Healer

Now those of us who are well informed in the music scene of worship, from hillsong to hymns will have heard about the unfortunate events surrounding Michael Guglielmucci's Terminal Illness and his song about his struggles called "healer", It is my misfortune to announce (if you hadn't already known) that this was all a fabrication. Now below is an article i have found that tackles the issue with great wisdom and biblical background and if there's anything more i can add that the Article doesn't say it's that we should all be keeping Romans 2:1 in mind in this time of confusion and probable anger.

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Dear Worship Community,

I write this article today from my home office and studio. Looking outside my windows I can see the rain and wind increasing from Tropical Storm Fay. Although she is located several hours south of our home I can see and feel her presence. As the sky grows darker and more ominous I can’t help but think of the storm we’ve encountered over the last twenty four hours in the world’s worshiping communities.

Breaking across the news, forums, blogs, and twitter we all became aware of a great disappointment involving Mike Guglielmucci, author of the smashing hit song, “Healer”. Many who are familiar with this song and Mike’s story would read this and immediately think “Mike has passed away. He lost his battle with cancer”.

Sadly, that is not the disappointment and sorrow that we embraced yesterday. On the contrary, we learned the terrible news that Mike Guglielmucci’s story of his terminal disease, his battle with cancer, and who knows what else …. was a lie. One of the original stories was published in this Australian news site.

So as worshipers, many of whom have promoted this song, the now-famous video testimony, and the recordings, we find ourselves tossing back and forth with waves of emotion including anger, grief, frustration, bitterness, pity … and the list goes on and on. Many of us have shown the video of this false testimony to our churches, our friends, and even our sick loved ones.

This comes on the heels of continued announcements of sin and moral failure from other well-known ministers including Todd Bentley of the “Lakeland Revival”.

Events like these invoke such incredible emotions and questions. With today’s technology it’s not uncommon for a person, a song, a ministry, or an event to become world-famous within a few weeks. How do we handle the fame?
How do we address the elevation of people and songs into the world’s view? More importantly - how do we handle it when these “vessels” break?

The news came pouring into my inbox yesterday morning. I was scheduled to lead an hour of worship and prayer at my home church, St. Simons Community Church. I arrived for prayer, sat down at the keyboard, and looked across the congregation. With authentic disclosure I leaned into the mic and said, “I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to worship. I don’t want to sing. I’m frustrated. I’m disappointed and disillusioned”. Jumping into a super-spiritual time of worship would have been fake and fabricated - just as much as the story Mike Guglielmucci has told us. I gave a quick, 2-3 minute recap of the morning’s events and just sat back for prayer.

One of the men in the congregation spoke out and brought forth a reading from God’s Word that I believe is incredibly relevant to this situation.

15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.

18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, …

Philippians 1:15-18 (NIV)

I love how “The Message” translation covers verses 18-19:

18 So how am I to respond? I’ve decided that I really don’t care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on! And I’m going to keep that celebration going 19 because I know how it’s going to turn out.

Men and women of God, we must remember this truth. God has given us His light. We are to be His glory here in the earth. However, the all-wise God of the Universe chose to put Himself in us, a people who despite all the wonderful glory of God are “prone to wander” as the hymn writer of “Come Thou Fount” so poetically puts it.

Paul speaks to this in 2 Corinthians:

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all‑surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Cor. 4:7)

We are these earthen, clay vessels. The thing about earthen, clay vessels is that they are fragile. They can break. So when vessels break, how do we respond? Biblical discipline should be exercised through the local church. I’m grateful to see this is happening. The position of influence and honor should be removed. Restoration should begin. Healing should be sought. Prayer should be offered.

As I have pondered these events, I’m somewhat at peace by the reminder that none of this surprised God. He wasn’t caught off guard. As much as this sin and failure grieves Him and His Church, He is still in control.

We do not know the heart or motives of Mike Guglielmucci, Todd Bentley, or other ministers who have had their sins exposed on a worldwide level. We certainly must confess that we’re all capable of such sin. We must ask ourselves how the Church would respond if all of our secret sins, thoughts, motives, and selfish ambitions were exposed for the world to see.

