Thursday, April 10, 2008

Big Weekend

Today begins a great roller coaster weekend for me. I am singing tonight at the Symphony Hall for an event with Max Lucado. Sandi Patty, Jaci Velasquez and Heather Headley will also be singing. It's hard to explain what the event is, so I won't try. Just know it's an event for bookstore people, publishing people, and the like. It's a night centered around his book, "3:16," which is a great book, by the way.

Then I am heading to San Diego in the morning for Living Proof Live San Diego. Can't wait! I love San Diego. I actually love Southern California more and more every time I go. Woo hoo...all you folks who are looking forward to being there...just know that we are looking forward to it, too!

We fly home Saturday after the event. Then on Sunday, I have a Hymn Sing with the Nashville Symphony. Two performances on Sunday. Shmaimy will be there...as will Melinda Doolittle and some guy named Bill Gaither. I am so excited to sing "In Christ Alone" with the symphony.

Then our big trip is on Monday. Thank you so much for your prayers for us as we trust the Lord to sustain us through the next week.

It seems like everyone in the blogosphere is talking about the Idols singing "Shout To The Lord." I have read of Christians and non-Christians alike being offended and up in arms. I read an atheist's take on it last night, and he was just so irate. I couldn't believe it, really. This guy spends so much of his life jawing about people being treated equally, and wanting EVERYONE to be ACCEPTING of EVERYTHING. Then all of a sudden, he doesn't want to return the courtesy to Christians. Suddenly giving equal time and credence to everyone isn't working for him, because he doesn't agree with the song. Wow. It seems like his take on the whole thing makes him guilty of that which he accuses Christians.

Anyway, I am not a theologian. And I certainly want to respect everyone's opinions and feelings. But personally I was so glad and excited to see the name of the Lord spoken and revered on that show. I mean, really. Why in the world would they choose that song, unless the Holy Spirit was doing a work? Of all the inspirational songs in the world...they choose "Shout to the Lord." Wow. And - yes - they left out the word 'Jesus.' I was bummed about that. But these people are LOST. They are lost. They are not found. They don't get it. I am not going to hold them responsible for knowing what to do with a moment like that.

It's an observation I've made with us as the body of Christ: we tend to want to expect lost people to know how to act saved. It's sort of like being mad at a blind person for running into a chair in a room when he is all by himself.

Do I wish they would have said 'Jesus?' Yes. Am I glad that by the providential hand of the Lord they sang "Shout to the Lord?" Heck yes!

And I pray in Jesus' name that the Holy Spirit will do a mighty work in our nation...that those words that were sung - "Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your name! I sing for joy at the work of Your hands! Forever I'll love You! Forever I'll stand! Nothing compares to the promise I have in You!" - will permeate every heart that's longing for something more in this life...aching for a love that will not let them go. Do a mighty work, MIGHTY LORD.

And there was cause for happiness for something else: Paula Abdul said her first complete sentence of the season. Granted, she didn't construct it herself...she read it from a teleprompter. But still.

45 comments:

Cindy said...

I'm sorry I missed that on Idol. Do you think it will be on YouTube?

Praying for you during this time of many performances and lots of travel.

Have a Blessed week!
Cindy

Susanne said...

Amen, my brother!! (on the "idol portion" of your post...couldn't have said it better myself...and I tried!)
Praying for safe travels, and Awesome-God-honoring experiences this weekend! Have a good one, and tell my dear, sweet Miss Beth I said hello!

Cindy said...

I did find the clip on YouTube. Should have looked there earlier. It was beautiful but definitely different to hear something like that on Idol. I'm sure people will be talking about it for days to come.

Cindy

Rachel said...

Yes, it is AWESOME that out of all the songs they chose that one. Gotta get past my suspicious mind. Praying for you and your family this busy, busy weekend!

Fran said...

Bring it brother!!! I'm with ya 100% on the whole AI thing. God will definately continue to do His great big glorious thing with it all! He will!

Praying for you with all the fun stuff going on. Protection, safety, His presence, and His favor and blessings over each day and each detail.

Glory, glory, glory!!

ocean mommy said...

Amen and Amen....

I'll be praying for you all as you jet set around the world this weekend!

Blessings
steph.

Alana said...

I agree. I think the Holy Spirit was at work and that Christians should be praising God for the miracle this is!

It wouldn't be the first time God used imperfect people and an imperfect situation to His glory, now would it?

He will use this for good...of THAT I AM SURE!

Just Call Me Grammy said...

Sounds like an awesome, exciting, exhausting stretch coming up. Enjoy.

Amen to your Idol comments. I feel exactly the same way. I heard Ryan announce the song and said, WHAT??? I turned it up loud so my husband could hear it from the other room and it gave me goosebumps to hear the name of God given praise like that. I told my husband this morning that I expected the Christian world to be in an uproar about them changing Jesus to shepherd. I think we (as a whole) tend to focus on whatever the one negative is and forget the positives--they sang praise to God with the whole nation watching!!!!!! How can that be all bad.

