Friday, April 11, 2008

Throwing in my 2 bits and Thursday Thanks

Just in case anyone missed it on Idol Gives Back Night, the producers of American Idol, opened the results show last night with not the group song "Seasons of Love" but with "Shout to the Lord"again. Wow, and this time the name of Jesus was right there loud and clear. And without the Ben Stiller ending this time. Wow. Two weeks of lots of faith based songs with an all out worship song two days in a row.



In case you missed it or can't get enough here is last night's results night performance.

I think it's amazing. I know there has been lots of hullabaloo over the internet about it. Lots of hashing it out and analyzing it. My thoughts? I personally think God works in mysterious ways. If He knows of one person out there who would be brought to Him He works things together for that. Only He knows hearts and what the impact these last two weeks of songs with faith and His goodness had on the singers, the cast, the cameramen, the musicians, whether they were believers or not. Can you imagine how many times they went over the song memorizing it, then in practice and rehearsal? Those words were washed over them every time. And the impact on the audience watching. He knows if there was but one heart who needed to hear those lyrics. He uses what means He will. Who am I to put Him in a box, after all he used a lowly little donkey to speak to a prophet, he used an unknown person to cast out demons in the New Testament ( Luke 9: 49 - 50), he used marching in silence of all things to cause Jericho to fall. For 7 days. Round and round. And round. I'm sure had we been around then we would have been questioning that too. His ways are not my ways and I am not privy to everyone's hearts and all His workings. Only He is. And I pray that the Holy Spirit was able to minister to each and everyone of them through it in the way that He knows they needed. May it be a moment they will never forget and a pivotal point they can point to and say the Lord touched them that night! And I applaud the producers for taking the risk. And millions got to hear that nothing compares to the promise they have in the Lord.

By the way, right now it is also the #1 download on iTunes. What a message that is sending to those in the music business!

And with that I'm moving into filling up my Thursday Thanks Tank a day late. Because I really, really want to do one. I've been sadly negligent in doing this since breaking my hand, but I really missed doing it. There is something about actually sitting down and naming the blessings from the Lord that have come your way during the week. It changes your focus and builds your faith.

1. I am thankful that the Lord is my Saviour, my love, my comfort, my shelter, my tower of refuge and strength. I am so thankful He is there, even when my humanness doesn't sense it. I am thankful His Word says He will never leave me or forsake me and that He is trustworthy. I will Shout to the Lord my thankfulness that He sought me and reached me and didn't give up on me.

2. Did anyone notice anything different? Look again. Jules (Everyday Designs), the wonderful designer of my site, did a bit of spring sprucing up and gave me a new background. Okay, can anyone say, totally me. I looooove it. I've always loved the swirly stuff, so I'm beyond thrilled. I may not be able to spruce my house up right now for spring, but by golly, thanks to Jules, my 'lil ole site got a sprucing up! Thanks Jules. If you want a new spring outfit for your blog, Jules is great to work with. Go on over and talk to her.

3. I am thankful to my dear hubby and my teens for taking up the extra slack with chores and even with helping with the dayhome kids during this last 5 weeks. My dear hubby has shelled out for take out more often than we ever normally would and I really appreciate that!

4. I am so thankful for my pastor's wife who immediately took the time to arrange for meals to be sent to me for a whole week when I first broke the hand. That she would take time from her very busy schedule and not delegate that really touched my heart. She even came and helped me with the dayhome one day. I am truly grateful for her friendship. I have never met a pastor's wife quite like her.

5. I am very, very thankful for my friend E. who dropped everything for days to help me out. She was totally there for me and continues to be as I have regular appointments with the OT and the surgeon. I don't know what I would have ever done without her.

6. I am thankful for all my blogging friends and for your wonderful words of encouragement, your cards that made me smile, and your emails to let me know you didn't forget about me. I am amazed at this blogging world I have found and how you all were there to lift my spirits when I really needed it.

7. I am thankful for good books. I am very thankful we have incredible access to books. And that our children have access to books. That is an incredible privelage we sometimes take for granted.

Thursday Tanks Tank headquarters is over at Without Fear and hosted by Pam.

19 comments:

Much Ado said...

