Homemade BBQ Sauce -

You may or may not realize that most barbeque sauces sold in grocery stores are packed full of things like high fructose corn syrup, modified food starch, preservatives, dyes, and all sorts of things that are generally not healthy for human consumption.

What you probably didn’t know is just how easy it is to make your own barbeque sauce at home with simple, wholesome ingredients. Seriously, it only takes 5 minutes to throw together, and you can customize each batch with a unique flavor profile depending on your tastes. What could be better?

Here’s my favorite recipe for homemade barbeque sauce, with some suggested customizations depending on your palate. This makes a great marinade for grilling, or you can use it to create a wonderful meal by throwing it in a crockpot over some chicken meatballs, bell peppers, onions, broccoli and pineapple. Serve it over some jasmine rice and you’re all set!

 Ingredients:

· 1 can of tomato sauce (15oz)

· 2 Tblsp tamari soy sauce or coconut aminos

· 2 Tblsp apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar

· 1 Tblsp Dijon or yellow  mustard

 · 2 tsp garlic powder

· 1 tsp onion powder

· 1 tsp smoked paprika

· 1 tsp chili powder

· Salt/pepper to taste

 Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients and stir thoroughly until smoothly mixed

2. That’s it!

 * The amounts of the ingredients are not exact. Start with these proportions as a base, and then add more of whatever you like. I like to add a little extra garlic, onion powder, and paprika. See the     potential customization options below.

* Making this recipe ahead of time and storing it in the fridge for several hours allows the flavors to really pull together, so it’s recommended to make it a day in advance if possible.

 Optional Customizations

· If you like a sweeter sauce, add a tablespoon of maple syrup, pineapple juice, or orange juice. Start with a small amount and add more if needed. A little sweet goes a long way in this recipe!

· If you like a spicy sauce, add some cayenne pepper, chili flakes, sriracha, or hot sauce to taste.

· If you like a tangy sauce, add some extra vinegar or lemon juice. You can also swap out balsamic vinegar for the other kinds if you want a richer sauce.

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee - Marc's Music Notables

The words for this hymn were written by one great man and the music by another. The words were written by Henry van Dyke, a great 19th Century clergyman, poet, and educator. A graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary, van Dyke later taught English literature at Princeton University. It must have been in that setting that he came to know Woodrow Wilson, the university president, who appointed van Dyke to be Ambassador to the Netherlands when Wilson became President of the United States in 1913.

The music for this hymn comes from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. While Beethoven never wrote hymns, a number of people adapted portions of his music to serve as hymn tunes. “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” is the best known of those.

Van Dyke was quite taken by the joyful sound of Beethoven’s Ninth, and thought that it should be used as a hymn tune. Others had tried without great success. Then, while van Dyke was serving as guest preacher at Williams College in Massachusetts, he was seized by inspiration - perhaps because of the beauty of the surrounding mountains. He presented it to the college president to be sung in the chapel.

Van Dyke was the author of the Christmas story, “The Other Wise Man,” and wrote several books of poetry. He was known for his devotional writings as well. But this hymn, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” is his more enduring work. 

Why? - Reece's Peaces

Since the 1960s, it has been observed that select individuals among chimpanzees and gorillas have the ability to understand sign language. While not all members of these species possess this skill, a number of them have been successfully taught basic signs. The extent of their understanding of language, signed or otherwise, is a topic of ongoing debate. However, numerous observations have confirmed that they can grasp the concept of human language at a rudimentary level. 

Interestingly, all these studies share a peculiar commonality. Despite a demonstrated  ability to respond to questions and comment on their surroundings, no ape has ever been  documented asking a question. This is particularly intriguing given that their vocabulary is often likened to that of a young child, a demographic known for their insatiable curiosity and incessant questioning. This raises the question: if apes can comprehend    language to the same degree as a two-year-old child, why can’t they grasp the concept of posing a question in the same manner? 

