Monday, January 16, 2012

Going Viral

Last night on facebook, I saw this link posted by someone from church with the effect of, "Our Very Own Julie Spence!" That obviously got my attention. I try to keep my websites for paying customers only. JK. Seriously, it really did get my attention though. Apparently someone..I really don't know WHO posted the video from when I sang "Redeemer" at church many Easters ago to a site I'd never heard of called Godvine.com. From what very little I gather, this is similar to youtube for Christians. It obviously wasn't me who uploaded it because number one, I hate that video. That song is really too big for me, and I'm well aware of that. It was a request from our pastor, and I was going to die trying it. And a request at Word Alive goes something like, "Hey, you're singing Redeemer for Easter." It's not American Idol auditions terrible, but I can't say that I'm proud of it. I had the worst swollen throat, and I remember sipping throat coat tea in the back to try to save what voice I did have. I don't want to sing that song on a good day, much less a sick day. Anyway, it is what it is....but then I see this link yesterday, and it was just uploaded on Saturday, I believe. Oh, another reason you know I didn't do it is because it's Julie SPENCER. Nice. Regardless of my personal views of it, it's really nice if people do enjoy it. Here's the deal. I'M going to critique the mess out of it because it is ME, but thank you SO much to all of the kind people that like it...and me. Maybe my problem is that I equate them to one and the same. Not everyone likes me...THERE I said it. I need it to sink in. I was really surprised when I glanced at it today to see it had gone to THOUSANDS of views in less than 48 hours. Godvine viewers are serious, I guess. I then experienced several different things when I saw the comments and what was happening. Fighting. Over what, you ask? What I was WEARING. You can see the link and page here.


Here is what started the uproar.

Elsje Massyn posted on 2012-01-16 08:11:40 - Reply Directly

madIt irritates the living daylight out of me, when girls appear on stage and show their cleavage!! It is disrespectful and this type of dress has taken over the charismatic movement by storm. I am not a prune, I do however believe she could lift her top just one centimeter. Her song therefore could not bring the GLORY to God the way it should. Scripture says we should live in such a way that we do not offend others or cause others to stumble. There is so much un-cleanness happening in the church these days, the fear of the Lord is not in the church anymore.

Jesus, I'm so sorry I missed your GLORY by a centimeter.

Okay....First...I just think it is so awesome that someone thinks I Have CLEAVAGE!!! I laughed out loud when I saw that. I see 4 people liked her comment and 16 did not. I know I should be more focused on the fact this chick (of COURSE--it's always a 'lady,' isn't it?) was offended (not), but baby, I have NO cleavage. But you rest assured when I buy it in a few years, you'll see more of it. Really though? What cleavage? Seriously...what is that? I even watched it back some to see if I had something then that I wasn't aware of. Nope. I'd say one of, if not my BIGGEST peeves is when someone goes on a rant or says something is right or wrong based on their preference or their PERSONAL conviction and tries to make it that way for everyone AND then do it in the name of God. If your OPINION is that my shirt is too skanky, say that. Hey, I think her shirt is too low, but the song was good. Or bad. Don't bring Jesus into something that is YOUR personal opinion and turn it into a morally right or wrong thing. Makes me want to scream! THIS is why people want nothing to do with church! Second and what I think is most important here is that, Ellie Mae (which is her real name based on her fb comment), I might consider you a PRUDE...but a PRUNE is a fruit. Perhaps you need to eat some so that you can relieve yourself though because you're obviously full of something. If you're going to correct me, you BETTER use the right words. So then you can see the loads of comments by people (who appear to be more in their right minds) defending my wardrobe. People saying they'd be proud to have me as a daughter? Stop pointing fingers. I'd love to meet you since you're so holy...lol. Thanks, guys.I didn't have to defend myself (not that I ever would) because you all did it for me so wonderfully. Someone said they understood what she was saying because there's not modesty in the church but that there was nothing wrong with what I was wearing. Here's the deal though: I'm not modest in any way, shape, or form. I'm pretty extravagant actually. If she thinks THAT was bad, I think THIS and especially THIS could give her a heart attack. :) I've never claimed to be modest, but what I am is appropriate. I will never take over when someone else is in their moment. I'll be your biggest cheerleader. I'll pray for you on the spot. You can call me on a MONDAY MORNING and I am THERE for you. And honey, in spite of myself, I can PRAY. I am VERY conscious of what I look like every week in front of 1000s of people. You have no idea what that's like unless you DO it. I'd venture to say that people that tear up pastors and others TRYING to help YOU get in God's presence do nothing of the sort. I heard something yesterday that stuck with me and didn't realize I could apply it so soon. If you're going to correct or criticize me in LOVE, you better make damn sure that you've encouraged me WAY more than you're about to correct me. I'll do the same for you. Seriously though, I'm not mad about this at ALL. I did want to write about it though because...well, it's what I do, right? I've always dreamed of being known FOR my singing and worship--more than just in Oxford...and this just comes with the territory, right? Maybe...in some way, God is readying me for that. I'm just messing with ya, Ellie Mae. Jesus loves you. And I'm trying. ;) KIDDING.

8 comments:

Bill Melton said...

I think you can see by the comments (and the volume of views and 'likes') that Ellie Mae was in the minority (of ONE). I don't know who uploaded the video to GodVine (btw, it was NOT me, lol), but I'm so glad they did, so others can enjoy the awesome gift you have been blessed with. God is pleased, and He's really the only One that matters. ;)

Julie said...

Bill, what's so funny is that when I told Travis about it, he swore that it was you. I was like, "Um he would've spelled my name right." He still argued that it was an easy typo. :) I never thought that it was you. You're right though. I was really impressed and honored by the fact that so many people "liked" that. Ellie Mae has other issues. Because the one she pointed out is laughable. And that's exactly what her rant made me do--laugh.

Bill Melton said...

I can understand why Travis would think it was me. You know, I did post it on Pinterest, because it is one of my favorites. :) I noticed when I pinned it, almost immediately, Corinne Brown repinned it. I don't know her, but she must have liked it a lot. I also directly replied to Ellie Mae 'Prune' this morning, lol.

Julie said...

Well I'm glad you and Corrine like it. :) oh wow what did you say? I didn't see that. Just be aware that arguing with an idiot is futile.

Bill Melton said...

There is a way that you can reply directly to her that is not posted for everyone to see. I just shared with her my humble, biased opinion about her rant. I also freely gave her Kent's comment about criticizing in love, ONLY when you have been an encouragement to a much greater extent. I think everyone really needs to HEAR that. :) Of course, my response to her was in love, lol. ;)

Julie said...

Of course. Funny. I know that there are people out there that don't care for me or my singing. I just don't see it in writing. I feel for Kent, who gets that on a regular basis. Let me know if she responds to you in love.

Bill Melton said...

FYI (Godvine) - Alvina V. Morris
I thank my Sister Rose for adding this to facebook...Julie Spencer has a sincere voice...how beautiful this song.
Rose Beaulieu ·
I fell in love with this song and I love to hear it no matter who sings it. But, I like Julie's singing, always have. She's been on my fav Christian program a few times.
:)

Julie said...

I laughed when I read that. Unless she's talking about the old harvest programs or word alive, she could have the wrong Julie Spencer.