Anonymous said...

Amen and Amen!!! It was awesome that a truly great worship song was chosen at all!!! You said it very well and I will be praying for traveling mercies for all of you!!!

Deidre said...

Well said ... why do we expect the lost to act saved? Guilty.

Praying for you and your family during the next week. Enjoy!

Brenda said...

Yes and Amen about the Idol comment. It certainly is a talking point for us as believers!
Bill Gaither is an Indiana Treasure. Speaking of Indiana treasures-- DMHO will be up (in literally my backyard this weekend!) It was such a thrill when they were on stage at the Praise Gathering with Shmaimy and Shmichael W. Shmith!!!
Would still love another recording of you and the Hoosier Daddy!!!
In His Mighty Name,

Brenda in Indiana

AnnieBlogs said...

I totally agree about Idol. It was a moment that makes me wonder what happened in Heaven right then. Something cool, I bet.

girlmomx3 said...

Heavenly Days--He is on the throne! What other explaination is there? I loved your quote, "we expect lost people to act saved. . " Love it!

Bring it Bro. Travis!

Blessings to you and yours this crazy week and weekend,
Jane

BTW-Are you wearing the ascot? AKA scarf. . .

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited to see you here in sunny CA tomorrow night, Travis! Your itinerary exhausts me, however! I don't know how you do it. I am praying for the safe travel of everyone attending.

Tamara said...

"Why in the world would they choose that song, unless the Holy Spirit was doing a work?...And - yes - they left out the word 'Jesus.' I was bummed about that. But these people are LOST. They are lost. They are not found. They don't get it."

Amen. And Amen. Excellent perspective. Thank you for sharing that!

Cindy-Still His Girl said...

Good words, Frydaddy.

Praying you have an incredible week! You're going to see some of my old friends... I went to Sandi Patty's garage sale, and I ate in a Chinese restaurant with Bill Gaither. Well, I didn't WITH him, but I'm sure he wanted me to. We're tight like that.

Erin K. said...

Amen! Love your analogy of the blind guy. I was surprised that they left the lyrics alone for the rest of the song - the references to "Lord", singing praise to "the King", and "never cease to worship you" are all very powerful (and very much Christian) things to say. I was very excited to see them sing this!!

puzzlepiecesista said...

Well Trav, I sure will be praying for your stamina as you begin a whirlwind of a weekend!!

I loved, loved, loved that Idol choose "Shout To The Lord". It totally encourages me and reminds me that God is still really in control of our Nation and our future and He is oviously moving in the hearts of the saved and the un-saved, the lost and the found alike. Glory to our Great God!!

Angela in Redmond, WA

Nicole - Life in Progress said...

"we tend to want to expect lost people to know how to act saved"

That is so completely true and yet, I never really thought of it that way before. Nice perspective.

Blessings to you & the fam as you begin what sounds like a CRAZY few days!

Cindy said...

I know you are busy tonight but you might want to set your TiVo. The Office is back and brand new tonight. Yea!!!!!

Cindy in Weaverville

Oliver said...

I didn't get to watch AI last night (had to DVR it!). But I caught the end and when I heard them sing "Shout to the Lord" I thought to myself, is this for real? Even without the name of Jesus (and I so wish his name had been included) our Shepherd, our Tower of Refuge and Strength was praised in front of millions of people. I can only hope and pray that the message got through and lives were touched in some way. It can only be good in this world we live in!

And Travis, when I look at your itinerary, I think to myself again, is this for real? I simply cannot imagine. God is so amazing and is doing some amazing things! God bless you and your wife (and Shmaimy, etc.) with traveling mercies. May God keep you in full voice and bless you both with strength as you go traveling on!

sweethomealagirl said...

Good point about expecting the lost to act saved. It should be obvious that they thought they were doing something by taking "Jesus" out, yet that really changed nothing about the song. I am glad the world heard those words, whether they said His name or not!

Safe travels for you this weekend! Sounds like some pretty awesome company!

Kelly S. said...

AMEN brother meista!!

Will be praying for your up coming travels.

Anonymous said...

They just sang "Shout to the Lord" again on the results show, and this time, the name of Jesus was inserted. Praise the Lord! My eyes are filled with tears and I am amazed that this song was sung, not once, but twice. May God use it in a mighty way to touch hearts across our nation.
Have a great week, Travis.

Anonymous said...

Excellent insights on the AI drama, Mr. Travis. We had the same discussion at work this morning. I'll have to share your wisdom tomorrow;)

Oh, and for the record, it gives me awesome shiver bumps when y'all sing the version of In Christ Alone where the drums go "Then bursting forth *kaboom* in glorious day *KABOOM* up from the grave He rose again!"

Yes Lord! Oh man, that's the stuff. I haven't heard anyone but y'all do that, and I LOVE it.

Mom of Eleven said...

