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Can You Guess the Artist?

Get the discussion questions for Can You Guess the Artist?

Pop music quiz time:

• His career spans over 25 years.
• He once performed in front of an audience of 140 million people.
• His concert tickets are going for $10,000.

Any guesses yet? Here are a few more tidbits:

He has changed his name more often that Paris Hilton has been in and out of jail - even though his real name is the name you would think was his stage name...but it's not. Some of his names/titles have included:

• The Purple One
• The Kid
• The Artist
• TAFKAP: The artist formerly known as...

OK, so by now I think you've guessed it. We're talking about Prince - who was born with the name Prince, then went with an unpronounceable symbol for a while, then back to Prince - but I think I'll stick with "The Purple One". Love him or hate him, there is no getting past his success and considerable influence in pop music culture. His album sales are past 80 million, and this past year alone he's done everything from perform at the Super Bowl to contribute a song on the Happy Feet soundtrack.

So why am I mentioning the Artist-I-Call-A-Frilly-Dressed-Recluse? Because of a brief little story I accidentally stumbled upon:

Legendary US rock star Prince plans to take time off music to study the Bible, after completing a spate of 21 concerts in London later this year, he announced on Tuesday. The 48-year-old, who said he was getting his inspiration these days from "prophets from the Bible," added that he did not expect to be back in London performing for some time after the 2007 visit.

"That's another reason why we're trying to stay so long. I just need to take some time off for study and travel."

When asked what he was studying, he replied: "The Bible." (Source: http://au.christiantoday.com)

I realize that Prince has been a Jehovah Witness for over 6 years - so he's supposed to read the Bible...but isn't it just a bit interesting that one of the most successful artists of all time would need to turn to the a book that some see as outdated, irrelevant, confusing and even boring for "inspiration"? C'mon now - Prince has enough money to hire a few hundred muses, geniuses, and philosophers that could throw 'inspiration' his way 24/7...so why take time off to look for it in a book you can get for free in a hotel room?

Perhaps His Royal Purpleness is on to something we would be wise to remember. The Artist who formerly turned to himself and partying like it was 1999 for inspiration, just might have discovered what the Bible says about itself:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Why is the Bible inspiring? Because it is inspired! Not inspired like 'wow - what a cool collection of neat thoughts and motivating stories' - but inspired as in literally "God-breathed". In other words, the Bible contains the very words of God himself!

But wait a minute...wasn't the Bible written by a bunch of people? How can the breath of God and the pens of men get together? Well, I'd love to explain it, but I think the Bible does a much better job:

Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

What does this all mean? The Bible has more 'inspiration' in one chapter than the lyrics of 80 million albums, and more truth in one verse than 25 years of a musical career. Here's the way one very smart person sees the Bible:

The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. [Found inside a Gideon's New Testament.]

So maybe we should be a little more like Prince. No, definitely not in a fashion sense, but in a priority sort of way. He's "taking time off to study the Bible"...when was the last time you did something like that? I do not want to be known as "The Christian formerly known as a Bible Reader," because God's breath should not be wasted on anyone!

Note: The Jehovah's Witnesses Bible differs significantly from the Christan Bible.

Head: What you need to know about this truth

Head: The Bible is the most inspiring book of all time because it is the only book in all time that's 'God breathed'.

Heart: What you need to feel about this truth

A former park ranger at Yellowstone National Park tells the story of a ranger leading a group of hikers to a fire lookout. The ranger was so intent on telling the hikers about the flowers and animals that he considered the messages on his two-way radio distracting, so he switched it off. Nearing the tower, the ranger was met by a nearly breathless lookout, who asked why he hadn't responded to the messages on his radio. A grizzly bear had been seen stalking the group, and the authorities were trying to warn them of the danger.

Any time we tune out the messages God has sent us, we put at peril not only ourselves, but also those around us. How important it is that we never turn off God's saving communication! (Source: Harold M. Wiest, Power for Living, p. 109.)

Hands: What you need to do about this truth

Decide right now when you will set aside a time each day to read God's word. Protect that time like your life depended on it, because in many ways...it does. Need help on how to study the Bible?