Music Monday #4

I'm a bit of a blog fangirl at the moment.  I love reading the blogs of friends...  the thought that goes into them, the chance to wade a little deeper into the ocean of musings, opinions and reflections... as well as the chance to share cool things like recipes, hairstyles, general interest stories about pretty much anything etc etc; as well as just to share what life has been bringing lately.

I try to keep track of a few blogs and websites about music, particularly Christian music.  Someone I discovered a little while back via blog was Audrey Assad, an American singer-songwriter.  Her music is memorable and beautiful, and her lyrics are God-glorifying and saturated with Biblical truth that I just love having floating around in my head.  Her latest album is "Heart".  Highly recommended!

One song that is resonating deeply with my heart at the moment is "O My Soul".
I am so convinced of the value of preaching the words and promises of our Father to ourselves.  Circumstances, emotions, the whispers of Satan, our idols, hardships...  so many things can start to threaten our trust in God, if we allow them.  But the God of the Bible is faithful.  He's absolutely true to his word, and we can stand by faith in his promises... none more so than the promise we have in Jesus.

So, whatever the season in which we find ourselves, remembering the Word of God, and reminding our own souls of the hope and life we have in Jesus is just so important.
The Psalmists knew this.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
     and why are you in turmoil within me? 
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
     my salvation and my God.  (Psalm 42:5-6a)

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
    for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.  (Psalm 62:5-6)

Audrey's song, "O My Soul", is a precious illustration of preaching truth to your soul.  So, for this reason, I'm keeping the words of this song, as well as the words of my Father, tucked deep in my heart.

Your worries will never love you
They'll leave you all alone
But your God will not forsake you
O my soul.

Don't lie to yourself, O my soul...  just love your God.
 

Another reminder of all this is a fantastic worship song we've just started singing at church...  Where we declare:  We will stand as children of the Promise.  We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul's reward.  'Til the race is finished and the work is done, we'll walk by faith, and not by sight.    

 

I love Jesus.  Yet everyday I struggle to stand firm in Him alone, amidst the pull of my own pride, idols and fears.  But I'm fighting to always hold His truth before my eyes.  To really live as a child of His great promise in Jesus.  For I can have complete confidence in His promises, and that it's in His strength that I fight...  and there's nothing that is more worth fighting for.  Will you join me?

A Little Sidewards Glance...

I still remember a race my brother ran when he was in Grade 1.  (Probably only because my parents caught it on tape, and we've watched it as a family a couple of times since.)  It was the "little kid" version of the 100m sprint... so it was probably the 50m sprint or something! 

My brother's white blonde head was there somewhere towards the edge of the long line of boys on the starting line... his little, five-year-old, excited face alight with anticipation.  The beep gun goes off, and a crowd of knobbly, Grade One knees start dashing with all their might towards the finish line.  My brother was pretty speedy, and ended up a close second.  Fun footage of a "first athletics carnival"!

But more interesting than the race itself was something my Mum and Dad always commented on when watching it back...  Throughout the short race, James kept on glancing sideways - constantly checking the position of the other boys, how they were running, how fast they were, how he compared.  And it may well have cost him first place.  The advice from my parents?  "Good race!  But next time, don't keep on looking to the side - it's better to look straight ahead, and just run your own race."

I think that was good advice.  And I think, to a certain degree, it's good advice for the Christian life as well.  Obviously, we don't run in this life alone... in fact, we run in community.  Running alongside one another, spurring each other on, encouraging and challenging and helping one another.  But it can be so tempting to keep on glancing sideways and constantly compare ourselves with one another... how much we've grown, our strengths and weaknesses and personalities and how they match up with those of others, how fruitful we perceive our ministries to be, what we've "achieved", how good our relationships are...  Anything and everything.  Leaving us feeling either smugly superior or dismally hopeless and always falling short.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

We don't run alone.  We are surrounded by people, past and present, who tell us of God's faithfulness and spur us onto deeper faith and Christian maturity.  Yet, because of their very witness to Jesus, we fix our eyes on Him Alone... letting go of everything that holds us back, and running to him with all our strength and all our focus... whatever our speed, and whatever our "journey" looks like.

But comparison with others is deadly.  
It distracts, and puts us in danger of not finishing the race.

Here's the thing.  While we're anxiously glancing sideways at the people running beside us, using all our mental, emotional and spiritual energy in analysing how we "measure up", we are no longer looking towards the finish line.  We've taken our eyes off Jesus.  Our identity, our security, our progress, and our direction is no longer grounded in him.  We're drifting.  We can get distracted or lost, or trip and fall, never finishing the race.  We can't run with joy and confidence, because, as long as other people are our yardstick, we'll never measure up.  There's always someone running faster, or with a better style / less effort / a bigger cheersquad... than us.  And it can lead us into the deadly valley of discontent, envy and works-based fear.

