Really Good Chili

For today's Annual United Methodist Church Charge Conference and Pot Luck Dinner, I made a new chili recipe that came out really well!

About little bit about the conference: it is always a nice event when we get together with the other local United Methodist Churches and give an accountability report of what has and will transpire for the year.  Out little Saint Andrew United Methodist Church, and sister churches in the area are doing great things to show people the love of Christ.

The Chili I made from scratch, and not really following a recipe, so therefore I have to jot down how I did it so it can be done again.  It's like any good scientist would do in documenting an experiment with procedural notes, so as it can be repeated by someone else.

Really Really Good Three Day Chili

Hardware

I used a 5 quart Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven, and a 10 inch cast iron skillet.

Software

Dry Red Kidney Beans, 1 pound.

10 cups of water

1 large white onion, peeled and cut in half

2 chopped cloves of garlic

5 Bay Leaves

1/2 teaspoon Chile Pepper

1/2 teaspoon Cumin

2 teaspoons of Salt

1 pound cubed steak, finely chopped when partially frozen

2, 10 ounce cans of Original Ro-Tel Tomatoes with green chilies

Additional Salt and Pepper to taste.

Method

Thursday night, I cooked the Kidney Beans exactly according to Pati Jinich's recipe Beans: Frijoles de Olla or Beans from the Pot, then I put them in the fridge until the next evening after the dutch oven cooled a bit.

Friday night, the next day, I put the pot back on the stove on medium heat.

At the same time in a skillet I browned the chopped beef and added 1/2 of the onion and the garlic all chopped fine.  The beef was so lean, that I had to add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.  When it was all nice and brown and the onions translucent, I deglazed the skillet with a little (1/2 cup) water and added it all to the bean pot.

Next into the bean pot I added the spices and Ro-Tel.  Then I let it simmer about 4 hours. It was time for bed again, so I let it cool and put it back in the fridge until the next day. This rest time for the chili lets all the flavors marry and deepen in flavor.

Saturday morning simmered it for 4 more hours prior to serving. I removed all the Bay Leaves, so the consumers of my chili wouldn't die with a Bay Leaf in their throat. The crowd seemed to enjoy it and I would absolutely make it again.

The total cost of the dish was about $13 and served about 15 people.
Beef - $6.00
Beans - $2.00
Ro-Tel - $2.00
Spices and Vegetables $3.00

I hope this recipe works out for you!  

- gus

Letter to Sister Roberta

This is my letter to Sister Roberta, the Prioress of Holy Name Monastery, Benedictine Sisters of Florida, a long time friend and counselor.

Dear Sister Roberta,

I send my love and greetings to you all.

I am still in the Candidacy for the Ministry for the United Methodist Church, working locally in my congregation, city and county.  One of my major projects I am working on right now is to get a Chaplain assigned to every county emergency shelter during natural disasters.  That suggestion has just been approved for Brevard County. Praise God.

One of my challenges right now is the acceptance of less traditional sexual identities into the ministry, marriage and society.  Even the discussion causes me great anxiety.

This is my favorite song right now.  I hope you enjoy it.  It is Ancient Words, by Michael W. Smith.

Thank you for your support and prayers.  Bless you  all in Christ our Savior.

gus

Sinners and Saints, All Saints Day

As I prepare for my Nov. 1, 2015 sermon at Saint Andrew United Methodist Church I am called to preach this message: That we are all sinners and we are all saints, if we choose to be,

"For all have fallen short of the glory of God."  (Romans 2:23).

It seems a bit complicated, but not really.

Please refer to my story, my heartfelt poem, "Not A Saint" from Oct. 21, 2015, where I remorse in my own frailties.  In this poem, I relate a need for forgiveness and how blessed others are who have found freedom to walk in the Light of Christ.

As citizens of Saint Andrew United Methodist Church, who is this Saint we are named after?  What is his legacy and his background, that we should be the saints of Saint Andrew?

