Our local deity is not Jesus. He goes by the name Jesus. But in reality, our local deity is Jesus Jr. Our little Jesus is popular because he is useful. He makes us feel better while conveniently fitting into the margins of our busy lives. But he is not terrifying or compelling or thrilling. When we hear the gospel of Jesus Jr., our casual response is “Yeah, that’s what I believe.” Jesus Jr. does not confront us, surprise us, stun us. He looks down on us with a benign, all-approving grin. He tells us how wonderful we really are, how entitled we really are, how wounded we really are, and it feels good. Jesus Jr. appeals to the flesh. He does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him. He is not able to understand them, much less impart them, because Jesus Jr. is the magnification of Self, the idealization of Self, the absolutization of Self turning around and validating Self, flattering Self, reinforcing Self. Jesus Jr. does not change us, because he is a projection of us.

Ray Ortlund

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Meats		Lamb	6	Servings

INGREDIENTS

6		Lamb shanks
		Flour for dredging
		Salt
		Pepper
1/2	ts	Oregano
3/4	c	Chopped onions
3/4	c	Chopped celery
3/4	c	Chopped carrots
1		Garlic clove, finely chopped
	pn	Thyme
3/4	c	Dry red wine
3/4	c	Beef bouillon
1/3	c	Salad oil

INSTRUCTIONS

Wipe the lamb shanks with a damp cloth. Combine flour, salt, pepper
and oregano and dredge the meat with the seasoned flour. Brown in the
oil and transfer to a casserole. Add the vegetables, garlic and thyme
to the skillet and cook, stirring, 5 minutes.
Pour the softened vegetables over the lamb and add the wine and beef
bouillon. Cover and bake 1-1/2 hours, until the meat is tender.
Thicken the gravy with a little flour mixed with cold water, if you
like.
From Tuscon area newspapers, 1994, 3rd quarter, courtest Mike Orchekowski.
File ftp://ftp.idiscover.co.uk/pub/food/mealmaster/recipes/tn-94q3.zip

A Message from our Provider:

“Jesus: there is no substitute”