Sports Betting Blunder – One Month Later

The frustration is still fresh. Not that I placed a bet on anything specific and lost, but the realization that I’m just as susceptible as anyone else to make pretty big life mistakes. It’s been exactly one month since I had a terrible, no good, very bad day and if you want to catch yourself up, read a recap here.

And it wasn’t just one decision. It was a series of poor choices and I guess you could ask any gambler (addict, etc) and they’d say the same thing. I remember laying in bed that night thinking, “How did I get here?” But when I check my bank statement, I’m like, “Oh yeah, that’s how.” Withdrawal. Withdrawal. Withdrawal. No deposits. 👀

Wouldn’t it be nice if every bad experience was just contained to the day it happened? No spill over. No consequences. I could’ve woken up the next day as if it never happened. In fact, I remember really hoping it was all just a bad dream. But now 30 some odd days have passed and I’m still feeling the real ramifications. One revelation, and in a weird way I’m grateful for this, is that a weakness was exposed. I don’t have a gambling addiction, it’s not that kind of thing. But the idea that I could fall so hard wasn’t something I believed could happen. And then it did. What was the root cause? What was I trying to satisfy by participating in those bets that day? How can I keep from making the same mistake again?

Winter is when nature resets. Grass dies. Flowers die. Animals hibernate. But then in the spring there’s new life. Colors burst out. Pollen too, but I’m trying to get to something positive here! That nasty day I had a month ago was a winter for me. But there have been moments of new life. Spring. Rethinking how I relate to my bank account, what I’m doing to strengthen relationships with people, where I can be more ambitious and proactive. I think that I was pretty much just floating along before that day and now I have a better sense of purpose and grit. That’s a good thing, right? Plus, seeing that I can be blindsided by my own weakness has given me the opportunity to search out something stronger, in my case I’ve sort of started a new mantra: I’m only betting (not monetarily because I suck at that!) on God. I mean, if I were to think I could fix this on my own, look how badly I screwed it up to begin with on my own…

I’m making a list of what’s going on as a direct result of that day and the list is growing almost daily. Very interesting. I’m not saying I’m totally over the hurt and everything. Like I said at the beginning, it all still feels pretty fresh.

But I believe God is going to work it into something good. Maybe even multiple somethings. I’m actually looking forward to experiencing the redemption in whatever forms it comes. And on a totally unrelated note, if you enjoyed today’s post consider making a $1 donation to Out of the Wilderness to help me continue posting daily and also subscribe by adding your email below.

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-Out of the Wilderness

New Song for the Summer Playlist – Day One by Childlike CiCi featuring Lecrae

I’m basically in constant search mode for songs to add to my summer playlist… which actually is called “Beach Beats” (click here on Spotify). I didn’t expect to find one today but here we are about to listen to a new song together. Check out “Day One” by Childlike CiCi and Lecrae.

Something about her stage name is already my favorite thing. Childlike CiCi. So cool and unique. Her story is encouraging, too. Click here for a bit of her bio.

My journey took a turn when I tried making secular music publicly, but this path ultimately led me back to Christ. Raised in a faith-based family, life challenges led me to temporarily drift away from my faith. Despite gaining attention from a secular artist, labels and teams, God intervened in my life in 2019, showing me that my lifestyle and music were doing the enemy’s work. I realized I couldn’t serve two masters, so I deleted my social media and wholeheartedly surrendered my life to Christ.

Awesome new artist and I hope she has so much success in her music and her ministry! Follow Childlike CiCi on Instagram here – @Childlike CiCi.

-Out of the Wilderness

The Shocking American Idol Top 3 That Isn’t That Shocking

Carrie Underwood told John Foster that if he keeps fooling around he might just win this thing. A comment reminiscent of Lionel Richie’s words last season to a contestant that, a few minutes later, was eliminated. But John Foster is happy he didn’t follow in those footsteps. He made it to the top 3 which isn’t surprising since he was the only country singer in the top 5. Country singers tend to do well on Idol. It’s a solid lane to be in. I’m about to give away who else made the top 3 so if that’s a spoiler for you, skip down to the section called “The Judges Really Stink”. Breanna also advanced and I think it’s because she knows her lane, Christian music. Jamal also made it into the top 3 because, just like the other 2, he has a lane: R&B, soul, gospel.

