Winter Snow

So even if we don't have winter snow here, I still really like this song. It's definitely one of my new Christmas favorites. I saw it performed live [it's sung by someone named Audrey Assad] at Chris Tomlin's concert & it was incredible - it sounded even better live than it does in the recorded versions. To listen to it, you can go to YouTube and type in Winter Snow Audrey Assad.

Could've come like a mighty storm
With all the strength of a hurricane
You could've come like a forest fire
With the power of heaven in Your flame

But You came like a winter snow
Quiet and soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

You could've swept in like a tidal wave
Or an ocean to ravish our hearts
You could have come through like a roaring flood
To wipe away the things we've scarred

But You came like a winter snow
(Yes, You did)
You were quiet
You were soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

Oh, no, Your voice wasn't in a bush burning
No, Your voice wasn't in a rushing wind
It was still
It was small
It was hidden

You came like a winter snow
Quiet and soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

Falling
(Oh, yeah)
To the earth below
You came falling
From the sky in the night
To the earth below

Yummm

Where have I wanted to eat every day since I first tried it? Spoons! Everyone started talking about this new yogurt place. My rebellious go-against-the-grain side wanted to purposely avoid going there - you know, so I would seem cooler. But oh. I tried it, and it's y-u-m-m-y. I find myself thinking of reasons I need to be in that area of town about 3pm each afternoon. Today I drove by at 10am and wanted to stop! But it's not open then :( Don't worry, I've only been there about three times, so I am using some self-control.

There are lots of flavors of frozen yogurt I still need to try. And with all of the toppings, the combinations are endless! As if things couldn't get any better, the music they play is enough reason alone for me to drop in. Friday night: what's playing over the loudspeakers?? Your run of the mill elevator music? I don't think so. Wicked. Rent. Mulan. 'N Sync. Oh.my.word. I almost died of joy right there. These people have got taste! And the servers, they were dancing to the music, haha! It's a fun atmosphere. Basically, I think you should try it - and don't forget to invite me to come :)

God Sent His Son

So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

~Galatians 4:3-7

HO! HO! HO!

Oh Santa. You are everywhere during this season. And you are a lot of fun. I never really believed in Santa as a kid. Crazy, huh? I think my sister did. And my parents didn't tell her anything different than me. I just remember being a skeptic. I was a little kid who thought a lot about everything. And I took things pretty seriously. I remember for me, that Santa just didn't quite add up for some reason. Recent things I've heard from the kids I work with about Santa & Christmas:

-Santa is watching me
-Santa knows if I've been good or bad
-I'm going to be good just this month so he'll give me stuff
-Without fail, the first thing when I ask a kid about Christmas coming up, "Yeah, and I'm getting....."
-Their "list" is usually miles long - and with few things under $100, ha!
-My favorite, "Do you think this is too much to ask Santa for?"
-"No, I think that Santa will be more than happy to get you a Wii, a Game Cube, a Playstation 3, and an Xbox."

I think it's fun and not necessarily bad for kids to look forward to getting presents [kind of like their birthday]. I also realize that Christmas is really a man-made holiday. Jesus was not born in December, and the holiday actually has pagan origins. Shocking, I know! I don't think that everything about the season has to be about Jesus or God to be considered a "true celebration." And sometimes the statement "Jesus is the reason for the season" doesn't strike me as completely accurate. It can be the reason if you want it to be, but there's not Biblical law that says it has to be. However, I do think that Christmas & its traditions can be used as a good opportunity to teach kids [and to remind adults!] about God & the gift of His Son. And about the unique way that God loves humanity. And that is where Santa started catching my attention. Just hear me out, I promise I don't hate Santa or anything! It just started me pondering...

Think how confusing it must be to a literal-thinking, uncritical preschooler. Santa is so much like what we’re trying all year to teach our children about God. Look at the “attributes” of Santa:

• He’s omniscient—he sees everything you do.
• He rewards you if you’re good.
• He’s omnipresent—at least, he can be everywhere in one night.
• He gives you good gifts.
• He’s the most famous “old man in the sky” figure.

But at the deeper level that young children can’t comprehend yet, he is not like God at all. For example, does Santa really care if we’re bad or good? Think of the most awful kid you can remember. Did he or she ever not get gifts from Santa? What about Santa’s spying and then rewarding you if you’re good enough? That’s not the way God operates. He gave us his gift—his Son—even though we weren’t good at all. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). He gave his gift to us to make us good, not because we had proved ourselves good enough.

Helping our children understand God as much as they’re able at whatever age they are is our primary goal.

~Noel Piper, Treasuring God in Our Traditions

So, basically Santa has bad theology! :) Haha. Really though, he represents something so magical to a lot of kids. He is much like a "higher power." The main thing that gets me is that we teach kids that he's a higher power who's approval & giving of gifts is conditional. Based on merit. Based on works. How hard even adults have to grapple with the concept that God's gifts are unconditional and not deserved! That kind of love is so rare, so counterintuitive, that it's hard to wrap your heart & mind around. This is the kind of love that as a parent, I would do anything to help my kids understand. And Christmas is such a priceless time to do that, especially with the emphasis on gift-giving and love. When I hear the adorable kids I work with talking about Santa watching them to see if they are good enough to deserve gifts, I can't tell you how much I want to tell them about the True Giver of the best gift! And that He will take them just like they are....naughty and all.

