Recap

Book Reviews:

• The Best Apron Book Ever by Julie Johnson
  

  Rating: ***
  Category: Sewing Instruction
  Synopsis: Thirteen adult-sized apron patterns ranging from vintage smocks to half length tea aprons.
  Recommendation: Browse to make sure this is going to be useful before purchasing.

  Read the rest of my review.

Recipes:

• Arlene’s Herb Biscuits
• Chip Beef Gravy
• French Toast Casserole
• Peanut Butter Squares
• Southwestern Turkey and Rice Soup

Books for the TBR list:

• Fragile by Lisa Unger (reviewed by Dawn at 5M4B)
  A mystery that’s character-driven? And is reminiscent of certain television crime dramas? And is in my library? I’ll put it on my list!
• Genesis 1-4: A Linguistic, Literary, and Theological Commentary by John Collins (mentioned by Kevin DeYoung)
  I’ve read quite a bit on the scientific arguments for one or another interpretation of the Genesis narrative, but haven’t read much from a strictly theological and exegetical point of view. I have a great deal of respect for Kevin DeYoung, and since he recommended it, I’m trusting that this work will exhibit thoughtful and faithful scholarship.
• A Matter of Character by Robin Lee Hatcher (reviewed by Barbara H.)
  I’m getting close to closing the couple of Christian fiction authors I’ve been working on for the past several months (Janette Oke and Nancy Moser) and am ready to stick my feelers out for new authors. This review makes me think Robin Lee Hatcher might be a good one to stick on my list.

News to take note of:

• Walmart is Raising Prices
  This wasn’t really a surprise for me–they stopped selling $1 a yard fabric and upped everything to at least $1.50-2.00 per yard almost a year ago. But it’s a useful reminder to not just assume that one store has the cheapest prices–it’s worthwhile to compare prices from store to store.
  HT: Instapundit
• Is technology is getting in the way of parent-child conversation?
  Parents think so. I agree.
  My advice? Prioritize family mealtimes and make them a media-free event. Family mealtimes can help your family be healthier–physically, socially, mentally, and (dare I say?) spiritually. Choose to make intentional time to tune out all the other voices clamoring for your child’s attention. Choose to make time to talk with your child.

Projects to try:

• Newspaper Gift Bags
  
  Image from original post by “How About Orange”
  HT: Barbara H.

Thought-provoking posts:

• On Setting Low Goals:
  

  We should never despise small beginnings or slow journeys. Everything great begins with one tiny, unglorious start.

  Make it your goal to get up 5 minutes early and read 1 verse. Do only that for one WHOLE month.

  “But Kat! That’s too easy.”

  Cool, then do it.

  This is not one of my strong points–I tend to set really big goals and not break them down into small manageable chunks. But in the few things that I’ve practiced this “technique”, I’ve seen great success (working on something for just fifteen minutes a day, etc.)

Videos worth seeing:

• Making fun of both Twitter and Hollywood. Priceless.
  
  HT: Vitamin Z

Related to previous posts:

• Dustin Neely cautions the Reformed to not fall into the trap of Justification by Theology:
  

  “In ancient times, Satan deceived God’s people to prize their knowledge of the Scriptures more than the One behind them. Today, he lures God’s people to fall more in love with their theological system than their Savior—a particular danger for our tribe.”

  I thought this was a good reminder, especially in association with last week’s Critical Calvinist post.

• Justin Buzzard reflects on the effects of the cross
  

  “Jesus took the heat so that you could walk in shade.”

  I’ve been exploring the effects of the cross over the past month or so while I’ve been reading John Stott’s The Cross of Christ. See my thoughts in Salvation: A Courtroom View, A Marketplace View, and A Temple View.

Book Reviews:

• The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
  

  Rating: ****
  Category: Children’s Fantasy
  Synopsis: Two runaway orphans get taken in by Venice’s young “Thief Lord”–but when their aunt enlists a private detective to find the two, it might mean trouble for the whole crew.
  Recommendation: If you like juvenile fiction and/or fantasy, you’ll like this. Otherwise, there’s nothing particularly spectacular about it.