Our wise and loving God has made each of us unique, with our own gifts, personality and opportunities.  We each have our own challenges, sins and struggles.  We have our own journey in following Jesus.  But we know that he who began a good work in you will bring it completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6) 

Sometimes, it isn't easy to keep your eyes fixed on the finish line.  Other people can seem to keep breezing past us, seemingly with minimal effort when we're really struggling... and it can be so tempting to keep glancing sideways, trying to somehow justify to ourselves that we're "doing OK".  But we just end up choked by the anxiety of inadequacy.  
Let's not play the deadly Comparison Game.  Let's train and discipline ourselves to keep looking forward to our precious, loving Lord Jesus.  Let's fight for this.  I know that I need this, probably more than anyone!  I need to look and run towards Jesus with every bit of strength and focus I have.  It's going to be hard at times.  But it's worth it.  I'm absolutely convinced of this.  We have incomparable love and treasure in Jesus;  through the undeserved grace of God towards us.  So, let's run this race together, all fixing our eyes on the finish line... looking to Jesus alone.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 3:12-14)

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:25-27)

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12)

My First Ever Meme!

So, a little meme has been circulating the blogosphere, and I'm one of a few bloggers who was tagged by the lovely Danielle.  Making this my first ever meme!  I'm just a little bit over the moon.

I love lists.  There was sort of a mini "in-joke" that, during "get-to-know-you" games in our Bible study group last year, I was seemingly incapable of ever giving a simple answer, but rather, always battled a compulsion to give a "Top 3".  There are just so many things to be celebrated and considered in so many areas... it's so hard to narrow it down!!  (Probably a weakness more frequently than a strength in my case, I suspect.)  But, that aside, the theme of this little tag-along meme is Five Things I'm Excited About or Looking Forward To.  So, without further ado, let's go!

1.  This meme!  Not going to deny it, I've secretly always wanted to be "tagged" to participate in one of these.  There's something joyful, relational and fun about it!  And as already mentioned, I love lists ;)

2.  Passenger.  It's been true love for a little while now between me and this one-man-band from the UK, with his simple, beautiful melodies and insightful lyrics.  He thinks deeply about life and relationships, and I find myself constantly fascinated, amused and saddened by the reflections captured in his songs.  His CDs have been going round and round and round in the car... and I still get excited when it reaches the end, and begins all over again!  And to top it all off, I was able to see him live in concert last week!!  I'm sad it's over, but still excited about his music and how incredible he was.  Oh, and while I'm being excited about music, Owl City's latest album has just come out!!  Hopefully will grab a copy tomorrow.  Bring on the Synth Pop Sunshine!

3.  Our Grade 11 Growth Group.  I've had the privilege of leading and growing with a group of beautiful high-school-age young women for the last 3.5 years, some of whom have been in the group since Grade 8.  Others have joined more recently, as well as another gorgeous, godly young adult woman as a co-leader.  In fact, God has grown our group in such a way that our now-quite-large group will be branching into two smaller groups.  There'll be loss and grief with aspects of the change, but I'm constantly amazed by the way that God is continuing to draw his daughters to himself here in Brissy... and that I get to be a small part of it, and help support them (and learn from them!) as they grow to know him more.  Honestly, nothing is more exciting.

4.  Books.  It feels like I'm just drowning in good books at the moment... I've bought a few, been lent a few, have re-discovered a few on my bookshelf that I've never read but want to...  I always find it to be a challenge to set reading priorities, and decide the books in which to invest precious reading time - but what a blessed, wonderful challenge!  I'm genuinely excited about what these books might contain, and what God may challenge me with, and teach me though them.  How good are books?!

5.  Nepal.  As I've mentioned in previous posts, I spent an unforgettable six months in Nepal from August last year.  In God's incomprehensible grace, I have the opportunity to return to Nepal for three weeks at the end of this year, with a small team of people.  So excited!  Nepal is a beautiful country, filled with beautiful people, and I simply can't wait to go back with others, and again see what God is doing there, first-hand.

6.**  Finally, my birthday!!  It's five days until my birthday, and I still get excited about it.  There's just something fun and joyful about birthdays!  Also, this particular birthday is one that's a bit special to me :)

So, that's it!  Actually, a couple of the above are rather "out-of-the-ordinary", and exciting in their distinction from usual weekly events...  But you know, I think it's actually the more everyday things - the activities, relationships, joys and challenges of the Ordinary - that can be the most exciting and life-changing.  It's actually really precious to take a moment to celebrate them.  So thank you, blog and any readers :)

Oh, and I suppose I should pass this on!  FUN!!  OK, Chelsie, Josh and Catriona - consider yourselves tagged.  Look forward to reading your lists!

 (**  Whoops.  Cheated and listed six things.  But I could hardly leave my birthday out ;) )

Ebay. Taking Internet Dating to a Whole New Level.

