elainebarnett.com

Bianca Ryan Winner of “America’s Got Talent”

Destinee, Ariel and Paris: The Cliquegirlz”

The Youngest Recording Artists in History!

(By the Way , they are all very committed Christians!! )

(I don’t know if the names are matched up correctly to the order they appear)

Aren’t you excited about what the Lord is doing in the earth? He is doing what it says in Isaiah , “A NEW THING!”  in sooo many ways!

One of the things that I have so enjoyed doing is watching God’s plans unfold. He uses the foolish things to confound the wise. I love that God has given talent to so many young people! For example look at this: the winner of “America’s Got Talent”, was a very outspoken Christian, who is 13 year old, Bianca Ryan. She is incredible. And then there are three young ladies, who are best friends, their name is “The Clique Girlz”, who are the youngest recoding pop artist. And they are also extremely talented and I do not know their last names,so for now, their names are Ariel, Paris and Destinee.  I believe their ages are 11, 12 and 13 and two of them are sisters! Yes, you heard that right. They have gotten to sing for some pretty BIG names in the music industry and they have actually sang some music for “The BRATZ Movie”. And that is a HUGE honor as the music industry goes!! Lots of other people , to be sure competed for that opportunity .

These adorable girls were asked why they sang and the answer is one we all can learn from! They said because when they sing, they are always told that people feel loved, and encouraged! Sounds like God to me! The Cique Girlz and Bianca Ryan “get it”. They were so impressive to me, as they all realize the music is a gift for and from God, not for self glorification. Applause to their parents for grounding them in the truth.

God said that He is seeking worshipers who worship in spirit and in truth! When God gives us a door into someone else’s heart, that is a gift, don’t you think? Only God can open a heart and change one as a matter of fact.

Last night, I saw part of the movie, “Chariots of Fire”. Talk about taking God to the world, this movie sure does it! My favorite part is where Eric Liddell tells why he runs. He said, when I run, I feel His pleasure.” This is basically what I heard each of these young ladies say!

I love that God has surrounded them with godly people who believe what it says in Daniel and in fact, Isaiah that the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of HIS CHRIST! When we take our gifts, time and talents into every arena, then we have advanced the kingdom of God! That is what I see God doing with the movie industry, the publishing world and oh praise God for this one….my personal favorite..THE MUSIC INDUSTRY!

I love it when others tell me that they see “something” different in me. I tell them it’s a “someone” they see and that God is one who does anything great or loving etc. in me. This is how I feel about these young artists. I ”see” and “feel” something different in them. And yes, it’s a Someone!

God gives us different tastes in music and so for some, they will have a problem with this. I don’t have any problem with someone having a different taste in music , as I know this is a very personal issue. So my words to you, are when people who make the kind of music you like are celebrated and are influencing the very ungodly music industry, with all due respect, I will GLADLY put your story on my blog and I am praying for God to do that! God wants to display His love and the influence of His Spirit using every means possible!

I remember waaaaay back in the 70′s when Debby Boone sang, “You Light Up My Life,” and she made no bones about it, she was singing to the Lord. And if I am not mistaken , that song is the most successful pop song ever.

Then came one of my most favorite albums EVER, “Unguarded” by Amy Grant, with the “crossover” song, “Love Will Find A Way,”. VH1 viewers voted it as one of their top videos for 1985. In case you can’t remember or have never heard it, but here is the bridge:

“If our God His Son not sparing, came to rescue you, is ther any circumstance, He Can’t see you through?” Pretty bold words, thanks Amy!

So, here’s where the rest of us come in  . We are to pray for these folks. If we are not called to go into these arenas , so be it, but let’s undergird them. Have you ever wondered what size devils and opposition these folks must be taking on? Think about the prize at stake. Music and movies captures the hearts and minds of people, ESPECIALLY young people. WE owe so much to people who have been forerunners of what God is all about in this culture, God wants us to influence the different arenas of our world and so we CAN. I think of the verse, God forbid that I should sin by not praying for you!

So, after having said all this, I ask you to unite with me in this endeavor. Let’s pray for resolution and let’s not just keep cursing the darkness. That shows a lack of understanding how great is our God! Let’s BE a solution to the spiritually bleak world. You CAN do this. It’s not too hard for God, and in Ephesians 2:10 , it says that God has ALREADY ordained them and so we walk in them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, if you are called to the marketplace, don’t settle for anything else. And if you are called to the world of entertainment , don’t settle for the marketplace ministry. God uses us to go to one of the world systems and sometimes we are just called to do this in prayer. But the fact is still the same: we are called to be influencers.

So, for Mondays, we will be doing a meme, Music and Movie Monday, so we can pray and track what God is doing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More to come !

love to all,

Elaine ( who never gets tired of what God is doing in this arena!)

PS. If you want to see an interview with them and hear their incredible voices, you can actually see it via streaming video from this site:

www.tbn.org Go to “Praise Tonight” and then go to the archives of programs past. They were on Nov.15, 2007. It was great!

January 18, 2008  Friday Evening

God’s Creative Soul

Don’t you just love that idea? God does have a soul and soul= mind, will, and emotions. God’s mind, will, and emotions are always in motion. And so here’s where you come in. Somehow in our society, with the separating God from almost everything, there is a devaluing of His personality. When God wants to give a message, how do you suppose He does it? Through a thought, an idea, an emotion, a dream. You have  heard of divine inspiration haven’t you??? We are God’s paint brush, voice, pen, and canvas. Out of the overflow of our love for Him and the inborn nature of God’s creative soul within us, we create!

