Dinner with a Side of Doubts: The Meat & Potatoes of Defending God’S Promises (Recipes Included!)

By Stu Schlackman and Deborah M. Pope

In Dinner with a Side of Doubts, a challenging conversation unfolds between Stu Schlackman and his dinner guests. Questions surrounding Gods existence and the meaning of life serve as the main course, along with beef tenderloin. Stu entertains his guests with sound answers and biblical references.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Feb 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512772609

Stu Schlackman

Stu Schlackman is a professional speaker in the sales arena, focusing on building high performance teams. To date, he has published three business books. In 2010, he released his personal story, From the Star to the Cross — Accepting the Promised Path from Judaism to Christianity, sharing his Jewish background and his path and commitment, in 1984, to Christianity. Stu has enjoyed the opportunity to preach at various churches in North Texas, including Central Christian Church, in Richardson, where he has served as an elder for nearly two decades. Stu and his wife, Betty, share five grown children and three grandchildren. Deborah M. Pope is a writer, editor, and teacher. Dinner with a Side of Doubts has provided her the opportunity to team up for a second book with Stu. In between these projects, she worked on another faith-based book, also published by WestBow. Additionally, she has penned numerous articles and stories on a wide range of topics. Like Stu, Deborah grew up in a Jewish family. Much later in life, she found Jesus. She and Stu met as members of Central Christian Church. Deborah and her husband, Terry, have one daughter and two rescue dogs.

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Copyright © 2016 Stu Schlackman and Deborah M. Pope

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-7261-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-7262-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-7260-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017900902

WestBow Press rev. date: 02/10/2017

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter One CHEWING THE NON-KOSHER FAT

Chapter Two APPLE ANYONE?

Chapter Three DIGESTING THE MEAT & POTATOES

Chapter Four JUST THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS

Chapter Five TRUST THAT SOMETHING’S BREWING

Chapter Six ANOTHER HELPING OF MEANING

Chapter Seven SOME TRUTHS REALLY ARE HARD TO SWALLOW

Chapter Eight WHO’S BEEN IN THE COOKIE JAR?

Chapter Nine THE ONLY CREAM OF THE CROP

Chapter Ten THE PROOF IS IN THE BIBLICAL PUDDING

Chapter Eleven ANOTHER HELPING OF KUGEL, PLEASE

Chapter Twelve A GENEROUS HELPING OF THE TRUTH

Chapter Thirteen MORE THAN A SLICE OF HEAVEN

Chapter Fourteen NO MATTER HOW YOU SLICE THE TRUTH

ENDNOTES

We would like to

dedicate this book to our fathers—Stu’s dad, Hal, and Deborah’s dad, Marvin. Hal served as a wonderful role model of a father, leaving Stu with many fond memories. He passed away as this book was being written. Marvin stepped up and parented Deborah when her mother could no longer do so. He passed away just a few years ago, shortly after she and Stu became friends.

Our heavenly Father provided us with the dads we needed.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to recognize our spouses—Betty Schlackman and Terry Pope. Thank you, Betty, for your patience and unending encouragement along the way. Terry, thank you for your continual enthusiasm and computer help. We appreciate you both for caring enough to read through the manuscript with us before it went to print.

Thank you also to Hank Lamb, our pastor and friend—from Central Christian Church, for your time spent reading the manuscript and giving us such thoughtful feedback.

We are blessed to have such support.

INTRODUCTION

Though Dinner with a Side of Doubts is presented as a single night of good food and conversation, it’s actually a narrative we’ve pieced together, representing many dialogues Stu has had (and continues to have) with friends, acquaintances, and near strangers—all with varying backgrounds and all who question God and his promises. In a fictional setting filled with honest, provocative dialogue, Stu imparts his true beliefs as well as supportive biblical reference. And, while the guests at the dinner table may bear resemblance to some of Stu and Betty’s friends, the details of the characters are more so a culmination of people they’ve encountered over time.

Food and fellowship—that sums up what Stu and Betty had in mind when they planned the gathering. God, however, had a specific agenda. When a question concerning Stu’s considerable collection of Christian books comes up, more and more questions follow—everything from why bad things happen to where we go when our time here ends. Far be it for Stu to fight the natural flow of conversation, especially when the flow focuses on faith. And far be it for Stu to not take up the opportunity to share about his knowledge of God and personal relationship with Jesus (developed through Judaism in his childhood and Christianity as an adult).

When it comes to matters of spiritual interest that touch on God, beliefs and opinions can greatly diverge. How can everyone be right? Well, we can’t. Otherwise there would be no truth.

Stu always welcomes people’s thoughts on God and is happy to address questions in regard to his faith. The evening at hand is no exception. As the night progresses, Stu desires for his friends to not only leave with appetites satiated but to know God better than when they arrived only a few hours earlier.

We hope this dinner discussion whets your appetite for more when you turn the last page—more of God’s Word, that is. If you are someone who has doubts about God’s existence and his promises, this book will hopefully bring some clarity, help alleviate those doubts, and encourage you to keep on dining with Jesus and a few trusted friends.

