My Fresh Salsa

I have had numerous inquiries concerning the fresh salsa/pico that I make when I am forced into it. So....here's the dope (not a literal term). It is a bit "wordy" for a recipe, but hey...the BEST requires a bit more effort!

Gatekeeper Salsa

I don’t use a recipe, but here’s what I generally do:
· As many roma tomatoes as you want…it is the bulk of the salsa (for a medium size batch I normally use 10-12). Any tomatoes are OK, but romas are more meaty and less juicy.
· A variety of chilies, depending on how hot you want it:
o Jalapenos (2-4, more or less)
o Seranos (2, they are hotter than jalapenos)
o Anaheim chilies 2 or 3 (usually green to yellowish color…also used for making chili rellenos)
o I sometimes use a couple of those heart shaped green chilies they sometimes use for chili rellenos (poblanos, I think)
o Yellow chilies…they are sweeter, and I put them in for the flavor mix if they have them, and they look good and fresh
o A couple of green, orange, or red sweet bell peppers (depending on the color I want to get)
o I have put in a habenero…strictly for the HEAT. That’s up to you. (I’d take out the seeds if you decide use them)
· One, or one half white onion (depending the size and on how much onion taste you want)
· One batch of cilantro (it usually comes with a rubber band around it) I chop it in my food processor. Also, I don’t put in much of stem…normally just the leafy part. Also…a tip: if you put the cilantro in the food processor with a few pieces of chili, it will come out of the processor easier…otherwise, it tends to stick to the sides and is harder to get out.
· Fresh limes: Again, this is however you want, but I LOVE fresh lime juice, so I normally put in about 4 or 5 (larger ones). If you are using key limes, obviously, it takes quite a few more.
· Salt to taste
Here is another tip you may want to use…its up to you. I cut and put everything together before putting in the lime juice. It the tomatoes are pretty juicy, then I drain some of the juice off (save it for your marinade stock). I don’t want the lime juice to be so diluted by the tomatoes that it loses it’s impact. You can save that juice you drain for a number of things, if you want. I want most all of the liquid in the salsa to come from the limes. As you eat it, there will be more and more juice left…it is great to add to what was drained and have it to put in other dishes, or especially as a marinade for chicken to grill or stir fry. It just seems like a shame to toss that good juice from the chilies, tomatoes and limes (it’s almost worth making the salsa just to get the marinade liquid).

I use the food processor to chop the chilies, cilantro & onion… and some of the tomatoes. I do like to chop some of the tomatoes pretty small with a knife just to keep them a bit chunkier. I know you can do it all with a knife if you want more of a pico salsa. This is totally up to the individual…however you want it, and however it looks best to you.

So…there you go. That’s about it. I vary the chilies, etc. depending on how fresh they look at the store. I like to buy the best ones I see.

bon apetite, or as we say in the Southwest, FIRE IN THE HOLE!

Global Warming / truth or fiction?

OK...for all you who have checked my Blog, and never find anything new...I am trying to turn over a new leaf (at least once or twice). No promises, but I am going make an effort to publish something at least once a week. I have enough granddaughter pics to do that!

Come on back....you may just find something worth reading. Also, I have a few friends who are literate, and I may ask them to contribute some thoughts from time to time.

Grace to you!

CONGRATULATIONS CHEZ!

Chez Reavie won his first PGA Tour event, The 2008 Canadian Open, on Sunday. He held off a field of veterans and rising stars to post a three shot victory.

Chez is from Mesa, and attended Rhodes Jr. High with Matt and Mike, as well as Dobson High. Mike and Chez played junior and high school golf at the Dobson Ranch Municipal Golf Course. Chez went on from high school to become a three time All-American at Arizona State. He won the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, which qualified him to play several PGA Tour events, including the Masters and the U.S. Open. He then became a regular player on the Nationwide Tour, and with a win in 2007, he finished the year high enough on the money list to gain his 2008 PGA Tour card. Early in his career, he suffered a severe wrist injury. That makes his victory all the more exciting and rewarding. It is nice to see a home town boy, and one you know, realize this kind of accomplishment. It doesn't come easily even with talent. He has worked hard his entire life with this goal in mind. I can attest to the fact that Chez was ALWAYS at the golf course....hitting balls, chipping, putting...playing. This win is a terrific reward for a young man who was determined to see his dream come true.

