Luna's Living Kitchen Review

My parents took me to a wonderful slice of heaven in the south end of Charlotte called, Luna's Living Kitchen. I must admit when I walked in I felt welcomed and the environment seemed homey at first. I have some pros and cons about this all raw food restaurant. I will start with the cons.

First of all the menus are a bit to busy and hard to read. I felt as though every available menu selection had about 20 ingredients each. I was more expecting a option of having a bowl a cashews and a salad with avocado, but I guess that's too simple. I would have liked it better if they had a menu for fruit as well.


Second, most - if not all of the drinks and smoothies had a choice of using hemp milk. Not really sure how good for you that really is. All I know is it's just another way of saying marijuana milk. Also judging by how down right creepy the waiter was and how he smiled at me every chance he got, says to me he has had a bit too much hemp milk himself. There are other versions of hemp like hemp oil and protein. All of these versions I'm told are good for you.

Third, the foods they served were too concentrated. I found it uncomfortable to only take one sip or a small bite at a time.

Finally their work space is way too big. It was very hot in the eating area and judging by how high their celling level was, they have a lot of wasted ceiling space which makes it very hard to cool. I'm pretty sure the water they serve is harvested from the sweat of their customers.

I really liked how they are so much different than other restaurants in the light of the food they serve. Most of their food is all raw and extremely tasty. Presentation is not all that great, but you get full really quick. The prices are out of this world high, but that's understandable seeing how raw food is hard to get and prepare. I would say that if you go, don't go for a full meal. Have a snack or a light breakfast when you go in. My only advice to Luna's is don't concentrate your food so much. In turn, that will lower the cost of running the restaurant. Like I had said before I would have been perfectly fine with maybe a small plate of peach's, some raw nuts and a small bowl of salad. When I really looked at the menu I noticed that they were almost trying to be like the rest of the food industry. For one they are trying to make "normal American food" with raw food and to be honest it's overwhelming the amount of food they have to put together to make that happen. Don't get me wrong though the food was very good and well done. Get it?..well done..anyways...

I would definitely go again and again as long as I'm not throwing my wallet away. My humble opinion would be that when you do go, that you start with something simple and small and remember to go when it's not blazing hot outside as well.

So in conclusion I would give Luna's Living Kitchen a 6 our of 10 stars.

4 stars taken away for the following reasons:

* The environment is uncomfortable and hot.
* The menus were very confusing and hard to read.
* The food was way too concentrated.
* Terribly expensive.

Over all I would recommend a visit to Luna's Living Kitchen, just don't go expecting to find your normal American selection. It's a acquired taste.

Why Are Superheros So Popular?

Every year there are thousands of films that make their way to the silver screen; however, only a few ever really hit it big when it comes to box office money. It is notable that most of the biggest films that release every year have relation to a superhero. As The Wolverine just comes out with an $80 million dollar opening acceptance, the point can be proven with up to date data. When The Avengers and Batman made the billion dollar club last year it's easy to see what people look for in films. Certain genres only apply to certain people, like horror appeals to a small portion of the movie going audience and romance or otherwise known as chick flicks are typically reserved for women and a small portion of men.

The superheros we know today got their start in the early days of World War II with comic books; giving the people hope. Most of the audience consisted young boys who had fathers and hero's fighting for them across the sea. It wasn't a replacement for a dad, just a glimmer of hope and a heroic figure for young boys and men to follow. Captain America is a perfect example of this. A man who uses his genetically altered past to bring evil to justice. He is an example of fighting for others and take nothing for yourself. Not only were comic books fun and entertaining to read, but those who read them developed a bond with the characters as thy followed them through each book. Each superhero had a lesson to learn and a opponent to beat. Most boys have this thirst for adventure and will to discovery new places. When I was young my imagination ran wild, I was always the superhero. That brings me to why these films are so popular. Most of these kids who grew up with these hero's are now seeing them in a movie for the first time and it's thrilling. It's more important than real history to some people. I guess in a way it really is history because it is perceived history.

My favorite superhero will always be the Wolverine. I was inspired to write this post after watching the new film which came out today entitled, "The Wolverine". He isn't very friendly or glamorous, which I think is why I like him so much. He keeps to himself and I can see my reflection when I watch him on screen. I wish I looked like him, yeah, but that's not what I'm talking about. It's his character and who he chooses to be. The Wolverine is a soldier and like Captain America was a World War II hero figure. His choice:  To be behind the spotlight and into the fight. See now, I'm talking about him as if he was real. To me he really is real, just like Middle Earth is a real place.

