THE BUSINESS OF CHANGE
I stood behind him in line at the hardware store… There he was, one of my adolescent hero’s… The voice that got me through two-a-day football practices in high school one year.
One of his songs has become the anthem for all kids to officially ring in the summer. Do you remember the song? Here’s the chorus to refresh your memory.
“Well we can’t salute ya, can’t find the flag.”
“If that don’t suit ya, that’s a drag.”
“Schools out for summer – Schools out for summer.”
Ahh, now you remember. Alice Cooper, of course! He’s old now… The music is timeless, but he’s not. He actually looks good, but it’s been over thirty years since he dominated shock rock.
None of us have a choice, with time we change. While we don’t have complete control of how we change physically, we do have a choice as to if we change spiritually. I’m not trying to get into a Calvinistic debate, I’m simply referring to our free will. Yes God calls us, but we have to be willing and obedient to His call then and now.
I think Vincent Furnier, or who we call Alice Cooper is a great example of God’s call and the ensuing change. I haven’t seen too many rock stars acknowledge God and strive to live a Godly life.
About four years ago our friends who’s oldest daughter was getting Baptized invited us to their church for the Baptism. As I sat glancing around at the beautiful church a guy up in the balcony caught my eye. He had sunglasses on, I thought to myself, “What kind of guy wears sunglasses to church”? I looked closer and then realized, “Why Alice Cooper, of course.”
I’m not vouching for his walk with God, but I know enough about him to know this; There’s a guy trying, maybe even succeeding, who knows for sure but God?
I consider the changes that God has orchestrated in my life that started with His forgiveness. My life is now as far east as it was from west, at least in God’s economy anyway. I’ve forgotten some of the details of my past, which I think in some cases is a blessing from God. I remember enough to realize the change has been miraculous.
The sure sign that God is in someone’s life is change. How can the miraculous change in Jesus Christ’s disciples be explained otherwise? A group of regular people who ran in fear for their lives and hid from the world like cowards.
After they saw a resurrected Jesus Christ they understood the temporariness of this soul cage and the eternity of the souls themselves. This change in the disciples changed the world. That change God used in those people continue to change the world today, one heart at a time.
Their change from coward to men of courage ultimately cost them their physical lives. They knew the risks of speaking the truth to a lost world and they understood the implications of teaching about the true King of Kings in a censored society. Yet they chose to live a life of change even in the face of death.
These people’s changed lives are recorded and God used their lives to change the course of humanity. This country wouldn’t exist the way it does if not for that supernatural change.
I think back to some changes in my life and the impact it had on others in my small world. Change is difficult, but it is good if done for the right reasons. I’ve come to realize the best way to measure if it’s done for the right reason, is to ask ourselves if it is about us or others. All of us know the answer to the questions of the heart.
Change isn’t for the faint of heart, it is difficult and will require a bit of courage relative to the significance of the business of change. Changing the world is our heritage passed down from those that knew fear yet lived above it looking up and out from themselves with wisdom.
I’m sure Alice Cooper is honored to have been selected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I’m even more certain he’s relieved to know that his name has been selected to God’s Book of life.
Alice Cooper is living proof that God is in the business of changing people’s lives. As I look back over my life I guess I am too…
What would you say to a famous childhood musical influence you had a chance encounter with in the hardware store? Would you ask about the music, the songs, the inspiration?
We talked about light bulbs…
Jake
Thursday, February 3, 2011 @ 10:23 pm
Floyd, first of all, I love the line,
“There’s a guy trying, maybe even succeeding, who knows for sure but God?”
Because ONLY God knows. I love it. Sometimes, we catch glimpses of other peoples’ lives and make assumptions about their spiritual walk. I’d say that most of the time, they might not be far off, but truthfully, only God knows. ALSO, what’s victory other than complete reliance on God? Can we say that as humans, especially Americans… we pile so much more on top of that. We have victory (success) over sin and death. Of course, that means we have to stop sinning, but even when people make mistakes, we still have victory.
Anyway, I’m glad you got to talk to Alice Cooper about light bulbs. It makes me happy and was a great conclusion!
Floyd
Thursday, February 3, 2011 @ 10:32 pm
Thanks for reiterating that point because your right. “What’s victory other than complete reliance on God”? That sums it up quite well. In the end Alice is just a guy like me saved by the grace of God…Well not exactly like me, but you know what I mean…
Jake
Saturday, February 5, 2011 @ 2:13 pm
I’m convinced that Alice Cooper isn’t like any other guy, but that’s completely bomb.
Floyd
Saturday, February 5, 2011 @ 4:26 pm
No argument from me, I was just trying to be clever! It doesn’t always work… OK it rarely works…
Pat
Friday, February 4, 2011 @ 4:49 pm
When I saw the pic of Alice Cooper, I knew what you were going to say and immediately the tears began to flow. I am always moved when someone receives Christ, but this kind of conversion really gets to me. Praise the Lord!
