Child Molesters Shouldn’t…
Twitter was blowing up today with Michael Jackson hype.
What I was paying attention to was the Jesus loving tweets.
I found it quite nauseating that I kept seeing “Christians” shouting that it was a shame that a child molester was getting such a grand exit, ect.
All I kept thinking was, “Dang. I sure hope these tweets don’t show up at my memorial service. Because if anyone does not deserve a good memorial service, it’s me.”
See here’s the deal.
Not one of us deserves any good and perfect thing we have been given.
Not one.
The second we as Christ followers begin to label “good” and “bad” then God help us all.
The hype around MJ is nauseating.
I want to know what is going on in Iran.
Not about MJ’s doctors.
But it is what it is.
And I grieved today with his children on losing their father and the guy’s who concert I went to in 3rd grade when I spent 65 dollars on a white 3 dollar glove.
So you tell me.
And I honestly want to know…
What were your thoughts on today’s Michael Jacksonness?
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
I love your perspective… despite the mistakes we've all made we are blessed with God's grace (no matter what our mistakes are).
I do grieve for his children who've lost their Father (no matter what I might think of him as a person)…
sad to have been part of the machine that contributed to both his rise and his downfall…just sad….my children and I have alot of memories around him…..around his music….it is what it is…
i just want my TV back.
I know that sounds heartless, but its the truth.
And I'm sick of people making fun of him. We all suck and none of us deserve anything. People should take care of their own secret sins and leave it at that.
I want mine back too.
I kept thinking how talented this guy was…and how broken he was in response to what others did to him. It's sad.
I think we, the church as a body, have missed it again with all the negative and no grace. I was not a fan, and at one time critical of him, but I think he was a lost soul searching for answers and instead he got criticism and condemnation. I do not approve his choices but only God knows how different it might have been had someone been able to show him God's love and grace.
My thoughts? There are three kids crying their eyes out becuase they lost their father. I'm praying for them. As far as rock hurling…I dare not pick one up out of fear of the boulders poised and ready to be thrown at my MUCH-less-than-perfect soul.
Humans should be missed, but not idolized as kings. There will only ever be one King who deserves that. Hopefully people go away knowing they can change the world and learn from his successes and mistakes. Only God knows the man best, and we can't fake like we do too.
agreed.
Most of the MJ-fans I see on TV treat him like he's God and that's scary.
I agree with both of you. I am reminded of Baal…
Boy am I a miserable offender. Not one good thing in me, and you are right to say that no one deserves the pomp and praise. I'm sorry for the Jackson family, and I pray they will find comfort in this. I fear the teeth will bare, the gloves will come off, and the Jackson drama will live on for some time.
I do find the incredible volume of coverage nauseating, and I can't help but wonder what the motivation is behind every single media outlet devoting so much time, money, and effort to make sure we are seeing this. It's not that I don't give a crap, it's that I can't get away from it! (Well, that's not true, seeing as how I've been blogging, googling, twittering and such instead of going into my closet)
It happened with Diana, It will happen with the next.
Honestly, I was way more interested in the tour de france than the memorial.
I totally hear you on what you are saying, and it is amazing the standards that we place on others but not on ourselves.
I love going to funerals where everyone knows that the person was a "sinner" just not a "bad list" sinner that did things that bad people do. Instead we will praise them for things that we wish they did, and yet they were more selfish, homophobic, and hateful then most, but they looked good on the outside.
You nail it on the head with the title, ragamuffin soul, we are all ragamuffins messed up and marked by grace.
seriously people we have more important stuff to do than twitter in about mj.
How about go and purchase the new Derek Webb CD
How about pray for someone you hate
How about helping a neighbor out
I could go on and on and on here.
But your tweet says it all.
Well said. None of us deserves the grace we’ve been given and now is the perfect time to actually emulate Jesus and love our neighbor as ourselves. Grand concept, I know.
-A daughter had a father she loved.
-I liked the prayer of Pastor Lucious W. Smith.
-”I’m Starting With The Man In The Mirror”
amen!
I wrote the following earlier on my "Facebook Notes"…
Today is the day that tens of thousands – perhaps even hundred of thousands or millions – will be in, at, or around the Staples Center to pay their respects to Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. I personally was sad to find out he had died and can understand the overall response by people to this tragedy. What I don't understand is how his death has dominated the media – tabloids and hard news broadcasts alike. We have soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan that are putting their lives on the line, risking life and limb to protect our freedom and our way of life, yet the coverage they receive – in life or death – is negligible at best. Where are our priorities as a nation when we lift up a music icon – and yes, he truly was a musical genius who changed the face of the music industry – but forget those who bled and died for something greater than themselves. Is their sacrifice and sometimes subsequent death not something to be remembered and honored despite our stances on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Is their bravery not something to be admired? I am not trying to diminish Michael Jackson or what he did for pop culture, but in the grand scheme of things – when talking about what really matters in life – where does he rank?
An interesting fact to consider. Michael Jackson received 18% of the news stories the week he passed – even though he passed on a Thursday. Iran and its protests for change, on the other hand, received 19% of the news stories – even though it encompassed an entire week and is without a doubt a much more serious and important story.
Michael Jackson was an icon who will always be the King of Pop, and deservedly so. The world lost an amazing talent, no doubt about it. But let's keep things in perspective and remember that in the bigger picture he's just a man who tragically passed away at his home. Our soldiers, on the other hand, are dying on the battlefield – wearing that uniform so that you don't have to.
i teared up listening to his friends talk about him. I mean was someone's dad, friend, brother.