Superhero films have a quality about them that most people look for in themselves. People relate to superheros one way or another. I relate to Wolverine because he has a hard time finding his purpose. I also had a hard time finding my purpose. Now that we both have something in common I'm drawn to the character. Maybe someone is struggling to do the right thing, they may be drawn more to Batman. What if you have everything and it's still not good enough? Iron Man can relate. Maybe you are self centered and think that your the only thing that matters. Thor is in the same boat. You feel like no one can accept you for who you really are? Superman is right there with you. The list goes on and on. Superheros, when examined, are no different than us. They deal with the same issues and problems. The difference is they complete their story when the film is over. Giving us hope that we can overcome our own struggles. That's why so many people pay top dollar for a superhero movie. They want to see their childhood hero in action, their longtime friend to polish off the bad guys, a hero to give them hope and a few hours to forget about life and find someone who you can relate to and concur the world with.

~ Jesse

I realise this post is different than the rest. It was a subject I wanted to explain more, to anyone who would listen. Never forget the creator who gave us life and the amazing abilities to hope and dream and aspire to be more than the world tells us we can be. We must know that through Christ and Christ alone we can move mountains. Through our downfalls and failures we must rise to the challenge and defeat our enemy. To do this we must give our lives and all that we are to Christ.

What will appear in the credits at the end of your film? Will it be all about you? Or will Christ be in every line?

Everyone has a gift to use just like the superheros we know and look up to. What will we do with them? Christ is, and should be, the ultimate example, but lets not overlook the underlining lessons found within our comic book hero's next time we hit the theater.

"You raise me up, to be more than I can be."

What is Freedom?

One cannot and will never understand the true meaning of being free, if Jesus Christ is not in their lives. Then again, even those who are saved from the eternal sentence of Hell itself don't fully understand what Christ did for them. You can accept the work on the cross and the fact that we have died with Christ and are raised with Him and still not understand the full measure of His work. No one here will ever be able to fully explain Christ's person and all that He is, but we can still strive to understand the written Word of life God has given us to guide us for our walk down here in this dark, directionless work. Within God's Word is the key to living a life full of freedom from the world and ourselves.

I have read many verses on freedom and Christ's death on the cross, but still managed to come away confused. I bit ago, I read the Message Bible transliteration which puts verses in the most simple form you can think of. In the case of reading Romans 6-8, it made reading a breeze. I had a hard time making sense of in the King James before. I'm not bashing the King James version at all, I believe it is one of the closest translations to the original text of the Bible. Sometimes though you may need some modern language to make sense of passages you really want to understand.

As a younger man I have had my share of the world's influence and have paid the price for the choices. I will be the first in line to say that the so called freedom of making your own choices is the very definition of slavery. God's grace is great and abundant, but don't think of his forgiveness as a way to throw all your sins and selfish acts in a trash can when you finish and then continue what you were doing. I once thought this way.

Freedom is not doing whatever you want. When Jesus Christ came down to save us, He came down to save us from ourselves. We, on our own, serve the world and our works are dry and worthless. At the end of our lives we will stand in front of God and have nothing to give Him. If we continue to live a life for ourselves we gain nothing, but if we live a life for Christ we gain freedom. Freedom from sin and our choices. Have you ever thought of listening and obeying God as freedom? I never did. I always thought it to be work. I have taken my own path and what I thought was best for me. I never thought it would bring about the near destruction of my heart. The choice that you make to be free and make your own decisions will be your last free choice.

I once thought that I had a disease and that something was wrong with me. I would sin and fall back into the world's ways, then I would confess my sins to the Lord and the next day fall right back into my old ways. The world and those around me told me that I had to CHANGE. The changes that were suggested to me altered my outlook on freedom. Let me tell you how:  Part of the reason I was kept in bondage was the simple lie that I needed more than God to cure myself. In accepting anything else beyond Christ, I am saying God isn't good enough. According to the following God is enough.

2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for thee....."

You may say that yeah it's true the Bible does say that...but you have a problem and you need some other help to to get yourself "right". You are human as well and God is so far away. You need Christ yes...but. But Nothing! This is the lie of the world; that God isn't good enough. The minute you even slightly believe that God isn't enough you can't and will never appreciate the Gospel of Christ. We all have times where believing this verse is difficult and we may need help from others to remind us of this truth. But don't for a second believe that your anything other than a child of God.

