Jennifer Hudson

As you might know our top 3 idol guys went back to their hometowns and filmed their visits for this Wednesday‚Äôs results show today. At some point last weekend while visiting their hometown they each received a text message from one of the judges revealing the “judges choice” for the song they‚Äôll be performing on Tuesday‚Äôs Top 3 performance show!

YouTube, MySpace, Twitter and other social media networks have been silenced from any media attention over the idols, giving papa bear FOX exclusive rights to their exploitation over the past few months. Even “google-ing” the idols has come up short for juicy reports, leaks, old pics, personal sites, etc.

But this past weekend, Idol has strung us back into the mix by supposedly “leaking” this weeks judges pick during the hometown visits for our Season 8, Top 3. The results are going viral.

Danny’s text came from Paula Abdul, her pick “Dance Little Sister” by Terence Trent D’Arby. Revealed via blogger mjs, is certainly a hilarious choice from her! BTW, I have never heard this particular song before, but the vocals are so close to Danny’s, I’m sure he’ll be fabulous! check it out:

Next, Kris’ song choice came in via text message from Randy and revealed on Twitter, from New Life Pastor @rick_betez. He tweeted the news at 10:29 AM on Friday, May 8th: “Judges pick for Kris: “to late to apologize by one republic” on next American idol” — It’s actually just called “Apologize” and here it is if you want to get listen:

Adam Lambert’s choice came in via text message from Simon on Friday, in his hometown of SanDiego, challenged with “One” by famed U2. This was my favorite reveal, because i LOVE U2 but also because we have a snipered audience you tube of Adam actually receiving the info live outside of the AT&T store (or was it live??? hmmm?). Here is “One” – the song Adam is sure to wow us with this tomorrow night:

So apparently, one of the judges, (Kara DioGuardio) was left out of the picking or has either had a shared vote. Poor thing, lol . Guess we’ll find out the details tomorrow LIVE on Idol!

The Kentucky Derby is a grand legacy of southern charm and sophistication. Known for big hats, summer dresses, mint juleps, elite businessmen, and a who’s-who hodge-podge of celebrity showing.

This year’s Kentucky Derby grabbed our attention yesterday with a made for television “Seabiscuit” story that was quite a touching moment! I’m so glad that we DVR’d it, for a sunday afternoon round two experience. With 50-1 odds, the unexpected, little-guy, “Mine That Bird” wins the derby with a monumental upset. “The second biggest Derby upset in history,” says the announcer.

This video only shows the rich win, but what you don’t see is what happens following the race. The jockey and his winning steed round the field with in a celebratory show for the fans and media attention. Drapped in a display of roses, the jockey, Calvin Borel nicknamed “Bo-rail” for his winning move, explains that his greatest wish was that his recently deceased parents could have been there to see it, as he tosses a rose up to heaven. The exuberant tears on this mans face and the uncontrollable emotional outbursts clearly reveals his own personal shock and excitement in the moment. I think the Derby could not have asked for a better ending to this years story….a reminder to all of us that anything is possible!

Just a few weeks ago I started leading worship our youth group. It has propelled me into to a rich, and compassionate desire for discovering new music, deeper worship songs. While I cherish the songs that brought me into a growing relationship with Christ, I realize that we must move forward and take new steps to go further in Christ. It would be a loss to remain stagnant in our faith, the point of salvation, the point of experiencing the cross. A moment I cherish with deep sanctity, was the moment I personally experienced the passion of the cross in my own life, late one night sitting by the front fountain on the campus of Southeastern.

Like the woman at the well, I had questions, and began desperately seeking answers from my Messiah – a seemingly far off Maker. Sitting there that night he led me thru Matthew’s account (ch.27), Mark’s (ch. 15) then Luke’s (ch. 23)…and then John (ch. 19). Every detail of the cross, his death and resurrection, began washing my stained, undeserving heart. He revealed him self to me, just like John 4:26, “I who speak to you am He.” He taught me more in that moment than he ever had, impressing my heart with his love for me, with the truth of what was truly inside of me, and with his purpose for the future..”yet a time is coming!”

