Pastor’s Ponderings—August 2025
To the church of God as found at Marion Salem Church, called to be saints together with those in every place who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ: You are miracles of God’s grace and mercy!
Few of you may know that I enjoy classic rock (and while that seems to be an ever rolling description, I’m talking about stuff from the 70’s and 80’s that also is described as heavy metal, arena rock, big hair bands). So while the majority of the good stuff is older than I am, I do know that back in the day these bands were not without their controversy. I’ve seen clips of Tipper Gore testifying in congress about the explicit lyrics of some artists and later Dee Snider testified (frontman from Twisted Sister, without the costume and makeup— though with plenty of hair!). This is to say I haven’t listened to that music in a vacuum. However, I started paying way more attention to the lyrics about the time I was in my 20’s. Some of it was a shock when I actually listened to the songs!
Some of the revelations of paying attention to classic rock have been more of a blessing than not though. Learning about the background of Alice Cooper as a preacher’s kid, his run from the Lord, then his eventual surrender to Christ as well as sharing his faith during shows. Another interesting tidbit is that Led Zepplin was often inspired by the Christian writer J.R.R. Tolkien’s work The Lord of the Rings. Looking at the lyrics for some of these songs is a real window into what the writers believed about the world. We just often did not take it seriously enough.
Why talk about this? Well, as was reported in the news in July Ozzy Osbourne passed away. I was not really hopeful for the man known as “the Prince of Darkness.” Honestly, did we have much of an idea of his spiritual status? I certainly knew he was not like Alice Cooper. Then I caught a few Facebook videos that blew me away. Several years ago Ozzy said he felt he was a Christian and confessed a huge struggle reading Scripture. Step in the video I want to share with you, scan the QR code to watch. Dylan Novak (the video is titled incorrectly) shared how he had an opportunity to talk with Ozzy after a show in Philadelphia just a few weeks before his death. Dylan gave Ozzy a new believer’s New Living Translation (excellent for easy reading) and showed Ozzy how to read it. Midsentence, Ozzy flipped to the gospels and exclaimed that he actually could understand it! (Makes me wonder if Ozzy was trying to read a King James version.) A few weeks later, Dylan saw Ozzy’s son Jack at another show. Jack related how Ozzy made the convention center reopen after the Bible was accidently left behind. Jack said his father treasured that personalized Bible and it truly impacted his spiritual journey.
So, was Ozzy Osbourne saved? That’s not my place to judge. What I want to point out is how he, the supposed “Prince of Darkness,” responded eagerly and with joy to the Gospel message. Not everyone is going to be like that, yet the most unlikeliest person on the planet was thrilled that someone took the time to share God’s Word with him. “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do,” Matthew 21:31b… don’t discount who you reach out to on outer appearances. You might change their life.
Blessings,
Jason