I did notice that a couple of the huge pictures of him up on the screen really looked like a crucifix type pose and that wigged me out. But it's nothing new…people idolize people. This is an ancient issue.
I agree the hype is irritating I agree on many levels! Cant say i agree with the way he lived his life but I am no better and who am I anyways no one really knows the truth when it comes to celebrities I think its great how we all talk about them as if we were their BFF!
where is the outrage and crticism of Jon and Kate plus 8?
Do we stop with MJ, where are all the tweets about how "bad" they are?
And yet we still tune into their show and continue to watch as their lives fall apart
I am wrestling with this:
What is the sum of a man's life? Is it his accomplishments or his decisions? What were the motives behind one's accomplishment and decisions?
I pray that I am able to say when I look over my life in old age to say that, "I didn't live out my life for my own motives, but for the glory of God and my Savior, Jesus Christ!" Because as a followers and believer in Jesus my life is not my own.
True. I enjoyed watching his grand exit, it was entertaining. MSNBC was calling it the perfect mix of entertainment and mourning, whatever that means. I don't see the beef w/ him having a big exit, who cares. My beef is with the fanatics – crowd folk. It's probably unhealthy to violate social norms to pay tribute to anyone. But people have been doing that for MJ forever.
I was a little bummed out at the performances, except for Mayer, he melts my face off. It is sad for his family and kiddos. Probably alot to process through for this unique family.
It will be hard for anyone to top his musicianship. He's epic.
I hurt for those who ache with his loss. They are people, too. I am saddened by the idolization of a man; a very gifted man. I am saddened by a culture that chewed him up and spit him out into the sad man he became.
I am tired of the media frenzy. It is overwhelming. Like you, I want to know the things that happening in the world… Iran, N. Korea, China, etc.
But if all this doesn't move me to action, specifically prayer, then what is the use in moaning about it?
It is appropriate to honor him as a performer…but it was more fascinating and notable to see how deeply people need to belong to a community (much the same as a Church)…and MJ served more as a god-like super human to many…and it makes it more clear howpeople are longing for a true God who rises from the grave.
Human beings are not wired to be treated like God….it screws them up….we all contributed to that as a society.
Ultimately I see people who are longing for Jesus (whether they realize it or not?) –if MJ could fill that void a bit…..think of how open people may be I they knew the risen Christ is
MJ was a sinner, just like me. He was a very talented artist & entertainer – probably WAY better than I'll ever be. I don't know what went on in his personal life and I dare not speculate. I don't know what his relationship was like with Jesus, or if he even had one. I hope so.
I sympathize with his loved ones.
I blogged about it the day Michael died….about the "Christians" spewing unChristian words. And another, quite similar post, will hit tomorrow. Makes me sad….for everyone involved.
Bottom line: A man is dead. A man, a brother, a father, a son.
John 11:35 He didn't "worship" another, but grieved….wept. It's ok to do so. Why? Cuz Jesus said so!
I’m one of the ones you are upset with.
I’m man enough to admit that I’ve said some less than Christ like things about MJ lately.
Upon examining myself I’ve found it’s been born of frustration. Frustration with the American cult of personality. Frustration with the fact that kids are dying and genocide is happening but the world stops for a singer. Frustration with the forgiveness for MJs weirdness and alleged sin but lackk thereof for others by our media and the general public.
I could go on but I won’t. I need grace just like everyone. I want peoples’ priorities to get straightened out. That’s all.
well put.
i respect you for having the guts admit it, didn't expect to see anyone.
and no doubt i agree with you that the world and society needs a serious readjustment on priorities.
however, my question is, and always has been, how does spewing negativity all over social networks helping? what good does it do?
I think that there is definitely some negativity.
I also however think, that there is a rising people in the Christian family who would call people simply pointing out the truth as being negative.
We must remember that speaking what is true, isn't always negative.
I completely agree. Just because someone points out the obvious doesn't make them "negative"… and heaven for bid you do that AND call yourself a "Christian" – because then YOUR Christianity is suddenly the evil (and you suddenly become Satan). The bible is very clear on what sin is, and who will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven – there's no easy way around it. Thankfully we have his grace to save us… but ONLY if we repent and turn away from it.
the answer is that it doesn't do any good. anything i said that wasn't in love did no good and might have done the opposite. not going to try to explain it away.
my words should have been in line with what i said above. sure, it's sad for his kids and family that he's gone. but why is his passing more important than that of a person in africa who died because he didn't have clean water to drink?
don't get me wrong – i'm not trying to elevate the poor african people over MJ. their deaths, though the cirumstances are different, are equally tragic, especially if Christ wasn't a part of their lives.
i don't know if this is right or wrong, but my heart is torn not by the death of a singer who lived a charmed life – who saw it all and did it all – but by the terrible, painful struggles of those around the world who don't have a way out of their physical situation.
Very gifted guy. Lost sheep is a lost sheep, and Jesus LOVES lost sheep. Death is very, well .., final. It either separates us or connects us face to face in a blink- with the God above all. May this lead to our own self consideration of how quickly it can change. World is So looking for our Savior! Let's BE the church to run to and not from… The world is watching and they will know us by our LOVE!