One funny anecdote: I went to Dobson Ranch early one evening to pick up Mike and Chez after they played. I couldn't find them. One of the men in the pro shop told me he saw them in the restaurant next door. There they were...eating a FULL meal. I asked: What are you guys doing? Mike said: "we're eating dinner." I said: Where did you get the money for this meal? Mike said: "We won it off these old dudes." They were in the 7th and 8th grade at the time (Chez was one year behind Mike). I laughed! Little did I know then...

So, congratulations to Chez for reaching such a milestone. His professional life will never be the same. He will be in the PGA Championship in a couple of weeks, the Mercedes Championship in Hawaii in January 2009 (only for Tour winners of 2008) and in the GRANDDADDY OF THEM ALL next April....The Masters! Oh, and the $900,000 he won on Sunday is not too bad either.

Interesting Source...

If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once a week. -Charles Darwin-

Interesting that even those we consider representing the antithesis of biblical truth recognize that life just works better when lived according to God's design. Consider that the Psalms are both poetry and music, and it is no wonder that Darwin came to this conclusion.
The Gatekeeper,
Selah!

Psalm 57:7-11

My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

Basic Emotional Needs Of Men

THE LIST ACCORDING TO MEN

Affection
Sexual Fulfillment
Conversation
Accomplishment
Recreational Companionship
Honesty and Openness
Physical Attractiveness
Financial Support
Domestic Support
Family Commitment
Admiration

A man’s willingness to engage in a process of spiritual deepening will be in direct proportion to whether or not his emotional needs are also being honestly addressed.

WAYS A MAN CAN PROTECT AND DEEPEN HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, AND AT THE SAME TIME, HAVE HIS EMOTIONAL NEEDS MET.

1. Acknowledge that only in genuine, authentic relationship with our Creator, can we ever hope to achieve healthy fulfillment of our basic emotional needs.

2. Become ruthlessly honest with yourself and with your behaviors.

3. Action based on right thinking is the key to healthy change.

4. Pleasing God is the only road to ultimately pleasing yourself.

5. Be willing to change your thinking and to admit you are operating from a faulty viewpoint when what is accurate is made clear to you.

6. Realizing that a life partner cannot meet your emotional needs, they can only partner with you in having your emotional needs met.

7. Life principles must be determined in order for you to clarify who you are and who you want to become. Your “Rules of Life” will be determined by those principles you value and embrace.

8. Motive trumps performance, just as mercy triumphs over judgment. You must be willing to begin again, as many times as it takes.

9. Meditation, simplicity and solitude are foundations that life principles rest upon.

10. Faith must be present in order to find fulfillment as a man.
Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

The above is taken from some material I wrote recently for a men's retreat. It sparked some good discussion and provided a springboard for personal evaluation. Hopefully, it will do that with you as well. Ladies...though I developed this with men in mind, obviously, your emotional needs are important as well. Perhaps some of this will be helpful to you. Grace to you all.
The Gatekeeper

Rule of Life

This is an assigment I completed a few years ago when I was finishing my masters degree. I was required to write out my own personal, "rule of life" on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis. Those of you who know me, will understand how difficult LISTS are for me to live by. Maybe this will challenge you to make a similar attempt. I hate legalism in any form, but being intentional is a very productive quality. I am not good at it, but I am on the journey. 

