Counterfeit Gods

I just finished. I've been reading this Tim Keller book for probably 5 months. It has taken me a while to read it and, I can't exactly figure out why. I've enjoyed the entire book. It's been challenging (in that good way), thought provoking, and I enjoy the way Keller writes.

When I first started reading the book, it immediately pointed out that I've made good things god things. Like having a house that I want to be nice turned into consuming thoughts about expensive kitchen renovations. I mean I would strategize how long we needed to save to be able to afford it, almost daily. I realized that I had made an ok goal into a thing I needed to be happy. This book confronts you with the truth, the gospel. Jesus is everything. The gospel changes are hearts. It doesn't happen once when we are "saved", but every time the gospel interacts with our sin and desires. It changed my heart. I am ok if I never get my dream kitchen. It's good to remember that I have a great gift in my husband, family, friends, and even possessions, but I have all in Christ.

There were some sections of the book that I thoroughly enjoyed. The chapter on politics and the section on race. Keller talks about how we've tried to make our politics our savior. Then he talks about how we believe our own culture is better than others and how the gospel is the great equalizer. Keller speaks with very strong language on this issue. I recently saw The Help and plan to read it soon, and it is one of the best, most moving stories I've ever seen. It reopened my eyes to some cultural issues that aren't as tidy as we all like to believe. It also made me examine segregation(I'm not only referring to racial segregation) in the church.  I won't say much, but go see the movie and or read The Help. Read this book and let the gospel transform your heart and your cultural beliefs. 

At the end of the book, Keller gives us tests to determine our idols.  He asks what does your mind wander off about? Where do you spend your money? What is your real functional salvation - meaning when you pray and work hard for something and you don't get it and your response is despair - "you've found your real god".  And finally, look at your "uncontrollable emotions": anger, fear, despair, and guilt. You can examine these by asking, "Is there something here too important to me, something I must have at all costs? Am I so scared, because something in my life is being threatened that I think is a necessity when it is not?"

So even though it took a while it was a great read. I recommend Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller.

7 days

We have 7 days of work left before we leave on probably this biggest adventure Andrew and I have ever been on. Just in case you are wondering what our adventure is going to look like, I decided to post a photo itinerary.

We will fly into Seattle and go see Snoqualmie Falls:

The next day we see Mt. St. Helens and then head to Portland:

Then we're off to the Mt. Hood Loop, to include: Multnomah Falls, Oneonta Gorge, and the Bonneville Dam

 

Next we'll see Smith Rock State Park:

Then we will visit Redwood National and State Parks:

Then we will drive the scenic highway 101 stopping to see Cannon Beach.

 

 Our trip ends with 2 days in Seattle.

We will cover at least 1800 miles! I'm getting to the point where I'm thinking about it all the time. I actually want to pack my bags now! I hope we get phenomenal photos to share with you all!

Action Shots!

A friend at work lent Andrew an awesome camera, and he's been playing with it.

We don't have kids so we photograph Gage.

When is enough enough?

Andrew and I received a dryer and washer when we got married. They were the dryer and washer he used while in college. The dryer was his parents original dryer when they first married.  This dryer has served well and relentlessly until very recently. A few weeks ago, the dryer started to make a rubbing, grinding noise while it dried. We've tried taking out clothes, only drying one load per day, that helped for a while, now it just seems like it's time to retire it.  Last Sunday, Andrew placed something in the doorway for safety.

Oh yeah a fire extinguisher. If you are waiting for your dryer to catch on fire does that qualify as a good time to buy a new dryer? Is this as funny to you as it is to me? Sorry I just walked through the foyer of my house and saw this sitting there and chuckled!

Birthday Brownies

Don't worry birthday brownies have nothing to do with special brownies, which have illegal drugs in them.  Birthday brownies are... Andrew already had birthday cake on Saturday with his family....sooo man I have some brownie mix in the cabinet and mmm cream cheese blobs sound really good in a brownie, no? This is how it happened....I googled "brownie + " and automatically brownies with cream cheese popped up. I said apparently I'm not the only person drooling over this in their mind all day.  I clicked the first link, which was this. I changed it by only using 1/4 cup of sugar instead of 1/3 ooh daring.  Then I just followed the directions from that link with the exception of using boxed brownie mix.

Seriously yum! I'd make it again, and let's be honest

 that's the true test if somethings good!

Almost as good as...

So a while back I posted a funny picture that I found at His House...tag phrase would be "my only lover."  Well I found a birthday card that's almost as funny.

Almost as good.  Happy Birthday my only lover!

Donation

That is a normal size piece of paper 81/2 x 11 inches. My hair donation was about 10 inches. Organizations such as Locks of Love and Pantene's Beautiful Lengths make real hair wigs for women who have lost their hair to cancer treatment.

 Before

 After

After...sorry I'm not usually so vogue.

This is as short as my hair has been since I was about oh 5 years old!