Michael Jackson...."Thanks"

On June 25, 2009, the world lost a tremendously talented individual named Michael J. Jackson who died reportedly from a heart attack at the age of 50. Many of us all over stared in complete disbelief as the news reported that they have confirmed the passing of the king of pop. Some may have cried, screamed, sat in silence, shouted at the t.v. as it reported it while others text, emailed, facebook, myspace, and called friends, family, and others to share this news. I received a call from my friend while I was talking with my wife and I have to admit....it changed the whole mood of the moment. We quickly turned on the t.v. and watched what billions of others around the world are watching and hearing for the first time. What a moment in time, what an event to witness and it happened in the blink of an eye. Michael Jackson...dead. While many of us may have numerous thoughts, memories, and ideas about MJ and what type of person he was, we all have to agree that the impact he has had on the world will be felt for generations to come and if we are honest, in some way, he has directly impacted our lives and has had some influence on us in the past. I remember as a young boy, hearing MJ for the first time with the Jackson 5 with "I'll be there". I heard the song and was hooked and it only got better. I purchased the "thriller" cd like the millions of others that made it the best selling record of all time and listened to it over and over and over and over again. I watched the videos, practiced the moves, bought the clothes, the glasses, the glove. I practiced and perfected the moonwalk and would do it on Que. I had the jacket, watched him collect 13 grammy's, sang all the versus to the song "We are the World" and watched him on Mtv, BET, and other programs. I heard about the millions all over the world who loved him from countries we have never even heard of. This is a man who made music for everyone and was an icon before his time. If you knew MJ, you knew the music was made all by his voice, the songs had meaning, and the dances changed the whole picture and set up the pathway for the likes of every other musician whose has come along since to include Usher, Omarion, Beyonce, Ciara, Neo, and countless others before and after this group. the music...aww man...the music. Remember the times, Black or White, Beat it, BAD, JAM, Billy Jean, Rock Wit Ya, Thriller, Man in the Mirror, The Way you Make Me Feel, Dirty Diana, and on and on and on. We have all made jokes about him, laughed at him for all his crazy ways and actions. We talked about his skin tone, his surgeries, his monkey, oxygen bed, and the little kids. We said he "lost his blackness" but the music said otherwise..."man in the mirror". He employed more black dancers than MC Hammer ever could...and never went broke. (because of the dancers at least) Michael Jackson was our gift for our generation and he was a gift that we all enjoyed and deep down, no matter how crazy, we all loved and wanted to hear. Today, that gift is gone and we all sit and wonder why, how, what could he have done, what did he really do, and what do we do now. I am sad about the loss we have been handed and will miss the music he has yet to make but I have what he left. I also am sad because of a reality in the midst of this tragedy. For all the laughs at his expense for all the "odd" actions he has been a part of, I would say that the sadness is we will never know what was really going on inside of him. We will never know the pain, the sadness, the hurt, the scars he has had to endure throughout his life. Why is that important to us? Well, there is a lesson in it all like any other life we have ever learned from and the worse part of it is he has possibly never been healed from it all. The other reality of this tragedy is his family was Jehovah's Witness as was he as last reported. What does that mean? They do not believe the truth of the heaven God has for us and therefor is not, according to the belief, going to heaven. Pending any recent change he may have made and prayerfully so, MJ's permanent resting place will not be among the angels of God and God Himself in the place God would have wanted him. This is a sad place in my heart because a man with so many gifts that are of God and he may never have the chance to play it for God in front of God. That is the tragedy of it all. This does not make MJ a bad person by any means, it just makes him a person who missed the plan God had for him. Again, a lesson in the midst of his life for us all to learn from. God has a plan for us all to be in heaven and it is our choice to make the change to except that gift. It is a gift that comes with conditions, but a gift well worth the wait. It is my prayer that MJ made that choice and change and it is my prayer that all of you who read this, make that change as well. Except the gift and plans God has for you and make a difference. MJ will be missed greatly and is appreciated by all for what he has done, despite his faults, despite his errors in judgement, MJ's impact will be felt far more and far deeper in a positive light then any negative part he may have had to endure. Thank you MJ for the memories you have left us with, thank you for allowing us to be witnesses to your unbelievable gift, thank you for giving us all of you for so many years. Our prayers are with your family now, may they come to know the God of God's in a way like never before. R.I.P.

Seriously....no really....Seriously....

