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Select a Month March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012

January 2017

January 14, 2017

Phillip Phillips Sings His Hit “Home” at Steven McDonald’s Wake in Tribute to NYPD Hero

Via Patheos blogger Father Michael Duffy's Facebook page, I learned today that "American Idol" winner...

December 2016

December 20, 2016

Singer JJ Heller on Christmas, Panic Attacks, and God’s Power to Turn Brokenness Into Beauty

Every year when the Christmas season comes around, singer-songwriter JJ Heller is transported back to...

December 12, 2016

Andre Rieu Highlights Waltzing in Wheelcairs

While eating lunch on Saturday, I stumbled upon Andre Rieu's latest PBS special, entitled "Waltzing...

November 2016

November 30, 2016

Jennifer Nettles on Being “a Child of God” and Listening to His “Still Small Voice”

"It's important to be able to enjoy and be entertained by stories of faith, stories...

August 2016

August 31, 2016

14-Year-Old Dedicates “Pie Jesu” Performance to Her Best Friend: Her Late Grandfather

(Photo via Laura Bretan on Twitter) Fourteen-year-old Laura Bretan was blessed to grow up in...

July 2016

July 21, 2016

Sounds of Harmony and Visions of Light Amidst Chicago’s Violence

The murder rate in Chicago has risen 72 percent in 2016. According to USA Today,...

June 2016

June 23, 2016

Doubting and Stumbling Are Part of the Road to Salvation: An Interview with Sarah Hart

It’s not always easy to wrap our heads or hearts around the concept of God’s...

May 2016

May 17, 2016

‘Stand in the Light of God’s Grace and Show People Who You Really Are’

When it aired on NBC in December 2015, "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" turned...

April 2016

April 08, 2016

Carrie Underwood Celebrates the Power of Baptism on “American Idol” Finale

(Artwork/Photo property of Fox) On last night's series finale of "American Idol" (yes, it pains...

April 06, 2016

As “American Idol” Says Farewell, A Look Back at the God Factor in Contestants’ Lives

(Photo property of Fox) If God were a regular TV watcher, I suspect "American Idol"...

March 2016

March 21, 2016

The Four Things I Liked Best About “The Passion: Live”

Last night, Fox aired "The Passion: Live," a re-enactment of the story of Jesus's final...

March 18, 2016

Could a Catholic School Graduate Win the Farewell Season of “American Idol”?

(Photo property of Fox) On last night's "American Idol," viewers got to see videos featuring...

March 18, 2016

“The Passion” Musical to Share Jesus’s Story in a Modern Way

Network television has found success in recent years by airing live musicals such as "The...

March 04, 2016

Go Rest High on That Mountain

One of the things the TV landscape will be losing when "American Idol" ends its...

February 2016

February 26, 2016

Kelly Clarkson Makes “American Idol” a Family Affair, Calls on Men to Be Devoted Dads

A seven-months-pregnant Kelly Clarkson served as a guest judge on "American Idol" last night and...

January 2016

January 14, 2016

PJ Anderson Discusses Bringing Song & Message “Love Will Heal” to March For Life

For several years now, singer-songwriter PJ Anderson has been attending the March for Life in...

January 07, 2016

When “Blessed Assurance” Came to Washington

Ninety-one-year-old actress Cicely Tyson was one of the honorees at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors...

December 2015

December 23, 2015

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

The following column was written by The Christophers' Jerry Costello: Bells. Bells! Few sounds are...

December 16, 2015

Finding Comfort and Joy in the Broken Chapters of Our Lives

Dove Award-winning singer-songwriter Laura Story recently released her first Christmas album, “God With Us,” and...

October 2015

October 23, 2015

‘A House Divided Against Itself Makes the Devil Smile His Great Grinchy Grin’

Singer-songwriter and frequent "Christopher Closeup" guest Sarah Hart got a bit perturbed at the incessant...

August 2015

August 20, 2015

Twelve-Year-Old Enthalls “America’s Got Talent” Audience with “Pie Jesu”

Arielle Baril, a 12-year-old with a powerful voice, enthralled the audience of "America's Got Talent"...

May 2015

May 12, 2015

Israeli and Palestinian Youth Find Harmony in Music

Establishing peace and harmony between Israelis and Palestinians seems like an impossible task, but the...

April 2015

April 08, 2015

The 2015 Christopher Award Winners in Film, TV, and Books Are…

NEW YORK, April 8, 2015 — An Olympic gold medalist, the actor best known as...

March 2015

March 24, 2015

Blue Hair Ain’t Just for Old Ladies Anymore (& Other “American Idol” Musings)

(All photos property of Fox and American Idol) One of the noveltys on "American Idol"...

March 19, 2015

God is Looking for People Willing to Admit Their Own Frailty: An Interview with Matt Maher

Over the past few years, five-time Grammy nominee Matt Maher underwent some changes in his...

March 04, 2015

UPDATE: Kelly Clarkson on Sexual Imagery, Curt Schilling on Bullies, & “House of Cards” on Jesus

A few quick observations on topics in the news today: 1. Since winning "American Idol"...

February 2015

February 11, 2015

Why Getting Hit Over the Head by God Turned PJ Anderson Into a Troubadour of Hope

"No more fun." That's what singer-songwriter PJ Anderson thought it meant to give his life...

February 09, 2015

Marriage Isn’t DJs, Chocolate Fountains, and Fancy Dresses. Marriage is Like Chicken Soup.

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, here are a couple of entries from Volume 49 of...

January 2015

January 16, 2015

When Terrorism is “A Far Away Reality”

Over at her Pursued by Truth blog, Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP, wondered why the...

January 15, 2015

Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban Duet on “Beverly Hillbillies” Theme

Last night's "American Idol" included an accordion player, a banjo player, yodeling, and Harry Connick...