A Rule of Life is not meant to be a check list for daily activity. It is a way to measure how you are living your life. These are the things that will be present if you are living life intentionally, with purpose, and in a way that will produce personal satisfaction and will glorify God. They are different for everyone. They, no doubt, will reflect your own personality and uniqueness. Therefore, you can't have mine...you must write your own. Grace to you!

MY RULE OF LIFE

My Rule of Life has begun to take shape. These things reflect some of that, and some other qualities and practices that I feel are needed in my life. These, no doubt, will change with time and maturity. This is a starting place. I am jumping off the high dive, and I will figure out how to swim when I hit the water.My Daily Rule1. Choose contentment over anxiety or discouragement
· Early in the morning, with a cup of coffee…first thing
· 5-10 minutes of silence daily
· Keep my journal there to record thoughts
2. Try and do at least one thing to correct or fix a problem.
3. Read or listen to something that improves my thinking
· In addition to the Bible
· Tapes, books, articles, etc.
· Try for at least 30 minutes a day
4. Spend some time in prayer, Bible reading and meditation
· Between 7am and 10am depending on my schedule for the day…earlier if necessary.
· 20 minutes of spiritual reading
· 5-10 minutes of meditation on a Psalm, worship music, hymns, nature, etc.
· 20 minutes in prayer
5. Do something to improve my physical body
· Try to get some exercise every day
6. Encourage at least one person by a call, letter, or personal contact
7. Have the courage to do the right thing
8. Take an honest look at my failures and accept responsibility for them
· Incorporate this in my time of silence
· Let the Holy Spirit speak to my heart
· Avoid my own agenda for improvement
9. Have a schedule in order to have more freedom
· Complete at least one task a day
· Write down at least one task for the following day
10. Do something that will strengthen my relationship with Bonnie
· Say at least one kind and thoughtful thing
· At least one kind and affectionate touch
· At least one thoughtful action
· Pray for her daily
11. Be a peacemaker…I want to be called a “son” of God
12. Find a way to act with mercy and compassion…I need mercy.

My Weekly Rule
1. Meet with one small group
2. Enjoy and participate in a time of corporate worship
3. Review my journal for the week
4. Fast one day (at least 2 consecutive meals) for extra time of silence, prayer, and meditation and journaling
5. Give something away….material goods or money
6. Pray directly (laying on hands) for at least one person’s immediate need
7. Encourage Matt and Mike in their spiritual walk through a phone call, letter, email, etc.
8. Spend a minimum of 4 hours sometime during the week in study time.

My Monthly Rule
1. Review and adjust my weekly Rule as needed
2. Look over my journal for the month
3. Make a monthly entry as to “how things are going”
4. Write one prayer in my journal concerning the past month
5. Spend one overnight with Bonnie apart from church and work activities
6. Take time to shoot some photographs…use them for enjoyment or meditation
7. Read, listen to, or attend something on discipleship, equipping, leadership or team building.

My Annual Rule
1. Take an annual personal retreat for no less than 2 full days
· Review my journal
· Write a mission statement for the coming year
· Evaluate the areas of progress and failure in my personal life
· Get a sense of what God is speaking to me
2. Read through the NT yearly
3. Read at least ½ of the OT yearly
4. Take a vacation away from all responsibility and peoples problems
5. Evaluate my progress as a spiritual leader
· Who have I influenced
· Who am I mentoring
· How have I improve as a coach
· How is the team doing


I would be interested in hearing about your own "rule of life." If you have never done an assignment like this, it might make a terrific personal retreat!

Let's hear the comments now!

Confusing Things

Evertime I travel I wonder about the activity they call: Pre-boarding. How can you "board" before you board?? Wouldn't early boarding make alot more sense?

Zambia, Africa

My recent trip to Ndola, Zambia. These are some of the hundreds of children we ministered to.

Take It Easy!

The Eagles. My favorite pop group...this photo tells the story. I was "standin' on the corner in Winslow, Arizona" when I shot this photo.

A Special Tribute

Happy Birthday!

