Michael Jackson's Real Legacy

(Posted 7/15/09 on http://www.ccfw.org/)

Michael Jackson's Real Legacy. A post by Greg Stier, guest Columnist for the Christian Post (July 11, 2009). "...Michael Jackson, perhaps the most talented musician in the history of humanity, died a tragic death and lived an even more tragic life. But I believe that there is one legacy he left that will make a lasting difference..."

Religion Thriller: Michael Jackson & Faith

(posted 7/8/09 on http://www.ccfw.org/)

Here is a brief Michael Jackson religion roundup. Make of it what you will...Posted July 1, 2009 by Michael Paulson (covers religion for The Boston Globe).

What's Next for Michael Jackson

What’s Next for Michael Jackson?

The worldwide reaction to Michael Jackson's death has been unbelievable in the amount of discussion it has prompted. His pop star status, unique musical talent, strange and sad personal life, dysfunctional family background, prescription drug abuse and so much more have all become front-page topics for everyone to read and talk about, but what has been noticeably absent from the discussion is Michael’s destiny beyond death. When Michael died, where did he go? This is a subject that evokes all kinds of reactions and beliefs, yet it is one that don’t want to neglect or misunderstand since it is the future course of every person’s life.

Talk of the afterlife is mysterious to many and full of all kinds of intriguing beliefs: from thinking there is nothing beyond the grave (you just go out of existence) to reincarnation (continual cyclic rebirths or transmigration to greater or lesser forms of life depending upon the karma you sowed in the previous life) to everlasting life in one place or another.

For Christians, the Bible teaches that every person will give an account of his life to God and participate in an eternity beyond the grave. It says “it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). God describes two possible destinies for all human beings: one is heaven and the other is hell…both are eternal and places of conscious existence. Your destination is determined in this life by what one does with the Person of Jesus Christ. Jesus said many things about our eternity, but the following two statements sum up His thoughts most clearly.

• “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, see also John 5:24, 6:40, 47, 11:25-26)
• “…for unless you believe that I Am He, you shall die in your sins” (John 8:24, see also John 3:36)

What’s next for Michael Jackson or you and me for that matter? It all depends on what we do with Jesus Christ. He alone gave His life in death for us because of our sin and He alone rose from the dead to prove what He did on the cross was true. He said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” (John 14:6). That’s the good news…we don’t have to fear death or what’s beyond the grave because Jesus Christ provided a forgiveness for anyone who wants to turn from their sins and trust Him for their needed rescue.

Why would we wait to see what happens when we can make reservations now for our future eternity?