Steve Alessi: Author of Alessi’s Angle, Pastor of Metro Life Church in Miami, Husband of World Renown Worship Leader Mary Alessi and Father of Four. 
As with most, when Mary and I heard that Whitney Houston had passed away we were saddened and immediately turned on the news to find out the details. Though I have appreciated her singing for many years, for Mary it was total shock and sadness as she remembers the music and the voice, and wanting to sound just like Whitney. Since society has had to deal with losing some of our dearest and most talented artists in the last year, as I watched the news hoping to catch the details, there was a part of me that just hoped and prayed we wouldn't hear anything that would further tarnish the questionable reputation of this superstar. I wanted to let her, as was immediately tweeted by millions, just RIP.
Knowing the desire we all have for information I don't think the media will just let Whitney rest in peace. The same people who have celebrated her amazing talent and pristine voice, will be the ones digging to get down to what caused her death. And we will be channel surfing to hear the latest, knowing Bobby is somehow still connected to all of this. Oh how we love to point the finger of blame, and you better believe we'll be seeing and hearing more about Bobby Brown.
My thought in this is hopefully that in our mourning we will gain something from this loss, since after all, we're supposed to live and learn. In processing the images and news stories, I find myself wanting to appreciate and remember Whitney's early years. The years she sang with grace and her voice literally pierced our souls while tiny beads of sweat formed across her upper lip. Those were the days, the songs and the sounds of Whitney I want to remember. Which makes me realize I was more in touch with her gift than I was with her. It wasn't Whitney I loved, it was her voice. And herein lies the lesson. Yes, gifts and talents are a beautiful thing to have as they add so much to our lives and to the world around us. But what happens when our star no longer shines so bright? What then do we have to offer life and the ones we love?
I find myself struggling with this issue in our society today, with some trying to convince themselves that life is just about their gifting. Please don't try to sell us on how good you are as a person just by performing with your gift. Yes, we love your gift, but that's only what you do. What about who you are? That means more to us than what you do, because what you do is simply a show...a performance...a gig and a demonstration of a God-given gift. But all shows must come to an end one day. And yes, we enjoy celebrating your gift, but even more than that, we need to respect your life.
The danger in making life simply about our gifts rather than our character, is that we'll find ourselves leaving a trail of brokenness and tragedy as we proceed through life. Those we've wanted to help with our gift are only set up for hurt when our life isn't able to keep us at the place our talent has brought us to. Though our fans may be the judge of our gifts, our family will be the judge of our lives. How sad would it be to breeze through life with the cheers of the thousands, while the cry of the few that really matter, goes unnoticed. When it's all said and done, it's the health and well being of those closest to us that will testify to the kind of person we are. It won't be the fickle fans who have moved on and find another star to chase.
I'm glad to have lived during the Whitney Houston era. She was a starlet. A talented, beautiful, yet conflicted soul. From what I understand, her early years found her singing in the church choir, which may be the reason I enjoyed her so much in the movie, The Preacher's Wife. I just wonder what her life would have looked like had she stayed close to those early ties? I only wish her life was bigger than her gift.
RIP Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012).
To honor her memory, tell me your favorite Whitney Houston song.
That's so true Pastor. I try to make sure I touch my family and friends with kindness more than gifting. Thanks for this honoring post.
My fav Whitney song is "Greatest Love of All"
Way back in the day Whitney's voice would bring tears to my eyes. Not so much because some of the lyrics were sad, but her voice was so pure, so clear, it was almost unbearably wonderful to listen to. One of my favorite performances is Bridge Over Troubled Water with Cece Winans, oh boy. But my two very favorites by Whitney are
"All at Once" and "Where do Broken Hearts Go?"
I had always hoped she would come back as a prodigal and be delivered from the life she'd chosen. She left a great deal of memories and we can enjoy her gift forever, I still wished she was here to enjoy more of it. But, remember, "if you believe in forever then life is just a one night stand and if there's a rock n roll Heaven, you know they've got a heck of a band." They've got a new lead singer too.
I grew up listening to Whitney Houston's beautiful voice and hearing about her trials and tribulations. My heart goes out to her beautiful daughter Bobbie Kristina. I can't imagine how painful this loss is for her. I found a song which I had not heard before but which I has become one of my favorite Whitney songs. The title is "I Look to You". I know she's singing this to God and you can almost hear her saying "I look to you, Lord" during the song.
Thank you for your message Pastor Alessi!
My favorite Whitney song was actually her very first hit and it was a duet with Teddy Pendergras entitled "Hold me". It was played at my wedding the first time I danced with my bride. My second favorite Whitney song was when she sang the national anthem at the Super Bowl. I believe we had just gone to war in Iraq for the first time. I don't know that the national anthem will ever be sung with such inspiration again in my lifetime. It was magical and most of all it united the whole nation. Two memories, one that united me with my high school sweetheart and the other that united a nation at war. It is truly tragic when someone so talented, that had the ability to unite others with her gift, would end her life so disconnected from the people that truly loved her. Pastor, as always, a great reminder to all of us that our gifts may make us a living, but our relationships and legacy are what gives us true life.
