Each week (give or take one or two here and there) I share three things I like – It could be a book, a movie, a podcast, an album, a photo, an article, a restaurant, a food item, a beverage, or anything else I simply enjoy and think you might too. You can find a whole pile of things, especially books, I like and recommend HERE.
1) The Horn: Somali Cafe
I grew up in South Minneapolis, MN. During my later childhood and into high school Minneapolis began to attract a large Somali population, such that it began to change the flavor of the city, literally and figuratively. Halal markets began to open around the neighborhood and Somali cafes popped up serving a variety of fare. Now, I am not a tea drinker. In general I find Ted Lasso’s various descriptions accurate: garbage water, hot brown water, horrible, etc. However, strong chai prepared in a proper African way is magnificent–rich with spices and sweetness (but not the saccharine, syrupy sweetness of the trash American coffee shops serve). I first had it when I was in Uganda decades ago and fell in love. Needless to say, it’s not easy to find in the U.S. So when I was introduced to The Horn, a Somali cafe with a couple locations in Nashville I was thrilled. It felt a little like home and lot like Africa. Their Chai is amazing. Their Samosas (fried dough stuffed with various savory delights) are delicious. And they serve up a whole array of coffee drinks too. It’s a great place for a light meal, for conversation, or to get some work done. If you are in Nashville or just passing through you really ought to visit.
2) On the Incarnation by Athanasius (with an introduction by C.S. Lewis)
I have found very few Advent devotionals I truly love. In fact, I generally struggle to deeply celebrate the season of Advent. What I have found over the years is that I am able to celebrate it best in quiet and with careful thought and reflection. This year I finally overcame my intimidation of the early church writers and my sense of inability to understand or appreciate them and have dived into On the Incarnation. It was originally penned by Athanasius, a fourth century bishop and theologian who was vital in the church’s maintaining faithful presence and doctrine in the face of persecution that spread of aggressive heresies. And guess what? It is beautiful and rich and deep and stirring for the soul and not, in fact, difficult to read.In this season of manic faux joy for so many, it is a profound reflection on the fulness of the incarnation, Jesus becoming man and dwelling among us. The introduction by C.S. Lewis is worth the price of the book as well. In Lewis’s inimitable way, he encourages and invites readers to do what I was so slow to do: read the old books without fear, not because they are inherently wiser but because they were addressing different errors than we are and might see where we are blind today. I have loved making my way through this little book (and it is fairly small) slowly and trying to digest its great substance as we draw nearer to Christmas.
3) He Stopped Loving Her Today
I don’t know what the greatest country song ever is, but I know this one needs to be in the running. Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman wrote a masterpiece and George Jones performed it like no one else could.