I'm not a huge Ebayer.  It's been good to me a few times in the past... it provided me with my first washing machine for $56 (it lasted about 3 months, but you know, for that price - fair enough.  It had probably had a tough life).  As well as with a uni textbook on Principles of Surgery (or something) that was out of print.  Stoked.
But that said, I'm certainly not on there often... Until this last week.

I've been following one particular listing with abnormal interest. A Mr Peter Westbrook has put himself up for auction - with the highest female bidder being taken on a date to Grill'd in Southbank - "definitely amazing". honestly, I just loved everything about this offer!  He just looks nice, Grill'd is yummy and healthy, and all the money bid on the date goes towards a good cause (the Every Child Matters Foundation). 

My favourite line in the original item description:  

"No catches - apart from the great one you will have when you win the bid!!"

It started at $20.  When I first saw it a few days ago, it had already climbed to $450... 

but finished on $1500!  Now that's effective fundraising.  

I hope Peter and his date have a happy time at Grill'd...  

The chickpea pattie burger is delish.

Meaningless?

It's been kind of a tough time recently.  Largely self-inflicted, really... not thinking in helpful ways about things, and not holding tightly enough to the Promises that I so dearly need to cling to (and for which this blog is named!).

Anyway.  So, you might think from this, that starting a series on Ecclesiastes (with its catch-cry of "everything is vanity/meaningless") an odd choice.  But on the weekend, I did just that, and started listening to Matt Chandler's series on this book.  Fantastic.  I'm a bit of a fan of Matt's.  He typically gives solid, Biblical teaching, and is passionate and engaging.  He spoke about how Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, explored all avenues for pleasure and fulfilment... and had spectacular resources for doing so - greater riches, wisdom and opportunity than any of us will ever have!  He explored seeking satisfaction in parties, women, riches, investing in home and garden (except his "garden" was basically a forest. Why bother with a vegie patch when you can have a forest?!)... et cetera.  But when he got to the end of it all, found that it was all meaningless, or a "vapour".  Temporary and unable to provide lasting joy.

Here's a little of what Matt said:

Ten years ago, you had in your mind this picture of what you wanted life to look like ten years from now, and you thought if you could obtain it, or get to it, you would be happy and satisfied.  The last ten years, you have put all your energy – and whether you did this consciously or subconsciously, you did this.  Most of you thought: “if I could get out of school, if I could get a good job, if I could find my husband or wife, if I could have children, if I could make enough money to go on vacation, if I could get a car that actually ran half the time… if I could get this, if I could do this…"  And you begin to work that ten-year plan.  Now, the reality is, if you’ve met those goals, you probably don’t even know it, because you’ve already replaced that ten-year plan with the new ten-year plan, because what you thought would satisfy you, has not.  So what happens is you work the next ten-year plan, and then you work the next ten-year plan, and then you work the next ten-year plan, and then you will die, and get painted up like a clown and put in the ground.  That’s it.  And almost all of us, whether we’ll admit it or not, have bought into the philosophy that what we need to finally make us happy is more of what we already possess. 

 Wow.  There's some real, painful truth in there.  And if this is where you stop, it could actually be pretty depressing!  Chasing things that - although they may be good things; great things, even - don't give us lasting joy and life.  And (as we were reminded tonight at church in looking at Hebrews 3 and 4), not a single one of us can cheat death.  Dying is inevitable for all of us, and we'll have to leave behind all we sought and worked for in this life.  

But there is hope.  It's Jesus, and what he did on the cross to conquer death and sin, and give us eternal life.  And he's the only one who gives meaning to all our toil and the things of earth.  They are a vapour, but they point to one who is permanent and forever.

Our challenge is to not be fooled by the busyness of life, and our explicit or subconscious Ten Year Plans...  to not be so caught up on the treadmill of life that we forget that we're not actually going anywhere with all our toil and our seeking... but that only Jesus takes us where we need to go.

That sound, it’s hypnotic.  If I put on my headphones, I can almost pretend I’m not on the treadmill at all.  It can maybe, just for a few minutes, make me forget that even though I’m running, I’m not going anywhere.  Here’s the bottom line.  You can take that step or you can let the treadmill continue to hypnotise you into thinking that your life is forward-progress.  But in the end, there is nothing under the sun that brings lasting fulfilment.  You have to look beyond the sun.  The groove cannot be filled with the temporal.  It has to be eternal.  And the invitation from Jesus continues to echo through eternity.  Come and thirst no more.

Turns out a reflection on the "meaninglessness", or rather the temporariness, of the things of this life (even the good things), and the eternal hope and pleasure and joy that is found in Jesus, was just what this momentarily-despairing young woman needed!  And ultimately, what we all need.

God is good.

