Mary's taking a week off, so I had the great opportunity to trek the Twittersphere in search of greatness of up to 140 characters. There wasn't a lot of album-related news over the past week... perhaps because everyone was preparing for the May 21 rapture? Or not...

Christian band @raptureruckus surprisingly was quiet on the 21st, missing what might have been their most fantastic marketing opportunity. Many of your favorite artists weighed in on the purported end of the world, as well as host of other things.

As always, if you'd like to keep tabs on over 1,200 Christian artists, check out our exclusive NRTwitter page to read the latest tweets from the Christian music community. 

RAPTURE RUCKUS

@karijobe: Airport security is CRAZY today due to all this "end of the world" stuff... how silly.. (May 21)

Really? Airports reacted to this May 21 rapture prediction? How surprising!

@matthammitt: “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come..." Luke 12:35-... (May 21)
@matthammitt: I used to "skank" at Christian ska concerts. Phew, it feels so good to get that off my chest. #EndOfTheWorldConfessions (May 21)
@matthammitt: Finally! After trying to come up with a good stage gimmick for so long, tonight we'll take the stage at 6pm and then vanish into thin air. (May 21)

Sanctus Real lead singer Matt Hammitt had a lot to say on May 21 about Harold Camping's rapture prediction. From the sobering scripture reference, to his confession about the goofy ska dance style "skanking," to stage gimmicks, he was one of the more prolific rapture tweeters.

@michaelgungor: I wonder how many people thought this was their last sunset tonight. Not many people ever believe that, I almost wish I could...exciting (May 20)

Although he didn't buy into the May 21 mania, worship leader Michael Gungor of the band Gungor, considered what it would feel like to be on the eve of going home to the Lord. 

@untiljune: It's only appropriate to listen to the Until June classic "The World Ends Tonight". (May 21)

Former Flicker Records rock band Until June had a timely song they wanted to share with their Twitter followers.

@Jfrankenstein: I'm a tad concerned I'm going to be spending "Judgement Day" on the Jersey shore. #badplanning (May 20)

Thanks to the MTV show, Newsboys' Jeff Frankenstein apparently felt like he was in either Soddom or Gomorrah.

@markhallCC: It's funny to watch the super spiritual criticize all those who popped rapture jokes today. I'm pretty sure arrogance is as bad as sarcasm:) (May 21)
@markhallCC: RT @MarkAlanLowry I'm still here in Oklahoma! // well if Mark Lowry is still here, we're all safe!!! (May 21)
 
Casting Crowns' Mark Hall thinks the "Rapture Day" jokes are all in good fun, and used Gaither artist and comedian Mark Lowry as the standard for determining whether the Rapture occurred.

@BartMillard: Dear Rapture guy, Since no one will know when Christ returns, thanks for ruining our chances of it being tomorrow. Boo. (May 20)
@BartMillard: In case this rapture thing is true, I'm wearing a helmet and eating at chick-fil-a all day.
(May 21)
 
MercyMe's frontman knows the how to ride out the end of the world--with a full stomach and cranial protection. 
 
DCB-POCALYPSE

@crowderband: Important news from the DC*B. http://davidcrowderband.com (May 21)
 
The real news on May 21 wasn't the Rapture, but an announcement by David Crowder Band that the group would disband after its forthcoming final tour. The band gave its reasons at its website.

@WitnessTheRise: Looking forward to what lies ahead for all of us in the DCB! I'm definately one who can't wait to read the next paragraph! (May 21)
 
DC*B's Mike Dodson reflected on the announcement.

@matthammitt: Harold Camping confused the end of the world with the end of @crowderband Minor error.(May 21)
 
The Sanctus Real frontman recognized the weight of the announcement.

WHAT'S COOKIN'

@karijobe: A full day of writing ahead..@ChrisAugust & then Ed Cash..and then demo recording..and then who knows.. :) (May 23)
 
Kari Jobe is busy working on material with some heavy hitters. We wonder if Chris August will come as the "Starry Night" Chris August, or the "Candy Wrap" Chris August. (We're secretly hoping it's the "Candy" one, which would mean Kari might have a song called "How He Loves Candy.")

@bebonorman: making pies. (smith made his first chocolate pie today) http://yfrog.com/h7fksntqj
(May 22)
 
Some artists are in the studio cooking up tunes; Bebo Norman is in the kitchen with his son cooking up pies.

