Desperate for Awe

If the presence of God has ushers, Ann Voskamp is one of them.

Let the children come

I'm doing some research for my church on children's church curriculum and am discovering little of great substance. Maybe I'm just terribly picky because we've been on the Christian education program at home for so long, but I'm discouraged by the sappy, watered down presentation of our awesome God that's served up by so many packaged Sunday school programs.

If your kids participate in a program that's teaching them "the good stuff" and sending them back to you ready to "walk it, and talk it," would you mind sharing about it? Thanks!

Please pray for my friend

This sweet face belongs to my friend Molly--pastor's wife and mother of four--whose pre-brain surgery symptoms have returned. In a discouraging and scary place they are trusting a faithful and loving God. His mercies they fail not...

thoughts on perfect children

How sure are you that raising children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord will guarantee a smooth ride and smiley, obedient children?

"Return faithless Israel, declares the Lord.

I will not look on you in anger,

for I am merciful, declares the Lord.

I will not be angry forever."

"Return, O faithless sons;

I will heal your faithlessness."

Jeremiah 3:12, 22

I've spent years consuming a truckload of parenting methods that promise success if followed perfectly. When I failed at one I picked up another, looking for the one that would fix us. I've spent most of my life as a parent vacillating between self-righteous pride when my kids performed or self-defeating humiliation when they didn't. I want to be done with that.

The children of Israel were dismal failures when it came to making their Parent look good. And He could have wiped them off the face of the earth--and threatened to do so at least once. But they had a Father Who was "merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness" (Psalm 103:8). I'm so glad He's my Daddy, too. And what's more, I'm glad that He set the example in parenting: an example that displayed redemption rather than self-attained perfection.

Six

When I was One,
I had just begun.

When I was Two,
I was nearly new.

When I was Three,
I was hardly Me.

When I was Four,
I was not much more.

When I was Five
I was just alive.

But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever.
So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.

(From Now We are Six, by A. A. Milne)

My baby boy is six years old. (Wow. It's hard to believe my youngest child is six!) Starting with fireworks on the night you were born, you've filled our life with joy and excitement--along with a few scares! You are truly a gift from the Lord. It is our prayer that you will grow to love Jesus with all your heart, mind and strength.

Happy Birthday, Little Man!

By request...

Sorry, ladies, but for the most part I wing it with fish; I rarely use a recipe. We usually eat salmon or tilapia because it's inexpensive and not too strong in flavor. My kids rarely catch anything worth eating, but when they do we pan fry it in cornmeal. Here's what I do:

Grilled Fish

1. Soak fish in a teriyaki marinade for 15 minutes before grilling on foil (don't turn it).

or

2. Brush fish with melted butter and sprinkle with either a citrus grilling spice (mine's from Sam's Club) or with salt, pepper, any herb of your choice and garlic, then grill as above.

Pan Sauteed Fish

Heat a mixture of a couple tablespoons each butter and olive or grape seed oil in a heavy pan. Coat fish with a mixture of 1/2 cup cornmeal and 2 Tbs. Old Bay Seasoning and saute, turning once. Serve with tarter sauce or cocktail sauce.

Baked Fish

1. Over low heat, melt a couple tablespoons of butter with a clove or two of garlic, a bit of salt and pepper, an herb of your choice and a dash of paprika. When it comes to a boil, turn it off. Brush a bit on the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan, place fish on top, and pour the rest of the butter mixture over the fish. Bake at 350 for about 13-15 minutes. Take it out when it flakes. Don't over cook it.

2. You can also bake a teriyaki fish.

Salmon is really good poached, especially with a cream sauce, but I've never done it myself. I'm sure there are plenty of good recipes on line.

So there ya have it!

Something's fishy

I hate shopping and I really hate shopping at very large stores, therefore a trip to Meijer is so much less than a joy for me. However the deals at Meijer call to me in my dreams and I must follow! So I made my list and took my littlest man to the store with me this morning to chase from one end of Meijer to the other in order to snag all our needed items. Needless to say I was none too pleased to find that there was only one bag of fish left in the freezer for the best deal of my trip! Not too worry, though, for they were stocking the shelves and I figured I could always make another trip later in the afternoon after phoning them to make sure they had replenished their frozen fish cooler. But here is where the whole thing takes an odd turn.

I looked up the number for my neighborhood Meijer in my yellow pages. They conveniently listed the numbers for each department individually, so I ran my finger down to "frozen foods" and dialed the number. It rang. And rang. And rang some more. Finally a nice chap named Ryan answered the phone at the service desk and said he'd find out the answer to my question. Next thing I knew it was ringing again. For five minutes. So I hung up and thought I'd be smart and dial the general store number and talk directly with the service desk. So I dialed the number, answered their automated questions, finally talked to a nice lady who was apologetic for the incessant wringing, and put back on hold. When she returned she said she had three bags and would I like her to hold them for me? I thankfully answered, "Yes" and told her I was coming right away.

So my children and I arrived at the Meijer service desk and made our request for our reserved fish and the lady across the counter looked at us like we were nuts. She asked for the name of the woman I talked to--of course I was so excited I didn't ask--and said she's been the only woman answering phones there since 2:00. She also asked if I was sure I called that particular store. I told her my story and said that I dialed the number listed as the local store general number. Suddenly the lights went on.

It seems that Meijer uses a call service somewhere in Michigan that all the general store numbers pour into. The woman who answered the phone could have found out if a store in Timbuktu had any fish in stock! So sorry lady, wherever you are, about the thawed fish on your service desk counter. And word to the wise, if you ever call Meijer, ask the person who answers exactly where they are located or you could be making an extra long trip for a one dollar bag of fish.