John 4 says from the ESV Study Bible:
21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is a from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that f Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

Spirit and in Truth – the kind of worshipers the Father is seeking, the kind I have committed my heart and my worship to. I must worship him in that place.

Longing to go deeper to move further. My personal experience at the fountain changed my life and my heart for Christ, the Messiah, forever. But I cannot remain at that fountain, I must know him in new ways in new truths. I feel that our worship experience in the church must reflect, in spirit, and in truth, our walk with Christ. “So, take me to that place Lord, to that Secret place where I can be with you, You can make me like you, Wrap me in your arms.”

Our worship experience should always MOVE us. It should NEVER become something we observe or witness, but rather EXPERIENCE. If we are not changed by our worship…it is not worship. It’s a song, words and clanging sounds. Last month I heard this song, “Alabaster Jar” for the first time, and it enabled me to worship Christ in a new way, with a new truth, that refreshed that same spirit inside of me, that spirit that met me at the fountain one night on a college campus so many years ago…We need to experience this type of “worship” daily with our Father. Seek it out, you will find it.

This weeks most popular digg video with over 8000 digs, will make you smile. A “Stand By Me” version, recorded by Roger Ridley on the streets of SanFransisco, CA, entertwined with local street performers from various streets singing and playing in harmony to an oldie but goodie…

Gizmodo puts it this way (minus the explicits)

This cover of Stand By Me was recorded by completely unknown artists in a street virtual studio all around the world. It all started with a base track‚Äîvocals and guitar‚Äîrecorded on the streets of Santa Monica, California, by a street musician called Roger Ridley. The base track was then taken to New Orleans, Louisiana, where Grandpa Elliott‚Äîa blind singer from the French Quarter‚Äîadded vocals and harmonica while listening to Ridley’s base track on headphones. In the same city, Washboard Chaz’s added some metal percussion to it.

And from there, it just gets rock ‘n’ rolling bananas: The producers took the resulting mix all through Europe, Africa, and South America, adding new tracks with multiple instruments and vocals that were assembled in the final version you are seeing in this video. All done with a simple laptop and some microphones.

I don’t know about you, but it blew me away. Best version of Ben E. King’s classic I’ve ever heard in my life. And I’ve probably heard between five and two billion of them.

Check out this song that echos the sound life, heard from around the world.

Playing For Change | Song Around The World “Stand By Me” from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

Again, my competitive spirit rises up!¬† I love online surveys and I love a good contest…especially when writing is involved! So today, i’m entering a contest to “try” and win a new palm pre.¬† Never thought the questions would be so heart wrenching.

Question #3 says “describe one thing you are passionate about.”

I had to look back over my blog tags and my bookmarks to really dig deep to find one specific big huge passion.¬† There are so many variables in my “bookmark club” — music, song lyrics, photography, makeup, celebrity gossip, tech tags, social networking, church ministry, singing, worship, local eateries, entrepreneurship, news, foreign language, travel and so many more…

But I keep going back, to a secret place buried deep inside of my being, that beckons daily with memories like high-resolution photographs of a life-changing experience that dates back nearly ten years. Journeying on a one month missions endeavor to South Africa, working and ministering hope and encouragement to children and infants with AIDS, is a moment that will forever remain my deepest passion.  My heart beats for this cause Рholding hungry, hurting infants, hugging orphans that have no home, no family, no clean water, no opportunity to bathe, unloved and forgotten.