Today my mother turns 75 years old. WOW! That is hard to believe, and even harder to believe that her baby boy will turn 54 in a little over a month. What do you get a 75 year old woman for her birthday? I decided, since she has long since gotten what she wants and needs herself, that I would give her a tribute. She will love it, and it is easy to send.

Don’t expect me to write some flowery, emotionally over the top piece about my mother. I could do that, but it would not be a deserving piece for this woman. She deserves an honest and candid reflection about a life that has been, and is imperfect, yet fundamentally good and kind.

In her 75 years and my 54, we have experienced the kinds of things that life tends to dump on you, ready or not. We have experienced the turmoil of a broken home. I will never forget her holding me on her lap when I was 8 years old and informing me that she and my father were not going to live together anymore. It is a vivid memory. We will never get over the loss of her beautiful teenage daughter, and my beloved sister who died way too young at age 17 from cancer. No one, including myself, will ever fully know what she went though in that two year ordeal. She hurt me deeply during that time, but because of the trauma and stress, she doesn’t even remember the incident. I hurt her deeply with a decision I made about my wedding. Looking back, I was wrong…really wrong. I regret it. The point is this: There are always reasons to harbor hurts and offenses of the past, but wisdom is learning to live a life of love, acceptance and forgiveness. Mother and I have opted for openness, respect, humor and a deep and genuine love for each other. My mother is fun! I talk to her on the phone at least once or twice a week, and we connect. I mean it…we really do. How wonderful is that? We hardly ever talk without laughing about something. Maybe the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

I wish I had more of the firey personality and temper she exhibited in her younger years. I would have accomplished more. I was born with more of my father’s passivity, and propensity toward procrastination. I was blessed with her compassion for people, and especially those who are hurting and in need. We both agree that if everyone were just “normal” like we are, then things would be much better in the world.

We share thousands of memories. We like each other. We never get enough “together” time. We respect each other. We are not whiners. We can laugh about those close to us instead of complaining. We can laugh at ourselves…and often do. We understand each other. We thank God for each other. I feel honored and blessed to be her son. She feels honored and blessed to be my mother. It’s a good arrangement, but I’ll always feel like I have the best of the deal.

Happy birthday, Mother
I love you!

Mark asked that I write an article regarding the nomination of Judge John G. Roberts, Jr. to the United States Supreme Court as Chief Justice. I have given this a lot of thought. Rather than sharing how I feel about this extremely important topic as it relates to our Nation's future, I want to know how you feel. How do you feel about......

...a 50 year old Supreme Court Justice?
...a 50 year old Supreme Court Chief Justice?
...a 50 year old Supreme Court Chief Justice who will be the youngest Chief Justice ever to serve in that capacity?
...a 50 year old Supreme Court Justice who will be the second youngest ever to serve on the highest court in the land?
...a 50 year old Supreme Court Chief Justice who has served as an Appellate Judge for merely two years; on the "second highest court in the land," the United States Court of Appeals for the Washington D.C. Circuit?
...a 50 year old Supreme Court Chief Justice who if confirmed by the United States Senate will serve a lifetime appointment? Should there be term limits for Supreme Court Justices?
...a 50 year old Chief Justice whose position on abortion is relatively unknown; assumed, yes, but relatively unknown?
...a 50 year old Chief Justice whose position on euthanasia is relatively unknown; assumed, yes, but relatively unknown?
...a 50 year old Chief Justice who will be only the 17th in our country's history as opposed to 47 presidents?
...a 50 year old Chief Justice who "as a judge on the D.C. Circuit...voted with two colleagues to uphold the arrest and detention of a 12 year old girl for eating french fries on the Metro train?" He would later say, "No one is very happy about the events that led to this litigation."
...a 50 year old Chief Justice who "wrote a dissenting opinion that suggested Congress might lack the power under the Constitution's Commerce Clause to regulate the treatment of a certain species of wildlife?" This pertained to whether or not a certain type of toad unique to the state of California should be "endangered" should it cross state lines.
...a 50 year old Chief Justice who as a private attorney tried 36 cases before the United States Supreme Court and won 27 of them? Most lawyers never appear once before the Supreme Court, much less appear and win.
...a 50 year old Chief Justice who practiced for one of the most prestigious law firms for four years in Washington, DC?
...a 50 year old Chief Justice who served as the Principal Deputy Solicitor General for four years under then President George H. W. Bush?
...a 50 year old Chief Justice who served as an aide for one year to the former Attorney General William F. Smith?
...a 50 year old Chief Justice who served as an aide for four years to former counsel Fred Fielding?
...a 50 year old Chief Justice who served as a law clerk for a couple of years to Judge Henry J. Friendly and former Chief Justice William Rehnquist prior to his appointment as Chief Justice?
...a 50 year old Chief Justice who has been a deputy solicitor, an aid, a law clerk, a private attorney and a Circuit Judge for all of two years?
...a 50 year old Chief Justice who has not served one second as an Associate Justice
...a 50 year old Chief Justice who is the apparent heir to the throne in a democratic Republic?
...assuming that a 50 year old Chief Justice with this resume' (which could go on and on) will represent you fairly for the next 30 to 35 years?

