King of Pop Influenced My Life Too!

It's June 25th, 2009! I've just made a cable-wire connection at my dad's house that has taken him from cable that he's pay'in for to a dozen high-def channels that will be absolutely free. While I'm inside after mounting the new hd antennae, I download the channels after connecting the hd converter box. A picture emerges on the local news channel. It's MICHAEL JACKSON. And the reporter then releases the first words that I hear from my dad's hd hook-up:
"The 'King of Pop' is dead!" I listened closely and simultaneously my Blackberry is receiving texts one after another. I passed it along to my son in Seattle, my wife by phone, and my Youth Pastor, Roland Garcia. My mind wandered back to my childhood and Michael's influence in my young life. After all, "Michael Jackson is only 2 years older than me."

I remember the highlight of the week for me; going to the Super Dollar store in Hertford, North Carolina and spending 77cents to get a Motown 45. One of my favorite songs was the one that took Michael away from the Jackson Five and put him on the musical journey by himself. That song? "BEN"..... It was a story about a rat. A rat? Yep. Walter Scharf and Don Black co-wrote the song that was intended for Donny Osmond, but at the last minute, Black spoke up and said, "This one should go to Michael Jackson."

Michael Jackson went on the sing this song in his early teens. It was his 1st hit as a solo artist. What's the rat song about? Don Black said, "I'm not writing a song with words in in like 'cheese'"......"I'm writing a song about friendship!" The song never uses any words about rats, rodents, or cheese. It talks about the value of a real relationship. I'll never forget the words...'cause I used to spin my 77cent "vinyl 45" every day. It goes like this --

Ben, the two of us need look no more
We both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I'll never be alone
And you my friend will see
You've got a friend in me

Ben, you're always running here and there
You feel you're not wanted anywhere
If you ever look behind
And don't like what you find
There's something you should know
You've got a place to go

I used to say, "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"
Ben, most people would turn you away
I don't listen to a word they say
They don't see you as I do
I wish they would try to
I'm sure they'd think again
If they had a friend like Ben.... Like Ben... Like Ben

It's sad that someone could start out like Michael did, and finish with, as CBS put it "a confused life". Michael Jackson died hundreds of millions in debt, physically ill, and mentally ill. He never experienced God's intention for all of humanity -- a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and died with conversion to the Muslim faith.

The song "Ben" talks about friendship. Michael needed friendship, true friendship...divine friendship. Proverbs 18:24 says, "...there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother." That friend is NOT "Ben". His name is Jesus!

You and I can accomplish a lot in this life. We can make famed status, popularity, and stardom, but Jesus said in Matthew 8:36..."What shall if profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"

Oh yes, I will remember your songs Michael,.........but I wish your life on this earth was more peaceful.

TAKE A MOMENT AND LISTEN TO THE SONG "BEN"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSqo17o2a1w

Watch Your Mouth!

I recently began a series in our ministry called “Changing the City”. Each message presents a simple truth that can be implemented to change the course of the city or region in which you live. First out of the gate was the change that can come simply by what we “speak”. I recall moments of passing through the drive-thru in our local McDonald’s and having to “interpret” for myself what the employee on the other end was saying. When I pulled up to the task of talking into that little speaker on the outdoor menu, the voice came through it “WecometoMcdonacandihepu?” I understood what the message was supposed to be because I understand the principle and the whole idea of placing my order. I moved through the motions to receive my order which included NO napkins, no ketchup, etc. I had to ask for it. Isn’t it amazing how companies have the unfortunate destiny of depending on humanity for their performance and reputation?
Can I tell you something? In this country we need a greater work ethic. I think Ronald McDonald would be happier too. We need to change the course of where we are; getting rid of laziness, forgetfulness, etc. We need to invest in the young people the desire to do a great job and do as Paul said to the church at Colossae – “work as if you are working for God and not men.”
In our city, we have begun to speak to this issue. We have come to the conclusion that there are some powerful verses in the Scripture that make the difference in our own perspective –
Proverbs 29:18 declares that “where there is no vision the people perish.” At CSC we have vision to see God transform the people of our region, thus transforming our region.
Proverbs 18:21 says that “life and death are in the power of the tongue.” At CSC we are “speaking to our city” believing that we will see positive change and true transformation. Someone said, “You get what you say!” One of my favorites is “Attitude determines altitude!”
I recently pulled into our Mickey D’s on a Saturday morning with all of these thoughts in my mind. The young lady gave me my order as requested; passing it through the final window. She said nothing. I looked at her and smiled….and then gave her these words – “Thanks for shopping McDonald’s and have a wonderful day!” She broke out into a laugh. At least I changed the moment for her. I know she was trained to do so, but she really has to be “changed” to do so.
I challenge you to begin to speak positive things over your city. You have the power in your tongue to bless or to curse. Join me in “blessing” your city, your church, your family, and yourself. You will be amazed at the change in your attitude and your environment. Please….”watch your mouth!” Visit me on the web at http://www.wallacephillipsblog.com/ . Final note: Joshua was told that the Lord would give him every place that he sat his foot upon. J

Peel It Off!

Hey.... fresh out of the "blogger gate" let's get something established -- On the left is a pic designed by my man Jeff Whelan (http://www.jeffwhelan.com/). Jeff is a pro-illustrator and has done some "bad to da' bone" work for Nascar, ESPN, etc.

As his pastor, he hooked me up with a pic that was needed for the Father's Day edition of ESPN magazine. Of course....I had the time. I sat on the bench in half of all of my sporting career as a youngin' in Carolina. I was delighted to make it ESPN in my forties.

It was a shot of a light-weight "peel off" jock suit ....gone with the snatching of the velcro. Underneath, reveals the man who needed to remain dressed to kill! Maybe he had a lunch appointment and didn't have the time to dress down. Nonetheless, the idea is that the businessman could leave the casual and return to his desk with a simple "peel off". Sounds quite easy don't it? Well it is when it comes to velcro jock suits....but not so with powerful socialized behaviours and attitudes picked up along this journey of life.

I came to the conclusion a loooonnnnng time ago that there are some things that are just deeply engrained in us. Prejudice is one of those bad dogs! It runs deep. As a young man (when it came to African Americans), I remember being taught to "treat them nice, but don't mix with'em". I remember being told to never call a black man by "Mr."....but to call him "Uncle". I never realized just how deep that stuff ran until I became a man; an adult who was entrusted with building the Lord's church.

Everything was okay until a little girl walked in the door of our church who was, in our perspective, "the wrong color". I did the thing that I was socialized to do. I took a church leader to the house and told them to never bring her back to the house of God again. I was a believer, an ordained minister, and a bible-college graduate who had some stuff that ONLY the Lord Jesus could "peel off". It's an ugly suit. It's called prejudice. I wear it no more! Glory to God!

Paul said in Galatians 3: 26-28...."You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

*You can read the whole story in Wallace's book, "All Dressed Up and No Place to Go."

http://www.wallacephillips.com/ b