Michael Jackson: A Music Legend & Iconic Figure







Michael Joseph Jackson
(August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)



None of us will ever know what Michael was thinking about during his last days on earth or what he was really going through. We do know that he impacted millions of lives during his 50 years. Isn't that what really matters is that we live life for others and not ourselves? Aren't we suppose to use our God-given talents to bless others? I think so and as long as I can remember Michael Jackson made me smile and I danced all the way through my teens, twenties and part of my thirties listening to his beautiful music. Now I cry over the fact that someone whose music I listened to most of my life has passed away.

I prefer to remember Michael Joseph Jackson for his contributions and nothing else.

Here are some of the gems that he left us to remember him by:

• Started singing with The Jackson 5 at the tender age of 5
• Brilliantly played The Scarecrow in 'The Wiz' (1978) alongside Diana Ross, Nipsey Russell, Lena Horne & other great actors and actresses & under the direction of Quincy Jones
• The (1979) 'Off The Wall' album had four #1 singles a U.S. record breaker
• Won his first American Music Award & Billboard Award from 'Off the Wall' album
• His Thriller (1982) album is the biggest selling album of all time
• Featured in the Grammy Award winning song 'We Are the World' and help to write some of its lyrics
• In 1987 he was named Artist of the Decade
• His Bad (1987) album sold over 32 million copies
• Dangerous (1991) album featured the hit songs 'Black or White', 'Remember the Time' & 'Heal the World'
• The album 'History-Past,Present and Future' (1995)hit number one in several countries worldwide and included songs 'They Don't Really Care About Us' and 'Earth Song'
• 'Scream' a duet with his sister Janet, won a Grammy Award for ‘Best Short-Form Music Video’ and an MTV Award for Best Choreography
• Still going strong, 'Invincible; (2001) sold over 8 million copies included MY all time favorite 'You Rock My World'
• His 'Number Ones' (2003) album proved that he was & will be the greatest entertainer ever
• Has sold 170 million albums worldwide

MJ Trademarks (From IMDb)

The Moonwalk.
Single sequined white glove.
He always wears white socks with black shoes.
High-pitched voice.

The following is an alphabetical list of known charities that Michael Jackson has individualy supported publically throughout his career. (From WikiAnswers)

AIDS Project L.A.
American Cancer Society
Angel Food
Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles
BMI Foundation, Inc.
Brotherhood Crusade
Brothman Burn Center
Camp Ronald McDonald
Childhelp U.S.A.
Children's Institute International
Cities and Schools Scholarship Fund
Community Youth Sports & Arts Foundation
Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
Dakar Foundation
Dreamstreet Kids
Dreams Come True Charity
Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
Love Match
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Minority Aids Project
Motown Museum
NAACP
National Rainbow Coalition
Rotary Club of Australia
Society of Singers
Starlight Foundation
The Carter Center's Atlanta Project
The Sickle Cell Research Foundation
Transafrica
United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
United Negro College Fund Ladder's of Hope
Volunteers of America
Watts Summer Festival
Wish Granting
YMCA - 28th Street/Crenshaw

The lists could go on and on (and in fact they do) about Michael Jackson's many contributions. His life wasn't blameless but he did his best to serve others. No one can argue that Michael Jackson had a heart of pure gold. I pray for the much needed strength of his family and that his children grow up knowing that their father was a great man who left a remarkable mark on the entire world.

"It all went by so fast, didn't it? I wish I could do it all over again, I really do." -MJJ

Rest in Peace Michael Jackson

Full Time or Short-Term Missionary Work

If you have a heart for people and for serving, missions work might be a great opportunity for you. Personally, I did not hear about Global Missions trips until I was in college. The churches that I attended as a youth focused on local missionary work like visits to local prisons and nursing homes, doing neighborhood walks and having community events. All those activities planted seeds in my heart that were watered throughout my life and motivated me to go beyond the local missionary work. With patience and hard work I was fortunate enough to go on my first overseas Missions Trip on May 27-June 5 to Africa. It was the most incredible experience and opened my eyes to the fact that God truly is everywhere and that my testimony could be helpful to someone on the other side of the world.

If you have you ever thought about going into full time missionary work or going on a short-term missions trip don't wait any longer. At least do the research and get the ball rolling.

Check out my two friends, Greg and Kristen Evans, who are awesome full time missionaries. Read about their lives, view photos and find out how you can get involved. Visit www.gregandkristinevans.com

If your heart is burning to help people both locally and abroad, pray about it, speak to your pastor about it and when the time is right...Go For It...Go Global!

Mission Trip To Africa

Several things have impacted my life throughout the years but my recent mission trip to Africa is definitely in the top 3! I spent 10 days in Africa. We flew from Memphis to Atlanta stopped in Dakar and then on to Johannesburg. We spent time in Swaziland and in Durban. It was a busy 10 days but one that will change my outlook on life forever.

In addition, I completely know God on another level after flying 17 hours in the air to and from Africa. I realized that only God could keep an airplane in the air that long. I'm so thankful that God kept me and the other missionaries during our journey. I will in the days to come share some of our experiences. I'll begin with the visits to the CarePoints.

CAREPOINTS

To visit the CarePoints and love on the children that were there was an amazing experience. I encountered children who had next to nothing but smiled big as ever, sang songs, and praised Jesus (Siyabonga Jesu). I learned a valuable lesson about gratefulness and simplicity.

Here are a few pictures of the children at the various CarePoints:

Whether we were playing Duck, Duck Goose or singing to the top of our lungs, it was such a joy to spend time with children that are truly destined for greatness. I was so excited to be a part of inspiring the children that I met. I hugged them, sang to & with them, played with them and took some time to hold those that just wanted to be held. The children of Swaziland blessed me as much as I may have blessed them. Remember, that God has given us an opportunity to impact lives from our local neighborhoods to the CarePoints in Africa. I am so grateful for my opportunity to do so and look forward to more and more mission trips. I encourage you to get involved with missions as well.

Feel free to ask me any questions about my 10 day experience and I will be posting even more pictures soon.

MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED MY TRIP TO AFRICA! GOD BLESS YOU & KNOW THAT YOU HAVE SOWN A GREAT SEED INTO THE LIVES OF OTHERS:)