It wasn’t so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn’t know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It’s a wonder God didn’t lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.
Ephesians 2:1-6 (The Message)
I am sure by now that most of you have heard the story of Pastor Michael Guglielmucci, who pretended to have terminal cancer for 2+ years to hide his addiction to pornography. He wrote the hit song “Healer” featured on Hilsongs newest CD. I have wavered back and forth between anger, disbelief, and finally compassion. I couldn’t understand how the disease that I would give anything to get rid of could have been so desirable to him, and I really couldn’t understand how he could fake it for so long, even fooling his wife and family. And then I thought about how many people this has affected. How it has affected Integrity music and Hilsong.
How it has affected the body of Christ.
And then I thought about how many people, like me, truly honestly believed that he was terminally ill. We believed him. Those of us with terminal illness’ ourselves, who bought his song “Healer” off Itunes and listened to it over and over again, truly believing the words…
But does his sin change who God is? Does Michael’s sin change what God does? Does his sin change who God can heal?
Does his sin change Gods love for him….
The title of this post is “Where will you run”… I pray that Michael runs straight to the arms of Jesus, and that those Christians around him help him to get there instead of tearing him away.
By Your Side - Tenth Avenue North
Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don’t turn away
Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I’m not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you runAnd I’ll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don’t fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world’s sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life
Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I’ll never let you go
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I had to listen to this three times. In a row. Thank you so much for posting it.
I actually hadn’t heard about that pastor, but I am no longer surprised at what happens in a fallen world.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Mrss last blog post..School Days and Migraine Update
by MrsThank you for taking a stand — in the right direction. Something I’ve learned over the last few years is that the body simply has no idea what to do with a fallen brother/ sister. Absolutely, what he did was awful, hand-in-hand with evil. But the picture of what you said, him running straight into the arms of Jesus, leaves me no other option than to realize that my response to any person caught in such public sin MUST be the same: extend my arms, and help them find the grace and forgiveness that Jesus offers. Thank you for leading the way.
Sarah S.s last blog post..Catching Up!
by Sarah S.I had a hard time finishing the post…got stuck at “You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience.” Whoa! What an awesome, earth-shattering, will-shattering translation of that Scripture.
Beth/Mom2TwoVikingss last blog post..Tackle It Tuesday
by Beth/Mom2TwoVikingsI found a post on this that sums up how I feel (about the song more than the man):
http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=5728
If the song inspires you, there’s no reason it shouldn’t continue to do so. As for this pastor, have we not all sinned and fallen short? There is none worthy, no, not one.
There’s also another great song you might enjoy about living with cancer. It was written by someone I know, but it’s been downloaded thousands of times on iTunes. He worked with Lance Armstrong’s LiveStrong foundation on it. The video is on the left side of the page: http://www.myspace.com/scottleger
Lisa @ put-it-on-the-lists last blog post..San Antonio Stuff… Part 1
by Lisa @ put-it-on-the-list“But does his sin change who God is? Does Michael’s sin change what God does? Does his sin change who God can heal?
Does his sin change Gods love for him….”
So well put (as always).
Amazing lyrics again too.
JanMary, N Irelands last blog post..Birthday Aftermath!
by JanMary, N IrelandStange story. Just goes to show what sin can do do us.
by Robin in New JerseyThis is such a sad story of a fallen sinner and the Church body suffering for it, and those who wanted to believe in “The Healer”
I appreciate that you, as a part of that body… holds out the arms of compassion and forgiveness of Michael after the initial shock and anger wears off! The song or God just did not need a gimmick and again YOU are so right…his sin does not change WHO GOD IS…that HE IS THE HEALER…and Thank God when “one of us sins and portrays Jesus in a bad light”, Our Lord is MORE POWERFUL and still can and will SHINE through with MIRACLES to HEAL inspite of our sin.
Thank you, Heather for offering Jesus to restore Michael instead of crucify him or mock him, YOU have shown Jesus and I pray along with you that he runs to straight to Jesus and those around him help him and point him to repentance and mercy. God forgive us and him!
I’m so glad you shared another song from your new CD of Tenth Avenue North.”By Your Side” is where we all long to be!
by Peggy@Mazes, Messes, & Miracles....Peggy@Mazes, Messes, & Miracles….s last blog post..HUSBAND ENCOURAGEMENT CHALLENGE & PRAYER IV
God is so much BIGGER! He can work through anyone regardless… The healer who is full of pride, this pastor who is an addict, the healer who is just out for money… Anyone. God does not change and he knows the heart of every person.
