Like Making Shrimp Crackers February 8, 2012

For my husband’s 60th, our kids made him a surprise gourmet dinner. “Top Chef” worthy. If you want proof check my facebook page. The first dish of ten was Salmon Roe on Shrimp Crackers, which was both delicious  and gorgeous.  It did not start out that way, however.  Raw shrimp kneaded into tapioca flour and shaped into a roll [...]

I Love my Life Group January 12, 2012

Ifyou’re not in a Life Group, I hope this unabashed declaration of love makes you wish you were.  My group has been having breakfast together every Thursday of the year since our first meeting at Steak ‘n Shake in spring 2003. We moved to Bob Evans years ago and occupy a corner table from 7:00 [...]

Get in the Game! …our 2011 Men’s Retreat October 22, 2011

I was so blessed to attend our Men’s Retreat last weekend.  I can’t thank enough the godly men who worked so hard to make it such a great experience for over 50 of our guys. I was well fed God’s Word by my brothers in Christ.  It was fun, meaningful, challenging, and relaxing all at [...]

“The poor will always be with you.” Really? October 20, 2011

The world is going to hell in a handbasket.  The evidence is everywhere: war, violence, poverty, AIDS, hunger, failed schools, high unemployment, corporate greed,  the price of gas.  Fill in the blank with the disaster of the day. But guess what I heard this week?  A vaccine for malaria has been tested and found to cut [...]

Two things that broke my heart today August 18, 2011

Recently, a friend referred to me an article describing a study that has found the number of American women attending church is decreasing. The stats were sad, but not surprising.  What really punched me in the gut were the discussion comments, which included: My religious upbringing was good for 2 things. 1) helping me understand [...]

A new way to see that annoying neighbor August 18, 2011

  I read a sermon by C. S. Lewis the other morning that packed a real sucker punch. It seems like a good thing to share with others, but especially to keep in mind, often.  Like when I’m cut off in traffic, or listen to cable news shows, or my husband doesn’t notice that I [...]

Introducing Outlook Institute… July 29, 2011

Learning is an important and essential aspect of our development as disciples of Jesus.  The Bible and the Gospel it shares are truth…truth we learn, then know, then obey, then share ourselves. As a congregation we learn many important truths from the sermon on Sunday mornings (I hope ).  We also learn when we open [...]

Serious about Summer Camp July 7, 2011

I became a Christian at church camp the summer after 4th grade. Angeles Crest Christian Camp nestles in the mountains that rim the Los Angeles basin just above Pasadena.  Vespers was held each evening in an amphitheater built to watch the sun set over the desert mountains, with a bonfire for light once it was [...]

What Are You Making Normal? June 7, 2011

We now have a minister who is a Doctor.  Pretty cool, isn’t it?  Rob earned his Doctor of Ministry at Grace Theological Seminary. It took years of study and perseverance to achieve this degree.  He had to drive up to Winona Lake for a week for each class, and there were many.  He had to pay money for those classes.  He [...]

Ever forward… May 19, 2011

I’m a big believer in forward momentum.  I seem to have been built to lean toward the future.  So I value highly preparation, faith, progress, and vision. I do reminisce about life’s journey and its highs and lows, and I often thank God for His care and guidance, but I admit I am most excited [...]