The Rainbow Marriage

I do wish more people felt like this. It is right inline with what I feel, but he says it so better than I ever could.

I trust I dont offend too many people.

As Written by Richie Branson.

As a follower of Christ and lover of all people regardless of race, gender, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or game console preference, I'm going to be very blunt with my fellow Christians: why are you so pissed about this change in MAN's law? Absolutely nothing has changed in the Bible. God's law is exactly the same as it was before yesterday. The sgood book said that man's law wouldn't always line up with God's law, so why are you upset that the Bible was correct? If you expect the nation's legal system to teach your children about Christ then you're sadly mistaken. God never placed that responsibility with the courts; It's YOUR responsibility to spread the gospel and love of Jesus Christ.

The law doesn't force pornography upon your household, but it's legal. The law doesn't force twerk videos unto your household, but it's legal. The law doesn't force heterosexual sex between two unmarried people into your household, but it's legal. The law doesn't force having children out of wedlock unto your household, but again... it's perfectly legal. HAomosexual marriage, like the above mentioned "sins", does not impede on the basic rights of anyone else. It's perfectly fine not to condone it, but to condemn it and attempt to codify your beliefs into laws that disenfranchise those with different belief systems is not ok. Here's a newsflash: Making it legal for gay people to be married by definition of man's law doesn't mean the world is coming to an end. This isn't anything new, by the way, as 22 other countries already recognize same-sex marriage years before June 26th, 2015.

While we're on the subject, let's talk about state-sponsored sinful lifestyles for a second: every weekend I buy a lotto ticket from the corner store. I've been doing this for years. However, my Bible says to stay away from attempts to get rich quick (proverbs 13:11 and 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10). I guess that means I should also be condemned to the depths of Hell upon my death.

Look, there are so many other issues that require our attention as Christians: poverty, racism, genocide, persecution of Christians in the Middle East (while we're complaining about Christians losing influence in American politics, Middle-Eastern Christians are losing their LIVES), and others that are infinitely more worthy of our outrage than the issue of same-sex marriage in America. Instead of bloviating on social media about how offended you are about homosexuality, why don't you step out on faith and do some real kingdom work?

In closing, it is quite ironic that the most sin I've seen on social media isn't coming from all the rainbow colored profile pictures, but rather from self-proclaimed Christians shouting "F*ck this fag b.s." with a disturbing lack of one of the very cornerstones of the Christian faith: Grace.

To remove ice from car windows

Here is a great tip from Denver where it is really cold and icy, a tip I must remember.
Maybe it will be helpful for others too.

Mid Winter swimming

Today is the Winter Equinox shortest day here in Picton New Zealand. There is always a mid winter swim to celebrate not that I have ever been silly enough to be one of the swimmers! I love swimming but like the water to be tropically warm.
Generally only about 12 - 25 people ever leap into the water briefly, but today it was really a nice warm sunny day with lovely blue sky, it encouraged many hundred people out to watch. It seems that many of them decided to give the swim a go. Lots were all dressed up for the event, some in their bathing costume many just in street clothes, many were children but lots were adults, all ran splashing and squealing into the tide.

 The rules said everyone must get their heads under water to qualify as a swimmer but lots stayed in and really swam. Such brave hardy souls. I spoke to some later who said after a few seconds their skin was numb so they didnt feel the cold at all then. Still didnt encourage me to give it a go.
I have since read in the paper more than 250 people braved the cold water for a dip!

Erle and I were there to drive the little train on the Foreshore for the children and as there were many of them we were kept very busy.

Pasta with the Pastor night

Pasta with the Pastor night.

Last month we had the Merry  Missionaries Month of May where we had many fundraising nights including the talent auction where I out bid everyone to buy the 2 lovely meals on offer in private homes with friends of ours from Church, I have already written up the Ngakuta Bay Lunch, now it is turn for the Pasta with the Pastor Evening. We had been looking forward to this because Judy and Wayne are our best friends and I know Judy to be a fabulous cook.

We arrived to be greeted warmly in French by Wayne our waiter for the night, Judy did point out that it was an Italian themed night but apparently Wayne is going to be French tonight!  Erle brought a nice bottle of Marlborough Sav wine which he asked the waiter to uncork providing it was a BYO  restaurant. We were soon settled on the settee to warm up before the fire, in a room where all the furniture had been

moved and different stuff placed carefully to add Italian ambiance to the 'Restaurant' room, alight with pretty red candles, with a glass of wine in our  hands toasting each other frequently.

