Add Ozzy to your prayer list

BP NEWS ^ | Nov 26, 2002 | Dan Wooding

[Dubya]

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (BP)--Ozzy Osbourne has been known for many years as the bad boy of heavy metal. Now, because of the recent MTV show that chronicles the strange goings-on in the Osbournes’ Beverly Hills mansion, he is also known as the head of America's most dysfunctional family.

But recently, the world has seen another side to Ozzy, who was born in the city where I was raised -- Birmingham, England. During a recent interview on U.S. TV with Barbara Walters, he broke down in tears after being questioned about his wife Sharon's colon cancer.

Ozzy became tearful when Walters asked the rock star what Sharon meant to him.

"She's the greatest love I've ever had in my life. She's my pillar of strength and hope," he said.

He added: "I'm absolutely horrified. It's the worst thing that could ever happen."

Their daughter Kelly added that she feared for the family if her mother died.

Many will be surprised to learn that Ozzy has received friendship from several Christians, including keyboard legend Rick Wakeman of YES. Wakeman even persuaded Ozzy Osbourne to sing the lyrics, "The devil no longer has all the best tunes," on a marvelous track called "Buried Alive" on Wakeman's epic album, "Return To The Centre Of The Earth," which was released a couple of years ago by EMI Classics. The album was the sequel to "Journey to the Centre of the Earth," his number one hit recording of more than 27 years ago.

"I chose Ozzy because he has a great voice, is a great friend, and was the right man for the song," Wakeman said in an interview at the time of the release of this double album. "I worked with Ozzy on his 'Ozzmosis' album a few years ago in New York and really thought it was a tremendous recording. There is so much more to Ozzy than meets the eye, or the ear.

"The actual line you refer to that he sings is 'The devil no longer has all the best tunes', but there are a few other 'Christian'-oriented lines in 'Buried Alive,' as indeed there are throughout the recording."

I asked Rick if he had talked to Ozzy about his Christian faith.

"Ozzy and I have discussed many things in the 30 years we've known each other and that has included God," he said. "I'm not going to say any more on this subject as the things we discussed were pretty personal. Whilst my faith is well-known and I am always happy to discuss it openly whenever asked, I don't think it's right to talk about where another person is on their personal spiritual path, for in many cases only God is aware of it."

So how should we, as Christians, respond to Ozzy Osbourne in his time of need? Many in the church have been all too quick to judge him for his many strange antics, but I believe this is now the time for Christians all over the world to pray fervently for him, Sharon and the rest of the family.

Already one well-known church in Hollywood has put Sharon on their prayer list, and maybe we could also add Ozzy and the children to our personal prayer lists as well. After all, why should the devil have all the good music and musicians? Why, indeed?

Who knows? Maybe our prayers, instead of our criticism, might just see a great spiritual turnaround in this rather extraordinary and troubled family. Now wouldn't that be something. --30-- Wooding, a British journalist now living in Southern California, is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times). Reprinted from ASSIST News Service.

[South40]

I saw Black Sabbath three times in the late 70's/early 80's. Ozzy may be a drunk and a pill popper but he's somehow likable. His music brings back many memories too. My girlfriend at the time, Janet, is one. Janet is now my wife.

[joesnuffy]

If I can be saved....Ozzy certainly can :)

[Dubya]

God bless you and your wife.

[Bosco]

I saw the Osbournes this past week or so on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. (I don't have cable, so I have not seen the MTV program...)

Ozzy had some sort of shaking going on with his hands - what is the cause?

[Dubya]

Same here Joe. :^)

[Dubya]

I don't know but I hope he is OK. I don't even know who he is. I've never seen him I guess. Read a little about him and I received this and wanted to get the word out for all to pray for him that will pray for him.
I seen on FR here a while back that he was with the Pres. I think.

[DallasMike]

Some strongly Christian friends of mine befriended a member of the Osbourne family a while back and I can report that there are positive changes happening.

[Dubya]

Good for them and thanks for the update.

[Dubya]

I guess he seen Jesus in our Pres. and Mrs. Bush. Our actions speak louder than our words most of the time.

[bigfootbob]

One of the best rock albums I ever heard was an Ozzy record. I don't recall the name but it had Randy Rhoades as lead guitarist. Another rock artist lost to a small plane crash. On a side note, I was at the Bull Island Soda Pop festival in 1970 or '71 in Wabash, Indiana. Black Sabbath was suppose to be one of the headliners at the 3 day show. That is until they landed in their helicopter and saw 230,000 wild eyed concert goers. They said the security wasn't sufficient and left. It caused a riot.

[stanz]

I would venture to say that it's the result of years of alcoholism and drugs which have taken their toll.

[Moby Grape]

Pat Boone and his wife are also friends of the Osbourne family.

[NewRomeTacitus]

Christians believe in helping the fallen and troubled, not in killing and maiming them like that hateful cult sweeping the planet. The difference lies between hearts moved by love and souls poisoned with hate.
Ozzy obviously loves his family more than life itself (like all good fathers) but is challenged by drug and alcohol damage. He makes no excuses for that and attempts to get on with life in a positive manner. I don't like the way MTV has depicted him as a side-show attraction when it's obvious to anyone who watches closely that he's doing the best he can. I stopped watching the show after the 3rd episode.

[Paul_B]

I really like the spirit of this article. It's so easy to be deceived by appearances and miss what the Lord wants to do. His preparatory work is so often in secret.

[TN4Liberty]

I think he would agree with you. I saw him on his program the other day warning his kids about drugs and alcohol. He said, "Yes, I took drugs and drank and now look at me!" He was sincerely using his health as a warning to them. I found it interesting.

But he still isn't a role model.

[AAABEST]

I guess he seen Jesus in our Pres. and Mrs. Bush.

I guess you "seen" a doctor lately? You know, the kind where you lay on the sofa for a few hours. If not, you should.