Yearly Archives: 2013

Sunday Brunch – Should Christians Abstain From Blood?

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Back in the days of my childhood when I was involved with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, they always stressed that God did not want us to take blood into our bodies – it was a sin. If a Jehovah’s Witness were to take blood (via blood transfusion), then that person would be kicked out of the organization and shunned. Even if getting the transfusion was a life or death decision, you would still be “disfellowshipped/removed” from the organization if you agreed to have blood taken into your body.

This issue comes to my mind whenever the subject of blood is discussed. Do you think the attitude of taking blood/not taking blood is a bit legalistic? What are your views on the subject?

Of course, I realize that taking blood will NOT affect your salvation, however, I have to wonder if it’s a sin, the same way that pre-marital sex, drunkenness, etc. are sins.

The Apostle Paul mentions blood in these scriptures:

Acts 15:29

You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

Acts 21:25

As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”

Leave a comment and share your thoughts!

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

 

Nothing But The Right Thing – From The Archives

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Nothing But The Right Thing by Stacy Hawkins Adams

This book was fantastic! I had the pleasure of meeting Stacy Hawkins Adams, the author of Nothing But The Right Thing, at the 2006 Faith-Based Literary Arts Weekend. She can sure write a story that will stay with me for a long time. Erika has been abused by her husband, Elliott, for the last four years. This is a story about her struggles in dealing with abuse.

Meanwhile, Serena, Ericka’s best friend, along with her husband Micah, are dealing with fertility issues.

The characters work through numerous, realistic struggles.

This story shows how we need to lean on God and trust in Him while dealing with our issues.

This is the first book I’ve ever read by Ms. Adams, but I do plan on reading more in the future.

From the back cover:

Serena McDaniels is successful, sassy, and saved. Life is good. She has a loving husband and a new home. But there’s one dream that remains just out of reach. When she left a high-profile advertising agency to pursue her dreams of having a family, Serena never imagined that the stress of her husband’s pastorate and their desire to follow God’s will might delay their dreams of becoming parents. And when a dear friend makes a life-altering decision to leave an abusive relationship, Serena knows she has to help. Will she have to postpone her dreams forever? Or will she hear God’s still, small voice and realize his plan for her? Nothing But the Right Thing is a heartwarming novel that explores the journey of faith, friendship, and the power of prayer.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Vanished By Irene Hannon

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Vanished by Irene Hannon

Moira is driving on a dark, country road on a rainy night. She’s lost and when she spots a distressed woman, she accidentally hits the woman with her car. Distressed, she wants to help this woman and a man appears, offering her help and solace. Moira then passes out, and when she awakens, she discovers that she can’t find the woman whom she’s hit and she can’t find the man who offered his assistance. Plus, there are other disturbing things that happened during the course of her accident that don’t add up.

Determined to get to the bottom of that dark, rainy night, she hires Cal, a former policeman who runs a private detective agency. Cal and Moira are instantly attracted to one another as they work together, trying to piece together the clues they find from the crime scene.

This is a suspenseful, intriguing romance with Christian characters. The characters are also overcoming their past emotional experiences so that they can be free to find love again. Over all, this was a good read. Thanks to Baker Revell with providing me a free review copy.

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

 

 

Saturday Matinee – Wicker Park

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Can you imagine being followed around by a former love interest?

Matt is engaged to his fiancée, Rebecca, and is about to embark on a business trip to China. At a restaurant, he believes he hears the voice of Lisa, his former love interest. Lisa disappeared two years ago and Matt’s always wondered what’s happened to her.

During a series of events, he thinks he spots Lisa various places and you find out more about the history of Matt’s and Lisa’s love affair though flashbacks.

I was so bored with this movie that I couldn’t finish watching it. I think the story moved too slow, and I just couldn’t get into the story.

If you’ve seen this movie, did you enjoy it? If you enjoyed it, it’d be interesting to hear why you liked it.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

 

 

Food In The Church – From The Blog Archives

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Do you remember the events at your church (both past and present) that involved food? If so, what were your favorite dishes?

Growing up, I don’t really recall having many events in my congregation that involved us enjoying food. I grew up a Jehovah’s Witness and at the congregation where my family attended, I only remember a couple of picnics with hot dogs and hamburgers – there may have been other JW food events, and it’s possible that it’s escaped my memory, that was so long ago. These JW events were never at the place of worship, but usually at a park.

Later, as an adult, I initially joined an AME church and they served us spaghetti on the day that they hosted the new member class. I recall, I thought the spaghetti was just okay and the church ladies prepared it in the church kitchen in the basement. The AME church also sponsored an annual picnic every fall. I only attended this picnic one time and it was catered. The food was just okay. I recall eating a hamburger, hot dog, and baked beans.

Later on, right before we got married, my husband and I joined a Baptist church – we still attend this church. The only food event that our church sponsors each year, which we attend, is their annual picnic. Like the AME church mentioned in the previous paragraph, the Baptist church picnic is catered. We didn’t enjoy the food much this year – the burgers were underdone. I hate seeing pink meat in my burger.

What’s the point of this blog post? Well, over the years when I’ve had conversations with people, they’ll sometimes reminisce about church/pot luck suppers sponsored by their church. They’ll also recall certain dishes prepared by the parishioners that were their favorites. Usually it was a favorite dessert (pie, cake or cookies), or a favorite casserole dish. I’ve never had this kind of experience within the church and I wondered if any of you blog readers have? I enjoy talking about food and as you know, I’ve also shared recipes on this blog.

So, do you remember any favorite church events, past or present, that involved food? What kind of event was it? What were your favorite dishes? Were any of these events catered, or did the parishioners provide the food?

Leave your responses in the comments!

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~Cecelia Dowdy~