A Review of the Circus

The following post is not a critique on Michael Jackson, his music, or his life. Let me make that clear from the start. I am not concerned here about evaluating anything about him. My comments are strictly related to the circus that has surrounded his death. For example, I just read that the memorial service that the city of Los Angeles put on was so expensive that they've set up a website to receive donations to help pay for it.

I've (unsuccessfully) tried to avoid the whole mess, but you can't turn anywhere without hearing about it. (In fact, you're reading about it right now! Ugh - I'm a carrier!) You sit in a restaurant with a TV on, and there it is. You listen to sports radio (sports radio!!!), and there it is. You overhear someone at work, and there it is. You buy anything from the grocery store, and there it is all over.

I'm amazed that anyone's death would generate so much attention (but I'm not surprised). No offense, but the man sang songs and danced. He sang songs, and he danced. But there something inside a whole lot of people (perhaps some of you reading this) that has been deeply affected by his singing and dancing. For some, that resonance is so strong that they are highly motivated to be a part of the funeral event. Somehow, Jackson was that important to them.

Some have expressed anger that a man accused (but acquitted) of heinous acts would receive such adulation. Like the recent death of former NFL star Steve McNair, I've also read those who advocate that we completely ignore any moral indiscretions because the performance on stage (or on the football field) was so good. Apparently, talent is of higher value than ethics.

But, there's a certain logic to all of this circus, at least in a non-Christian environment. In a society that rejects Christ, or God in any way, must venerate societal icons. If all we have is what people accomplish during their short lifetimes, then those who achieve in even one particular area logically must be celebrated, regardless of other aspects of their lives. That's all we have to lift up, if there is no Christ to lift up.

So, my anger (I'll admit it) gives way to pity. Rather than seeing the circus and getting mad, my emotional response is becoming pity more and more. How sad it is that instead of venerating Christ, people worldwide are lifting up a mere man. Not that we shouldn't properly grieve the passing of individuals, but the iconic adulation is misplaced. We should grieve the Cross more than we grieve the loss of an entertainer. We should celebrate the resurrected Christ more than we should give our devotion to a quarterback or a singer or a politician.

We are witnessing misplaced devotion. And it is profoundly sad - more sad than the loss of a mere man.

Latest from Kenya

Justin and Sarah Bothwell gave us a great report of their recent trip to Kenya this past Sunday in church. It was fantastic to see pictures of the orphans (now 167 strong!), the progress on the buildings that we've been praying for and contributing to, the tractor, the running water - we're thankful for what the Lord is doing! Despite the ethnic violence and severe inflation, we are still seeing amazing things.

Some quick notes of what else is going on in Kenya:

• Friends of Christ has opened a second orphanage in Wachara. Right now, it's just in the beginning stages - not even quite to the level that Sarah experienced in Ahero during her trip in 2004. There are now just a handful of children.
  
• Inflation in Kenya has been devastating because of the conflicts. The costs for the daily operations of the orphanage and the construction have risen dramatically - some prices have doubled, others have even quadrupled!
  
• A couple of students from AEST (the seminary Ben Byxbe and I have taught at) planted a church in Wachara, and after meeting under a tree for months, they are now meeting in a temporary building.
• Pastor Benard reports that many of the students will not be able to return to AEST because of the costs. Please consider contributing to AEST to help them return (make a check out to DBC, and put "AEST" on the memo line).
  
• We have learned that our visits to Ahero not only do a lot of good for the children, students, and teachers, but can also unexpectedly bring some dangers to our hosts. These dangers are new since the ethic violence that erupted earlier this year. Therefore, we need to adjust our strategies for any future trips.
• Hungry 4 Him, the organization that oversees our ministry in Kenya, has been operating under Dublin Bible Church sinced its inception. However, we are coming closer to establishing H4H as a separate, not-for-profit organization. We will, of course, continue to work closely with DBC.
• I will be in Kenya Sept 14-26. I will primarily be teaching at the seminary, but I'm sure I'll be asked to conduct a conference and preach a couple of times. I will be teaching the students the Gospel of John and the doctrine of angels.
• After I return, we will begin to explore the possibility of putting together another team to go to Kenya within the next couple of years. Because of the dangers, the size of the Ahero orphanage, and the new oppportunities in the South Nyanza region, if we take another team, they will have a different assignment than the 9-person team we took in 2006. Details will be forthcoming.
• A book about Pastor Benard and his ministry is very close to publication. H4H will be helping to distribute the books. When the books are available, we will let you know so you can buy some. We will also be looking for volunteers to give us a couple of hours per month to help get ordered books sent through the post office.
  

Please remember to be praying for the ministries in Kenya (Friends of Christ orphanage in Ahero, Friends of Christ orphanage in Wachara, AEST, and the churches). And please pray for me starting now, continuing through my return on the 26th.