Saint Andrew from Loyola Press...
St. Andrew was a fisherman who lived in Galilee during the time of Jesus. He often followed John the Baptist and listened to his teachings. One day, John saw Jesus walking along the road. John said to his followers, "Behold the Lamb of God." He told his followers to go and talk to Jesus. He wanted them to know that Jesus was the One for whom they had been waiting. Andrew and another disciple followed Jesus and spent an afternoon with him. Early the next day Andrew found Simon Peter, his older brother, and told him, "We have found the Messiah."

Both men gave up their work as fishermen to become apostles of Jesus. Andrew was one of the first to be called. He seemed to take delight in bringing others to Jesus. Andrew was the one who told Jesus about the little boy who had the loaves of bread and the fish, the beginning of a meal that fed more than five thousand people. It was Andrew and Philip whom the Greeks approached when they wanted to see Jesus. These events indicate that Andrew was a man who was easy to approach, a man you could trust.

Like the other apostles, Andrew became a missionary. He preached about Jesus in the area around the Black Sea. Tradition tells us he preached in northern Greece, Turkey, and Scythia (now the southern part of Russia).

Andrew died as a martyr. Tradition says that in Patras in Greece he was tied to a cross shaped like the letter X. Ever since then, a cross in the shape of an X has been called St. Andrew's cross.

The name "Andrew" is a Greek name meaning "courageous" or "manly." St. Andrew lived up to his name.

It's my desire to follow the example of Andrew and "be a helper" to Jesus who is easy to approach, is able to relate with the common person in love and compassion and let them know by deed and example that indeed we have found the Messiah!

I've Got Friends in Low Places

As I was leaving my post the other night, an inmate yelled through the window, "Drive safe Mr. Koerner, see you Wednesday!"  I replied, "Ok, thank you."  Normally that would be a nice farewell, but the fact the inmate knew my schedule without me telling anyone bothered me a bit.

Most of my readers know I work in Corrections.  I am a Correctional Officer for the state of Florida, and formerly a ReEntry/Transition Specialist and prison educator.  My goal is to become a Chaplain one day.

It's a hard job that pushes me to my physical and emotional limits.  I have dreams about it at night and some weeks I get little done other than work.  At the prison I have twelve hour days, 60 hours one week, 24 hours the next, then I do it again.

The reason I do it is because God told me to, plain and simple.  In the prison dormitory I supervise about 130 men.  Their crimes range from everything imaginable, including multiple DUI's, sex offenses, fraud, drug crimes and murder.  Some will be released this year, some never.

When I was a Youth Development Agent for the 4-H program, every summer I taught summer camp for children of incarcerated parents.  I could see the developmental wounds their upbringing had caused and decided something had to be done.  Yes it's good to help the kids, but more importantly I told myself, "What we need to do is get these parents out of prison and have them raise their kids in a home of love and positive virtues." Then I ask, "Lord, how can I help with this?" Then an opening appeared on the Dept. of Corrections website.

97% of Florida inmates will be released from prison.  When they do, will they take care of their families or recidivate (commit another crime)? Is there anything I can do to make a difference? I cannot answer this question because only time will tell. But what I do at work is treat the inmates like human beings who deserve respect and hold them to the rules, policies and procedures.  I do not give special privileges to some or degrade any. I hold my dormitory inmates to a high standard and expect their best (but prepare for the worst).

My experience thus far has been a positive one.  I don't know if I'll remain in security for a long time, but working with these men in some capacity is something I feel the need to continue. My inmates are responding to respect with respect back to me, and I appreciate it. It is creating a positive environment that is more safe than it used to be.

It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones. - Nelson Mandela

gk

Dads and Their Sons, a Snapshot from 1972

We go through life learning from our parents. In the best of circumstances they teach you how to become a whole human being. In the worst of circumstances, they can also teach you what not to do. - actor Bryan Cranston,

From the TLC show, Who Do You Think You Are, sponsored by Ancestry.com: aired Aug. 2015.

