My Secret is Out!

Back about mid-August, I was up late on a Friday night channel surfing while The Boss snoozed by my side. It was a normal Friday night, quiet with the kids tucked in after a night of swimming and hanging out with the neighbors. But when I clicked over to CMT (Country Music Television), nothing about my Friday night stayed normal. I found a new secret addiction. I'm hooked. And slightly shocked and a little embarrassed at just how much I love this new addiction.

Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull-Riding!

Yes, I know, what's a nice suburban girl like me doing watching CMT, let alone BULL RIDING? But wait, before you think I have completely wandered off my nicely paved roads and prettily landscaped sidewalks onto a meandering country lane in the middle of nowhere, let me explain myself! See, the promos were running for the show and I caught a glimpse of one of my favorite Christian celebrities: Stephen Baldwin. Now, say what you will about the famous Baldwin family: this boy has it GOIN' ON! He's relatively new to his Christianity, having dramatically committed his life to Christ in the aftermath of 9/11. I'd seen stories and interviews about his conversion and have loosely followed his walk and growth in the faith since then. I even read his book, and reviewed it for you all here. I like what I see in this man's life. I love not knowing what's gonna come out of his mouth next! He's a bit more "out there" and waaaay more blunt than I ever am, but I think that's what I like best. He often gets caught saying what a lot of us may be thinking about this thing called Church and this walk called faith. So, I was intrigued about his place on the new reality show being advertised before me.

Then, the icing on the cake. "Rocket" Ismail. Let me tell you, I have a history with this man. No, no, no, not that kind of history! Allow me to explain. Raghib "Rocket" Ismail went to one of our rival high schools, in the Wilkes-Barre area. I'd heard of his small town celebrity, but had never seen him play football in person. I think I'm a couple years older than him, as much as it pains me to admit that. Anyway. But one year, my Li'l Sis had made it to some regional track & field event and he was competing. I. got. to. see. him. run. Watching him run hurdles was a thing of beauty. There's no other description for it. He was fast, he was clean, and he ran like a gazelle. I was amazed. I'm no athlete, but I grew up in a very sports-minded (read "Notre Dame & Syracuse football") family and I know true art when I see it running by me in a blur of beauty and grace. Several months later, (the timeline for me is fuzzy here, sorry if my facts aren't totally accurate!) our church joined with a few other regional churches for a family baptism service. Li'l Sis was being baptized by my dad and lo and behold, so was "Rocket." I got to see "Rocket" Raghib Ismail declare before our little company of people that he was a new creation in Christ and was commiting to serving Him to the best of his ability all the days of his life. My Dad dunked Rocket Ismail! (Incidentally, his brother, Quadry a.k.a. "GQ" cuz he was such a spiffy dresser, was also baptized that night) "Rocket" went on to star in Notre Dame's starting line-ups during his four years of college and on to the CFL and ended his NFL career in Dallas. Let me make this point abundantly clear, I am NOT a Dallas fan, but I still loved watching that man run. That man CAN RUN! Imagine if you will, my DOUBLE delight that a show would be featuring two of my favorite Christian celebrities, in one exciting, dangerous, and addicting reality series. And so, Friday nights on CMT became my very own little secret treat.

For the past few weeks, I have been up late watching the reruns that I've missed of CMT and Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding. Watching these two men conduct themselves with honor and integrity. They were consistently gentleman-like, polite and amazingly encouraging to the other men on the show. I think it's safe to say that they were an excellent representation for Christ. Rocket, in particular, was such a motivator and encourager that Ty Murray deemed him the team captain. Stephen was laid up early by a nasty break to his shoulder, so ended up only in 3 or 4 episodes. One late episode, before the nail-biting "big ride" at a Professional Bull Riding competition, showed these two men (Baldwin returned for the finale) and another cast member attending "cowboy church." If I wasn't ecstatically insane about this show before, this episode SEALED. THE. DEAL. Bunches of jean-clad, 10-gallon hat wearing COWBOYS gathered around the bull-riders, LAID hands on them and prayed over them. Prayed over them on NATIONAL TV. ~sigh~ I'm so totally hooked. Totally in love with this show.

But, now my secret is out. I've come clean, in the vain hope that others will pick up my obsession and pass the word around. This show is good, clean fun with just a hint of danger and an element of surprise. After all, who knows what's going through that 2,000+ lb. bull's mind? And I guess I also came clean because I'm finally coming to grips that I'm a little bit of a hick. I love country music, as I've shared here, and I guess it's time I admit that actually spend a good bit of my channel surfing time on CMT. Okay, okay, the secret is already out, I may as well admit: CMT is actually programmed into my favorites. And has been since we got our new provider back in May. I'm hooked, the secret is out and I'm not even embarrassed any more about this addiction! Not even the teeensiest bit! I'm not. . . .