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YOU MATTER By Kenn L. Dixon
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It is time for some gumbo!” If you understand this statement, then you know it is a spicy dish comprised of assorted meats (in my case, vegetarian), veggies and creole seasoning served over rice. I grew up in New Orleans, so gumbo with cornbread was one of my favorite dishes to enjoy on a cold evening. Served with an ice-cold Barq’s root beer and enough Louisiana Tabasco sauce to make my head sweat, gumbo always reminds me that a great dish needs different ingredients to become a mouthwatering masterpiece. Since 1802, Louisiana’s gumbo has been made with multiple unique ingredients to produce a taste that I can only call “delicious.” I can’t imagine eating gumbo without onions, bell peppers, celery and, of course, roux or filé; this is the flavor of the dish. Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is a place that reflects/ adds to the many richly diverse cultures in the Lone Star State. When we work together to share
the gospel to diverse communities, there is a need for unity in mission and love for one another. You matter to the success of the Texas Conference in accomplishing its mission in the southwestern part of the United States. Everyone is needed, and everyone is valued. Just as gumbo needs multiple ingredients to create something tasty, we need each other to make our churches palatable to those seeking Christ. In John 13:35, the apostle John, exiled on a barren island, said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” The world is looking for something to enjoy that is truly satisfying; we are on our way to being tasty gumbo. ________________
TEXAS CONFERENCE
THE FLAME is a quarterly publication produced by the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Please direct questions or comments to flame@txsda.org or by mail to PO Box 800, Alvarado, TX 76009. ADMINISTRATION President: Carlos J. Craig Executive Secretary: David Montoya Treasurer: Randall B. Terry THE FLAME STAFF Editor: Kenn L. Dixon Managing Editor: Tamara Michalenko Terry Proofreader: Janelle Sundin Cover Design: Sora E. Yañez Layout & Design: Tamara Michalenko Terry
Kenn L. Dixon is the vice president for Communication & Public Relations at the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in Alvarado, Texas. *If you are looking for a great recipe for vegetarian gumbo, watch https://youtu.be/hMCym_VLkt4 and enjoy.
Photo Editing: Madelein Terreros & Sora E. Yañez Printing & Mailing: Pacific Press Publishing Association | Nampa, Idaho Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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