  Read the rest of my review

Books for the TBR list:

• Dreaming of Dior by Charlotte Smith
  From Bermuda Onion’s review:

  “Charlotte Smith inherited a collection of beautiful vintage clothing from her godmother, Doris Darnell. Her godmother collected not only the clothing but the stories of the people who wore them. At first, Charlotte was overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do with all of the clothing (over 3,000 pieces), but once she read the stories, she knew she had to share the collection somehow. She couldn’t bear the thought of it being broken up, so she didn’t want to donate it to museums. Luckily for us, she has created a beautiful book.”

• Stat Spotting by Joel Best
  Kevin DeYoung says “In a world full of dubious data, this book is a must read.” I respect DeYoung quite a bit and think I’ll take his advice :-)
• To Change the World by James D. Hunter
  I’d read some responses to this book at Christianity Today, but hadn’t really thought of reading it myself until I read this Coram Deo review. The summary, also posted by Coram Deo, left me fascinated. Apparently, Hunter argues that the entire model for world change (that change is accomplished via ideas and individuals–a “bottom up” model) is wrong. I think this book may challenge a lot of my assumptions–which is what makes it so very interesting (especially in light of how my assumptions have already been challenged while reading The Myth of a Christian Nation by Greg Boyd.)

News to take note of:

• Experts proposing new recommendations for Alzheimer’s diagnosis, including a “pre-clinical” diagnosis.
  I was initially pretty concerned about this idea, because the pre-clinical biomarkers are found using cerebro-spinal fluid and imaging techniques that I don’t feel should be routinely conducted on asymptomatic individuals. However, when I read a little deeper and discovered that this classification was intended for research purposes (identifying individuals at higher risk in order to study disease progression, prevention, etc.), I relaxed a bit. It’ll be interesting to see how Alzheimer’s research progresses in the next few years.

Projects to try:

• The Spurgeon Blank Bible
  
  Photo found at spurgeon.wordpress.com

Thought-provoking posts:

• Has our conversation gone downhill?
  

  “Americans have become notably loose in conversation. Emoticons and abbreviations (I recently heard a dignified woman in her 70s use “omg” in an otherwise important discussion) replace thoughtfulness and articulation. Our attention spans are shorter; we want our colleagues to get to the point and our focus wanders until they do. For decades, the “express yourself” mantra has so overpowered what used to be called civilized discourse that our generation excels most at the one-way conversation—typified on what are called (without irony) social networking sites.“

  Very interesting thoughts–read more here.

Book Reviews:

• Inside “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” by Bell, Pyykkonen, and Washington
  Rating: *****
  Category: Literature Study-Guide/Read-along
  Synopsis: An easy-to-understand yet in-depth look at the literary and historical allusions found in C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
  Recommendation: This book is a definite keeper. Find it, buy it, peruse it, lend it to your older children, and find a way to share the information found within with your younger children. This is a fantastic resource.
  Read the full review
• Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? edited by Wayne Grudem
  Rating: *****
  Category: Theology
  Synopsis: Four authors hash out a theology of the miraculous gifts using a written debate-style format.
  Recommendation: Possibly one of the most useful tools to those who are interested in thinking through a theology of the charismata.
  Read the full review
• Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris
  Rating: **
  Category: Current Affairs (or so the back of the book claims!)
  Synopsis: An atheist rants against Christianity.
  Recommendation: Every American evangelical should read this (despite the fact that the quality of the book really is only worth a two star rating.) It’s an object lesson in the impact of politicizing faith on the Christian witness.
  Read the full review
• Pretty Little. Potholders (Craft Book)
  Rating: *****
  Category: Craft/Sewing
  Synopsis: Directions for over two dozen potholder designs
  Recommendation: Simple instructions, beautiful photos, and low-cost, quick-make, still-cute designs. This book is a winner.
  Read the full review

Books for the TBR list:

• Brunelleschi’s Dome by Ross King
  Maybe I’m a nerd, but this history of the building of Brunelleschi’s dome in the Middle Ages intrigues me. I enjoy history and cultural stuff and oddities and Italy–and Susan says this book, despite its “boring potential” is actually quite interesting.

