by Staff
February 19, 2010
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., (christiansunite.com) -- Melinda Doolittle, acclaimed recording artist and star of American Idol, believes that her own success and personal joy are directly proportional to her investment in encouraging and nurturing others. This theme is at the heart of her new autobiography, Beyond Me, coming to bookstores nationwide in May 4, 2010 and featuring a foreword by American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks.
Doolittle, who became a star in season six of American Idol, says her faith in Jesus fuels her. Through poignant, often humorous stories, Doolittle reveals the secrets of her success and finding practical guidance to overcome personal obstacles to achieve the next level in any area of life.
Doolittle adds, "By God's grace, I've been able to realize my dreams, to know this is what He wants me to be doing, and I find peace in that. It is beyond anything I could think of."
Tone deaf as a child, Doolittle's choir teacher would plead with her not to sing, but just silently move her mouth. Undaunted, her love of singing drove her to enter a talent show in the 7th grade and, miraculously, she stunned the audience with her spot-on vocals and beautiful voice. Doolittle began to realize that success in life was something bigger than her--or, as she puts it, "It's beyond me!"
To achieve her dream of becoming a recording artist, Doolittle began by setting and systematically reaching her goals, such as singing background vocals for many of her favorite music artists. Then, following an amazing turn of events, she burst onto the music scene with her flawless vocal performances on American Idol -- becoming the clear favorite of the show's most difficult judge, Simon Cowell.
In the book's foreword, Jordin Sparks writes: "Melinda's called her book Beyond Me, and I know that is where her amazing strength comes from. I loved reading about the adventures we shared on AI and seeing the same events from her unique perspective. But even more, I loved reading about the stories that were new to me--insights and memories from her childhood and growing-up years. It really made me see where she got all that wisdom!"
Beyond Me provides a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of one of America's biggest pop culture phenomenon, American Idol, and how Doolittle turned that stress-filled environment into a springboard from which she could soar.
Doolittle has won over many in the industry including Michael W. Smith who stated: "I've had the opportunity to work with a lot of great people and I've observed how people react to a 'star'. It's different with Melinda. Sure people are 'wowed' by her celebrity. But it runs far deeper than that. When people meet Melinda for the first time -- they immediately feel connected. It's what made her so popular on American Idol. She is genuine and approachable. And she has a down-to- earth, common sense about her that is beyond her years. I'm privileged to have Melinda as a friend. Her talent is tremendous and her heart is enormous."
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09048.shtml
Showing posts with label testamony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label testamony. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Stephen Baldwin talks Celebrity Big Brother and sharing faith
Posted: Monday, February 1, 2010, 14:21 (GMT)
When Jesus rescues a person, He often takes them, cleans them up and then puts them back in the world they were from so that they can bring the Gospel and connect in ways others can't. Enter Stephen Baldwin, armed with his Bible in one hand and the great commission in the other, to use the spotlight to promote the gospel of Jesus.
The actor-turned-evangelical has appeared in over 60 films and has featured on numerous television programmes. Stephen’s just completed Celebrity Big Brother, his third reality TV show.
He talks here about why he went into the Celebrity Big Brother house and sharing faith with celebrities.
Big Brother is designed to push contestants to their emotional limit, in the name of entertainment (of course). A Christian going into a reality TV show like Celebrity Big Brother is like Daniel in the Lion’s Den, so why did you go in?
Stephen: For me, going into Big Brother was something I was afraid to do as a Christian. I thought these people are going to tear me apart. In my spiritual connection to the Lord, there was never anything that said 'don’t go'. If an opportunity comes up, I’ll keep it in prayer. I just try to be hearing from the Lord as best I can. I felt the lord saying ‘I’m with you’. For me there are clear indications when something is not right. Then there’s these moments like Celebrity Big Brother when God says 'Do you trust me?'
To celebrate 21 years of sobriety, Big Brother decided to treat you with a tarts and vicars themed party, clearly set up to rile you. What was really going through your mind that night?
Stephen: I think it kind of backfired on Big Brother because I didn’t get it. I thought, if they are poking fun at me, it’s some kind of custom that I don’t understand. There are times when my lack of intelligence plays to my advantage!
