Although the mainstream news media leans toward negative reporting, there are a wide range of positive Christian stories that don’t make the headlines they should. It’s important for people of faith to sometimes take the time to recognize that both everyday Americans and celebrities are immersed in the Christian revitalization the country is undergoing. These are just some of the recent uplifting stories.
American Idol Winner Embraces God and Motherhood
After becoming the youngest contestant ever to win American Idol, Jordin Sparks spent a decade searching for spiritual fulfillment.
Her self-titled solo album earned her critical and popular music acclaim and even a Grammy Award nomination. But despite the professional success and widespread popularity, Sparks found her glass half empty until she rekindled her faith.
“Before giving my life fully to God, my life and my heart was only half in it. I was lukewarm, which is pretty much the worst thing that you can do,” she reportedly said. “And it wasn’t until I was completely broken and torn that Jesus poured his love on me.”
Having regained her full Christian love, Sparks recently received the blessing of motherhood. She says her faith and infant son have taken her love of God to new heights.
“Every time I rock him to sleep, I start drifting into prayer over the choices he makes, the people he meets, and everything that’s going to happen in his life. I pray, ‘Lord, let him be strong when he needs to be, let him be kind in certain moments, let him be soft in certain moments, let him be compassionate, let him be passionate about other things and other people,'” she reportedly said.
Sparks and her husband Dana Isaiah Thomas ushered their son, DJ, into the world on May 2. The 28-year-old celebrity says she has been overwhelmed with joy ever since.
“I wasn’t prepared for the level of love I felt and the feelings that I never could’ve imagined before. I just look at DJ and I smile, and I just want to cry because he’s so incredible,” she reportedly said.
Sparks recently turned her attention to giving back by spreading Christian faith through movies. She has a role in the recently released film “God Bless the Broken Road.” Playing Bridgette, her star status is likely to attract even secular audiences to the religious-based feature film.
In many ways, Sparks has returned to her Christian roots through marriage and motherhood. She speaks about rearing her child in a good Christian home, much like the one she was raised. And, her husband has remained a vigilant force during hectic times.
“My husband has helped and guided me so much. He’ll say, ‘Hey, did you do your devotions today?’ And he’ll send me ‘Jesus Calling’ devotionals or posts that encourage me,” she reportedly said.
America’s Got Talent and Faith
Touting himself as a “part-time worship leader, part-time pediatric nurse and full-time father,” Michael Ketterer made it all the way to the America’s Got Talent semifinals and even made hard-nosed critic Simon Cowell weep. There may be no greater feat in the music world than bringing tears to the roughest music talent judge on the planet.
That being said, Ketterer brings more than sweet emotion to his singing. He and his wife are raising six children. Five have joined their family through foster care adoption. The couple recently revealed in a video that their biological daughter, Ivey, was born weighing only three pounds and 10 ounces. She miraculously clung to life.
“The doctors told us that it would happen again if we ever had another pregnancy, so we just made the choice to not have any more children,” Michael reportedly said. “But then at the age of eight years old, my daughter began having dreams, and in her dream these three little boys were her brothers and the youngest was always in danger.”
The couple reportedly testified in an “I Am Second” video well-known for telling the stories of Christian families. While the America’s Got Talent sensation received critical acclaim for his onstage performance, his Christian works deserve a standing ovation.
Unborn Child in God’s Hands
Stories about celebrities are apt to capture the news media’s attention. But one family’s powerful Christian faith reads like a miracle.
Expectant parents Drew and Ariann Corpstein were told by doctors their son suffered a terminal brain condition and would live only a maximum of a few days after birth. Rather than terminate the pregnancy, the couple said they put their unborn son, Matthew, in God’s hand.
Their faith was rewarded. After the delivery, baby Matthew was examined and the initial diagnosis was proven to be a mistake. Although the child has a tough health road ahead, the Corpstein’s have nicknamed him “Matthew the Great.” Following a procedure to drain fluid from his head, he reportedly has “every chance at a normal life.”
~ Christian Patriot Daily