As a 36-year-old man who lives for poker night with my buddies and bone-crushing football on Sunday afternoons, I would not call myself  huge fan of Martha Stewart’s.  Not that I have any particular thoughts about Martha Stewart. In fact it would be fair to say I had no particular thoughts about her one way or another.

But…

I want to thank you Martha, for the turkey roasting advice (in-depth instruction really) that I found on your website. As this year I was somehow cajoled into making the revered main course of the Thanksgiving holiday. News of this task was brought to my attention only after my girlfriend had already made arrangements with her parents (yes her parents) for me to perform this duty. Not to mention that this would be my first attempt…ever at cooking the famed fowl. 

Preparing the holiday bird for my girlfriends parents and assorted family and friends was, in my mind, a herculean feat. I spent a week pouring over recipes on the internet, I ony had two criteria. One, keep it traditional. I thought wildly exotic tastes or ingredients might not night be well received. And two, a recipe I could easily understand and readily follow. I found both and more on Martha’s website.

I followed her recipe for roasted turkey exactly. I used her method of cooking the bird to a tee. And I would like to say that it worked perfectly. Not only was the turkey picture perfect, as it sat looking succulent, waiting to be carved. It was also moist, tender and delicious. It was a hit!!

I have already had inquiries as to my ideas for the Christmas meal. Needless to say, Martha Stewart you have gained a huge fan. And although I have not committed to Christmas dinner, I do have ideas. More importantly I have more confidence in my ability to cook.

Thank You

I was writing out a Christmas card for my g’ma and after filling out her address I started to write her name on the envelope.  But I couldn’t make the pen move. I couldn’t write her full name.

The problem is I don’t know my g’ma’s full name. I don’t. I do not know her last name. I remember two surnames she has had in the past, but I can’t recall this new one. I don’t remember the new guy’s first name, either. Hmmmm.

I just wrote my note inside her card and since we don’t really know each other, it was awkward and shallow.  But, I tried to jazz it up as much as I could and kept my audience in mind. My g’ma in old, really old.  She’s a farmer’s daughter from Texas with big hair and country sensibilities. My note is on the inside flap of a Snoopy Christmas Card. Behold, my note.

Grandma,

I sure do miss you. I miss everyone is Texas, it will always be home to me. Forever. It’s really beautiful in Philadelphia and the people are friendly, enough. No place will ever have people as friendly as the people in Texas. Take care and I love y’all.

Yours ever,

Sweet

p.s. Whatever, Martha! is hilarious.  I will officially begin referring to my new friends Alexis and Jennifer (always paired) and recounting our many adventures throughout the day. We’ll probably have a three-way one night, but just for the hell of it. They’re making cootie-catchers right now!  I so want to be at that party. (if you don’t know what a cootie catcher is…here’s your link to make one, http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Cootie-Catcher.)

Wickedmoxie has affectionately named Charlie the turd.  It’s kind of fitting actually.  Well I’m horrible at this breaking up shit, truely and honestly horrible at it.

I returned his movies, blanket that he gave me for my birthday (I really don’t need another blanket), his place of employment uniform patch (I don’t collect them like he does), his old cellphone case that he passed down to me, his toothpaste/toothbrush, and his bodywash.  I knew I could go over during the day on a weekend and he’d be fast asleep and his mother, Martha would be home.  She was and was totally fine with me dropping off some stuff for him.

So I got over there and she was making lefse, god how I love lefse.  He was still fast asleep.  It gave Martha and I an opportunity to talk.  Like I had told Charlie numerous times, his mother knew we were dating, it’s not as if she’s dumb.  So she inquired as to what happened and I filled her in.  She completely understood.  She mentioned that if he treated me even a fraction of how he has treated her lately she understood.  She mentioned he’d eventually come around and all I had to do was wait.  I didn’t want to tell her I was done with waiting, because that is all I had done lately.

I don’t know what’s wrong with Charlie.  I don’t know if its Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the war, his TBI from the war, or the divorce with Lori.  I want him to be happy, but the turd has to realize I’m not going to sacrifice myself just so he can be happy.

He was upset I didn’t have Martha wake him up, but I didn’t want to face him.  It’s why I went over there when I knew he’d be asleep.  I kind of felt bad, somewhat, but I’m a totally different person with him then I am with anyone else.  In general I’m a bitchy, slightly arrogant, opinionated individual.  I absolutely don’t play games and don’t take any shit.  So why do I take it from the turd?

