POSTMORTEM

Is is "bad" to speak ill of the deceased? Flowery funeral-speak aside, the media seems determined to glorify Michael Jackson. The "elephant in the room" question is: was MJ a bad boy...a bad fifty-year-old boy? He sang repeated lyrics that proclaimed he was bad. Wait. That meant he was cool/good, not bad. As Mike would say..."give me Johnny Cash lyrics any day; I can understand them."

Why do you think there is such confusion about Michael Jackson's life?

I'm thinking it is because no one wants to appear judgmental. If you say anything about the King of Pop's life, the big ole "judge not" hammer comes out. People who normally may not study the Bible are all of a sudden using it for back-up. They might be surprised if they actually studied what that particular passage says...

Actually we ARE called on to evaluate many things. We expect our children to be able to evaluate their friends because the Bible says "bad company corrupts good morals". We are expected to evaluate the movies and TV we watch because the Psalmist says "I will set no worthless thing before my eyes". We're always evaluating our own motives, our priorities, and our plans for the day because the Bible says I should make the most of my time because I'm not guaranteed tomorrow. So I know God expects my wisdom to be ever increasing and affecting my judgment.

So how can we biblically evaluate Michael Jackson's life? Well, the Bible says we will know people by their fruit. What kind of fruit was on his tree?

Man brought charges against Mr. Jackson and then man ruled that he was innocent; there is no basis for name calling because God only knows. I find comfort in knowing that God's judgment is perfect and the cases that squeak by in this life will certainly be seen in the next life in light as bright as the noonday sun. No one skates by God's omniscience. So if we give MJ the benefit of the doubt that he was innocent of his charges, was his behavior just bizarre? Was he just the product of an abusive father?

Biblically, we are under the injunction to "avoid even the appearance of evil". When Mr. Jackson went on TV and said he liked to sleep with young boys, even if it was innocent, it gave the appearance of evil.

But WAIT. What about all the good MJ did in this life? Doesn't that count for anything? Perhaps he was a "good" father to give his kids the life he never enjoyed. And what about the money he gave to charity? We hear that he got the Guinness World Record for charitable contributions.

Ask yourself whose book recorded points for that generosity? Was it God's book or man's book? God says the things I do for impure motives (to showcase myself...to make me feel righteous...or win friends) those things are like filthy rags to Him, even if they are good things. Why? Because they aren't done for Jesus' sake; they are done for moi'. We are in effect feeling our nakedness (shame) before God and trying by our own deeds to clothe ourselves. God is not impressed. He wants to have a loving and living relationship where I come to HIM to see what He has in mind for my righteousness. The Bible says I have good deeds created before the foundation of the world that God thought up for me to accomplish. If so, I better be about finding out what those are! I want to utilize my gifting and walk in the path He made for me.

Do you think Michael Jackson's path looked like the one the Lord created for him? How profoundly sad it was that he needed operating room anesthetic to even sleep toward the end of his life. There didn't appear to be a glimmer of the joy of the Lord...only pain. The sad waste is that Jesus was always close and willing to give Michael a real reason to dance. The Lord's heart is broken for the hurting.

I get it that when an earthly father does not love well, it is more difficult for the child to understand God's love. Joe Jackson must certainly have his demons. But if a person is open to God's love, God will show Himself to that person. He sees our hearts and knows whether the ground there is plowed up or hard-baked. Was there any evidence of Jesus in Michael's life? I hope such a relationship was there, but I would hate to have to build the case for one. He did not exhibit the peace that passes understanding.

Thank goodness that I am not appointed judge for Michael Jackson's life. There is no desire to malign him now...that lonely and tortured man did a good job of maligning himself. But also we should not pretend. Whether it sounds judgmental or not, Michael Jackson wrote his own script as we all do. And the script was grotesque. Our part in this is to evaluate and decide what might bear emulating.

Jesus said "My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27

A TIME OF TESTING

Remember that sick feeling when you got to class and found out there was a test? I wouldn't be surprised if something like that was going on right now. The Lord is good to illustrate His life lessons in living color for us before our very eyes. And that test would be an indication of where our heart lives.

Whatever am I talking about?

