It was a true treat for me to recently grow as friends with Rick Stanley who is step- brother to the late “King of Rock N Roll.” Ricky was with Elvis the night he died at Graceland and had the last full conversation with “E” before he died. Rick accepted Christ after his brother’s death and has been an evangelist and minister of the Gospel for the past three decades.
Rick was gracious to be a guest on my radio show “FRANKLY SPEAKING” and we talked about life, loss, love and living for the Lord. If you missed it feel free to hit the side bar to the left and click “Frank & Friends” and you can listen to the 17 minute interview. Rick accepted my invite in March of this year to preach a three service revival at First Baptist Church of Accokeek – www.FBCOA.org. We had a blast and he bragged on Jesus while sharing stories about what it was like to be a brother to one of the world’s most recognized people.
For the occassion, I pulled out the replica ring that I got while touring Graceland and it is the last ring that Elvis purchased for himself. It is now the world famous “TCB” ring. The real ring was solid 18KT gold with diamonds glittered over it with a massive 13 carat diamond in the middle with lightening bolts surrounding it. Apparently, the famed pianist Liberace had a massive ring and Elvis not to be out done bought one bigger. In 1974, he paid a whopping $30,000 for the ring!
Priscilla Presley designed the symbol while they were flying on Elvis’ airplane named after their daughter: “LISA MARIE.” Ironically, as she was drawing the TCB symbol which would later become the motto for Elvis and his entourage a storm smashed outside of the plane at 25,000 feet and lightening crackled through the sky just missing their personal jet. She then added the lightening bolts to express: “TCB – Taking Care of Business” in a FLASH!
I was adorning the ring at one service that Rick spoke at our church in March 2009, and I was uncertain how to wear the large ring. I rarely wear it because it is too big (larger than a Super Bowl ring). Ministers are already criticized for being in ministry “for the money” and I didn’t want to add any more fuel to the fire. I had the ring on my right hand on the third finger like Elvis wore it but apparently had it on wrong (upside down). Ricky in his southern drawl after the concert came up to me with a smile and said: “Frank, you are wearing it wrong man. You don’t wear it for you but for them (crowd).”
What a powerful point and immediately after being put in place by the brother of one of my childhood heroes it dawned on me that two thousand years ago my hero today, Jesus carried a cross down a Jerusalem street. Exhausted, beaten and almost dead; His nearly life-less body adorned both a crown and cross and Christ is now crucified nearly naked before the community. He was whipped like no other man in the history of humanity, He was bruised, bloodied and beaten and nailed between two thieves on two pieces of wood while suspended between Heaven and Earth.
His followers were no longer following. Women were both worshipping and weeping and soldiers that were just mocking Him and marking Him like meat with Roman swords are at the foot of the cross and feet of Christ and now gambling for the garments of God. Some disciples were lying that they knew Him. Pharisees trying with religious and political tricks to dismiss Him. His mother Mary and others crying while the Son of God was left dying on a dark day just outside of the city gate. That day more than any person in the annals of history, Jesus “TOOK CARE of BUSINESS!” It dawned on me that just as Elvis wore the ring not for himself but for his fans; Jesus carried a cross that was really mine and yours but “wore it for them (crowd).”
Elvis ring was gold but Jesus’ cross was now God’s. He stood up in the Garden of Gethsemane where Adam & Eve failed in Garden of Eden. He taught us how to live and we by our sin and selfishness taught Him how to die. He bore our sin, embraced our shame and became our substitute leading us to Salvation. His sacrifice became our saving grace and because He died we could live. The “American Dream” is going from rags to riches. Elvis went from a shotgun shack in Tupelo, MS to moving into Graceland, a southern colonial mansion in Memphis, TN.
Elvis went from rags to riches. Jesus went from riches to rags. Christ went from a Mansion in Heaven to a manger on Earth. He wore Royal Robes but put on my ripped rags. He had a studded crown but removed it to wear our splintered cross. Born in a wooden crib and beaten to die on wooden cross and because of His great grief we could experience God’s great grace. He died so we could live and to top it all off; Jesus didn’t wear that cross for Him but for them (crowd). Go God and thank you Jesus!
I have always been a huge Elvis Fan myself. I remember my sister and cousins always teasing me. God bless you Frankie!
Frank I am really blessed the Lord put you in my life as a mentor and your encouragement is always a blessing. Thanks for being obedient buddy. You work for the Lord is an inspiration to all of us!!
“This was a great post Frank – Thanks buddy”