Jesus was a Star This Week on American Idol

This week on American Idol was a far cry from Season 5's Mandisa being told by Simon that she was "self-serving" for singing the Christian song "Shackles". On Tuesday and Wednesday, contestants and guest stars alike shared a dose of good ol' biblical faith. For a change, Jesus didn't get dissed on TV.

The first celebrity singing coach of the season was Dolly Parton, and everyone had to sing her songs. Although they had plenty to pick from, a couple of them chose songs with a gospel message.

On Tuesday night, David Archuleta got great reviews for "Smoky Mountain Memories" that contained these uplifting words:

"I'll keep lookin' to the Father
Keep our heads above the water."

And the Chorus repeats:
"But I'll keep leanin' on sweet Jesus
I know He'll love and guide and lead us".

This brings to mind the verses in Philippians 4:6-7: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Jason Castro got his best reviews in 3 weeks with Parton's song "Travelin Thru":

"Questions I have many, answers but a few
But we're here to learn, the spirit burns, to know the greater truth
We've all been crucified and they nailed Jesus to the tree
And when I'm born again, you're gonna see a change in me...

God made me for a reason and nothing is in vain
Redemption comes in many shapes with many kinds of pain
Oh sweet Jesus if you're listening, keep me ever close to you
As I'm stumblin', tumblin', wonderin', as I'm travelin' thru..."

Dolly could have possibly gotten this from many verses including Psalm 139:13-14: "You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well."

On Thursday night, The Clark Brothers, winners of Fox's first season of The Next Great American Band, sang "This Little Light of Mine". Although this is not a Dolly Parton original (it's actually an old African American spiritual), it seemed to follow the trend. The basic chorus, based on Jesus' words in Matthew 5:13-16, goes:

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."

Then there are two verses that say alternately, "Don't let Satan blow it out" and "I'm gonna shine 'til Jesus comes".

Jesus tells people who believe in God that we must be salt and light to the world. You see, that's where the world is mistaken. Christians aren't supposed to be quiet and stay out of things. We are supposed to "Let our let so shine that people will see our good works and glorify the Father who is in heaven".

Did the Clark Brothers sing this out of thin air? No, they began singing in church and their grandparents did tent revivals.

It's mythical that Jesus came to bring only "peace, love and joy". Although he didn't come to start a different religion, he knew and made it clear that not all people would like what he was saying. He called the leaders of the day hypocrites for looking good on the outside and being filthy on the inside, he got angry and overturned tables, and he said that the word would divide families.

But Dolly Parton herself sang her song, "Jesus and Gravity", containing:

"I've got somethin' lifting me up,
Somethin' holding me down,
Somethin' to give me wings and
Somethin' to keep my feet on the ground;
I've got all I need,
Jesus and gravity...

Jesus, I've got Jesus, I've got Jesus
He's my everything,
He lifts me up, He gives me wings,
He gives me hope,
and He gives me strength
and that's all I'll ever need."

I would figure this is based on Isaiah 40:31: "Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

I have found these verses and many others never fail me. I didn't originally believe it, but now I know, after testing it with the fire of life, It's all true. There are lessons for everything in the Bible, both the Old and New Testament: Marriage, crime, raising children, how to handle our money, how to be a good neighbor, etc., etc., etc.

It's where most of America's laws come from. But people just would rather believe anything else right now for some strange reason (maybe not so strange - like, they just want to do their own thing with no conscience). Crystals, gurus, psychics, it's all in vogue except for Jesus.

Whatever happened to the saying "Truth is stranger than fiction?"

I liked Mandisa's song "Shackles" (originally by Mary, Mary). Come on, people, lose your uptight attitudes about Jesus that you've gotten from a few bad apples who bad-mouth everything:

"Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you!"

(All Bible verses herein are taken from the New King James version).