Michael Jackson, King of Pop: The Man in the Mirror

It was Thursday evening on our way to church when my wife and I heard CNN’s breaking news broadcast that the King of Pop, Michael Jackson had been reported dead by the Associated Press. Like the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the explosion of the Challenger, and the toppling of the Twin Towers, the announcement of Michael Jackson’s death was a moment that I will never forget. Although I did not faint in hysteria like some of his fans; I did have to fight back a tear or two.

The uniqueness of Michael’s career is that his fame transcended generations. Not only was I a fan in the late 60’s and 70’s, but my children were fans during the 80’s and 90’s. Ironically today, one of the four year olds in our child care center asked me if I knew Michael Jackson and when I said “yes,” he began to sing, “I’m bad, I’m bad. That’s Michael Jackson’s song.” Tell me; what other musical artist has both hits and fans covering three to four generations?

Being the same age as Michael Jackson, he was more than a preteen idol; he was major competition. Every little girl my age, including my wife, and even those who liked me at the time, were madly in love with Michael Jackson. How could I ever compete with his fame, his wealth, his voice, his looks, and his perfect afro? Worse still, Michael even had five other famous cute brothers (when Michael was still a ‘brotha’) for girls of every age to be in love with.

While the world watched Michael’s fame transcend generations, we also saw his image transform from a black male to a white androgyny to a sad and hideous recluse. And of all the songs he'll be remembered for, “The Man in the Mirror” probably describes best his internal struggle: “A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart, and a washed-out dream….” Plastic surgery, bleach cream, and permed hair might have changed his image in the mirror, but not the man in the mirror. Or should I say, the little boy in the mirror, because I believe his distinctive prepubescent voice, was more than a vocal phenomenon, it was the voice of a wounded child that never became a man.

As Christians it is important for us to recognize that the image we see in the mirror is insufficient; for it can deceive us and after the age of 50 it can even depress us. However, according to the Bible there is an image in another mirror, the word of God, [1] which reflects both our image, as well as the image that we’re being made into, which is the likeness of Jesus of Christ.

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.[2]

This week when you look in the mirror, I challenge you to purposely pause for a moment to look beyond the physical image. Look beyond the makeup, the wrinkles and the crow’s feet, the dark circles around the eyes, the grey or colored hair, the weave or resending hairline and look to see if the person being reflected back to you is looking, acting, and thinking each day more like Jesus Christ. Not the image of Christ that western culture has painted with blue eyes and long hair or the image that your church tradition might have painted as an icon you can worship but not emulate. But the Christ that Matthew, Mark, and John personally knew and were compelled to write about, live like and give their lives for. The Christ that stopped Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus and transformed him from a persecutor of Christians to a preacher of the gospel. The Christ that the Bible reveals as the King of Kings.

But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.[3]

[1] James 1:24 (NLT)
[2] 2 Cor. 3:18 (NLT)
[3] James 1:22-24(NLT)

Baby Plant Closed, but Not Out of Business!

A few years ago when my wife and I were still in the baby manufacturing business some of the saints of the most high would disparagingly say, ‘My God, how many children do you have now?’ This kind of statement, of course, was a rhetorical question with the answer obviously being, ‘My God, too many!’ However, by the time our baby manufacturing plant was closed down and my wife and I, officially laid off, we only had four children; three boys and one girl.

During those production years others, especially those in the church, would make us feel less than blessed for having more than the "ideal" 2.4 children. I’m not sure whether a 0.4 child is one that’s considered being still in production or one that came off the production line as a factory second. However, this picture of the perfect wholesome American family was painted by Twentieth Century American television sitcoms. Nevertheless, today the actual average number of children is 3.18 nationally, while the average in 1940 was just 3.76. Our family is only 0.82 of a child above the national average. Obviously, my wife and I chose to round up to a complete 1.0 child rather than a 0.18 child. I’m not sure what you can do with 18% of a child; which is probably all you do get out of the average teenager.

Over the years I’ve had to remind myself that the bible says,

Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame
when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.--Psalm 127:3-5 (NLT)

Indeed, today I can proudly confront any of my accusers without any reservations and say that I am a blessed man because my quiver (home) is full of children; which are now all adults. I have two sons, a daughter, and an adopted daughter still at home. Father’s Day was a blessed and happy day primarily because my home was filled with my children and grandchildren. I say primarily, because my greatest blessing is having all of my children in our heavenly Father’s home; the church. However, my oldest son, who is my assistant, was not in church with us this Father's Day, due to a speaking engagement at another church; but he was able to join us for dinner after church. My youngest son, as well was away out-of-town on a business trip. But, he did send me a text message wishing me a happy Father’s Day. I hope text messaging is the 21st Century equivalent to a phone call. Please let me know if it’s not. Because, if it’s not, I’ll have to address this issue when he returns home this week. While we may be out of the baby manufacturing business, I’m still the CEO and can recall and remanufacture any of our existing products still on the market.

