Because of the regal celebrity of Michael Jackson (also dubbed the “King of Pop”) there is a great storm of controversy surrounding his death. As many know, the last ten years of his life seemed to be mired with confusion and controversy. I caution us in the days and months ahead to let the facts speak for themselves. Any finalized charges, such as those dealing with past allegations concerning children or financial issues, have been settled in a court of law. Additionally the present mystery surrounding his death will most likely be clarified after the return of the toxicology reports. In the meantime, most of what we hear on television is conjecture and mere speculation.

I believe that we need to approach the evaluation of Michael Jackson’s life with empathy and fairness. Most people don’t know what it is like to miss your childhood entertaining the world while vicariously living out your father’s dream. You don’t have to be a psychologist to realize that Michael missed a lot of normalcy in his childhood and experienced some situations that scarred him spiritually and psychologically. As an adult he possessed materially pretty much whatever he desired, but yet in his heart it seemed he always chased a lost childhood. His development as a human being certainly took on the shape that was much different than the average person. Many have joked and criticized him for his numerous plastic surgeries. What most people don’t realize is that when people want to change something about their appearance, it is usually because they don’t like the way they look, which generally comes from low self-esteem. The debate still rages about Michael’s pre-plastic and post-plastic surgery appearance. In reality his face was his to do with as he pleased and obviously he struggled with insecurities about his looks. People need to really be honest and admit that if they had Michael’s money and they could have surgery to remove fat, a crooked nose or something else they disliked about their appearance, they would. I have been saying this for years, “There is a reason why people do what they do.” Bad or good–there is a reason behind our behavior. I’m not here to justify any criminal or evil behavior; I am merely stating the facts that there is always a reason behind why we do something.

Some would envy his mammoth celebrity and criticize him because of his wealth. Money can’t really bring you happiness; only making peace with God and yourself can accomplish this. Also what good is wealth and fame if you can’t enjoy it within the realm of normality? Although Michael was the most famous man on the planet for decades, his life was actually lived in a bubble. The enormity of his celebrity didn’t afford him the opportunity to freely enjoy life without the intrusion of the adoring public. Some might sit on the sidelines and say that is the price you pay for success, but it doesn’t change the suffocating life you must live because of the fanatical behavior of people. A simple trip to the grocery store or movie theatre is recorded and documented by a hulking, stalking media known as the paparazzi. Yes, a simple trip to the grocery store or movie theatre could be broadcast all over the world by the end of the day. Who in their right mind would want such attention? Living a confining life can create isolation if you aren’t careful. Isolation can spurn antisocial behavior or inspire an excessive need to be around people. Frankly, we can’t begin to know what it was like to be Michael Jackson and we never will.

One thing I do know is this: He was the greatest entertainer I have ever seen and I don’t believe there will ever be another like him. His ability and skill were transcendent. The impact he had on people was mystical. He undoubtedly was a gifted soul who touched many people with his music and philanthropy. While it is true with every great man or woman there are myths associated with them, in reality no matter how great or popular, people are yet people. We should never forget that behind the greatness, power, wealth, eccentricity, celebrity, and legend of Michael Jackson, there was a man. I hope that he made peace with God. The world wasn’t there before he took his last breath so our speculation about what he believed is irrelevant. Only God can judge him and now all matters that pertain to his life have been moved to a higher court of law. The man once dubbed as the “King of Pop” shall without question, one day stand in the presence of the one true king, Jesus the Christ. My prayers go out to Michael’s children and the Jackson family. I pray that in the days ahead that you would gingerly and respectfully recognize the success of Michael along with his failures and draw a conclusion not based on sensationalistic news reports, malice, or arrogance but empathy and love. Farewell Michael Joseph Jackson you have touched billions of people with your talents and gifts. I pray that you have finally found rest in the arms of God.

Don’t forget I have written a new book that has already impacted many people nationwide. Purchase your copy of “Why Faith? Your Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Tough Times”. It will bless you and change your life. It can be purchased online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Target, BooksAMillion or wherever fine books are sold. DON’T DELAY ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

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Again long term goals usually are more complicated and take more time to develop.  These goals should be planned soberly with ample time to accomplish them.  Unless you are fortunate to be the recipient of a dream house on an Extreme Makeover Show you usually don’t build a house in three or four days.  There are some issues that can’t be fixed now so don’t worry, schedule them to be handled later at a more appropriate time. 

