Singing

Singing is really really hard. I have huge amounts of respect for people that are able to get up on stage, sing and put on a killer show. I struggle to maintain the right key let alone project and turn on the stage presence.

Then there's this person.

I don't really know what category they fall under... but hopefully you enjoy this video either way.

Praying For Our Enemies

This week was a terrible week in Ottawa. There are a plethora of posts about it on Facebook by now. I won't go into the details, you've likely seen them already. If not, there are better educated people talking about it on-line.

However, I will say that I've been thinking a lot about Michael Zehaf Bibeau. The shooter. 

More specifically - His family.

When tragedy like this hits, our first response is to pray for the victim and their family. Which is good! Don't get me wrong. Not praying for them would be awful.

But what about the culprit? More specifically, what about his family?

If I was Michael's father, I would be a mess today. I probably wouldn't even be out of bed. You're full of grief at the lose of your son... and the horrible things he did minutes before his death. Man, I'm getting down just thinking about it.

Assisting the "enemy" is something that human nature tells us to not to do.

Then I read Matthew 5:43-45

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Yesh.

That's why I'm trying to see our enemies differently. Michael Zehaf Bibeau did a terrible thing. However, his family shouldn't suffer for it. 

Had he survived, I think I'd still be writing this. Though I would change it slightly. Pray for the family but also the culprit. How to pray, is beyond me. I guess that's why we have the Holy Spirit. When stuff like this happens and we don't have the words.

OK! That's was heavy. Happy post next week, promise!

Ghost Pepper Sauce

Eating a ghost pepper is on my bucket list. I really like hot food, so why not tackle the hottest pepper on Earth?
Earlier this week a few friends joined me at a Mexican Restaurant for some lunch. Said restaurant has a promotion on right now involving Ghost Peppers... in sauce form at least.

If you've never heard of the Ghost, it's one below pepper spray on the spice meter.

On the burrito I had Ghost Pepper Sauce, Hot Sauce and Hot Sauce (I said I like it hot)

Here's what happened.

Bite #1 - Mmmmmmmm burrito......

Bite #2 - Mmmmmmmm spicy burrito

Bite #3 - This is sorta disappointing, I've had hotter sausages...

Bite #4 - Lips begin to tingle

Bite #5 - My entire mouth burns with the fire of the sun. I can't feel my tounge

Swig of milk

Bite #6 - My tongue has exploded with flavors all of which burn. My lips feel like they are on fire.

More milk

Bite #7 - I'm in tears. I don't know if they were of joy, pain or the natural response of the body as it gives into the power of so much spice.

Down half the large milk

Bite #8 - What does it feel like to not have your mouth on fire? I can't remember... what is sweet? Salty? Bitter? I know nothing but heat. Heat and the embrace of the ghost pepper mixed with hot sauce and spicy sausage (ya... I guess I asked for it)

Bite # 10? - Make it stop... plese... mak...i...stjdp

Empty milk


Would I do it again? I wish I would say no... but if Bieber taught us one thing.
Never Say Never.
If you like it hot, give some ghost pepper a try. It's good... when you can taste it.