I can't even pull out a few favorite phrases from this blog because I literally love every word. As for my favorite Whitney Houston song, it's too hard to pick just one, since as all of Whitney's tunes seem to create one beautifully endless song for me. I'll just embed the titles of a few favs in this response. Whitney Houston's music was one of my "Greatest Loves of All," when it comes to ballads. I'm glad that my parents kept me in the church and taught me that even though I will marry a wonderful man, the Lord is "All the Man That I NEED." I must say that this news of Whitney Houston's death hit me "All At Once." It's so sad and true, especially for me who grew up listening to her music. I hope that Whitney who wanted to "Dance with Somebody" is now dancing with the Lord on the streets of gold.
Thank you Pastor for expressing Whitney Houston through your powerful words. And thank you for pointing out what really counts in the lives that we lead.
I remember seeing the cover of Whitney's (at that time record) and thinking what beauty and then heard her voice and was captivated. My favorite of hers is "Count On Me" which she sings in a duet with Cece Winans and of course all time favorite and I believe best rendition EVER "Star Spangled Banner". I welled up hearing her and thinking the strength in her voice transmitted the strength is US as a country! But, unfortunately it was her talent that resonated and her persona and/or life didn't. I believe Ghandi said it best "let your life be your message". I'd like my life to represent all that God is and my hope is that it will impact lives in a positive ripple effect, so that I can hear Him say "Well done my good and faithful servant"
Wow! Deep and oh so True, Pastor Steve! I wonder too, "what her life would have looked like had she stayed close to those early ties(church)"?
I have a lot of favorite Whitney song's. 1985 How Will I Know, 1986 Greatest Love of All, 1987 I Wanna Dance With Somebody, 1987 So Emotional, My oldie but Goodie 1988 Saving All My Love For You ... I can go on! Truth be told, I didn't like the Whitney with Bobby (1999 It’s Not Right But Its Ok), so I didn't pay too much attention to her and that life. I did started to pay more attention when she divorced him and started getting help! OH so I thought.
But the song that got my attention in 2009 "I Look To You"! "As I lay me down, Heaven hear me now, I'm lost without a cause, after giving it my all; After all I've been through, who on earth can I call; Every road that I've taken, lead to my regret, I don't know if I'm going to make it, nothing to do but lift my head; Take me far away from the battle, I need you to shine on me"
Let’s not forget about another Hit she rocked in 2009 Million Dollar Bill ! But the most Impactful Song for me is "I DIDN'T KNOW MY OWN STRENGTH". I wept like a baby as I watched her perform that song, with such confidence and grace. And all I can think about is Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my Strength and my Shield, my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song"
My prayer and my cry is for her daughter, Bobbi Cristina! I pray that she seek the peace, love and guidance of the most high. That she would find refuge in him. That God would comfort and keep her during this extremely difficult time. That God would overwhelm her with his LOVE. AMEN!
Whitney will never be forgotten, but will be missed! Thank you for the message Pastor Steve.
I remember the Body Guard my favorite movie and her duet with Cece Winan Trouble Waters. Thank you for expressing your thoughts with power words. We will miss a very talented woman but, Her family will miss the person they have lost. thank you Pastor Steve for sharing this story with us.
Favorite Song: live National Anthem performance! Still gives me chills whenever I hear it.
Thanks Pastor, what a great way to apply this valuable lesson. Had to share it with my 14 year old....at that age all they see is the gift, get to our age and you realize your point is the true way to see a person.
"One Moment In Time" - 1988 Summer Olympics
I used to play that song over and over again and it always reminded me of the Olympics (which I've ALWAYS loved). It's an anthem for all the ultra-disciplined athletes of the games (noticed I didn't say 'most gifted' athletes).
Bottom-Line: Only the prepared shine in their "One Moment In Time"!!
If you want to listen to "One Moment In Time" with the compilation video of the Olympics that year I found it on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96aAx0kxVSA&ob=av2n
This song has the most EPIC ending...
Just heard the song now; thanks for the memory Pastor... and RIP Whitney
Thanks for those words of encouragement. Just about all of her songs I liked. "I look to you", and "I love the Lord" were one of my favorites.
Yes, Her life shows that the gifts, riches, And talents don't fullfill our lives. It's so sad when we have won the world but lost our own lives... A lot to think about. Thank u for sharing this blog.
This post is interesting and eye opening, however at the end it's written R.I.P Whitney Elizabeth Houston. I guess we write that out of force of habit. But Whitney knew the truth and grew up in the faith however later on rejected it, and fame was her main priority I highly doubt she is resting in peace now. This saddens me more than anything :..(
I love the Lord and I will always love you were my favs
How do I pick??? As much as I have always been a fan of her music, especially the early years, right now my face Whitney song is "I Look to You" b/c that song to me was her heart cry and deepest desire to heal and recover permanently. I wonder why, how, why not, who didn't, but it's a rhetorical wondering. So I'll celebrate her known and unknown best moments of her life with my second favorite, "You Can Count on Me" duet with CeCe Winans.