[Biblemat] A> The Real Anna Nicole Smith, The Real You

[ZekeFlores1 at cs.com]

Here's an article I just wrote for our bulletin, hope you can use it.

       Zeke Flores
       Kiber Street church of Christ
       Angleton, TX
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The "Real" Anna Nicole Smith, The Real YOU? 

       Unless you don't watch television or read newspapers, it's been pretty 
hard to miss all the hubbub concerning the recent death of Anna Nicole Smith. 
In and out of public view for the last several years, this young woman turned 
exotic dancer, turned nude model, turned wife (some would say gold-digger) 
turned celebrity continues to dominate conversations even in her death.
       Many were fascinated by her out-of-control lifestyle. Some have 
compared the strange attraction to her with the morbid lure of watching a train 
wreck. TV and magazine pundits had fun at her expense as they ridiculed her for 
the bizarre antics she pulled. Most refused to take her seriously seeing her for 
the selfish, greedy, self-promoting person she portrayed herself to be. 
       But with her death, much of that seemed to change. The ones who once 
mocked her egocentric lifestyle are now conducting interviews with her friends 
and relatives so that the public might know the "real" Anna Nicole Smith as if 
the person she was inside differed from the one represented in reality shows 
and gossip magazines. These interviews are supposed to reveal that the person 
Smith presented herself as in public was not the person she was inside. In 
fact, public opinion of Smith is turning so drastically that some might be 
tempted to nominate her for sainthood! However, in their quest for this "other side" 
of Smith, it escapes their minds that the person she portrayed herself to be 
was most likely the person she was. In other words, what she did can't be 
separated from what she was inside. Therein lies the lesson for us.
       You see, Christians are people whose internals must drive the 
externals. For instance, we talk a great deal about the importance of prayer quoting 
"Pray  without ceasing" (1 Thess 5:17) but what matters is when we actually 
pray. Spending time in determined communication with God is not just a command, 
but a privilege for the child of God. Memorizing verses about prayer doesn't 
make us a praying people, praying makes us a praying people. If we believe that 
"the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much," (James 5:16) 
then let us be righteous men and women who pray effectively.
       We extol the virtues of our God in songs, sermons, and Bible lessons 
speaking often of the reverence which is due Him. Yet merely knowing that "God 
is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in 
reverence by all those around Him" (Psalm 89:7) is not enough. We must show 
reverence to God by acknowledging Him in the everyday activities that make up our 
life. If we say we love and want to honor Him, that reverence will be manifested 
in practical, tangible ways. For instance, our love of God will cause us to 
change our schedules when there are things of spiritual importance at hand. Our 
respect for God will cause us to monitor our language, our recreation, and our 
companions. Our appreciation for God will cause us to praise Him in worship 
and speak about His available mercy to those around us.
       God's word tells us to "keep fervent in your love for one another for 
love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without 
complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another 
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (1 Pet 4:8-10) If we believe 
that, why then are some Christians so quick to believe the worst about their 
brethren and allow minor differences to grow into impassable breaches in their 
relationships? If we believe that "all men will know that you are My disciples, 
if you have love for one another," (John 13:35) then let us show love, honor, 
and respect for one another. If we believe what the holy Spirit delivered in 
Eph 5:21, "be subject to one another in the fear of Christ," then let us be 
accountable to our elders and to one another in the local church as we "pursue 
the things which make for peace and the building up of one another." (Rom 14:19)
       Much more could be said, but you get the point. What kind of person do 
you believe you are inside? Does that person inside show him or herself to 
your brethren, the world, and your Lord? As for Anna Nicole Smith, she will 
stand in judgment just as the rest of us, for what she did in her life and for 
her, it is too late to make changes. But, it's not too late for you. "Do all 
things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be 
blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked 
and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding 
fast the word of life..." (Phil 2:14-16a)   
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