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One of my many interests in life is music. I like to listen to a variety of different music, although, to be honest, I have to admit being a big fan of the kind if music that 'influenced' me as I was growing up. I don't know if this is true for everyone... but sometimes when I hear an 'old song' (by old I am referring to the 80's), I not only remember the words and the tune... I also recall the 'time' and the place.

Sometimes, it is as if I can 'smell it' too. I remember the kinds of things I was doing: Driving to work in my first car. Talking to a friend, or even a 'girlfriend'. I remember laying on my bed, listening to music and trying to imagine what life would be like when I "grew up".

A lot of these memories were brought back recently when my eldest daughter returned from a trip to Melbourne. She brought back a stack of 'old' DVD's (Video that had be "re-mastered" on DVD and a couple of more recent concerts with old music on them. These included 'video recordings' of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, The Police, Sting, Genesis and Phil Collins.

The 'stack' included Genesis' - Live at Wembly Stadium (1987), The Police - Synchonicity Concert (1983), Mark Knophler & Emy-lou Harris - This is Us, Dire Straits - On The Night, and a few others. One of them went straight to the top of my "All time Favorites" list... Phil Colins' "Finally, The First Farewell Tour" (2004). While being a newer video, it contains many of the greatest hits from those earlier years and is an awesome show!

The above gift was followed up by a conspiracy (by my wife and daughter) to secretly buy me tickets to "The Police" concert in Perth, in January this year, as a birthday present. My wife an I attended the concert together and had a great time. The sights, sounds and atmosphere were 'electric'. We enjoyed ourselves but were both a little disappointed in some aspects of the concert and the preceding "warm-up act" (a sign of age? .... nah!).

I also enjoy watching music related movies (one of my favorites is "School of Rock") and music shows or competitions on TV. I have even been known to sit down and watch Australian Idol from time to time. This show is 'interesting' from the point of view there is so much 'hype' that goes into the production (something that I do not like). I do enjoy some of the music/singing and am interested to follow the 'contest' as these young 'unknown' want-to-be artists struggle to make the cut, week after week.

I even purchased a CD by one of the Australian Idol winners: Guy Sebastian - The Memphis Album. Good music!

An interesting observation, regarding the Australian Idol contest is the fact that many of the contestants are professing Christians (Including Guy Sebastian). This has sparked some interesting responses from the local media. At least one radio station (that I heard) along with The Age newspaper, crikey.com and a few others were making claims about possible contest 'rigging' by Hillsong... one of Australia's largest churches. They claim that the Hillsong congregation were influencing the contest by sheer weight of numbers (of votes).

It is certainly true that music is a powerful way to reach the 'current generation' with a message. I only need to look back at my own life to see the powerful lasting impression that music can leave.

I also enjoy watching music videos online on youtube.com and (more recently) on godtube.com. I have a few examples of the videos I like from godtube here.

Now, back to the 'subject' of this blog. I discovered a Canadian radio program (while looking for videos on godtube) that had decided to run a contest called: "Preacher Idol"... That heading caught my eye so I 'clicked' to check it out. The Drew Marshall Show (TDMS), decided it would be interesting (and fun) to have a 'Preaching Contest" made up of 'average' everyday pew sitting Christians.

They called for submissions (home made videos) and then Judged them, using both feadback from viewers (online voters) and a 'professional' panel of judges.... The outcome was both interesting and entertaining!

I have included a link to the winning "Idol" below. I'll let Jocelyn explain who she thinks our idol should be.

Enjoy.

... feel free to leave a comment.