I doubt very seriously that any of us are in a place to judge. I have plenty to answer for when I die as we all do. I think that over the past couple weeks we have just seen evidence to how crazy and backwards our world is when the media circus that is the American media takes over and drowns out people fighting and dying for their freedom. And around our very own Independence Day for that matter! Yes a man who changed the face of music and dancing and gloves and nose jobs died. That is sad. It is far worse that a family lost a parent. The children lost their daddy. I can't imagine going through that now as an adult let alone dealing with that kind of madness as a child. Why do we care if Joe was left out of the will?! Their family is in the lowest of lows right now! We as Christ followers should love on them. That's what we are called to do. In Matthew 9 Jesus says that He was here for the sick and for the outsiders. I don't know about Michael Jackson's faith or if there was any, but he and his family, especially now, are the people that we are called by God to reach out to.
im gonna speak from another point of view. i was molested & abused as a child. growing up i hated rapists/molesters/abusers with a passion. not until God had asked me to face my molester/abuser and told me to forgive him as Christ had forgiven me, did my outlook change about people's sins. now, my abuser, who is a changed man, has given his life to Christ and is living a completely different life.
(story here: http://ricianne.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-story-my-...
We are not to judge, we are not to speak harshly about people's sins. Instead we should treat others with the same amount of grace that Christ has given us. This is not to to cover up for the wrong that he (MJ) did but really..only God can judge him. Because in the end, we dont ever want all the people we hurt ourselves to condemn our lives because of the wrong that we did.
just my two cents on this subject…coming from being a victim of child molestation…. that if i am able to forgive my abuser…why is it so easy for others who have never been abused, to point the finger and judge.
Just another reason to keep ourselves in check. People are watching. When we rip people down, it doesn't exactly reflect Christ's love. I'm not sure MJ got much reality throughout his life, and for as blessed as he was with fame & fortune it seems he was equally troubled. Did I think his service was a little "much"? Maybe. But, dude, I got to see Stevie sing. And I totally got teary when his daughter cried at the end and talked about what a great dad he was.
I'm tired of the 24/7 news coverage….
I think the memorial was a bit over the top…
I think there are serious problems in the country that are frankly more important than one person's death….
For his family and friends(especially his kids) his death sucks….
Good observations Los – and good comments by others.
I didn't watch the service. My thing is that watching it would have been more of an entertainment (let's see what will happen next or who's there) thing rather than a genuine sorrow over loss and grieving thing. I am sorry for anyone's loss of their family member, father, or friend; but honestly, would we have gone to his service if he were just an ordinary person? If we used the same criteria for deciding to go to any other funeral, would we have watched/attended? Not trying to be callous, just honest.
A comment was made on Twitter: "An arena FULL of authentic worship, pointed at the wrong person." Sadly, that is often true of too many things in our lives
Forgive us Lord – thank You for Your mercy!
MJ was a victim of his own naivete, people took advantage of it. I believe he was incredibly gifted and will be missed by many. pray for his children, he will leave a huge void in their life.
My thoughts and emotions are a scrambled mess right now. My heart breaks for Michael Jackson's beautiful children, his mother, his brothers, his friends, for the loss of someone who loved the world and ALL of God's people… and for us…his fans. My heart breaks when I hear/see christians making such judgemental, mean spirited, "holier than thou" statements. I pray that when I leave this world to meet my savior, that my sins aren't splashed across the headlines and whispered about by people who didn't know me. It's a sad day for me on so many different levels. The coverage, while extensive, is to be expected in this day of 24/7 news channels, and sensationalism. I don't have a problem with it at all. Rest in peace Michael.
I'm a fan of Michael Jackson's music (in fact — and some might consider this pop music heresy — but 'Off The Wall' was actually a better album than 'Thriller.') and when he died I revisited some of that. I didn't dare go near anything regarding the scandals because nobody knows for sure what is true and what isn't and I am not going to speculate nor am I going to pass judgment.
That being said, I agree strongly with Gabe. There's nothing wrong with mourning MJ's passing, but it's not right to idolize him as a king. Yes, Michael Jackson had a huge impact on music, music videos, people and entertainment. However, his impact on all of that is merely temporary. The moment any of us takes our last breath on this earth, nothing Michael Jackson said or did or sang about will be of any significance.
Billy Graham is going on 91 years of age, and it is only a matter of time before he goes home to be with the Lord. His impact on people will be eternal for many of them because when those who were led to be Christ followers at a Billy Graham crusade take their last breaths here on earth, they'll spent eternity in Heaven. That is impact.
Read Francis Chan's book 'Crazy Love' and read about a young girl by the name of Brooke Bronkowski. She died at the age of 14. I have no problem saying the impact she had on people is far greater than anything Michael Jackson did. Read about it here: http://aucyouth.wordpress.com/2008/07/30/crazy-lo...
So remember Michael Jackson's music. Remember how your mouth dropped open when you saw him do the moonwalk on that Motown special. Remember how 'Thriller' still stands as one of the greatest music videos of all time. Remember all of that and remember his family in prayer and pray for MJ's soul above all else.
Let's just make sure we keep things in perspective.
I honestly am more upset about the Christian backlash than MJ's death, itself. Who are we to wish death on anyone? Or to celebrate the death of someone for reasons other than a sister or brother's arrival into heaven? Children lost a father. Siblings lost a brother. The world lost an icon.
I am not saying that we should idolize MJ. I loved his music but I would never think of him as a savior in any way. He was searching desperately for peace and, tragically, never found peace or comfort.
Perhaps we should mourn the loss of one of God's lost children rathern than condemn him, celebrate his death, or get caught up in the media hype.
Above all else, maybe instead of spewing hate-twitters we can pray for those who did idolize MJ. Because surely there are lost and searching souls there as well.
It's sad.
When his daughter spoke it was difficult to watch.
Everyone telling her to speak up.
Everyone reaching for the mic and shoving it in her face.
