Ushpizin -- The Visitors

I'm still working on my big honkin' blog testimonial, so in the meantime I have a movie recommendation for you.  The film is called Ushpizin, and it changed my life -- it played a part in my re-evaluation of faith and eventual return to God.

Ushpizin (the word is Aramaic for 'visitors') is, in a word, about faith.  But it's a lot more than that.  It's about love, family, friendship and redemption.  It was directed by Shuli Rand, who also plays the lead role alongside his wife Michal.  The movie takes place in Jerusalem, just before the holy week of Sukkot (you can learn more about it here).  Moshe Belanga, a Hassidic yeshiva student, and his wife Mali are praying desperately for a miracle -- they don't have the money to buy the goods necessary to celebrate Sukkot, much less pay their rent.  Their prayers are answered in the form of a generous financial gift and two mysterious visitors from Moshe's not-so-holy past.

I seriously cannot recommend this movie enough.  As it was filmed according to Halacha (laws within orthodox Judaism) I think it would be perfectly appropriate for all members of the family to watch.  The movie is in Hebrew with smatterings of Yiddish, but as long as you don't mind subtitles that shouldn't impede your viewing enjoyment.

Good Eats #3: Chili

I am working on a legit blog post, I promise.  It's just that it's kinda long, and kinda sensitive, and I'm not sure yet if I want to post it or write something happy instead.  So in the in-between time, here's another (sort of) homemade recipe.  I didn't add a picture because, let's face it, chili tastes a lot better than it looks.

Birdie's Durn-Tootin'-Good Chili

1 pound lean ground beef (97/3 if possible, but 96/4 works)
1/2-1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can corn
1 can diced green chilies (or jalapenos, if you're feeling brave)
1 can black beans
1 can seasoned chili beans

1. Brown the beef in a big pot.  Add salt & pepper.  The more health-conscious might drain the delicious, meaty beef juice, but I like to leave it in.
2. Stir in diced onions and cook until they're translucent.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.  (Note: be sure to rinse the goop off the black beans first. If you've cooked with black beans before, you know what I'm talking about.)
4. Season to taste*, cover, and simmer on low heat for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
5. Enjoy!

*You can be pretty creative here.  I like to use a combination of yellow curry, cinnamon, smoked paprika and a healthy dose of hot sauce.

This is one of my go-to recipes because it's delicious, easy, and freezes beautifully.  It's also incredibly versatile.  Here's a few variations I've come up with:

• Cheesy macaroni & chili
• Chili-egg schmuffin (this is just chili & a scrambled egg on an open-faced English muffin.  You could just as easily use toast or a bagel; I just like saying 'schmuffin'.)
• Chili casserole - put some chili in a baking dish and top with biscuit or corn bread batter.  Bake according to the package directions, or until it's golden-brown on top.
• Frito pie - this is more of a once-in-a-while treat, but boy is it indulgent!  Crunch tortilla chips at the bottom of a baking dish, add chili and top with lots of cheese.  Bake until the cheese gets a little brown on top.

Bon apetit!

Good Eats #2: Mango Caprese Salad

This is a refreshing update on the classic Ensalata Caprese -- sliced mozzarella and tomatoes dressed with olive oil and herbs.  I recommend enjoying this with a loaf of crusty Italian or French bread and a small glass of chilled white wine.  (For those who don't imbibe alcohol, lemonade or a low-sugar fruit juice would also go nicely.)


Ingredients:
1 mango (peeled, stoned and sliced)
1 handful basil and/or mint leaves
1 fresh mozzarella, sliced
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Directions:
1. Arrange salad and dress with balsamic vinaigrette.

A Day of Randoms: Why Skirts are Awesome

1. Twirling in pants just doesn't have the same effect.
2. My husband's face inexplicably brightens when I walk into the room.
3. I'm pretty sure it's physically impossible to get a wedgie.
4. Built-in air conditioning.
5. Have you ever stepped on a jeans hem in bare feet?
6. Skirt + sitting Indian-style = automatic baby sling!
7. Why yes, I am perfectly prepared to go out for a nice dinner immediately after cleaning the house!
8. Elastic waists are far more forgiving on that little bit of post-baby poodge.
9. I can sit down without looking like a plumber.
10. They're just so darn pretty!

Praying for Casey Anthony

I admit that I didn't follow this story as closely as many others did.  It was on the news a lot while I was at work, but to be honest I tried to avoid watching most of it.  I have my own opinions on publicly airing trials, but that's not the subject of this entry.  To be honest, it's not really about the trial at all.  My entry today is about the way we have acted in response to the death of Caylee Anthony and the subsequent trial and acquittal of her mother.

I watched the last few minutes of the trial, as the jury's verdict was read.  My first knee-jerk reaction was, I think, the same as a majority of people.  What?!  That can't be right!  She's obviously guilty!  For a few minutes I was so upset that I actually felt ill.  That poor little girl will never get justice now.  A murderer has just walked free.  Eventually, though, I realized two uncomfortable things:


One, we don't actually know that she did it.  Yes, we heard witness testimonies and heard about the evidence.  Yes, we know about Ms. Anthony's history and lifestyle.  Yes, there are an overwhelming number of indications that Casey Anthony is guilty.  I myself believe she is guilty.  But the fact remains that only three people in the world actually know the full truth: Caylee Anthony, Casey Anthony, and God.

Two, if Casey Anthony really did commit this act, then as Christians it is not our job to condemn her.  I have seen and heard far too many comments from people taking solace - or worse, joy and satisfaction - in the fact that she will have to answer to God for what she did.  As Christians, it is our job to fervently pray for her.  Pray that she will change her ways and turn to God for guidance.  Pray that she will repent for her sins and beg Christ for forgiveness.

It is comforting to believe that we are morally superior to Casey Anthony.  Our own sins couldn't possibly be as grievous as hers.  "Sure, I helped spread that tiny rumor about so-and-so the other day, but at least I didn't kill someone!"  Unfortunately for us, it doesn't work that way.  On the final Day of Judgment, when we have to stand in front of God and answer for every last one of our sins, we will be no different from Casey Anthony.  Sin is sin is sin - which, conversely, means that Casey Anthony is not beyond redemption.  If at this very moment she cried out, "Forgive me, Father!" her soul would be washed clean.  And that is what we must pray for.

-- Birdie

Would You Go to Church in Cairo?

While I was in Monterey I met a young Egyptian man (I'll call him "Yusef") who, I discovered, was the son of one of the Arabic teachers at my language school.  It turns out Yusef and his family are Coptic Christians who came to America to escape religious persecution.

I've heard it said that Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world.  For a long time I scoffed at that statement, because my basis for comparison is how American Christians are treated.  Religious persecution in America consists of protests, verbal confrontation, and anti-Biblical legislation.  I do not deny that these are all horrible things, but they seem a little trivial compared to the fact that Christians in, say, Egypt or Iraq are literally under constant threat of death for going to church.  Case in point: Yusef's sister, "Maryam," bears a scar on her head from having a brick thrown at her.  Her offense?  Walking to church with a Bible in her hand.

It's easy to say that we would worship Christ under any circumstances.  It makes us feel strong and devoted and holy.  I proudly claim that, yes, I would put my life in danger to preach the Gospel.  But would I, really?  Would I still proclaim my devotion to the Messiah with a gun pointed at my head -- or worse, my child?

Today I ask that we all take a few moments to evaluate our relationship with Jesus.  He gave his life for us; would we return the favor?