Thought-provoking posts:

• From Richard Baxter, advice on evaluating books, including four questions to ask yourself about a book:
  

  1. Could I spend this time no better?
  2. Are there better books that would edify me more?
  3. Are the lovers of such a book as this the greatest lovers of the Book of God and of a holy life?
  4. Does this book increase my love to the Word of God, kill my sin, and prepare me for the life to come?

• Tony Woodlief writes of self forgetting love:
  

  It strikes me that there’s an important difference between “self-forgetting love” and “dying to self” that may help people who, like me, struggle with the latter. The difference, of course, is the elimination of self from the equation.

  When I—selfish, self-absorbed man that I am—take on the task of “dying to self,” I often do it like a self-celebrating martyr. In other words, I don’t really die to self; instead I walk around with the proud notion that I am being a Saintly Husband (for a few fleeting moments), or the self-pitying sense that I am on the losing side of this transaction (“What has she done for me lately, while I’m engaging in all this selflessness???”).

  But to be dead to self is to, well, forget oneself. The dead aren’t self-aware, after all.

• A great article on homeschooling, a specifically the idea of the perfect homeschool program:
  

  Hopefully we don’t have to make those either/or choices. But given limited time, energy, and financial resources, sometimes we do. We have to choose what to keep, choose what to focus on, choose what to let go. Sometimes that means letting go of the homeschool fairy tale in order to keep hold of the resident homeschoolers’ hearts.

  I think this can be applied to homeschooling in general. I think its worthwhile, every so often, for every homeschooling parent to evaluate: “Am I doing this because this is the right choice for our family or am I doing this because I’m in love with the idea of homeschooling?” While homeschooling is wonderful (I personally am a fan), it is not an end-all-be-all. Let’s keep first things first. Let’s try to do what’s best for our children, rather than merely relying on our pet philosophies or dreams of “how it should be done.”

Book Reviews:

• Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr by Nancy Isenberg
  

  “How much do you know about Aaron Burr? A month ago, I would have answered “Very little.” I knew that he’d fought a duel.

  Now, after having listened to Nancy Isenberg’s Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr, I know a great deal about the events of Burr’s life–but I still feel that I know very little about the man himself.”

  Read the rest of my review

Photo Albums:

• Dan and Debbie’s Receiving Line and Getaway
• Reception Photos, pre-dance (Wedding party and guests, June 18)
• Dance at Reception (Wedding party and guests, June 18)

Thought-provoking posts:

• Does our current dating advice lead girls to just give up?
  

  “Once there was a good Christian girl who dreamed of growing up, getting married, and having children. She read all the right books and did all the right things….

  The Christians who seemed to have all the answers, told her, “You’re young, there’s plenty of time, and you need to learn patience.”

  ….And the knowing ones shook their heads and said, “You’re too picky.”

  …And the knowing ones shook their heads and said, “You’re spending too much time just being friends with guys. They need to know you’re romantically interested.”

  …And the knowing ones shook their heads and said, “Watch it, you’re being too forward. Let the man pursue you. They don’t like it when you do the pursuing.”

  …And the knowing ones heard, and shook their heads, and said, “That Jane Austen craze put ideas in your head. You just want a Mr. Darcy to come sweep you off your feet. Why can’t you just marry a nice man whether you love him or not? Who says you have to have feelings for him?”

  … And the girl grew tired.

  …So she ran off with the first non-Christian man who showed some interest, asked her out, and treated her with respect. And the knowing ones shook their heads and said, “What happened to her? She used to be a good Christian girl.“

  I’d really love to hear your thoughts on this “modern day fable”. Do you think all the “advice” about dating (or even just the idea that there’s one “right” way to date) is ultimately counterproductive?

