How to Boil an Egg in 16 Steps???

I was reading the Wall Street Journal one morning last week (yes, I read it every morning it is published and have done so for many years) and came across this article titled, How to Boil an Egg Perfectly in Just 16 Steps by Aylin Woodward. Wow, that sounds interesting. I began to read:

A GROUP OF ITALIAN scientists has cracked the secret of how to make a perfect boiled egg. The catch? It takes 32 minutes, two water containers held at different temperatures, and a fast food container every two minutes. “It’s long, we know, but it’s worth it,” said Ernesto DiMaio, a professor of materials engineering at the University of Naples Federico, who says it is now his go-to method.

That is as far as I got. I thought this is crazy, so I went and ate a bowl of healthy bran cereal. I have not gone back to reading the rest of the article. I have spent my life trying to simplify things for people and not complicate things. Jesus did not complicate life but made it simple and explained Gospel living with stories. I am always skeptical of the person, prophet, pastor, etc., who suddenly has discovered the 15 steps to or the 29 steps to or tune in for something new and spectacular. No, you can have your 32-minute hard-boiled egg; just scramble mine.

Too often, Christians try to complicate things. In my opinion, the more you complicate things, the further you are from the Gospel and the more carnal you become. You don’t need 15 secrets to effective prayer, how to gain with the prosperity gospel (which is not the Gospel), how to manipulate people and make friends, how to seek a personal prophecy for a decision or a plethora of other things.

The Psalmist said:

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.  Psalm 27:4

Paul said this ONE thing I do:

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

 Philippians 3:13,14

Jesus said:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Solomon asked for wisdom; Zacchaeus just wanted a glimpse of Jesus; the woman with an issue of blood just wanted to touch the hem of his garment, and so many more. One thing. Colonel Sanders, Walt Disney, Ray Kroc with Maurice and Richard McDonald, all concentrated on one thing. Many of us, including me, have a motto: I dabble in many things when we could be more effective in one thing. Now, there are some like Musk who can do many things, and I have a friend who I say he thinks in 4 dimensions, not 3, but most of us should concentrate on one thing.

This is what Paul explains in Romans—he says find your lane and excel in it! (My translation.)

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;  if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;  if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,  do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans12:6-8

Let us find that one thing and do it well! I can’t sing and preach like my good friend, a spiritual son, Pastor Darrell Bucher (who can sing and preach and most likely chew gum simultaneously), but I can preach and encourage! Dayspring would have disappeared if I had sung for nearly 19 years 😊.  Determine this year as you remember His sacrifice, and rejoice at the empty tomb—I know my gift, and I will excel at this one thing.

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https://www.youtube.com/@overflowinghope180

May you have a blessed Easter season.

Dr. James D. Allen

Overflowinghope180.org