What if a godly person were to die in the next few months? It might be someone who had done great good in the world. It might be someone whose example was to serve others and lift the Lord consistently. Then the funeral would be in stark contrast to the memorial service we are about to observe for Michael Jackson. Our Father is just kind enough to make that obvious comparison for us.

The tortured Michael Jackson is about to be buried, but not before people can take the final advantage of him. We are hearing reports that Ebay is scalping tickets to his "funeral". What a charade! How much is "tacky" squared? This poor soul who hid behind Neverland gates and pay-offs and even behind the hair down in his face...will now be put through yet another opportunity to be used as the cash cow.

So what is this test? The test will be taken by the public. They will say by their clamoring adoration who they "vote for" to honor and hold high. There's no question that MJ was given huge talent to create music and dance. But what was that talent used for? Is he why people grope their crotch now as they dance? Mr. Jackson has an amazing following that he might have used to point the way to the Lord. Were there any high thoughts that he influenced others to think? Now his life is celebrated for it's quirky factor - a black man who crossed the color line in his popularity, but who never quite fit comfortably in his own skin.

Last Thursday the King of Pop opened his eyes to see the true King of Kings. All his life is now being examined before the Judge of all men...the One whose name is Holy and Pure...the One who loved Michael's soul as none other loved him in this life. If Michael Jackson does not know this King, all his money/fame cannot help hide him now.

And if there were two funerals, people would have a chance to reflect and decide to pattern their lives after a life that has enduring value. Call it a legacy test.

"And just as it is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died only once as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again but not to deal with our sins again. This time he will bring salvation to all those who are eagerly waiting for him". Hebrews 9:27,28 NLT

MR. BITTY

There's a peculiar ziplock in the Saferite's fridge these days. Right beside the cheese, you can find fresh, hand-dug worms. The worms are food for Nate's new pet...a tiny brown box turtle named Itty Bitty. When I asked Nate what his new pet liked to eat, he said "WORMS and STRAWBERRIES!" I might want to tweak the order of those courses myself. Beth swears that when she arrives in Nate's room (singing), Mr. Bitty comes running toward her. He's so smart! He already knows his momma. She's the one bearing the worm segment. Box turtles also like tadpoles, snails, crickets, and dead flies. Yum.

The Saferite's have sweet friends in the neighborhood who just LOVE turtles and they gave Nate his new pet. This couple became turtle experts by rescuing turtles in the road. Then it progressed to bringing the turtles home. Now they built a turtle pen in their backyard where seven turtles live and reproduce! Birthing in captivity is apparently unusual for turtles, so we feel like Itty Bitty comes from sanguine stock. He's eight months old (born last October) and his shell diameter is 1.5 inches. Ring the dinner bell, Mr. Bitty; that's no so much girth.

It is nice to have neighbors who are a walking instruction manual about turtlecare and who give pets away for free. Well, Itty Bitty was free if you don't count buying his "basking"" light, his glass aquarium, assorted aquarium accessories, and his sawdust shavings. At least for now Nate is all over his hunter/gatherer role. But it's not like it's such a big chore. How much grub can a 1.5 inch turtle pack down in a day?

The Lord said we were to have dominion over the animals and I guess He meant reptiles, too. Nate seems to be taking his responsibility seriously. He likes having a friend in his room. The minute they brought I.B. into the house, Nate said "I think he will want to play with my truck"...and off he went to find a matchbox toy to put in the aquarium. He also creatively found a little piece from another toy and they use that for Mr. Bitty's tunnel. Nate says his turtle likes to go for a walk in the tunnel.

Did you have a pet turtle when you were little? I had a green one...a red-eared slider turtle. But the main difference in our turtles would be the pump jar of hand sanitizer beside Itty Bitty's condo. Back in the day, who worried about salmonella? I have to admit, the knowledge of such a disease would have made me turtle-hesitant. But then, we know too much these days. Information overload.

Itty Bitty is a small start toward putting a young man on the road to learning the responsibility of caring for someone besides himself. It's the old "me third" principle...God first, others second (even turtles), and me third. I like to think Nate will be a better husband/father as a result of his new friend, Mr. Bitty.

"Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not merely his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:4

TEACHER FUNK

A trip to the Kroger deli today put this old teacher in a funk. All I wanted...all I asked for...was two-thirds of a pound of corned beef.