Videos worth seeing:

• A library-fied take off of the Old Spice commercials.
  
  HT: Barbara H.

Book Reviews:

• Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist
  

  “Tillie’s mother has been preparing her to be a lady’s maid for her whole life. When the amazingly rich Vanderbilts make their home in the neighborhood, Tillie sees her chance. She quickly advances to the position of head parlormaid–and is one of two who are selected to train to be Mrs. Vanderbilt’s maid when her current French maid leaves.”

  Read the rest of my review

• Superhuman by Robert Winston and Lori Oliwenstein
  

  “At any rate, without a handy medical library in the room next door, I find myself frequenting the Dewey Decimal 600s at the library. I want to hear about the newest technologies, the latest drugs, the fascinating areas of research. I want to learn about arcane diseases and medical anomalies.

  Superhuman fits the bill perfectly.

  This photo-filled glossy book is packed full of information about new technologies attempting to use the body’s innate repair systems to prolong and improve life. With chapters on trauma, transplants, cancer, infectious diseases, and human reproduction, Superhuman covers a wide swath of the medical sciences.

  Read the rest of my review

Books for the TBR list:

• A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken
  Lisa’s first paragraph was enough of a hook to know that I HAD to read this book:

  “It’s an unusually strong love story.
  It’s true.
  It begins with a man and a woman.
  It ends with a man and his God.”

Projects to try:

• Bike Powered USB Charger
  Gotta love this fantastic DIY project. I totally wanna try it. What a better project for a DIY, Eco-Geek, Techno-Nerd like myself? (Okay, it actually looks a bit technical and expensive for me–but still pretty cool.)
  HT: Evangelical Outpost

Videos worth seeing:

• It’s not exactly brain-surgery, is it? I love these guys!
  
  HT: The Thinklings

Book Reviews:

• The Princess Bride by William Goldman
  

  “Book lovers everywhere are known for snootily announcing after watching even a particularly fantastic movie: “The book was better.” I almost always agree that the book is better–although perhaps for different reasons than most.

  You see, I don’t GET movies. Even when I’m applying my whole brain towards understanding them (which I rarely do, being an inveterate multi-tasker), I still generally fail to understand the nuances of screen plot-lines. Turn on subtitles and my comprehension soars. Finally, the characters are speaking my language–print. Books are even better, because I have not only the dialogue, but the setting and action in print as well. This is probably why I enjoyed the book The Princess Bride even better than I enjoyed the movie.”

  Read the rest of my review.

Books for the TBR list:

• The Church History ABCs by Nichols and Bustard
  I flipped through this children’s picture book at Crossway and I’ve absolutely got to get myself a copy. Who can resist a picture book with mini biographies of Christian giants. “C is for catfish, castle, and John Calvin, champion reformer.”
• War, Peace, and Christianity: Q & A from a just war perspective by Demy and Charles
  Greg Boyd takes a non-combative position in Myth of a Christian Nation–and the argument for Christian pacifism (for lack of a better term) certainly has some Scriptural support. I’d be interested to hear Demy and Charles’ take on the matter (apparently from the other side). A quick browse (I *love* that feature of Crossway books) reveals that this book is likely to support what I’ve been thinking while reading Boyd’s book. Which can be good and can be bad. Lord, give me grace to see and think clearly and to come to conclusions based upon Your word rather than upon my preconceptions.

News to take note of:

• Young Women Check their Facebook First Thing in the Morning
  

  “More than half of young women (57%) say they talk to people online more than face-to-face. A full 39% of them proclaim themselves Facebook addicts, while 34% of young women make Facebook the first thing they do when they wake up, even before brushing their teeth or going to the bathroom.”

