Friday, July 29, 2005
Bless God for Basil
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I love basil, it is so versatile, healthy and fabulous. Everyone ought to grow pots or rows of basil, forget this silly lawn buisness!
One of my very favorite CS Lewis quotes is from "Reflections on the Psalms" when he muses on why God commands praise. Lewis states that enjoyment is incomplete without the expression of praise. "Bless my soul, fresh basil added to tomato with garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil and balsamic vinegar is absolutely fresh and exquisite. Here you must try some!" How can you truly taste or partake in something thrillingly wonderful without expressing that joy in some way? It would seem your heart or head might burst if you didn't. And note, doesn't invitation usually follow true, unconscious, heartfelt praise. How this homemade ice cream is divine, you must have some! I believe this is why sometimse I don't want to hear another person's praise. There is an implied if not expressed invitation. Yes, yes your trip to Bali was divine. Now I suppose I must go or forever pine away that I could not share your experience of joy. (oh that I were saintly enough to always rejoice in the other person's joy unselfishly!)
And is this not also a picture of what true evangelism ought to look like? The overflow of inviation from a heart of true joy and praise. How do I usually see evangelism done? "Mmmm, this, um, dry salad is really great (slightly scrunched face looking up from uneaten portion). You should have some too. Its good for you somehow." Inviting and convinceing, eh? However, I am not advocating a McDonald's "I'm lovin' it" type marketing campaign either!
How did I get off the topic of Basil? In the oven, a homemade basil, sun-dried tomato, feta cheese pizza. Very divine. I will post the recipie if anyone wants it.
One of my very favorite CS Lewis quotes is from "Reflections on the Psalms" when he muses on why God commands praise. Lewis states that enjoyment is incomplete without the expression of praise. "Bless my soul, fresh basil added to tomato with garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil and balsamic vinegar is absolutely fresh and exquisite. Here you must try some!" How can you truly taste or partake in something thrillingly wonderful without expressing that joy in some way? It would seem your heart or head might burst if you didn't. And note, doesn't invitation usually follow true, unconscious, heartfelt praise. How this homemade ice cream is divine, you must have some! I believe this is why sometimse I don't want to hear another person's praise. There is an implied if not expressed invitation. Yes, yes your trip to Bali was divine. Now I suppose I must go or forever pine away that I could not share your experience of joy. (oh that I were saintly enough to always rejoice in the other person's joy unselfishly!)
And is this not also a picture of what true evangelism ought to look like? The overflow of inviation from a heart of true joy and praise. How do I usually see evangelism done? "Mmmm, this, um, dry salad is really great (slightly scrunched face looking up from uneaten portion). You should have some too. Its good for you somehow." Inviting and convinceing, eh? However, I am not advocating a McDonald's "I'm lovin' it" type marketing campaign either!
How did I get off the topic of Basil? In the oven, a homemade basil, sun-dried tomato, feta cheese pizza. Very divine. I will post the recipie if anyone wants it.
3 Comments:
At 7/30/2005 9:20 AM,
Anita said…
Unfortunately, my pot of basil has been enjoyed by the bugs. It was quite cool in May when I planted it. And now it is just a couple of dead stalks.
However, last year I bought a couple of big bunches at the farmers market and made pesto. I still have some in the freezer, so I guess I'll enjoy that!
I love basil, tomato pizza - but my husband doesn't like to eat tomatoes that are recognizeable - only in sauces.
At 7/30/2005 1:40 PM,
Anonymous said…
Can you post that recipe? It sounds great! I don't really know much about basil or other fresh herbs but I would like to try my hand at an indoor herb garden sometime (our apartment sadly lacks a yard and the Phoenix sun would melt any herbs if we had a yard!)
At 7/30/2005 4:20 PM,
texashimalaya said…
Anita - bummer about your basil! I would guess in the NW, that it would best be grown from a start in june and placed in full sun. Mine likes loves the texas heat and sun!
Margaret - I will post it! - Do you have a porch at your apartment? The texas summer has been very hot and dry, and I placed pots of basil and oregano on the back covered porch, where they still got several house of sun (as shadow of the roof moved around) but were not out in the scorching, full all day sun. They are doing wonderfully, growing very fast. They need to be watered almost every day if it is hot and dry. I also find that purchasing organic plants and making sure I have good, organic soil makes a big difference. My basil grew on my window sil, but slowly, not enough to keep up with my cooking. I have tried mint and oregano inside too, and they just never seem to get enough sun to take off.
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