The Summer Dump

Hello my dear friends! While I am working on a longer newsletter on the subject of leadership, thought I’d throw in some interesting tidbits of reading and Youtube that I encountered this week for your enjoyment!

1.We have Christians stranded in space!

I’ve been aware of the news that’s been unfolding about two astronauts, Barry Wilmore and Tracy Dyson, who are currently stranded in the International Space Station due to Boeing’s inability to get a rocket up there to bring them back down.

What I did not know until this week was that both of them are believers and regular church attendants! Barry Wilmore is even an elder at his church’s congregation. I think this is a wonderful opportunity for us to also pray for their safe return home and to be reunited with their families.

For an interesting listen, Astronaut Tracy Dyson did an interview with the Bible Project Podcast back in December.

(And for extra geekiness, I recommend downloading the Sky Guide app. It will send you notifications when the ISS is flying overhead at night, and you can go outside to watch the astronauts zoom by yourself!)

2. Dr. Sarita Lyons KILLING IT on “With the Perry’s” Podcast

Honestly what a powerful woman of God. I got the opportunity to hear her speak at a Q&A with JHP at the Glory Conference last year, and she was phenomenal. This episode is just another taste of God’s goodness, solid wisdom, and the truth of God’s redeeming work on all of us, no matter our backgrounds or walks of life.

3. “Spiritual Formation” by Henri Nouwen

I picked up this book on a whim because I’d heard a few preachers I’ve listened to over the years mention him again and again. I found a used copy at the Powell’s bookstore in Portland so I figured I’d give it a read…and wow. It’s totally knocking my socks off. I appreciate his emphasis on “being with God”, dwelling with him and enjoying his friendship above works, above goals and tasks. Given my own orientation towards constantly being on the go and performance, it’s been a good step back especially in my prayer life the last few days.

4. “America Has Too Many Laws” by Justice Neil Gorsuch

This one’s for my poli-sci geeks, but a completely excellent long-form article by Justice Neil Gorsuch about how bureaucracy has created systemic issues and led to not only an over-regulated federal state (in my opinion), but also a whole industry of lawyers who exist simply to read and interpret our nation’s vast number of inane laws. Bureaucratic bloat is bound to happen with any institution, and the American government is not immune. I even love the anecdote he uses to drive home the point because it happened just a few miles up north from where my Dad also regularly fishes for red grouper!

Here’s the file for those who can’t get past the paywall.

4. Raffi’s Quick Summer Dressing

I subscribed to a CSA vegetable box this year (Community Supported Agriculture) from Kairos Farms up in Metamora on the suggestion of a friend. They’re a Christian Farm that uses organic, pesticide-free methods to grow their veggies, and I’ve been blessed with an awesome basket each Tuesday.

This also means that I’ve been making a TON more salads with all the produce I’m getting, and this is a ranch-like dressing that I whipped up with all the herbs I’ve been getting from the farm. It’s an amalgamation of a few recipes, with my own spin on it.

The amount are all estimates, honestly just throw in whatever amount you need to get rid of from the fridge!

Quick Summer Dressing

1/2 cup of mayo

1/2 cup of plain yogurt

1 de-seeded jalapeño, diced small*

1/2 cup parsley (ish)

1/4 cup fresh dill (ish)

1 large clove of garlic, chopped finely (not grated or pressed)

Onion powder, salt, pepper to taste

Olive Oil

Throw all of this into a bowl. Mix it. Add olive oil to make the mixture a bit more loose as you need it (though it does loosen up overnight in the fridge). Tastes best after it’s been sitting overnight in the fridge. Et voila!

*If you want to be extra fancy, charr that jalapeño on the grill before you chop it, remove the skin but leave some yummy char bits on it.

This dressing works great on shredded/chopped cabbage, or as a base for an egg salad.