Thomas Kinkade’s Death Called Accidental Overdose

I am sure that for all of you that were Thomas Kinkade fans, the news of his death was a sad event for you. I know it was for me. Today, when I arrived at my mothers to celebrate Mother’s day with her, I found a notice of this news story in my email. The Washington Post is reporting that the coroner is declaring Thomas Kinkade’s an accidental overdose. I was unaware, but it is reported that Thomas was struggling with alcoholism and that mixed with anti-anxiety medication was not a good combination for him. This raises a whole lot of questions concerning who our hero’s are behind closed doors and the fact that those hero’s many times have clay feet and are all too human. Personally I like my hero’s with imperfections but I am normally in the minority on such things. However, regardless if Thomas Kinkade was struggling with alcoholism and on anti-anxiety medication, it is just sad that this was the way his life ended. Over the next few weeks I am sure that the media is going to have a field day with this news. I would just like to encourage you to remember that except for the grace of God, there go I.  Here are some excerpts from the story.

Accidental Overdose Reported Cause of Death For Thomas Kinkade

By Lauren Markoe| Religion News Service,

Christian painter Thomas Kinkade died of a drug and alcohol overdose, according to an autopsy report released Monday (May 7). Kinkade’s April 6 death was ruled accidental by the Santa Clara County Coroner’s office, which found high levels of alcohol and the anti-anxiety medication Diazepam in his body, according to Reuters.

The artist had struggled with alcoholism, according to his family. Kinkade, 54 when he died, was one of the most commercially successful artists in history, selling millions of light-infused scenes of cozy cottages nestled in fairytale-like valleys. His brother Patrick Kinkade, a professor at Texas Christian University, told the San Jose Mercury news that the artist had been troubled in recent years by a separation from his wife, business problems and critics’ low opinions of his work. In 2010, the year he filed for bankruptcy, Thomas Kinkade was arrested for drunk driving.

source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/autopsy-christian-painter-thomas-kinkade-died-of-accidental-overdose/2012/05/08/gIQAN0UDBU_story.html

What is a Christian response to Thomas Kinkade’s autopsy report?

I just want to encourage everyone that before they get on the finger pointing bandwagon, that we need to remember that we are all sinners saved by grace. All of us have strengths and weaknesses and there is not one weakness that is worse than the other in God’s eyes. I want to encourage everyone that this is just another example of how we as believers in Jesus need to keep our eyes open and reach out to those that are struggling. Whether it is someone struggling with the addiction to alcohol or the fear that comes from the enemy of our souls. Thomas Kinkade was a blessing to thousands of people and communicated the gospel in such a way that spoke to people when they viewed his paintings. He was gifted and used that gift for the glory of God. However just because somebody is gifted does not mean they are perfect or that they do not struggle with issues. So the next time you look at one of your hero’s or one of your leaders in your church or fellowship, remember, they are human too and that they have feet of clay. Take a moment to look at them as a person and to see and observe if they are struggling. If so, maybe you can be a blessing back to them like they have been to you.

Blessings!

Pastor Duke