Buy the Couch, but Don't Sit on it

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A few months back I went on a date (and just a warning, the following is an example of my over-analytical thinking) and the gentleman I was with mentioned that he had a really junky couch (for lack of a better description) because he was hoping that one day his future wife would want to pick one out that she liked. On the surface it sounded dear and thoughtful. But then I thought, which usually only leads me into trouble, buy the couch!

You could have bought the nice couch, sat on it for ten years, and if you get married tomorrow, it would be time for a new one anyway. 

And by saying this, I don’t wanted to belittle this guy’s thoughts or ideals because I truly believe he was saying it out of kindness towards his future wife, but what I do want to communicate, mainly to my single friends, is that we can’t put life (or couches) on hold because we’re are waiting to get married. 

All in good stewardship of resources, buy the couch or the car or the blender, because Jesus said in John 10:10, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” 

If the couch will facilitate and encourage ministry,

if it will enable you to be hospitable, and disciple people, 

if it will cause you to enjoy God, through enjoying the couch He provided,

Buy the couch!

But don’t sit on it. 

And by this I mean, as singles, we have the tendency, to sit around and wait aimlessly. We have the tendency to not buy the nice couch. But we often sit on the old, tattered one waiting for God to bring us a calling, or a career, or the love of our lives. We have been called to “go” (Matthew 28:19-20) not sit. 

Just Do Something, as Kevin DeYoung says in his recent book.

Meet your neighbors

Have people over for dinner.

Be apart of a Bible study.

Involve yourself in ministry (and it doesn’t have to be full-time).

Do what you love.

Use the talents God has given you for His glory. 

Go ahead, get off the old couch, and go buy a new one. 

How are you planning to get off the couch?

*And as a side note, I have fallen in love with the music of jenny & tyler. I have been listening to "Faint Not" on repeat during the writing of this little vignette. Go to their website and download their latest EP for FREE! 

Mocha-Chip Muffins - maybe my favorite thing.

I must also say, this post goes out to Sarah. Because she has only been bugging me for years for this recipe.

Pre-heat oven to 375.

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 T baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
3 T instant espresso
1 stick of butter (melted, then cooled)
1 cup of chocolate chunks or chips or mini-chips

Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, whisk eggs, yogurt, and espresso powder. Gently fold the yogurt mixture into the flour mixture with a spatula. Then fold in melted butter and chocolate whatever-chips. Whatever you do, DO NO OVER STIR. (There should be streaks of flour in the batter.)

Use cooking spray to grease the muffin tin. If making regular sized muffins, use a 1/3 cup to pour into tins. It will make about 12-14. If using mini-muffin tins, I like to use a 1-inch cookie scoop. It will make about 40-ish.

Regular muffins bake 25-30 minutes.
Mini-muffins- 10-15 minutes.


Ah, these are so good! And I cannot take the credit, the recipe is from The America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book.

Found this sitting on my desktop...

I don't know about you, but I need this reminder. EVERYDAY.

Grace Upon Grace x 2

I am giving you these prints to inspire you to get out of those post-holiday-dull-drums.

Same John 1:16.
Two ways.

***You may have to contact me to send you the file in it's original size.

Grace & Peace to you in 2012.