I remember reading once that Christ changed people’s names because He could, that it somehow was a part of His Holy Divinity. They compared this to God of the Old Testement. Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah and Jacob became Israel. These were done for various reasons by God Himself.
In the New Testament, Simon becomes Peter and Saul becomes Paul. Again, there were reasons for these changes. However; when Christ took to calling James and his brother John “Boanerges”, which means Sons of Thunder, I get the feeling the reason behind this is because Jesus had both a sense of humor and a teasing nature at times. There is no explanation as to why He did this. And without a clear indication, I would rather think of Jesus as their friend. It shows Him in a softer light, a more approachable being. Which is what Jesus wants – our coming to Him as a friend. Someone we can tell anything to, as ask anything of. It is this ability to see our Risen Lord as kind and gentle that has allowed me to know Him more intimately. To hear Him speak to my heart and not be afraid.
When you think about it, to call the brothers Sons of Thunder fit. They would go on to be booming messengers of the Good News. The brothers were witnesses to things that some of the other Apostles were not. It was James, along with his brother John and Peter who participated in the miraculous fishing (Luke 5:10), the healing of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:37), witnessed the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28) and the prayers at Gethsemane (Mark 14:33) Not only was he a follower, a part of the inner circle, but he was martyred for his beliefs.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:12-13
Christ was his friend. He would not betray him nor deny the truth to save his own life. It is why his life is celebrated today, centuries later.
As it turns out, the last Thrusday in July is Chili Dog Day. How fitting that Chili Dogs, filled with sizzle, share today with one of the Sons of Thunder. Or is that just me who thinks it’s fitting? Oh well, enjoy anyway.
Frito Chili Dogs
1/2 Yellow Onion
1/2 cup Irish Cheddar Cheese
3/4 cup favorite canned Chili
3 (quarter-pound) Beef Hot Dogs
3 Hot Dog Buns
3 tablespoons Mayonnaise
Frito Barbecue Flavored Corn Chips as desired
Cut onion in half from root to tip. Reserve half of the onion for another purpose. Peel and dice remaining half. (Or if you are like me, you just might have half an onion in the fridge). Shred the Irish Cheddar using the smaller holes on a box grater. Warm chili on the stove or in a microwave. Keep warm until ready to use.
Place hot dogs into a pot with a steamer basket and lid. Fill pot with enough water to allow dogs to roll as they boil. Bring pot to a boil, lower head and continue to cook until the dogs are heated through. Once the dogs are cooked, split buns open. Lay buns, cut side down, in the steamer basket. Steam each bun only a few seconds, just long enough to warm and soften. Wrap buns in foil to keep warm until ready to use.
Remove boiled dogs from the water. Place dogs in a dry cast iron skillet over medium heat. Let dogs dry and their skins blister, rolling dogs in the skillet as needed for even blistering.
Place warm buns on individual plates. Spread mayonnaise inside the buns. Place a hot dog in the bun, topped first with chili, then cheese, then diced onions. Finish with a scattering of Firtos for extra flavor and crunch.
These bad boys need to be served with a knife and a fork. Enjoy!
I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
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