Spiritual Homelessness

Sheep are mentioned more frequently than any other animal in the Bible--about 750 times. The Bible makes many comparisons between the ways of sheep and human beings. In the New Testament the church is often compared to a sheepfold. It is therefore not surprising that God’s people are consistently referred to as sheep--they are helpless, easily led astray and lost, unable to fend for themselves or find their way back home. However, sheep are easy to lead and can live safe and prolific lives as long as they remain in a flock. Consequently, like sheep believers cannot survive outside of the flock or sheepfold--the local church.

The local church is essential to the lives of believers; which is the New Testament reality that God intended for local congregations. The present day reality is that the vast majority of churches have become nonessential to the lives of church dropouts, those who left the church after becoming adults; and the dechurched, those in general who once were part of a local church. Indeed, the church is seen by many today--especially most young adults and the unchurched, those who have never belonged to a church--as no more important than the local shopping mall, movie theatre, or some other leisure activity.

With more than 80 percent of North American churches stagnant or declining, the church is becoming nonessential to society. Even in some of the most relatively healthy denominations, conversions to Christianity have stagnated. Among churches that are growing, their membership rolls are typically increasing due to church transfers rather than new converts to Christ. Therefore, with nearly four thousand churches closing their doors permanently each year, a turnaround is imperative.

At the beginning of this year the Lord mandated that our congregation strategically work to wipe out spiritual homelessness among Christians. This mandate has involved ensuring that our church is essential to the lives of the people as well as persistently reminding our members to do their part in ending spiritual homelessness by reaching people for Christ. Our Saturday morning prayer meetings include focusing on God’s Spirit working in the lives of friends, family, and co-workers who are being invited to church. We will pray for these people by name, and within a few weeks we will see them show up at church.

Since the beginning of this year we have seen record numbers join the church--not church transfers but the unchurched, dechurched, and church dropouts, with the major being those ages twenty to thirty. We’ve discovered that the dechurched and church dropout often just needs a gentle nod to become the rechurched. And that gentle nod came most often from friends, family, and strangers sitting close to them in the pews (audience). When someone comes forward for membership the entire congregation exuberantly celebrates with cheers and clapping as we envision the angels in heaven are rejoicing over this one who has returned to Christ and His church.

Are you doing your part to wiping out spiritual homelessness in your family, your neighborhood, and your workplace? When’s the last time you walked into the church facility with someone you invited to church? My challenge to you this week to allow the Holy Spirit to indentify an unchurched, dechurched, or church dropout in your personal circle that you can invite to your church this week. James writes:

My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.--James 5:19-20 (NLT)

If you’re presently spiritually homeless--unchurched, dechurched, church dropout or have not attended your home church in the past 90 days--I challenge you this week to employ the Holy Spirit as your real estate agent to find the right church home for you; that you might do your part to wipe out spiritual homelessness.

Suicide Watch

I was a kid of the 70’s and a fan of the martial arts. And yes, I went around Karate chopping and kicking walls, friends, and anything I could find. And no, my parents were not stupid enough to allow me to have a set of nung chucks. Yet, I must admit I was not a big fan of the TV series "Kung Fu." David Carradine’s role as a Shaolin monk was a little too calm, collective, and mysterious for my taste. The 19th century Far East/Old West theme just didn’t work for me. However, thirty years later, I am a fan of the Quentin Tarantino cult films “Kill Bill,” in which Carradine plays a prominent role as Uma Thurman’s diabolical former boss.

By now you have either heard or read that David Carradine, 72, was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room last Thursday, hanging naked in a closet with ropes tied around his wrists, neck and genitals. It remains unclear whether his death was a suicide or an accident, but two of Carradine's ex-wives have revealed that the "Kung Fu" star got his kicks with kinky sex.

We Christians tend to form our own subculture; spending most of our time with other Bible believers. Consequently, when we hear of the lifestyles or “deathstyles” of those who have not accepted Christ’s teaching, we are flabbergasted. The reality, though, is that unbelieving people cannot be expected to live or even die as believers would. Worldly behavior from unbelievers should not surprise Christians; it is perfectly consistent with their worldview. However, the lifestyles and “deathstyles” of unbelievers should greatly grieve us.

Clearly, every human being is prone to destructive attitudes and habits. There are many people today engaging in "potentially deadly" acts--kinky sex, unprotected sex, gang involvement, drug trafficking, illicit drug use, etc.--who are all on the verge of committing suicide. But when God saves us, He places His Holy Spirit within us, and at the point of our spiritual rebirth, God begins to transform us to reflect His image as humanity was originally designed to do.

As Christians, our calling is to not only live in a manner that is worthy of Christ’s name, but to treat others in a way that is a direct response to our understanding of the destructiveness of sin and the saving power of the gospel. We’re commissioned by God to be on a “suicide watch” for unbelievers around us. “We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”[1]

According the book of Acts, there was an occasion when Paul and Silas were in prison and they encountered a guard who was on the brink of suicide.

Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”[2]

I wonder if there were any Christian television or movie stars that traveled in David Carradine’s circle who could have cried out to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are here for you!”? All around us are people needing a suicide intervention (both figuratively and literally), but we can’t help them if we are not there when they need us or are oblivious to their need. Our natural tendency is to be ever on the lookout for what will benefit us, not others.

Opportunities to rescue others will arise this week, but you have to ask God to remove the blinders from your eyes. If you ask the Holy Spirit to free you from self-centeredness, He will give you at the right time, the right words to say or the right prayer to pray that will save someone's life.

The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”[ 3]

When’s the last time an unbeliever asked you, “Sir” or “Madam, what must I do to be saved?”

[1] 2 Cor. 5:19-20 (NLT)
[2] Acts 16:26-28 (NLT)
[3] Acts 16:29-30 (NLT)

Improving Your Game

This past week my wife and I spent several days vacationing in the mountains with our friends; doing what pastors rarely get time to do--just hanging out with friends. When our friends invited us to their timeshare, I was hoping to play my first game of golf for the season. Unfortunately, when I suggested to my bishop friend that we play some golf, he obviously thought I was officially challenging him at the game of golf. To keep his identity unknown, I will only reveal his initials, JML, and simply refer to him from now as John.

The day we had planned to play golf, John was up at 6 am to get in some practice time at the driving range without me. When he returned from the driving range nearly all of his fingers, on both hands, were blistered from trying to ensure that he would beat me at golf. He had also arranged to attend a golf clinic that morning, as well as a private lesson with a golf pro before our game. John was seriously determined to beat me at golf. However, as John was preparing to leave for the golf clinic I asked if I could go with him. Since I had my own car available, I was going to the clinic whether he agreed to take me or not.

Interestingly, what the golf pro taught that morning was designed to help us improve our game in just four basic areas, which he called GASP: grasping, aliening, spacing, and positioning the ball. (John’s Band-Aid wrapped fingers were an obvious indication to all the golf clinic attendees that grasping was an area that he desperately needed some improvement in.) After demonstrating the four basics, the golf pro sent us off to put his instructions into practice, while he came around periodically observing our techniques and answering our questions.

There were a lot of different things we could have learned about golf that day, but our time was spent learning how to do a few things, which would improve one essential aspect of our game--hitting the ball where we wanted it to go. I’m sure the pro could have taught us a lot more about the game, but he taught us only the basics that we needed to become better golfers. That’s what a good coach is supposed to do. A good coach doesn’t waste time on anything that really doesn’t help you improve your game. Can you imagine the golf pro spending time discussing the history of golf with his clinic attendees? Or giving a detailed lecture about the best kind of grass for a putting green? I wonder what would happen if the church coached or discipled God's people this way? What if we gave people a clear and simple message and then asked them to put it into action?

Just as understanding the basics of golf can dramatically improve our golf game, understanding the basics of prayer can significantly improve our daily lives. Note that I did not say improve our spiritual lives, because most of us know that. What we tend to lack knowledge of is prayer’s effectiveness in the day-to-day aspects of our lives. Attending Sunday worship is essential, as well as reading the Bible, memorizing scripture and reading good Christian literature. However, one of the most overlooked and most powerful tool that a believer has available, regardless of his or her spiritual maturity, is PRAYER.

Prayer is one of the most basic of the spiritual disciplines. You don’t need be able to read, to pray. You don’t need to know scriptures, to pray. You don’t need to know theology, to pray. You don’t need to know religious language, to pray. You don’t need to know how to speak in tongues or in King James English, to pray. You can pray in Ebonics, broken English, bad English or no English at all. You don’t need to attend a prayer clinic or take private lessons from a prayer pro to be able to pray(in the church we call prayer pros prayer warriors). You don’t even need to know how to pray, to pray. Prayer is simply communicating with God; with whatever language you communicate with. God understands our prayers, regardless of the words we use. Jesus actually criticized the Pharisees and other religious folk for their eloquent prayer styles. If we feel the need to practice our prayers it should not be to impress or out perform other prayer warriors, but to master the basics in order that our prayers will go exactly where we want them to go.

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them… When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! [1]

Frank Lauback, a missionary to the Philippines in the early 1900s, came up with a basic practice to improve our prayer life; which involves asking God two questions throughout our day:

• Lord, what do you want me to say?
• Lord, what do you want me to do?

This week, try improving your prayer game by practicing asking the Lord those two basic questions whenever there’s a need to say something or do something. Before you make a phone call, send a text message, or answer your phone, ask, “Lord, what do you want me to say?” Before you do anything--such as make a purchase, attend a meeting, or go on vacation, ask, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" Following Laubach’s basic prayer plan will not only keep your prayers focused, but will enable you to powerfully connect with the heart of God.

By the way, John and I never did play a game of golf, nor did John join the rest of us in playing Scrabble and UNO. Obviously, practicing the basics of golf helps us to not think more highly of ourselves than we ought. We can also assume that practicing the basics of prayer will enable us to become more honest in our evaluation of ourselves.

[1] Matthew 6:5, 7, 8 (NLT)