November 15, 2005 6:15 AM
Something to give thanks for
I don't know about you, but when I hear of a self-destructive person - especially one with a high profile and lots of influence - coming to their spiritual senses, I want to leap up and shout for joy.
Like Anne Rice, the best-selling author of vampire novels, who now promises she will write only for the Lord.
And this morning, I read an update on Jon Voight, whom I'm old enough to remember in Midnight Cowboy , a film that marked a turning point in American movies embracing darkness rather than light.
Highlights from the 66-year old actor's latest interview:
For Jon Voight, the actor who shot to fame 36 years ago as an aspiring gigolo in "Midnight Cowboy", playing Pope John Paul was like a personal coming home."I've gone through a lot of stuff in my life," Voight said in a telephone interview, adding that as he got older he came to realise ever more "God's importance in our lives".
And more:
He said that looking back on his own life he realised that one of the most important lessons was learning how to use freedom wisely -- one of the late Pope's leitmotivs."Free love -- what a poison that was," he said, recalling the 1960s. "Free love, the destruction of family life and loyalties and the responsibilities of parents, and I've gone through that, so I know," he said.".
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Voight has very strained relations with his daughter, actress Angelina Jolie, whom he had by his first marriage. He left his wife when Jolie was less than a year old.
I'm assuming these reflections indicate the seeds of true belief. Because otherwise it's too difficult to admit the mistakes of a lifetime.
Because of my own radical conversion, I get excited when I hear things like this. And I start praying like crazy because new believers in prominent places are especially vulnerable - witness Jane Fonda's seemingly authentic salvation and the subsequent shrivelling up of her belief - like the seed thrown on stony ground.
But we should never scoff, never assume the worst. Let's pray for Anne and for Jon, that the seeds of their belief would take root and that their influence would continue - only now for great good.
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Comments
Barbara, thank you for sharing your wonderful testimony. It's so encouraging to me to see how God has drawn people to Himself, especially for unsaved friends and family who seem "impossible". Gives me great hope!
I have watched your family (we've met briefly at church, and Zach is a friend of my two sons), and I have seen the love of Christ evident in y'all. The Lord bless you!
Posted by: Kathy Weitz | November 15, 2005 12:37 PM
Well, I take your comment to pray for Anne Rice to heart, it sure wasn't my first, second or 3rd reaction. All I've read from her re: this topic/new book is leaving out critical info like, I am a sinner and I need a Saviour! Then again, that could be a result of the interviewer's bias.
Newsweek's recent cover, famous Baby Boomers Turning 60, is so interesting. Especially in light of some of them (Jon Voigt, etc) realizing their spiritual vacuity and looking to God. Albert Brooks writes in a humor essay, "the Times, They are A-Changin'", "...when the drugs wore off and the love wasn't free anymore..." isn't that so true!
Posted by: floorplan | November 16, 2005 9:23 AM
I believe that Jesus Christ is working
his will in the heart of Anne Rice. She will find the truth, and the truth will make her free! ( Jn 8:31-32 ) God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Heb 11:6) I trust her sincerety and pray that the world will watch as our Lord molds her into his Desciple. God bless all who read these words.
Posted by: Dixon Allen | November 29, 2005 10:40 AM