Most days I appease the ache by sending “just a dollar a day” to various organizations – hoping that will somehow make a difference. My heart still longs to loose myself completely though, in love for this hurting world. My arms still long to hold and my eyes still long to see the beautiful, smiling, African faces that are now stained forever in my memories.¬† So passion? Yes, maybe I do posses one singular passion, but it’s buried in the deepest realms of South Africa along with a portion of my heart…

Keith is in Belgium this week on a Missions trip with a Men’s MAPS team from Montgomery, and I’m in D.C. visiting David, Missy and Andrew.¬† This is the first time Keith and I have been away from each other for this long, eight days!¬† I miss him so much.¬† Today we had a ten minute chat on Facebook.¬† He does not have a phone while overseas and he did not take his laptop, so any communication we have is precious.

Even though I miss Keith so much, David and Missy have been taking me out on the town and Andrew has been entertaining me with new words, smiles and sweet kisses.¬† Tonight we went to Sette – a great spot serving the most delicious wood fired pizzas and enjoyed outside dining near Dupont Circle.¬† Then we strolled Andrew through the neighborhood and enjoyed the late afternoon air.¬† I really enjoy seeing this side of the city–versus the tourist face value side.

When I was in Paris, everyone went off to museums and gift shops, I rounded up the Eiffel Tower, breezed by the Louvre and found a nice Cafe’ with dining on the street, followed with Strawberry Truffels from a local Chocolatier then strolled down the streets of Paris, walking through Channel down the Champs Elysees…My favorite way to see the city, really experiencing it…like we did tonight.

Tonight we had a blast of a date night eating Sushi & then on to Starbucks.  I love watching my husband devour his favorite Japanese delicatessen.   He really loves the Sushi – I do too!  Orlando changed him into a cultural junkie!!  Maybe it was walking around the world at Epcot, staying at the luxurious Portfino Bay Hotel at Universal or sneaking into Hard Rock Hotel with mom and dad, just to eat ice cream or watch a late night movie by the pool and say we did it!  Those were really, wonderfully good times!

But, now we are on to new adventures and new discoveries, as we take Wetumpka and Montgomery by storm. Ha!  We have found several great local restaurants and nature spots that we have been embracing as our new home.  The scenery is becoming more familiar and the new friends are keeping us busy.

Keith was reading a book tonight that a friend handed to him six months ago, “Velvet Elvis” by Rob Bell, pastor at Mars Hill Church.  It has really shaken his world, and dare I say changing him.  Recently, as recent as in the past 48 – 72 hours, the Lord has been churning us like butta’ (with my NY accent) – but all for the better to fashion us into His best.

We do have a great commission and a great commandment…they are very clear, and from the Lord.  Our journey now is one of preparation and transition, a daily process that demands our full attention.  It seems the days we try to sneak past the discipline of our calling – those are the worst days ever.  But the days we actually quit running from what seems like too hefty of a giant to face, the moment we face it and discipline ourselves “under the anointing” and accept our calling, those are the mightiest days ever…the most rewarding…the days we dance and celebrate in the streets.  Spiritual victory is the greatest success we can ever experience.

Ah, the challenge of a good competition…give me some spoons, a
deck of cards, scrabble, a flag and a football, a tree to climb, a race
to run, a verbal debate to conquer or any friendly game to jump
into…and I am ALL in.  Especially when the challenge involves two
teams pitted against each other.  And yes, it can get brutal!! My
latest craze is a card game called “pit” – introduced to me last year
in Saraland.

The spectator sport is simply NOT for me…i truly DETEST watching
spectator sports, i get board and feel as if I’m wasting time, just
watching.  I’d rather be participating…doing something, producing
something…or maybe I should say “proving” something.

Whatever the case, when I think back over the sheer joy I have felt
beating out the proven competitor who has commited to an easy win over
me, I can remember several, almost embarassing, victory dances, with my
hands in the air, brutally “kicking butt” at some game of Cranium, or
some summer camp sport.   The sheer joy of claiming the title of the
big “V” for victory is how does Visa say, priceless.

