Posted on 12/31/2006 8:14:19 AM PST by ladyL
Subject: The Book of Proverbs Come to Life
Did anybody happen to notice yesterday the picture God painted for us as we watched the events of the day unfold on every news station around the world. The portrait of three men's lives shown clearly through the events of their deaths. One a wise man, one a foolish man and one a wicked man.
Three men captured the world's attention by their lives and their deaths. Their funerals spoke volumes about the course of life they had chosen to pursue with the few short years God had granted to them. Yesterday, God opened the Book of Proverbs and showed the world the truths contained in His sacred Word.
All three men, President Ford, James Brown and Sadam Hussein had choices in their destiny. Today they have all three stood in front of the God of this universe with those choices unveiled and judged.
God allowed us to see three men yesterday.
President Gerald Ford, a man whose faith in God and service to his country was eulogized by many speakers during the solemn and dignified ceremonies which marked his passing. A man of character and integrity, not perfect but made righteous by his faith in Jesus Christ. It was in this righteousness he lived out his life as a servant to his fellowman and his country. Great men and dignitaries attended his funeral. All coming to pay respect and honor to a man most deserving.
James Brown also was eulogized in a funeral ceremony befitting his life choices. There was blaring rock music, gyrating bodies, costumes, and great sensual displays of revelry to portray the contribution this man had given through his life to his fellowman. He lived a life of drugs, alcohol, immorality and rock music. He was heralded the the father of Rap music and the inspiration of Michael Jackson's greatness. His funeral with all of it's theatrics was befitting the excess of waste his life portrayed.
Then we had the gruesome hanging of Sadam Hussein. His death as gory as his life. A brutal murderer and dictator, hung by his neck and secreted away in the middle of the night to an unmarked grave. Thousands of Iraqis celebrated his death for through his life he had brought untold misery and death to many. A man so wicked that it seemed the world breathed a collective sigh of relief at the pronouncement of his death.
Three men, three men who left their mark on the entire world, three famous men. All three have now stood before their Creator to answer for the choices they made in their life as you and I will someday.
There is only one choice and Gerald Ford's life exemplifies the nobility of choosing to walk in harmony with The Creator through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as his Redeemer.
James Brown choose to walk in the flesh. His life's work glorified the flesh and his death magnified the flesh.
Sadam Hussein choose evil. He was a narcissistic megalomaniac. His life glorified evil and his death was gruesome.
This all played out in one day. God painted a great picture for mankind to see. I pray people got His message.
Rodney...obviously we all hope that James accepted Jesus as his personal savior before he died.
However, I think that Lady is trying to make more of a broad statement. To say that James Brown lived for the flesh is not out of line based on what we have to see.
I think the parable of the wise, foolish, and evil comparison certainly bears merit. It's not that rock and roll is evil...Third Day is absolutely annointed, as are many other Christian rock bands, IMHO. However, the "rock and roll lifestyle" is taken to embody all the drugs, sex, and self indulgence seen in the past 30 years. Every band that plays rock music certainly doesn't ascribe to that lifestyle.
Again...I presume to speak for Lady L, but I think it is more of a broad brush observation of yesterday's events.
"I didn't know you had to earn your way into heaven, other than by accepting Jesus as saviour..."
Pledging allegiance to Jesus while living a life in complete opposition to his teachings and message is worthless. Mere lip service. Not saying anything about James Brown in particular, but the simple truth.
So many Christians seem to say that one act of accepting Jesus and then continuing to live a selfish life with one's own desires as the guiding light is all you need.
Well, Jesus taught many things - so many that never made it into the Bible - and guess what! We're supposed to change the way we live and follow his instructions and teachings. Not just an emotional conversion experience and then back to living in the world as though my personal enjoyment is the center of my life.
That's nothing but rank hypocricy and the most shallow superficial "religion".
Did you miss the part about drugs and alcohol? Maybe you like his music, but there's not much to admire about how he lived his life. "Foolish" was an apt description--a man who had many gifts, and smoked and drank them all away.
I never said I like James Brown or that he was a good man. Yes, he did drugs and alcohol. Is everyone who did condemmned to hell?
The problem is that the broad brush paints rather broadly, and attempts to condemn to hell plenty of Christians.
Well said, and very true. Still, you and I have no idea how hard he tried, and weather or not James Brown was victorious in overcoming his problems in the end. We also don't know his relationship with Christ in the end. Now, it is one thing to say that he lived a foolish life, squandered his talent, and did things that seperated himself from God. It is quite another to condemn to hell anyone who has ever played rock and roll or had drug and alcohol problems.
Quite possibly (even probably) but if so, they filed by the casket quietly and reverently...
Did you read the chapter of the book referenced? I would think the 7th verse might apply here.
7 He who keeps the law is a discerning son,
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
But ultimately, I think the answer will depend on repentence.
So you do believe then that anyone who has abused drugs or alcohol is going to hell? I myself believe in the New Convenant.. but that's just me. Now, none of this is to defend Brown or his lifestyle, just to defend those who would condemn to hell others, while ignoring "judge not, lest ye be judged yourselves". But then again, that is New Testament also.
Be very clear. I am not condemning anyone to Hell. That is up to my Father, and I just posted His words as written in the Bible.
Oh, I know that you are not, but I think Ladyj sure is.
I suppose that's one possible source of his inspiration, but given the historical record, you might want to consider the possibility of a different source.
Good one, ladyL.
David wrote quite a few of them.
***Pledging allegiance to Jesus while living a life in complete opposition to his teachings and message is worthless. Mere lip service. Not saying anything about James Brown in particular, but the simple truth. ***
Well said.
Very good reading, thank you.
Amen, little J. I see so many people who have 'gone forward' to accept Christ at some time in their lives but their lives do not reflect that choice. Sad for them.
Sorry, I don't mean to say David. He wrote many of the Psalms. It was Solomon who wrote Proverbs. He was the wisest man. Too bad he didn't live a life of wisdom.
"a life of drugs, alcohol, immorality and rock music.'
Heh. Carrie Nation, is that you?\
Yeah, I know. Carrie 'who'?
Just like Elvis. He was brought up on gospel music and turned away from God to live his own brand of life. He was so gifted. I know it was a continual struggle for him between God and the world and the devil. His gospel record was terrific and I know he felt that spirit, but did nothing much with it. I pray he's in heaven. I really do.
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