eager expectation.

Sons and Daughters of God - Arise and Shine 

"For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed." 

Romans 8:19

a quest to understand purity. [part 1: questions]

What is purity?
How does it impact and influence us?
Why does it matter?

I'm incredibly intrigued by these questions lately and I am officially on a quest to answer them along with many more.

I've been curious about mindsets regarding purity...starting with my own. What do I think or believe about purity and what it means to live a pure life? (Reflections will come in future posts. Stay tuned.)

What about you?

What is your current mindset regarding purity? What kinds of things come to mind when you hear that word? What do you think it means to live a pure life?

Okay, now let's step outside our individual mindsets.
  
What is the current mindset about purity in our family or community of friends?
In our workplaces?
In our cities?
In our countries?
In this world as a whole?

Lastly, though not of least importance just because I'm mentioning it last, what is heaven's mindset about this? What is God's perspective about purity? Truly?  

Note that my question isn't what I (or you) think God's heart may be regarding purity. I want to know the answer to that question as if sitting face to face with God and him speaking straight from his mouth what his heart and mindset is regarding this.

So yep - lots of questions...stirring things up a bit...getting us to think...  

This is just the beginning - much more to come about something that I'm increasingly believing is a big deal in our lives and in our world...

a large man in flannel and his (also large) blue ox.

I have 24 blog post drafts so far. At one time or another, I had a burst of inspiration to write about something going on inside or around me. Some of these posts only made it to the title life stage of a blog post. Others have a few smatterings of sentences underneath the title. I just spent awhile looking through them thinking maybe tonight was a night to dive back into one of them.

  

Nope. Not feelin' it.

  

So here's another burst of inspiration of a post that I'm believing won't become the 25th in my list of drafts... 

  

Today was great. Full. Eye opening. Challenging at moments. Emotional at others. Inspiring. Lots of thoughts, ideas, hopes, and questions floating around me right now. I know that things will filter into place in God's timing. So much is happening in this city. And inside of me.

  

Out of numerous reflections from the day, here's one: 

  

It's incredible how many people not from the area pass through Bemidji. 

  

Seriously.

  

I heard someone say the other day that the Paul and Babe statues are one of the most photographed touristy...things...in the country. (I apologize for my lack of correct words to describe this right now. It's late. Ha.) I had a hard time believing that, honestly. I could see that being a possibility for the state of Minnesota. But the whole country? It got me thinking.

  

Could there be some truth to that (possible) "fact"?

  

Today I met and prayed with a beautiful gem of a visitor from out of state who had never been here before and asked how to pronounce "Bemidji." I sat on a bench and talked with another visitor from out of the country who had never been to Bemidji and was just passing through as well.

  

For at least an hour, I watched as numerous people posed by Paul and Babe to take their picture with the large man in flannel and his (also large) blue ox. I have a growing curiosity about where everyone is traveling from to spend an hour, a day or two or more in Bemidji, MN. And what's drawing them here?

  

I have a few ideas. But that's maybe for another time and for another blog post. Or at the least a draft with a clever title of sorts.

  

Oh, and the word I was looking for earlier was tourist attraction. Ha. Figured that out as I did a little research to either confirm or deny the statement about Paul and Babe's popularity with cameras.

  

Wikipedia did have something to say about this. Maybe there's some truth to their being known around the country?

  

Regardless of just how many people come and take their picture with the dynamic duo on the left, I'm thankful people are setting foot in this city, even if just for an hour or two.

  

There's a reason...

a little bit of a lot of things.

Headphones. (check)

Good tunes. (check)

Laptop. (check)

Cozy cloths - aka zip up long sleeve and favorite pair of ripped jeans. (check...and by the way, I don't care if ripped jeans aren't in style anymore. Wayyyyyyy too comfortable for that to matter right now.)

Sitting on cozy couch in downtown coffeeshop. (check)

Stirred up thoughts. (check)
  

Seems I'm ready to blog.
  

Except I'm not so sure what's going to come out today. Usually I have a destination in mind. A theme of sorts. A known direction.
   

Yeah...not today.
  

You're about to get a little bit of a lot of things. Just a heads up. So if you are looking for an introduction, 3 main points, and a solid conclusion, you won't find it here. But if you want to travel down a windy (as in twisty-turny) little path that leads...somewhere...then follow me...
  

Soooo...anyone else a bit unsure what to do with the fact that it's already August 9th? What just happened this summer?
  

There's a hint of fall in the air today here in Bemidji. I was actually chilly outside earlier today.
  

Maybe the holes in my jeans created a draft.
  

Anyway...
  

