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When death comes - Celebrity deaths
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Ed, Farrah, Michael, and John
This week the families and fans of three famous people mourn their passing. Ed McMahon who leaves behind a wife and five children – Farrah Fawcett who leaves a long time companion, ex-husband, and a child in trouble. Michael Jackson leaves behind a large family and three small children. Ed will long be remembered as "the laugh," Farrah, as “the beauty,” Michael as "the glove," and John Blair, as "the "hero."
All of these people had friends, neighbors, extended families, and fans. Ed McMahon had a long and varied career and will be best remembered as Johnny Carson’s sidekick. Farrah will long be remembered for her lion’s mane of a hair; her modeling, her role on “Charlie’s Angels,” and her bright smile. Michael will be remembered for his immense musical talent. But they will also be remembered for the frailties and troubles in their lives. These people had world wide appeal because of their places in the spotlight – their celebrity status, and because of the world’s fascination with celebrities. Sometimes such adoration borders on idol worship.
John Blair will be little remembered in the eye of the public – but immensely in the lives of his family and friends. He was not in the movies, on posters, or on TV or seen on concert tours. His tour was quite different. It was in Afghanistan. His tour was not for fame and riches; but because he loved his country.
When death comes, it may be quite sudden with no warning. It may come in the form of a sudden heart attack – a car coming from out of nowhere before impact – a crime against a human life – or suicide. These deaths bring not only grief and sorrow; but shock and disbelief. Death may come expected after a long illness or age; but death is always the unwelcome guest in any household. Death may be the release from this world’s pain, conflict, and sorrow to the decedent; but increased pain, conflict, and sorrow for those left behind.
There are as many concepts of death as there are faiths, religions, cults, and atheist. Some believe this life is all you get – so go for the gusto – live life, eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow, you die. Some believe, as I do, that life is eternal – never ending – only changing. Some believe that one has many lives and may even come back as an animal; and some believe that life just happened in the beginning and it just disappears in death. There are those who believe life is immortal and will continue for eternity after death.
The way one believes about life is likely what shapes their belief about death. There are those who have a morbid sense of death, a fascination with death, and those who see death as entertainment on many horror movies. There are those with hearts so tender that they mourn with those they don’t even know when they lose a loved one. These are usually those who have suffered great loss and can understand another’s pain. There was a slogan back in the sixties many bilkers had painted on their leather jackets, “Born to die!” They expressed more truth than they realized. Our bodies were designed to live forever – but when sin entered the world so did death.
God told Adam and Eve, disobedience will surely bring death. So death entered the world through their disobedience and has been handed down through each generation since. Another expression of old was that, “You’ll never get out of this world alive.”
Death comes at birth when an infant fails to breathe; death comes to children through accidents and abuse; and illness. Death comes to the young through alcoholism, drug addiction, as well as natural death through disease. Death comes to those who least expect it in older years – working in the garden – riding in a car – or on an airplane or cruise ship. Death comes to elders whose bodies are worn with time, labor, and age. Death is no respecter of persons. It comes to young and old alike. Death comes because of war.
Death is certainly not a favorite topic for polite dinner conversation; but in order for us to understand life; we must understand death. For centuries the life span of a person has been engraved on their tombstones. Here Lies John Smith (June 25, 1858 – August 5, 1914). That gives us little insight into who John Smith was if we are strangers gazing upon this last memorial. While some may have miraculous births and heroic deaths – the time in between the birth and death date is the dash. It is the dash of people’s life that matters; that which comes in between birth and death. And all life matters from the pre-born to the sick and elderly.
Many times death comes like a thief in the night – quietly and unexpected – sometimes suddenly like an IED thrown at a military vehicle – but death comes to us all. While scientists have searched for centuries the lessons of life – they cannot even comprehend the mystery of death. How can you be talking to a person one minute, living breathing, talking, and alive only seconds later they are gone – nothing left but the empty shell of who they were.
Our bodies are like a space suit which we wear on this earth for protection of our inner self – our spirit. When our time comes to make the transition, it is like we unzip and step out of that cumbersome suit to release the spirit inside. No more tethered to this world; but spirits set free for eternity.
