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Celebrity Deaths The
last week and a half has really been hard on “celebrities” as four have
passed away. Two were expected: Farrah Fawcett was battling cancer, and Ed
McMahon had been in failing health. The other two were unexpected. Michael
Jackson was 50 years old and preparing for a concert tour. He died suddenly at
home from unknown causes (at this time). The other was not so famous but still a
celebrity pitch man. He sold everything from instant glue, to cleaning supplies,
to insurance. I am talking about Billy Mays. I can still hear Billy yelling over
the Television about this great new product. Unfortunately, Billy went to bed
and did not wake up. He died of heart disease. So what lessons can we learn from
these folks. To
state the obvious, everyone will die. They were rich and famous but they are now
dead. Farrah Fawcett was the heart throb of the 1970’s with her swimsuit
poster. Michael Jackson’s album “Thriller” dominated the music industry
for a number of years. It is estimated he made a billion dollars but died almost
broke. Ed McMahon was on late night television as the side kick to Johnny
Carson. For our younger viewers just think David Letterman. Likewise he died
practically broke. I don’t know much about Billy Mays except he was on
television a lot and was really loud. He was a master sells man. There was even
a reality television show called “Pitch Men” featuring Billy Mays. None of
those things matters now. They are dead and await the Day of Judgment. To
state another obvious fact, they lived lives without God. Michael Jackson was
brought up as a Jehovah Witness but he eventually left that faith. There is no
indication he ever learned the truth. Farrah Fawcett lived with Ryan O’Neil
for a number of years and had a child by him but again there is no indication
she knew the Gospel of Christ. The same can be said for the other two
celebrities. Those not knowing and not obeying the Gospel of Christ will be
lost, 2 Thess. 1.8-9. Finally,
it is incredible how death makes everyone better. Most of the news coverage of
Michael Jackson has been about his music and talent. Albeit some has centered on
possible drug usage and his strange behavior, but most has been positive
coverage. Michael Jackson was a nut case. He was charged with child molestation
a couple of times. He paid one family 24 million dollars to go away and was
found innocent in the second case. Personally I don’t know what Michael
Jackson did or did not do but God does. Every act of Michael Jackson, Farrah
Fawcett, Ed McMahon, and Billy Mays will be brought before God on the Day of
Judgment. We
can not do anything about the rich and famous. They will live their lives and
eventually go the way of all mankind. But we can live our lives so as to go to
heaven. Let us not be enamored by the fame and fortune of this world but by the
heavenly home that awaits those that love God. – Dennis Tucker |