This summer wasn't what I thought it would be in some ways, yet I'm quite sure that it has been exactly what it was supposed to be. For that, I am thankful. God is good. He is faithful.
   

Here are a few significant elements of my summer:

1st year School of Transformation wrapped up early May. (Incredible year - worth every minute of time. Heading into year #2 next month.)

I changed up my work schedule. (Creating space for new adventures.)

I moved back downtown. (Love love love.)

Dreaming, strategizing, and getting anchored. (...yeah...this is worthy of it's own focused blog entry...)

Healing and growing. (Lies exposed and truth embraced. Bill Johnson is right when he says, "I cannot afford to have a thought in my head that is not in His about me.")
  

That's a good word right there. (I should probably credit that sentence to Kris Vallotton.)
  

Don't know who I'm referring to? Check out ibethel.tv and get to know these world changers. And become a world changer yourself.
  

Speaking of the word "change" - September is around the corner and it seems that it will mark another turn on this road of life. Transition to transition. Or is it glory to glory? I like the latter way of seeing it.
  

I don't really know what this change all is, I just feel it coming. School of Transformation will start up again. I'm sure this has at least something to do with it. But I sense it's much more than that.
  

I will also say "Adios!" to my 20's as I celebrate my 30th birthday in September. Thaaaaaaaat was a little weird to type just now...haha...but I am genuinely excited! 

  

There really is something about this new decade...
  

Well, what else?
  

I'm pretty stinkin' proud of my all my neices and nephews, but today two nieces are especially on my heart. One is already oversees and serving in the Army. So proud of her! Another is leaving the state Monday to start basic training. Also so proud...We have a skype date this weekend. Skype goes on my thankful list this weekend.
  

I was this close (imagine my thumb and index fingers mere millimeters apart right now) to making a surprise trip down today. But something in me said "stay."
  

Sooo...here I am with my headphones in, good tunes on, and laptop currently covering my ripped jeans while I sit on a cozy couch in a downtown coffeeshop releasing some of my stirred up thoughts for the world to see.
  

Well, that came back around to the beginning of this twisty-turny little path in a way I didn't expect an hour ago. Perfect.
  

So peace out, ya'll. I'm hungry.

likable frequencies.

It's that time again for the top 10+ list of songs that my ears enjoy tuning into lately. Maybe it will expand your own list of likable frequencies. 

1. Stories by Bellarive
2. God of the Redeemed by Jeremy Riddle/Bethel Church
3. Postcard From 1952 by Explosions in the Sky
4. San Solomon by Balmorhea
5. Rain (Live) by Noel Robinson
6. Light by The Album Leaf
7. I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz
8. Sing by Bellarive
9. Settler by Balmorhea
10. Set A Fire by United Pursuit Band 
10+. You Know Me (feat. Steffany Frizzell) by Bethel Music - The Loft Sessions
10+. Embrace by Jake Hamilton

If you have any for me, let me know. I'm always up for new discoveries!

detail-atten-hut.

I did not wake up today thinking I'd blog about marching band. In fact, I did not wake up thinking I would blog at all.

But here I am...writing about...marching band. Yyyep.

My amazing friend since 3rd grade, Amy, posted on my Facebook wall yesterday. This is what stirred up this whole marching band thing today. My senior year show was called "Summon the Future Heroes" - with music from Back to the Future and the Olympic theme song, "Summon the Heroes". Given that the opening ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Olympics occurred today, I'm guessing the song got in her head and then reminder her of the 2000 field show...and then she reminded me.

Thanks to YouTube, I found one video from my senior year Indoor. Too fun...

When I started high school I had my foot in the door of two worlds. Sports and music. I decided to focus on just one as I started high school. Music it was.

I grew up in a town that makes me proud to say I was a band geek. I totally was, too. I'm not ashamed to say it. Haha

Seriously though, my four years as a Marching Jay were more influential than I could have imagined they would be when I started as a freshmen.

There are certain things still ingrained in me because of that season of life.

Example #1: Sometimes when I run, I run in step with the song I'm listening to because it keeps me going at a certain pace. Here's the geeky part - I have to make sure I'm stepping down on my left foot on beats 1 and 3.

I can't help it.

Example #2: Hearing the song, "You'll Never Walk Alone", played by a band or drum corp gives me chills. Here are the 1993 Jays - this is how the season always ends at the Indoor. 

  
Example #3: Push ups always remind me of band. Yes, we did A LOT of push ups in marching band. Yay for strong arms. 

Example #4: Poker chips don't remind me of poker. They remind me of marching band. If that makes zero sense to you, I'm going to leave you wondering.

While these examples are true, they are are just kinda fun. However, there are a number of transforming influences from this season of life.

