Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1O LORD, you have searched me

and you know me.

2You know when I sit and when I rise;

you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3You discern my going out and my lying down;

you are familiar with all my ways.

4Before a word is on my tongue

you know it completely, O LORD.

5You hem me in—behind and before;

you have laid your hand upon me.

6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

7Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

8If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.

11If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me

and the light become night around me,”

12even the darkness will not be dark to you;

the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to you.

13For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

15My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

17How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

18Were I to count them,

they would outnumber the grains of sand.

When I awake,

I am still with you.

19If only you would slay the wicked, O God!

Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

20They speak of you with evil intent;

your adversaries misuse your name.

21Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,

and abhor those who rise up against you?

22I have nothing but hatred for them;

I count them my enemies.

23Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

Seaweed Was Wrapped Around My Head

Jonah's Prayer

 ¹ From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 

² He said:      

  "In my distress I called to the LORD, 

       and he answered me. 
       From the depths of the grave I called for help, 
       and you listened to my cry.

 ³ You hurled me into the deep, 
       into the very heart of the seas, 
       and the currents swirled about me; 
       all your waves and breakers 
       swept over me.

 ⁴ I said, 'I have been banished 
       from your sight; 
       yet I will look again 
       toward your holy temple.'

 ⁵ The engulfing waters threatened me,
       the deep surrounded me; 
       seaweed was wrapped around my head.

 ⁶ To the roots of the mountains I sank down; 
       the earth beneath barred me in forever. 
       But you brought my life up from the pit, 
       O LORD my God.

 ⁷ "When my life was ebbing away, 
       I remembered you, LORD, 
       and my prayer rose to you, 
       to your holy temple.

 ⁸ "Those who cling to worthless idols 
       forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

 ⁹ But I, with a song of thanksgiving, 
       will sacrifice to you. 
       What I have vowed I will make good. 
       Salvation comes from the LORD."

 ¹⁰ And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Smoking 100 Cigarettes at a Time is Not Recommended

The Surgeon General has determined that smoking approximately 100 cigarettes at a time might have deleterious effects on your health. The Surgeon General could not make any specific comments on smoking lower numbers - such as 50 or 60. But, the Surgeon General was certain, absolutely certain, that smoking 100 at a time would be a bad idea, in general.

Cigarette manufacturers lauded the decision. "We fully support the Surgeon General's conclusions about smoking 100 cigarettes at a time. While the scientific studies are not necessarily conclusive that users will necessarily have any negative side effects, we nevertheless agree that it might be prudent to avoid the possibility. At this time, we have no opinion on lower numbers, and decline to make any comments in that regard."

Tar E. Lungs, a frequent smoker, was surprised, and a bit concerned, by the decision. He reported that he chooses to smoke 100 cigarettes frequently, finding that the massive injection of nicotine into his blood stream gives him a good, rewarding feeling. "It really kick starts my day," said Tar, in a gravelly, raspy voice. "I really don't know what to make of the Surgeon General's comments," he muttered to himself, while casually flipping a penny around with his yellow fingernails. "I really get sick of all this government regulation, and wish they would just get off my back. If I want to smoke 100 cigarettes at a time, I should be free to do so. The Surgeon General is not a Surgeon anyway. And he's certainly not a General. So where does he get off?"

Other addicted smokers made similar comments. "Where will this lead us? Someday, the Surgeon General will find that smoking 50 cigarettes at one time is bad for your health. I need my smokes, man! They can't take that away from me. I gots rights!" said Flem A. Lot, as he pulled out his oxygen inhaler for a quick pull.

Certain pro-smoking legal scholars were befuddled by Flem's comments, as they had not previously found support in the Constitution, or other laws, for his claim to have a "right" to smoke 100, or even 50, cigarettes at a time. Yet they were highly persuaded by his comment about the fact that he "gots rights." It was hard to dispute such commentary. These scholars committed themselves to fully researching the issue, with the hope of finding such rights in the emanations and penumbras of various Amendments contained in the Constitution.

Radiant, Unveiled Faces

Moses spoke with God.  The scriptures say that when Moses came down from Mount Sinai -- after spending forty days and forty nights there -- he "was not aware that his face was radiant." People were even afraid to come near him, because of his radiant appearance.  The radiance was reflective of God's glory.  (Moses had just asked God, "teach me your ways" and "show me your glory."  [Ex. 33:18]) 

Ironically, Moses would later put a veil over his face because of its appearance, but would remove the veil when he entered the Lord's presence. 

Our faces, too, should shine when we encounter our Living God. We should be changed.  And it should be noticeable.  Others should see it. 

Paul would later talk about Moses's radiance in 2 Corinthians, contrasting the old covenant with the new covenant.  If the ministry that brought about death (the law) could give Moses a noticeable radiance, "will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?" 

"If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!" 