I remember when I was a young boy I had a mixed relationship with my father. (I am speaking of Karl L. Koerner 1918 to 2000.)  I highly respected my dad yet part of me was afraid of him. He most always seemed distant and out of reach, but there were times when he was very supportive and kind and fun to be around. As I look back, the overall memory I have of my dad is a good one.  He was a good example of a man to follow who kept family and professional life balanced and who supported my mother and tried to do the best for us kids. Me being the last of six kids, I think he mellowed somewhat, or he just ran out of energy. Either way I understand how that can be.

My dad had a temper and when he would get angry you did not want to be in the room, but he also had a sense of humor, and could tell a corny joke and laugh at one like the rest of us. That part of me remains from his DNA.

As part of my job at the prison, I have the opportunity to counsel inmates.  Twice this past week, I spoke with incarcerated dads, trying to rekindle relationships with their sons.  After the conversation I thought about my relationship with my dad and sons. I ask myself what did I do right? What could I have done better with?  How can I improve?

Recently I found a notebook in the garage with my Dad's notes from our trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in July of 1972. In this particular slide (left), my dad is commenting on me and Chuck hanging our camp food between trees for the night to keep the bears from getting it.

Some quotes from his notes: July 5, 1972 - Gus and Chuck (Jaecks) putting up a Bear Pack something like this. I imagine if the Bears saw them do these things they would die laughing. I'm sure if they were hungry or they would get it down.

Notes like these from our parents are precious to family history.  I urge all my readers to keep them safe.

So how is this going to make me a better father?  I'm going to keep loving my kids, just how they are and supporting them in the paths their on.  If they want my advice I'll give it to them, otherwise I'll continue to urge them to do their best, stay close to God and honor their spouses and children.  I hope my kids can take my good qualities and emulate them, and my less desirable traits and be careful not to follow them.  Either way, in that way a dad can have a positive influence on his children.

- gus

Working With Prison Inmates

I've been working for Florida Department of Corrections since October 2012, in Transition, Security and now Education. Following, are some thoughts on what I have experienced. My writing may seem to soften or humanize the inmates in the prison setting, but I am looking at the big picture as I write this. Some of the inmates have done some truly horrific things, all of them some really bad things, or they wouldn't be in prison!   Just last week, one of my best Inmate Teaching Assistants put himself into Protective Management because he got beat up and his watch stolen. This past weekend three inmates from my institution went to the hospital due to stabbing related incidents.  This isn't secret news I'm sharing, it was on the front page of the Daytona papers.

Also be sure, I intend no disrespect to the officers, or administration in this post.  They do the best that they can to protect all inmates, security, civilian staff and the public. The image above is from California (see photo credit below, used with permission), but it is a likeness of my institution.

Working With Prison Inmates
Working in the prison system has caused me to realize
the value of the individual in God’s eyes.
The rough exterior of the inmates is usually a facade,
to mask the guilt, pain and shame of crimes they've committed.
If one looks beyond the sea of blue clothing
and into the eyes of the individuals,
you’ll see they may have been acquitted as criminals by God,
but not by the state and usually not by themselves.

Re-Entry, transition and betterment are the clichés of the system,
but it does not address the needs of the victims;
not excluding the scars left on the families of those incarcerated,
when their sons attempt to become exonerated, by fulfilling their obligation to the courts.

It is our job as corrections staff to uphold safety and order,
while at the same time maintain a border of impartiality and professionalism.
Care, but not too much. Custody, but doing so humanely. Control, but not degrading.
All the time crusading, for maintaining the dignity of the individual,
the organization we represent, and the One who called us to this important position.

Photo Credit Link Many thanks to the CA Department of Corrections.. 

This post is written only from my opinion and experience.  In no way does it express the policies, procedures and management policies of the Florida Department of Corrections or the State of Florida.

Easter Review

I cannot let this Easter day pass by without writing what it meant to me.  After all, it is the day our Lord was resurrected, arose from the dead after three days in the tomb.  He is risen!

