Archive for April, 2008

American Idol surprised me again - Praise God!

If you watched Idol gives back last night, you too were blessed by the sound of American Idol finalists singing Shout to the Lord as the shows climax moment. But, even if you are not an American Idol enthusiast, I’m sure you can still appreciate the idea that millions of people were sitting at home last night, all with their hearts lifted up to Jesus, if just for a moment.

You know, I just sat there on the edge of my seat. All of them dressed in pure white, and many of them not just singing, but it was obvious that they were worshiping!

How much of an impact can that make?

Well, how many children and teens really do idolize the American idols. So, how much of an impact can hearing them with their voices lifted to the Lord really make - A pretty big one.

On top of that, though when we look around America, it is hard to tell, most Americans do believe in God. In fact, a large number of them believe in Jesus. The issue is that they have no connection or relationship with Him. But, to interrupt their daily routines and just open up a small window for the Lord to jump in and whisper to their heart, “I’m still here and I still Love you…” That is indeed priceless.

I want to share that video here for those of you who did not get to see it. Since it is only the day after the American Idol Shout to the Lord performance, the quality of the only video that I could find isn’t the best. But, you can still see the sincerity on their faces and watch as the confetti falls from the sky.

As an extra bonus, I’m also post Mariah Carey’s Idol Gives Back performance of her new song, Fly Like a Bird. Just a few of the lyrics of this song:

Fly like a bird
Take to the sky
I need you now Lord
Carry me high
Don’t let the world break me tonight
I need the strength of You by my side

Sometimes this life can be so cold
I pray You’ll come and carry me home
Carry me higher, higher, higher
Carry me higher, higher, higher
Carry me home
Higher Jesus
Carry me higher Lord

I hope that these performances bless your heart as much as they blessed mine. Christians in America have been praying for a revival in our country. It’s little things like this that prove that God is quietly at work bringing it to pass…

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This won’t be your typical Christian Inspiration, but it truly inspired me!

I believe that every married couple should have a “thing.” Something that they do together on a regular basis that’s fun, entertaining, relaxing, and just plain silly! Well, my husband and I have several “things,” but one of them is American Idol.

I know what some Christians will say - American Idol is idol worship. But, I truly don’t think it’s any more idol worship than a football game or any other sport. I do think that, like sports, people can turn it into idol worship, but that is a whole different topic…and I digress.

My husband and I were watching this week’s American Idol and were shocked to hear the most controversial name in the world mentioned on one of the most popular TVs shows nation wide. No, that name was not Michael Jackson - It was Jesus Christ!

In our home we have a running joke. Whenever we hear someone say the Lord’s name on network TV, we always stop and look at each other - “Oooh, can you say Jesus Christ on Television?”

Why is it a joke? Because you can say Mother Nature, you can say the Creator, you can even say God, but you say Jesus, and people start looking at you a little funny!

Why is His name so controversial? Because it is the name above all other names. It is the name that separates Christianity from all other religions on the earth. Yeah, we can all say we believe in God, but the name Jesus reminds people that we AREN’T all worshiping the same God as they would like to pretend.

So, when two separate guest performers on this week’s American Idol showed up praising the name of Jesus, my husband reminded me that OUR God will find a way to be glorified.

He’ll creep into the world’s system when they least expect it, and remind Him who He really is.

Dolly Parton sang a beautiful song from her new CD called Jesus and Gravity:

‘Cause I’ve got
Somethin’ lifting me up
Somethin’ holding me down
Somethin’ to give me wings and
Somethin’ to keep my feet on the ground
I’ve got all I need,
Jesus and gravity

But I’m as bad as anyone
Taking all these blessings in my life for granted one by one
When I start to thinkin’ it’s all me
Well somethin’ comes along and knocks me right back on my knees…

On top of that, another guest performance by the Clark Brothers stepped out to show their faith and worship the name of Jesus. Their rendition of “This Little Light of Mine” included the old Gospel song “Jesus on the mainline, tell Him what you want!”

Oh, let me tell you, I was glued to the screen waiting for Seacrest to run on the stage and drag them all off by their ears lol!

Of course, I’m sure that FOX and the American Idol producers received their share of mail over the past week, but I know that I was definitely blessed! In fact, this week when things weren’t going as well as I would have liked, my husband looked at me and said,

“Well, you’ve got Jesus and gravity - Right!”

I couldn’t help but smile.

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Christian Meditations in a Minute: God’s Divine Protection

Today’s Scripture:

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
I cried out to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy mountain.
I lay down and slept,
yet I woke up in safety,
for the Lord was watching over me.
I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
who surround me on every side. ~Psalm 3: 3-6Psalm 3: 3-6
English: World English Bible - WEB
3 But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me, My glory, and the one who lifts up my head. ⁴ I cry to Yahweh with my voice, And he answers me out of his holy hill. Selah. ⁵ I laid myself down and slept. I awakened; for Yahweh sustains me. ⁶ I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people Who have set themselves against me on every side.

WP-Bible plugin

(NLT)

Today’s Meditation:

Heavenly Father, I trust You to be my Shield in every area of my life.
I know that I don’t have to constantly watch my back,
because You love me and will watch it for me.
Last night, I laid my head on the pillow.
I was asleep, unaware and powerless.
And yet, I awoke this morning to a new day.
Alive because You kept me alive.
Safe because You kept me safe.
So, today and everyday, I choose not to fear.
Why? Because You love me,
and I am learning to trust Your love.

Other Things You May Like:

• Discover how to renew your mind through Christian meditations in this short Bible Study
• Travel through Psalm 91 and learn about the realities of God’s divine protection promised to you in His Word.

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By Ameerah Lewis

Peace

I find it here
sitting in the Presence
of nothing less than
My God.

The gentle breeze of Your Love
glides across my face.

Your warm Son
sheds light on places
I thought could never reflect
You…

Your glory
Your love
Your peace

But they do
They reflect your Light

And now
Finally…
Finally, my daunting darkness has been replaced
by Your loving Light

And it covers me

I thought You Light would mock me…
Reveal my weaknesses
Make an open show
of my faults

And yet,
It covers me

It covers me
Until there is no more of me…
Only You.

Your Light has found me
and I will abide within it
Forever.

Copyright 2008 www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org
Please do NOT use without permission.

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