It is then best to organize the short and long term goals by importance.  For example if you were cleaning a house what rooms are most visible to guests?  I asked this question because we usually don’t want our guest sitting in a junky, dirty, unorganized room.  We don’t want them to experience dirty clothes, dirty carpet, dirty dishes, etc.  Since we want our visitors to have a neat, pleasurable experience our priority usually is to clean the areas first that people will most likely have access to.  Order and arrangement are vital in reestablishing and reclaiming your life.  What things should be fixed first in your life?  What things should be addressed first within you?

Before you answer these questions I want you to know helping others is great but who is helping you?  Sometimes in listing our priorities we either list ourselves last or we don’t at all.  What good is it for you to build a new house that you can never enjoy?  While our motives are pure in sacrificing ourselves they just aren’t wise.  If you really want to help people you first need to help yourself.  Sometimes we miss this nugget of truth.  Being strong for everybody and then breaking down later in the long run isn’t profitable for the people you helped.  If you really want to help others and be there in the long run help yourself first.  You can’t give all your joy away and not keep any for yourself.  You can’t share peace and not keep any for yourself.  You can’t give all of your money away and not keep any for yourself.  If you don’t keep some things and replenish yourself you will become bankrupt spiritually, emotionally and financially.  My advice to you is take some time for yourself. 

Feed yourself spiritually by praying, reading the bible and depositing positive things into your heart.  Secondly take time away from your problems even if it is just for an hour and find a way to relax and meditate on good things.  Thirdly do what you can, that’s all that is required and if God doesn’t help you with the rest it isn’t meant to happen anyway.  Accepting your limitations will help to take the onus off yourself and put it on God or whoever the problem really belongs too. 

I leave you with Matthew 6:31, 33 from the Amplified Bible. 31. “Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? 33. But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. “

Don’t forget I have written a new book that has already impacted many people nationwide.  Purchase your copy of “Why Faith? Your Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Tough Times”.  It will bless you and change your life.  It can be purchased online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Target, BooksAMillion or wherever fine books are sold.

If you want it now just go to www.aggreenministries.org.  Click on the “Buy Now” button and the book will be right at your fingertips.  Thanks for your support and with your help “Why Faith?” will become a bestseller.

Recent reports have indicated that America has seen a decline in Christianity. Apparently there is a decrease in the amount of people who claim to be Christians. As a result many people appear to be shocked and disturbed. I’ll agree it is disturbing but what do we expect? I heard President Obama say during his recent travels overseas as he aimed his message toward Muslims that America had Christians but it wasn’t a Christian nation. As much as I support his presidency I shuddered and deplored what he said. But yet I had to ponder his statement and I came to the conclusion that he was right. Yes this country was founded upon Judeo-Christian values but it has always tolerated the inclusion of other religions even to its detriment. Has it ever been officially declared that the U.S. is a Christian nation? Other countries have incorporated their religions officially as a part of their legal and political structure but the U. S. hasn’t. It is true that many of our laws were extracted from the bible but the U.S. has long departed from the core beliefs that helped shape this country into something great.

If you look around you will see the moral compass of our nation that was once predicated upon the magnetic field generated by the bible has now been replaced with immoral and unscrupulous legal interpretations of judges thus damaging the strands of Christianity that are explicably woven into the nucleus of America. We must face the truth and that is anything that is associated with God and his stern principles of scripture are under attack. Prayer has been expelled from school, graduation ceremonies, and a host of other events. The biblical standard of marriage being between a man and woman is being challenged and usurped by the evil arrogance of men. Amidst tough economic times America is most definitely experiencing spiritual and moral decay.

Hebrews 6:19 says “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast…” Hope is an anchor or stabilizing force of our lives. Sometimes I have the opportunity to vacation near water and admire the beautiful watery landscape of the ocean or sea. I particularly love to watch ships sailing and treading through the water like a knife slicing butter. I must admit the most impressive part about the operation of a ship is what is used to keep it from floating adrift. A weighty anchor that is several thousand times smaller than the ship is dropped into the water to keep it stationary. How could such a small, heavy piece of iron hold a ship in place that weighs thousands of pounds? As an anchor is to a ship so is hope to our soul. Hope provides stability and security. When we have hope we have good expectations. We must always have good expectations from God. As our hope in God increases it positively impacts our hope for our personal lives.