This had been one of my most memorable Easter seasons in my life, starting with Ash Wednesday.  On Ash Wednesday, we attended a service at church and departed with a charcoal cross on our foreheads, having made a Lenten sacrifice i.e, "giving up something" for Lent.  I gave up nothing.  Instead I took on a daily devotion to the process and leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

This has been a 40 days of inner reflection and thoughts of the future and the past.  I've asked questions such as why has God called me to teach in prison?  How can I have a positive impact on my students, in not only attaining their G.E.D., but on the rest of their lives? Is this a calling or just a job?  Are my Mom and Dad proud of me and are they watching over me?  Or are they just dead?

How am I supposed to serve in the ministry?  Should I just keep serving as a Lay person or become ordained as a Methodist minister?  How can I have a positive impact on my children when they live so far away?

Does every Dad and person contemplate these deep questions or similar?  I don't know.

As Easter comes and goes, soon it will be summer and the clock keeps ticking, and the calendar turns over day by day I will continue to reflect.
How do I make the Easter season of 2015 come alive for me? Where am I supposed to go with it, and what can I do to share the love of Jesus Christ to my neighbor next door and the prison inmate closed in behind razor wire?

Side bar - there were two inmates stabbed at my workplace today according to the news.  I don't know the story behind it, but it has affected my Easter Sunday in a way that few can understand.

Keep following along with me and experience my journey with me.  I'd like that.

Photo Credit: My wife Sandy from the Max Brewer bridge in Titusville, FL.  Used with permission.

A Tribute To My Girls, In My Daughter’s Eyes

Last weekend my wife and I had the opportunity to have front row seats at the local Martina McBride concert.  One of the songs she sang was, In My Daughter’s Eyes, which I've heard a thousand times and loved ever since it came out, back in 2003.  For your enjoyment I linked a video here* and posted the lyrics at the end of this story.

As many times as I've heard it, I've always thought of it as a mother-daughter song, until the last time when I suddenly realized it was a daddy-daughter song as well. When that thought hit me, I lost it. In that moment, all the love for my little girls came flooding to the surface. My little girls aren't so little anymore, plus the two I started out with was increased when I remarried and gained two wonderful step-daughters, and when my boys married, two more beautiful daughters-in-law joined our family.

There’s something special about the relationship a father has with his daughters that’s different than with sons. Even though my girls were “sugar and spice…” growing up, they were kind of tomboy too, but in a good way - balanced. I’ll never forget the time Melissa and I went 4-wheeling across the pasture in our old Jeep for her first driving lesson or how beautiful she was on her wedding day at Cocoa Beach when we were all dressed in white. Then there’s my Em.  She and I spent hundreds of hours together on the archery range, and she’s grown into a beautiful young woman who’s intelligent, compassionate and kind.

I’m still getting to know my bonus girls – Amber, Savannah, Jessie and Melissa, but what I've learned so far is they are beautiful, hardworking, intelligent and dedicated women who do the best at what they have been called to do right now as wives, moms, students and breadwinners.  They’re daughters of God, and I treasure each of them.

Dads out there, I encourage each of you to appreciate the daughters and young ladies of your life.  Treasure them, tell them you love them, and appreciate the stage they’re in right now.  They need to hear and feel it from you today, and when they do both of your lives will be blessed.  Someday I’ll be writing another story dedicated to my great sons and my beautiful grand kids, but this I had to share with my girls today.  So proud to be your Dad, Step-dad and Father-In-Law. - gus

Here are the lyrics...
 
In My Daughter’s Eyes
In my daughter's eyes,
I am a hero,
I am strong and wise,
And I know no fear,
But the truth is plain to see,
She was sent to rescue me,
I see who I want to be,
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes,
Everyone is equal,
Darkness turns to light,
And the world is at peace,
This miracle God gave to me,
Gives me strength when I am weak,
I find reason to believe,
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand around my finger,
How it puts a smile in my heart,
Everything becomes a little clearer,
I realize what life is all about,
It's hanging on when your heart has had enough,
It's giving more when you feel like giving up,
I've seen the light,
It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes,
I can see the future,
A reflection of who I am and what will be,
And though she'll grow and someday leave,
Maybe raise a family,
When i'm gone I hope you see,
How happy she made me,
For i'll be there,
In my daughter's eyes

The song was written by James T. Slater, produced by Martina McBride and Paul Worley.  The song features accompaniment from pianist Jim Medlin and string arrangement by Don Hart.  It was published by RCA Records Nashville on the Martina album, November 2003.

