Conrad Murray and the Shackled-King

Dr. Conrad Murray received 4 years for the involuntary manslaughter of superstar Michael Jackson.  This is another sad chapter in the tragic life and death of another celebrity monster of our making.  I think that there are two lessons to be learned from Conrad's story.

Be careful of who and what you celebrate.

When we talk about pop music, Mike was king.  When we talk about real life, he was a slave.  Mike's life off stage was one of sin, self-indulgence and self-destruction.  So often what is celebrated on stage is contemptuous in life.  Mike was miserable.  We all know that he killed himself and used Conrad as the gun.

Now Conrad has to pay the price. He, like we, was so caught up with the Mike on stage that he couldn't see the Mike in shackles.  Instead of being his doctor, Conrad was a fan.  "Yes Mike," "sure Mike," "ok Mike," gets real easy when stars are in your eyes as you sleep in his mansion.  Conrad would be in a better place right now if he had acted like a Doctor and treated MJ like regular people, at his office.

This is where the Lordship of Jesus Christ is so valuable.  There's only room for one King in my life, and He is the only one I would do anything for.

Competence is always necessary.

I was pulling for Conrad during the trial.  When the mistakes, lapses and failure to follow procedure started to show up, I knew he would be the scapegoat.  Powerful people need scapegoats, those they can blame for their failures and mistakes.  Governments, companies and families use them all the time.  The perfect scapegoat is the one who characteristically takes the shortcut, bends the rules or comes up short.  Thus Conrad was penalized for MJ's dysfunction.

The Defense tried to show that Conrad was a good man but to no avail.  There is no doubt that he was community sensitive and benevolent, but he was sloppy.  Doing good does not exempt one from doing it right.  You should consistently follow the rules, pay attention to detail and give your best effort.  This will protect you from poor performance and deliver you from blame.

Wisdom puts it this way - "Do you see a man diligent in his work, he will serve before kings, he will not serve obscure men (Pr. 22:29)."

I hate how this turned out, but hopefully the lessons will help us all.

Thank God!!

From breath of life, to thirst quenching waters, shelter from the storm and food on our tables; we always have a reason to give God thanks.  It's not only that God is good, it is because He does good, and He does good excellently and consistently.  He makes life worth living.  He balances out those uncomfortable, awkward moments of life with times that make you want to go on to the end. So we not only seek Him for help in our stress, we stop to give Him praise and honor in our peace.  The God who was there in our lack is the God who is glorified in our full.

Ingratitude is the most common of iniquities in Scripture.  In fact, it is the 'Gateway Sin' that precedes more obvious and obscene behavior.  Ingratitude came before idolatry - failure to thank the true God opened the gate for another focus.  Ingratitude came before rebellion, displaying itself in disloyalty, lawlessness and disrespect.  Paul puts it this way, "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened (Rom. 1:21)."

Thanksgiving is a character building practice.  It is a discipline, so don't let it happen, make it happen!  Be grateful. Give thanks. Be honorable. To God first then to everyone else.  It is part of being a good person.  Moreover, it will protect you from the destructive negatives of life by keeping you in the Way.  That's how worship works.


"That man may last, but never lives,
Who much receives, but never gives;
Whom none can love, whom none can thank,
Creations blot, creations blank."
-- Thomas Gibbons

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

"Smokin Joe"

Joe died yesterday.  A powerful boxer who became an Olympiad and then World Heavyweight Champion. 


He had a great quote about the importance of training and preparation.  Whether it is your study before preaching, research before spending, or practice before performing - Don't let the bright lights of an event distract you from the secret and often unappreciated hard work and discipline. 

“You can map out a fight plan or a life plan, but when the action starts, it may not go the way you planned, and you're down to your reflexes - that means your [preparation:]. That's where your roadwork shows. If you cheated on that in the dark of the morning, well, you're going to get found out now, under the bright lights.” 

--Joseph William Frasier  -  January 12, 1944 – November 7, 2011