On FB a friend who I knew from years ago, found me and was like, "hey, you're not Christian anymore?" I was like, wow it has been a super long time....    So, let's try this again. This might go round and round in circles, but let's give it a try.

Often I think about the universe and the mystery of our existence. I don't know what brought the universe into existence, I'm not sure anyone does. That's a hard answer. Some people tell me that the answer is easy. God made the universe. Well does that really answer the question? Or do we just use the word God to hide our ignorance. I think I know what the word "universe" means. But, what does the word "God" mean. Some religious people will even say, God is a mystery, we don't know what God is really, God is beyond our understanding. Okay, that's find, then when the topic of the origins of the universe comes up, why use God as any answer. Why not just simply say, "I don't know."

Do you get what I am trying to say? Does that make any sense.

A: Where did the universe come from?
B: X made the universe?
A: What made X?
B: X is uncaused and infinite.
A: What does that mean?
B: It's a mystery.
A: Then why not just say the origins of the universe is a mystery and skip all the talk about X.

Do you see what I mean?

*Given that context.*
*Question 1:* If God made the universe, who made God, or where did God come from?

*Question 2:* Does saying God made/created the universe actually dodge the question?

*Question 3:* Do we just use the word God when we do not know what or why? Can the word God remain meaningful if we use it like this?
For example: Where did the universe come from? God did it. Why are there humans and such a beautiful green planet? God wanted it that way. Why do young innocent children die of painful cancer? God has a plan.  Insert a question about something we do not understand or can?t control. Answer: God.

*Possible conclusion*
By usage, functionally the word starts to sound like a secret code word for "I do not know" or "I do not understand." But, if that is so, then why not just say, I don't know.

Sure Amanda, we are always looking for stuff that we can use at the farm and for the moms.  Give Christine a call and we'll make arrangements to get with you.

Paul, I am going through some OLD boxes in my closet, and have found VHS tapes, CDs, books, and of course clothes.  Can you use any or all of these things at the farm?  Also I found some Bibles and really don't need more than one...

Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
Stevia to taste

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a food processor and add some fresh berries.

Frozen Yogurt Popsicles

Ingredients:
8 oz Greek yogurt
1 banana
1/2 cup other fruit (I used blueberries and raspberries)
Stevia (or other sweetener), to taste

Directions:
1.)  Blend the fruit and yogurt together.
2.)  Add the Stevia to reach desired sweetness, and blend again.
3.)  Pour into ice cube tray.
4.)  Cover with foil and insert either a toothpick or bamboo skewer into each cube.
5.)  Freeze.

Notes:  The probiotics in the yogurt will go dormant when frozen, but will revive in the heat of your body.  A small number of the bacteria will die when frozen but you will still get a healthy dose of probiotics.

Protein Packed Smoothie

Ingredients:
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder
1/2 banana
1 tbsp whipped peanut butter

Directions:
1.) Blend it all and eat!

Ranch veggie dip

I don't like the flavor of ranch, but I made this for my mom to make her eat her veggies.

Ingredients:
1 packet of Ranch seasoning
16oz plain Greek yogurt

Directions:
1.) Stir.
2.) Refrigerate for one hour before serving.

Notes:  In this case, the dip is as healthy as the veggies!!

My current obsession is Greek yogurt.  I'm posting stuff I do with it here, and would love ideas from others.

Notes on Greek yogurt:  Greek yogurt is more condensed than American yogurt and contains anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 of the sugar.  It tastes, to me, exactly like sour cream, so I cannot eat it in its plain form.  Anyway, it contains twice the protein, twice the calcium, and twice the probiotics of American yogurt.  People who eat 2-3 serving of yogurt daily have better digestive health, and women have better bone health and vaginal health.

 

Darn.