Spicy Peanut Sauce

So the doctor said I need to lose 25 pounds or so. I hate being a slave to a diet, so I have chosen to give up many things for 6 days a week and then take a break on the seventh day as God intended. Among the things I have given up except on a sabbath are beer, pop, unhealthy snacks and seconds. Since I am eating smaller portions and healthy snacks, that means I am eating a lot of celery and carrots. They just aren’t doing it for me. I need something to make them sexy. So I have made my own spicy peanut sauce to dip them in. Here it is:

Spicy Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons natural peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon hot chili oil, or more to taste
• A few good shakes of red pepper flakes, depending on how hot you like it (I like my face to sweat–I equate sweat with weight loss, so I make it hot)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

In a small saucepan, whisk together the broth, peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper flakes and chili oil. Set the pan over medium heat, bring to a simmer, and let simmer for 5 minutes (the longer you let it simmer, the hotter it gets). Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro. Let cool to room temperature, then store in a plastic container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer up to 3 months.

Go and Make Disciples…

At St. Matthew we are in the process of something called Simple Church–simplifying for the sake of making disciples. It has given me cause to think about what type of disciples we are making. This led me to begin to think about what type of disciples we ourselves are.  I imagine it is a safe bet to say we are going to make disciples that are like us. And that could be a grave mistake.

As we undertake the process of simplifying for the sake of being and making disciples, it is important to step away from what we think we know and look freshly and intently at what it means to be and make disciples. What kind of disciples are we? The answer to that will largely determine what type of disciples we are making. The word disciple in its simplest form simply means a life-long learner. Initially the term disciple referred to anyone following a rabbi or his teachings but gradually evolved to mean something much deeper. The terminology below and much of the research behind it is borrowed from those much smarter than I, namely Dr. Tim E. Miller in his book 30×60x100 and his friend and mentor Herb Hodges. The interpretations of the terms are my own and my mistakes in no way reflect upon the scholarship of these men.

1. The word disciple was originally used for those who were Casual Listeners (Matt. 5:1). This usage referred to the crowds that initially followed Jesus as they would any rabbi. They were simply curious as to what Jesus had to say.

• Matt. 5:1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them.
• Today we call these people “seekers.”
• These people often attend church regularly.
• Often we are these people.

2. As the disciples became more interested in what Jesus had to say they became Concerned Listeners (John 3:1-21). Their thoughts may have reflected something like, “If what Jesus is saying is true, then His teachings have profound implications for me.”

• These are people, like Nicodemus, who begin to see power and truth in the words of Jesus and seek to know more.
• These people may begin to attend Bible studies and read the Bible more regularly.
• Often we are these people.

3. As Jesus’ crowd of disciples pondered His words, they would eventually become Convicted Listeners (Mark 10:17-23). These listeners had reached the stage where the Truth was penetrating their hearts and they were convicted of sin and a need to change.

• In today’s terms, these are Christian Believers, convicted not only of sin but also convicted of the power of the death and resurrection of Jesus for their salvation.
• This is where we spend a lot of our spiritual walk. We believe, but don’t wholeheartedly embrace Jesus.
• This is where most Christians, even Christian leaders, are most of the time.
• We like this place because here we can coast.

4. After having been convicted of sin and the need for salvation, the disciples then became Convinced Listeners (Matthew 8:2). These disciples had wholeheartedly embraced the teachings of Jesus as God’s truth. It is important to note that many disciples left Jesus prior to this due to the high costs related to obeying the teachings of Jesus.

• These are people believe that Jesus is exactly who He says He is and can do exactly what He says He can do.
• These people tell others about Jesus and offer themselves to be used by Him.
• We spend far too little of our spiritual walk as disciples here.
• We are uncomfortable in this place and often resist being led there strongly and angrily.

5. The last stage of development in the four Gospels concerning this word disciple refers to those who became Crucified Followers (Luke 14:27). These crucified disciples were those who followed Christ selflessly, abandoning all personal desires, fears, and attachments. These disciples would live and die for the sake of the Kingdom of God. It is precisely to this type of discipleship that Jesus is calling His followers when He states in Luke 9:23, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (TNIV).

• Luke 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
• This is the place to which Jesus is calling us all time, but a place where we rarely go.
• It is only here that we truly move from Listener to Follower.
• This is the place where true joy is found.

Many Christians, including ourselves much of time, are simply content to cling to our doctrines and be saved from hell. However the call to follow Jesus only begins with that. It goes much deeper. It is much more selfless. To teach or to allow believers to stay in a state of spiritual immaturity falls perilously short of the call Jesus has given us to make disciples. This is what we are asking the Holy Spirit to correct in us at St. Matthew Lutheran Church.