Popularity – American Idol Style

Check out the kid in the “parachute pant” – the so-called “white MC Hammer” – dancing with his sister in this clip from Fox 
News: 
And they got a huge write up in the Bergen Record: 




This adorable duo are my two kids. For his 21st birthday on Thursday, AJ decided on a whim to try out for Americal Idol. The blockbuster show added a last minute audition city at the Meadowlands, just a short ride from our home. They were shooting for the humor angle. AJ facebooked:

  • Heading out for my American Idol audition with Lauren. Remember, infamy wields a much greater spotlight than fame. [take American heart-throb William Hung for example..]

Since they’re great friends as well as siblings, Lauren went along for the ride. They entertained the waiting crowds with their Party Rock Anthem dance shuffle moves. And captured LOTS of attention. “EVERYONE wanted to talk and interview us!!” And it was true – E!, Fox News, Bergen Record, NJ News 12, MTV News, Inside Edition, American Idol reps, and 102.7 FM radio all wanted a few minutes of their attention. It was all lots of fun for two charismatic kids with slightly better than average singing skills. 

And they got the golden ticket! Not to Hollywood yet, but to come back 2 days later for Rounds 2 and 3.
And my mommy radar went into overdrive. 
Sure it was great fun. But what about the bigger picture:
– What about their plans? College and beyond.
More importantly:
– What about their character? The pull of celebrity? The innate insatiable desire to be popular? . 



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“Popular” from the Broadway show “Wicked’ 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsKH2tqoFJ8

On Friday, Rick Warren tweeted the following:
Believe me: popularity is an insidious force that will destroy your character unless you deal ruthlessly with it before God.
I immediately texted that to my kids. Thanks Pastor Rick! 
Oh, what is it about celebrity that is so attractive? Is it wanting people to like us? Wanting to be popular? If so, then American Idol is the right name for that show, and for the culture that adores it. An idol is “1. an image or representation of a god used as on object of worship.  2. someone who is adored blindly and excessively.” In other words, an idol is anything that replaces God in our worship. When we want to be liked by people more than we care about what God thinks of us, we are in idol worship. And we must deal with it ruthlessly. 
I admit I want people to like me. I don’t like it if I think they don’t or if I feel left out. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting to connect with others. The problem is when the desire to be liked causes us to compromise, or causes us to neglect  our relationship with God in some way. 
When Jesus walked the earth, some people liked Him and some didn’t. And if not everyone liked Him, why would we expect everyone to like us? Jesus said just the opposite would be true.
“Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Mk 13:13
“Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude and insult you and reject your name, because of the Son of Man.” Lk 6:22
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you.” Lk 6:27
“Everyone will hate you because of Me.” Lk 21:17
Jesus loved everyone no matter how they felt about Him. He empowers us to do the same. 
So what happened with the kids on Saturday? Well, they got a second golden ticket which took them to Round 3 and another audition, this time before the Executive Producers. That didn’t go as well. They were told that their song was not an allowed song (copyright issues we’re guessing) so they had a just few minutes to prepare another song. And in the end, they were told to strengthen their vocals and maybe audition for So You Think You Can Dance. 
Not really a surprise. Going in, AJ’s ultimate hope was just to meet Steven Tyler. They got a lot farther than they expected. Must have been their winning personalities. 
Then again, maybe it was just the pants. 


But I’m Not A Morning Person!

I am not a morning person. I used to be a night owl. But age, kids, and work schedules have changed that for me. Now, you might say I’m strictly an afternoon person.
So when my friend Diane suggested a “ladies bike ride” at 7 am on a Saturday morning – at the shore – an hour away, I was secretly ambivalent. The fellowship sounded awesome, but the early morning hour, well let’s just say, I’m not a morning person. Despite my reservations, I agreed to go. And because I had a bike rack, I was committed.
The night before the ride, I had terrible trouble sleeping. When I finally fell asleep at 4 am, I dreamt that one of the girls cancelled the bike ride. Waves of relief flooded my subconscious REM sleep. When the alarm went off in the predawn darkness, my disappointment was palpable. You mean it was only a dream??? With great reluctance, I lethargically rose, got ready, and headed out. If it wasn’t for that darn bike rack commitment, I think I would have backed out. Have I mentioned that I am just not a morning person? Oy!
Six of us met at the rendezvous point, loaded up our bikes, and headed down the highway. Little by little, my morning brain fog began to dissolve.
We set out on our bikes heading north. A spectacularly glorious day. With the ocean to our right, the bay to our left, the refreshing wind in our faces, and nonstop laughter abounding. 

And I thought – I might have missed it all.
It’s not just the morning hour. I almost let my feelings dictate my actions. It sure wouldn’t have been the first time that happened. So often, I don’t feel like reading the Word OR making that phone call OR going to the homeless ministry OR preparing a Bible lesson OR writing that encouraging card OR going on that health walk OR a host of other things that turn out to be amazing blessings when I do follow through. 
And yet I justify my actions – or lack thereof –
– But I’m just not a morning person.
– But I’m just not organized.
– But my temperament is _______ (fill in the blank.)
– But I don’t have time. 
– But I’m afraid. 
I recently saw this on facebook: 
“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.” Martin Luther
I’ll add to that – you and I are not only responsible for what we do, but also for what we do not do. 
Paul struggled with this issue – “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, the the evil I do not want to do -this I keep on doing.” Rom 7:19-20 
Thankfully he went on to say “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 8:1 Oh joy! 


