why. Passion can keep you on track. Passion keeps you going when the road gets bumpy. Passion helps you make it all the way to the finish. And if you’re NOT passionate about something, is it really worth pursuing? For the long haul? If you believe it is, then get passionate about it. Otherwise, discover your passion in life, and start pursuing that instead.

Passion is a vital fuel for the journey. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” (1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV)

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