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I've written and rewritten and discarded several articles this month. There have been many things on my mind and as I moved from one to another my thoughts for what to write have changed.

My first thought for this month was a tribute to a wonderful man who would have been 45 on June 5th, Anthony John Burger. Much as been said and written about him since February 22nd and much will continue to be said. Anthony touched lives with his music, with his thoughtfulness, with his heart for worship. His music spoke to thousands as he was living and continues to speak to people today. In speaking with those from his office and family I know that they continue to hear testimonials of how Anthony touched lives. We have heard that the witness of the believers as he died left an impression on those working the cruise and/or traveling on it. There have been reports of people who had never heard of him, yet heard or saw of him on the news, ordered his music and then their lives were touched. The legacy of Anthony Burger lives on.

It lives on in his family as well; AJ and Austin are so much a part of their dad. They will also impact lives, in different ways perhaps but as a result of the up- bringing they have had, they will impact lives. Anthony's mom, dad, brothers and families will always have that special place in their heart for Anthony - they will miss the things he did that made him so special to each of them but they know they will see him again. What a blessed hope.

And it will live on in Lori as she continues the music that Anthony encouraged her to sing. I remember when he wondered if she would ever get on stage, he knew she had the talent but she wasn't ready. I remember the pride he felt as he saw her sing and move toward the goals she now holds. LuAnn worked side by side with Anthony and she continues to keep the business side of Anthony Burger Productions working as he would have wanted it run. She will see that the legacy continues there as well.

The tribute to Anthony has been written by his life and by those that love him. Anything more that I say would be redundant. All I can say is that 'We Miss You' and we look forward to seeing you again.

My second thought for this month was writing about what do we expect from those who sing and play gospel music? We expect them to be above reproach but actually is anyone ever above reproach? Doesn't everyone have times, days when their testimony isn't as bright as it should be?

When fans or those younger in the business side of SGM look at those who have gone before, what respect is due? Or is there respect due?

I could give you a dozen scenarios where someone in this business has done something wrong for their own gain or betterment. Does that make their evil or sinful? Or does it just make them human?

I once heard it said that it isn't how you act but how you react that determines your character. I agree with that to a large extent. Certainly we should all try to act correctly and by Biblical standards but what do we do with people don't? Do we become bitter and ugly to them and others? Or do we try to forgive and reach out to them as Jesus would do? I had someone say once 'I didn't reach out to them because I knew they would reject it', where is that premise found in the Bible? Jesus reached out to everyone and many rejected Him. He said we are to be followers of Him. That means we don't reach out to only those that are lovable or who do what we want them to do.

That applies to preachers, singers, and other Christians just as it does to the lost. Now I understand if someone is teaching or preaching some other gospel besides Christ - we are not to condone that so don't misunderstand what I am saying. But I am talking about fellow Christians who at times don't live up to our expectations or our particular beliefs.

But if you speak in tongues and I don't - we should not condemn each other but rather pray for each other. If you hurt someone I care about - my first reaction is going to be anger - I can promise you that. But after that anger, and yes there must be an AFTER the anger, I should pray for you. If you were wrong, I should lift you up and ask God to show you and help you to correct what you did. I should also ask God to show me if you were right and if the person who was hurt brought that on themselves. Not for me to judge, I am not either of your judge but for me to know how to pray for that person.

I should encourage forgiveness on both sides, for very seldom is one side totally right in any situation and even if one side is right in the situation, usually things are said and done afterwards that need forgiveness on both sides. To minister to that need, takes forgiveness.

To forgive without condoning a wrong and to love even when it is hard, that is the greatest characteristic a Christian can have. They can reach people that others will never be able to reach.

As I wrote and put this together, I realized that both of these topics did have a common thread. Knowing Anthony since before his Kingsmen days, I know he had seen hurt and had been disillusioned many times. I know he experienced hurt and anger, he saw many things that caused his heart to break and yes as much as I love him, he at times was part of breaking hearts. Yet he was one of the finest men I know, his love for God was a part of who he was. He never intentionally hurt or broke a heart. He was human and ALL humans at times hurt others and ALL humans are hurt by others. It is the reaction that shows our character. Anthony's character was to strive to reach others with the gospel and to forgive and ask forgiveness. He saw and felt hurt, yet he shared HOPE. He lived at times with pain, yet he shared JOY. He cared about others, about sharing the gospel, about seeing souls brought to Jesus.

So today I hope that some day someone can look at my life and say - she cared. What will they say about you?

DeeAnn Bailey
http://www.deeannbailey.com

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