Orange county is fancy. Since moving here I’ve discovered valet at the grocery market, gym, or shopping mall isn’t a luxury, it’s a common oddity. Things like doggy doodoo bags are at every park, living complex, and outdoor gatherings. So personalized televisions on cardio equipment at the gym shouldn’t be anything new, but to me, I’m mesmerized.
Paradoxical as it may sound, I love watching the Food Network while running, climbing stairs, or riding the elliptical trainer. I get to burn calories and think of all the ways to eat them back. Like I said, it’s paradoxical. And pathetic.
Oh, but Lord have mercy! I had no clue someone could kill my entire food palette simply by watching bad food being consumed. Don’t get me wrong. Nigella used all ingredients any Mexican grandmother would use—cilantro, tomatoes, onions, tortillas, black beans—but how she assembled them would’ve made any Aztec matriarch roll in a grave. Seriously.
The woman made Mexican lasagna?! An affront to every Italian and Mexican grandmother who labors in hot kitchens preserving all that is holy in the world of food.
To give you a hint of the travesty, she used ketchup in her salsa. She. Used. Ketchup. [insert gasp here]
All this led me to think about a conversation I had with a friend about the way people do church. The very thought of a fog machine during worship is anathema to some. The thought of a robed choir and organ is liturgical to others. Some believe systematic bible teaching is the only way studies should be given. Others, topical messages is the dispensation of choice. The ingredients are the same—bible, music, prayer—but the preparation is different.
I’m quite tired of hearing religious folks yelling out that they have the right way of doing church. How do we know what the right way is? Was anyone around during Acts 2 church to model what the early church looked like? Can someone show me in scripture that an organ is the correct way to worship?
We won’t know until we get to heaven who was doing it right. But until then, can we concede to rightfully respect individual liturgy while holding true to our own? That isn’t a rhetorical question. I’m seriously interested to see if it’s possible.
Convicted by my own conclusions, I decided to let Nigella and her English dinner guest get away with munching on salsa made with ketchup and Mexican lasagna… that is, until I show her how Mexican food is really made 😉
Oh my gosh- you are so right girl!
About mexican lasagna or the church? Just kidding 🙂
Well, since I only know how to make an awesome made from scratch banana pudding, I would have to say the church!
But my uncle would probably say the mexican lasagna and salsa with ketchup. 😀
I just wrote a great big response to someone who was claiming the use of 'hymns' and 'damn' in a sense he didn't like was 'appalling' so this is kind of appropriate today. In conclusion, I think we have to follow Jesus' example and trust the way He reaches us (fog machine services, old traditional litergies etc). We are all individual's trying to be in relationship with God – it's going to look different for everyone,
I also feel compelled to point out that not all English people sound like Nigella Lawson – most of us are common! If you and I ever speak, you will understand! That is all 🙂
im actually kind of hoping there is a gospel choir, lots of dancing around, shouting, clapping, and fist pumping when we enter heaven. 🙂 even though that sort of thing only happens occasionally during our worship service. lots and lots of energy. followed by something I dont know how to describe…you know like awe, stillness, insane joy, humbleness wrapped into one when we get to meet God and Jesus. Either way its going to sweet!
yes i think we all have to respect eachothers differences in this matter…as long as worship stays pure and for Him only, then worship can proabably be done in a bizmillion ways…
I love Nigella…but KETCHUP? I'll put her on the prayer chain.
what a great tie in – and yes – I think of that often, who is "doing it right" and who of us humans has the authority to tell others, God gave us freedom to choose, what makes us humans think we should take the freedom away. Actually I think that movie Chocolat had a GREAT message – "Don't spend our time talking about what we shouldn't be doing, instead, spend our time doing what we should" Stop pointing fingers and just love your neighbor – only good comes from that.
My husband and I go through this discussion all the time. He is high Episcopal, I'm non-denominational-Bapti-emergent-church. I like rock bands, he likes smells and bells and liturgy. I think the way to spirituality is through the Bible and prayer and spiritual disciplines, he believes that God can be experienced in a myriad of different ways and tends to find God first through prayer alone.
We have struggled to find a happy medium – as if that is where God would expect us to be. I layer my expectations on him, he on me {though I'm worse about it}. I even – gasp – have been known to question his salvation because of a lack of bible-reading devotional-time on his part – I know, don't flog me.
