After nine hit seasons, “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell is leaving tomorrow night. Love him or loathe him the fact about Simon is that he was as much as the show’s success as any of the upcoming “stars.” He has a powerful presence and painfully spoke the truth.

Some questioned at times if Mr Cowell even had a heart. He came across as confident, “cocky” but nine times out of ten he was correct in his assessment of the talent at hand. The artist expressions when he picked them apart like crabs from the Chesapeake Bay was almost too much to watch. Much respect for those auditioning but I have learned the folks with the least talent demand the most stage time. It is wild, when they have the audacity to talk back to the judges who have been to the pinnacle of their particular profession. D.O.G. is not an animal but an attitude. It means “DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR.” They get an “A” for effort but “F” for failing to respect others and not willing to take a long, hard (humble) look in the mirror.

When Simon did compliment one could see the singer’s reaction and the audience surprise. It was a rare moment and was something to behold. To Simon’s credit, I don’t recall him ever caving into the crowds take on things but he stood his ground and stayed the course regarding the credentials of the artists’ auditions and performance. As leaders, public figures, speakers, columnists and clergy it is too tempting to speak what others want to hear and not what they need to hear. Memorial Day Weekend is upon us and the clip below talks about my visit earlier this year on “ATLANTA LIVE.” It was the second time I have been blessed to be a guest on their show and this is part two of a three part clip just posted (below). My college friend and fellow evangelist, Clayton King shared a story years ago about a U.S. Marine speaking at a public school. The story speaks for itself and I pray it will bless you.

The truth hurts at times but we need to share it in love. We need to cheer folks on as often as possible but share constructive criticism when needed in private. Part of American Idol’s success was the devastating drama of receiving rebuke with the whole world watching. When we need to counsel or correct a friend “off base” we need to do it Biblically. Take another friend, do it in love and away from crowds. The lesson is still learned without additional pain of embarrassment. Personally, I believe how we handle one hurting and wrong in their ways is just as important as the person in error. Christ convicts but always with compassion.

In elementary school, we all remember “SIMON SAYS” and we lost as contestants when we didn’t adhere to the wise words of Simon. It is true, Simon may be an outgoing judge on “Idol” but he is not the Judge we will stand before to give an account of our audition in life. It has been said: “Life is just a dress rehearsal” and whatever we do for self will pass but what we have done for Christ will last.

Tomorrow night, another season will have concluded and another singer will be crowned a new winner as Simon Cowell exists stage right. What I do respect about Simon is that he cut to the chase, didn’t parse words and stood his ground regardless of the reaction of others. We must be compassionate in communicating with others but Simon understood that the “big picture” was more important than the potential pain in the process.

Preachers of the Gospel must warn all about the big picture. We have a Heaven to be won and a Hell to be shunned. May we preach the Hope of Heaven (Good News) more than the hype of man. May we all have the courage (coupled with compassion) to say what needs to be said. Better to speak the Truth in love now than let everyone get a “free pass” thinking they are all winners only to lose for eternity. In ministry, we must preach against sin but lift up the Son. We need to talk about the wrath of God but also the forgiveness offered only by Christ. It is imperative that we not let the crowd or critics cripple us from preaching Christ, His Cross, The Cost of being a disciple and His Coming Again!

This past Saturday, I had the privilege to speak to 1,400 at Grace Brethren Christian’s School Graduation. Their church/school is in Clinton, MD but the graduation had to be held at the beautiful National Church of God in Oxon Hill, MD. The time was ticking and immediately following my remarks I had a plane to catch to fly from Washington, DC to Pensacola, FL to preach at two churches this past Sunday. What an honor to be with this fine school and distinguished graduates. It was my honor to give the keynote address to a capacity crowd and when I finished the place errupted and gave God a standing ovation. Work the Word because the Word Works!

When I exited the platform over 50 people deep (many of them pastors) were waiting to shake my hand, ask for a card or take a picture. One 75 year old African-American with tears in his eyes and a firm grip approached me and said: “Young man, I stood in line to shake your hand to thank you.” I paused and honored to be in his presence but puzzled with his statement said: “You preach the Truth! Thank you for preaching the Truth!” What a compliment and better to preach truth in love than speak hype and keep folks lost (and in the dark).

Simon knew the “it” factor. At the time, he could gauge instantly who had “it” and who didn’t. Friends, Christ at another level knows if you have it – are “saved” or not. Simon studied talent but the Savior knows testimonies. A nod from Simon can help get a recording contract. A touch from God gets you into the Lamb’s Book of Life. One is temporal the other is ETERNAL. In the Lord’s eyes, it is not if one can sing but are we ‘saved.’ It is not if we have “it” but do we have Him? Like Gatorade – “God, is He in you?” On rare occasions, Simon was wrong a couple times but Jesus never has nor will He ever be.

I wish Simon well as he ventures off and tries new things (or same thing with a new twist) but more importantly, I pray that this outgoing judge will know intimately the Judge of the Universe (Jesus). God bless Simon and may we all live by what the SAVIOR SAYS (not Simon Says).