Let her live the anonymous life that MJ wished he had.
Let's move on now please.
It's sad.
When his daughter spoke it was difficult to watch.
Everyone telling her to speak up.
Everyone reaching for the mic and shoving it in her face.
Let her live the anonymous life that MJ wished he had.
Let's move on now please.
no doubt, a tragedy. not so much for us, but for the Jackson family.
perhaps more than anything else, the unending hype and – by some – glorifying of Michael highlights the brokenness of this world; that so much heart investment is given to a man.
i truly hope he acknowledged Christ as his Lord and Savior. just as i hope all of his mourners will find their one, true King.
well said. amen.
I'm too busy being jealous that you saw him in concert in 3rd grade.
And I agree. I got a little tired of getting into Facebook battles with people last week about why child molestation ALLEGATIONS should not be what defines a person. I sure hope I'm not defines one day by my flaws.
Of course, I'm sure none of that is colored by the fact that I've been a HUGE MJ fan and think that he is the single greatest entertainer to ever have lived.
Carlos (Los),
I hesitate to even respond to this much less as openly as I am about to, but here goes.
I agree with you that "Not one of us deserves any good and perfect thing we have been given. Not one. The second we as Christ followers begin to label “good” and “bad” then God help us all." It is by God's grace that I am where I am and certainly not by my own righteousness which is only made possible by Christ's sacrifice. That is my right minded Christ centered response. I "know" this.
Unfortunately, as someone who was molested as a child and justice was never served it is hard for me to KEEP that perspective when seem to overlook such things because someone is/was an amazing musician. It is a hard deal to swallow. Sometimes you think "if someone would have only known maybe they would have cared and things would be different" but seeing their response to MJ makes my heart fear that "no, maybe they wouldn't because I wasn't anyone 'special' I didn't have anything to offer the world, I was just a normal kid from a messed up family like so many of the kids who made allegations against MJ."
Mind you I haven't taken to twitter to carry on about it, I have really tried to avoid the conversations because they just get too heated and I don't see the purpose. I think the only reason I responded to yours was you said you honestly wanted to know.
big piece of my youth…and i loved some of his video hits from the old days on MTV…but i'd lost touch in the end….i've no feelings one way or the other.
I'm happy I was out of the country when he passed away and missed all this stuff.
He was a great entertainer. He was a sinful person as I. He was a child of God, someone's son, brother, father, uncle and friend. To them I pass my condolences. I hope he may rest in peace.
I wish people would remember that there for the grace of God go all of us! And none of us know for certain what, if anything, he's done. Only God knows, and only God can judge. As for getting over the coverage, I watched the memorial service (curiosity), but have otherwise turned off the television. It's summer and the weather is beautiful, so I try to spend my time with God outside.
Well said bro. I wasn't necessarily a huge MJ fan myself but I can appreciate the weight of talent he had and his God-given gift he shared with the world. Sure, we could all talk about the things he did wrong but like you said, haven't we all screwed up? Do we REALLY want to cast the first stone?
Great reminder Los.
I just don't get the Michael Jackson memorial hysteria…Yes…the guy is an icon…Yes…he is the king of pop…Yes…he made pop music into what it is today. But what did he do for you? How did he actually change your life? People probably shed more tears at this memorial than they will at their own family members passing…Again…I just don't get it.
I think I join the majority here in saying I'm tired of the coverage. That being said I watched the memorial. Why? Because if I didn't, I would have no room to speak my opinion of it.
I deeply agree that we are all sinners. I deeply agree that there is none good and we all stand in the need of grace. I also however understand that just because we are in need God's love to cover the multitude of our sins, doesn't mean that we should sit back while the world does whatever the world does without calling foul.
Paul, the self-proclaimed chief of sinners, the one who constantly acknowledged his need of God's grace, still made sure that he corrected and chastised those who did not follow the Word of God. We are called to love, but we are also God to give direction and guidance. And sometimes the best way to give direction, is to tell people where they shouldn't be going.
I'm not upset that Michael Jackson received a great memorial. I'm not angry that he received so much honor and praise.
I'm upset that the King of Kings doesn't receive that same adoration. I'm upset that we have become a society that honors the works of man to such a great extent. That honors the dead musician more than the dead teacher. That honors the dead celebrity over the dead soldier.
There seems to be a growing number in the church who are all about love and this 'hyper-grace movement."
Let not our command to love the world, over-ride or disregard a command to proclaim what is right and what is wrong.
I am absolutely sick of all the "christian" chatter about how bad of a guy he was. We have all made mistakes big and small and will continue to make them as long as we are allowed to breathe. I guess I cannot understand the difference in sin "sizes"???? Who are "we" as Christ followers to throw stones rather than lend a hand in prayer for the family and those precious kids. Everyone wants to jump on the ridicule boat but I don't remember hearing many of these same people want to volunteer prayer and words of encouragement over the last 15 + years of Michael's life. The guy was and is an iconic legend in the eyes of many. He changed the face of the recording industry forever. He spanned the globe with lyrical content unmatched by any other. Can we choose to celebrate the accomplishments and pray for his family and kids rather than casting stones?
