God became Man

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel." , "which being interpreted is, God with us" (Matthew 1:23, prophesy from Isaiah 7:14)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth" (John 1:1, 14).

Merry Christmas!

Defend the Orphan (Isaiah 1:17)

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27.

I've read that so many times, and although its clear as day, I don't think my "religion" consists enough of looking after the "orphan and widow." Maybe not out of desire, but just ignorance of the practicality of it. If your're feeling like me, I have some advice: Family Life (familylife.com) had a series of great messages during their "The Cry of the Orphan" Campaign. Two in particular, given my Rick Warren, were very enlightening, and I recommend every Christian check them out. Apparently, God is VERY concerned for the orphan and oppressed. And therefore, so should we. Immediately, I want to run out an adopt a dozen kids, but that's obviously not something I can do yet (Shawn, don't get scared). However, there is much singles can do to defend the orphan, and it doesn't involve adoption. Family Life has a brochure called "Ten Ways Every Christian Can Care for the Orphan and Waiting Child." It's Free to order, and has some really practical and unique ideas. I'll share one that I had no idea exsisted and think is very cool:

Speak up for them: Ever wonder how to put all those fun years of college to even greater use? Start to thank God for those speech classes! It turn out there are organizations that train regular people to be Court Appointed Special Advocates for children in foster care. These volunteers get to know a child, his/her case, etc and speak to the court on their behalf. Visit www.natinalcasa.org for more details and to find an office near you.

Don't forget to get the Family Life brochure. It has more great great ideas!

He shall be called...

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, written over 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ).

Pursue!!

Ladies love to be pursued. We long to be chased after, desired, and fought for. I think of the way Shawn pursues me, and can't help but smile real BIG...the effort, the sacrifice, the commitment...It's beautiful. To pursue someone or something takes action, persistence, commitment, passion, etc, and this is exactly what God calls us to do in regard to a godly lifestyle.

1 Timothy 6:11 says, "But you (Paul writing to Timothy), man of God, flee from all this (evil, greed), and PURSUE righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. FIGHT the the good fight of the faith. TAKE HOLD of the the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession...(1 Timothy 6:11-12a"

So although it is God who works in us to do the things that please him (Phil 2:13), we obviously have a choice to make and a role to play. This role is not passive (i.e. waiting for God to develop all these things in us without any effort on our part) Rather, we must "PURSUE, FIGHT, TAKE HOLD " And just as a man pursuing and fighting for his lady is not a drag or burdensome task, but rather a joy and a delight, so should it be our joy and delight to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness."

Wedding Planning has began

It's been a month since we've been engaged, and although some days I feel like I haven't gotten much done in regards to wedding planning, I'm starting to see that I'm not doing so bad. I purchased my wedding dress this past weekend! It's beautiful...and so fits my personality. The girls and I have chosen bridesmaids dresses...They are so cute!! They will be so beautiful. Location is still being decided, and the research for photographers, flowers, caterers, etc, etc continues.

Wedding planning can be very consuming. I have to remember to keep it in check. I used to wonder why people hired wedding planners; not anymore. Nevertheless, it's been fun and I look forward to all this day will mean for Shawn and I.

Engaged!!

Shawn Evans asked me to marry his this past weekend! Aaahhh...so exciting! We've seen the Lord's hand already at work so much this past week, confirming his favor over our relationship. Shawn is such an amazing man, full of love and passion for God. He leads us into deeper faith, a life of prayer and a love for the Word of God. I'm so so blessed! Below is the story of the proposal, written by Shawn..he's also a great story teller.

The proposal was Saturday! It was supposed to be Friday, but my only plan - plan A, couldn't work because of the weather. I was going to take her up for a flight seeing tour of Galveston bay, right near Houston, but the weather was rough, and I know it was God's way of saying OK OK, cool out. You don't have to blow as much cash as you're thinking.

What really happened was God had something much cooler planned. We ended up having an early night and she had planned a date night the next night. We went to this water wall in Houston which is about 4 stories high, and just cascades water down this cement wall, on both sides, which is shaped like a semicircle. Very big. It was turned off when we got there. strike 1. Actually, we have our theories that it was off so this group of Buddhists wouldn't have good photos which they were taking about 10 minutes after we arrived to have a picnic. We ended up not eating for an hour after that but instead started praying. about 2 or 3 minutes later it started to rain, but not nearly as much on us, we being under a tree. They fled to a nearby shelter. This only encouraged us, and praying slowly became praying against deception of darkness, which became calling and casting out deceptive spirits from 75 feet off. This became singing, or more like almost yelling praise songs to the name of Jesus. Worship songs, and prayer, one would sing, one would pray, then the other way around, and we had something of a vigil against it.

We forgot to bring silverware, and eating with salad tongs, with an occasional cracker used as an eating tool. Pasta and salad. With salad tongs and crackers.Later, we went to listen to a jazz trio play at a church nearby in a music series they were doing. They had a dance floor and we got up for a number of them. It was really special. Following that, we went to a hotel lobby to listen to some recent work in composition I'd been putting together. I had written Tania a song called "Reflection", on which I played piano and sang, but for this occasion I told her there was a new work written for her. She wanted to hear it. "That depends on how you answer the next question, " I said. I took out the ring and said something like, "tonight has been the perfect metaphor of what God has put ahead of us, and I can't imagine being next to anyone else for it...Tania, will you marry me?" think that's what I said. 5 minutes later, we got ourselves together and listened to the second song written for her. You know, Because she got the answer right.

Bethany

I'm amazed, still, 24 hours after meeting an amazing girl named Bethany (not her real name). 17 year-old Bethany shined brightly with a love and joy that could only be described as heavenly. She talked about God like he was her highest treasure, and excitedly told me about her great passion to be a light in the world and share God's message with young people. Excitement, love, joy, humility, and peace just flowed from her so naturally...so genuinely.

I met Bethany at a Burn hospital for children where my church goes every other month to play Bingo with the kids there. Bethany had been to this hospital many times for treatment after the accident she suffered 8 years ago. Yet, it had been 2 years since she had returned.

A few weeks ago Bethany had told God that she wanted to getter better. (You see, her scars are MANY. Burned skin does not heal well). And so our God who is full of unfailing love answered Bethany's prayer. Soon after she received a call from Shiner's hospital. They wanted to fly her down to do reconstructive surgery on her face! For a 17 year-old girl who is not able to go to school because she helps her family, who make a living off a yogurt stand in Mexico, this blessings is huge!

Yet, as I sat there listening to Bethany tell me about the God she loved so much and was so passionate for, I could not help but forget about all her scars and the unfortunate plight of her life. All I could see was a beautiful girl, so spiritually rich....so full of a joy that can only come from God almighty. I was AMAZED! AMAZED!

She understood what it meant to be a citizen of heaven, a stranger in this world, a beloved child of the God of the universe. Like my friends Lauren and Tyler Maddox said in one of their blog post, we can see good people so misfortunate and poor in the eyes of this world, and think, "how unfair is that!!" (And maybe think too, how unfair is God). Yet, I'm telling you, this girl was SO FORTUNATE in the eyes of Heaven and had a spiritual wealth that we should eagerly aspire to have. She had it go'in on!!

Despite her financial and physical set backs, Bethany will soon be in training to be a missionary in Mexico. I'll never forget her words, " I just want the path he has for me...It's not about an emotion, its about passion for Him" How beautiful this life truly surrendered, truly anchored in the love of God.