Taste and See: Discovering God among Butchers, Bakers, and Fresh Food Makers – A Review
This week, Steph Nickel reviews Taste and See: Discovering God among Butchers, Bakers, and Fresh Food Makers . Find out what the Bible says about food.
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Quite the Title!
Margaret Feinberg’s latest book, Taste and See: Discovering God among Butchers, Bakers, and Fresh Food Makers, has quite the title. Doesn’t it?
I discovered Margaret Feinberg when our church purchased a subscription for RightNow Media. It was like being given a veritable feast of Christian authors and speakers to learn from.
Taste and see, a veritable feast … see what I did there?
At any rate, because of hearing Margaret teach, I fell in love with her enthusiasm and her perspective.
Not Much of a Foodie
Now, truth be told, I’m not much of a foodie. Oh, sure! I love a nice meal that is beautifully presented—especially one I didn’t have to prepare. Plus, I love spending extra time in the kitchen preparing food for company. But on a day to day basis? Let’s just say I’m thankful I have such an easygoing husband.
When I heard about Taste and See, it was kind of an “oh, that’s nice, but I’m not all that interested.”
But then I listened to the related series of interviews on Margaret Feinberg’s podcast, the Joycast, and I became curious about the book.
Plus, when the ebook went on sale for $1.99, how could I refuse?
Now, that I’ve begun to read it, I’m glad I purchased it.
Let me read the opening to you.
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“Let’s eat and get out of here as quickly as we can,” I whispered to Leif as we unbuckled our seat belts. My droopy-eyed husband and I were soul-tired from a long, busy season of work, but had previously committed to dinner at a new acquaintance’s home. As we pulled into the driveway, I was second-guessing that decision. Dread grew with each step along the cobblestone path, but there was no backing out now. Leif stopped short at the door and looked at me as if to say, “Go on in, dear. You got us into this.” My best hope was to get the evening over with, so I could return to bed and my pajamas. I gripped the door knocker, counted to three, and forcibly transformed my grimace into what I hoped was a believable grin. The door swung open, and Matthew and Ashley enveloped us in hugs as if we were prodigal children returning home. Whoosh—the air around us rearranged, and with it, our attitudes. Hospitality has a hidden power that is difficult to explain but even harder to deny. … One moment the world could burn to dust for all you care, and in a blink, it is sacred ground. As the German author and poet Christian Morgenstern writes, “Home is not the building you live in; home is wherever you are understood.” Leif and I found home that night—against our wills, no less.
A Nourishing Meal
Margaret goes on to describe the lovely food that their hosts presented to them and makes this powerful statement: The meal nourished my soul in places I didn’t realize I was starving.
Okay, so I could get behind this goal of hospitality, even when preparing a meal for my hubby.
I would love to have someone say a meal I prepared nourished their soul. Wow! Just wow!
Now, before you get to thinking, “Well, that’s nice and all, but I still don’t think this book is for me,” you may want to reconsider.
Food and Hospitality in the Scriptures
Did you know that there are many mentions of food and hospitality in the Scriptures? It’s amazing actually. And I never would have realized it if it wasn’t for the author’s teaching on the subject. I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy this book far more than I ever anticipated.
With chapter like “A Flaky Filet of Fish: Taste and See God’s Power,” “A Plate of Sweet and Succulent Figs: Taste and See God’s Satisfaction,” and “A Dash of Sea Salt: Taste and See God’s Purpose,” I’m sure you can see the attraction.
Jesus, the Bread of Life
I was, of course, aware that Jesus is referred to as the Bread of Life and Living Water, but my focus on food in the Bible pretty much stopped there.
How I love it when authors discover something amazing and then go about sharing it with their readers!
My associate pastor and I were speaking just yesterday about what makes a memorable teacher. For me, subject matter, in a very real sense, is secondary. The teachers I remember from high school were personable, fun, and could make whatever subject they taught come alive.
When I heard Margaret on RightNow Media, I thought, “Now, here’s someone I want to learn from. She is positive, upbeat, and real.
Years later, when Margaret was diagnosed with cancer, she dealt with it openly and authentically. And from that experience came another of her books, Fight Back with Joy: Celebrate More, Regret Less, Stare Down Your Greatest Fears.
While her work includes an invitation to journey with her and learn from her experiences and the experiences of others, Margaret Feinberg’s books and teachings are built on a foundation of truth and point readers and listeners to the Saviour.
If you haven’t discovered her writings yet, I encourage you to taste and see. You just might find a new favourite author.
Taste and see … see what I did there?
Steph Nickel
Stephanie is a freelance writer and a contributor to our Christian internet radio station, HopeStreamRadio.
Read and hear more from Steph Nickel on the contributor’s page or at Steph Nickel’s Eclectic Interests.
Stephanie’s show, “Family Life Lessons,” airs from Monday to Friday on HopeStreamRadio.
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More Podcasts You May Enjoy:
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Why Would God Bring Our Soul to a Place of Captivity?
Images courtesy of:
Meal – Bruce Mars
Bread – CarlosPaes
Outdoor Eating – sue anna joe
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