If you are someone who is already familiar with the Bible or maybe already a believer in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, we are blessed to have you join Stu and his dinner guests. If you believe in the Bible as we do, then perhaps you’ve met with similar conversations when you’ve been questioned about your beliefs. In his daily life, Stu’s strong faith and yet approachable attitude attracts new friends and their many questions. He speaks to their doubts with biblical knowledge, understanding of human nature, acceptance of differences, and most always a touch of humor. Talking to unbelievers centers on meeting them where they are—knowing not only what to say but how to say it. As a believer, the next time you enter into such a challenging—yet ever so important—discourse about the meaning of life and where God fits in, maybe some of what Stu dishes out over dinner will help you know best how to disciple skeptics.

Another of Stu’s great pleasures comes in rolling up his sleeves and cooking for family and friends. From head cook in his fraternity to master of the kitchen in the home he shares with Betty, Stu is in his element when playing with skillets and spatulas. Fittingly, we round out each chapter of the book with a recipe—covering those dishes served on the night of this story, along with several extras. Most of the recipes come from Stu’s kitchen, with a few mixed in courtesy Deborah.

It is far more pleasurable and interesting to feast with friends at the table. Life is all about relationships. That’s how God intended it. He created Adam and Eve. And he created us to have relationship with him.

So, without further delay, let’s sit down to dinner.

CHAPTER ONE

CHEWING THE NON-KOSHER FAT

Deck the halls with … Despite the fact that it was April, I hadn’t yet managed to change the doorbell chime from the festive Christmas tune back to its everyday ding-dong.

Betty, can you get it? I was prepping the beef tenderloin from David’s Meat Market. With an excellent dinner spread in the works and six dinner guests on the agenda, I was in my heaven.

The meal:

∼ Forbidden Shrimp Wrapped in Forbidden Bacon

∼ Amazing Grace Autumn Salad

∼ Biblical Beef Tenderloin

∼ Sacred Sautéed Asparagus

∼ New Testament Twice-Baked Potatoes

∼ Bethlehem Bread

∼ The Chosen Chocolate Mousse

The dinner guests:

¤ Jason and Janet Schiller were in town from Florida. They had visited some other Dallas friends and were now coming to stay with us for a couple of days. Jason and I had attended sixth through twelfth grade together, in Lido Beach, New York.

¤ Rob and Ann Hargrove lived just a few minutes down the road. We occasionally grilled out or hooked up to play golf.

¤ George and Krystal Grayson were newly married and made their home a few hours south of us, in Austin, Texas. Krystal had gone to school with my wife, Betty. We had invited the couple up for the weekend.

A memorable night was in store.

• • •

Making my way from the oven to the fridge, I could make out Betty commencing the grand tour of the house for the Schillers. As I retrieved the lemon juice, the threesome entered the kitchen.

Great to see you, Stu! Jason bellowed. It’s been too long. I believe it was last August when we met up.

Hugs ensued. Hey, I’m sorry I didn’t come to the door. Yeah, I remember that sweltering day in August on the golf course. I talked and simultaneously waltzed around the kitchen, seeing to various dinner details.

Looks like you’re just as skilled in the kitchen as you are on the golf course, buddy. He smiled and paused for a moment. And then, Stu, I was so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. I know that had to be tough on you and your brother, Scott.

Jason and I talked family and golf for another couple of minutes, while Betty and Janet were discussing the new tile in the kitchen. Betty then motioned to complete the tour. Let me show you both the back of the house. Come on through the kitchen, and let’s leave Stu to his craft.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly … I’ll get it, Betty! I shouted.

The Hargroves were all smiles. Come on in, neighbors, I greeted.

Rob took in the aroma. Whatever is on tonight’s menu smells terrific, Stu.

A fantastic appetizer I’m making just to whet your appetites, and you’ll have to excuse me while I get back to it. Betty is giving Jason and Janet the grand tour. Make yourselves at home. You know your way around, so please fix yourselves a—Well, here they are now. I’ll let Betty do the introductions, and now she can get you all started on beverages.

One more chorus of Deck the Halls rang out, announcing the arrival of the Graysons. The final introductions were taking place.

• • •

I am in my element whether preparing a meal or preaching a Sunday sermon. It wasn’t a Sunday, so as far as I could tell, we were in for a fabulous Friday night of delicious eats and delightful conversation about golf, travels, our kids and grandkids, the weekend plans we had for our out-of-town guests, and quite possibly even some politics. Betty and I had long anticipated introducing these three couples. Each couple had many times heard us speak fondly of the others, so this was a special occasion for all.

Dinner was under control. I was back at work in the kitchen—checking, tasting, and preparing. The appetizers were ready. With just the right amount of salt and pepper, the tenderloin was now cooking at just the right temperature to produce the perfect medium-rare result. Good meat from a reputable butcher shop should never require a whole lot of seasoning. Such was the case with what I had in front of me—good ol’ high quality tenderloin. The salad awaited its final touches—the glazed pecans, the homemade dressing, and the blue cheese. Still donning my apron, I seized the opportunity to take a brief break to visit with the group of friends now comfortably seated and chatting it up in the living room.

Janet noticed me first. Stu, I feel guilty for not helping. Is there anything I can do?

Just relax and enjoy. Betty knows when I’m doing my thing in the kitchen to just let me be, I joshed.

Well, before you head back to it, Janet responded, I have to tell you that your library collection impressed me. Betty says you’re the one who’s the avid reader.

Guilty as charged.

Both bookcases? she asked.

They’re all Stu’s. Devouring books is not my thing as much as it is his, admitted Betty. "Anyhow, Stu can give me the condensed versions. I’d rather play a couple