I am sincerely interested in your feelings regarding this significant appointment of this nominee by President George W. Bush should he indeed be confirmed by the United States Senate

My longtime friend, Kyle (some of you will know him), emailed me this question yesterday. He has experience more than his share of pain, suffering and devastation, so his question is not just a mind and soul teaser…it is an honest question. It deserves an honest attempt at an answer.

…give me your theological position regarding this question: do you think God has anything to do with the "natural disasters" or since Satan is the "Prince of the Air" and the "god of this age," do you think that he is the one that is in charge here......and don't give me the "party line" answer that God "allows" things like this to happen.......i wanna know who's in charge...........so ante up to that one.


OK...I'll take a stab at it. It is a theological perplexity, but I do have a position on this, and things like it. I would put this hurricane disaster into a category of "issues" that are hard to understand. Things like the following:

Natural disasters: (hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and even termite infestation (which causes more homes to be lost each year than tornadoes).

Human disasters: The Saddam Hussein's, Hitler's, etc. All the destruction and carnage they produce and inspire in others.

Natural human disasters, such as disease, and especially the "tough" ones: Mental illnesses, cancer, dementia, and many other less known, but equally debilitating human conditions and diseases. Not the least of which is the whole epidemic rate of homosexuality and other kinds of sexual brokenness. Do these people ASK for these conditions? The truthful answer is NO, they don't.

