Tough Critics.

I was having a funny conversation with a friend yesterday, talking about all of the fashion trends that we’re sooo over. “Scarves? Those are kind of 2008.” “Yeah, do you think leggings are even on their way out now?” “Wow, look at that: Patent leather pumps with a white A-line skirt and a JEAN JACKET!”

Although we were kind of being silly, and I think we’d both recognize that Clinton Kelly from What Not To Wear would tear our closets to pieces, our general attitude was pretty critical.

So clothes and fashion could be considered art, leaving room for some criticism. But what about people’s motives, the words they use, the way they say those words, what they are interested in or not interested in, their tastes in _____, or how much they know about _____ (even leggings)? I guess I’ve grown so accustomed to doubting and judging others in all of these ways, that it’s not even on my radar much. Well, until recently.

How come certain people are more critical? Why do some people feel like they can see through everyone, or that they always have the better opinion, taste, or input on everything? Or specific things? I for sure feel as though I do! I was reminded today about true wisdom:

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Is your personal “wisdom” characterized by these qualities? Mine isn’t. Are you making peace in your thoughts towards others, or are you constantly tearing them down in your pride? How are you being open to reason and gentle in your understanding of others and who God has made them to be, in all their idiosyncrasies, flaws, and oversights, just like YOU and I have?!

Change is Hard.

It seems like a lot of my friends have been learning more about relinquishing “control” (because it’s really not) and going through different times of uncertainty or waiting. Whether graduating this May or transitioning into (or through!) “real’ adult life, there is a lot of change going on during this time in our lives.

It shows me how much we love to know exactly what the next months and years of our lives will look like. We just NEED to have confidence in our perfect plans and assurance that everything will turn out fine. And the funny thing is, it will. But not like we think it will. It’ll turn out fine, ultimately, because God has His hand in every single aspect of our lives. Even more, He LOVES us and has a good purpose for everything.

The sweetest part is that even the best of plans can fall apart at any time. That sounds more like bad news, but there’s really freedom there! Freedom to dream about the future and plan for the days ahead, but even more freedom to trust that it is the Lord who will establish our steps whichever way He wants (which is actually the best way).

As we fix our eyes on Christ and seek Him in prayer and fellowship with others, we truly have no reason to fear! As my friend Laura keeps reminding me, what matters more than anything else is that we seek first His kingdom throughout all the ups and downs.

“Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105
“…And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, o Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
Psalm 9:10
“And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.”
Isaiah 42:16.

Between the Promise and the Things I Know

How much are you shaped by fear? Your thoughts and energy, the way in which you make decisions?

As I’ve gone through this final year of college, now more than ever I’ve seen how much fear lives deep inside of me. Fear of making the perfect decision, fear of other people’s opinions, and fear of what the future may or may not hold.

I have been so encouraged by my friends and the teachers in my life, helping me to get my eyes off all the unknowns and onto what I do know: God cares for me (Matt. 6:25-34). He loves me (Rom. 5:8). He is good and faithful (Psalm 100:5). He is perfect in all His ways (2 Sam. 22:31).

Facing our fear(s) will not feel right. It will expose the worst in us. Our first reaction to fear is to either muster up the courage to conquer it on our own, or to give in to the panic and let the fear settle in.
But we have another option. In facing our fear, we open ourselves up more wholly to be freed from fear into a peaceful RESTING in Christ.

So here’s to a 2010 where our lives aren’t necessarily without fear, but in the midst of fear, we are full of a deep, unshakeable confidence in the one thing that will never change: God is for me.

Back in the Game!

It’s been so long since my last post! 6 MONTHS to be specific!

What’s happened since then?

1. I finished my 3rd year of college.
2. I interned at 98.5 KTIS Radio.

3. I went to Delhi, India with my Campus Outreach buddies…Check out how it went here.
4. I started my LAST YEAR OF COLLEGE!!
5. I got a job at 98.5 KTIS Radio (not an on-air position, don’t freak).

6. I moved into a house with 6 (yes, 6) awesome girls. We call it the Wilder House, and we should have a reality tv-show.
7. I started a weekly radio show on NWC’s student station, 97.7 WVOE.
You should totally listen! Every Thursday night from 6-8pm on www.wvoe.fm, or 97.7 FM on campus.