I agree with your comment and was so glad to see it. The real tragedy here is that a family lost a member, children lost their father and a man lost his life. I work with child molesters- real ones who have been convicted, done time and have an ankle monitor to prove it. Who am I to judge them or say that their sins are worse than mine! I think it is sad that his story took up so much tv coverage when our soldiers are dying and children are missing and murdered on a daily basis. However, this coverage is what the majority of American People wanted and they got it. Let's not forget that he was just a man, and probably a very unhappy one who had a family who loved him and is grieving.
you know… he was just a broken human being trying to figure out life like the rest of us. he made some awesome records and broke some barriers in the music/video industry. he made some questionable choices, but NONE of us know what really happened. WE are not the judge. if we are going to spent any emotional time in this at all, it should be in prayer over his children and his family. they've lost a father and brother.
if people feel like they were really connected to MJ (or his music or whatever) and need to grieve, then they should. as for me… since i don't watch tv… i haven't really thought about it since last week.
great post, los!
My thoughts today as I watched the memorial: …that people need to grieve loss and that we shouldn't try and stop that. I thought they did a beautiful job of celebrating the good parts and of giving an opportunity for people to grieve the loss. Any decent person knows that this is not a time to bring up the bad stuff. My heart especially goes out to his children, brothers and sisters and his parents.
As a member of the media, I can honestly tell you that almost everything we do is overkill.
The bigger the event, the mre coverage it seems to warrant.
And yes. It auseates me, as well. But so does going sticking a camera in the face of a person who lost a family member in the hours/ days/ weeks beforehand.
And this from the guy holding the camera.
The thing is, we can sit and talk about how much we hate the coverage and the hype. But the bottom line is, the networks and news organizations do it because people watch.
Those people complaining. Watching. The ones crying and blogging about it. Watching.
If you want the hype to stop. Stop watching. Because in newsrooms all over the country, ratings are what rule what we cover.
As I'm sitting here reading these comments, Jonny Diaz is singing "Love Like You Loved". I said earlier that we don't have to like every person, but we must love them. No matter what! No ifs, ands, or buts. None.
I seem to remember this story from the Bible when Moses was on the Mount & the peeps down below melted all their gold & made this statue & began worshiping it. Jackson's gold casket was just a bit to flashy. But, I guess as was his life. Flashy.
But, that being said, this 24/7 coverage for nearly 2 weeks is beyond over-the-top! Enough. Let the family grieve. Privately. I'm sure those great kids have been sheltered from all things technical-phones, computers, tv's, radio. They deserve our love & prayers.
I watched the memorial online today and was saddened by all the spiritual confusion around life, death and eternity. As for MJ's family, i pray for those kids. It's gonna be a rough ride.
Yes, the coverage is nauseating. It's all sad, as our country (world?) is reveling in idol-worship. The way to speak about is not to call the deceased names, especially in the "hearing" of those who are truly grieving or personally touched. No, we need to be the light in the darkness, pointing to the hope and to the One who has fought death and won.
Great comments!
is a "pedifile" one of those things you scrape the callouses off of your feet with?
my son sleeps in the bed with my wife and me occasionally. am i a "pedifile"?
we're all going to die broken. it's by God's grace that he accepts us. if you don't like MJ and his legacy then that's fine – you don't have to. i don't either. but do yourself a favor and chill out a little!
I wrote about this on my blog a few days ago. I agree that the media hype has been ridiculous. I, too, have been disheartened by comments made by Christians regarding MJ. I am not now and have not been for some time a fan of MJ. However, I feel that he was a child of our loving and gracious and merciful God. Regardless of how he may or may not have lived his life. It is not for me to judge, only to love and pray. Here are my thoughts about the whole thing:
http://pathfromtheheadtotheheart.wordpress.com/20...
it was golden-calf-esc…
Exodus 32
Be Afraid…
You know honestly, I feel that two weeks before he died, no one cared. For years, he has been known as the child molester and just because he dies, does that change? No. Now in times like these, we need to show the love of Jesus and Jesus hung out with all people but, I think alot of people are just pointing out that even the Christians care more about MJ than JC. All in all I think that no matter what, that Michael was a great entertainer, but does he deserve the level of WORSHIP he has received?
I know we all know this but we all sin. and no sin is greater. so for us to up and criticize just to criticize is stupid of us. and when i say us i mean, me. james 4:11-12. its super easy to judge lives when they are gone. but there is only one lawgiver. sometimes we forget this. ok. most of the time we forget this. at least i do. and i understand how we should hold people accountable with things but until we do so in humility and love then we should not be so opinionated. or quick to judge. now its super easy for me to say this but practice is where its at. not words. and im sure before the night is over i will criticize/judge/and anything else, so really this message is more for me i guess. pray for this weakness.
i thought it was odd for a memorial service to be so huge and so well covered by the media, but honestly, if you sat down and watched it… i think it fit.
im pretty sure that if it was a celebrity that wasnt as talented and did not have all the controversy surrounding their life, the huge televised service would have been inappropriate. but with michael, i think it was good for america to see those who knew him, who respected him until the end, those who truly loved him.
no matter what opinion of michael someone held, he is dead now, it doesnt matter. and i for one have huge issues with people who disrespect the dead… no one can ever or will ever know what happened. god knows, thats enough for me, he is just.
our place isnt to judge, its to only to love.
so love on the jacksons, they need it now.
I'm not much of a "hype" person to begin with, so the fact that this so-called idol's death has permeated every aspect of the media for almost 2 weeks baffels me. I don't care how famous a person is, inside we are all the same. Inside we are all broken and in need of a Savior. That's the bottom line. How can we be so torn up over the sensless death of a pop star and not even show an ounce of compassion for innocent children starving across the ocean or maybe even down the street? Michael Jackson was a broken person just like you and just like me. My prayer is that he knew my Savior, but in heaven there is only one Star!
