They say bad things happen in 3's. First Ed McMahon, then Farrah, now Michael Jackson. I've been gripped today by the same news you heard of Michael Jackson's death. I think equally compelling to me are the quotable words quickly streaming through radio and tv. "We shall never stop talking about Michael Jackson", Al Sharpton. "Such a larger than life person is just a human body", Fox News as he was being transported to the LA Coroner office. "The most famous person in the world", Tommy Mottola. "Maybe the most famous man on planet earth", Fox News.
750 million albums sold. 2-time inductee into the Rock-and-Roll hall of fame. Songwriter hall of fame. 13-time Grammy award winner. 13 solo #1 hits. That will make you famous and get people talking....for a little while. Meanwhile, in the frenzied wake of a few hours after the news, many clubs and radio stations are playing the tunes that made him famous as an anthem memory. The self-proclaimed, "King of Pop" was always center stage and the world was always watching.
Good things happen in 3's too. One God existing in 3 distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus had a 3 year public ministry. 3 nails were used for his crucifixion. On the 3rd day Jesus rose from the dead. 2,000 years later we're still talking about Him. Why? Because He is the King of kings. (1 Timothy 6:15)
On his robe and thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev. 19:16)
As I flew to Miami today, I read 1 John and was struck again by the overwhelming emphasis on God's love and offer of life. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:12 In other words, he who does not have the Son only has whatever awards, money and accolodes you can get in this life.
I don't know Michael Jackson's fate. I do know it's sealed now. In coming days watch the world's reaction. We will see worship at its best! Then what? The music will fade and we'll go back to life as we know it. You have an anthem. We all do. Who will you never stop talking about? I hope it's the King of kings. His name is Jesus. He who has the Son has life....forever.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Do we want the Presents or the Presence?
I've been struck lately and have been pondering the whole Michael Phelps thing. Disturbing. Disappointing. Sad.
This is what I find so striking: A man whose chest has been covered with gold medals, has achieved international fame, showered with awards, (PRESENTS) and blessed with an incomprehensible amount of money, still feels compelled to press his face to a bong.
What was he searching for at the bottom of that bong? What emptiness in his soul was he trying to satisfy? Do YOU see it? 8 Gold medals...hello! Now there is no debate over whether the 23-year-old is gifted with athletic greatness. He is. And financially Phelps is set for life. It is estimated that his potential earnings will reach somewhere around $100 million.
Emptiness comes when we become satisfied with PRESENTS without PRESENCE.
Enter Exodus 33. God was leading Moses to a promise. Along the way people just like us, obstinate, hard-hearted, wayward, were making the journey with him. Moses would enter the tent of meeting and all the people would arise and stand at the entrance and worship. "Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend." Interestingly, Joshua, Moses' servant, must have been hungry, thirsty......for God, for PRESENCE...., as he would not depart from the tent.
Years later as Moses is gone Joshua gets handed the leadership baton. Go. Carry on. Lead. Step out. Faith. Through the Jordan river. Don't you know he thought back to the tent days. How will I lead? Moses is gone! What now? In a word...PRESENCE.
I want to be like Joshua.
During the next few weeks we're talking about the Presence of God as we know it through the Spirit of God. So much of life is lived with limited awareness of the indwelling, enabling POWER of the Holy Spirit residing in those who have put their faith in Christ. We want to take a megaphone and shout, "Get in touch with the Holy Spirit of God". He will enable you. indwell you. encourage you. teach you. be your constant companion.
This is what I find so striking: A man whose chest has been covered with gold medals, has achieved international fame, showered with awards, (PRESENTS) and blessed with an incomprehensible amount of money, still feels compelled to press his face to a bong.
What was he searching for at the bottom of that bong? What emptiness in his soul was he trying to satisfy? Do YOU see it? 8 Gold medals...hello! Now there is no debate over whether the 23-year-old is gifted with athletic greatness. He is. And financially Phelps is set for life. It is estimated that his potential earnings will reach somewhere around $100 million.
Emptiness comes when we become satisfied with PRESENTS without PRESENCE.
Enter Exodus 33. God was leading Moses to a promise. Along the way people just like us, obstinate, hard-hearted, wayward, were making the journey with him. Moses would enter the tent of meeting and all the people would arise and stand at the entrance and worship. "Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend." Interestingly, Joshua, Moses' servant, must have been hungry, thirsty......for God, for PRESENCE...., as he would not depart from the tent.
Years later as Moses is gone Joshua gets handed the leadership baton. Go. Carry on. Lead. Step out. Faith. Through the Jordan river. Don't you know he thought back to the tent days. How will I lead? Moses is gone! What now? In a word...PRESENCE.
I want to be like Joshua.
During the next few weeks we're talking about the Presence of God as we know it through the Spirit of God. So much of life is lived with limited awareness of the indwelling, enabling POWER of the Holy Spirit residing in those who have put their faith in Christ. We want to take a megaphone and shout, "Get in touch with the Holy Spirit of God". He will enable you. indwell you. encourage you. teach you. be your constant companion.
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