We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face. The law does not separate believers from God. Access to God is not obscured. Rather, when anyone turns to God, the veil is taken away. "And we, who with UNVEILED faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corin. 2:18.

The Law of Milk

I wanted to document a recent legal discovery, as it relates to my previous post on Milk ("Lactose Tolerant"). Much to my surprise, Oklahoma has enacted legislation making MILK the official drink of the State of Oklahoma. Who knew!? According to 25 O.S. § 98.7:

"Milk is hereby designated and adopted as the official drink of the State of Oklahoma."

So, when you drink milk, you abide by the law. You're a law abider.

Chasing Contentment?

I heard recently that contentment is not found ... it is learned.

I think that is probably true. Contentment is not one of those things that comes upon us naturally. Our human natures seem to trick us into believing that our current circumstances should be different, because, if things were different, we would surely be happier, and hence more content.

But, what is new under the sun? What new and shiny "thing" is going to sweep us off our feet, when our feet aren't where they're supposed to be in the first place? Paul told the Phillipians that he had "learned to be content whatever the circumstances." He told them that he knew what it was like to be in need, and he knew what it was like to have plenty, and, regardless, had concluded that he could do everything "through him who gives me strength."

We have been given this moment, this very moment, and we should cherish it, and enjoy it for what it is. "[F]or it is now that God favors what you do." Ecclesiastes 9:7.

Oh, Sweet Curd Cheese ...

Cottage Cheese. What more can one say? When you put those two words together, you have summed up the entirety of the discussion.

True, it's neither made in a "cottage," nor is it "cheese," at least in the traditional sense. Yet, our brains are able to fully comprehend the phraseology when we hear those sacred words. We may even have certain physical sensations when we hear those words, not all of which are desirable.

Regardless, I'm not sure wikipedia defines "cottage cheese" with sufficient clarity or forcefulness. "Cottage cheese is a cheese curd product with a mild flavor. It is drained, but not pressed so some whey remains. The curd is usually washed to remove acidity giving sweet curd cheese. It is not aged or colored."

Mmm ... sweet curd cheese. Who could resist this? Particularly with its interesting texture swashalling against your tongue and mouth.

Curd size

I actually prefer small curd, over large curd. You? I'm not sure the reason for the preference. Perhaps it's because the smaller curds are easily swallowed, whereas large curds are bulky and have more paste-like potential if chewn-up by the molars. I have learned that curd size is dependent on the enzyme "rennet." Rennet is an enzyme that speeds curdling and keeps the curd that forms from breaking up. Adding rennet shortens the cheesemaking process, resulting in lower acid and larger curds. Small curd, then, is made without rennet.

Mmm. In the near future, try to use the term "curd" in a sentence -- you're guaranteed to win friends.

Nutrition

When you were but a wee lad or lass, your mom may have encouraged you to eat boatloads of cottage cheese. She was a smart mom. Cottage cheese is low in fat and carbohydrates, and yet high in protein. Four ounces of the substance has approximately 116 calories and 5 grames of fat (3 saturated). Yet, it is high in sodium - 458 mg per 4 oz. serving. As you can see from the picture, the amounts vary between brands.

Giving it a Certain Something

By itself, cottage cheese is admittedly a bit bland. As mentioned above, it can be paste-like at times. So, the addition of fruit can give it a certain something -- a tasty quality, if you will. I have tried bananas, oranges, pineapples, and peaches. I suppose you could add any fruit. The fruit successfully masks the blandness. If you must eat it alone, you might sprinkle some salt and/or pepper on it -- to prevent gagging, if nothing else.

It is my understanding, from talking amongst friends, that some families view cottage cheese as part and parcel of any successful dessert offering. I have never viewed Cottage Cheese in such a light, and will probably not adopt that philosophy at this point. (Of course, I wouldn't disparage those who view cottage cheese in such a way, since dessert recipes -- such as Cottage Cheese Jello Dessert -- do exist.)

Make it at Home!

I'm not sure why anyone would be inclined to make Cottage Cheese at home, but it is a possiblity. There are several websites dedicated to informing the public about the benefits of homemade cottage cheese, learning their readers up on "how to make cottage cheese taste good," since it is "tasty, nutritious" and "easily-digested."

The Whang Factor

I buy cottage cheese on a regular basis, and often throw away most of it because of the "Whang Factor." The Whang Factor is a well-known, yet not well-researched, principle associated with the expiration date. It has unique applicability to cottage cheese. It can be stated thusly: "If one opens a container of cottage cheese and, upon smelling same, notices a strong whang emanating from the container, one must immediately dispose of the entire cottage cheese container."

There are no known exceptions to this principle.

On several occasions, I have plunged forward, and have consumed cottage cheese even in the presence of a slight whang. It did not result in a desirable outcome.

Good luck with your cottage cheese. Let me know if you have any good cottage cheese stories. Surely there are some out there.