Whether you are talking about nature or human beings, there are those things that just happen and those that are caused. Whether caused or not, they come from the same source....Satan's rule on the earth as a result of the fall of man (Adam and Eve gave up the dominion...rule over the earth that was given to them). Some of it is directly related to his activity, and some (my belief is that overwhelmingly, MOST) is as a result of the collateral damage of sin. It goes back to the Garden of Eden. Where else could it come from? Could these things be the purpose, plan, and hand of God? I reject that. If I believed that, I am the stupidest person in the world for being in my line of work. I personally think that God HATES these things, but they are part of the package our first parents bought for us. God does have a solution that has been initiated, though not fully enacted at this point in time. Can God bring good things from them...of course. But to say they are "allowed" by God as an answer to disaster, pain, and suffering is shallow and insensitive to my thinking. It is like saying that every time I go to a house fire, the firemen are there...so they must be the one's who are allowing fires to happen. This is the reason that I have much grace for those who suffer from the collateral damage of sin. I refuse to shoot the wounded or to heap more pain on those who suffer from a disaster by saying, "well, it must be that God allowed this for a reason..." Are you suffering from your afflictions because it is God allowing this in your life for a reason? I don't think so. Has it been made more severe by some of your choices or activities? I don't know...perhaps, but that doesn't make me have less compassion...it in fact makes me have MORE. That is the heart of the response of Jesus to the woman caught in adultery. That is the best I can do. SO....did the great Satan fling that hurricane toward the Gulf Coast, knowingly and purposely causing all the destruction and sorrow we have seen? I don't think so, though it does play into his hand very nicely, and he did have a direct hand in its origin. Did God "allow" the hurricane to take place for some unknown reason (or as some have suggested, because New Orleans is a known center for voodoo, illicit sex, and the like)? I don't think so. This world is SERIOUSLY flawed, and will continue to experience disasters, both caused and natural. Which brings me to one last thought: I would think the term "Unnatural Disaster" is more appropriate and closer to the real truth. The world was created so that "natural" would be good, decent, void of disaster and mayhem. What we are seeing, and seemingly with increasing frequency (though I can't really substantiate that claim), are ACTS OF AN UNNATURAL condition from the way we were created to live and the world that was created for us to live in. GOD IS IN CHARGE (the right response, as we all know), to answer your question directly, but He sure is a curious landlord at times! You'd think He'd want to take better care of his stuff. It must mean that all this "stuff" is not all that permanent....do you think? There you have it. I don't have any answers....only my best effort to try and understand the impossible to explain!

The Gatekeeper

Response to a friend

The following is my response to the position of a good friend who believes that the President, and his administration are sadly lacking in both compassion and timely help to those affected by the hurricane Katrina disaster. While I admire this person greatly, and appreciate her position, I happen to have a different view of the situation. This is my opinion, and it is exactly what my friend's and yours is....not necessarily right or wrong, simply an opinion.


As for the recent hurricane disaster...it is horrible. Contrast the response to this with 9/11, and you see a whole different picture, in my opinion. I don't think that relfects on the administration as much as it indicates the IMPOSSIBLE circumstances that are present. 9/11, though horrible, was a much more confined disaster and easier to get hold of in terms of quick response and care for those affected. I heard one commentator on TV say much of what you said, couched with "this is the United States of America." As if, because we are the USA, and the most powerful nation on earth at this present time, we can DO SOMETHING about this kind of disaster...we can IMMEDIATELY swoop in and take care of the destruction, misery and devestation of our people. Unfortunately, the truth is....no matter WHO is in the White House...we could not accomplish that. Yes, you can say that if we weren't off galavanting half way around the world in a country where we have no business being, we'd have more resources to throw at this current predicament...that is a fair and biased opinion that one has every right to hold. But to say that because we are a "mighty" and the "most powerful" nation that we ought to immediately have the solutions, resources and plan to respond to a disaster of this magnitude is short sighted and comes from a point of view born out of dislike for the president rather than an informed, rational opinion about the situation. You just don't like George Bush, and that is your right. Do I think we have done all we could have and should have to this point...no. Do we care and are we as a nation, nationally and politically (the American people and both sides of the political aisle) trying our best to bring relief and help to those in tremendous need as quickly as possible? I think so. It is inadequate. That is one of the things a disaster of this magnitude reveals...everywhere...in every country of the world...even the most powerful one. I am not beating the drum for the present administration...not at all. I am beating the drum for EVERY American who is devastated, and for every person who is doing all they can to help.

One thing we can agree on....we are HEARTSICK over this whole mess. I was just in New Orleans in February, and enjoyed being in that city. It is painful to see the pictures of such destruction. It is painful to see the people. It is always the poor, disadvantaged and most needy who suffer the most, and who in turn inflict the most damage on top of the disaster (looting, rape, shootings, etc). This is a sick world when you think about it...VERY SICK. Human beings can become animalistic in a heartbeat given the circumstances and opporutnity to do so.

Maranatha! (come quickly, Lord Jesus)...the only REAL answer to this and the disasters yet in the future.

And that is how I see it.

Down the middle, but leaning to the right,
OpentheG8