  I still talk to people more face-to-face than I do online, but I am guilty of checking Facebook first thing in the morning. (At least, first thing after making my bed. Making my bed is still a stronger compulsion than Facebook!)
  HT: Tim Challies

Thought-provoking posts:

• Thoughts on how pastors can equip women for ministry
  I especially appreciated this comment:

  “Women want to be passionate about the gospel, and they thrive when they are surrounded by men who set the pace.”

  I can definitely say for myself that I thrive when men around me challenge themselves for the sake of the gospel–and challenge me to think deeply and live passionately for the gospel.

• Questions Christians should ask about Global Warming
  A terrific set of questions to help Christian greenies (like myself) think through the issues related to global warming. In short:

  1. Is the earth warming?
  2. Are we causing the earth to warm?
  3. Is it a bad thing if the earth is warming?
  4. Would the advised policies make any difference?

  For the record, my analysis of the data answers 1. Yes, but not much, 2. Possibly, but other explanations are more likely (sun cycles are the best explanation I’ve heard), 3. Difficult to tell, 4. I doubt it.

Videos worth seeing:

• J.J. Heller sings “Your Hands”
  

  K-LOVE – JJ Heller “Your Hands” LIVE from K-LOVE Radio on Vimeo.

  HT: Tim Challies

Something completely other:

• Jasmine Bauchum talks about Biblical womanhood as she sees it
  I see it a bit differently, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one statement she made:

  “I realize that the term “barefoot and pregnant” is fighting words… I’ll let you throw the first punch while I fantasize about reading Orwell between laundry loads while my burgeoning baby belly blocks the sight of my bare feet from wistful eyes.”

  For the record, I’m not all about the “stay-at-home-daughter” thing–but I am all about being a homemaker. And even at my busiest 70-hour-a-week-hold-down-three-jobs-and-go-to-school-full-time, I relished my role as a homemaker. So THERE!

Book Reviews:

• Stardust by Neil Gaiman
  

  “I loved the movie Stardust when I saw it several years back–and when I discovered that it was based on a book, I rapidly added the book to my “To be read” list. I checked the library and discovered that they owned a copy, so every time I went to the library, I’d faithfully check for books by Neil Gaiman in the YA fiction section. After six months or so of checking during my almost weekly library visits, I had not once seen a copy of the elusive title.”

  Read the rest of my review.

Books for the TBR list:

• The Checklist Manifesto by Atule Gawande
  I am a checklist girl. I have lists for my morning routines, for my evening routines, for my daily tasks, for the tasks that deviate from my daily routines. I have lists for packing, for traveling, for reading, for last-minute-wedding-details (imagine that!) Lisa’s review suggests that this title is all about checklists and their power to transform how we do things. It sounds like more of a sociological-type book than a “how-to” book (But since I’m a fan of either, I wouldn’t mind if it turned out either way.) Thankfully, my library has a copy, so I’ll be looking this one up.
• Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe by Mark Driscoll
  According to Tim Challies, “this is not abstract theology, but theology in motion, theology in practice.” I enjoy reading theology and doctrine–and my resolution this year has been to exercise my mind towards the things of God. It sounds like this might be a good introduction to basic (baptistic) reformed theology (although certainly with Driscoll’s unique voice.)

Videos worth seeing:

• A fantastic commentary and animation on how time perspectives affect nations.
  
  HT: Challies.com

Book Reviews:

• The Courteous Cad by Catherine Palmer
  

  “I’ve mentioned my enjoyment of Regency romances at least once before. So when I saw what looked to be a romance from a Christian publisher (amazing how the covers just glare “Christian romance”, isn’t it?) with the title The Courteous Cad, I knew I wanted to read it. With the word “Cad” in the title, it had to be a Regency.”

  Read the rest of my review.

• Whom Not to Marry by Father Pat Connor
  

  “Are you a single lady seeking to discover whether the man you’re dating is “marriage material”? Are you trying to decide whether you should commit to marriage with him?

  Allow me to summarize Father Pat Connor’s advice to you in three words: “Don’t do it.””

  Read the rest of my review.