I learned much about hard work and discipline. Countless hours preparing, learning music, drill, waking up at sunrise, building team...all so valuable. I learned more about unity, focus, and pressing through challenges and conflict. This season was a big part of me stepping out as a leader. This time also had a profound impact in my faith journey.

One of my best band buddies was Leah. We both played clarinet so we spent a lot of time together. Her and her family loved on me extravagantly. Funny thing, it turned out we used to play together when we were much younger at the lake. My uncle had a cabin next to her and her family when we were little kids. Leah was home schooled until freshmen year so we didn't reconnect until we started marching band in 9th grade. God is good.

God worked through Leah to introduce me to Jesus. I gave my life to Christ during high school. I am so thankful for a friend who loved God, loved me, and listened to His leading, took risks, and made invitations that led to me coming into relationship with God, too...her modeling this has since inspired me.  

So there ya go...it's been a day of remembering many things. Amy, thanks for the post of my wall that reminded me of the good ol' times as a Marching Jay.

Past and present directors, students, parents, and community members - Thank you for being a part of establishing and carrying forth this amazing program in Waseca. It's so much more than a bunch of kids marching around on a football field or a high school gym floor. This program helps build character in the lives of young students. I was one of hundreds shaped by the important qualities of this program. Thank you!

Annnnnnd just for fun, just in case you are into this, here are a few more videos I found today.

Top Velocity was one of my favorite parts of the Indoor. It hi-lites visual creativity in marching. It's pretty cool, in my opinion. Then again, I was a marching band geek so of course I'm going to find this awesome. ;)

Enjoy...

running. [part 3 - wind]

I shall begin with a few sentences to clarify which "wind" I'm talking about here.

  

Not this - "The road winds around the trees in the forest."

But this - "Forceful winds uprooted trees around the entire city."
  

Not this - "I'm running on the path that winds around the park."

But this - "I'm running against the wind."
  

I used to check the wind conditions before going on a run and would plan my route based on that. I would try to start against the wind and then turn around and have the wind against my back for the second half.
  

I certainly preferred it behind me.
  

It seems the majority of the time I run lately, it's not a calm day in the atmosphere. It's windy. And I press against it.
  

There's something about that...
  

I just read this on Beni Johnson's blog.
  

It makes sooo much sense to me.
  

I am one of those "feelers" that she refers to. And lately, I am picking up on restlessness and anxiety. (One thing I learned this last year, not all I feel is just me. Sometimes it is in me and I need to work through that with God and break partnership with things. Sometimes it's something I pick up, so to speak, that's going on around me or what others around me are feeling. Or lately, for me, I think it's been a bit of a mixture of both. He's doing a lot right now...a good stirring.)
  

In this anxiety or restlessness...or another word that I can't quite pinpoint yet, I do feel like I'm pushing against the wind in a spiritual sense. Just as when I am literally running against the wind it takes determined energy, strength, and focus to keep moving forward it has been that way in intercession, time with God, keeping peace, embracing Truth...all have been a very intentional, determined choice to live in.
  

A couple weeks ago I was running around Bemidji and it was...surprise...windy. I don't even bother to check weather conditions anymore. If I'm to run from point A to point B, I'm taking that route. I'm not going to avoid wind to get to my destination or make it easier.
  

Although I sure do want to...
  

I heard this as I was pressing in and moving forward with extra effort that day - "You keep running. Keep pressing against the wind until the winds shift and are behind your back. I am your strength. I am stronger...therefore, you are stronger."
  

I knew this was speaking into my journey with God, leadership, relationships, transitions...plus more I'm sure. And as this week has unfolded, it believe a word for the community of people who are following hard after Jesus right now.
  

I was praying with some amazing friends last night and those words came up again. And then I saw a whole line of people running in the same direction, pressing against the wind together. At first they didn't realize there were others running with them. But they began to look around and their eyes were opened to see that they were not alone on their run. A new strength came upon them.
  

There were people who were the forerunners taking the brunt of the resistance. But then there were tens, then hundreds, then thousands, then millions and beyond of people joining in on the run behind them. Those leaning in at the front of the pack paved a way for so many others to run with greater ease. And the forerunners were overjoyed in that reality.
  

Don't fix your focus on the wind. It's there. But fix your focus on the One who is stronger. Fix your focus on the direction you are going and the destination point. Fix your focus on the fact that you are not alone on your run. Fix your focus on the fact that your pressing in against the wind is making a way for millions of others to join in. Fix your focus on the fact that with so many people going in the same direction with such determination and mighty strength, it will shift the wind's direction.
  

You.Keep.Running.