Whitney Houston’s Funeral and the Flag
	This coming Saturday, flags in New Jersey will fly at half staff to recognize the funeral of Whitney Houston, the award-winning singer who died last Saturday. New Jersey has the legal right to do whatever it pleases in that regard. I also have the right to say I think it is an insult and a strong indicator of the misplaced priorities that characterize our society. Let me hasten to say I have nothing personal against Whitney Houston, nor does it matter to me in the least what color she was. Her music appealed to millions – but not to me – and that is fine. I would have the same objections if my favorite singer died and the flag was flown at half staff for that funeral. It simply doesn’t fit what the flag stands for. One active-duty military man recognized the insult and asked how many times the flag had been flown at half staff in NJ for someone who had paid the ultimate price on the battlefield. Normally, the flag is partially lowered when a President or a Supreme Court Justice dies. Elevating a popular singer to such status is unbecoming, to say the least. And, as I said earlier, it reflects our society’s misplaced priorities.
	Now, why this rant about the flag and a funeral? I suggest that in the church we also struggle with misplaced priorities. We give undue attention to secondary matters while neglecting what ought to be high on our priority list. We know the stats of our favorite team, and who won the big game way back when; but we can’t recall just where those Scriptures are that would teach someone how to be saved. We remember who starred in our favorite movies, what characters they played, and what the story lines were; but our eyes glaze over when we hear the great stories of real (not fictional) spiritual heroes who served God faithfully thousands of years ago. We make certain that the children have their homework done for school and attend class regularly; but what about Bible class? Do we have them ready? Are WE ready? We save up or budget for a vacation; but do we support the Lord’s work with the same enthusiasm and the same or greater proportion? The list could go on almost endlessly, but I think the point is established.
	Whether the flag flies at half staff for Whiney Houston’s funeral is of no consequence as relates to eternity. A hundred years from now, if the world is still turning, none of us will know or care, and most likely no one else will either. But your priorities and mine today are of the utmost importance as they relate to our eternal destiny and well-being. Do you need to make your life right with the Lord today?		--Joe Slater (Justin, TX)