Copy It Right

How would you feel if you wrote a book, recorded a song, or produced a movie and someone duplicated and distributed copies of your work without permission? I’ve seen Christian artists and ministers respond differently to this. Some don’t mind because they see it as a way to get the gospel out to more people. I like what Mike Bickle says regarding his sermon notes he makes available publicly, “If you’re going to copy it, copy it right.”

On the other hand, a friend of mine was recently threatened with legal action by a ministry in response to him posting on YouTube an 18-second clip of theirs included in a video produced by another minister. I can relate to this ministry being protective of their videos made public. Certainly, I wouldn’t like it if someone posted one of my preachings if it was edited in such a way that my intended message was distorted (so-called “watchdog ministries” are notorious for doing this). However, legal action should only be considered as a last resort. 1 Corinthians 6 discourages us from suing the brethren.

Occasionally people have posted my work on YouTube without permission. Usually, I won’t make an issue about it if they use short snippets. There is a legal term called “Fair Use” which allows journalists to use portions of copyrighted work for news broadcasts, critiques, and reviews. However, I’m not in favor of people reposting my work in its entirety especially if it’s meant to make a mockery of it.

At the beginning of 2007, I uploaded a video of a minister I know giving a prophetic word for the year at a conference. Twelve months later, I deleted the video simply because it was no longer 2007. Later I discovered someone had copied my video and reposted it on YouTube with inserted comments questioning why it was no longer online. I contacted this person explaining why and asked him to remove the video. This person got defensive claiming this minister was a false prophet and threatened to write negative things against me. Since I couldn’t reason with this person, I contacted YouTube and got them to remove the unauthorized video. 

Also in 2007, I released the controversial video “Tokin’ the Ghost” featuring John Crowder (later removed at my own volition). Since then, “Tokin’ the Ghost” had been reposted in its entirety by a few individuals. I contacted each one asking them to remove it from their YouTube accounts. Most of them refused to cooperate. Once again, I contacted YouTube to get those recopied videos taken off the Internet.

Another time I posted a portion of Andrew Wommack’s TV program “The Gospel Truth” in which he interviewed historian David Barton about homosexuals in the military. David shared eye-opening information that I felt needed to be heard by more Christians. Although I didn’t receive complaints from either Andrew or David, I eventually chose to remove that video from my YouTube account plus a few featuring other ministers. Romans 15:20 tells us not to “build on another man’s foundation.” I believe men of God should share more on what the Lord has revealed to them personally instead of always echoing what other ministers say.

Romans 13 talks about obeying the laws of the land and giving honor to whom honor is due. That would include copyright laws. One ridiculous defense made by King James Only advocates is their favorite translation isn’t copyrighted. Of course, it wouldn’t be copyrighted. Copyright laws didn’t come into existence until 1710 with the Statute of Anne in the UK, 99 years after the release of the King James Version. 

Nowadays, all modern translations of the Bible have a copyright notice. Permission to use those translations in church bulletins, articles, and salable media has been granted by the publishers with certain stipulations. For those of you thinking “God’s word should never be copyrighted”, it should be pointed out the books in the Bible gives credit to the individuals God used to write down and proclaim His word.

Whether it’s a song, book, or movie; Christian musicians, writers, and producers should be properly represented and compensated. 

“For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages.’” - 1 Timothy 5:18

Believe in the Lord

During my teens, the Bee Gees were my favorite singing group. Ever since two of its members died (twins Maurice and Robin Gibb in 2003 and 2012 respectively), I’ve often wondered if either of them made it into heaven. Recently while searching the Internet concerning that, I found a music video of a Bee Gees song I never heard before. From a 1970 album and film called “Cucumber Castle”, Maurice performed “The Lord” with his brother Barry. This may be the closest the Brothers Gibb ever came to writing and recording a gospel song. Here’s a portion of its lyrics…

What do you get for trying?