All religions and faiths have their idea what heaven is like; but the Word of God says that eye has not seen what God has prepared for us in heaven where He dwells. Time will not be limited – death and sorrow barred – pain and suffering absent – a new life too beautiful for human words.
God is a good and faithful God. He is the God of many chances – while the sentence of death had to be carried out – because God cannot lie – He made a way out. He sent Christ. Christ became our payback for our sins. He became our ticket holder for the train to heaven. Jesus paid it all. Our sin debt was stamped, “Null and Void,” that day at Calvary when He looked toward heaven and said, “It is finished.”
There is so much finality in those three words. Many for centuries tried to find their way to God; and imagined all sorts of ideations of what heaven would be like and what life after death would be like before the coming of Christ. Every kind of sacrifice has been offered – the lamb – without spot. But when the Son of God has been offered – what else could be offered? His sacrifice settled it once and for all. It is finished.
Some faiths believe we won’t know each other in heaven – but the Word of God says we will be known as we were known. But there will be no pain and sorrow connected to the past – as they are forbidden to enter heaven.
The public does not know what Ed, Farrah, Michael and John believed about life after death; but it is sure they now know for sure.
You say who is John? John Blair was a young soldier of only 38 years old married with two children and a four year old grandson. John is not an announcer, an actress, or a pop star– he is a hero.
He died in service for our country last week. There was no media frenzy – no constant around-the-clock coverage on the news networks – no one is wondering what will happen to his family – who will inherit his worldly goods. His life and death was just not news worthy enough for the world. But God’s Word says that a sparrow does not fall, but what God takes notice. Perhaps the world was not worthy of John.
While we appreciate the entertainment and enjoyment of the celebrities who died last week – they lived, loved, and died unto themselves. They chose their lifestyles according to their own desires of fame, riches, or self satisfaction – John and the millions of soldiers who have died – chose to die for liberty and freedom.
This young soldier died for you, me and the children of tomorrow. Every life has value – every life was created by God – but some choose to take all they can from life while others give.
Rest in peace Ed, Farrah, and Michael. May you find that road less traveled – the road to God. God bless you John for giving of yourself to all who love freedom. There are only two people who will willingly lay down their life for you and me – Christ – an American soldier.
Just days before he died John wrote, “I can pray for myself while I am over here. I need you to pray for my guys.” Go to the site below and read of the story of one - not a celebrity in the eyes of the world - but blessed in the eyes of God and his family. John leaves behind his wife, Donna, two children, and a four year old grandson. How proud that child will one day be. How proud we are of John and the long list at the end of the site below – those who were not drafted – but chose to go – chose to serve – and chose to risk their lives.
Midst all the coverage that the “King of Pop,” will receive, let us take the time to honor this fallen hero as well. Pray for his “guys” and for his family. His body will be returned to Gordon County on Monday and you may find details on the funeral home site below.
Be sure to watch the video on this site of those men who served with John on the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office. Get to know John through this column and video – get to know who these fallen men are – they are not just a number or statistic. They are common folks just like you and me; who do uncommon things. This site tells all about John and has a video from his fellow workers at the sheriff’s office.
You can go to this web site of the funeral home and sign the guest book for John’s family to have. http://www.maxbrannonandsons.com/index.cfm
Scroll on right to John’s name.
Or you can send a card or note to his family in care of the funeral home.
Mrs. Donna Blair and Family
% Max Brannon & Sons Funeral Home
705 Old Red Bud Road
P.O. Box 1027
Calhoun, Georgia 30701
There will be a procession like the one filmed by the Gwinnett Police Department for another fallen hero who honors them all.
There are other articles on Patricia’s Home Page of other fallen soldiers; and those who served for America’s freedom since the Revolutionary War. You might find of particular interest the article about “polishing shoes.”
Please feel free to link this site to yours and share with family and friends. You can sign up as subscriber – no strings attached – and you will receive an e-mail with each new article published by Patricia. You may wish to comment on this or other articles.
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