We viewed the film Julie and Julia last evening. A very delightful film, even Sam liked it. I was ready to rush off to Paris by the end of the film. As a child I used to watch Graham Kerr, Julia Child, and later Jaques Pepin. They made food come alive. They enjoyed the preparation as much as the dining. Cooking was fun and it was art. These three chefs were the seed of all things culinary in my life. It brought back a lot of memories seeing those black and white episodes of Julia in the kitchen. Graham Kerr would always get someone out of the audience and invite them to a tiny table to eat the meal he prepared. I always wanted to be the one to share that meal!

One of the most distinguishing marks of being human is the art of food. I can't be dogmatic on this, but I am pretty certain animals do not ponder the "taste" of food. They just eat. Voraciously sometimes, but without any real assessment of quality. How about the aesthetic of food? Does the dog ask for a little candlelight and soft music as he eats? Fine china and white tablecloths? Roaming violins? How about presentation? A swirl of some sauce perhaps? Flowers in the dish? Perhaps a little sprig of parsley or escarole. Which wine pairs with Alpo? James Boswell, the English author called man the "cooking animal." All living beings eat, but only man cooks.

God places hospitality as one of the highest human values. In fact, Paul in his letter to Timothy demands of elders and pastors the practice of hospitality. When are you coming over?