But I want more than to be free from God’s condemnation. I want to be obedient. I want to be centered in His will. I want to invest my “talent“, not bury it. (Matt. 25:14-30) I want to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I want to experience the rewards of obedience, sensing His peace and His pleasure in my actions. 


If Jesus could endure the cross for the joy that awaited Him (Heb. 12:2), can’t I even roll out of bed for the joy that awaits me? 

Though it may be cliche now, it’s still true. Nike’s slogan “Just Do It!” is echoed in the letter to the Hebrews (Message version):


“… we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running – and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” Heb 12:1-3 MSG


One act of obedience paves the way for the next. Each time we obey, we make it easier for the next time. So friends, can we all “Just Do It!” 


BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

Dear friends,


Today is my debut as a contributing writer at the devotional blog, Laced With Grace



Laced With Grace



In New Jersey, we have been devastated by flooding. Today’s post reflects on the how’s and why’s some people suffer yet some are spared. 


Please click the link to visit me over at Laced With Grace. And pretty please leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you, and will respond ;D


Blessings,
Susan

Are you listening?

Forgive me another 9/11 post. At our monthly writers meeting on Saturday, our exercise was to write a 9/11 reflection. Thought I’d share it with you.





9/11/2003
Two years after the day that forever changed life as we knew it, at a memorial service, I heard the testimony of a young man. He and a co-worker were in Tower 2 when the second plane struck. They ran from the office, unsure where to step next. Right or left? They argued as she wanted to take the elevator, but he heard a voice directing him to the stairs. He tried to convince her, but ultimately saw her for the last time in the foyer outside their office.


He listened to the voice directing him down, step by step, landing by landing, eventually to safety outside. He praised God for directing and leading him out. But I couldn’t get past the question – What about her? God loved her enough to direct her too, didn’t He? 


Eventually, I understood. God was surely speaking to both. But only one listened. Only one obeyed. The still small voice*. The voice saying “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.‘” *


And what about me? Do I listen when I sense the leading of the Spirit? Do I obey when the direction God gives is clear? 


Not always, I’m sorry to say.


This leading may not be the difference between life and death, but it surely is the difference between growing or not in discernment and Christlikeness. He was obedient, even to death on a cross. “If you love me,” He said, “you’ll obey Me.” 


That young man is alive today because he responded in obedience to the still small voice. I want to be obedient in the big and small choices I make, not for earthly benefits, but for the simple demonstration that I love Jesus. I like to think that I’d be willing to die for Jesus. How willing am I to live for Him? 


Jesus, I ask Your forgiveness for all the times I sense You directing me, and I turn the other way. Help me to be obedient, even unto to death, even unto life. 




*1 Kings 19:12, Isaiah 30:21, John 14:23-24

Cope or Hope?

A year after 9/11, my friend Ann VanHine – who lost her firefighter husband Bruce in the World Trade Center – first shared her story at our Ladies Tea. I was most impressed by Ann’s message of hope. She received many letters from the City of NY informing her of ways to cope. So she looked up the word “cope” in the Bible to see what God had to say about coping. And she didn’t find the word “cope” anywhere in God’s Word. What she did find was the word “hope.” Over and over, through trials and tribulations, God’s people are urged to hope. Hope in God. Hope in the LORD. Hope in His Word. 


Bruce was an avid outdoorsman and often hiked the Appalachian Trail, leaving Bibles in the shelters along the route from Maine to Georgia. Both Ann and Bruce quietly and faithfully shared their message of hope. 


Ten years later, Ann was featured in a story on the Today show. She is volunteer at the WTC Tribute Center and led a group of children born on 9/11/2001. Her message is the same now as it was 10 years ago – “You can’t lose sight of the good.” 


Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23


Here is the clip from the Today show:






And an added bonus:
Here is a clip from a friend of some friends of mine. His song commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11/01 is exceptional, and is a perfect complement to Ann’s message of hope. Enjoy!


 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLlJj9Aynq8

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The Aftermath

Tiffs Restaurant – where we had Easter dinner this year

Hess Station on Rt 23 where I regularly get gas

A&P, TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Moe’s – great little shopping plaza





For days, the media hype streamed its warnings. But in less than 24 hours, Hurricane Irene blew in and blew out, leaving floods, power outages, downed trees, and overall destruction in her wake. 


It is a week later. The skies are sunny and much of the water has receded, but the major clean-up is just beginning. Mud covers the parking lots. Mold grows in basements. Houses and their contents are ruined. 


Though the powerful storm was short-lived, its aftermath will continue for years. 


And what about the aftermath of our actions? 
Sometimes, one mis-spoken word alters relationships. 
An indiscretion creates havoc.
A foolish prank triggers repercussions. 
A quick decision brings consequences.
The choices we make today will reap an aftermath tomorrow.


There is a natural law that Paul sums up in Galatians 6:7-10 –
“Don’t be misled – you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature.”


Of course the opposite is also true:
“But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.” 


Hillsong United named their latest album Aftermath because “instead of living in the aftermath of our mistakes and sin, we can live in the aftermath of what Jesus has done for us.” 


After natural or man-made disasters, there are the expected devastating consequences. 


After the cross, there was and is the unexpected consequence – what appeared to be total destruction and loss one tragic Friday 2000 years ago was complete victory the following Sunday. A victory that is ours today.



“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith.” 

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