I miss Rocking Christian Radio in my Car

In California, I used to listen to K-Love Radio all the time in my car (when I wasn't listening to KDFC classical music or the occasional CD). In France last year it was Radio Classique as there were no contemporary Christian music stations. Those are the two kinds of music I find the most encouraging and uplifting. I do like good smooth jazz, too, and '80s pop music for nostalgic value.

Here in the U.K., I again listen mostly to Classic FM for the same reasons. Occasionally, though, I'll switch to the AM side to hear a few words on the TWO FRENCH stations I can get here in England: RTL and France Inter. We're not even near the coast of the English Channel, so I find it amazing that we can receive these broadcasts. We found that when we drove to France we were likewise able to receive some U.K. stations. It reinforces how narrow the English Channel is, I guess.

I enjoy listening to the French for a few minutes at a time because it's good for maintaining my slang and accent, vocabulary reinforcement, speedy comprehension, but honestly it's truly utterly boring talk radio most of the time (to me). I have to switch it off pretty soon. I do like that it gets me talking to myself in French for a few minutes afterwards.

Lately I've been noticing my lack of knowing what new Christian songs have come out in the past two years, what new bands have been surfacing...and lack of being encouraged in worship during the week. Yesterday I turned on some Christian upbeat worship songs on our stereo as I tidied up the house and did dishes and laundry, and was totally uplifted and caused to think deep thoughts about God. Some favorite lyrics from that session:

Newsboys: In Christ Alone

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Newsboys: Lord (I don't know)

Lord, I don't know where all this is going
Or how it all works out
Lead me to peace that is past understanding
A peace beyond all doubt

Oh, Lord, you are the author
Redeeming what's been done
You hold us in the present
And all that is to come

This so expresses my feelings this week that I don't know what God is doing with us here in England. I don't know how long we'll be here. I don't really know why we are here. Maybe we'll be here for 15 more years - what would that look like? I feel like I'd better start blooming where I'm planted. Not that I haven't somewhat. I've been involved in leadership of our moms' prayer group, I've organized two romantic period dances (one for couples and one for families), I've volunteered for a month at a hospital, I've been learning much about how to play bridge, I've gone through the driver's license process, I've planted flowers, made friends in the neighbourhood, etc. But I haven't settled my heart here. This has much to do with God not giving us peace and unity about a church home, still, after 11 months here. Not for lack of trying on our parts! Maybe God is doing something special with us that we will understand later. For now, it's a big mystery to me.

I listened to K-Love online today for the first time in quite a while: I cringed at some plasticky voices...yikes. But I let that pass to enjoy some great music nonetheless. It was comforting to hear some of the same good old songs I know (makes me feel not TOO out of date), along with some good new ones.

I have to run to catch the train to see my beloved, and this is clearly no longer a post about radio stations. So I'll close with another lyrical quote, this time from Matt Redman: You are Worthy (frequently makes me want to cry in passion at the utter worthiness of God):

Worthy, You are worthy
Much more worthy than I know
I cannot imagine
Just how glorious You are
And I cannot begin to tell
How deep a love You bring
O Lord my ears have heard of You
But now my eyes have seen

You're worthy
You're worthy
You're worthy
You're worthy to be praised
Forever and a day

Glory, I give glory
To the One who saved my soul
You found me and You freed me
From the shame that was my own
And I cannot begin to tell
How merciful You've been
O Lord, my ears had heard of You
But now my eyes have seen