It has been a while since I have been able to visit but I have to say, Floyd, this is one of your best. For those of us who have “lived hard”, we understand the depth of God’s grace and mercy. We understand just how far His arm reaches and the lengths He will go to bring us safely home. Maybe this is why I am so moved by the story of Alice Cooper – it is my story, too.
Floyd
Friday, February 4, 2011 @ 7:01 pm
Our story has a happy ending thanks to the long reach of His arms you so aptly described. I know you’re busy and I appreciate when ever you can visit, I sure enjoy your perspective and summaries, they inspire me, thanks. I want you to know I think about you often and regularly hear you in your daughters voice, those voices are beautiful.
Tammy
Saturday, February 5, 2011 @ 8:34 am
God–change I can believe in! 😉
Floyd
Saturday, February 5, 2011 @ 9:42 am
That’s usually the only lasting kind! Tell your dad I said “Happy Birthday”!
Brenda
Saturday, February 5, 2011 @ 10:09 am
Hey there stranger! Wait, I guess I’m the one who’s the stranger since I haven’t been on here for about a month. And, to top it off, I haven’t been at the gym for a few weeks. Things have been crazy. Anyway, I still enjoy your writings. I’m gonna try to be at the gym on Friday. See u then!
Floyd
Saturday, February 5, 2011 @ 10:15 am
It’s always good to hear from you, hope the family is fine. Lainey and me keep an eye out for you and I’m looking forward to seeing you. Thanks for dropping by and catching up!
April
Saturday, February 5, 2011 @ 7:44 pm
First of all…wow, I am so glad to hear that he is a Christian. Go to http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=12960 to read more.
As for God’s grace and mercy and the process of santification, I am so glad that it’s there. If not for that, I would not be able to change in the ways that I have. This is a great post. Thanks.
Floyd
Sunday, February 6, 2011 @ 7:40 am
Wow, I gave that link a read, that is very good, thanks. I guess I should have searched for something like that myself, his words are even more profound. We’re all in the same boat, in need of God for real change, Whew it’s not an easy process! Thanks for the backup April.
Jo
Monday, February 7, 2011 @ 5:08 am
My sister Lisa sent this to me, thought you might enjoy:
BEST POEM IN THE WORLD
I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven’s door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp–
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.
Bob, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, ‘What’s the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How’d all these sinners get up here?
God must’ve made a mistake.
‘And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber – give me a clue.’
‘Hush, child,’ He said,
‘they’re all in shock.
No one thought they’d be seeing you.’
JUDGE NOT!!
Remember…Just going to church doesn’t make you a
Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.
Every saint has a PAST…
Every sinner has a FUTURE!
.
Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil…
It has no point!
It makes me think!
Floyd
Monday, February 7, 2011 @ 9:08 am
WOW! That is amazing!!! I love it! Can you ask Lisa if I can publish it on my site as an additional posting? If she’s OK with it ask if she wants her email, full name, if she has a site or whatever. That is really, really good. I’m impressed! Thanks for sharing that and thank her for sharing.
Jo
Friday, February 11, 2011 @ 12:24 pm
I am sure she won’t care. I am not sure who she got it from. Sorry I have been sick. Missed 4 days of work. Not like me! Sorry it took so long!
Floyd
Friday, February 11, 2011 @ 12:40 pm
I hope you feel better soon, let me know when you find out the info. It’s still always good to hear from you, even when you’re sick!
Jo
Monday, February 14, 2011 @ 8:06 am
This is the email I received from Lisa:
I don’t know who the author is. I tried to find it online, but most say “anonymous.” I just love that poem. It brings home Luke 6:37.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. Luke 6:37
from me:
Boy, sometimes that is hard to do!
Floyd
Monday, February 14, 2011 @ 9:39 am
Thanks Jo, I’ll try to do some research as well because I love that poem. As far as following the rules of Luke, I too struggle with these issues, it’s part of living in this fallen flesh. You’re not alone!
brad gore
Tuesday, February 8, 2011 @ 8:24 am
“The sure sign that God is in someone’s life is change” That is so very true. Wow! Thx Floyd
Floyd
Tuesday, February 8, 2011 @ 9:22 am
No thank you, from one “changer” to another. Thanks Brad.
patty
Thursday, February 10, 2011 @ 7:05 pm
HI FLOYD,
ITS ME ! JUST READ THE BUSINESS OF CHANGE . VERY GOOD FLOYD AS ALWAYS GOT ME TO THINKING. I LIKED THAT POEM TOO.
PATTY
Floyd
Thursday, February 10, 2011 @ 7:15 pm
Thanks Patty, was that poem amazing our what??? It’s good to hear from you again my friend.