One thing I have learned however, is that as great as it is to win
prized and receive trophies – it will never compare to the victory of
conquering spiritual giants!  The reward of lifting my hands in the
air, praising God for helping me conquer my flesh, fight my battles and
defeat my biggest enemies!  Watching the “Goliaths” fall in my
spiritual and personal life are big “V” victories, that have the
sweetest most enjoyable after parties.   These are the greatest
successes we will ever experience in this life.  So, I ask…why pursue
any other goal, why seek any other win or success?  We all get to win
with Jesus, every time.

Hebrews 12:1 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great
cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the
sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Today is mom’s birthday, but we have been celebrating the past weekend with the family.¬† Saturday nigh, Jon, Steph & Grandma came over for a steak dinner, hosted by dad!¬† The past Tuesday the ladies in the church surprised her with a cake & party at the women’s fellowship.¬† The ladies really showered her wish lots of cash & gifts.¬† AND, tonight her long-time friend Patty is giving her a dinner party.

But the best gift of all she recieved today came in a phone call from Washington D.C. David and Missy went for Missy’s 2nd trimester checkup & they found out they are having a girl!! Mom shouted over the phone for 5 minutes, David said, shouting “Ahhh, It’s a girl!! It’s a girl!”

Congrats to my David, Missy and the future big brother Andrew, for the news of the 4th edition to the Russell/DC gang.¬† t’m so glad we are adding more pink to our family!¬† It’s going to be so much fun!

Earlier this year I started reading in Deuteronomy 29, “Prosperity after turning to the Lord” and “The Offer of Life and Death” – a very special chapter to me.¬† I frequent verse :14 often, “No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.”¬† So many times, we question what does God want us to do, or how can we hear the voice of the Lord, what is he saying, what is the answer?¬† At the end of 2008, November 9th to be exact (a year of spiritual revelation in my life) – the Lord led me to this powerful passage and answered my deepest questions. Yes!¬† He does speak to us, Yes! He moves in our hearts.¬† And often speaks to us through our own words…”his word is in our mouth.”

So many times we will talk about what we “think or feel” in our hearts, and through that talking comes the moments of definement.¬† We just have to settle our hearts and believe with faith enough to speak, or talk it out.¬† God will confirm His plan for us in our conversations.

This year I am on a journey to know his word and his voice more clearly.¬† I felt led to begin this bible study, beginning with “Prosperity after turning to the Lord” in Deut. chapter 29 and reading through the entire bible this year.¬† Kind of strange to start reading a book 175 pages into the story, the end with the beginning – but for some reason, that’s how God wants me to experience this journey.

Today, continuing my reading through the bible in a year, I walked through 1 Samuel chapters 19, 20 and 21 – an interesting story about the love of two best friends, David and Jonathan.¬† David has killed Goliath at this point and is living in Saul’s kingdom, but Saul, the King is very jealous of David’s fame in his city…so the King has set out to kill David. Spears have been thrown,¬† David has been doing some running – but son of a jealous king and his best friend, Jonathan is coming to his rescue.¬† A holy-bond has been created, and sealed with the promise of lifelong covenant friendship.¬† Jonathan comes to his rescue in a creative & secretive way and informs David out in a field one day that death certainly awaits him if he returns Saul’s Kingdom.

David now on the run, comes to a prophets house asking for some bread and for a sword.¬† The only sword the prophet had was (1 Sam 21:9) “Goliath’s old sword, the Philistine whom David killed, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod”

What a revelation, that the enemies we defeat in our past, continue to bring us victory in our future!¬† This sword, from David’s enemy, was made available to him to defeat his next enemy.¬† Catch that?¬† God uses our past ENEMIES weapons, to help us defeat our enemies of the future!! WOW!¬†¬† We must defeat our enemies TODAY!¬† We must not fear as everyone else will in the face of our giants.¬† God will use that victory over and over again in our life to strengthen us for our future journey.

Trust today that this impending victory you face in your battle, will surely continue to bring you success, over and over and over again in your future!  But we must defeat them today!