Site Explores Michael Jackson's Faith

Countless Michael Jackson tribute websites have popped up since the pop star’s death, but Reflections on the Dance is the first to compile an exhaustive list of the entertainer’s spiritual beliefs. Though it doesn’t try to pinpoint a specific brand of faith (Jackson was brought up as a Jehovah’s Witnesses), there are several revealing morsels culled from diverse sources.

In a 1979 Jet interview, Jackson shares some details about his prayer life. “I believe in the Bible and I try to follow the Bible. I know I’m an imperfect person … I’m not making myself an angel because I’m not an angel and I’m not a devil either. I try to be the best I can and I try to do what I think is right. … I don’t just pray at night. I pray at different times during the day. Whenever I see something beautiful, I say, ‘Oh, God, that’s beautiful.’ I say little prayers like that all through the day.”

More recently, when Gerald Rivera asked him about his values in a 2005 television interview, Jackson replied: “Caring. And reading the Bible, learning about God, Jesus, love. He said, ‘Bring on the children,’ ‘imitate the children,’ ‘be like the children’ and ‘take care of others.’ ‘Take care of old people.’ And we were raised with those values. Those are very important values and my family and I, we were raised with those values and they continue strong in us today.”

Skaggs cleans up at ICA

Ricky Skaggs won Mainstream Country Artist of the Year at the Inspirational Country Awards. Tracy Lawrence won Mainstream Inspirational Song of the Year for “Up To Him,” and Craig Morgan won Video of the Year for “God Must Really Love Me.” Point of Grace won Vocal Group of the Year for “How You Live (Turn Up the Music).”

Fischer of (Muslim) men

Christian musician Phil Fischer is taking the gospel to lands like India and Pakistan. In addition to staging concerts in those nations, the Seattle-based artist recorded a music video for the overtly Christian single “Stuck on You, Lord” on the streets of those countries.

Artists benefit breast cancer research

The first annual PINK! Breast Cancer Social Benefit took place recently at The Rhythm on Music Row in Nashville featuring a plethora of music industry memorabilia. Items up for auction included tickets to see Stryper in concert, tour passes for the new Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash exhibit at the Ryman Auditorium, plus autographed items from Kelly Clarkson, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Michael W. Smith. For those who missed out on the action, click here for additional ways to get involved.

Bethlehem Skyline
hits the road

The Bethlehem Skyline CD was a big hit last year, followed a full-fledged tour. This season marks the second annual Christmas tour inspired by the album, featuring Downhere, Jason Gray and Lanae’ Hale, kicking off December 5.

Guthrie daughter records children’s tunes

With a famous family name, Sarah Lee Guthrie had no trouble making waves in folk circles, though she shifts gears to record the children’s collection Go Waggaloo (out today). The project features some lyrics written by her late grandfather Woody and includes special guests like her father Arlo, plus fellow tunesmith Pete Seeger (who wrote the Ecclesiastes-adapted classic “Turn! Turn! Turn!”).

Five thousand Facebook fans

Praise website Worship the Rock recently scored a milestone on Facebook by hitting the 5,000-member mark. The social networking site saw tremendous growth in the topic of Christian worship as of late with this site specifically offering a worship leader job board and a daily worship blog. Famous Facebook faces include Hillsong’s Russell Fragar Sonicflood’s Rick Heil and Scott Wesley Brown.