PRESSING ON

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Phil 3:14)

In a recent article in Shape magazine 24 year old Leann Rimes says she was one of the lucky child stars. She went from a 13 year old singer of "Blue" to a young adult without having to go to rehab.

"Heeere's Johnny!" might be an appropriate epitaph on the tombstone for the Late Night Show host Johnny Carson. A self-professed atheist, Carson was one of the most recognizable stars in the world.

Sinatra's daughter left a bottle of Jack Daniels in his casket along with a roll of dimes, according to Pastor Leo of the Mission Valley Church in San Diego that I attended last Sunday. He explained that Sinatra's mob dealings often required he make a phone call to get him out of trouble. In those days the cost for a phone call was ten cents.

Lindsey Lohan, Brittney Spears, Paris Hilton--the list goes on and on. People recognized by the world. People who have made fortunes or had them handed to them. People who didn't press on, apparently. And I pray they did or have come to know Jesus. Or will soon come to know Him. My purpose is not to de-value them or judge them. But sometimes we're given bad examples to awaken us. Especially when we've ignored all the good examples that God has placed in our paths.

Shakespeare said, "the world is too much with us," but scripture said it first. Secular or spiritual. That's our choice. But I don't want "Here lies Ted" on my monument. My faith leads me to believe I won't be there.