Together #1
Alright, I am going to be writing a series of posts over the next 7 weeks leading up to Catalyst on October 8-10. These posts will all tie in to the concept of “together”, which is our theme for this year’s event. Let’s get started.
TOGETHER thought #1: How about we PRAY for Michael Guglielmucci, the writer of the song Healer, who recently admitted that he never had terminal cancer and has also been battling a porn addiction for the past 16 years, instead of all secretly reveling in the fact that someone else who was high on the pedastal of being known for an incredible song has now been knocked off the perch.
We as Christians are notorious for rejoicing in the unfortunate demise of stars, or celebrities, or those of influence within our camp. It drives me crazy. I have had at least 10 people in the last week who have done the typical “did you hear about the guy who wrote the Healer? All a scam. What a loser.” Once a superstar, now trashed and thrown into the ditch while we wait on someone else to come along and hype us up once more.
Michael needs us as the body of Christ now more than ever. Just ask all the other people of influence we’ve left in the ditch. He’s battling with sin, the same sin that we all battle with every day. Whether lust, or lying, or pride, or adultery, or deceit, or slander. There by the grace of God go I.
Action item for TODAY: Pray for Michael. Pray for his family. Pray that he would be healed. And when someone talks to you about this unfortunate incident, just stop and pray with them. For Michael and his family.
Totally agree. Wrote on same thing last week (http://bit.ly/2o4Fri).
I’d also add that we should lay claim on the continuing redemptive power of the song itself. So many great songs get tainted because of the fallen state of man. The truth of that song doesn’t change just because of the struggles and lies of the songwriter. The words are still powerful & true. Let’s pray that God would redeem the song & would continue to impact people’s lives with it.
BTW – Love the idea for the series. Looking forward to your posts.
You’re so right on. Didn’t Jesus say something about the world seeing we were His followers by how much we loved each other? Something we all need to be reminded of from time to time.
well said, brad.
the day that Jesus-followers become known for how they rally around, love, encourage, and help broken people get back on their feet is the day we’ll be relevant again.
spot on brad.
this is how we show the world that we belong to Jesus: by loving one another – even when we screw up.
at least he admitted and brought it to light. how many of us struggle with sin in dark?
i’m praying for healing.
excellent post bro. “Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone.” -Jesus
Thank you for posting this. When the truth came out people were saying that his song was no longer usable because of the controversy. I disagree. If all sin is equal, then the sin music ministers deal with on a weekly basis could disqualify them and their music as well. We DO need pray for him and remember that God’s grace is the only thing keeping us all breathing.
I totally agree that we need to be praying for him and extending grace.
What I honestly do struggle with is how do we help reconcile things like this to unbelievers?
Hear me out.
Joe Blow is not a Christian or maybe he’s a seeker. He is watching the news. He sees how a respected Christian, who professes Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and has for years, falls in pretty substantial way like this. Next week Joe Blow see’s another news story with a local pastor who is stripped from his position due to an affair, porn, gay relationship… you name it. Joe Blow thinks, “I thought giving my life to Jesus was supposed to help free me from this kind of stuff. Why didn’t these guys professed relationship with Christ help stop them from doing this?”
Now, before anyone blast me… I know each individual is unique and I know any of us can fall. I’m talking about raw perceptions from those outside of our church family (church meaning believers who are educated enough to know that we are all fallen and always capable of failing due to our human sin nature).
We should definitely come along side the broken, even our own, in love and rebuilding…. But what can we do to help combat the negative impact /perception these events make on unbelievers? Better accountability amongst believers to each other maybe?
I completely agree we should love each other, more so when the enemy has us down for the count.
But, I also think this is just another reminder to worship the Creator and not the ones who create things. So often in our world, and our churches, we idolize, worship, and focus on the people that God is using to convey his love and his message. I can’t tell you how many people I have spoken to that left the church because some “person” of spiritual influence didn’t live up to that person’s expectations…hey, we all sin. It is a difficult point to communicate to those new in the faith or those with a thin faith, but Michael’s situation simply reminds me that Michael, and all of us, are only vessels being used to glorify Him. The song didn’t come from Michael, like all good things it was a gift God gave us through Michael. I am blessed by the song and will sing it and pass it along to those that are hurting and need a reminder that there is truly a healer that surpasses all others.
My sorrow is that Michael didn’t understand the gift he was given and sadly tried to put the emphasis on himself rather than Christ. I am thankful for all of the men and women who teach, preach, sing and communicate for Christ, but whether they are Andy Stanley, Billy Graham, Brad Lomenick =) or anyone else our focus and our worship should be on the giver of all good things and those he has allowed to give it through.