Wow! Part of me wishes I had not stumbled upon this thread... I have read almost every single post if not all.
There are a lot of things I want to say and express but I honestly don't even know where to begin...
I guess a good starting point as is in writing is to verify my qualifications to be able to speak on the subject(s) at hand... Might I do this by saying firstly that I have appreciated Michael Jackson and his music from the time I was a child, I have followed his career, speculations and other assertions made by media, his family, associates and other friends and fans, and I am prayer warrior who is filled with faith and inspiration from above...
My decision to post here was a difficult one and I have wrestled inside myself and sought God extensively on whether or not to do so... I believe it is His will, which is why I am posting!
I want to do a few things by writing whoever the Lord guides to read this and the most important one is to encourage you to have love in your hearts... I can't stress that enough on how important it is for us to love ESPECIALLY in difficult times!!!
There are people who believe is gone and those who believe he is here and those who are uncertain what is you believe but wherever it is that you stand then I encourage you stand strong!
I want to encourage all who knew love for Michael to remember the heart he exhibited so full of vibrant, youthful, expressionate love- to hold onto that memory so tightly that it becomes a part of you and you a part of him!
I want to express my sorrow amidst so much hurt and heartache and words I could never express to you concerning my anguish in my heart for the devistation and the separation that has fans at odds. Michael would NEVER want that! He wanted us to love eachother and others... He wanted us to be even like he was trying so hard to be like Christ Jesus. I am not here trying now to disciple others to Christianity but sharing what Michael said so beautifully when he said "I try to be like Jesus, I'm not saying that I am Jesus but I try to be like Him." He clarified that he was not Jesus because he knew how some would wind up twisting his words.
He was like Jesus in so many way... The bible tells us all to be followers of Christ and one of the disciples who was teaching others had said "follow me, even as I follow Christ." In many ways I think Michael said this inwardly... He wanted us to follow his expressions of love.
I say that to say this: He wanted us to love, not hate, be together, not divided, change the world notgive into it's devices.
My heart stretches to the heavens in efforts of knowing what happened with Michael, what was going on and what all he went through... I don't know.
I do know this, my heart wants to believe that he is still here, that God is taking care of him and that everything will be alright. My heart believes everything will be alright. If he is gone, he is with God and if he is here, then God is with him, therefore he will be alright...
So many speculations and conspiracies encircle the globe. What if? Why not? Did he?... The list is so vast I could not recount them all if I tried. In the possibility that for some reason Michael felt a need that he could no longer be with us, then I know it would be just that - a need, a neccesity... I have listened to much since his departure that have caused many, many tears to flow from my eyes... I, I would understand if he chose to leave... I can't even begin to imagine all that he went through... Thelies from the media, distrust from the public, accusations from liars and decievers, and then there were his friends- oh did I call them that? That's what he thought so many people were who were not... I have heard tapes of him speaking of the mafia, of his being of fear even of those who were in his employ overseeing the people who were to be protecting him and all of his finances, personal and business matters??? Yes, I would understand!
Michael loved his fans, his family, those he thought were his friends and even the people of the world he'd not even known... Would he ever want to hurt anyone - no! Are we hurting? Yes! Is it his fault? How can it be? How can we place blame on him or God for him not being in our lives for whatever reasons there may be to cause him to no longer be amongst us? We had him for as long as God allowed his light to shine on us and sometimes even the sun sets or goes behind the clouds... We are not to be angry with the sun or God for it's departure but to appreciate the light and warmth it sheds on us...
Please, I'm begging you all to show love, rather to know love for eachother! People may disagree which is to be expected- please be loving and accepting!!!
People will look for reasons to make anything evil concerning Michael so whatever the people are saying when they use the word hoax, conspiracy or whatever term they use if they are trying to portray Michael as a selfish person, than pitty them because they never knew his heart! he suffered so long giving his all, walked with his held high amidst more persucution than any godly man should have to stand. A warrior! A soldier! A king! A hero! An army of one yet we were his allies and he will never be forgotten...
Please don't let people place thoughts in your hearts to think he wasn't strong enough because no matter what choices Michael made in life he was strong. He may have expressed fear but he did so in courage where others would cower and hold it all inside...
Michael went through more than we or anyone could ever imagine! That is a fact... So whether he, his children, his fans, family, public or others were in danger for whatever reason and he chose to as some say "fake his death" then I trust he did it in love, protecting those whom he loved. Would that cowardly? Who here has the courage to give up everyone and all they know to protect others?
If he is gone, then he left a legacy of love that will never be forgotten... We will miss him until we reach heaven and join him there in our heavenly Father's arms.
Anyone who has thought of, or is thinking about suicide, or has known someone who has taken their life then I beg you to turn to God, to know the Lord Jesus for your very self, to know that He is yours and you are His and that His love for you is greater than anything this world or death can offer... God wants you to live! God wants you to love and have hope in Him! Please don't give up!
I love you all, even as if you were my children, brothers, sisters, or known friends... I don't know you but I do love you and I thank you for your fellow love for Michael and others... Please be his light, don't spread darkness- shine light!
God bless you all!!!
Sharon B. Sidney