Ok...so every now and then I have to voice some concerns I have about our society and lately, I have been overwhelmed with stories in the news I can not even find a place to start. I am blown away by the news that is put out and the topics that people in society create. I am also blown away by how foolish...or, can I just call it what it really is? (thanks) Absolutely ignorant and down right crazy mess!! I mean really, we have to do a better job at life and stop all this craziness. Now I know what your saying....you are saying that you are not one of these people and you may agree or disagree but it is like the old saying..."that happens to other people, not me" the problem with that is......you are the "other" person sometimes and therefor not exempt from issues and craziness. On the other hand, we may not contribute to it and that is true...but what are we doing to stop it? What are we doing to address the mess and help others see a better way? What are we doing to help society fix what is going to end up destroying us. After spending the week breezing over the news...here is some of the items we are facing...NFL suspends Stallworth indefinitely and people are so surprised and can not believe it. Saying that this is a harsh punishment handed down by the NFL. Really? Seriously? He killed a man while driving his car...drunk!! Again, he killed a man and only got 30 days in jail!!!! And we are so shocked the NFL was so harsh? Really? What is crazy is..Mike Vick served over a year and a half for killing or having a part in the killing of dogs. Again...dogs. So you can kill a man while driving drunk...which is also illegal...but do not kill a dog or have an association with those who do kill dogs...or you will be torn apart by protest and complaints. Where are the protests against the jail time for Stallworth? Also in the news...attacks against President Obama for killing a fly on T.V. and the complaint is he violated "bug rights". Seriously? Really? Come on...I am rolling my eyes as I type this. "Bug rights"...Really? But Cheney can hunt quail on a private farm that have been raised specifically for hunting. To quote a famous mind..."that's all I have to say about that." Next....Jon & Kate....'nuff said. Again...it is suppose to be news worthy. Also in the news, a convicted sex offender found guilty AGAIN of raping a 4 year old child gets 1 year in jail. One year? Really? Seriously? So..kill a man while you are drunk, rape a child when you have a record for that already....no big deal, max 1 year. Associate with people who killed some dogs or kill a fly...you are so unworthy to walk the earth? Really? Some other areas for concern with these....Take God out of school but make it legal for teachers to have sex with students as long as they are 18. (Washington state) It is unconstitutional to have a moment of silence in schools (Illinois) but after attending multiple graduations for the class of 2009, every single one started with a prayer and every single student thanked God for the journey they have endured and wish their classmates God's blessings. So who is crazy now? The students or the parents who complain and demand God to be moved out of school? Or better yet, us, the church for our lack of toughness on addressing these issues and bringing God back up in the schools and making our voice heard among the others in the world. We have let the competition take control and our God has commanded us to tell others about His word and address these issues. As I look over these stories and the many more like them, I have to sit back and be concerned about the direction we are headed. I also am thankful that I serve the God I serve who is able to lift me above the troubles, however He does not leave me to ignore the issues rather address them and give them a voice. Let your voice be heard, let your heart be filled with passion and motivation to speak the word of God to a dying world. The latest news clips are examples of the lost souls trying to find purpose. I would dare to say that their purpose is not chasing a President who kills a fly and not ignoring the needs of a child who has been raped. It is not finding justice in placing more value on a dogs life than that of a humans. God will judge our actions...so what actions have you taken?

Dad's Day......

