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Revolution Community


Last Updated: 10/5/2009

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Status: In a Relationship
City: Westport/Kansas City
State: Missouri
Friday, June 26, 2009 

Current mood:  thoughtful
Hi Revolution,

Stop for a moment to catch your breath with me as I reflect on this week's events.  Michael Jackson is dead.  What an extraordinary and tragic life he led.  I know the range of feelings about him varied; it seems you either loved or despised him.  But I confess to be firmly in the "loved him" category...as a child I owned a red leather jacket with about 100 zippers and I frequently wore one silver sequins glove to school (the chicks dug it).  Oh, and "Thriller" might be my favorite song ever.  So, there you go.

Still, the second half of his life was, for the most part, a tragedy.  Allegations of child abuse, a fledgling music career, and whatever was going on cosmetically plagued his public image.  Just about every mention of Michael Jackson in the media, over the last decade, has been negative or brutal satire.  His life became a very painful and public joke.

I understand much of this was because of his own doing, but I still think
there is something to be learned here.  What is perhaps most disturbing
about his death and the aftermath has been the overwhelming cry of public support and compassion for Michael Jackson.  I'm hearing words like "tortured soul," "misguided genius," and "a product of child abuse" now, instead of the harsher alternatives we all became so accustomed to: "freak," "pervert," etc.

Why is it that we so often wait until it's too late to show compassion for one another?  Why do we wait until someone has passed to offer words of love and encouragement?  Why is it that only death can enable us to look beyond someone's brokenness and to see God's image in them?

I'm sure you have your own thoughts and reflections on this week's events, and I'm sure that some of you, frankly, couldn't care less about Michael Jackson's death.  And that's OK.  But I hope we all will see this for what it should be: a reminder to see God's goodness in all people (even the freaks...especially the freaks!) and to replace words of judgment with actions of love.

***THIS SUNDAY::how are people saved?***
We continue our summer-long intensive look at the life and teachings of
Jesus.  This week: the parable of the good Samaritan.  It's much more than a story; it's Jesus' own blueprint for salvation.  I hope you can make it, Sunday at 11.

***NEXT SUNDAY::revolution's declaration of dependence picnic***
In honor of the 4th of July, on Sunday July 5, we will gather in the
sanctuary for a brief worship service, where we'll serve one another
communion, and then we'll head outdoors for a community picnic to celebrate our need for one another!  Please plan to bring a side dish, dessert, or drink to share with others, if possible.  Or just bring yourself and a friend!

***Nothing But Nets::a chance to reshape the future of the world!***
We have been given the opportunity to buy some Malaria nets for families and individuals in African nations where Malaria still kills a child every 30 seconds.  All it takes to protect a person from the mosquitos that carry the disease is a $10 net.  There are NO administrative or bureaucratic fees...every dollar we raise goes straight to the nets!  So, we need to form a team of motivated people to help lead the fundraising charge!  If you're interested in helping this dream become reality, please email Alex Gamble, ministry intern, at kcrevolution@gmail.com.

That's it for now, Revolution.  Have a superb weekend.  And be nice to someone, just because you can.

In the Revolutionary Love of Christ,
Pastor Eric

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7:59 PM
 
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