A  couple of weeks ago I posed the question, “Why can’t we just let Jesus be Jesus?” in the Washington Post and on this website.

That question generated a lot of interesting discussion about whether or not Jesus is divine. But almost no discussion about what effect following Jesus’ dictates and example, whether he’s divine or not, has on how we live.

The post that resonated most with me was a borrowed one, offered by AREYOUSAYING on the Washington Post website. It comes from an old Arthur Reid Reynolds gospel song, first recorded by his group, The Art Reynolds Singers, in 1966, later covered by   The Doobie Brothers, The Byrds, and the Ventures and quite a few others.

The quotation is short and to the point: Jesus is just alright with me.

To me, that says all I need to say to this guy, Jesus: I’m with you, buddy; now, let’s get down to business.

The question for me is what, exactly, is that business?

I’m always going on in these posts about how my partnership with God – my faith – is shown in how I live and what I do, not in what I say. But – and this struck me only quite recently – what I’m doing these days is spending huge chunks of time at my computer saying things.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I stoutly defend the need for reasoned, civil discourse about the ineffable great Whatever.

It’s just not all that I, personally, need to have going on as a person of faith. I certainly try to live my faith in my day-to-day relationships, but I want to move at least a part of my life back into society’s troubled trenches. I want to take on some struggle that could use my help. I want to donate my time and my skills; not just my brain and my money.

A couple of careers ago, I co-owned a couple of restaurants. At one of them, I served healthy, whole-wheat muffins with every meal. If I tried serving another bread, customers would clamor for those muffins.

In hindsight, I realize there’s something cozy, nurturing, and slightly comical about muffins. It’s hard to feel other than optimistic while eating one.

The closest town of any size has a wondrous, residential organization that “provides community-oriented programs and supervision for individuals in transition from prison to free society.” Residents are still technically incarcerated during the 90-days they live there, but they can work, get more intensive treatment for their addictions (all are in substance abuse recovery), get outside, and get re-acquainted with normal life, instead of being thrown out of prison one day with a few bucks and their parole officers phone number.

In the last few years, as the result of one-two economic and political punches, this wondrous organization has gone from flourishing to struggling. It’s pretty clear that what is needed is   an in-house business that can produce a sizeable income.

Soooooo …

… armed with my itch to have a more-than-cerebral partnership with the great Whatever and my limited culinary expertise, I’ve gone to this organizations board and proposed going into the “Recovery Muffin” business.

Recovery Muffins
are baked from fresh eggs, raw sugar,
whole wheat and unbleached flour,
real butter and buttermilk by people in addiction recovery.
They are an edible, communal celebration of healthy choices and second chances.

They have yet to get back to me, so who knows if we’ll go forward. But it is very satisfying have offered.

Jesus was, after all, into bread.

Any reaction to this urge of mine? Do you empathize with my hunger to get out there as a person of faith? Or am I just an old hippie still searching for peace and love in the communal kitchen?

P.S. How much would you pay for a really good, healthy muffin? Would you pay extra if you knew it was a non-profit, helpful, healthy muffin?

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