My problem was that I thought too much. I was constantly trying to change and be someone new. When in reality, I was already new: Because of Christ's work. I was trying to make Christ's work better. We all know that His work was a perfect work. We try to enhance His already finished work. When someone told me there was nothing wrong with me and that I didn't need to change I was dumb-founded.  Not even just that, but that I was already free from the world and my sin. I'm free and forgiven? So what am I doing focusing on fixing myself when I'm already fixed? That's the point. I had a big "duh" moment. All this time, my eyes could have been focused on Christ and what He has done for me.

So if you're like me and have a past of things you wish you could have done over again, listen to this truth that helped me move on. You are not defined by your past, addictions, down falls and mistakes. YOU are defined by His life.

"For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."

- Collisions 3:3

Keep yourself looking to God only. The more you believe the lies of the world, the more the flesh has it's day. Remember that freedom and deliverance from sin comes from not doing something, but rather resting in the finished work of the cross. Some people, like myself have pasts, that God has delivered us from. This is where transparency comes into view. Some of us have to be brought to the lowest point to break down our pride and self. Then God brings us to a place of humility and gives us the great and wonderful opportunity to serve Him in ways we could not have done before. The grace of God flows through our hearts.

Jesus said, "It is finished," for a reason. Your choice is to either accept the FINISHED work of Christ, or continue on believing that there is something wrong with you and you still have to change and be a better person. It put my heart, mind and soul to rest to be leaning on God and His promises. I continue to read His Word and give my time and heart to the one who set me free. I was crucified with Christ, but yet I live!! Take hold of these truths in God's Word, these words are more than guidelines. They are the written words of God. He gives us hope when the world offered none. He gives us life and freedom. Reach out and take it. No one else can give you peace and joy but Christ. It is a beautiful thing. A beautiful thing indeed....to be free.

- Jesse

What is Fear?

In the film "After Earth" starring Will Smith and his son Jaden, humans have left world we know and taken up homes on other planets because of wrecking earth. Now before you start hating on left wing activists and the fact that Will Smith would jump off a cliff, if Obama told him to, hear me out.

The film had exceptional acting, a wonderful score and stunning visuals of the planet earth. Movie critics bashed this film hard for reasons that are only important to photography nerds. Trust me when I say not many people are looking for morals and lessons in a modern film. This film hits on hard topics such as fear, regret and humility. I would say the most of the three is fear.

A quote from the film that really hits home is that, "Danger is real, but fear is a choice."
When their ship crashes lands on earth, the ship splits in two sections. The father suffers a broken leg and cannot get out of the ship. Jaden is ordered to run to the tail end of the ship which is a long way away to get a emergency beacon. All throughout he is tested and ends up losing contact with his father leaving him alone. Fear is what WE create in our minds. It's an imagination of either what we think is happening or what will happen in the future. Fear is not real. Fear is a product from ourselves. We should all know by now that anything coming from self is harmful to us and those around us.

"Fear not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yea, I will help you; yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10

What have we to fear when God upholds us? When the God who created all things is telling you not fear, it's a good idea to listen. During the film, when the Son would start to fear, his father would tell him to take a knee and assess what was really going on. It struck me at how similar this was to talking to God. It is what we all should do when fear starts to take hold of our thoughts. Take a knee and pray. Talking to God allows the thoughts of fear no room in your mind. It is a good habit to have. Fill your mind with God's thoughts and in turn He will fill your heart with peace.

 

Fight the good fight, and finish the race. Don't do it alone, the power of God is awesome. Think of fighting a army of ten thousand men all on your own. If God was there waiting to help, would you leave Him behind and take them on alone? First off fighting along side God sounds really cool and epic, but that's not the point I'm trying to make. Would you be willing to sit and watch God fight for you? Of course you would!! So why can't you do it for the small things in life? He is sitting there waiting for you to let Him work for you, but we so often think that either He won't help or we are too weak to ask. Don't let the world tell you that depending on God is weakness, because letting God fight for you is the very definition of strength. It's also called FAITH.

 

 

When fear comes, break away from yourself, flee the thoughts of evil and let God come in and fight for you.

- Jesse

Tony Stark and The End of Ourselves

Tony Stark was brought to life in 1963 by Stan Lee and company. Out of the thousands of super heroes out there in the world I believe Iron Man stands out from the rest and here is the reason:  Everyone relates to Tony in one way or another. I myself find many super heroes to contain the failures and achievements that I go through every day. That's why I enjoy watching them, because they hold so many life lessons and values that are lost in many modern films today. Tony as we know is full of himself and has little knowledge of what life is like without his stuff.