Don’t you just love how God never settles down and is content to just leave us where we are? I love the fact that God is not an independent agent, ever distancing Himself from those who need Him most!

When God wants to move us, oh how many times does He reveal His beauty to us? Do you remember a song called “It’s Your Kindness”, by Leslie Phillips? It’s based on Romans 2:4, which tells us that God’s kindness leads us to repentance. Oh, yes, God IS the ultimate lover and the ultimate audience.

So, go do something creative today and tell yourself that you are revealing God who is invisible to this visible world. The kingdom of heaven and earth intersect in the works of your heart and hands.

love in Him,

Elaine (who is off to go play that lonely guitar that just sitting in the corner…..that was the theme of a song by Eddie Brickel , I think it was!)

January 21  Monday Evening

Hey y’all! I have been reading at one of my favorite artist’s websites. He is beyond talented and he is a wonderful Christian man. His name is Chris Eaton. He has done his own albums, and even recorded some of his own music , made popular by some huge artists. I borrowed this picture from his website and figured if I was “advertising” it , then I couldn’t be in trouble for “copying” it. It is one of my favorite albums and if you want it , you can probably get it on Ebay. ( I always think the E inEbay should stand for Elaine, as much as I have bought from it!)

Like who? Like Vince Gill, Amy Grant and Wynonah Judd just to name a few. He wrote the song “Breath of Heaven” and then Amy Grant came along and reworked the lyrics to make it a Christmas song. He probably could have retired just from the royalties on this song along. I have heard lots of other artists record this song.

He has done work as a producer with oh so many people, both secular artist and with those who record strictly Christian music. He stays so busy that he hasn’t put out an album of his own lately.

Yesterday, I was having a nostalgic day of praise and I pulled out some of my old cassette tapes~! I found a Margaret Becker tape and was loving it. Oh, so many songs about loving God and longing to know Him better. And who do you think was doing background vocals? Hmm…could it be Chris Eaton? You win the prize if that was your answer.

I remember reading a story about how he came to know what the Lord had for him to do. He was doing music and driving a delivery truck. Ever been there? Doing several things and trying to sort out what the Lord wanted you to do? He wanted to do music, but left the choice up to the Lord, telling the Lord he would do anything He wanted him to do, but he just needed the Lord to open or close a door! Those are indeed tough choices to make! Well, we can see what the Lord’s answer was!

Okay y’all. I’ll give y’all his website and a something funny from it as well. He has a page named something like “A Bit of Fun”. One of my favorite parts is where he shares things people told the police in accident reports. (!) Here is one:

“I knew the dog was possessive about the car but I would not have asked her to drive it if I had thought there was any risk.”

I laughed so hard when I read this!!!!! What does this mean and how much did that person have to drink ?

The web address:

www.ChrisEaton.co.uk

He also shares some words of wisdom on that same page. One of my favorite is:

If you loan someone twenty dollars and you never see them again, that’s probably a good thing.

Let’s Remember to pray for the artists that are being salt and light in one of the hardest mission fields in the world…the music industry!

Love to all,

Elaine

PS… One more joke.

There are these two blonds who walk into this building.. you think one of them would have seen it!

One more post script:

I found a very long list of artists who have recorded his songs. Do you KNOW how impressed I am??

Here’s some:
Janet Jackson

Jessica Simpson

Wayne Watson

Billy Sprague

Sheena Easton

Mark Schultz

Russ Taff

Jacqui Valesquez

WOW! Congratulations Chris!

January 28 Monday Evening

Hey y’all. I got an idea about three weeks ago, to start posting about things of the Missions in the Arts variety. And since America is one of the largest mission fields, since the arts and media are one of the darkest places so ready for revival and renaissance.

Yesterday, I got the sweetest comment from Melissa Okonski, from the notable website of the same name with a FABULOUS idea. She told me how often God would put individuals who are in the public eye, on her heart to pray for, so she created a journal with their pictures in it!

What a brilliant idea. There is something about having someone’s face before you to see while you pray. Especially when the individual you are praying about is a television celebrity that you have most likely never met!

So, here is you assignment, if you decide to take it. Who will you be praying for this week? This month?

This week I will be praying for Britney Spears. A few years ago she began studying some teachings which were diametrically opposed to the Christian faith. God tells us that He put a God shaped vacuum in our hearts that only He can fill. So, in turn man begins the pursuit of fulFILLment, to try and FILL that hole ! Let us pray that God will send people into Britney’s life to show her God’s love and power.

Will you join me in praying for those who need the Lord in the arts?

God bless you,

Elaine

Monday, March 2,2009

Y’all , you will love this cool new pod-cast that comes from CALLIE-

FORNIA! I just wrote about it on my main blog entry (Monday, 3-2-09),

today’s date!

Have y’all heard of the ministry Expression 58? Well, it is based on

Isaiah 58. It is a ministry to make God’s name famous in the arts.

Here is the link to their daily podcast:

http://expression58.org/podcast.php

Oh, y’all are going to be SO encouraged at what God is up to behind

the scenes!