So that leaves two contestants out: Slater Nalley and Thunderstorm Artis. Coincidentally, my favorite (Slater) and my dad and sister’s favorite (Thunderstorm). I think they lost out partly because of a little bit of ambiguity on what genre of music they’ll making. They’re not country, soul, pop, rock, etc. Where would they fit in the music industry? It’s not that voters necessarily think about that and choose to vote or withhold their votes, but I’m sure there are producers behind the scenes wondering about such things. Money. Who’s going to bring in the dollars? While Slater and Thunderstorm are incredible, if they were to be cast as the singer/songwriter type… well, there’s just not as big of an audience for that as country, R&B, Christian, gospel. So if there’s any influence coming from the people pulling the strings, this is where their opinion would hold a lot of weight– having a say in who comes out as the winner of Idol.

With all that said, I’m not totally shocked about the final 3. Jamal’s YouTube views are booming. John’s are high, too. Breanna is a little perplexing but the numbers for Slater and Thunderstorm (at least according to YouTube views) just weren’t there. Of course, it could be that a performer is liked by a lot of people but those people didn’t vote. So among voters, Jamal and John and Breanna are the most popular. Plus, who in their right mind can dislike Jamal? His story is incredible, his heart is big, and his voice is smooth. He’s got the right ingredients to become the next American Idol, and I predict he will be.

The Judges Really Stink. OK, that’s a bit harsh. The judges are fine people. They are kind, joyful, happy, positive, pleasers. But a “judge” in almost every sense of the word absolutely cannot be all of those things. There were singers that stank to high heaven and the judges praised them. Singers who had no business advancing and yet, nothing but roses from the judge panel. No constructive criticism, no criticism at all. During this last two-night round, I decided I’d had my fill of all the positivity. It’s just annoying now.

Once this season is over, I’ll need a break from this trio. They’re cool and all, but I wish they cared less about preserving their own careers and ripped on some contestants. You might disagree with me about that and that’s OK, but I bet we agree that Jamal will be the 2025 American Idol, right?

If you enjoyed today’s post, leave a comment and if you didn’t enjoy it, feel free to rip me a new one! Also, donate to help me continue posting daily!

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-Out of the Wilderness

Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick

This isn’t a TikTok story. It’s not about a clock either. You have one more guess.

Now I’m sorry I even included that GIF. Ticks are pretty gross but if you guessed correctly, you win! Or lose? Well, I think we all lose when it comes to ticks. Maybe that’s why I like possums as much as I do. Studies show that possums eat a lot of ticks, but then I just read that possums don’t eat ticks as much as we’ve been lead to believe. Whatever the truth is, the weather’s warming up and I’ve already noticed more ticks than usual. Like, just walking from my camper door to the edge of the awning. Walking on a camping mat, just dirt underneath that. I return to the camper and feel *something* on my leg. How in the world did that tick get there!? What’s your experience with ticks been in 2025 so far?

I had another encounter last night.

I can think of a few things I’d want in my bed and a tick is not on that list! It was sometime in the early hours, maybe 4am? I was laying in bed and there was a sensation on my arm. I waited. Surely it can’t be what I suspect. There it is again. I turn on a light. Sure enough, the little booger was crawling up my forearm. How and when it got into my bed, I don’t even want to consider! If they’re already this active, I foresee a summer of being ticked off… a lot.

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-Out of the Wilderness

“Out of the Blue” by Thunderstorm Artis Lyrics

Thunderstorm’s at it again with an original song that propelled him to the Top 5 of American Idol. Here are the lyrics of his original song called “Out of the Blue” and if you have a moment, like this post and leave a comment!

Thunderstorm Artis “Out of the Blue”

There’s not enough hours in a day
but if there were I’d spend all 25 with you
Sit and watch them all fade
But I wouldn’t have a clue

There’s no words I can write
No song I could sing
Count the ways you saved my life
You are the reason I believe

Your green eyes are soft like the summer
and your touch can put out the embers of my burning heart
from that gray December

When it’s dark you are the sunshine breaking through
Yeah you, said you brought me out of the blue

brought me out, brought me out
Out of the blue

Brought me out, brought me out
Out of the blue

Out of the blue

Your green are soft like the summer
and your touch can put out the embers of my burning heart
from that gray December

When it’s dark, you are the sunshine breaking through
Yeah you, said you brought me out of the blue

Out of the Wilderness