Wood, hay, and stubble?

Sandra Newberg was upset with Mike Luckovich's editorial cartoon about Michael Jackson's death. If you want to see it, you can find it at
http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/opinion/luckovichjackson/

I'm not really sure I understand what Luckovich was trying to convey, but it shows Satan and God in negotiations over where Michael will spend eternity. Newberg says, "To raise the question whether this talented performer would be entering heaven or the underworld dishonors one of the world's greatest musical artists of all time."

I think it's a valid question. When faced with the mortality of a famous person, I think it's a natural question. Certainly nothing in his life showed that he had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. Maybe he had -- but a life of perversion and drugs doesn't reflect it as likely. Ms. Newberg should know that God is not overawed by Michael Jackson's talent. God is not bowing to "one of the world's greatest musical artists of all time." My opinion is that he was NOT one of the world's greatest musical artists, but each to his own. All his music after the Jackson Five sounded the same to me. But even if her assertion is correct, God is not impressed. All He wants to know is, "Are you covered in the Blood of the Lamb?" And if you are, then He wants to know, "Did your life produce gold or wood, hay, and stubble?" If Michael was saved, given the manner of his death, I tend to think he'll have to slide over to the wood, hay, and stubble category.

Apologies to Ms. Newberg for daring to point out that Michael was not some kind of god who is not to be criticized or questioned, but instead was a sad example of someone who believed his own hype.

"Cartoon in poor taste." The Dallas Morning News; June 30, 2009; p. 10A.