Like you said, I'm ready for it to be off the news
I wasn't going to chime in, but all this, "it's not our business to judge" talk is bothering me. If he were a drug addict, a compulsive gambler, a thief, or someone who at least admitted his guilt, I'd say leave the man alone, we're all sinners, show him some respect. But the act of child molestation is on a whole different level. Yeah, I feel sorry for Prince Michael, Paris and Blanket, but what about these other kids? If I had children who were molested, maybe if the molester tried to reconcile his behavior could I ever forgive him, but otherwise, no way. I don't see why it's any different seeing that the children weren't my kids and it was the king of pop who molested them.
Michael Jackson was larger than life ever since he was a young child. The way we obsess about our celebrities is probably the very thing that made Michael so weird as an adult. I suppose it's only fitting that this weird, obsessive behavior continue into his death. There were some great things about the guy, but nobody deserves all the attention he got.
I am still trying to figure out how I feel.
I know that I was disgusted by the memorial service, not because it was honoring MJ. There were obviously people who loved him dearly, it was that CNN and ABC and several outlet online took us to that service so we could all watch. It was that they had a lottery for tickets to the "show" and it became a show…
It was a train wreck.
It shows me how far as a country we have fallen with an entirely different perversion.
i hated my parents for hating the man that sexually abused me. it really turned my insides out to see them hate someone so much. those scars sting more than the ones of being molested in the first place
I, of course, being the red blooded white boy I am, will tell you I bought all of his albums when I was in high school, loved beat it, thriller and P.Y.T….did the moon walk and amazed all my small town country family…realize it is what it is…our world will always idolize the famous…lift people up on a pedestal higher than they should be.
I respect what he accomplished…his talent was off the charts…BUT I guess I no longer see the point. I didn't watch it cause I didn't care to watch it…at the end of the day I already waste parts of my life on frivolous endeavors that add nothing…today when I woke up what was more on my radar was starting a new campus in a small town and reach more people for the KING of KINGS…and I honestly don't feel that my life is any less richer for not stopping to see MJ's funeral.
At the end of the day I guess I have to say that it shocked me that it happened…he was a troubled man…I'm sad for his kids…cause I'm sure he really loved and cared for them. And yep…we are all sinners saved by grace so I'm not gonna down him…
I'm sure that if he didn't have a real relationship with the KING…he will hear "I never knew you"…and if he did he will hear "well done"…one day we will know..until then there is work to do…a world to reach…and a time that is growing short each and every day.
I loved the tribute to the pop music icon, MJ. I grew up listening to Michael and also attended his concert while I was elementary school age. I thought it was a well done service to him. I was glad to be able to see it televised. I live on the East Coast and would have never been able to make the trip. I am sick of hearing people criticize the man. We have all fallen short and live in sin..who are we to judge???????? Child molester??? We all have sinned –all sins are forgiven by our Father in heaven. People need to S-T-O-P..and let the man die and let his family greive!!
I'm not very schooled in Bible matters…but I'm pretty sure there was a story that said something about the perfect person "throwing the first stone." And since nobody's perfect- not me, you, or the people making those judgments about MJ, they need to shut their traps. And maybe that's me, making a judgment about the person making a judgment…but I just think people should work out their own sins and issues before freaking out about someone else's.
I'm also a little upset about the fact that his death was SO publicized and they made such a huge event out of the funeral. He died 2 weeks ago, for crying out loud. They could have had the memorial service the same week he passed. But nooo, they had to make it TV worthy, news-worthy. And his poor kids…jeez, they probably didn't want to have to be in front of allllll of those people and cameras and stuff while they're grieving their father's death…that's just awful.
And it killed me to see his kids up there…
My thoughts are all over the place. I was heartbroken to lose my dad as an adult so I can't imagine what his kids are going through. I think his family has the right to have the memorial service they see fit for him. I am conflicted about my feelings about MJ, but I know that my house is made of glass and so I won't be throwing any stones. God, who gave Michael Jackson his many talents, will be the one to judge all of Michael's actions on this Earth.
who?
he touched lives. he cared.
sometimes people just have 2 stop being so holy.
he has more compassion than most christians i know.
sad truth right there.
I just finished watching the memorial; had to DVR since I was at work. I am done with all the hype surrounding MJ, I hope this memorial is the beginning of the end of the media circus, but I doubt it. I was never a real fan; don't get me wrong, he deserves his place in music history, but I am not one to be an iconic follower.
Today's memorial though (IMHO) gave a different perspective in its last 20 seconds, MJ was not just the celebrity that most of the world grew up listening to, he was "Daddy" to three children; and whether biological or not it does not matter, he is the only Daddy they knew and clearly they loved him. To me this humanized the "pop icon".
(pt 2 to follow)
(pt 2)
I didn't know him personally (as most of us didn't) so I cannot comment him for his actions. Mine is not to judge that is the Lord's job, and thank God for that! I am a fan of the saying "remember when you point a finger, there are three pointing back at you". All I can do is keep his kids and his family in my prayers. I pray that they find comfort in the promises of the Lord of a life after death, and I pray that if they haven't accepted Christ that they will find him in thier time of grief.
I saw and heard mushing of a meeting between MJ and Andre Crouch (http://ilovemarymary.blogspot.com/2009/06/good-ne... http://www.paulanealmooney.com/michael-jackson-a-... in which the possibility exists that he was indeed saved. I know the glory that awaits me when I pass, I wish it for everyone, and I sure home MJ found it too!
I thought it was a beautiful service by a lot of people who loved a great entertainer. I would feel sorry for anyone who came to my funeral only to concentrate on my past that Christ died for. Christ was given a lot of glory in that service, but no one really concentrated on that. It's too bad.