Minute you're born, you're dying

The body is six feet down

The Lord said the soul sticks around

Well, you can believe what you wanna

But I know what I'm gonna do

I'm gonna believe in the Lord

When I’m out street evangelizing, a frequent response people give when asked why they would go to heaven is, “I believe in God.” That’s a good start…certainly better than not believing there is a God. Still that alone won’t result in anyone passing through the Pearly Gates. James 2:19 says, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” The Amplified Bible renders the latter part of that verse as, “So do the demons believe and shudder [in terror and horror such as make a man’s hair stand on end and contract the surface of his skin]!”

The devil certainly believes in God. After all, that fallen angel was created by the Almighty and has even seen Him. Do you think Satan will spend eternity in heaven? Absolutely not! Matthew 25:41 says that hell was prepared for the devil and his angels. Unfortunately many people who died believing in the existence of God go there everyday. 

There is another step one must take to ensure he or she receives eternal life. Romans 10:9-10 says, “…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Have you done that yet?

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3

Holy Addiction

Years ago a friend of mine wore a T-shirt that read “Addicted to Space Invaders.” For a while I was addicted to video games. One of my favorites was “Dr. Mario.” I would spend up to $10/day on that game. This was when most video games still cost only a quarter to play.

One dictionary defines addiction as “relinquishing ourselves to the control of something or someone else.” Addictions usually don’t happen immediately. Alcoholics often start with just one drink. If they don’t know how to “hold their liquor”, they gradually drink more and more until they cannot control themselves. 

Everybody gets addicted to something. Some may choose drugs, pornography, gambling, food, sports, TV, or playing computer games for hours. I’ve heard people declare they have a caffeine addiction. While I often drink coffee, I will occasionally go without it for days to prove to myself that I’m not addicted to the stuff.

Another kind of addiction can be the latest ride at the amusement park. Many people look for an activity to give them an adrenaline rush. Proverbs 21:17 in the Message Bible reads, “You're addicted to thrills? What an empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied.” 

Once I heard a pastor point out how people can make themselves hungry for anything. Before he went into the ministry, this man developed an addiction to cribbage while serving in the U. S. Air Force. Initially he didn’t have an interest in the card game but soon was playing it regularly with his military buddies.

On the other hand, people can become addicted to spiritual things. 1 Corinthians 16:15 (KJV) says, “Ye know the house of Stephanas...and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” Carman wrote and recorded a song about being “Addicted to Jesus.”  Another minister I know stated on his web site, “We admit that we have an uncontrollable, holy addiction...the garbage dumps and the slums of the third world!” Getting high on God results in godly behavior. 

1 Timothy 3:3 in the Darby Translation warns against being “addicted to contention.” 2 Timothy 3:4 in the Message Bible says that in the last days people will be “addicted to lust, and allergic to God.” People can also get addicted to gossip and bitterness. 

What are you addicted to?

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Matthew 6:21

The King of Pop and the King of Kings

Last night I received the news that Michael Jackson had died. The singer dubbed the “King of Pop” was only 50 years old. Michael’s career impacted many people’s lives including my own. In my late teens, I bought copies of his “Off the Wall” and “Thriller” albums. At 20 when I started pursuing a secular music career, I purchased a jacket similar to the one Michael wore in the “Thriller” video. While working as a nightclub disc jockey, I often played Michael’s music, which usually packed the dance floor.

After committing my life to Jesus in 1991, I frequently prayed for Michael Jackson’s salvation. Because he was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, I was concerned about his eternal destiny. A few years ago Michael reportedly met with preacher/motivational speaker Paula White. I had hoped Paula talked with Michael about the necessity of being born again. But then I also found out that Michael supposedly embraced Islam last November largely through the encouragement of his brother Jermaine who had became a Muslim.

So is Michael Jackson in heaven right now? Only God knows for sure. One of my Facebook friends informed me that gospel musician Andrae Crouch (who previously worked with Michael) prayed with the King of Pop three weeks before his death. Andrae later clarified Michael didn’t specifically pray for salvation. Still I’m hoping Michael is now moonwalking on the Streets of Gold. It would be a tragedy if the Lord told Michael at the pearly gates to "Beat It."

In the meantime, there are still people alive who aren't born again. Let's get our attention back to reaching the lost. We can also pray for laborers to reach the rest of the Jackson family so that they all come to know the King of kings.

“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” – Revelation 17:14