So, I hope to update this more. Life is crazy right now with graduation looming, jobs to be hunted, and growth in Christ happening through every big (or little) step along the way…

Come back soon!

My 5-Year Plan…Not.

“For many of us, trusting Jesus for one’s salvation is the easy part. Trusting Jesus to lead you into what God has for you in the future is often more difficult than it appears.”

Why can’t God just tell me what I am going to do with my life? Why can’t I just trust that it’ll be His best for me, even if I don’t have it all figured out or understood now?

Why is it that it is harder to trust Jesus in the practical life issues than it is to trust Him for our most important need?

(Props to Laura for sending me this article.)

Music Monday: Neko Case

My brother took me to see one of our favorite musicians, Neko Case, for my birthday a few weeks ago. It was a great show.

Case’s album artwork and videos feature illustration from brother/sister artists Julie and Paul Morstad…Kinda unique! Their animations were projected onto the big screen during the show.

Here’s the video to her latest single, “People Got a Lotta Nerve.”

Whoooops! Blogging?

So I left the “blogosphere” for a couple weeks again….Sorry I’m an inconsistent blogger. I either go big or go home, it seems.

Just thought I’d share that I fell while running up some stairs today!

Outside, right by the fountain on my way to the library…
Just laid out on my stomach in shame.
Worst part was that I was running to catch the shuttle bus…
My left ankle still hurts.

God’s goodness in our weakness.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

“…But that was to make us rely not on ourselves by on God who raises the dead.” 2 Corinthians 1:9

I don’t like feeling weak and incapable, although I often do feel this way.

After some conversations with a couple really awesome older(ish) women in my life, God showed me that He uses average people for His extraordinary purposes (Thanks, L Wat). Not because I’m worthy of being used, but because in His great love, He has decided to use the weakest things in this world to display His glory and goodness. That’s me! (And you!)

I’m trying to see that struggling through life (support raising, relationships…you know, sin) is a sign that “God is doing something paramount in my heart.” (Thanks, Jen O.)

Good things are happening when we are seeing our need for Christ grow and our self-reliance and pride are dying.

“HE is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

Music Mondays: Modern Hymns.

There has been a resurgence of popularity and interest in hymns in the past decade or so. Many churches, musicians, and ministries have put together collections of hymns re-arranged with updated, modern music; some with completely new melodies.

I really enjoy hymns. The songs are still touching lives generations after they were written! The lyrics are rich with meaning, and I almost always resonate with them more than I would with most modern worship music. If you are interested in filling yourself with more gospel, I would suggest incorporating hymns into your music rotation!

One of my favorite additions in this  “movement” is Indelible Grace. Some really great musicians who have a vision for “enriching the church’s worship” through re-working old hymns are involved in putting together these compilation CD’s…Derek Webb (of Caedmon’s Call) and his wife Sandra McCracken have some of the best, in my opinion. Some other artists include Matthew Smith and Matthew Perryman Jones. Check Indelible Grace out here.

Covenant Life Church (C.J. Maheny, Joshua Harris) released “How Sweet the Sound” this year, and it’s up on NoiseTrade (which you should add to your favorites if you haven’t already!) for free if you want to download it.

Sovereign Grace Ministries released a CD a few years ago with music inspired by the Puritan prayers in the Valley of Vision. Check it out here.

Page CXVI is another hymns project, and these ones are really unique. I found out that this is a side-project for a great band, The Autumn Film!

I hope that you enjoy and are encouraged by this music as much as I have been!

Happy Monday

Music Mondays: La Blogotheque’s “Take Away Shows”

I have been thinking lately that I need to do something special here on my blog. Like a recurring post or whatever. I decided to start “Music Mondays.” I’ll just talk about the music I’ve been liking or inspired by lately. Hopefully I won’t be the only one who cares. Ha.

The first installment will feature La Blogotheque!

La Blogotheque (it’s French, duh) posts videos of bands they’ve invited to play in “random public places,” shot by some French filmmaker, of course.

The videos are really beautiful, if you’re into this kind of stuff.

My favorites so far:

(Wisconsin’s own!) Bon Iver in some apartment.

Sigur Ros in a coffe shop/cafe.

Fleet Foxes in the Grand Palais.

There’s also a YouTube channel with some more videos…