Sigh.  I don’t know.  Martha wants me to stay with Charlie because I’m good for him.  He actually admitted it when we talked on the phone.  He’s finally starting to realize he had something pretty damn good and he lost it.  I just can’t handle his shit.  He leaves for a walk and tells me he’s going to call me back and I don’t hear back from him until I’m getting ready for work, 7 hours later.  Grrr….

I hate relationships.

I have been feeling very anti-social lately. And I’ve been forced into a lot of social situations.

Ok, so not forced. Yesterday was Martha’s baby shower and it was exactly what I expected from my birthday twin. No lame games. A lovely collection of friends. MFEO. Savannah. Delicious treats. Perfect. If I ever get knocked up, repeat plz.

Tonight I went to the CEAs with Savannah. Google it. Ya’ll should be smart enough to know where I am by now. I drop enough hints. Those who aren’t lazy and have stalkerish tendencies can google any show I mention and figure it out fairly quickly.

Anyway…what an experience. I drank a lot of Maker’s tonight so I don’t really want to stick around that long, but ya’ll deserve a quick rundown of what I saw.

• A dude dressed like a pimp in a floor length coat that looked like it was made from Toy’s R Us’ entire stock of Tickle Me Elmos.
• A dude dressed like…a barbarian? I’m not even sure what he was supposed to be.
• A dude in a GIANT paper mache head made to look like some sort of demon. For my True Blood friends…THE GOD WHO COMES. (I just giggled at that…hi, I’m 12)
• The guy in the spandex stripper outfit. Holy hell dude. PUT THAT THING AWAY.
• The guy wearing the “Zebras in public” track jacket. I wanted to mug you and steal that shit. Your Paul Frank hat was cute too. So were you kind of.
• The guy in the leather/alligator patent leather beige sport coat. Holy fuck.
• The multiple dudes in fur (not muppet) coats. The fuck?
• The multiple ladies (and dudes) with face paint/glitter.
• THE HAIR. OMG, THE HAIR.
• The dude who thought he was Russell Brand.
• The girls presenting the awards in head to toe sequins and white feathered wigs.
• Sequins. So. Many. Sequins.
• The hooker in the bathroom with the pancake boobs who was actually wearing fishnets, booty shorts and knee-high black boots.
• The video of the sock puppets dressed as French people.

Those were the highlights. I tried to block a lot of it out. My friend Sarah (from Stick Figure Drawings) performed with her other band, Small Time Crooks and they were awesome. You, You’re Awesome (sock puppet video band) were pretty great and I also enjoyed Magnolia Mountain. The Tillers and The Seedy Seeds won awards, which pleased me. I left early because I’m old and it’s a long drive.

We drove past the Taco Bell that Woodership Down and I walked through the drive thru drunk. I sent him a picture. I miss that dude. I thought I lost one of my favorite shoes, but turns out it was under the seat in Savannah’s car. Day = saved.

So now, I am going to attempt to start the second Sookie Stackhouse book. I read the first one this morning. Yes. You read that right. I don’t read, so much, as devour books. I give myself 10 pages before the Maker’s takes over and I am out like a light.

http://www.whateverradio.com/website/blogs.php

Brash, independent, uncensored, potty mouthed, baker whose  mother is the queen of perfected domesticity, really

If you want to talk about a woman who has been villainized by the press, it’s Martha Stewart.

Whereas the media relishes in making fun of Sarah Palin for what she explicitly says and does, the attacks on Martha are based on perception and rely on tired stereotypes of vindictive women in power.

Well Martha discussed the failed vice-presidential candidate/resigned governor/author/darling of the ignorant with CNN, and she did not hold back.

Martha also recently discussed how she’s different than Rachel Ray – and by different she means better.

Ultimately though Martha is only speaking the undeniable truth, and that’s a good thing.

Engler og meditasjon har fått mye oppmerksomhet i det siste. Mye forvirrende diskusjon. Mange rare oppfatninger av meditasjon og vanskelig for mange å skille hva som er hva. Hva er tull og hva er seriøst? Hva virker? Hvorfor og hvordan? Lett å glemme at meditasjon  er en samlebetegnelse på helt forskjellige teknikker sprunget ut fra ulik forståelse, verdensbilde, tilnærmingsmåte. Selv som blogger på denne side, må det være lov å si at mye er føleri mens noe er seriøst.

To metoder som mange kjenner til er Mindfulness og Acem-meditsjon. Hva er erfaringene med å lære disse teknikkene? Vil du vite mer? Da er du velkommen til møte og debatt tirsdag førstkommende.