At the end of this week, most will celebrate the "Dad's" in their lives and spend a few hours thanking them for all they do for the family and for being the infamous "#1 Dad" and millions of men will walk around in those shirts and hats that shout their #1 status to the world. Or at least the local McDonalds, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and Autozones. As I reflect on this particular day being a dad of 2 and one on the way, I think about the status dad's have in society and it is so disappointing to know that in reality, we dad's are viewed in a more negative light then positive at times. Now there are some breakthroughs and some dad's who are talked about and boasted in the world and rightly so. However as our past has shown us, dad's are more absent in the lives of their children and the home. Single mothers have held this burden for so many years and it shows everyday. Look at a football game when the camera is on the players on the sidelines, they smile real big and say "Hi Mom!!" The card section at the stores for Mother's Day take up 2 full racks and Father's Day is a small section. When it comes to children at the school, Doctor's office, or any other place both parents could show up at, it is the mom they are talking to and the dad is the after thought. God called Adam to lead his home and when he surrendered that leadership out of order, they both fell from Grace. On Mother's Day, the malls are filled, stores are torn apart by family members trying to buy that special gift for Mom to let her know she is the greatest!! They prepare breakfast in bed, dinner at a nice restaurant, gifts, flowers, massages, and a favorite event. Even church's reference Mothers Day as a specific day that wayward members show up. They call these members C.M.E. members. Christmas, Mother's Day and Easter. Why? Cause on Father's Day...church is a normal day, and the family doesn't seem to flock to church for this "special day". Many of us will look back on our own fathers in sadness for the lack of leadership and guidance they provided, if they were even there. They always use the same excuse as well. "I just want you to be better then me." With the bar being set so low, we can not fail....can we? The Truth of the matter is this....families need dad's, and dad's need to step up and know their roll in the family. God called Adam to tend to the land God created and all that was in the land. The bible tells us that Eve was created as a "helpmate" to Adam. So what that tells me is Dad's are suppose to take care of all the needs of the home and family and the moms are suppose to be there as a helpmate. In other words, it is not the moms "duty" to clean, cook, do laundry, grocery shop, and take care of the kids with school, bathing, bed time, and all the many needs they will have. It is the dad's responsibility to take care of all that and mom is there to help. Statistics show that when fathers lead their family to church, over 90% of families are successful and follow in the church. When fathers lead families, daughters have an image of the type of man they should look for and sons see the type of man they should become. Wife's are encouraged and supportive and feel safe behind a man who leads them. When Fathers lead the home and do what God has called them to do, the home is blessed and becomes a blessing to others, doors are opened that would not otherwise be open. On this Father's Day, the challenge is out there to all father's. Are you doing what God has called you to do? Are the being the husband that God called you to be? Are you being the Father that God has called you to be? God has given us a tremendous example of how to be a father and so many tools to use to accomplish this. If we follow His examples...."He will never leave us, nor forsake us" "He loves us" "He will make a way out of no way". If we follow His example of unconditional love and guidance, our families would be set for a amazing future. On this Father's Day....take your positions as Father's and raise your children according to the word of God and provide for them, lead them, nurture them, and tell them you love them by words and action. If you do this...you will not look for a new T-shirt or tie. You will not get your hopes up for a set of new golf clubs, (though it would be great!!) you will not worry about a new set of tools or any other gift. Your reward comes from the love you receive from your wife and children everyday and the assurance of God's blessings on your home. Your reward is greater than any gift you could receive of monetary value. Father's Day should be a day that the whole family gets excited for because it is a day set aside specifically for dad, the man of the house, a man who should take joy in working hard to provide and secure his family, no matter the cost. If you do this, you will not need to wait on the "#1 Dad" T-shirt from your kids...you can go buy it yourself!! Happy Fathers Day.

I'm Still Here.....

Winds blow with the strength of 10 thousand breathes of God
causing mass devastation to all that stands in the path
breaking down others one by one causing each to fall in to a pit of no return
Water..
pouring down the streets of hopes and dreams
causing the efforts to drown in self revelation of plans that are lacking purpose
sending souls down dark streets
no light to shine on the paths that bring purpose to a destiny
hearts broken due to past pains and struggles that caused to turn in the direction of lost
Storms rage like that of the flood that ended the world in Biblical times
Storms that end the very life opportunities that stand in the plate of fulfilment
Particles left to shape and mold in to the very thing that was designed to set you free
I have stared at these storms face to face many times
standing in the midst of flooding waters all around
washing my opportunities away as I was slow to reach for a covering
As I stand in the storms.....
I am reminded of the thorn in the side of the Apostle Paul that God would not remove
Letting Paul know that some of his storms would follow him throughout the rest of his days
it is storms like this that make us who God calls us to be
It is storms like this that allow us to get soaked, down to the very core of our spirit
weak, tested and hurt
feeling like we are made to rubber with no strength to push forward and take the next step
It causes us to look around and feel like we are not where God wants us to be
However...
it is at that point in the storm when you are soft and full of pain and hurt
it is at that point in your life where you feel like you are not where you are....that God says He has you right where you need to be
As it storms, the water soaking you up, turning your spirit to puddy
God begins to finish His work in you as promised
He takes your broken spirit and tells you He loves you
He takes your closed up eyes and opens them to see a new plan...the vision He has that becomes your purpose
He lifts you up above the water and tells you just to have faith so that you can walk on top of the flooding waters
He lifts your head towards the grace He has always given to you
He opens your hands and take a hold of them
Quietly telling you as you begin to walk....that He will never let go of you
Storms continue to come from time to time
Your life is full of opportunity to be watered to grow
but in these new storms...you stand above the floods
and at times you may slip and get wet
but you look up and see that God
still.....has your hands.
I have been in storms and stand in the midst of one that caused me to get wet
but my hands are still held by my God
my strength is still supplied by His spirit
my heart...
still mended by his mercy
and as I walk above the floods....
covered by God's Grace
I smile and tell God
I'm still here..........