A study of contrasts (part 1): American Idol

Over the past few weeks, it seems as though circumstances have been taking me through a study of contrasts.  Note the contrasts in this photo we took last week while at the Cayman Islands:

Cruiseliner, tender boats, pirate ship?

Unfortunately, my eyes have been opened a little wider recently to the utter moral depravity that consumes the world.  How startling the difference is after spending time in God's word and contemplating His holiness.  I will write more on this subject in future blog posts, but for now, I will focus on American Idol.

Except for a few Hallmark special movies and glimpses of a few Super Bowl games, I have not watched television since my childhood days of Who's the Boss? and Family Ties.  I know that not all TV is immoral, but I just haven't found time for it over the past 25 years. 

In preparation for an article I was writing about Scotty McCreery's Christian faith (that article is posted here), I watched American Idol for the first time Wednesday night.  The gospel tune belted out by Jacob Lusk, Kirk Franklin, and Gladys Knight was innocent enough, but why did they have to bring out Lady Gaga again?  As always, she gave an X-rated performance.  Did they forget that the top 2 finalists were both under age 18?  I have heard that Lady Gaga made more money last year than any other female artist.  Who actually pays money to listen to her average singing voice?  Who actually enjoys watching her perform?

Both Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina serve as such a striking contrast to Lady Gaga and some of the other offensive performers featured during that show.  I do not know Scotty personally, but I do know several members of his church who are like family to me, and they all attest to the strength of faith and integrity possessed by Scotty and his family.  The McCreery's are a close-knit family who have served their community well, and they are now receiving unmatched support.  As America's top choice for 2011 American Idol, he needs the prayers of the saints to continue navigating through such a corruptible career field without compromise.  May he be set apart, in the world but not of it, shining as a bright light for Christ.

John 17: 20-26 (Jesus prays for future believers)
    ²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
   ²⁴ “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
   ²⁵ “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. ²⁶ I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

 To read more about Scotty's faith, click here.