So, can I let my sweet Gumpee just BE in his spirituality without expecting his walk with Christ to look like mine? I dunno. Can he let me just BE in my own walk with Christ? I dunno. We are still working it out.
oh dear. what do I do if I have Mexican Lasagna on this week's menu?? I don't plan on using ketchup or any other non-Mexican food item. am I safe?? ;0)
i’ve been at this new church for a yr now and i’m still having a hard time with the worship and teaching. my pastor yells a lot when he teaches (most of the congregation is made up of elderly so maybe he feels he needs to yell to just in case they fall asleep :)) Nevertheless, it annoys me some and so I pray for understanding.
I once asked if we could sing this perticular song, we did but he also mentioned he didnt like this song TO THE CONGRGATION!
Is he doing it wrong? Who am I to say yes or no…. who are we to stand in judgement?
Now Ketchup?!? that’s an abomination!!!
Ketchup??? Seriously? Wow!
By the way, not all of OC is fancy…Santa Ana…now that's not fancy…you got the paletero driving around at 9am and pot holes all over…oy! 🙂
**I meant 9pm. And no one uses doggy doodoo bags…we get lot's of visitors in our front lawn…totally not cool. ha!
you just preached. loved this post!
First, I'm not even hispanic or latino and I know the ketchup thing is WRONG! And who really does church exactly right! I totally agree. I'm sure once we get to heaven every type of denomination will have done something wrong! Let's just be led by the Holy Spirit in how we do things.
It always bothers me when people critique how you worship. Yes, my style (Lutheran worship) may be different their yours (insert style of whoever critiques me) but the only one who can judge in the Lord. I wish that we as the family of God and learn to accept and love each other and embrace our difference. However, I am finding that harder and harder to find.
I have a question. What do you say when someone tells you how you worship is wrong?
i think they use ketchup in some cocktails if i am correct. It is a substitute for tomato sauce sometimes. my Mexican adopted family have used it. LOL…
My friends and I have had this conversation on more than one occasion and I have to agree with you that the style of worship doesn't mean as much as the heart of the worshipper. I don't necessarily like a fog machine during worship but another local church uses it for their youth service because they kids like it. The worship at my church is a lot more "loose" or "free" than other local churches but that works for us. Again, it doesn't matter necessarily the type or style of worship as long as my heart is in the right place. If I'm thinking of my grocery list or what I want to eat for lunch during worship service instead of entering into the presence of God, then it won't matter what style of worship is occurring around me because I'm not focused on the worship. I'm focused on other things.
But then again, worship isn't just the worship service at church. Worship is should be a way of life. How we live our lives is how we truly worship God. How we perform at our job, how we treat our friends and family, how we treat strangers, etc. is all worship.
To burn calories while thinking of all the ways to eat them back – that is sublime! And Bianca, I’m no food snob – but between just you and me – I did gasp. Ketchup? You don’t mess with lasagna. There are no “meatball” tortillas. I think…
Oh, but the dagger point. Exquisite. “I don’t do church that way.” “Your way isn’t right.” “Only this is worship.” We are the most judgmental people on such trivial matters. You got it on the button when you wrote, “the ingredients are the same—bible, music, prayer—but the preparation is different.”
Oh how we need to stop all the judgy on stuff that doesn’t matter, Our Lord, Him crucified and Resurrected, worship in spirit and truth, accepting the sacrifice, being a living sacrifice, all else is bad laser light show.
God Bless and thank you Bianca.
Awesome Post!!! Found your blog through (in) courage! You are such an encouragement!!!! Ok,.sorry..I do have a "girly" question..your makeup is beautiful!! What do you use? Anywho, thank you for being who you are to the Body of Christ! I look foward to more posts!!
Oh..and I am totally trying this Mexican Lasagna Recipe tonight!!!
I like tradition, my husband likes contemporary…so we go to a contemporary service at a traditional church. I even raise my hand when we sing. This is a Big Deal for me. Ya know, maybe God likes a little variety in worship. It could get boring if everyone praised in the same way. Although there's a big difference between variety and just plain gross in food recipes – Ketchup in salsa? Seriously. Ew.
Funny you bring the church topic up because I've been thinking about it lately. Im guilty of thinking our way is the
only way and the "right" way to do Church. I think it's the old school in me 🙂
I think that is a great point – one thing I know they had in Acts was the Holy Spirit. And that to me is the fresh breath of GOD and HE moves like no other. So, I don't think that is the way we do church in that we are the church. We are at HIS feet and waiting on HIM. And I have no clue how that looks. I heard Beth talk about you at LPL in Irvine, I thought I would check it out. Blessings. Siesta OC
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