LOS  ADOLESCENTES

En este Blog podràn encontrar informaciòn sobre el comportamiento de los adolescentes de hoy dia; ¿Còmo entenderlos?, ¿Còmo sobrellevar su caracter?.

Èstos y muchos otros interrogantes podràn ser resueltos en la navegaciòn de este sitio.

¡¡BIENVENIDOS!!

Martha Rossi Vega

Enfermera Especialista en comportamiento Infantil

Humor me while I talk about cupcakes for two days.

This blog began with a cupcake.  The hamburger cupcakes were a time-consuming, but a completely worth-it hit.

The beer cupcakes were slightly less wonderful.  OK, they were gross.  But Martha Stewart’s Cupcakes book had to have something to offer.

I went with a safer choice this time. Yellow Buttermilk Cupcakes, with Fluffy Vanilla Frosting.  But like all Martha recipes, I found them to be slightly off.  Sometimes I think she’s keeping a secret from us that makes her food delicious, and ours sub-par.

However, this was the first time I used my mini muffin tins, and that was adorable.

Martha Stewart Bedding was named the strongest girl in America in 2001 by ladies Home journal. She has been around long enough to know the way to design and produce the best in quality of all sorts of home design. Her commitment to her work has been able to provide us with lovely comforter sets. She has cooperated with K Mart to offer her products at fantastic discount prices. As we all know, now discounts are everything when buying anything. Her vast variety of comforter sets gives us all many great comforter sets to choose between.

When buying comforter sets, know what you’re looking for before you actually go buying it. Are you looking for simply a comforter, or a complete comforter set? Usually the whole set is the way to go if you would like everything to match and go together. Comforter sets come with everything that you will need for a lovely looking bed. They usually come with the comforter sheets, pillow cases and skirting.

after you know exactly what you are buying, you need to search around. Yes, there’s K Mart, but if you find what you need at K Mart, have them hold it back for you for a little while. Most stores will hold items back for a certain amount of time hoping that you’ll come back and purchase from them. Find what you need in the store so that you can basically see the quality and then check for the exact same thing online . While online you are unable to basically see the standard of the item, so seeing it firsthand is the way to go. You want to make sure that you are getting what you need. Comforter sets come in all sorts of quality and designs. You wish to ensure that you know what you are getting when buying on the web. The main benefit of shopping online is that there’s a plethora of places online that offer great deductions. Some of the online shops sell at wholesale costs. This is definitely the way to go. If you do not find what you’re looking for online, they are still holding what you need at the store, so you cannot lose.

Comforter sets are the way to go for a gorgeous look in the bedroom. If matched properly, they can offer a fine addition| great addition| welcome boost} to any bedroom. Just make sure that you are getting precisely what you need.

martha stewart weddings magazine

Reviewed by Audiegrl

The greatest serial killer in history has never been named. But what if we are looking in the wrong place?

In 1888, a deranged killer stalked his prey on the streets of east London at night. After 121 years since the murder and mutilation of at least five prostitutes, the case remains unsolved and the true identity of Jack the Ripper has never been known. The world’s greatest criminal investigators have focused on searching for answers in London. However, in the 1890s a series of horrific murders took place across the United States in New York, San Francisco, Galveston and Atlanta, that mirrored the attacks in attacks in the UK. In this one hour special, Discovery Channel’s viewers will witness the new evidence, science and analytical techniques being used to reveal the true identity of Jack the Ripper.

NYPD Cold Case Detective Ed Norris

Carrie Brown aka Old Shakespeare

Capt. Ryan,

You think that “Jack the Ripper” is in England, but he is not, I am right here and I expect to kill somebody by Thursday next, and so get ready for me with your pistols, but I have a knife that has done more than your pistols. Next thing you will hear of some woman dead.

Yours truly,

Jack the Ripper

Richard Jones

Known as the From Hell or Lusk Letter

Dr. Thomas Bond

Jack the Ripper victims: Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catharine Eddowes, Mary Kelly

Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum

Astonishingly, in 1927…forty years later, a much older Kelly voluntarily returns to the insane asylum and began to chronicle his travels. A typed copy of Kelly’s confession letter survives in the National Archives, and Norris is the first detective to read it. In the letter, Kelly describes having “problems dealing with society“, and being “overtaken with feelings of envy, jealousy, and malice“. Kelly states, “the thing has been hard because of all kinds of ’skank’” (a term he uses to refers to women of low moral character) and “I’ve been on the warpath since I left Broadmoor Asylum.” Also in his letter, he admits to traveling to London after his escape, and more interestingly he tells of traveling to the United States and arriving in New York conveniently before the Carrie Brown murder. He was by profession, a trained upholsterer, and would have known quiet a bit about knives and how to use them effectively for the purpose of murder. Kelly also mentioned traveling to many cities in the US before returning to England and admitted that he came to the US many times over a period of 40 years.