EDIT: And if we're going to criticize, we should start with the man in the mirror. (sorry, I couldn't resist!)
"we are the world, we are the children, we are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving. there's a choice we're making, we're saving our own lives…it's true we make a better day, you and me…" there is more of Jesus' heart and His eyes of love for others in that song, than in most churches on any given sunday. i wish we heard more of this message. they will know we are Christians by our love. let God do the changing and the "judging" … we are all imperfect and in need of a beautiful, perfect Savior. there are people starving, fighting, being oppressed. MJ saw this, sang about this, did something about it to the best he could. he MOVED while we are BUSY saving our own asses.
i'm continually praying for Christians to wake up from their apathy. i believe MJ was misunderstood, like any brilliant artistic genius. shame on those so-called Christ followers who aren't loving, tender hearted, forgiving others just as they have been forgiven.
my thoughts: as with anyone person who has died… the friends and family left behind want an outlet to share their love, their joys, their grief about the person who has past. Michael Jackson and who he left behind, are no different. The only difference is that MJ was famous… and abundantly so. I think his family did the right thing… allowing the reason he was famous (his fans) an outlet to celebrate and grieve as well. don't get me started on whether a "child molester" deserves or should have a memorial because my opinion is the same as Los. and furthermore… i never saw MJ go to jail for anything… so to me… umm… innocent. the man is gone… but his talent, and his legacy as an incredible artist, brother, son and father lives on. and it needed to be celebrated.
I loved it!! What an honoring morning for his family!! I thought it focused on all the positives of MJ's life and the truth of what he accomplished for music in general. I am sad that people hurl stones!! I guess I am sad more than angry for MJ. He was robbed of a childhood and because of that he was messed up in some areas…but come on!!! I think we need to all reread John 8!!
and one more thing… may we never cast the first stone or point out the speck in someone's eye. for we will all deserve to be stoned and all have 2×4s on our eyes. it is by grace alone and the blood of the Lamb that we are set free. and it is my hope that MJ did receive that… and through all of this his fans (idolizers) and his family and his friends would look UP and se the glory of our Father… and not the glory of a pop star.
Amen!
My thoughts? Hope it is not seen as "shameless promotion" but I blogged about this at http://billgrandi.ovcf.org/wordpress/?p=2496 and http://billgrandi.ovcf.org/wordpress/?p=2540. That pretty much expresses my thoughts.
Couldn't disagree with you more.
By saying that it's a "shame a child molester gets such a grand exit", I am not saying that MJ was a worse sinner than I am. Truth be told, he's committed nothing more evil and hideous than what has taken place in the secrets of my heart.
But yes I am part of the camp that says this thing was way over done. Ridiculous. Idolatry for many. Painful for his children, yes, but in-your-face painful for his possible victims too.
Since I got into an argument with Direct tv and canceled my satellite the day he died, I feel untainted in this discussion. I, being a victim of abuse, think a lot about how it feels to watch an abuser get celebrated. It puts an exclamation point on the worthlessness that comes with all that baggage. People who have expeienced abuse understand this all too well. That doesn't mean that there is not forgiveness. I just can't stop thinking of any victims of his, and I hope they, too, did not have satellite the past week. That's it. I'm a sinner, and he was, too. But if he was a child predator, I don't like the celebration. Sorry to all. Peace and love.
Mine was one of sorrow. Sorrow for the children who are without their daddy and for Michael who had issues the same as all of us. I wonder how well we would all deal with our issues if they were posted for all the world to see and judge. I purposefully didn't turn on the TV because I didn't want to see the circus. I grieved for the 7 military men who were killed serving our country and while they gave their lives for our protection and safety they took backstage to an idol by the idol crazed media.
Dude, I totally understand what you are saying and as Christians we have too easily jumped to judgement rather than grace. But your statement "The second we as Christ followers begin to label “good” and “bad” then God help us all." Bothers me. We are to call out sin (bad) and live righteously (good). We do this based on the knowledge of the Spirit living in our lives, the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures, and in community as believers. I would say the minute we STOP calling out sin and living righteous lives is the moment we most desperately need God's help. IF Christians don't care about "good" and "bad" then who will? And what's the point of being a Christian?
Kenyon – well-said! Agree! Agree! Agree!
the point of being a Christian is what Jesus summed up: love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. i like to focus on that it is His love that leads to repentance. never is it people, fellow humans, "calling out" sin. we've had enough of that, and what we need more of is LOVING our neighbors, widows, orphans. God is God, and HE will transform the heart.
Shouldn't it always be about forgiveness though? Why would we want to spend our time focusing on the balance of judgement? In my honest opinion, the minute that God forgave me, I lost most of the zeal that I had to see things balance out. I realized that I was saved from a place of despair and death, and I wouldn't want anyone else to face the same fate that I was headed towards.
As far as a legend goes, the legend is as big as the person that believes in it. I am heartbroken that MJ died, but not because of how I followed his music or anything. I am heartbroken because I haven't heard anyone say that he personally knew Jesus. I feel the same pain when a gang-banger or dope addict dies apart from Christ.
I guess that legend really doesn't matter when death is seen in the light of eternity…just my opinion.
Good post. true, very true.
by that standard, we should all get bad tweets at our funeral…
observing all of the hype around MJ I am reminded of how broken, fallen, and cruel Christians are. We have all fallen short of God's glory, yet how quickly we cast stones. I think it's because it is easier to be critics then creators. But here's the rub: God calls us to be co-creators, actively engaged in His restoration plan for humanity… not critics! It's easy to cast stones and criticize because it keeps the attention (even our own) off of our selves, and we don't have to do the heavy lifting of creating solutions that demonstrates God's love, and reveal to the world who He really is.
