My KA DNA – Leesa Bellesi

‘American Idol’s’ Christian connection

Mega-churches across the country’s heartland have served as the training grounds for many of the Fox show’s contestants, with parishioners doing their part with prayers and text votes.

By Scott Collins, Los Angeles Times

May 23, 2010

She isn’t employed by the show and viewers never see her sparring with Simon Cowell. But Leesa Bellesi exerts her own kind of pull on “American Idol,” Fox’s top-rated singing contest that has a unique if often-unstated link to Christian churches.

Bellesi, who runs a Christian nonprofit in Lake Forest with her Pastor husband, visits tapings frequently, has befriended numerous finalists and helps wrangle funds and scout temporary housing for families who trek cross-country to see relatives perform on “Idol.” Bellesi said that churches form a base for the young singers as they try to win votes and establish fan bases. Half of the Top 10 last season were worship leaders in their churches, she said.

“Most of the kids that have been really successful on ‘American Idol’ have that huge support of their church that’s pushed them — they’ve had a lot of voting and things like that,” said Bellesi, who has no official connection to the show (a spokesperson for the producers said he had never heard of her) but was spoken of as an unofficial patron by former finalists Danny Gokey, Jason Castro and others.

Read it in it’s entirety at:

Note: Keep reminding yourself what a privilege it is just to have the opportunity to audition.  That you have a voice to share.  Many don’t.  My best friend has no arms or legs and he never complains…EVER! Life Without Limbs :: Nick Vujicic So just be happy you can drive or walk yourselves to the audition location.  It’s a gift to be alive…right!  Then make a point of meeting and enjoying the people around you.  Many have made life long friendships with those they have stood in line with.  When I went to support a friend I experienced this.  A few around us that we befriended made it to the top 24 and are still friends.  What a blessing just to be a part of it all.  Be in the moment and feel the joy and anticipation.

I heard great advice the other day. “If you feel that feeling in your stomach, you know that feeling…the one that makes you feel like you are going to hurl or double over.  It means you are about to do something very special so enjoy the ride.”

Also…do not complain to the Producers about the  heat, your exhaustion, your voice not being right, your song…be positive and hopefully they will be too.  You are being watched

Love to you all…I will pray for you if you ask.  Write me at kingdomassignment@cox.net – If you give me your phone number I will text you little encouragements, which is what I have been doing this morning to those in San Francisco.  I’ll call and pray with you too if you would like.

God’s richest blessings!  Leesa

James 1:26

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. TNIV

From Billy Grahams Devotional Day by Day -

“The problems of the world could be solved overnight if people could get victory over their tongues.  Suppose there was no anger, no profanity, no lying, no grumbling or complaining; suppose there were no dirty stories told, no unjust criticism-what a different world this would be!  The Bible teaches that a person who can control their tongue can control their whole personality.  We should ask ourselves three questions before we speak:  Is it true?  Is it kind?  Does it glorify Christ?  If we would always think before we speak, there would be much less evil speaking, and there would soon be a spiritual awakening that would sweep the church in America.”

There is a reason I do not allow comments on my Blog and the reason is… people have not gotten control over their tongues, or their thoughts.  People have written me the most bizarre and unkind things.  Down right evil.  Kindness in the Blog world is a pipe-dream of mine.  If you’re reading this and you make the practice of giving your unkind opinion about everything because you can, consider praying about or for that person instead.  You’ll be laying up treasure in Heaven instead of breaking some ones heart.  Sticks and Stones can break your bones, but names will always hurt you. Bones mend in time, Hearts may never.  Some of these American Idol kids, well I don’t think any of them escape the cruel, mean, obscene comments people make about the way they look, their clothing, family members…what?  No one deserves that. When I was in High School, I remember my Youth Pastor and good friend Jim Grindle told me and other student officers “what you say may be THE THING or final straw that breaks that person spirit”.  I’ve always tried to remember those words and when I haven’t I try to apologize and ask forgiveness.  Stay clean…let’s encourage one another with the words of our mouth as a testament to our lives.  Must I remind you God hears not only our words, but our thoughts too.

Psalms 7:9

Bring to an end the (verbal) violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure— You, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts. TNIV

If you want to email me you are welcome to write to me through our website at:

www.kingdomassignment.org

Check out this woman’s amazing Kingdom Assignment… you just never know when God will call on you!

