I love American Idol. It's one of the few shows that our whole family watches together (given that neither Dave nor I will watch Cartoon Network.) We discuss contestants at the dinner table. Dave gets on websites predicting who will next be voted off and tries to ruin the suspense for the rest of us. We cheer. We boo. We love it. (I especially love Simon!)

Last night we watched the "Idol Gives Back" program with great joy. Over $60 million was raised and still more donations stream in. It is so wonderful to see the show...and major stars...turn their attention to giving. Giving to our neighbors. You see, when you look up the definition of neighbor in the Bible, it actually means...EVERYONE! Everyone in the world.

They closed the show last night with a worship song to Jesus. Yet to be politically correct, the opening words were changed from the original. The Darlene Zschech song Shout to the Lord normally opens, "My Jesus, my Savior." Last night the Top 8 Idols sang, "My Shepherd, my Savior" instead of the name of Christ. I imagined that in editing the song, producers told singers to belt it out to "whoever or whatever you consider god." (My own crush, Michael Johns, proclaims his beliefs through attire. He's worn a shirt that asserts "Music is my Religion".) Removing the name of Christ was a typical American concession for both contestants and viewers. American Idol wants the Christian votes--and donations--while not offending the atheists, Buddhists, Humanists and the rest.

Yet, you can call Him Shepherd, you can call Him Fred, they were still singing to Jesus Christ, the Lord. Every word of that song is from Scripture that proclaims Christ. He is the Living Word. He inhabits the praises of His people. So my question to you is...can you inadvertantly praise Christ to all the world?

I think so. I think we just saw it last night.

My Jesus my savior (Titus 3:6, 2 Peter 1:11)
Lord there is none like You. (Psalm 86:8)
All of my days, I want to praise, (Psalm 44:8, 52:9, 72:19, 86:12)
the wonders of Your mighty love. (Psalm 136:4)
My comfort (Isaiah 40:1, 49:13, 51:12)
My shelter (Psalm 27:5, Psalm 91:1)
Tower of refuge and strength (Psalm 61:3)
Let every breath all that I am never cease to worship you. (Psalm 150:6)

Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing. (Psalm 100:1, Isaiah 49:13)
Power and majesty praise to the King. (Psalm 47:6, Psalm 47:7, Daniel 4:37)
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You. (Philippians 3:7-9)

Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing. (John 12:13, Revelation 19:6)
Power and majesty praise to the King. (1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalm 47:7)
Mountains bow down (Psalm 97:5-6, Psalm 148)
and the seas will roar at the sound of Your name. (Psalm 69:34, Psalm 93:3)
I sing for joy at the work of your hands. (Psalm 5:11, Psalm 81:1, Jeremiah 31:7)
Forever I'll love you (Psalm 23:6, Psalm 136).
Forever I'll stand. (Psalm 20:8, Proverbs 10:25, Matthew 10:22, Luke 21:19)
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You. (Proverbs 3).

Would you take a few minutes and look up some of these Scripture? There is real power in the Word of God. It's alive. Jesus is in it. Don't take my word for it. See for yourself.