Tony and his suit in Iron Man 3

 

Tony Stark was so caught up with self and trying to control his own life, he didn't realize that in doing so he was tearing it down. In Iron Man 3, Tony is faced with a terrorist threat that he can't handle. In letting his own ego come in to save the day he ended up losing control of everything. He lost his home and everything he had, including the one person he loved. Throughout the story he has to live off of practically nothing. There was nothing to distract him, nothing to hold on to. Tony had a serious problem that he couldn't deal with. It's sad to think that everything had to be taken away from him to deal with the problem. That problem was thinking he controlled his life. How true is this in our own lives? When we feel like we are in control, God likes to take the rug out from under us. So what is the point to taking everything we know away? So we can learn to live off of Christ and not off of worldly things that we posess, whether it be tangible or intangible. We may not posses much physically but sure as heaven and earth, we posses a sin that we can't control.

 

Yet, that's the beauty of losing all control. Once you accept that your life is not your own and God is your strength, then you posses a greater respect and appreciation for the small things in life that you do have. You see where true peace and power comes from and it's from none other than Christ. Being beaten down and helpless makes you turn to God for help and that's where He wants you. He doesn't want you broken and hurt. But like a parent disciplining a child, it's out of love and hope that by suffering the price for your actions you will see the correct and right way to walk. He wants you in His arms and as long as we abide there we will have victory. If we know the reason for why the Lord allows pain to come in our hearts we shouldn't be looking for a way out, but a way in. Ask the Lord what the problem is inside yourself. For myself, it has been a dark place in my heart I wasn't letting go of and the Lord had to take me to the lowest breaking point of my heart to make me see it. Like Tony Stark, I was upset and angry that everything was falling apart around me. Once I realized that the problem was self, then it became clear that I would and never will be able to control my life. We trust God to take care of us because we know we, on our own, cannot win. God gives us the victory and that you can count on. So rest in Him and let God take control.

You'll feel a little like this. 

 

"For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." - Jeremiah 29:11

Rest in the Lord,
-Jesse

-

Here are some funny pictures that I picked up for y'all. Enjoy!

 

Read your Bible!!!! Even the Avengers think it's a good idea.

I knew that was the reason.

 

Burn.

 

 I feel this way when I walk away from getting a strike in bowling.

 

 

Hatfields & McCoys & Pride

 

Hatfield (Left) - McCoy (Right)

 



One thing in this life that's the hardest to deal with and the most inescapable sin, is pride. The famous family feud between the Hatfield's and McCoys is a testament to this. Though it was not only pride that brought these two family's to harm each other, but false accusing and hate, that originate from pride, had a part to play. As I watched the mini History Channel series portraying these two families it became apparent that there wasn't going to be a happy ending. A film like this tend to be avoided by many because of it's outcome. This film had great history in it for sure, but also some of the most straightforward lessons a Christian could learn. I came away searching my own heart and I don't do that very often after watching a film.

Out of all the 4 hours of the film there was no forgiveness. Everything was done out of hate and bitterness for the other. When we don't forgive it tends to be hard to forget. The pain eats at our hearts till we don't even recognize ourselves and the reason for living our lives becomes clouded. If sin is not dealt with it will not go away. It will get worse. Both families lost their daughter's sons and uncles. Do you see how far the world can take a person? These men were willing to put their families in harm's way to get revenge, not forgiveness. For the believer we have no reason not to forgive. The Lord can forgive the worst sin you could imagine. He does it with no hesitation. So if we want to strive to be more like Him, then it must show through us, especially in this way.

