Wisdom From C.S. Lewis

 

Most of all, perhaps, we need intimate knowledge of the past. Not that the past has any magic about it, but because we cannot study the future, and yet need something to set against the present, to remind us that the basic assumptions have been quite different in different periods and that much which seems certain to the uneducated is merely temporary fashion. A man who has lived in many places is not likely to be deceived by the local errors of his native village: the scholar has lived in many times and is therefore in some degree immune from the great cataract of nonsense that pours from the press and the microphone of his own age.

 

—C.S. Lewis, “Learning in War-Time,” The Essential C.S. Lewis, 374–375

Debate and a Fever Pitch of Emotion

 

Sometimes the early Christian thinkers made mistakes; sometimes they realized their statements were inadequate to safeguard the church. And when you believe, as they did, that martyrdom can never destroy the church but false teaching always will, it is understandable that sometimes discussion and debate reached a fever pitch of emotion, and occasionally harsh actions and reactions followed. It was said that it was impossible to go to the public baths without overhearing debates about the divinity of Christ!

 

-Sinclair Ferguson, Chalcedon: A Defining Moment For The Doctrine of Christ

Aunt Spiffy's Spectacular Sugar Cookies

Here's another great cookie recipe. I don't create the recipe, I just bake the cookies!

- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 3/4 cups flour
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Beat together the butter, sugar, and eggs.

2. Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.

3. Blend the dry ingredients into the butter/sugar/egg mixture.

4. Chill for 2 hours.

5. Bake on a greased cookie sheet for 10 minutes. (They will be puffy with cracks on top when they are done)

6. Enjoy! They are seriously yummy and highly addictive.

Aunt Spiffy's Peanut Butter Gems

Aunt Spiffy's Peanut Butter Gems

• 1/2 cup margarine
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1-1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat margarine and peanut butter until fluffy.
3. Add sugars and beat well.
4. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well.
5. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in separate bowl.
6. Gradually add to peanut butter mixture.
7. Shape into 1" balls and roll in granulated sugar.
8. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.

Aunt Spiffy's Blue Ribbon Oatmeal Cookies

Aunt Spiffy's Blue Ribbon Oatmeal Cookies

• 1 cup margarine or butter
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 -1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups oatmeal (quick or old fashioned)
• 1 cup raisins

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat together margarine, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until creamy.
3. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well.
4. Stir in oats and raisins; mix well.
5. Drop by rounded tablespoons on ungreased cookie sheet.
6. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Cool on wire rack.