When you’re in there it really is more stressful than people realise, so any reason to be cheered up is welcomed. Even though it was meant to wind me up, I didn’t let it bother me. I thought ‘hey, let’s just enjoy this nice little moment’.
Whilst taking part in ‘I’m a Celeb get me out of here- USA’, you baptised Spencer Pratt (The Hills) and we all witnessed you lead Alex Reid in a prayer to come into relationship with God. What is really going on with celebrities coming to faith then falling away? In your opinion, are they using Christianity in the pursuit of more column inches or is it a genuine openness to the Gospel.
You’re not going to like my answer. So many Christians get so wound up, trying to figure out what’s the best and most effective way to reach people. Alex asked a bunch of questions and eventually that lead up to me eventually saying to him ‘do you want to know God’. He said yes … so he was open to God. Alex Reid might not completely understand everything about all there is to know about Christianity but it’s not about that, it’s one step at a time. With regards to Spencer Pratt, even with what could be perceived as sarcasm, a lot is said in jest. I don’t know! Do I think, he’s a bit of a knuckle head? Yeah.
In the case of my own conversion, initially I prayed a prayer of salvation, I started this journey, I started to pray to God, I began to read the Bible, I absolutely did not believe that the transformation that has occurred, would ever have happened. So here’s the thing, Spencer Pratt may be laughing but in time … in God’s time, who knows … God always has the last laugh.
source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/stephen.baldwin.talks.celebrity.big.brother.and.sharing.faith/25205.htm
When Jesus rescues a person, He often takes them, cleans them up and then puts them back in the world they were from so that they can bring the Gospel and connect in ways others can't. Enter Stephen Baldwin, armed with his Bible in one hand and the great commission in the other, to use the spotlight to promote the gospel of Jesus.
The actor-turned-evangelical has appeared in over 60 films and has featured on numerous television programmes. Stephen’s just completed Celebrity Big Brother, his third reality TV show.
He talks here about why he went into the Celebrity Big Brother house and sharing faith with celebrities.
Big Brother is designed to push contestants to their emotional limit, in the name of entertainment (of course). A Christian going into a reality TV show like Celebrity Big Brother is like Daniel in the Lion’s Den, so why did you go in?
Stephen: For me, going into Big Brother was something I was afraid to do as a Christian. I thought these people are going to tear me apart. In my spiritual connection to the Lord, there was never anything that said 'don’t go'. If an opportunity comes up, I’ll keep it in prayer. I just try to be hearing from the Lord as best I can. I felt the lord saying ‘I’m with you’. For me there are clear indications when something is not right. Then there’s these moments like Celebrity Big Brother when God says 'Do you trust me?'
To celebrate 21 years of sobriety, Big Brother decided to treat you with a tarts and vicars themed party, clearly set up to rile you. What was really going through your mind that night?
Stephen: I think it kind of backfired on Big Brother because I didn’t get it. I thought, if they are poking fun at me, it’s some kind of custom that I don’t understand. There are times when my lack of intelligence plays to my advantage!
When you’re in there it really is more stressful than people realise, so any reason to be cheered up is welcomed. Even though it was meant to wind me up, I didn’t let it bother me. I thought ‘hey, let’s just enjoy this nice little moment’.
Whilst taking part in ‘I’m a Celeb get me out of here- USA’, you baptised Spencer Pratt (The Hills) and we all witnessed you lead Alex Reid in a prayer to come into relationship with God. What is really going on with celebrities coming to faith then falling away? In your opinion, are they using Christianity in the pursuit of more column inches or is it a genuine openness to the Gospel.
You’re not going to like my answer. So many Christians get so wound up, trying to figure out what’s the best and most effective way to reach people. Alex asked a bunch of questions and eventually that lead up to me eventually saying to him ‘do you want to know God’. He said yes … so he was open to God. Alex Reid might not completely understand everything about all there is to know about Christianity but it’s not about that, it’s one step at a time. With regards to Spencer Pratt, even with what could be perceived as sarcasm, a lot is said in jest. I don’t know! Do I think, he’s a bit of a knuckle head? Yeah.
