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.