WHITNEY HOUSTON REALLY LOVES JESUS, AS SHE TOLD OPRAH AND ME...

Watching Whitney on Oprah this week...was a testament to her faith and trust in Our Lord. You see, Whitney really does love Jesus, with her whole being. I did not learn this only from watching her on Oprah...but from meeting Whitney in person and talking about Jesus for 20 minutes.

In 2001, we happened to both be on a Disney Cruise...and on one early afternoon, after winning "Disney Bingo", I collected my prizes and was sitting in the lounge sipping on a Bahama Mama, courtesy of Disney. As I gazed out the window and daydreamed, not realizing, suddenly behind me...where a hundred or so people once stood...was no one. I heard a voice say, "Excuse me, is that a Newport cigarette? Could I please have one"? I slowly turned around in my swivel chair and standing next to me was the beautiful Whitney Houston and husband Bobby Brown. At that moment...I was in shock and quickly looked around the room. It was empty, except for Whitney, Bobby, two security guards and myself.

I said, "Are you two, who I think you are, you know what I mean"? She smiled and said, "Yes". I knew it was her, one of my favorite recording artists in the world...and looking down at her finger, was the same huge, beautiful engagement ring seen on her CD. Around her neck hung low, was an amazing cross...

Seeing that beautiful cross on Whitney, easily allowed me to bring up Jesus and let her know...what a special person she was and that her voice was a gift from the LORD. I said , "He uses you to reach others" and I had a concrete example.

In the year 2000, I was the President of a small Westchester, NY radio station and produced a program entitled "Seeking God Together". I needed a theme song for the show and I prayed about it. Both the Host, Patricia Ditrio and I, came up with the same song. It was entitled, "I Believe In You And Me" and we played it as an introduction to the program. I thought this is the perfect time to ask Whitney...did she mind me using her song? It also illustrated how God uses Whitney's voice and song to reach others in HIS work. Feeling happy and in shock talking with Whitney, I could not remember the name of the song. So I sang it...yes, that is correct...I sang to Whitney Houston. I said, "Do you recognize the song"? She laughed and said, "Bobby, isn't Kathleen so funny, of course I recognize the song, it's mine and I sang it".

We all laughed. But for 20 minutes, we talked about how Jesus is both our best friend and Saviour. She had incredible faith. She loved Jesus and was completely devoted to HIM. In between our talk, I managed to get three kisses and hugs...because later on...I might have thought, "Gosh, I never got a hug or kiss".

Regardless of what Whitney was going through at the time, her love of Jesus was evident and her commitment to HIM. I knew that Jesus would carry her through anything. Whitney was so down to earth, loving and sweet. She is one of God's angels... in her heart and voice. I kept Whitney in my prayers always...because she loved Jesus so much...and she was one of the nicest people that I had ever met...so humble and unassuming.

I am proud of you Whitney and I love you!
Warmest regards to you my friend...
Love,
Kathleen Frangeskos