Overcoming Adversity

My family has become a fan of American Idol since its second season on the air. It's one of the few shows that most of us watch with regularity.

This past week there were two contestants who really touched me. The first was 18 year-old Shelby Dressel who was born with a nerve issue which does not allow her to smile on the right side of her face. In the interview shown above, she admitted she is very self-conscious about this. However, as you will see, she does quite well in her audition.

Below, is the audition of Dave Pittman, a guy who was diagnosed at the age of nine with Tourette syndrome. He also knocks it out of the park. Watch it below.

I love it when people overcome adversity!

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3

Pride Before The Fall

I was watching American Idol last night with some of my family. This was the second show this season, and if you have ever watched it, you know that in the early shows they will showcase both people with talent and others who clearly do not have musical ability.

It was easy to spot when someone would do well or when they would flop. The people who would flop were typically the ones who would sound cocky and say that they would be the next American Idol.

Last night, one girl said that she thought the judges would be very surprised that such a powerful voice would come from a cute little girl. Well, Simon Cowell (one of the judges) actually said that her singing reminded him of a cat falling off the Empire State Building. Ouch!

Anyway, this shouldn't be surprising. The Bible warns us of this thing called pride quite frequently.

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18