Travis,
Thank you for posting this today. I actually wrote about last night's song as well. I stood there watching in amazement from the moment Ryan said, "and here is our final 9 to sing, Shout to the Lord". . . to the end of the song. I couldn't believe it. I agree the Holy Spirit is up to something. I posted about the exact same thing, whatever the motive, as I have tried to analyze it to death, God's glory was sung about loud and clear. I know millions knew exactly what that song was about and I was so proud to be a christian. I wanted to jump up and down and say "thanks for the free advertisement!!" I pray that seeds were planted in hearts and questions raised that will lead people to the cross. Glory!!!

Lisa Pierre said...

I heard "Jesus" sang tonight though, didn't see it last night, but was made aware of it early Tuesday morning from an Integrity friend.

Amanda said...

this is majorly random, but i was on a private tour of the symphony center today and heard you sing for a few moments. the whole group was wonderful. the rendition of in christ alone was phenomenal.

and amen! on the idol part of your post.

Lindsee said...

You had me at Heather Headley.

Love, love, love her. I first fell in love when I saw Aida on broadway. Then I got to meet her!

Talk about someone who can bust it! That girl can SING!!

Hope all of your travels go well!

Praying!

Lindsee

Laura said...

And tonight they sang it the right way!! YEAH!! And really , the best part is it doesn't matter what their motive was in using it. HE will use it for HIS glory! But really, what an interesting song to choose!

Alecia said...

Ok...so did you see this evenings show....they said JESUS!!!! Woooohooo- Praise the Lamb! I was soooo pumped!

Alecia said...

Ok...so did you see it this evening?!?! They said JESUS!!!!! WooooHooo!!! Praise the Lamb....I was sooo Pumped!!!

puzzlepiecesista said...

SHOUT TO THE LORD!!!!! IT WAS SUNG NOT ONLY ONCE BUT TWICE ON NATIONAL T.V. AND YEP THEY SURE DID SAY THAT NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES...ONE DAY EVERY KNEE WILL BOW AND EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS
JESUS, NO OTHER NAME BUT THE NAME OF JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MIGHT AS WELL START PRACTICING IT NOW AMERICA!!!!! WAY TO GO IDOL!!!!!

Billie said...

I loved it all! And, in case you missed the elimination last night...they re-sang the song WITH Jesus in it!

Anonymous said...

Not only that, but if you get on ITunes and download "Shout to the Lord" from American Idol, they leave the name of Jesus IN the recorded version....so download it people and let's show our support!!!!

Anonymous said...

Travis,

Not sure what your talking about, but in the very begining of the song "Shout to the Lord" (which is my favorite) they DID say Jesus!! Listen to the very begining..My Jesus, My Savior...

Love your blog..

Anonymous said...

I missed the show on Wednesday also. Just viewed the song on YouTube and it is awesome. I wonder what Simon thought. Simon was not very positive with Mandisa when she sang a Christian song few seasons back.

Laura

Shelly said...

I am dying at your last comment, b/c you should know, Paula and I go way back. How could we not with our old school dancing big hair heavy lipstick wearing sisters? :)

Jesusistheparty! said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jesusistheparty! said...

Yea!!! "My JESUS, my Savior, LORD there is none like You!!!" Can you say God of second chances?--sometimes it just takes a couple of tries to get the lyrics right. Maybe Mandisa set 'em straight. But, AI did it last night. I about freaked when Ryan announced they would open again with "Shout To The LORD" and then they sang THE NAME!!! PTL!!!<><<><

Unknown said...

Um ... they did say "Jesus" last night. Obviously, they are listening to all of our opinions online. (sarcasm)

You're right about it though. I totally agree with you on this one.

The thing I'm upset with is that Michael Johns is gone and Kristy Lee Cook is still around.

Patty said...

Last night they put Jesus' name back in the song and I was shocked and amen to all that you said about that!!
Praying for a great conference this weekend. I came so close to going to that conference but decided to wait.
I would LOVE to hear you sing Sunday night. In Christ Alone is one of my fav songs you sing. POWERFUL!
I am excited to see Bill and Gloria in July at Christ Church's music conference. I went last year and although it wasn't my job I was pushing people to buy your music.
Have a fantabulos weekend!!

Anonymous said...

Praying for all your flights!

Elaine Johnson said...

Like my 15 year old son says, "What do you expect from the world?"

Travis, I felt the same you did about the omission of the name of Jesus but couldn't put it into words like you did. Jesus is a stumbling block...foolishness to those who are perishing. No wonder they left Him out....on Wednesday. Amazing that they did it again on Thurs. night and sung it with His Name intact. Phenomenal. Holy Spirit is right. God is so cool, isn't He? He gets His glory...makes me think of that verse in Job 33:14. "Now God does speak; now one way, now another though man may not perceive it."

Amen.

Anonymous said...

Nice stuff about Idol. My favorite author John Fischer makes the point that we need to see non-christians as LOST, and not as WRONG. When we see people as wrong we dislike them, debate them, fight with them etc. When we see them as LOST we have compassion, pray for them, and get excited that they are talking about things relating to faith (bringing up the subject) at all! Good post!