Originally posted on April 17, 2008 at the Christian Writers Forum Blog.

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If you watched American Idol this week you know that it was Mariah Carey week. And let me tell you that girl can sing!!

Through out the years I’ve been a fan of her songs – some not even knowing that it was her singing. Those were mainly when I was younger and didn’t know who was singing the song unless it was Britney Spears (Don’t worry, I don’t like her anymore. Haven’t in a long time) or the Backstreet Boys or *N-sync.

So after I was reminded of the good songs she sings, I went and listened to her new album on iTunes. Found a few good songs that I absolutely love.

First off was Bye Bye, which is the song she sang on Wednesday night. This song speaks so much to me. A lot of it says the same things that I have felt over the few years since I lost my grandfather. If you know me he was very important to me and was more of a dad to me then I’d ever known then.

There are a few lyrics that just get me every time: “And you never got a chance to see how good I’ve done, And you never got to see me back at number one, I wish that you were here to celebrate together, I wish that we could spend the …

I just finished watching the season finale of Saving Grace. I must say there is just something about this show that is just so honest and pure, but gridy and edgy at the same time.

This is the kind of stuff I would like to write one day when I’m an established author. It’s raw, true-life kind of stuff. The show is non-apologetic about being very realistic. It doesn’t try to sugarcoat some of the realities that life throws at you.

But the great thing about this show is the writers have taken a gridy drama and put faith, God and angels in the center of it. It’s so refreshing to see something so good – in many different ways – on tv today.

The last episode really hit a cord with me. The performances were just out of this world. I have to give it up to the writers and actors of this amazing show. They did an excellent job with the sexual abuse story line.

For me those parts of the show were really hard to watch. Especially the scene with just Grace and Rhetta – It was just pure emotion. In that scene Holly Hunter reminded all of us that she is a true actor that has claimed the academy award.

To be so honest with your writing like that seems so hard to me right now. I wish I had that kind of courage to …

So Desperate Housewives was all-new tonight and as a fan I was reminded of how much I love this show.

First they’re housewives, second they’re desperate and third they’re hilarious. Now for the slow, let me repeat that. They’re housewives, they’re desperate and they are so hilarious!!

Tonight’s episode was a little shocking to me. And not for the reasons you might think. The episode was entitled, “Sunday.” And as you can guess it revolved around church, God and the number one Jesus.

Lately I’ve noticed a lot of Christian themed elements in prime time network television. You know what I mean if you saw last weeks American Idol results show that opened with the final eight singing “Shout To The Lord.” Yes, a worship song – one that if you’ve been to worship service you’ve probably heard this song a few times. This shocked me. I couldn’t believe it. They even kept in the Jesus parts. I saw again, I was shocked. Then I remembered the week before when they had Dolly Parton on a couple contestants sang songs with Jesus mentioned several times.

Well anyway, back to Desperate Housewives. When the episode started and I learned it was going to center around church and God, I figured it was going to be another mocking, put down episode you see so often on television. As I said before I was shocked to find that they did an excellent …

So I’ve been watching One Tree Hill on DVD and let me tell you this show is a guilty pleasure.

First off I love the story between the two brothers. It’s so interesting to see the emotion from these two and the tension that they have, mainly put there by their evil, egotistical, jackass of a dad, Dan Scott. I know you can tell I like this guy.

I love watching the relationships grow between all of these people that are at times so completely different, but at the same time are on the same emotional rollercoaster ride as the other.

I must say the relationship between Haley and Nathan is so magical. They have this chemistry that you just don’t see much of on tv. They are just the perfect couple. They look so good together and they are both good for the other. Haley makes Nathan a better person and Nathan gives Haley the courage to follow her dreams. I just love them as a couple. I also hated the fact that they split for awhile. I was actually screaming at the tv for Nathan to go after her. But I’m just glad they’re back together.
Payton is my kind of girl. She’s into music and the arts and just does her own thing. She’s head strong, but can also let herself be swept off her feet. She also defies the stereotype of cheerleader. I mean you just wouldn’t picture her as …

This is the first edition of Speaker Box. It’s basically me reviewing new albums and artists and of course ranting about music news.

Jordin Sparks’ new self titled album just dropped last Tuesday and let me just tell you this entire album is just absolutely amazing. I can’t stop listening to it.

You know, normally I’m not real into R&B. I mean I like a few of the more popular R&B songs but it’s just not my taste, but Jordin’s album is just outstanding. It has so much to offer.

Next To You was the first song from her new album to catch my ear. The smooth but, oh so subtle, type of love song mesmerized me at the very start, mainly because I’m a hopeless romantic. The song is about a girl trying to figure out if her friend likes her and that maybe they could or are more then just friends.

Maybe we’re friends/ Maybe we’re more/ Maybe it’s just my imagination/ But I see you stare just a little too long/ And it makes me start to wonder… It’s a really great song and if you have ever been in this type of situation then it is very relatable.

Then the amazing harmony from the duet with Chris Brown just knocked me on the floor. I mean I can’t get this song, No Air, out of my head. The beat, the rhythm just captures you and takes you on …