There are two articles I read recently that carry a very similar theme, albeit from two very different perspectives and circumstances. The first article references Susan Boyle, the singer who got so big on "Britain's Got Talent" and began to struggle with her fame as she was not ready for the harsh glare of the lights and aggressive coverage that goes with our celebrity making & breaking obsession. Here's a quote from the article:

"Being famous is not all it's cracked up to be, and the idea that you can have a personal life and a media life is often pretty conflicting," said David Moxon, a health psychologist who specializes in stress. "It must be difficult to walk down the street and be mobbed by people. "I don't think Boyle did that (deliberately pursued celebrity). She was pursuing a love of singing that she had and that is the sad part of this story. But it is a cautionary tale for people and it shows fame has its price."

Fame and being famous is not all its cracked up to be. Yet our culture pursues and celebrates the pursuit of celebrity. We have celebrities now that are famous just for being famous. They have no real accomplishments. It is a sad state of affairs. But I don't think Christians can look down our noses at the world on this one. There is no difference, except to say that it is extra sad for a people who really really ought to know better. But we elevate people to quickly and get excited about "celebrity" Christians whether they be in acting, or sports, or music, or politics. We celebrate, elevate, and then find ourselves stuck when their behavior falls short and puts Christ and the church in a negative light. And often, the fact that we elevated them in the first place is part of the reason they fell. That brings me to the second article. It details the story of John James, a founder and former lead singer of the Newsboys. In a long and honest (and gut wrenching) article, he details how the fame of being in a hit Christian band destroyed his walk, life, and marriage. Praise God that he has revived and is right with God. He has a great perspective:

The industry is not the problem. The problem is people's lives in the industry that have become messed up and lost perspective of what it's all about. It's become about the money, the industry, the success, the fame. We've lost focus. I want people to understand because sometimes people ask me, 'Are you bitter now on success, money, fame, position?' I say, no of course I'm not. Influence, money, success, position.those are powerful, incredible tools we can use to influence masses of people. Mighty tools! Those things aren't the problem. Money, success, is not the problem. It's when we allow our hearts to be seduced by those things, where it becomes all about the money, all about the success, all about MY career, MY ministry. That's the problem right there!

A cautionary tale indeed. As Christians we need to not only guard against our own desire for fame and success, but also be careful not to lavish such things to strongly and blindly on others. Jesus and Paul warned about those who wanted to sit in the seat of honor, and of being a person to played into that. Enjoy the articles and be wise.

So, met with Jon Sloma today and he recommended I try Google Chrome. So this is my first blog post written from the new browser. So far I like it. I will need to test drive a bit before I make it default, but we're off to a good start. Youth group party is tonight and I am looking forward to that. The weather has really cooperated. I was really concerned when I saw the weather prediction yesterday, but God is good. Excited to hear that Dean is home. Haven't had a chance to speak to him yet, but hope to see him soon. Last word we had was that Arlene had come through surgery well. Hope to send out an update tonight. Way behind in some areas, day fills up with phone calls and you can't get stuff done. But it is great to talk to people.

Tonight was a fun evening. Charlene came over and spent time with the kids, feeding them supper and Sarah and I went out. We grabbed Italians from Rick's Market and went over to Kineowatha to watch Gavin play baseball. It was nice to just sit and talk while watching the game. We work very hard to make sure that we get time together to talk and share and just bond and it was a nice night out. Last night we were able to have the evening together after prayer meeting and getting the kids to bed. Tonight we came home and both spent time working on projects that we needed to get done. Not our usual night, but good nonetheless. I am so thankful for my spouse who is my best friend, partner, companion, confidant, biggest fan & supporter, and love.

What does that phrase mean? For us western, American Christians, there is often an expectation that life is supposed to be good and that God's blessings are primarily material. When the tough times come, we often feel like things are going wrong and that somehow we have fallen out of God's favor, either because of sin, or unhealthy thinking, or some other negative thing. But the apostles and prophets had it rough. They were often poor, persecuted, and killed. Listen to Hebrews discussion of what they went through.

and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. (Hebrews 11:36-38)

So if that is what God's followers have gone through, and they are right with God, why do we think that God plans for us to have it easy, be comfortable (financial or otherwise) and experience smooth sailing. How about this reminder from Peter.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; (13) but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

So, let's not be surprised when it gets hard or when things don't go easy. Suffering for the Christian is not a foreign, strange thing. It is normal.

I was reading some news today and came across the following quote. It is about a couple of would-be celebrities and I just really loved the word choice of the writer.

It's easy to make of this a lot more than there is. For the most part, this is a squad of publicists working in concert to make a barely functioning Bic lighter look like the burning of Atlanta. So far, because of the sheer level of interest, everybody's winning; the show, the Pratts, MTV, everybody. It's not a real feud. It's like a rotten log with bugs in it. The log isn't mad; the bugs aren't mad, it's the rest of us who think it's gross, and only if we're choosing to look.

I have no interest in the people behind this story, but you've got to love the metaphor and the simile. Awesome.