Amen Susanne! very well put! I agree...by whatever means God decides to use.

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Awesome Post Susanne. I so agree.

Islandsparrow said...

I agree with you Suzanne. My daughter ran out to tell me it was on - she was impressed.

Anonymous said...

I have mixed emotions. On the one hand, it was so neat to hear the song in that venue and to "show" the judges and producers that it was well-received. But the fact that they took the name of Jesus out the first time through indicates to me it was more of a marketing ploy because they are getting the idea that that kind of music does sell. And I have trouble with them requiring the kids to sing it since they were not all believers, just as I would object for the Christians' sake there if they had required them to sing "My Sweet Lord" about Hare Krischna during Beatles week. OTOH, I guess if any one of them had strongly objected, they would have said so. I do hope the Lord used it in hearts. Even if AI's purposes were more marketing than spiritual, He still can use it.

gail@more than a song said...

I saw it last night, with all the correct words and name of Jesus! How amazing and wonderful.

Our Home Schooler and Jen said...

i join in taking my hat off to the producers

God works in mighty ways
how wonderful
I pray many hearts and souls were touched

thanks for sharing this
Jen

Susanne said...

Barbara:

Very good point.I thought the same thing about if it was not a Christian song but another song as you mentioned. And I had wondered if they were asked first. But I think as controversial as that would have been to force them to sing an all out worship song, I guess I had in my mind that they would have been allowed to object and another song was on paper as plan B. Maybe I'm might be totally off base with assuming that. It would be interesting to find out. I wonder if any of the morning show interviews with Michael Johns would have revealed that.

Thanks for bringing up that point.

Laura said...

Amen! Lovely post my friend and might I add lovely swirls as well :)

ellen b. said...

Amen Susanne! Let the name of Jesus be proclaimed...

GiBee said...

Okay -- first of all, I noticed the swirls right away, and was going to email you to figure out how you did that. LOVE IT. Then, a little later on I saw that Jules did it, so I guess there is NO hope in my figuring it out.

The song gave me chills. I think it is amazing that it's even out there on American Idol!! Does everyone realize the impact that has? Millions of people seeing it, and you know what? All the words were perfectly understandable! Awesome!

I didn't watch AI last night, but I may go online and see if I can catch it!

Robin said...

I'm still in disbelief that Shout to the Lord was on AI, not once but twice. I'm really glad - it just seems hard to figure out. It had to be a God thing!
I even downloaded it on my iPod - and I hardly ever buy anything on Itunes.

Barb said...

I found myself just grinning from ear to ear when I realized they were actually opening the show with one of my all time favorite praise songs last night. Wonderful and I think it's great that it's causing such a buzz in cyberspace.

I love your swirly new look. It's you!

Faith said...

AMEN!! Loved reading this!

Love your Thanks list, too! Praise the Lord for faithful friends, pastors/their wives, children who pitch in and hubbies who go with the flow and support us!

Oh...and I did notice your new look! very nice!

FlipFlop Mom said...

I don't watch AI... BUT WOW!!! I'm loving this!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing with me!!!

Love your THANKS!!

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Ohmygosh, Susanne. Jorge used the same example of the talking donkey! I agree with you 100%.

Hen Jen said...

this is the first I heard about it, we finally ended our t.v. fast and got a dish...but it is never on! So far we tivo re-runs of Monk, and my little one watches noggin every morning while I am in the shower...starting to think we've wasted out money!

I am very surprised they sang that, wow!

I like the new blog look, very nice!!

Sandra said...

I missed it so thank you for posting the link, I LOVED it.

I'm so happy that they've decided to sing that song, it says a LOT doesn't it???

Hope your hand is doing good.

Hugs,
Sandra

Shalee said...

I didn't see this show, but my lands! That was glorious! Personally I don't have a problem with requiring the performers to sing it. There are all sorts of songs that the performers sing that goes against their creed. Usually it's on the secular side though. This was a wonderful change for once. Who knows? Maybe those words will come back to speak to those who do not know the Lord...

Unknown said...

Thanks for the Idol clip. I don't watch it, and that is pretty cool.

The thanks were great to read, too.