NaBloPoMo
This month I am participating in National Blog Posting Month. The challenge is to post something every day. So far I’m doing well but the month is still young.
This month’s theme is heroes. While it is just a suggestion for posts I do plan on writing a couple of posts about heroes. I’m challenging my reader’s to participate as well. If you do let me know.
If you are on Twitter you can keep up with The Dee Zone on Twitter. Let me know if you are on Twitter.
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Networked Blogs
I’m trying to expand my network. If you use Network Blogs let me know.
In Bible Study recently we discussed what does it really mean to be a Christian. Some have tried to turn being a Christian into a bunch of do’s and don’ts. So, being a Christian becomes just a bunch of rules. The word Christian literally mean’s Christ follower. As Christians we should be imitators or followers of Christ. I think it is more than following rules. As we grow in our relationship with Christ we should become more like Him. So what does that look like in our lives if we focus on following Christ and not just a bunch of rules? A good place to start is with three commands that Jesus gave.
The first two are found Matthew 22:36-40 – “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. So, the first command is to Love God. Loving God sums up the first 4 of the Ten Commandments. It is more than just saying the words “I love God.” If I love God then I will make my relationship with Him a priority. I will seek to follow Him all the time not just when it fits my schedule.
The second thing is to “Love others”. A result of loving God is showing love to those around us. Loving others summerizes the remaining 6 Ten Commandments. One of the complaints I often hear about Christians and Christianity is the way Christians act. As a follower of Christ my life should reflect the love and grace that He has given me.
The final thing that Christ commands us to do is make disciples. This is more than just making converts or adding numbers to our church. Making a disciple involves mentorship and teaching others to become a committed follower of Christ.
One of the few reality competition type shows I watch is The Next Food Network Star. The show starts with 10 finalist and each week one is eliminated. Most of the finalist are professionals but there is always at least one “home cook” each season.
Weeks 1 & 2
Jenn Isham
Brett August
The weakest finalists were eliminated the first two weeks. Jen Isham was the first to go. She is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and once worked as a line cook at Walt Disney World. Currently, she is a sales manager at Crowne Plaza Downtown. Actually, her performance was less than memorable. Not only was I unimpressed with Isham I really don’t remember much about her. Next to go was executive sous chef Brett August. While Bret did seem knowledgeable he just didn’t seem to be that comfortable on the show.
Week 3
Eddie Gilbert was the next to go. Eddie openly admitted that he stole a recipe from Paula Deen’s cookbook. Did he really think he wouldn’t get caught. When criticized for his salad Eddie claimed that it was a good recipe because he got it from the Paula Deen cookbook. Come on dude, where is your brain on that one.
Week 4
Teddy Folkman only made it to week 4 because the judges could only eliminate one in week 3. In week two Teddie and Brett helped out home cook Melissa who was having trouble getting her food together. During the judging when all three were in the bottom, Brett was very quick to point out what he and is partner in crime had done. In week 3 Teddy once again threw his partner under the bus. Teddy and Debbie Lee were paired up in the challenge at Ina Garten’s. Each was supposed to make one dish and a third together. Debbie made the pasta, Teddy made a very lame dessert and together they made the meatloaf. When his dessert tanked he quickly, claimed the meatloaf was his. Despite challenges from the judges who offered to provide tape evidence Teddy insisted he made the meatloaf alone. The guy is actually a very knowledgeable cook but has serious personality issues.
What’s Next
So, here is my take on the future for the remaining six. Two of the remaining six clearly stand out in the crowd and there is clearly one at the bottom. The remaining three are just sort of there in the middle.
Hopefully Katie Cavuto will be the next to go. She is a registered dietitian and quite knowledgeable. Katie is to be commended for wanting to educate others about healthy eating but does she have to be so stinking annoying about it. Everything out of her mouth is how the food she is preparing is such a healthy option and better than whatever. She comes across as condescending and a health snob. It makes me want to go on a junk food binge just because. Also, Katie is a very week cook. So far she has served inedible and undercooked food 2 out of the 4 weeks. For the Bobby Flay burger challenge in week 4 Katie selected to make a turkey burger. She noted that it might not be a good choice because of cooking time but she insisted on going with turkey because it was the healthier option. She did show some improvement when the finalist appeared on the Rachel Ray show this week. She is clearly the weakest link left.
Jeffery Saad
Jamika Pessoa
After, Katie it gets tougher to pick the order of elimination. My guess is that Jeffery Saad and Jamika Pessoa would be the next two eliminated. Both have struggled at times. Jeffery has never really been able to express is personality and point of view. He seems to be knowledgeable but that hasn’t always come out in the challenge. His specialty “cooking without borders” is a blend of Mexican, Southwest and Italian. He has really come up with some creative dishes. Jamika is a personal chef from Atlanta whose specialty is Caribbean. Jamika performance has been very inconsistent. Like Jeffery, Jamika has an endearing personality that you want to succeed but just has been able to consistently show star potential.
I think Debbie Lee will make it into the final three. She got off to a rocky start with the first challenge but has been very good in later challenges. Debby was charged with shopping for her team and went over budget. She failed to get key ingredients needed by her teammates and made a very lame dessert. Since then she has really had a chance to shine. Last, week Debbie was off but still did well despite a mishap while preparing food for the second challenge. Michael Proietti accidentally hit Debbie in the face with a baking sheet right out of the oven. Debbie was obviously in pain but finished the challenge anyway.
Michael Proietti
Melissa d'Arabian
After last week and the presentations on Rachel Ray I think that Michael Proietti and Melissa d’Arabian will be the final two. Both are very personable. Michael obliviously is has a very charismatic crazy personality. Although, I wish he would do something about that hair, it kind of looks like a rooster. I certainly would watch his show. My personal favorite is Melissa Arabian and not just because she is from Tarrant County. Melissa is a stay at home mom from Kellar, Texas. Melissa had a rocky start but has done really week the past couple of weeks. I think that Melissa and Michael’s presentation on The Rachel Ray Show were the best. It find it ironic that those who plotted to get rid of Melissa are already gone.
As a part of Texas Hope 2010, the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) has launched a new program to provide free GED programs in affiliated churches. The program is a part of the BGCT’s Hispanic Education Initiative. The BGCT has teamed up with the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas to enlist volunteers that will serve as academic directors/advisers in 1,000 Hispanic Baptist churches.
Free GED programs will be available at participating churches to anyone regardless of church affiliation. For more information about the free GED programs or academic directors, call 888-244-9400.
HT: Texas Baptist