Our waiter soon brought out special homemade crisps that were baked not fried, together with pate and many little dishes of dips and tasty sauces and a type of salami made of dates and nuts. All very yummy and enjoyed with lots of good conversation.

We were shown to our table and served the entree of Mediterranean Tart, a 6 inch square pasty filled with cream cheese, sundried tomatoes, olives rocket leaves and feta cheese, very delicious and almost enough for the whole meal. But still no pasta had shown up so we knew there must be a big bowl of spaghetti or something like that to come.

Judy vanished into the kitchen and returned with plates brimming wit h homemade pasta with garlic topped with some yummy stuffed chicken balls and a bowl of walnut and pomegranate salad to go with it. I had never had  homemade pasta before, so it was a real treat, tender and tasty with more body than the bought stuff; much better.

We were very full by this time and were just enjoying the last of the wine when Judy did another vanish into the kitchen and returned this time with large individual Pavlovas for us all topped with enough scrummy whipped cream to even keep me happy ( Cream is my major addiction and weakness) and drizzled with raspberries and what I think were pomegranate seeds. Anyway who cares just what drizzled the whipped cream those pavlovas were very nice. We all struggled to finish them as it had been such a big beautiful meal. Manfully we managed it!  
At this time we suddenly looked down at those pretty red candles which had burned right through the  outside wall of the wax and the said wax was now making its way slowly across the snow white tablecloth! In our haste to rectify matters somehow we managed to leave brilliant red trails and drips just about all over that lovely cloth,  which Wayne manfully said was only a cheap one from the second hand shop! lol, yeah right! I don't think so, I do hope Judy can clean off all that red wax.

What a great night a great meal with great friends, I shall sure be bidding next year, should we hold a similar talent auction.

All in all I can definitely recommend this restaurant to all.

Sorry no photos I was too busy eating and talking.

Chicken Curry and Rice Lunch at Ngakuta Bay

Last month our Church Christian Life Church, held our usual 

 'Merry Missionary Month of May'

 to support our Missionary s. We held many interesting events including a Talent and Gift Auction; where we all offered whatever talent we had to be auctioned, I for instance as a Shuttle and tour driver offered a Wine tour for 4 people, which was snapped up for a good price. I myself was more interested in the meals being offered, Pasta with the Pastor and Lunch of Chicken Curry and Rice at Ngakuta Bay with our Missionarys  Monica and Julian Hawkings, who are home on a sabbatical from China and Tibet.



I also quite liked the Foot Massage but missed out on that one to a higher bidder, but I kept on bidding til I out bid everyone else for the 2 lovely meals. Still I got them for a comparable to restaurant meal price. It was for a good cause and I enjoy going out to dinner so it was a win win situation, I would have paid higher.

Finally the day came around when we were able to drive to Ngakuta Bay for our special lunch. There was one other guest Gil who had offered to sharpen all tools as his talent offering which Monica and Julian had bought at the same auction, he had just finished his sharpening and was happy to join us for Chicken Curry and rice.

Monica had set the table beautifully with flowers and candles, very welcoming.

After a sit around the fire with a glass of juice and the days Scripture reading, we sat down to the lovely meal, cooked by Julian. Big bowls of Chicken Curry of steamed rice with tomato and another bowl of Broccoli along with chutney and yogurt.

It was delicious as was the second course we had a time of great fellowship together before retiring again to the fireside for coffee and chocky biscuits.
We really were treated like Kings and Queens.

 All the while enjoying the beautiful scenery and peace of Ngakuta Bay in the Marlborough Sounds, before heading for home late afternoon.
Thank you Monica and Julian.

Next week Pasta with the Pastor.

Breakfast Omelet.

I am planning to try this yummy little treat very soon.

2 MINUTE MICROWAVE MUG OMELET

Start to finish: 2 minutes (prep: 1 minute)

Servings: 1

2 large eggs
2 to 3 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons crumbled cooked ham or bacon
1 tablespoon diced green bell pepper
salt and pepper

1. In a small bowl, beat eggs.
2. Spray a large microwave-safe mug with cooking spray. Coat evenly.
3. In the mug, combine eggs, cheese, ham and green pepper. Stir until mixed.
4. Microwave mug on high until mixture is completely set, about 1 minute.
5. Salt and pepper to taste.
(Recipe from mrbreakfast user Bennet on mrbreakfast.com, 2013)