How much do role models affect us

[BobHunt]

Most of you have heard by now that Anna Nicole Smith passed away this afternoon. Who knows why, was it an overdose...was she discouraged by her sons death so much to end hers? She did say one disturbing thing and that was that she wanted to be like Marilyn Monroe and die the same way. I guess Monroe was like a role model to her. What about role models? Can we safely have any other than Jesus Himself? I mean men fail, like it or not, we are weak somewhere in our lives.

[Jim Franklin]

One of my favorite hymns is "Oh to be Like Thee," meaning Jesus, of course. Disciples are to accept the disciplines of their mentor and teacher. That type of role modeling is what Jesus expects of us. "May all who come behind us find us faithful."

[Wilson L. Deaton]

What about role models? Can we safely have any other than Jesus Himself? I mean men fail, like it or not, we are weak somewhere in our lives.

Interesting question...

I think this familiar passage applies:

Matthew 22:21 "Caesar's," they replied.
Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

There are those in our world who we can admire, respect, and even lift up as good role models. But we can't push that too far. We must remember that they are still simply mortals, etc. We must be able to "let it go" when they disappoint or fall. It's when we start giving loyalty and allegiance and even "praise" to people at a level that should be reserved for God that we get into trouble.

Wilson

[Marsha Gupton]

This is very sad. As I read this afternoon about Anna Nicole Smith, the thought came to my mind that she was looking for happiness but looking in the wrong places and happiness eluded her. True happiness can only be found in the love of Jesus.

She did have an appearance much like Marilyn Monroe; so perhaps that was her role model.

This is very sad.

"only Jesus can satisfy your soul"

[Sara Sheppard]

I find her life and now her death very sad. I have no idea what her childhood was like but her adult life was spent as a mess.... It seems she spent her life chasing something...acceptance, love, peace, whatever and was tempted instead by the things this world offers (money, sex, power, fame). We are all tempted in some way by the things..maybe not fame and for a brief time they will provide what appears to be acceptance, love, and peace yet in the end will always leave us empty and alone.

It saddens me that her own choices coupled with great misfortune (such as her son dieing only a few days after her daughters birth) have resulted in some way in her early death.

It is a great reminder, that so many in our world are much like her (without the fame and money, etc). So many of our co-workers, neighbors, etc are searching and keep coming up empty. Do they see something real in our lives that would attract them to Jesus?

Sara

[Barb Bouldrey]

Young people are more influenced by roll models. It seems to be sports stars and singers and movie stars were the idols of youth. Years ago the private lives of these people were hidden from the public so most of them seemed like upright citizens worthy of being role models.

Today, our youth dress and act like the most famous singers and it is a tragedy. I have heard some of these singers interviewed who say they do not care about their influence on young people...they are just being themselves.

I have heard people on the news today talk about how "innocent", "nice" and funny Anna Nicole was. They must define those words differently than I do. Even clips of her that I saw today were disgusting.

How sad that she sought wealth and fame and her life ended at 39. As with Marilyn Monroe, she was not a happy person with a happy life.

Barb

[William Hunter]

Smith seemed to live a live that was so empty of true meaning and purpose. Then we hear aobut an astronuat who was said to be one of the smartest women in America and she plotted to murder another woman over a man. All of this shows us that no matter what the amount of fame achieved, or how much ed. we have, the issue is still what a depraved heart is capable of. Christ is the only answer for life.



Young people are more influenced by roll models. It seems to be sports stars and singers and movie stars were the idols of youth. Years ago the private lives of these people were hidden from the public so most of them seemed like upright citizens worthy of being role models.

Today, our youth dress and act like the most famous singers and it is a tragedy. I have heard some of these singers interviewed who say they do not care about their influence on young people...they are just being themselves.

I have heard people on the news today talk about how "innocent", "nice" and funny Anna Nicole was. They must define those words differently than I do. Even clips of her that I saw today were disgusting.

How sad that she sought wealth and fame and her life ended at 39. As with Marilyn Monroe, she was not a happy person with a happy life.

Barb