@derekwebb: just DAYS away from the launch of the all new @noisetrade site. can't wait for you to see what we've been working on. (May 20)
 
Noisetrade is a website founded by Derek Webb and others as a hub for artists to freely distribute their music. The site has gone through an overhaul. Check it out at http://www.noisetrade.com. 

@rootdownsound: Get an autographed copy of our new CD for only $9.99 here:...http://fb.me/ysI3glQ4 (May 22)
 
Remember Paul Wright, the guy who wrote "Sunrise to Sunset" and "Your Love Never Changes"? He has a new band called Rootdown, which just released its latest album. Check it out and enjoy the reggae-inspired sounds.

@newsboys: BORN AGAIN CD hits #1 again on Charts - 44 weeks since it's release. http://bit.ly/jCshiv (May 20)
 
The Newsboys continue to prove why they're still one of the top acts in the biz.

@jeremymriddle: Making hay! yfrog.com/h0xpxrij (May 21)
 
While Bebo Norman and son make pies, worship leader Jeremy Riddle is making hay. 

@shaneandshane: My world is now officially upside down and I love it! Christian hip hop and Eating w/soul. Thanks @lecrae and @Tedashii twitpic.com/4zgsmc (May 18)
 
Shane and Shane have been hanging out with hip-hopper Lecrae, and recently were introduced to some legit soul food, as the picture shows.

ODD HAPPENINGS

@karijobe: Wow..massive warfare this morning..crying in the taxi from driver yelling at me for himself being late..goodness..
@karijobe: Taxi man apologized and hugged me when he dropped me off..what a strange morning..and all before 6am.. (May 23)
 
Kari Jobe's late-arriving taxi driver made her cry before 6 in the morning. I'm guessing the hug was a last-minute ploy for a tip. I hope the tip Kari gave him was to "chill out."

@itsbrittnicole: Showing my band guys my cool cat impression, tim just said " i mean that is so spot on" (May 23)
 
Britt Nicole can do a great cat impression? We'll be the judge of that. Put it on YouTube, Britt!

@shaneandshane: Truck Broken into today! Got my radio, laptop and journal. BOO! + is there is Gospel on all 3 of those things. Ya never know! LORD save em. (May 19)
 
It seems that we see a tweet like this at least once a week. Pray for these artists and that 

@Vrosemusic: Ok so were havin a debate over here @FLAME314 @SpecHouse and Crystal is Piglet a baby pig or an armadillo??? I say armadillo!! (May 19)
 
R&B singer V.Rose--featured on the recently released song "Surrender" by Flame--is trying to convince her friends that Piglet from Winnie the Pooh is actually an armadillo. If that's the case, the character's name must not have anything to do with his species...

SOME REAL LIFE

@itsbrittnicole: This is happening! I'm in my happy place! http://lockerz.com/s/103977973 (May 22)
 
Britt Nicole was having some fun in the sun.

@kj52: Photo: I’m sitting so far away from everyone in church I feel like I’m in timeout. #badchurchkid http://tumblr.com/x122mt2jsu (May 22)
 
Rapper KJ-52 must have had some flashbacks from his younger years.

@jonforeman: Saw the Jay's tonight in Toronto with the fellas. Singing the anthem here in a few days... Yikes! yfrog.com/h732sfrj yfrog.com/h43m6rtj (May 19)
 
It's amazing to see that after all this time, the Switchfoot frontman still can get nervous.

@JenLedger: Were home! Back to normal life... Wohoo! Yeah! :) ! Now I get to go to the dentist and get some fillings! ... wait :s (May 23)
 
As good as it is to be home, Jen Ledger clearly illustrates that it has its drawbacks.

@Superchickmatt: Playoff basketball is not good for my heart and attitude. (May 22)
 
Matt Dally of Superchick is a Chicago Bulls fan, and he had many emotional tweets during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Championships against the Miami Heat. He tweeted the above after his Bulls lost, giving the Heat a 2-1 series lead.

@loswhit: I'm at church just attending for the first time in 2 years. I'm nervous someone is going to try and witness to me. (May 22)
 
The new visitor experience is always a special one. 

GOOD WORDS
 
@jonforeman: You are the art. This breath is your canvas and your brush. (May 21)

@lecrae: You will find more benefit, growth, grace, & strength from trials than you ever would from prosperity. Consider it pure joy. #fb (May 19)

@hollystarrmusic: We may not like our circumstances, but that's because we naturally think we know what is best for our life. That is a lie as well. (May 19)

@owlcity: I can't brag about my love for God because I fail Him daily, but I can brag about His love for me because it never fails. (May 18)