With this in mind, we have to ask ourselves this question - does the breaking of the vessel disqualify what the vessel produced? Is the song tainted? Honestly, the true motive behind the creation of these lyrics and this beautiful, anthemic melody is still unknown. We cannot (and should not) accurately judge that at this time with our limited information. Still, aren’t these lyrics still true? Do they not express God’s redemption and healing grace? Do they not uplift and edify the sick, the weak and the weary?

Lastly, could it be that God will use any vessel (weak, strong, broken, tainted) to accomplish His will? I believe we can go to Scripture and see God using the weak to confound the wise. He uses wicked Kings and rulers to further His plan. He uses prostitutes and yes, even donkeys. He uses you and me.

These actions, like Tropical Storm Fay, are sending out their effects. The rock has been thrown into the water, and the ripples are racing across time. How will we, the Church, respond? Despite our frustration, let’s allow the local church and those in authority over these “broken vessels” their freedom to exercise discipline. For the rest of us, let us pray. Pray earnestly for those affected. Pray that God will be glorified in the midst of failure. Pray that “in our weakness, He will be strong”. Pray for wisdom to those involved in the music industry that have supported this song. Pray for Planetshakers, Hillsongs, and for Integrity Music. Pray for the tens of thousands of Believers that will be discouraged by high profile, public failure.

I believe You’re my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You’re my Portion
I believe You’re more than enough for me
Jesus You’re all I need
My Healer, You’re my Healer
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

As for me ….

I STILL BELIEVE.
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To see the actual article please go to

http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/when-vessels-break/

Full credit to Fred McKinnon

"Fred McKinnon is the Founder and Publisher of TheWorshipCommunity.Com. He's also the Worship Director for St. Simons Community Church, a husband, father of 4 wonderful kids, an e-biz owner, and a self-professed web2.0 addict, blogging at www.fredmckinnon.com."

So will you still believe after this?

I will, and i also believe strongly that nothing we can do will ever hinder God's Power, whether that is the power to heal or to simply answer your prayers.

Struggles

It has been a few weeks since my last post and I thought I better update this thing.

After Get Smart I was on fire for God, and I need say that it has died a bit but it’s been good that mostly the fire has continued in its strength. It’s difficult for me to have such strong faith at times, especially when I continually argue with atheists who (for my rational and thinking mind) pose a good argument from time to time. I believe that that same thinking ability of mine is in need of a balance, its one of the reasons I walked away from God, yet at the same time it’s been pretty much the sole factor for my strengthening in faith for God. After Get Smart I found out that I had scoliosis and I felt deprived of the fact that I could have gotten healed, but with my thinking mind I reminded myself that with God there is no plan B, everything is according to his plan. However my physical condition has not improved much.

This year I haven't been exercising much and although I’m not one who actually cares what others think about my body and looks, I am one who (for the sake of the fact that my body is God's temple) wants to respect my body and be healthy and fit. I have never liked exercise much but have kept up with soccer and general walking around, its not as if I have much time this year to be active and going to a gym or anything as my schedule is choka block already and I can only hope that not having school next year will free things up a lot for me. Whilst I am aware that for every struggle God will provide us with Blessings and/or a rejoicing time, it’s hard when I'm going all out for God and I seem to not get much in return. In saying that I am preaching next week at our Christian group at school and I am prayerfully jumping into that task with all I can give it.

This weekend coming up is going to be amazing, with youth group on Friday night, the school ball on Saturday night and church Sunday morning, followed by a worship service that night also. Amongst all my struggles and stress I see evidently that God is up to something great, I talk to friends who all say that their church needs to find a bigger venue. I see more ad's on TV about Sunday services, and TV programmes which broadcast some of these. I know that whilst God has a plan for my life I have to see past that and think broader, think about the huge revivals he is doing worldwide and in my own city. I see on the news the constant troubles and misfortune of war, poverty, famine, pollution and all the rest of it so I’m now making another stand against news. Not because I want to be ignorant about it but merely because it pains me to watch sometimes, when I’m doing all I can for God where he has put me but begin to wonder "where are the people that he has called for these regions?" and more importantly why are we a generation that ignores such calls, we all want to make a change and do something great with our life’s but God it just seems we're all talk and no walk when you actually call us to do great things.

Father in heaven I thank you for what you are doing, but Jesus I pray that we begin to be a generation who won't back down from your call at the first sign of struggle and persecution, you took the ultimate punishment and what we endure is mere bee stings in comparism.

God give us a heart of Passion, a heart that serves. No matter what the cost.