The Thursday Update

JULY 24, 2025

Lakeshore Family,

Some of you may have seen the news this week about the death of Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic heavy metal singer, often referred to as the “Prince of Darkness.” For me, this one hit differently. As a teenager and young adult, I listened to a lot of his music from Black Sabbath and his solo career. Songs like Paranoid, Iron Man, Crazy Train, Diary of A Madman, Bark at the Moon, and Mama I’m Coming Home, were all part of the soundtrack of my life before I came to faith in Jesus. Back then, I didn’t think much about the spiritual weight of the music I consumed. I was just drawn to the energy, rebellion, and incredible guitar playing from the likes of Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, and Zach Wylde. But looking back, I now see how deeply it reflected a longing for something more - a search for identity, truth, and peace.

Ozzy’s life was full of extremes: incredible fame, intense personal struggles, and a complicated spiritual backdrop. While he played with dark themes of wizardry, mystery, and the demonic, his music often hinted at inner turmoil and brokenness. It’s a reminder that even people who look like they’re flying high again, can be struggling inside. As believers, we know that only Christ can fill that aching void in the human heart. Jesus said in John 12:46, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” That’s the hope we cling to and the light we carry into the world.

Ozzy’s death also reminds us of a sobering truth: life is short, and eternity is real. Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” That might sound heavy, but it’s actually a call to live with purpose. We all leave behind a legacy—through our choices, our character, and the message our lives communicate. The world may celebrate stars like Ozzy for their boldness or edge, but God honors those who walk humbly, love deeply, and shine His light in a dark world.

So let’s be people who don’t just go off the rails on culture’s crazy train, but who live with intention and compassion. Let’s not make our mamas worry because we’ve been bad, bad boys – instead let’s practice kindness and live our lives in accordance with God’s will. Let’s continue to pray for those who still feel lost in the darkness and remember that no one — not even a man once called the Prince of Darkness — is ever beyond the reach of God’s grace. If God can rescue someone like me from all that noise and give me a new song to worship Him, then He can do the same for anyone. Let’s keep pointing people to Jesus—the Prince of Peace and the only source of light, truth, and hope.

Make a great day!

Frank D.