Although our nation and world are in critical condition we should never lose our hope in God. We must relish our position in the Kingdom of God and act like God’s Word is true. The greater one lives on the inside of us and all things must work together for the good of the believer. Keep hoping and fighting for what you believe and know is right. Hope won’t let us float aimlessly into a sea of compromise or depression. It anchors us in the power of God and the expectation of something greater being released into our lives. Don’t give up hope and certainly don’t give up your faith in a better life.

Don’t forget I have written a new book that has already impacted many people nationwide. Purchase your copy of “Why Faith? Your Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Tough Times”. It will bless you and change your life. It can be purchased online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Target, BooksAMillion or wherever fine books are sold.

If you want it now just go to www.aggreenministries.org. Click on the “Buy Now” button and the book will be right at your fingertips. Thanks for your support and with your help “Why Faith?” will become a bestseller.

TOUGH TIMES REQUIRE TOUGH FAITH! DO YOU REALLY HAVE FAITH AND HOPE IN GOD?

I just passed by the television and noticed our new president announcing the end of the war in Iraq.  He subsequently announced the timetable for the withdrawal of our troops.  Upon his announcement I couldn’t help but think about the times we live in. 

The United States of America and many other countries around the world have faced some tough times in recent years.  For those who keep up with the latest news I don’t have to remind you of the natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, earthquakes, icy winters and so much more. These natural disasters didn’t just cripple our way of life they stole hundreds of lives.  I don’t have to remind you of perverted crime sprees, senseless murders and crooked politics.  Senseless murders have occurred such as a baby being shot in the head and innocent families being slaughtered by evil souls. I don’t have to remind you of war, wars which have taken the lives of over three thousand Americans in both Iraq and Afghanistan combined.  Men and women of all ages died but the young made up a vast majority of them.  I don’t have to remind you of the economic crisis in the United States that has seen hundreds of thousands of people lose their jobs, homes, cars, and personal dignity in the process. 

The question may rise is there hope? Where is our help? How much more can I take?  Many questions loom in our minds but I yet believe there is hope.  I also believe that it is time for a reality check.  While many of us are grateful for new leadership and the election of a new president.  We must yet realize that our lives are in the hands of something much bigger than a politician.  No I’m not talking about the new age term “universe”.  The universe is actually a collection of gaseous matter.  The universe can’t give you anything. Whether we believe it or not our lives are still affected by a creator who yet impacts the lives of humanity. 

Yes there is something bigger.  In our society he is called God more specifically Jehovah or Yahweh.  When is the last time you utilized real faith in God?  When is the last time you had real hope in God?  I am not talking about being cynical about a television preacher or false teacher.  I am talking about faith and hope as a result of a real relationship with God.   If you know God is real then why do you doubt him?  If you know God is real then why don’t you have hope?  I will continue my discussion in my next entry but I want all readers to really ponder over these questions and more.  If we are going to survive and thrive in tough times we must get back to the basics of connecting with the one who made us all. We connect with God by faith and if we really believe He has good plans for our lives we must believe it no matter what happens!

Why Faith

Why Faith? – Your Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Tough Times is both a tool and a weapon that empowers people to take charge of their lives and believe in the power of God.  Why Faith? progressively informs and emboldens the reader with faith and hope to endure the tough times we live in.  As people are struggling financially, socially, and vocationally, they are also wavering spiritually in their faith.  

Why Faith helps answer the question of the importance of faith and simultaneously lifts the reader to higher heights elevating them above their current struggles.   It is a must read for people who have been discouraged, depressed or just want to know how to gain more faith and hope.   Each chapter contains powerful tools such as “Personal Reflections” which is a series of thought provoking questions, also “Intimate Reflections” which are pure nuggets of motivation, and a “Reflections Journal” which is a place to write your thoughts or answers to questions.  

If you are ready to pursue your destiny then you must read Why Faith – Your Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Tough Times.