A very pleasant clerk came to slice the corned beef. He was a big man and we joked about O.J. Simpson as he tried to put on small gloves. Then he chatted about the tragedy of Michael Jackson's death. He said it took him back to the 50's when he was in his car and heard the announcement of Elvis' death. Yesterday he was also in his car when the announcement came of the death of the tortured King of Pop.

This tedious story now brings us to a tiny pile of corned beef and the deli clerk asking "will that be all?" I looked back at the amount and it registered .33. Slowly (because I had no intention of humiliating him) I said "I would like two-thirds of a pound". He checked and said "that's what ya got". Then he hesitated and I shuffled my feet, thinking he would realize what he had said.

Then he told me that although he had a college education, he would call over a grey-haired lady because she knew everything about what was in the store. The lady said "why are you asking me? I only went to high school." Then she studied it and still I waited, red-faced for them both.

The two waiting customers behind me now entered into the quagmire. One said "is that scale counted in ounces?" And again the two clerks conferred. The man said "well, I've been cheating my customers then, because when they asked for two-thirds, that's what I gave them". Thank goodness the machine would have figured up the cost of one-third of a pound.

I couldn't stand it and gently said ".33 is one-third...and I need two-thirds". The man was still not getting "there", as he mumbled numbers aloud to himself. The older lady said "well, I guess I'd give her a half".

Now understand my disclaimer: I get confused on a regular basis and I am not known for my math skills. But my schoolteacher side finally swelled up and stepped on my sensitive side....and I said "if .33 is one third, double that would be .66...so two-thirds is .66".

This afternoon, four people had an epiphany in the Kroger aisle. But I came away depressed. Even though education was my chosen profession, I'm just glad education is not the answer to the question about what is most important. The Lord does not rank people according to their knowledge of FACTS, but according to their knowledge of HIM.

"And this is the way to have eternal life - to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth." John 17:3 NLT

WORDS and MEANINGS

Once upon a time, words came attached to their meanings.  That's why words have the potential to cut a spirit "to the bone".  But lately, someone has taken a pry bar to words/meanings.  I'm wondering if anyone else is noticing the same pattern.  Our national leader says one thing...and then the opposite happens.

The president is disarming because his speech is so convincing.  Take today, for instance, as President Obama talked to the American Medical Association.  He tried to put the doctors at ease about his healthcare plans and poopooed opposing arguments by saying "now we've all heard about government control and government rationing".  Then he countered by saying "those arguments are just not right...if you have a plan that you like or a doctor that you like, you should KEEP it".

That sounds so reasonable.  Here is what I'm wondering.  We are always hearing how bad the healthcare systems are in Canada and Europe.  Their stats are hard to argue with.  I wouldn't want to be in line for cancer treatment.  But did you know that one of our states has tried universal child healthcare?  You don't hear so much about that.  Hawaii was the state who tried universal child healthcare; Hawaii cancelled their healthcare program in October 08 after only seven months.  Why?

Think about it.  If you were a Hawaiian paying for your kiddos health insurance, and others got it free...what would YOU do?  Hawaiians all quit their private pay and joined up for the free plan.  That ran private insurance out of town.  Then the only option was government healthcare...breaking the bank.  That's why the "rough"estimate for covering everyone in the upcoming healthcare plan would be 3 trillion dollars.  That's pretty rough.

So much for all the "words" about private and public working together and how much the president supports competition.  Business should just try and compete with "free".  Who was it who said..."if you think healthcare is costly now, you just wait until it's free!"

Now our president does not mention the possibility of competition drying up.  No, HE ain't the bad guy.  But do you think people will continue to pay when they can get it for free?  Hawaii was a snapshot of the future. And the outcome?  The president has not technically put competition out of business...but competition will feel the boot.

"They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."  2 Timothy 4:4  New International Version

GOD ALMIGHTY (El Shaddai)

Back in the 80's, Mike and I were helping with a summer Bible club in a local housing project called Eastgate Terrace.  The men met with the guys at 5:00 after work; the women met with the girls in the mornings before it got hot.  One week I was assigned to a shy little girl named Tundra who always kept her head down.  The leader thought maybe I could draw her out and I was hoping I could, too.  But after the first day I knew it would be an uphill pull.

