And it's been a month since I've posted...

My how a month does fly, especially in the spring when we can get outside (read: not bundling up in a blanket drinking coffee, blogging or napping with Baby P). Here's what I've been doing...

Reading:

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss and it's sequel The Wise Man's Fear

These books are so, so good. They were recommended to me by a friend and I've been enjoying them immensely! If you like fantasy then you will love these! Though this is way over-simplifying, think: "Harry Potter is suddenly dark, brooding, brilliant, good looking and goes to college."

I've also been finishing Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller and let me say that if you read ANYTHING, read this book. Keller's insights on American culture, analysis of those things that the human heart makes into idols, and application of Scripture are deeply convicting and incredibly uplifting and gospel focused at the same time.

Idolatry is not just a failure to obey God, it is a setting of the whole heart on something besides God. [...] Jesus must become more beautiful to your imagination, more attractice to your heart, than your idol. [...]

Rejoicing and repentance must go together. Repentance without rejoicing will lead to despair. Rejoicing without repentance is shallow and will only provide passing inspiration instead of deep change. Indeed, it is when we rejoice over Jesus's sacrificial love for us most fully that, paradoxically, we are most truly convicted of our sin. [...] When we rejoice over God's sacrificial, suffering love for us--seeing what it cost him to save us from sin--we learn to hate the sin for what it is. [...]

(My favorite) To rejoice is to treasure a thing, to assess its value to you, to reflect on its beauty and importance until your heart rests in it and tastes the sweetness of it. 'Rejoicing' is a way of praising God until the heart is sweetened and rested, and until it relaxes its grip on anything else that it thinks it needs. (Keller 171-173)

Singing:

It's Easter season so it's been music, music, and more music preparation for Easter Sunday and other special services. There's a piece that we do every year with 70 member choir, organ, timpani and glorious brass that I absolutely love and I think the text is one of the most moving and beautiful poems ever written about Christ's resurrection.

Joy to the Heart

1. Look there! the Christ, our Brother,

comes resplendent from the gallows tree

and what he brings in His hurt hands

is life on life for you and me.

Refrain:

Joy! Joy! Joy to the heart

all in this good day's dawning.

2. Good Jesus Christ inside His pain

looked down Golgotha's stony slope

and let the blood flow from His flesh

to fill the springs of living hope. Refrain

3. Good Jesus Christ, our Brother died

in darkest hurt upon the tree

to offer us the worlds of light

that live inside the Trinity. 

Joy! Joy! Joy to the heart

all in this good day's dawning!

Here is this "Joy to the Heart" by K. Lee Scott

performed on Easter 2009 by the choir

at the American Church in Paris.

My friend Zach is the organist and assistant there!

Cooking:

Well I have been cooking, but mostly on the grill. That's been great! We have been experimenting with marinates and rubs. I'll share some of our favorites soon.

Last week I had to take a dessert to a dinner so I looked on Tasty Kitchen for ideas. Found a great one!

Three words...

Nutella Cream Pie

Make it. I one and a halfed the nutella part of the recipe and topped it with simple whipped cream instead of the corn starch spiked cream. I also used a sweet tart shell recipe instead of plain pie crust, but that's just preference.


Cleaning:
Well, I have been doing some packing and cleaning to get ready for our move at the end of June, a little yard work here and there in honor of spring and some wiping down baseboards on my hands and knees...but....I've mostly been doing some fun sewing projects.

Found a website that I love! Dana at MADE is so talented and she posts free tutorials for sewing projects from baby diaper covers to women's skirts and home improvement ideas. I've been making tons of these sweet diaper covers in cute prints for Baby P. They're not just for girls!! He's small enough to pull them off with a cute little onesie and a sun hat.

I've also been making little pants, shorts and overalls. Pictures to come...this post is already too long.

Happy Easter week! Reflect on what God has done for us through Christ, in His 'hurt hands' He brings life and peace and joy!