This post is long in coming… so much about AI I have not even gotten to, but I will.  Got to go to the Finale and sit with the Gokey’s, After Party, Limo… all good and fun (pics to follow).  But what I had to throw myself into the day after was the 3rd Annual WELL DONE Awards that I was producing.  Millions of details including publishing and printing 3 new books.  Kingdom Assignment 3 “What Will Do With The TIME God Has Given You”,  Children’s book “I Have A Special Purpose” Daniel Goes On A Kingdom Assignment, and a pictorial book telling the story of the Kingdom Assignment and how it came to be… whew!  Miracle… something only God could do and He did!

A few AI people were there… Phil Stacey, Jason Castro, Michael Castro, Warm-Up Artist from AI Cory Almeida, and from iCarly Nathan Kress and Noah Munck…

If you go straight to our website www.kingdomassignment.org     you can check out the latest on the WDA, below is the thank you I sent to all who served us and the Master so so well.  WELL DONE!

We will be in touch, but wanted to get this off to you asap!

Please check out Todays and last Fridays article in the OC Register.  

Lori Basheda did a wonderful job covering this years WDA story. 

Check it out at:

  

http://strangeoc.freedomblogging.com/2009/06/01/well-done-awards/16479/

Video/ intro of the night…

http://kingdomassignment.com/getmedia_video_wda2009_intro.php

Also, Darren Kings Pics (taken by Joe Ohman, thanks Joe) from the night…

fun to relive it all

http://gallery.me.com/crossline#100171

I don’t have everyone’s email so please pass this on and please forgive me if some of you get this twice or even three times

Love, love, love to you all – Leesa and Denny

Jeremiah 333

“call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

 

Today is my 54th Birthday… I feel like I did when I got married at 19… so how is it possible that they keep trying to send me an AARP card… I just tear them up… denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.

My parents are here and we will be having a great family meal together later, but it is what I did this morning that made my birthday.  I woke up at 4:00 am which was really 3:00 am due to day light savings time and once I was fully awake I did my devotions (below).  Even on a Sunday, when I knew I would be going to church.  You know some times I would slide on Sundays thinking church balanced it all out… do you do that too?  But God wants quiet time with us.  Alone time with us.  We  always hear it the other way around.  But actually He desires our full attention so He can whisper things to us and we can actually hear them.  You just never know what life is going to swing your way, but ever since I have been consistent with my devotions first thing in the morning I have been able to withstand better the unexpected side swipes that come my way.  Which, in every day, there are quite a few for all of us.  Life is a gift and so fun when lived on purpose and “On Assignment”!

Day by Day with Billy Graham for March 8th 2009

1 John 2:15 (TLB)

“Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God…”

There are certain elements of daily life which are not sinful in themselves but which have a tendency to lead to sin if they are abused.  Abuse literally means “extreme use” and in so many instances, overuse of things lawful becomes sin.  Ambition is an essential part of character, but it must be fixed on lawful objects and exercised in proper proportion.  Thought about the necessities of life and taking care of one’s family is absolutely essential; but this can generate into anxiety, and then, as Christ reminded us, the cares of this life choke the spiritual seed in the heart.  Making of money is essential for daily living; but money-making is apt to degenerate into money-loving, and then the deceitfulness of riches enters and spoils our spiritual life.  Much so-called worldliness in Christian circles is misunderstood.  You cannot confine it to a particular rank, walk or circumstances of life, and say that one person is spiritual and another is unspiritual.  Worldliness is actually a spirit, an atmosphere, an influence permeating the whole of life and human society, and it needs to be guarded against constantly and strenuously.

Thanks Billy…

First AI Assignment has arrived via a beautiful phone call from Jamar Rogers Mom Danielle Rogers.  She is an amazing Godly woman who raised an amazing Godly son.  Her wish was for Jamar, who is now living in Los Angeles, to come home to Wisconsin for his 27th Birthday.  Done deal!  His church family and friends have not seen him since his disappointment of not making the final 36 and they are so excited to see him and give him a big hug!  Many B-Day Parties are planned around town, so get ready Jamar for a fantastic greeting.  What a joy and privilege it is to be a part of of seeing a huge family reunion come together.  

Jamar will be back in town next week, working on a music release with Frankie, another top 50 contestant.  Next weekend Denny and I are going to go speed church hopping with him in hopes of finding a church family here in CA where he can be supported and feel right at home.  Have a safe trip Jamar…God bless you and your family!