USS Zaandam

Both illustrations of Jack the Ripper

The left composite, was drawn based on 118 year old eye-witness accounts of Jack the Ripper in London. They examined different witness statements and used modern day forensics to come up with a portrait of the killer, even indicating what type of hat he wore.

The drawing on the right, is the result of Mancusi shaving 40 years off of James Kelly’s photo at age 67. As you can see, once they added the type of hat mentioned by eye witnesses, the drawings are a very close match.

In the end, there is no doubt in Norris’ mind that he has found Jack the Ripper. We may never know. John Kelly died of natural causes in 1929 inside Broadmoor Asylum and took his secrets to his grave. In my opinion, Jack the Ripper in America was very well done and is a must-see for all forensic buffs and amateur Ripperologists. I’m interested in seeing further research, analysis and discussion of Norris’ theory. Regarding any factual errors in this post, I apologize in advance, and encourage everyone to let me know what needs to be corrected.

Time After Time

On a lighter note, anybody remember the movie “Time After Time” starring Malcolm McDowell, John Warner and Mary Steenburgen? McDowell played H.G. Wells, who uses his time machine to chase his friend, Warner (aka Jack the Ripper) through the streets of modern day (1979) San Francisco. After watching Norris’ documentary, maybe Hollywood’s silly (but entertaining) version of the Ripper story had a sliver of truth to it after all.

The Secret of Prisoner 1167: Was This Man Jack the Ripper? by James Tully

Hat tip and special thanks to Roy Corduroy for his suggestion to add this book to this post. Casebook: Jack the Ripper gives this book a three-starred review:

A triumphant achievement on the part of Jim Tully, well-researched and written. James Kelly is his suspect, a lunatic upholsterer and wife-murderer who is actually in the Guinness book of world records for his escape from Broadmoor asylum. Tully weaves a fascinating story, regardless of your feelings on Kelly as a suspect. Recommended.”

Related Articles and Sites

Casebook: Jack the Ripper

Maps of Whitechapel, 1888-1894

Ripperological Preservation Society

Jack the Ripper Tours

Serial Killer Database – Jack the Ripper

The Whitechapel Society

For some of us the dinner table with our family and friends has become a coffee table with the T.V. glowing in front of our eyes.  Well I recently read this Italian quote about the dinner table it says this: “A tavola non s’invecchia.”  This amazing statement means this, “At the dinner table no one grows old.”  This means that time stops at the dinner table that you can take as long as you can.  This statement is not just something that comes from Italy it is also in the bible,  take a look and see:

You see Martha was so worried about the meal that she forgot about the company that was there in her presence.  Jesus was there and Mary was enjoying the time that she was able to spend with him.  Why is it that when it comes to spending time with someone we lose the focus of what is important, the time with them.  It is my hope that we as the husbands, fathers, and friends will learn to take the time with the people that God has placed in our lives.  That we will take from the Italian saying the thought that as long as we are spending time with those at the table no one grows old.  Take the time this week to just sit and be in the presence of the people at your table.

Food is important out here. Of course it’s important everywhere but there’s nothing as comforting or satisfying as plate lunch. Post plate lunch, it appears as if Hawaii’s foodie community is energized and ready for change.

K and I met a group of people coordinating a traveling supper club. It’s underground but very robust in its attendance. Their focus: to spark dialogue among the people that shape Hawaiian cuisine. When they asked us to host an event at our house we were happy to oblige.

It was an experience having 50+ strangers in our house for a sit down dinner. But it went surprisingly without a hitch. I remember thinking as I watched a handful of chefs scurrying around our kitchen that it hadn’t properly been used by us until then.

We invited two of our neighbors up to join the dinner. It was a great chance to get to know them. One of the things that I remember from that evening had nothing to do with food. Bethany and Chad are surf addicts. We talked about swimming, water, and my fear of both. They promised that they could teach me how to surf. Which I long to try but see no easy path to. Chad said that one of the things they could do was take me surfing in water that I could stand up in. What!?

Count me in.

A newly wed couple, Zeb and Martha, settled down on their new land. They built a cabin, a barn and a corral for their livestock. Then Zeb hung a big bell in a tree and explained. “There are renegades around here Martha. If you need me ring this bell – but only in an emergency.”

