There
is nothing like a tasty cookie every now and then. You can find them in
all shapes and sizes, flavors, and types. Today I'd like to share with
you a favorite cookie recipe of mine. I like my cookies sweet and spicy
(just ask the Big Tent Revival boys).
These are some lemon cookies that really heat up. They use lemon and just a hint of cayenne chile pepper to give them a heat that is not noticeable at first -- but slowly gets ya'.
You must be careful to only use the quantities given or you could really hurt yourself and others -- so be careful. When handling chile (not chili powder) of any kind be careful not to get any in your eyes or nose (Yes, I speak from experience).
Li'mon Fire Cookies
1 Cup butter
1 tbs lemon juice
1 tbs lemon zest
1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
a pinch of salt
a pinch of baking soda
Mix butter and sugar together adding lemon juice, lemon peel, and egg when light and fluffy.
Sift in the flour, cayenne, salt, and baking soda. Then mix into butter mixture.
Place dough into little blobs and flatten witht the bottom of a glass.
Bake for about seven minutes (they should barely turn a golden brown) at 400degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet.
The more of these cookies you eat the greater the effect of the cayenne pepper. I like to surprise friends with these tasty treats. They're so good you just keep eating more until you have to hose your mouth out. I love hot stuff!
Now for our Biblical tie-in.
Proverbs 19:19 (NIV) "A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again."
If you want to see the temper of a person come out -- give them these cookies! I'm kidding of course. You never want to incite the temper of someone who cannot control it. Nor do you want to get in the middle of their lack of control.
God places great value on self control -- in fact -- it is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22,23). God seems to be implying that someone who is hot-tempered will more than likely repeat this foolishness. It is difficult to gain control and it is only by God's help that one can do it.
It seems that one way to get them on track quickly is to let them "pay the price" for their actions. So many times we try to excuse or cover up for friends and loved ones that cannot seem to keep their anger under control. God says, when we try to cover over their offense -- we will have to do it again -- because they will never learn their lesson.
If you happen to be somebody who often blows steam when ruffled -- trust in God to help you manage your temper. It is His gift to give you self control.
When you eat these cookies you may lose your cool -- but stay on top of your attitude!