Pop-Tarts and Tortillas

A Pop-Tart is a flat rectangular toaster pastry approximately 3 in (75 mm) by 5.5 in (115 mm), made by the Kellogg Company. Pop-Tarts have a sugary filling sealed inside two layers of rectangular, thin pastry crust; each layer of this crust is about 0.1 in (2 mm) thick. [Wikipedia]

Here's the ingredient statement, broken down into the different parts of the Pop-Tart--

Strawberry filling: corn syrup, dextrose, high fructose corn syrup, crackermeal, water, modified wheat starch, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, dried strawberries, citric acid, caramel color, red #40, xanthan gum, soy lecithin

pastry: enriched wheat flour, sugar, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, corn syrup, water, dextrose, high fructose corn syrup, salt, leavening (baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate, monocalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate), gelatin

topping: sugar, rice flour, corn starch, partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil, gum arabic, xanthan gum, natural and artificial flavor, mono- and diglycerides, red #40 lake, blue #1 lake

fortification: niacinamide, reduced iron, vitamin A palmitate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), riboflavin (vitamin B2), thiamin hydrochloride (vitamin B1), folic acid

"Blue #1 Lake"?! "Pyridoxine hydrochloride"?! Mmmmmmm. Nummy.

Today's churches are like poptarts, don't you think? Think of all that goes "into" the church. A pop-tart is basically four parts: strawberry filling, pastry, topping, and some fortification. Churches might be broken down similarly: the building, the programs, the worship service, and the ministers. Sounds simple and nutritious, but it's exactly the opposite.

(But at least it's fortified, right?!)

We Westerners love to get things right by adding complexity. That way we can have the icing just the right thickness, the worship with just the right drive, the filling with exactly the right sweetness, a preacher who "reaches me where I'm at," and a sunday school class to suit every taste.

The problem is, complexity just loves to be worshiped. And we all willingly bend the knee to our favorite flavor. Blueberry, Contemporary, 40 Days of -- , Strawberry Sprinkles, Max Lucado...

Selah.

I have a feeling that God likes tortillas.

A tortilla chip is a snack food made from corn tortillas, which are cut into wedges and then fried (alternately they may be discs pressed out of corn masa then fried or baked). Corn tortillas are made of corn, vegetable oil, salt and water.
[Wikipedia]

The thing about a tortilla is that you can eat it alone or with something--almost anything--on it. It goes with everything. Unbranded.

Who would want to put salsa on a Pop Tart?

Think of the friendships that you have. The best ones are simple and uncomplicated, like a tortilla--eat them just about any time and with anything.

The more complicated the relationship, the harder it is to maintain and the less flexible it is. Like Pop Tarts--eat them only at breakfast, toasted, with butter.

Pop Tarts. Churches. Complexity. Ah, but I repeat myself.
Tortillas. Fellowship. Simplicity. Ah, but I--you get the idea.

Enjoy a plate of tortillas this week, with your favorite topping. Even better, let's pray that we get ground up together, mixed with some water and salt, and dropped in a fryer. And let's see what God heaps on us before he consumes us.

Because I really don't think he's in the mood for a Pop Tart.

Everything is Holy Now

For a guy who grew up evaluating everything (every thing) in the name of Jesus, the last five years have been like a reunion with my long lost family. Seriously, I feel like hugging trees and animals and neighbors and strangers and babies and old people and policemen.

Because God loves it all--I love it all.

Holy Now
by Peter Mayer.
[listen to an excerpt of this song, then you can buy it on itunes]

When I was a boy, each week
On Sunday, we would go to church,
And pay attention to the priest
As he would read the Holy Word.
And consecrate the holy bread
And everyone would kneel and bow.
Today the only difference is
Everything is holy now.

Everything, everything,
Everything is holy now...

When I was in Sunday school
We would learn about the time
Moses split the sea in two
Jesus made the water wine.
And I remember feeling sad
that miracles don't happen still
But now I can't keep track
'Cause everything's a miracle.

Everything, everything
Everything's a miracle...

Wine into water is not so small,
but an even better magic trick
is that anything is here at all.
So, the challenging thing becomes
not to look for miracles,
but finding where there isn't one.

When holy water was rare at best
I barely wet my finger tips.
Now I have to hold my breath
like I'm swimming in a sea of it.
It used to be a world half there
heaven's second rate hand me downs
but I'm walking with a reverent air
cause everything's holy now.

Read a questioning child's face,
say it's not a testament,
now that'd be very hard to say.
See another new morning come,
say it's not a sacrament,
I tell you that it can't be done.

This morning outside I stood
And saw a little red-winged bird
Shining like a burning bush,
Singing like a scripture verse.
It made me want to bow my head--
I remember when church let out--
how things have changed since then,
everything is holy now.

It used to be a world half there,
heaven's second rate hand me down.
I'm walking with a reverent air
cause everything's holy now.

Revelation 5

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"

What is eaten in a week...

The following images came to me last week from one of the guys who work with me at SALT International. This is my industry (food ingredients), and it was still eye-opening to see it presented this way.

Here are some things to ponder as you look at them:

--The ratios of proteins and carbohydrates
--The ratios of industrial versus home baked versus stir fried
--The presence or absence of "staple" foods (mainly rice or cassava)
--Foodstuffs bought in the local open-air market versus grocery stores
--Perishable foods versus shelf-stable foods
--The relationship between the home (electricity, refrigerators, cupboards) and food
--Branded versus unbranded foods
--Grain-based versus fruits/vegetables
--Quantity and type of meats
--Variety of food preparation methods (energy sources, utensils or appliances required, etc.)

Fascinating. Really highlights the differences between industrialized and lesser developed countries.

What Is Eaten In A Week...
The Ukita family of Kodaira City, Japan
Food expenditure for one week: 37,699 Yen or $317.25


Italy
The Manzo family of Sicily
Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11


Germany
The Melander family of Bargteheide
Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07


United States
The Revis family of North Carolina
Food expenditure for one week $341.98


Mexico
The Casales family of Cuernavaca
Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09


Poland
The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna
Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27


Egypt
The Ahmed family of Cairo
Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53


Ecuador
The Ayme family of Tingo
Food expenditure for one week: $31.55


Bhutan
The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village
Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03


Chad
The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23