*Video - Live performance at the CMA Awards 2003. In that CMA edition, Martina won her third Best Female Vocalist of the Year.

Enthusiasm for life!

One of the many sources of inspiration I receive is from The Daily Word.  I want to share this one with you because I was feeling a little down in the dumps today.  My daughter is moving out of state.  Instead of thinking about her going, I'll cherish the time we have together.

I am enthusiastic about life!

I love to watch a robin hop around in the fresh spring grass looking for worms, seeds and other delights. I enjoy seeing squirrels bounce excitedly from tree to tree or a young colt frisking in an open field. These shows of natural enthusiasm remind me of life’s simple joys.

Although I may have more concerns than a robin, squirrel or colt, I can still greet each day with enthusiasm and an eagerness to appreciate life in every way. I begin with a quick prayer of gratitude and open the door to a day filled with good.

I look forward to what each day holds, knowing I am not alone, that God and I are one, and that my joy will only increase. I am enthusiastic about the promise of today.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1.

So what is the "truth" Voice of Truth Ministry is proclaiming?

This has been bugging me for days.  How do I dare have a website that has the word "truth" in the title, implying that what I am saying is the truth, when I am so disapprovingly adamant about dogmatic know-it-alls who think their truth is better (more true) than another?  The whole My Jesus is better than your Jesus attitude.  What makes me and my site different, and I like being different, is that with the exception of my faith in Christ, the principles I support and write about I consider to be universal in nature, and relativly void of any offensiveness to the common person of nearly every faith.  Am I trying to be politically correct?  No.  I just realize some people aren't Christian believers, and I respect that.

I started this blog, Voice of Truth Ministry in February 2012 with the first post The reason this ministry got started because I couldn't contain how I felt any more. I had to express at that time the following points, and it holds true today namely:

• No matter where we are in life, God cares about us and we are part of His plan,  
• Even though we may be in an uncomfortable situation, perhaps even hopeless, God can be our strength and our salvation if we only reach out to Him in prayer and through His Word,
• Don't be afraid.  The #1 most stated commandment in the Bible is "Fear Not", mentioned 27 times.  Even when we have to face our demons, God will forgive and be with us if we only ask, and finally,
• Do the next right thing. Make good, wholesome choices that support love, peace, forgiveness, understanding, healthy living, brotherhood and family.

In knowing and doing these four things we'll be blessed beyond measure.  These are virtually the only religious/spiritual truths I know, so that's what this blog will support and encourage.

My question is, am I writing this for others or for me?  I can see now that's it's for both reasons, because my points aren't intuitive to the average Joe or Jill, and they sure haven't been to me.  Most of us aren't raised knowing God loves us and actually cares about our situations.  Sometimes we're told, but that's not enough.  This is something we must hear from others who've been there, and learn on our own, in our own time.

In All Things Give Praise, Doxology

When I was a sixteen year old young man standing in a non-Mormon church for the first time (which happened to be Presbyterian), I marveled at the beauty and simplicity of this song commonly known as The Doxology or The Common Doxology, written in 1674 by Thomas Ken. A doxology in general terms is a short hymn of praise to God used in various Christian worship services.  It goes...

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Most protestant churches sing this song, but we never did in the LDS church growing up, and they still don't to my knowledge.  This little hymn has all the things I like.  It talks about the flow of blessings in our life, which I've always, always felt.  It refers to us as creatures and could also imply that the creatures of the forest and streams also give praise, and lastly gives the praise specifically to the God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.  No matter how one pictures, interpretes or imagines the triune Godhead to be, this line of the song is general enough to encompass most religions.

