Ok, I am guilty of watching American Idol. I am sure there many of you who also are guilty of this. I have seen all but the first season, and although there is a lot of garbage there are a few rays of sunshine. Several contestants over the years have been Christians and have not hesitated to name the name of Jesus. For these few I give thanks. I pray that the Lord will use them and protect them against the dangers that fame and fortune will expose them to. They are like lambs going forth to meet the wolves headon. Those few are in need of immense undergirding with our prayers as the world will seek to chew them up and spit them out.
    This week Tuesday and Wednesday the show was a huge charity undertaking with the title "Idol Gives Back". Behemoth corporate sponsors donated money for each vote called in and individuals were also able to contribute directly. The money raised, which was over $30 million last night, supposedly will be used to help combat AIDS and help the poor of Africa and here at home. Somehow I cannot help but notice that the most poverty stricken nations of the world are those that worship idols. Even New Orleans, LA, which is still suffering extreme poverty after Hurricane Katrina, and is a featured area of charitable contributions by the Idol do-gooders, is a hotbed of witchcraft, voodoo, glorified homosexuality and other assorted evils.
    I could not help but be disgusted at the way the celebrities came forth to be seen doing their "good works". Many to whom a few million dollars is nothing more than chump change had their few minutes in the spotlight to ramble on about brotherly love and how each one of us can help make the world a better place by giving our dollars. Songs were sung about uniting in a spirit of love and giving. On Tuesday night the final six contestants each sang an "inspirational life anthem performance" to quote the AI website.Though several songs pretend to be about the Lord, not one mentioned the name of Jesus, but that is to be expected in this politically correct environment. Quincy Jones wrote a new tune for the final six to sing especially for this illustrous event, which was similar to his "We are the World"  global unity garbage from a few years back.
    Most of last night's events were nauseating to me, but I watched on till the last minutes. You may wonder why? Perhaps it is because I see a counterfeit taking place, offered up by those who belong to the enemy. The enemy's deceptions almost always precede the true works of the Holy Spirit, so as a faithful watchman I try to stay informed of the enemy troops movements. Knowing what specific battles are going on also gives us specific areas in which to pray.
    We who know the Lord realize there will never be peace on earth, this world will never be a better place, in fact it is quickly becoming just the opposite. None of mankind's best efforts will ever accomplish what only the Prince of Peace will bring to the world at the appointed time. But before the millenial kingdom there will be great tribulation and the world is experiencing the birth pangs now. Soon they will be unmistakeable, and then all hell will literally break forth upon this earth.
    I was motivated to write this letter after reading Gina McCray's post that mentioned the works of men's hands:
 
    http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/apr2007/ginam426.htm
 
    American Idol is aptly named. Those who make their millions in the field of entertainment have created a huge idol that even Christians are obsessed with. Christian "entertainment" is a billion dollar industry, on a par with the entertainment industry of the world. There is hardly any difference between the two. Those entertainers who glory in the spotlight have their reward. The Bible sums it up:
 
    I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. Eccl 3:17
 
    Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? Eccl 3:22