Photo Albums:

• Wedding Ceremony (Bridal party and family, June 18)
  

Recipes:

• Curried Chicken Salad
  

On the web

Books for the TBR list:

• Scratch Beginnings by Adam Shepard
  What would you do if all you had was $25, a sleeping bag, and the clothes you’re wearing right now–and had to make a life for yourself? I hope I never find myself in that situation, but Adam Shepard chronicles his year long experiment in which he does exactly that. I’m eager to read this book!

News to take note of:

• Intimacy, empathy decrease as social media overtakes face-to-face communication
  

  “It’s possible that instead of fostering real friendships off-line, e-mail and social networking may take the place of them — and the distance inherent in screen-only interactions may breed feelings of isolation or a tendency to care less about other people. After all, if you don’t feel like dealing with a friend’s problem online, all you have to do is log off.”

  HT: Challies.com

Thought-provoking posts:
The following are a collection of three arguments about TULIP’s “L”–limited atonement (which states that Christ died for the sins of the elect, but not for the sins of the non-elect). I found all three of these articles via Justin Taylor’s Primer on Limited Atonement.

• Justin Taylor weighs in on the “pro” side, citing logical arguments, quoting John Owens, Loraine Boettner, and John Piper
  

  “In other words, it is impossible to reconcile the proposition ‘Christ paid the punishment for all the sins of all people’ with the idea that ‘Some people will pay the punishment for their sin in hell.'”

  This argument is a very good logical argument for a theology of limited atonement. I can see the quoted authors’ perspectives that both Calvinism and Arminianism limit atonement: one limiting it quantitatively, the other limiting it qualitatively.

• Randy Alcorn weighs in on the “con” side, citing Scripture.
  

  “Furthermore, 2 Peter 2:1 speaks of false teachers who bring swift destruction on themselves, and describes them as “denying the sovereign Lord who bought them.” Either Christ died for all men, including those who aren’t elect, or the false teachers who bring destruction on themselves are elect. I just don’t know how else to interpret this passage.”

  Very good point–the “whole world” doesn’t mean “whole world” argument doesn’t really hold up here.

  “Whether we like it or not, there seem to be two components in salvation, first Christ’s provision of the gift and second our acceptance of the gift. Regardless of our profound failure to understand how those work, and what we may believe about the extent of free will or how He empowers us to choose salvation, Scripture itself does not demand that Christ’s death to offer us a gift automatically saves us, only that it offers us salvation that we may or may not accept. “Whosoever will may come”—well, if Christ didn’t die for him, can he come or not? (Of course, I believe that due to depravity and election and grace, we cannot accept it on our own, but only through a drawing, convicting, supernatural work of the Spirit.)”

  My current viewpoint probably stands closest to this four-point position espoused by Alcorn (not that I’m not open to having God conform my mind!)

• Doug Wilson weighs in on the “pro” side, citing postmillenialism (of all things).
  

  “So I don’t want Calvinists to throw away their logic, or as Alcorn put it, their “western” logic. I want them to pick it up. Follow it out farther. No points without five points, yes. And no five points without the sixth point of postmillennialism. This means the starchiest five-point amill guy is in the same logical position as the four-pointers.”

  I don’t have much of an opinion on eschatology (except that if premillenialism is correct, I’m gonna expect a post-tribulation rapture)–but I don’t understand Wilson’s line of reasoning at all. I don’t feel he developed his argument well enough that I can even comment on it. Okay, so postmillenialism is the answer–How?

Yes, maybe I’m a bit obsessed with Calvinism these days–the joys of coming from an Arminian background but being profoundly dissatisfied with the low view of God (and God’s sovereignty) that the Arminian argument allows or even encourages.

Videos worth seeing:

• This working Lego printer is amazing–I TOTALLY want one!
  
  HT: Fanboy via Evangelical Outpost

Photo Albums:

• Dressing for the Wedding (Debbie’s bridal party, June 18)
  
• Prewedding Photos (Bridal party and family, June 18)
  

Laugh out loud funnies:

• Davene’s Josiah gets an education on the birds and the bees–and asks a serious question:
  

  “If women have EGGS,” he queried, “how are we mammals?”

