Recently in Christian AC music Category

Big Daddy Weave's lead singer and guitarist, Mike Weaver, is resolving to lose 90 pounds this year by launching the "90 in '09 Challenge."

His bio on the "90 in 09" website puts it this way: "Political correctness aside, Big Daddy Weave's frontman Mike Weaver is fat." But now, taking a line from the band's latest album, he's wondering what life would be like if he lost weight and got healthy.

Christian music legend Steven Curtis Chapman's eldest daughter Emily wed Tanner Richards on October 4th in a private ceremony at the Chapman home in Franklin, TN.

Emily's brother Caleb Chapman performed Chapman's hit song, "Cinderella," while father and daughter dances. Steven also composed special music for the ceremony, including the music that played as Emily and her bridesmaids walked down the aisle.

It must have been a bittersweet event for the family, who suffered a tragic loss in May when youngest adopted daugher Maria was killed in an accident in the family driveway. Maria had been excited about the wedding, and was buried in her bridesmaid's dress.

Here are two more pictures:

Nominations were announced yesterday for Beliefnet's 8th Annual Most Inspiring Person of the Year Award, and on the list is Christian music icon Steven Curtis Chapman.

The nomination is an annual recognition by Beliefnet readers and editors of noteworthy humanitarian actions that inspire and encourage us all to live better lives. The Most Inspiring Person of the Year Award is bestowed upon someone who has risen above expectations. He or she may have countered stereotypes and demonstrated courage, forgiveness, self-sacrifice or love under difficult and challenging circumstances.

Voting began yesterday; readers can vote once a day through December 5th.

Chapman and his family suffered a tragic loss this past May when their youngest adopted daughter, Maria, was accidentally run over in the family's driveway by their oldest son, Will.

The Christian community was shocked recently when Christian recording artist Ray Boltz come out of the closet and announced that he was gay. The world was much less shocked when recording star Clay Aiken made the same announcement, but was puzzled by his assertion that he's a Christian.

Christian recording artist Brian Bates has something to say about both announcements.

Bates grew up in a Christian home, accepted Jesus as his Saviour, and then in college, walked away from God to lead a partying, gay lifestyle.

Brian says it was a friend named Julie who helped him turn his life around. "Julie loved like Jesus. We did not agree on the gay issue, but her kindness and compassion really affected me. The Bible says it's God's kindness that leads to repentance. That's so important to remember, and is the proper response to this issue I believe. I didn't forsake a gay identity because I was afraid of going to hell. I did so because I fell in love with a God that I could trust. That is absolutely my story."

Brian recently penned an essay with his thoughts on Christianity, homosexuality, and God's love. I wanted to share it with you because readers have been sharing their thoughts on Ray Boltz, in particular. (Note: this is not exclusive to Beliefnet, but it was so important I wanted to share it in its entirety.)

While the rest of America sat in stunned silence on September 11, 2001, Christian music artist Tammy Trent was dealing with a deeper, more personal tragedy.

The day before, Tammy and her husband Trent Linderink (Tammy uses her husband's first name as her stage last name) were on a part mission trip/part vacation to Jamaica. Tammy watched as her husband of 11 years dove into the peaceful waters of the famed Blue Lagoon - and never resurfaced.

Tammy spent the rest of the day with rescue divers trying to locate her husband, with no success. The next day, she woke to a world gone mad, as planes hit the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Her family was unable to get to her as she grieved for her husband, whose body was eventually found, as all flights were shut down. She was stuck in Jamaica for 10 more days, unable to get home or have family get to her.

In time, as her grief started to slowly dissipate, Tammy was given a platform to share her testimony around the world, including spots as a featured speaker and performer with Women of Faith and The Revolve Tour. She's also authored two books about her experience--Learning To Breathe Again: Choosing Life and Finding Hope After A Shattering Loss (W Publishing, 2004) and the devotional/gift book, Beyond The Sorrow: There's Hope in the Promises of God, (J. Countryman, 2005)--in addition to making her return to the music spotlight with an emotional and therapeutic recording, 2006's I See Beautiful. Her current album, Stronger, released this summer.

Here, Tammy shares a guest blog post about getting through those times when life seems like nothing but grief and disappointment.