Tundra did not laugh when the others did during games.  She kept her gaze to the ground during snacks.  She barely could respond when spoken to directly.  We were told that Tundra had a rough home life, and I tried to imagine what circumstances had contributed to this child's painful shyness.  I also had trouble imagining naming a precious little baby "Tundra"...but since that wasn't my business, I just tried to creatively find her love language.  After the first three days, I was not making progress with my new friend.  It was just too hard for her.

The fourth day of the week, a resource person was coming and bringing a sackful of tap shoes.  I thought..."Oh, boy!  THIS surely will draw Tundra out.  What little girl doesn't like to tap?"  The volunteer was a dance instructor and she brought music and the girls all LOVED putting on the shoes and tapping around and giggling.  Well, all except Tundra.  She remained in her chair on the sidelines and couldn't be coaxed to join in.  Now I was bamboozled and we only had one more day.  I begged the Lord to reach Tundra with His love.  After all, He does have an overreaching advantage as He speaks the language of the individual heart.  

Right after the dance activity, we went into our small groups for our Bible study.  Our lesson that day was to explain very simply the way to love God through His Son.  Tundra gave no particular indication that she was listening, and I was feeling very defeated as we finished and I made my way to the front.  There was the opposite of a receiving line at the door and as each girl left, we gave them a hug and told them we were looking forward to the next day.

When Tundra came to me, she looked up full into my face for the first time.  She hugged me and said that she had "prayed that prayer" with us.  She smiled and her beautiful eyes sparkled.  My eyes were full of tears as a verse came immediately to mind:

"Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me...you're my glory...you're the lifter of my head."  Psalm 3:3 

FUN FIELD TRIP

Mike and I went on an adventure yesterday up in NW Arkansas.  We were in search of the wild granite, and followed directions to find the workplace for a sub named Raphael.  We went out from Bentonville through two tiny obscure towns.  The plan was for us to call Raphael when we got to a certain spot and his brother would come lead us to the shop.  Mike was out stretching his legs when a white pickup slowed and turned into the convenience store.  I waved out the window and the man in the truck waved back with a big smile.  We had found the brother.

When the truck pulled alongside us, the workman was covered in white dust.  It was on his eyelashes and eyebrows and that made him look ghoulish, like those poor people from 9/11 who were covered in ashes.  Then we proceeded to set aside everything our mothers ever told us about strangers, and we followed behind the truck in our car.  After several miles, he turned off the asphalt and we rode on gravel past a pasture full of bison.  We felt like we were in an episode of Rod Sterling's "Twilight Zone".

When the white pickup came to the end of the road, we were totally impressed with the beauty of the countryside.  It is high up there...the sky is much closer to earth.  And the shop had been plopped down in the middle of big woods with trees that had never been cut.  Pristine.  We saw a large outbuilding and things were pretty primitive.  Assorted cars, trucks, and appliances were parked randomly. We waved as several other men looked up to greet us with big smiles. Mike and I go to too many movies, and my thoughts about now were racing ahead to how anyone ever would find our shallow graves in such a remote place.

The minute we opened the car door and stepped out, it smelled strongly like a farm.  My eyes fixed on a goat pen beside the shop and the four-legged residents there were chewing calmly as they troubled themselves to look up at us with no particular interest at all.  It was just another day at the shop.  Granite slabs and slab remnants were out leaning against the trees and my senses were working overtime.  That caused me not to look down until my foot squished something.  On the driveway there were wheat-colored droppings and black droppings.  The rain that day had loosened both of them up, but we decided one was goat food and one wasn't.

We quickly figured out that Raphael (a very nice man who unfortunately was in Branson finishing a job) was the one who conducted business because he spoke the best English.  The brother was working overtime to understand us and believe me...we were doing the same.  But you can point and nod your head and get by pretty well.  We saw a slab we liked and I remembered  "muy bonito" from high school.  We gestured "bullnose" with our hands to order the edge and then our business was done and we returned to the car.

The men all smiled again.  They could relax, the gringos were going.  The goats never looked up.

If you come see us in our new place, be sure to ask which granite was from the Twilight Zone.

"Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him." Daniel 2:20,22  (Susan's translation: "When we thought we were outta sight...we weren't.")