Anna Nicole Smith Dies
by Denise Morris on 02/08/2007 at 5:35 PM
Former model and reality television star, Anna Nicole Smith died today. According to this MSNBC report, the 39-year-old was found to be unresponsive in her Florida hotel room earlier today:
She was stricken while staying at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and was rushed to a hospital. Edwina Johnson, chief investigator of the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office, said the cause of death was under investigation and an autopsy would be done on Friday.
Smith had quite the life in her 39 years. She was a Playboy model, the widow of an octogenarian oil tycoon, a reality television star, and a spokesperson for weight-loss supplements. Her 20-year-old son died of a drug-related causes last September, only days after her daughter was born. There is currently a paternity battle being waged over her baby, which will probably only get worse now that Anna Nicole is gone.
I was surprised and saddened to hear of Anna Nicole's death, mainly because her life seemed so tragic. She will probably be remembered as someone who made poor decisions and flaunted them in public -- not the legacy most people want to leave behind.
Something like this makes me realize the humanity behind all of the people we see on television and in the tabloids everyday. If I ever pay attention to them, it's usually only to be offended by their antics or to crack jokes at their expense. But when someone like Anna Nicole -- who was obviously so lost -- dies, reality hits. These are real people with real problems, real hurts, real insecurities, and most importantly, real souls.
Perhaps I should pay more attention to the tabloids -- if only to pray for the people on the covers.
1. Emma said the following at 10:53 PM on Feb 8:
Great points Denise. However, I think you should be careful in saying she was "obviously so lost." I think I understand what you mean here, but it could be misinterpreted to mean you think you know for certain the state of her soul.
2. jenny said the following at 6:31 AM on Feb 9:
My feelings exactly ... I am humbly asking God to help me see the lost world the way Jesus did. Matt. 9:36 "When He saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." ..
3. Ted Slater said the following at 7:23 AM on Feb 9:
Emma -- I appreciate your concern. That said, saying she was "obviously so lost" isn't necessarily a condemnation, or judgment that she is in hell. It is an observation that she didn't seem to live a life of significance: She didn't appear to know where she was, didn't appear to know where she was going. By all indications, she was indeed "lost." Lost in this life, and perhaps lost in the next. May we be sobered by her tragic life.
4. Elena said the following at 9:14 AM on Feb 9:
Not that the two situations are exactly alike, but this reminds me of Karen Carpenter... dying too young.
Wonder if the fluctuations in her body chemistry (caused by great weight gain and then loss...maybe by substance abuse?) led to Anna Nicole's death.
Anoerexia eventually led to heart problems in Karen Carpenter, and she had a heart attack and died in the early 80s, after a successful career but unsatisfying personal life...and a terrible battle against an unhealthy view of her body.
It really is sad when the life of someone who long had been in the spotlight, is like a dim light that seemed to just "wink out." And shows you: living for the limelight will not satisfy your soul.
"Never knowin' who to cling to, when the rain set in..."---an apt phrase from the song "Candle in the Wind"---may we recognize those who are adrift in life, who need to know there is One they can cling to.
5. Denise said the following at 9:17 AM on Feb 9:
Hey Emma,
Ted summed up my thoughts fairly well. When I said she was "lost," I was mainly commenting on what I saw of her on television and in the tabloids. More than almost any other celebrity, she just seemed to be wandering through life. I wasn't trying to pass judgment on her. Thanks for helping me clarify, though!
6. Emma said the following at 10:36 AM on Feb 9:
Thanks for clarifying Denise and Ted -- I agree completely. What is even sadder for me is how many other people there are who lack purpose and meaning in their lives that we never even hear of.
7. Vincenzo said the following at 1:43 PM on Feb 9:
I admit I've been judgemental of celebrities, and it's true many of them do live immoral and strange lives. I guess that's what happens when you are always trying to live up to the expectations of the culture and the people that "made you". I think if we really looked into the lives of celebrities and saw how broken some of them really were, many of us wouldn't be so quick to want fame, as many in our culture are star struck (American Idol, etc.) But on a lighter side, I have a friend who's friend is in the acting business (no one famous so don't ask me who LOL), but he says that the Lord is really moving among some of the actors and actressess in Hollywood. I believe that we will see a great move of God in Hollywood, and many celebs will be touched by the Lord's healing.
8. Adam said the following at 5:25 AM on Feb 10:
Great topic!
I think it is best to put it the way Jesus did...
Luke 13:3 "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
In other words, if Anna Nicole repented, she is not in hell. If she did not repent, she is. God is the one who gives repentance [Acts 5:31, 2 Timothy 2:25], and I don't know her life well enough to know whether or not she did repent, but I do say that she is not in heaven if she did not turn from these things, and turn to Christ.
May we all take Jesus' warning that, unless we repent of our sins, we will likewise perish. We are all going to die someday. Anna Nicole's life proves it can be as young as 39. That is why the gospel is so important to us as Christians. That is also why it is so important that we not water it down when we tell others, and teach the whole of the gospel including repentance from sin. Jesus needs to be Lord of our entire lives. Jesus said, "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" We should be living a life of obedience so we will not live a life of wandering here and there like Anna Nicole. Therefore, we need to both obey and pass along Jesus' command to:
Mark 1:15b repent and believe in the gospel.
God Bless,
Adam
9. Michael said the following at 7:21 PM on Feb 18:
Based on the Bible - Anna Nicole Smith is in Heaven with Jesus!
Go here to view the video of her testimony of Jesus Christ:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TVILZlvc-pE
'No one can say, "Jesus Christ is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit'. 1 Corinthians 12:4
Luke 12:8-9 - Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.
God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8