Days later as Zeb was riding out to the fields to cut wood, he heard the bell ring. He headed home at full gallop.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just thought you’d like some fresh coffee,” Martha said.

“Oh, woman, I said the bell was for emergencies. Half the day is gone, and I still have chores to do.”

Once more he rode out. Just as he picked up the ax, he heard the bell. Again he raced home.

“The washtub’s leaking,” Martha reported.

“That ain’t a blasted emergency! I’ve gotta out the wood.”
Two hours later Zeb was chopping down a tree and the bell rang. He charged home to find the cabin in flames, the barn burned to the ground and his cattle stampeding away. Then he found Martha, slumped near the bell, with an arrow in her shoulder.

“Now, Martha,” Zeb exclaimed, “this is more like it!”

Fans of the hit British television show ‘Doctor Who’ will be glad to know that it’s back, and it’s bigger than ever. Actor David Tennant, who is widely regarded as the most popular doctor so far is set to go out with a bang before handing the famed role over to Matt Smith. Fans of Tennant may or may not know there are indeed three episodes left featuring him, two of which is the two-part Christmas special, so the other episode ‘Waters Of Mars’ will be featuring on BBC one tomorrow night on the 15th November 2009 at 7pm.

For those outside the UK who are Doctor Who fans, you can watch the episode on BBC America on the 19th December 2009, or in the US on the 2nd February 2010.

The ‘Waters of Mars’ will be followed by the two-part Christmas special (entitled TBA and The End of Time respectively.) After ‘Planet of the Dead‘, back in easter, which was named the most aired program on the BBC of all time, it’s estimated that ‘The End of Time‘ will bring in the most viewers the program, the series, and the channel has ever seen with the departure of David Tennant, who is expected to bow out with tear-inducing lines.

Tennant has stated in an interview with The Guardian;

“I remember how exciting it was starting out on this kind of a journey and nerve-racking. I’m jealous that he’s going through that now – but it couldn’t happen to a nicer chap. I’m looking forward to not knowing what happens next. I’m looking forward to being a viewer again.“

Ravenhill, Leonard

The preacher may go with the crowd; but the prophet goes against it. A man freed fired and filled with God will be branded unpatriotic because he speaks against his nation’s sins… – Why Revival Tarries (Minneapolis: Bethany Fellowship Inc, 1959), 26.

(18 June 1907, Leeds, Yorkshire, England – 27 November 1994)

Married Martha ____, 1939

Sabtu, 31 Oktober 2009
Waktu pulang dari ekskul, anak-anak SMAN 4 iang anggotanya..

1. M.Yusuf Isnaini Elbar (ma2ng unto)
2. M Fajri Andika purbaya (si Tigor)
3. Martha Okrina (iank paling imudd dehh..hha)
4. Siti rahmawati (mbagg_CS quu iang bawell)
5. Hartika (ini sii tembemm)
6. Ahmad kirti prayogo (lakinya tika,,bLum resmii ..wkwk)
7. Pradis Ayu Lara savitri (mamakegg kuu )
8. Agung rangkuti (mahluk rusuh)
9. Uswatun hasanah ( tuan rumah iang kita rusuhiin)

SAATNYA KITA BERAKSII..!!

Dimulaii dari perutt keroncongann,, salah satu diantara qT ngajak makann..
tz ada iank kasii usul , jajan di depan SD ** .. (hha sog private bged de)

akhirnya kita serbuu pakee motorr iang superr ngebutt..
(laperr buu)

sesampainya disana (cieeila,,bahasa loo) qT langsung menyerbuu pedagang iang jualan dsana..
dasarr anag rusuhh.. kaya ga pernah ktemu makanann aja..!!
sampe” tu ma2ng dpett budget gede qt jajan disana.. soalnya abiss tu jualann..hha lebayy..!
iang kita kerjain disana, manggang sosis, goreng, beli es kya anag sD..
(masa keciLd kurang bahagia bged kaya’a..)

akhirnya perutt kenyang juga.. walopun cuma makann iang kya gituu..
ambill serunya aja.. makann sama temen-temenn
sekitarr sejamm qt ngabisin jualan orang dsana..! kalo lebihh lama pasti abizz ne uang..
akhirnya kita nganter a2n pulang..