• Lisa’s appreciation for textual criticism increases after this conversation with her son:
  

  The Boy’s verse was “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” I asked him to summarize:

  Boy: “Be anxious about everything.”

  Me: “Don’t you mean be anxious about nothing?”

  Boy: “No, the verse says to be anxious about everything.”

  Me: “How in the world do you get that?”

  Boy: “Mom (eyeroll), it says, ‘Do not be anxious about any thing, but in every thing.’ Period. He had ‘by prayer and petition’ beginning a new verse.

  My favorite part? When she suggests that her son wouldn’t make a good theologian–but that he’s still safe for a spot as a deacon! :-)

Books for the TBR list:

• The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
  Points for? Young Adult Fantasy. Strong Female lead. Battle of good vs. evil.
  Strikes against? It’s published by Harlequin Teen. I don’t read Harlequins, having been convicted that bodice-rippers are indeed porn and not appropriate for human consumption.
  Why I’m adding it to my TBR list (strike against notwithstanding)? Jennifer promises this isn’t a bodice-ripper. (And she BETTER be right!)

Projects to try:

• DIY Screenprinting
  
  HT: Hilary

Thought-provoking posts:

• On the reluctance of some churches to look “too Christian”:
  

  “I once made a pastoral call on the economic attaché to the U.S. Embassy in his office. When I stepped into his office, there was no mistaking who was sovereign there. A large American flag hung off to the side of his massive desk, and a picture of the President of the United States hung behind. The embassy official was very cordial to me, and did indeed make me feel comfortable as we sat for coffee in a little receiving area at the front of his office. But there was no mistaking whom my friend served, and who was lord of that office.”

  HT: Evan

• Ashley shares her heavy heart:
  

  “I have such a strong desire to be a mother and impart life. I have such a strong desire to welcome a child (or children) into our home and give them love. I have such a strong desire to be obedient to the calling I feel God has placed on my heart to parent.

  But, for now…I am waiting. I am anxiously waiting. I am painfully waiting.”

  I can identify. Not just with the desire to be a mother, but with the general process of waiting as desires unfulfilled press down. Ashley urges us to cast our cares on Christ–and I can testify that this is the ONLY way to go.

Videos worth seeing:

• This fellow thinks his wife’s a Calvinist.
  While I’m reluctant to claim Calvinism as my own, I think my dad suspects that I’m converting. Admittedly, I show many of the signs–frequent quoting of Romans 8:28-30, reading Grudem’s Systematic Theology, belonging to a Piper fan club, etc…
  
  HT: Veronica

Book Reviews:

• The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller
  

  “This is a teensy book–but it packs a big punch. In it, Tim Keller explicates the parable of the Prodigal Son from a completely different perspective than most of us are used to hearing.

  While we generally hear the story told from the perspective of the lost younger brother who is welcomed back into the family without any expectation of compensation, Keller urges us to look a bit deeper and see the reality of TWO lost sons–a younger lost to his father by his profligacy and an older lost to his father by his self-righteousness.”

Recipes:

• Innocent Passion Drink
  I served this at Debbie’s bachelorette party–to rave reviews. It’s definitely worth trying.

It’s a short week for the Recap as I’ve been busy thinking of other things this week. Sorry–sometimes I need to be preoccupied with something other than the internet :-) (Imagine that!)

Books for the TBR list:

• Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart
  I’m a sucker for memoir, for “the olden days”, and for slightly glamorous encounters. This memoir of a woman who worked as a page for Tiffany’s in the 1940s sounds just up my alley.

Videos worth seeing:

• I really, really, REALLY, REALLY want to go to this conference. I’m a big Piper fan and one of my big pushes this year has been exercising my mind towards the things of God. This sounds…amazing.
  
  HT: Vitamin Z