In the case of my own conversion, initially I prayed a prayer of salvation, I started this journey, I started to pray to God, I began to read the Bible, I absolutely did not believe that the transformation that has occurred, would ever have happened. So here’s the thing, Spencer Pratt may be laughing but in time … in God’s time, who knows … God always has the last laugh.
source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/stephen.baldwin.talks.celebrity.big.brother.and.sharing.faith/25205.htm
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Stephen Baldwin takes his faith to the Celebrity Big Brother House
by Charlie Boyd
If Big Brother chiefs were hoping for some eyebrow-raising controversy on the last ever Celebrity Big Brother, they must be pinning their hopes on contestants other than born-again Christian Stephen Baldwin.
The former hellraiser and now active evangelist is one of the contestants on the last ever series of Celebrity Big Brother, a TV show not generally associated with salubriousness.
Baldwin stayed up late talking with fellow contestant Vinnie Jones and explaining parts of the Bible to him, before kneeling at his bedside to say his prayers at the end of the night.
Later, Baldwin and the other housemates got talking about religion.
He told them: "I tell you right now, what the experience in Heaven is going to be is so far beyond this experience. I can't wait to get there."
Glamour model Nicola Tappenden responded by saying: “I do believe there’s a lovely Heaven but I don’t think I’d take the Bible’s law. I’ll take peace.”
Housemate and “Hollywood madam” Heidi Fleiss had a moan about him in the Diary Room, saying, “Right now I think Stephen’s a bit of an idiot, but I could be wrong. He could be a really nice guy.
“When I was sleeping I thought I heard him preaching a bit and he was telling Sov (fellow contestant Lady Sovereign) how to get paint out of her hair … just maybe being a little bit instructing everybody.”
In a conversation with Baldwin and housemate ex-Dynasty star Stephanie Beacham earlier in the night, Fleiss said she was thankful for abortions.
“I hope I never have babies. That would kill me. Every minute I’d be, ‘Is the baby ok? I’d worry too much,” she said.
“Thank God for abortion. I don’t mean to offend anyone but I wouldn’t be a good mother. I shouldn’t have kids.”
Other contestants on Celebrity Big Brother are Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood’s ex Ekaterina Ivanov, DJ Basshunter and Katie Price’s cage-fighter boyfriend Alex Reid.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/stephen.baldwin.takes.his.faith.to.the.celebrity.big.brother.house/25015.htm
If Big Brother chiefs were hoping for some eyebrow-raising controversy on the last ever Celebrity Big Brother, they must be pinning their hopes on contestants other than born-again Christian Stephen Baldwin.
The former hellraiser and now active evangelist is one of the contestants on the last ever series of Celebrity Big Brother, a TV show not generally associated with salubriousness.
Baldwin stayed up late talking with fellow contestant Vinnie Jones and explaining parts of the Bible to him, before kneeling at his bedside to say his prayers at the end of the night.
Later, Baldwin and the other housemates got talking about religion.
He told them: "I tell you right now, what the experience in Heaven is going to be is so far beyond this experience. I can't wait to get there."
Glamour model Nicola Tappenden responded by saying: “I do believe there’s a lovely Heaven but I don’t think I’d take the Bible’s law. I’ll take peace.”
Housemate and “Hollywood madam” Heidi Fleiss had a moan about him in the Diary Room, saying, “Right now I think Stephen’s a bit of an idiot, but I could be wrong. He could be a really nice guy.
“When I was sleeping I thought I heard him preaching a bit and he was telling Sov (fellow contestant Lady Sovereign) how to get paint out of her hair … just maybe being a little bit instructing everybody.”
In a conversation with Baldwin and housemate ex-Dynasty star Stephanie Beacham earlier in the night, Fleiss said she was thankful for abortions.
“I hope I never have babies. That would kill me. Every minute I’d be, ‘Is the baby ok? I’d worry too much,” she said.
“Thank God for abortion. I don’t mean to offend anyone but I wouldn’t be a good mother. I shouldn’t have kids.”
Other contestants on Celebrity Big Brother are Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood’s ex Ekaterina Ivanov, DJ Basshunter and Katie Price’s cage-fighter boyfriend Alex Reid.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/stephen.baldwin.takes.his.faith.to.the.celebrity.big.brother.house/25015.htm
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