Just Wow

Really cool story that was recently in the local news:

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/68441827.html
[to watch the video]

Planned Parenthood has been a part of Abby Johnson's life for the past eight years; that is until last month, when Abby resigned. Johnson said she realized she wanted to leave, after watching an ultrasound of an abortion procedure.

"I just thought I can't do this anymore, and it was just like a flash that hit me and I thought that's it," said Jonhson.

She handed in her resignation October 6. Johnson worked as the Bryan Planned Parenthood Director for two years.

According to Johnson, the non-profit was struggling under the weight of a tough economy, and changing it's business model from one that pushed prevention, to one that focused on abortion.

"It seemed like maybe that's not what a lot of people were believing any more because that's not where the money was. The money wasn't in family planning, the money wasn't in prevention, the money was in abortion and so I had a problem with that," said Johnson.

Johnson said she was told to bring in more women who wanted abortions, something the Episcopalian church goer recently became convicted about.

"I feel so pure in heart (since leaving). I don't have this guilt, I don't have this burden on me anymore that's how I know this conversion was a spiritual conversion."

Johnson now supports the Coalition For Life, the pro-life group with a building down the street from Planned Parenthood. Coalition volunteers can regularly be seen praying on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood. Johnson has been meeting with the coalition's executive director, Shawn Carney, and has prayed with volunteers outside Planned Parenthood.

On Friday both Johnson and the Coalition For Life were issued temporary restraining orders filed by Planned Parenthood.

Rochelle Tafolla, a Planned Parenthood spokesperson issued the following statement: "We regret being forced to turn to the courts to protect the safety and confidentiality of our clients and staff, however, in this instance it is absolutely necessary."

The temporary restraining order contends that Planned Parenthood would be irreparably harmed by the disclosure of certain information, but does not bar Johnson or Coalition For Life volunteers from the premises.

As of Sunday evening, neither Johnson nor Carney had seen the complaint filed against them that prompted the restraining order.

A hearing about the order has been set for November 10.

Holy Mackerel!!!

Holy schnikes! Holy moley! Holy cow! Holy smokes! The list could go on......and on.



I've never really thought much about why we use these expressions. That is, until it was brought to my attention the other day. We use "holy" in expressions because it means that something is unusual or surprising. It's not ordinary or what you would expect. It's kind of shocking even.

Not only do we hear the word "holy" in expressions, but it also pops up a lot in the Bible. All over the place. If you asked me what holy meant before our recent discussion about it in church, I would probably tell you something like, "God. He's holy." Which, of course, is true. The definition of holy derived from the greek word qodesh is: distinct, separate.

I've been a Christian all of my life. So sometimes I can sit in church or at Bible study and feel like I've heard something a million times. And I'm sure I've sat through countless sermons and studies about being holy and living a holy life. I think that, on an average day, the word holy doesn't hold a lot of meaning for me [sadly]. But this particular time, it really hit home.

As a Christian, being distinct, or separate from everyone else is really about living a unique lifestyle - one that's purpose is to bring glory to God and to be used for His will. It's really not as hard to live this set apart lifestyle when you're around so many other people who are doing it too. Then it doesn't seem so set apart, does it?

This describes a lot of my experience in high school and college. I was around many people whose goal was to live a set apart, or holy, lifestyle - and that was such a blessing. But the real test for me has been after I graduated college. After I got out of my Christian "bubble." Now, more often than not, I feel "different." I'm just not the "norm" in a lot of choices I make. Being holy is so much more of a challenge! Some days instead of feeeling holy, I'm tempted to give into feeling like the freak! It doesn't always seem cool to be different. It can be lonely.

I was really encouraged by the reminder that as believers in Christ, we are called to be holy. And by the fact that we are supposed to be different from the norm. Maybe it's ok to be a freak after all!

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, ¹⁵but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
~1 Peter 1:14-16


Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
~2 Timothy 2:21

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, ⁹ who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, ¹⁰and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel...
~2 Timothy 8:1-10

I Save Squirrels

So, today I was driving along in a north Bryan neighborhood that was not in the best area [on the job]. And I saw a rottweiler harassing a squirrel in this yard. The little squirrel was pathetically twitching as the rottweiler stood over it. I was filled with indignation. I quickly pulled over my car to the side of the road and put on my hazard lights. This was an emergency. I contemplated the foolishness of getting out of the car and approaching an unleashed rottweiler but decided there was no other option. I walked to the edge of the yard slowly and yelled "Shoo, shoo." The rottweiler didn't seem to care. I yelled, "Leave him alone! Stop it!" I thought that no one was watching, but apparently, the neighbors across the street came outside. I started to realize I probably looked a little bit crazy standing there, with my hazards on, waving my arms at some strange rottweiler. The rottweiler wagged his tail at me [so he is friendly?], and picked up the twitching squirrel in his mouth and trotted away. Truthfully, it was the thought of the squirrel suffering that really worried me the most, and I decided that it was probably already dead and I should move on. I could have gotten back into my car without much embarrassment if the man across the street hadn't asked, "So, is that your dog?" To which I replied, "No I just hate seeing squirrels suffer." Yeah. I drove down the street to my clients house and told them that their neighbors will probably be talking about the crazy lady in the white car for a while.