Music Monday #3

This is Passenger. A now one-man band, comprised of singer-songwriter Mike Rosenberg. My brother (who has varied and very cool taste in music!) introduced me to Passenger, and I haven't been able to turn him off since. He writes beautiful, simple, soul-searching songs.

It's a funny thing, falling in love with the music of a secular artist like this. As a Christian, there isn't a single part of life that is outside of the glorious truth of Jesus; and outside of his loving rule. Not a single thought, anxiety or desire that floats around in my mind is outside the ocean that is his grace. (At least, this is the reality, and by his grace, I'm becoming oh-so-slowly more aware of it in the messiness of each day!) And in our universal quest for meaning, love and significance, only in Jesus do we find that which we seek.

I think it's this that makes Passenger's music simultaneously so engaging, joyful and sad.

Engaging, because he handles the precious medium of music with such sincerity and love. And, even more than that, he explores the questions, sorrows and thoughts of the human heart. He sings about life, love and the things we all seek and ponder as part of our human lives. We can't help but relate, at least at certain points. Some sentiments in this song (and others of his) make me smile, ache and cry with the depth to which they resonate with my heart.

Joyful. There's truth in many of his thoughts and observations. Amongst others:

A sense of value in selflessness...

Give what you're given.

Pondering misplaced values and what we consider important...

We all had new iPhones, but no one had no one to call.

And joyful because the incredible combination of music, words, the human heart and mind, and the ability to question and search and love... it's all from God. This man was made in God's image and given unique gifts. God even created the spectacular backdrop for this performance, with the field stretching into the distance, the sun, shadows, sky, clouds and gentle breeze. God has made humankind, music and our world just beautiful, and there's so much to celebrate.

Yet there's sadness. There's so much that's searching for something more, something beyond this life... to align his journey with someone going the right direction. I'll stick out my thumb and trudge down the highway - someday, someone must be going my way home. For all the human thoughts and longings he explores, he never arrives at the Answer his heart is seeking. He never celebrates and sings of the One who gave him his gifts; who created and sustains him.

Don't cry for the lost, smile for the living.

 I wonder who the "lost" are, according to this song? Maybe it's those who are constantly chasing material things or success, those tied down by mortgages and loans, those who don't take the time to "explore themselves", maybe travel, fall in love, to really "live" and experience life, love, the world and all it's pleasures. I wonder...

But what I do know is Jesus, and how he has actually provided the definition for these terms. Through his death and resurrection, he has given all who trust in him new life, and life eternal. By his grace alone, they are the living. And those who pursue life their own way, pursue life apart from him, are the lost. And this saddens God, and it should sadden us. I think we can cry for the lost... and let this spur us on to speak about Jesus - the only one in whom we can find hope, love and salvation.

Just some thoughts. If you haven't heard this beautiful song before, I hope you like it!

Who do you like to listen to?

Resolved to Blog Better (for the 374th time.)

There's been a lot of talk about blogging happening lately!  And secretly (or not so secretly), I've loved every minute and every comment of it.  Dave has returned to his blog with a vengeance, after a 2-year hiatus, and has been seeking helpful hints from blog-writing and -reading friends as to what makes a good blog.  There have been some great suggestions from lots of people, including Nathan and his blog, Julie and a few others.

Anyway.  Having all these fantastic people around me blogging, and talking about it, means that I definitely feel newly inspired, and a little better equipped, to retry this thing.  I seem to spend so much of life resolving to do so many things better and more faithfully that I seem to fail at the vast majority of it...  Sigh.  But let's put that unhelpful attitude aside and power on!!

Out of all the good advice, here's just a few of the points I'm going to focus on (and if you're a struggling blogger, maybe helpful for you too?)

1.  Post often.  Since I'm guessing "often" is more than once every 2 months, I should be able to improve in this area without too much effort.

2.  Be concise.  Hmm.  Check out my last post, if you dare.  Loved writing it and reflecting on YNET (such a good weekend!)... but I possibly have scope for improvement in this area.  Noted.

3.  Feel free to write about silly things.  I think this one is pretty freeing.  It's a great thing to want to put significant stuff out there, and to contribute something thought-provoking and edifying to the blog-world.  But it can actually start to feel crippling...  there can be a genuine fear in posting anything, in case it's just not worthwhile or thought-provoking enough to be blogged about, let alone maybe read by others.   

OK.  I'll stop at three.  That's enough to work on.  (And I'm working on number 2 already.  Yessss.)

One of my favourite comments over all this blogscussion was from one of my favourite bloggers.  "Write often and your voice will become stronger and truer. Plus, words breed words. The more we discuss, the more we find there IS to discuss."  I just love this, and the truth in it.

Happy blogging everyone!  I'm excited!! 

leunig.com.au

P.S.  Oh, and yes.  I have just learnt how to link to other blogs and pages.  
Too much of a good thing? ;)