ASNN

bad timing

So I'm sitting here, ESPN as the white noise (as usual). There's an episode of NFL Films on talking about religion and football. The episode showed Donovin Darius talking about "any time you get the chance to give God the glory, it's a good thing".

Earlier today, SportsCenter showed Darius nearly taking a guy's head off. He clotheslined a receiver coming over the middle to make a catch, tearing off his helmet, and knocking him unconscious before he even hit the ground. He was ejected for the hit, and calmly walked off the field, never checking to see if the guy he could have killed was going to be okay.

Some witness. I'm all for any little thing that points the public light on God, but I'm always a little concerned that someone who would participate so publically in praising God would fall so publically by nearly attacking another player. As a Christian, I can allow for the fact that he might have just gotten out of hand during the game, perhaps sinning by not valuing his fellow man enough to avoid taking his head off. But what does the non-Christian see? How is this man any different from a football player who professes no faith, yet somehow avoids the excessive violence that Darius engaged in?

It's the classic problem: how can God possibly be represented in this dark world when His representatives are all problem children?

lemon chicken, pasta, and a salad

Great, simple dinner tonight. It worked well for the five of us, but would probably work just as well for 10 or 20 people, or more.

Lemon Chicken
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
"Some" butter, enough to brown the chicken breasts with
2T white wine (I recommend the inexpensive Bella Sera Pinot Grigio)
2T lemon juice
Zest from one lemon
1C whipping cream
Salt and pepper
(1) 6oz. package of sliced mushrooms
Thyme leaves, fresh or dried
1/3C or more of grated parmesan chesse

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
• Throw the butter in a skillet and brown the chicken breasts, about 10 minutes.
• Place the chicken in a (13x9) baking dish and drain the butter from the skillet into the baking dish with the chicken.
• Put the white wine, lemon juice, and lemon zest in the skillet and cook for about a minute, deglazing the pan.
• Put the cream in the pan and heat through (without boiling). Salt and pepper to taste.
• Put the mushrooms in the sauce, add a pinch of thyme, and coat the mushrooms.
• Heat a bit longer, then pour the mushroom and sauce mixture over the chicken in the baking dish.
• Cover with grated parmesan cheese.
• Place in the oven and cook uncovered for 30 minutes.
• Serve chicken and sauce over al dente spaghetti or fettuccini (previously tossed with butter, extra virgin olive oil, and garlic salt).
• Drink either the rest of the Pinot Grigio or a nice wheat; I had and recommend Blue Moon Belgian-Style Wheat Ale.

Together with a simple romaine and green-leaf salad (dressing: extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic salt, and basil; whipped until mixed well), this was a wonderful meal in about 40 minutes of cooking time and 10 minutes prep time. Kids loved it (with the exception of the mushrooms), adults loved it. Good time had by all.