a new thing
musings // #1 // on stunning storylines and Jesus' dinner party
**drum roll** let me present to you… the first “musings” post of Cathzine! Because this is my first time writing something like this and in the spirit of keeping Cathzine fun and low pressure, I won’t be making any promises on the consistency, cadence, or content of this style of post. Whenever the inspiration strikes, or whenever I look back and realize I’ve been musing, one of these will be birthed! I hope you enjoy & feel welcome to post your own musings in the comments section 😇
For this first one, I’ve organized my thoughts into the following sections:
what I’ve been reading
I only got back into reading in August of this year (that means it’s been 8 years since I last read for fun 🤯, yikes!), but oh, has it been a joy! With my wanting to write more, it is recharging and inspiring to read other’s writing. Here have been my favorites: (no spoilers in these reviews!)
Yellowface, by: Rebecca F. Kuang // inspired by my friend Rachel; I thoroughly enjoyed how Kuang is able to craft such funny and efficient sentences. The storyline also opened my eyes to the world of publishing, did a wonderful job exploring the not-so-pretty side of popularity and fame in our modern world and the true cost of having both.
Reminded me of 1 Timothy 2:1-3, how the Lord calls us to: “…lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way…”
My Berlin Kitchen, by: Luisa Weiss // a going-away gift from Sean’s coworkers in Berlin; this is 95% an autobiography and 5% a cookbook, and I was shocked to find how the autobiography actually motivated me to make the recipes at the end of every chapter??
Weiss’s book is the perfect example of how recipe introductions can be value-added versus just an annoying thing to traverse through to get to the ingredient list and actual instructions.
Lessons in Chemistry, by: Bonnie Garmus // inspired by my friend Rachel (again). Set in the 1960’s, the main character, Elizabeth Zott, was just the inspiring, confidently smart & quirky female I needed.
It was fascinating to read the different character POV’s Garmus would write in (at one point you get to see the world from a dog’s perspective) and experience the way she explores topics like gender inequality and complex family dynamics.
1 & 2 Timothy, from the Bible (ESV version) // inspired by my friend Rebecca; I was surprised (but really, I shouldn’t be) that the reread allowed me to find so many good nuggets. Unpacking below:
I have my own imperfect family relationships, so 1 Timothy 5:8 was a good reminder that as a follower of Christ, I am expected to take care of and provide for my family members when they are in need {“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever”}
With Cathzine I can easily find myself shooting for more likes and followers, so it was grounding to read 1 Timothy 2:1-3 and remember that this desire for popularity and fame is not something from the Lord, but is a self-centered desire {“…I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.”}
Furthermore, God doesn’t have the same definition of success as I do, having been influenced by society. True contentment should not be measured by my accomplishments, how many things I have, or what my salary is, but in:
Pleasing the Lord. {2 Timothy 2:3-4: Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.}
Having the humility to recognize I need God and cannot be anything without Him. {1 Timothy 6:17-18: As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share}
If I ever feel afraid or anxious (it can be about something as simple as social anxiety or as grand as the uncertainty of the future), remind myself that those feelings are not from God, and to trust that (1) He will give me strength to get through it and that (2) He has control of the outcomes of those situations. {2 Timothy 1:7: for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.}
My role is to be gentle and loving and kind, always. As a follower of Christ, it is not my job to force repentance. {2 Timothy 2:24-26: And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.}
what I’ve been watching
(no spoilers in these reviews!)
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023) // Netflix show; recommended by my friend Lenka. I enjoyed how they effortlessly tied this story back to the main shows. The main theme was very wholesome: that marriage is a sacred covenant that must be honored, and both parties must choose to work at it.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020) // Netflix show; recommended by my friend Rebecca (again); the creators of the show do a wonderful job balancing the creepy, dark, serious with the light-hearted, joyful, and sentimental. The show uniquely combines animation and live action, has dynamic characters, and does a great job of exploring the complicated family dynamics that can come with having an autistic family member.
Long December (2023) // this movie was directed by someone at my church, the comradery was palpable in the theater as we all came to support its debut at the Charlotte Film Fest! Stellar story pacing and beautiful sound track; the movie did a great job exploring the concept that “dreams can be broken and made new” in a raw way.
what I’ve been eating
(heavily influenced by what I see 👀)
cravings: fun beverages (especially with foamed milk) + croissants (like always?)
lunches: FEOTs (Fried Egg On Toast)—dayum! But also super quick to put together during a work day. I like mine with stir-fried spinach & creole seasoning.
was wowed by a sheep’s milk cheese from Whole Foods, but haven’t gotten it again because expensive 🥲
loving going to Copain closer to their closing hours in hopes of grabbing their freshly baked bread at 50% off!
feeling so European with baguette in arms (thx Copain)
dinners: enjoying the easy meatball recipe (where you don’t need to sear the meatball and the whole thing can just cook at a simmer) in Luisa Weiss’ autobiography/recipe book: My Berlin Kitchen paired with spaghetti squash
this is 100% fueled by on-sale ground meat
what I’ve been listening to
song: Wake Up, artist: Elaine // this is a funky number from It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. It makes me want to be goofy and make coffee!
album: A New Thing, artist: Madison Ryann Ward // went to her concert on Sept. 1 with Rachel (probably the most wholesome concert I’ve ever been to); I love that Madison’s songs are about Christian principles but don’t fall in the “Christian church worship” category like Hillsong, Phil Wickham, etc.
Some of my favorite songs from this album: A New Thing, Seasons, and Faithful Love
sermon: Truth And Preference, preacher: Dan Keistler // September 24, 2023 Sermon at my church (Queen City Church). Since the Summer of 2022, I’ve been praying for clarity on this topic, and this sermon brought that clarity. My takeaways are below:
Jesus’ dinner party is what we can emulate to display the Kingdom:
We have no excuse to discard people not like us; Jesus’ love is through enduring the differences
John 13:34-35: …just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
2 Timothy 2:24-26: And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone…correcting his opponents with gentleness…
Jesus had both truth and preference in attendance:
Truth: agreement in God, enables you to walk in freedom
Preference: not right or wrong
Colossians 2:16-23: Therefore, let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink… the substance belongs to Christ…
i.e., you can hate mayonnaise but you don’t have the right to leave the dinner table over the option of having mayonnaise on the table
“My” Truth: when your preference becomes the only way, leads to being trapped in your preference; i.e., Hobby Theology
Hobby Theology: things we like to talk about but shouldn’t teach. Typically built on our interpretations of things that God has left as a mystery, and when we have strong feelings about these, it can cause disagreement and division
topics like: when the world is going to end, whether certain modern media/activities should be consumed or partaken
Don’t be trapped in preference: this happens when we start to worship the way we worship rather than the one we are worshipping (don’t lose sight of Jesus at the table!)
Remember Colossians 2:16-23 when you are facing someone who’s trapped in their preference
Prefer your brother/sister in Christ over your preferences: There’s balance. If what you prefer is highly unhelpful in your friend’s journey with God, don’t indulge in that preference around them. Don’t “do you” so much that others can’t partake in Jesus!
1 Corinthians 8:9-13: But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak…
And… that’s a wrap! Let me know how you enjoyed this first issue of musings in the comments below. 😊
~ cath!