Ephesians 4:31-32 "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

So lets examine both sides of the feud. First I'll start with Randolph McCoy. He saved Hatfield's life in the Civil War and then Hatfield left the army that night in the dark. This was the beginning of McCoys rage against Hatfield.
McCoy didn't used to be that hating man. He loved his family and took care of those around him, but it's just like pride to slip in one sin and change a man forever. McCoy put His faith in God and always prayed that God would help him defeat the Hatfield's and end the blood bath. This was his mistake. He never forgave and he never forgot. He expected God to bless him because he thought he was doing something good in God's eyes. God doesn't bless us when sin abounds inside our hearts. When our actions reflect our own personal desires how can we expect God to go along with us and encourage that kind of behaviour? McCoy's house was burnt down with one daughter and son killed. He cursed God for what had happened and asked a question that really hit me hard. He asked, "How can this be your will, God? The Lord had to take away everything from this man to make him realize his wrong ways. Even then he never saw the light of truth in his life. He died by burning his house down with him and all his family pictures. You see how far sin will take man if it's not dealt with right away? Mr. McCoy asked God to help him win the fight for his family, but in reality all he wanted was revenge and revenge has no place in God's heart. So how is it with our hearts? We may not go as far as McCoy, but when we don't forgive we can become just as hard headed and expect everyone including God to "work" for us when in reality we should be servants for the Lord and a help to those around us. If we walk in His way, we are automatically walking in His will.

Now lets take a look at the Hatfield's side of the story. There isn't much difference between the two families except McCoy had faith and Hatfield wouldn't even hear the name God without shooting someone down. Hatfield had a problem with peace. All through out his life he could never find it. I guess you could see why. He thought that ending the lives of his rivals would bring him peace and he would not rest in till the McCoys were dead. Interestingly enough, it didn't work out the way he wanted it to. God had different plans for his life. After the Hatfield's had fled deeper in the mountains from the bounty hunters the McCoys set on them, Mr. Hatfield finally realized that this wasn't the way to find peace. He wrote a letter to the whole family and read it to them by the river. He decided to end the conflict and not risk anymore of his family to the horrible feud. Not long after McCoy died by accidentally setting himself on fire. Thus ending the long battle for land, pride, and family. Hatfield ended up asking for forgiveness and accepting the Lord as his Saviour before he died. He found true peace that he was looking for. Where do we look for peace when we need it most? Do we think that our own endeavors can provide us with true peace? True peace comes from God and God only. Men like Hatfield are perfect examples of men who look for peace here on earth and are willing to go as far as to kill to get such peace. Peace is letting God handle our problems. Peace is knowing that God will take care of you and your needs. Hatfield realized this, but it was really too late. His life was all but gone. Let's not wait until the end of our lives to look for God's peace. You will find life to be full of depression and sorrow.

"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27

McCoy's and Hatfield's feud is an example of how the world deals with problems and sin. Really the only thing they were famous for was killing each other. It even says so on the West Virginia sign between the properties of both families. So as Christians what kind of example do we leave when we go through trials? Do we try and remedy them on our own, or let God work in our lives? God is more than ready to help you, so don't let pride get in the way and take God's hand. You will find true peace.

Jesse

How Batman Isn't Much Different Than Us

"By their fruits you will know them." - Matthew 7:16


In 2005, Batman Begins was introduced to the world. Bruce Wayne became one of the most treasured and adored super heroes of all time. With The Dark Knight in 2008 closing out at $1 billion dollars it's easy to see that Bruce won the hearts of the world and will continue to for years to come. So whats makes him so different?

Bruce Wayne is so much a picture of each one of us. He had all he needed and more, but it wasn't enough for him, as it is with so many of us. We can collect all the money and fame the earth has to offer but like Bruce we all want something more. We want a purpose in life. I often visit this thought just about every other second in my life. It's one of the most important questions we could ask ourselves. For the believer, our purpose is to serve The Lord.

"It's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you." - Rachel Dawes

This quote couldn't be more true. You can be whoever you want to be inside, but if your actions don't match your heart then who are you really? Bruce claimed he was a different man that what people saw him to be in public. As a Christian this is our worst fear and yet one we don't attend too. We shouldn't be afraid to make those choices no matter what walk of life we come from. Jesus came down and made himself a sacrifice for us. He was defined by his loving actions and no action could ever measure to what He endured for you and me.

So when we take action, are we doing it for ourselves or is our purpose based on helping others? We should be taking the right action in every part of life. Doing what's right and matching your actions with your heart is where it counts. Batman wanted to save Gotham and he did it the only way he knew how. Maybe it's time we go beyond just words, put on the mask and do what we were meant to do. I believe every person has different strengths and abilities, so don't let the nature of your talents get in the way of your desire to serve the Lord. Another thing; wear the mask. The reason we help others is for the Lord's honor and Glory, not for ourselves. God sees everything and our reward is in heaven. What more could we ask for?

So, like Batman, we have no super power and at times everyone will hate us for what we do, but once we realize that the only thing that matters is Christ; life has a purpose.

- Jesse

Christian Bale giving a helping hand.