YES! this is very well said!!
It is estimated that the cost to LA County for the MJ Memorial Service was $4 million dollars – our tax dollars at work. Last night the mayor now had a brilliant idea to ask the people to make donations to offset the cost. And this has happened at the same time that State employees are being given IOU's for their wages! There's something severely wrong in our priorities. Yes, mourn the loss of a brillant, yet broken entertainer. But the lavish nature of the entire affair is tragic. The $4 million could have been used to keep families off the welfare rolls and pay down the state's deficit. Instead we must worship an icon at any cost. And I for one believe that we are partially responsible for MJ's decline. We expected more than was human possible, even from a genius. And just like his father, we accepted nothing less. I'm sad he is gone. I pray we let him rest in peace and move on to the children dying in Sudan, the girls in Thailand being sold into sexual slavery, the street children in Latin America and the rise of domestic violence within our own country.
Why anyone would make negative comments is beyond me. Talk about adding insult to injury…we should focus our energy now on trying to somehow use this experience to lead his family to the Lord! Once again, many Christians have missed a golden opportunity to help instead of hurt!
i agree about hw nauseating it's been to see "Christians" condemn him. i actually saw a person who posted that "God is a loving God, but a JUST God," and alluded to the fact that they assumed to know where Michael was headed. it literally made me sick and a little dizzy to read that.
i think we all need to realize that nobody really knows what he did or didn't do (he was acquitted, after all), and that there is quite a likelihood that he was a troubled person who got taken advantage of, and while he made some poor decisions, none of us can prove that he actually did the things he was accused of. but instead of giving him the benefit of the doubt, we've acted as judge and jury and slapped him with a label we've given based on accusations we really know very little about. and his poor kids will always have to live with hearing their father called something that he was never proven to be, and i think that's a shame. i could say more, but i think that pretty much covers it.
none of us know the man's heart, so who the heck are we to make our own judgements about him?
Hmmm…didn't watch the memorial service but saw clips at the gym. It sickened me to see the media circus and the idol worship of people. It was also weird for me to see people there who didn't know him personally. He was musician. That's all. I pity his children and grieve for those who truly loved and cared about him. As to his life, I have my opinions but what's the point of sharing them? He's dead. And that's pretty final (when you don't know Christ). In other words, He' s already been judged (by the God Himself) Why do I need to add my judgement or opinions about His life?
We always tend to look at the bad things about people.. Ya the dude was pretty jacked up and I dont listen to his music, but he did revolutionize the music world and im sure there were good things about him but no one knew him except for the people in the picture and they are crying……
…I'll start by saying, the only people who REALLY know if he was even a child molester are Michael, the children, and God…none of us knew him…I wonder if anyone really knew him. He was such a lonely soul…and that makes me sad. I do hope his family will have peace. And I pray that he found God so that he too may finally have peace.
Memorial services focus on the positive aspects of a person's life. At my grandfather's funeral we didn't focus on his battles with alcoholism and its impact on his family. We talked about his sense of humor and his ability to tell larger than life stories. We didn't focus on his penchant for hiding booze all over the house and how he almost accidentally burned the house down once.
I agree that the coverage of MJ's death and funeral services have been nauseating. I loved, absolutely loved, MJ as a kid. As an adult, I grew disillusioned with him, viewing him first with pity, and later with out and out disgust. MJ's legacy as a human being has certainly been tainted by the label of "child molester". I am unable to separate my thoughts about him as an artist or human being from that label – I wish I could.
Having said that, I find him no less deserving of a loving memorial than the rest of us. The memorial is for his family, friends, and fans that he has left behind. It is not for those of us who view him with disgust, pity, etc.
While Lionel Richie sang "Jesus is love," all I kept thinking was, did MJ know Jesus? And regardless of what he did or didn't do in this life, where is he spending eternity? That's all that is important.
It's sad that so many are wrapped up in this memorial … and in his death. Where were they in his life?
None of us are honorable in God's sight. God sees Christ when He looks on those who accept Christ's sacrifice for their sins … and then He sees honor.
I am as lousy as MJ without Christ. We all are. Don't be fooled into thinking because you haven't committed his 'sins' that somehow you are better. No one is. ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Slippery slope.
Thoughts on MJ: this is what happens to an abused child. MJ's father was a horrible parent, and that explains most of why MJ turned out so messed up in so many ways. And if somebody doesn't step in to advocate on that child's behalf, a whole world of incredible talent and potential is in some ways wasted.
Thoughts on the coverage of MJ: make it stop. I don't care. NPR, you have betrayed me.
I don't wanna label him or anything. no no no. I'm in the right position to do so. What i think? I think it's just right for the person who had contributed so much to the music industry. Let's pay him respect. As what PAUL had said: give the recognition to whom it is due.
So did Michael Jackson deserved all the mourning the got despite the overwhelming likelihood that he was a serial child molester? Sure, none of us are perfect, but most people don't sexually abuse children. We're all sinners, but all sin is not equal. Does Adolf Hitler deserve the same sendoff that a fallen American soldier in Afghanistan should receive? Michael Jackson was a sad, corrupt and miserable man with a lot of musical talent who died prematurely because he was abusing his body with drugs. Pardon me for not joining the mourn-fest.
Another perspective on death
http://deathisnotdying.com/eventvideo/