One final note on this is that Thomas Ken was the brother-in-law to Izaak Walton, author of The Compleat Angler, published in 1653 which is a celebration of the art and spirit of fishing in prose and verse. Can't wait to find this book!

Finding Youself, Finding Balance

More and more often I am having these magical days, such as today where I meet inspiring people and learn inspiring thoughts through sound and imagery.  This is completely because I am learning to let go of fear and preconceived thoughts of how I should act and what I should say and do.  I am learning to follow my heart and emulate others who do the same.

In my transition class today I taught about wellness, and what it takes to be of healthy mind and body.  We spoke of balance and how sometimes our lives get out of kilter, which literally means out of good health or condition1. We spoke of keeping things in perspective and not putting too much time or energy into any one thing, or keeping family, love and other important values higher on the priority list than things that just won't matter in the long term.  As a matter of fact, I was going to write more about this but my ideas took a turn when I met Nelson.

Nelson Guda, who's images I've use here, is a photographer, artist and author from Ohio who travels the globe in pursuit of his art.  As PhD Biologist he could be doing many different things, but if you see some of his work such as the Sensual Rainforest you may see the influence of living systems and how they have impacted his artistry.  I am looking forward to his newest work, The Enemies Project and how he captures conflict and examines the many sides of this issue.

May God bless us all to truly discover the gifts within, our true selves and use them to the benefit of our brothers and sisters.

Do You Receive God's Grace In Vain?

I've been reading my Bible daily, as per this new plan I started a week ago.  Every day of the year it has a reading, and coincidentally it started me out in Corinthians.  The funny part is, that every day I've read so far, it seemed to have just the right verse for me and the particular situation I happened to be in.  Today was no exception.

Over my lunch hour I got some discouraging news about a particular job I applied for, that I thought was in the bag.  I felt I was the perfect candidate for this one.  In spite of my enlarged ego, I tried to remain humble, putting it in God's hands and actually saying, thinking and believing I wanted God's will to be done.  Then the bad news came via an email and I was so discouraged.

When I read my chapter for the day, I didn't read out of dispair, but because it was time to and this appeared...

2 Corinthians 6: 1-2 - 1. As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. (NIV)

What hit me was this: "...not to receive God’s grace in vain."  I have never heard or read that before.  This means to me, that His grace is all abounding and sufficient, and I am experiencing it in every aspect of my life.  Just because this particular thing didn't turn out the way I wanted, does not mean He doesn't have a hand in my life.  I thank the Lord for His Word, and providing me comfort around the clock, and especially in times of need.

When you're at your worst, count your blessings.

I really feel compelled to tell you my story, or at least some of the highlights.  For now, I'll just share a snippet.  It seems like this past decade has had some of the worst and some of the best times in my life.  In 2000, and then again in 2001 I lost my Dad, then my Mom.  Then by 2002 I had a near job lay-off, and a divorce.  A psychologist told me that each incident was enough to bring any person to the brink of depression, drink or just plain giving up, so I was trying to deal with these setbacks, trying to keep my sanity.

I had a buddy that got me involved a bit with the Catholic church, just long enough to learn some of their ways by reading a couple of books and attending a mass or two.  During the process, I somehow ended up with some Rosary beads.  Of course, I didn't know any of the formal Catholic prayers, but I loved holding the cross.  It made me feel peaceful.  My original Rosary was made of wood, I've since purchased several more.

One night alone in bed, lonely as could be, contemplating all of the crap I was going through and about in tears with despair, I clutched the Rosary beads.  I had heard that when you’re feeling down to count your blessings, so I started doing that, naming one blessing per bead as they slipped through my fingers.  I know I went around the loop for sure one time, perhaps two, naming blessings one-by-one.  I first listed my children, then my siblings, then my dog, job and friends.  Before I knew it, I felt better.  The neat thing about using the beads to count each blessing was that when I was done, I could look at something tangible and visually identify a whole bunch of things I should be thankful for.  I still use the beads to this day in the same way.  I also love this old hymn sung in many churches called “Count our blessings”.  Here's the first verse.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.