ehh emang dasar rejekii ga’ kemana,, a2n lagi panen mangga..
mangga nya gede” sebesarr kepala .. (hha kepala tikuss)
emang tu mangga gede.. suerr dee gag bo’ongg.!!
akhirnya, tag diduga dan tag disangka.. a2n bawa pisau dan 2 mangga..
uwahhh dasarr anag” rusuhh,, semuanya langsung turun dari motorr.. sampe” motornya dilemparr aja (hha .. imposible)

orang yang paling terrusuh saat itu adalah, kepala geng,,.. iaituu yusuf ,siapa lagi kalo bukan tu orangg.. ! hha viss supp..!

langsungg dee qt kupas tu mangga.. baru dikupas kulitt aja anag” udah pada makanin kulitnya.. kaya ga’ pernahh ktemu mangga.. hha ,, (termasukk aq sii ) tapii supeerr dehh tu mangga..!!

RASANYA MAKNYOSS..!! mantabbb..!
(makan pucugg atabb) hha..

rasanya MAKNYOSSS..!!

mantabbb,, (makan pucug atab)

hahaa.. rugii dee iang ga ikutt..!!!

SEASON OF THE WITCH

A gentle light—a gentle gospel sunlight—for

A New Orleans nun at Death Row—mama,

You’re in Paradise today—sugar cookies and

Breaded and fried salsify satisfied, this one in

Summer, the other in fall—the screaming fever

That felt like Hell in the head—freedom in New

York with cool memories of oysters at Nantucket

Lit by Cape Cod lighthouses, homeward—the wide

Plymouthing sky full of hope—discussing Tanner’s

Lazarus, his thoughtful Daniel unstirring in faith

Among the hungering lions—thieves, whores,

And Americans—in this, the season of the witch—

Martha, preparing leftovers for another feast, and

Her sister knowing the better thing to have.

Fall 2009

Dan Davis, © 2009

I didn’t choose this name/phrase because I’m planning on being, or am particularly derisive or critical. I’m not. I like things and people.

I got it from the Weezer song “No one else”. In this song he’s singing about his girlfriend… who is too social for his liking, maybe has a wandering eye, that kind of thing. She has “a big mouth, with which she blathers a lot” and he says to some guy, maybe someone she’s hit on or something “please don’t believe her, she says that for anyone”

But wrong as my reading of the song probably is, I’ve always liked his girlfriend better! He says stuff like “I want a girl who will laugh for no one else/When I’m away she puts her makeup on the shelf/When I’m away she never leaves the house”. Who does this dude think he is? He doesn’t want his girlfriend to have an independent life away from him, or to be so devasted when he’s away that all she can do is mope? And a girlfriend who only puts on makeup to please him, because he’s her man and therefore the only important thing or person in her life? Ugh.

So, I like her. And maybe she doesn’t “laugh at most everything, whether it’s funny or not” because she’s being critical and laughing AT someone, maybe she just has a sense of humour, is more social than him, and he can’t hack it.

I can say this because I’ve heard pretty much every song he’s ever written, not just that one: Rivers Cuomo … I love you, but get a grip!

Anyway, in the words of Alexi Wasser: I love you. XX

“…Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

We are made for relationships. God created us in his image. He is relational by nature. No man or woman can live aside from relationships. How then can we position ourselves to relate? The passage quoted above comes just after Jesus had taught about Loving God and others as the greatest commandments.

Mary discovered a secret. One which would not be snatched from her. She realised what her real need was, and who Jesus was. She must have know that this is a great man: a man who casts off demons, heals people, speaks with authority, a man who clearly nothing is impossible to. She invited him to her home and he came. If I had such a guest, the logical thing would be to do what Martha was doing, work hard to impress him. Wait a minute, this is the King of Kings, how can I truly impress him. Whenever I intend to visit someone, I try not to give them a long notice because often you will find that they have gone to great lengths to prepare for you. In fact, you would hardly sit and talk because they would be busy ‘hosting’. Hosting is good and I encourage that we be hospitable, but we need to ask ourselves if that is the real reason someone has come into your home.

Mary must have known that the time Jesus will be in her home will be limited. What really can she offer him, someone who had turned water in to wine. She instead chose to sit at his feet. Something that speaks of the Lordship of Christ. Submitting to his Lordship.

This scene is replayed many times with believers. You invite Christ into your heart, but soon after get busy doing what we think he would want us to do. Instead of sitting at his feet, (submitting to his Lordship) and being a disciple.

Our relationship with the Lord is primary. Because he is the author or relationships, we begin with inviting him in a sitting at his feet. This should be a precursor to our relationships with others…

Next Chapter: Relating with God’s People