From a theological perspective, this could be a testament to the unique nature of  human curiosity. Humans are seldom satisfied with not knowing the reasons behind the world’s workings. As stated in Genesis, we were created in the image of God, a being that possesses knowledge of every ‘why’. When my son asks me why the sky is blue, and I respond with an explanation about it being a reflection of the water (an explanation that may or may not be accurate), he is attempting to uncover another ‘why’, striving to emulate God in his quest for knowledge. 

 As we navigate through life, it is crucial  that we nurture our inquisitive spirit. Our capacity to question is, in many ways, a   reflection of our divine likeness. It is our relentless pursuit of knowledge, of answers known only to God, that brings us closer to our faith and, in turn, closer to God. Perhaps our innate curiosity is a manifestation of a deeper yearning. 

Healthy No-Bake Cookies - Jenna's Favorites

If you need something sweet to snack on, but don’t want to consume a bunch of empty calories or massive amounts of sugar, these cookies are the way to go! They’re made with simple, wholesome ingredients, and taste absolutely delicious. Plus they’re super easy and quick to whip up. You don’t even need to heat up the oven!

You can customize these cookies by making them more or less sweet, more or less chocolatey, and by adding whatever mix-ins you enjoy the best. I prefer a mix of unsweetened crispy rice and oats, but you can use different cereals, nuts, or even espresso beans if you want them to pack a little jolt.

Fair warning, though - they will melt all over your fingers as you eat them, so be prepared for some finger-licking… or keep a napkin handy!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Coconut Oil

• 2 cups Peanut Butter or Other Nut Butter

• 1 cup Pure Maple Syrup, Honey, or Agave

• 4 tsp Vanilla Extract

• 1/2 tsp Salt

• 12 Tbsp cocoa

• 4 cups Mix-Ins (crispy rice, oats, nuts, etc.)

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, melt the coconut oil over low heat.

2. Add peanut butter or other nut butter and melt together until smooth, then stir in the maple syrup or other sweetener (start with 1/2 cup and increase to taste if you don’t like things that are too sweet, or add a little extra if you want them super sweet).

3. Stir in the vanilla and salt.

4. Start adding the cocoa powder, stirring in a couple of tablespoons at a time. If you want them less rich, use less cocoa. If you like your chocolate super dark, add a few extra tablespoons.

5. Once everything is smooth, remove from heat and add your mix-ins.

6. Line a baking sheet (or two) with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Use a large spoon to drop clumps of the mix onto the sheet, spaced apart an inch or so.

7. Place baking sheet(s) in the refrigerator or freezer until the cookies solidify.

8. Once cookies are solid, you can remove them from the sheet and enjoy, or you can put them away.

These cookies should be stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat them, or they will melt and make a mess… but that’s really just part of the fun!

God Be With You - Marc's Music Notables

In 1880, Dr. Jeremiah Rankin, Pastor of First Congregational Church in Washington, D.C., was looking for a farewell hymn to close the worship service. “Blest Be The Tie That Binds” was a possibility, but he wanted something less formal - more engaging.

Not finding the hymn he was looking for, he set out to write it. He took a dictionary from his bookshelf, and began looking at words such as “farewell” and “goodbye” to see if they would spark his imagination. The definition that he found for “goodbye” included the words “God be with you” - and so a hymn was born.

Dr. Rankin wrote a verse and chorus for his new hymn, and sent them to two people asking for a tune. He chose the tune written by William Tomer, a part-time church musician, and was so enthusiastic that he sat down and wrote seven more verses.

Ira Sankey, the music director for Dwight L. Moody, learned of the hymn and began using it as a closing hymn in Moody’s evangelistic services, popularizing it worldwide.

“God Be With You” is a simple hymn that uses a good deal of repetition throughout. Perhaps that is part of its charm. It is like a simple prayer - words from the heart - expressing again and again the lovely sentiment, “God be with you till we meet again.”