I pray also that this man finally receives the healing and deliverance he needs… What a power addiction to be driven to such deceit but God can and will heal him if he repents and desires that healing. I pray also for his family, friends and church…
And like you, I pray he runs to his Heavenly Father who loves him.
Kathleens last blog post..Opportunities to share
by KathleenHeartbreaking story, but what a testimony on your part… it seems like such a slap in the face to people who really have cancer, and yet you pray for him. You are truly an instrument of God’s grace and mercy, and believe me, some of us out here listen to you and watch you. I have watched your reactions to cancer and the world around you, and you are ever graceful, ever mindful of God and all that He is and will be. I’ve learned from you that it’s okay to be angry, but we should praise God through ALL things. Thank you, Heather! I am so glad that I stumbled upon your blog all those months ago! (I really should say, “Thank you, God, for bringing me to Heather’s blog.”)
For the second time, I went right out and bought the CD with the song whose lyrics you wrote on your post. (The other one is “Yours”.) I am never disappointed in the music I pick up from your blog. I’ve experienced some tough things in the past 16 months, and Christian music has inspired me and encouraged me and kept me going. I appreciate your sharing lyrics and songs with us that touch you!
Kristi Skippers last blog post..A Trip in Pictures, Part III (Arlington National Cemetery)
by Kristi SkipperSo, so good. I found it interesting that, on the article about this you twittered earlier, there was a link to a “Should he be forgiven?” poll. And that the vast majority of people said no. Now I know that many of those people probably aren’t Christians, but I couldn’t help but be so sad to see that. Who are we to say that a man shouldn’t be forgiven? To say that we, who are no different in God’s eyes, are worthy to withhold forgiveness… who do we think we are? Of course it’s true that with our own earthly view, this looks more hideous than, say, getting angry with my kids, but my children and husband extend grace to me when I’m taking out frustration on them. I wish we’d all realize more often how much grace has been given to us and be willing to extend that to others, no matter how heinous the sin seems to us.
by Ashleigh (Heart and Home)Someone told me about this pastor this weekend, and I felt so bad.
(((Hugs))) Sweet Heather. I know it had to sting.
Gayle @ thewestiecrews last blog post..The Pictures
by Gayle @ thewestiecrewI posted earlier about this, before the pornography issue came out. I will add a link to this post on the post below (will do it tomight or tomorrow):
http://www.lizas-eyeview.com/2008/08/mike-guglielmucci-lied-and-faked-his.html
God bless you Heather. Still praying for you. Praying for full recovery :)
Liza’s Eyeviews last blog post..Psalm 62
by Liza's EyeviewI couldn’t believe it. I only posted the link to the song to you days before this story broke. Here in Australia… wow. You can imagine.
Precious Heather, I love you, and I’m so sorry that a fellow countryman and brother in Christ has hurt you so terribly.
It’s tough… though, and my husband and I have discussed this at length (as music directors at church) and with our pastor that the song is no less powereful now, as it was then. We just need to let it lie (no pun!) for the moment, and let the hoo-ha die down. The words are no less true. If you focus on the story, and not the words, it becomes sensationalism. We pray for Michael. As a worship team, we have made a point of it since we found out last week. Sin is sin. He just happens to be more predominant than the rest of us.
Jesus is still the same! The song “Turn your eyes upon Jesus” keeps flitting into my mind whenever I think about it. In the light of His glory and grace… all things are dim.
by JenJens last blog post..Beverage
Sweet Heather,
I had not heard of this story until this morning when I read it here. I am so sorry for the people this has hurt, especially you my friend. I would like to think that since I am new to it, the things I am about to say make sense to someone who needs to hear them. First, that is a beautiful song that I believe was inspired by the Lord Himself. This man’s hidden sin seemed to be consuming him like a cancer over time. How sad to lie to such an extent to cover up the true death going on inside his mind as he lived this hidden life of shame. I am in no way excusing what he did to decieve so many, but I realize the extent of death that takes place from sin among the living. I pray that this song was given to him as a provision from the only One who he can truly run to at this time and he can realize that it is truly meant for him now. The journey ahead for this man is a long and hard one to swallow as he stands completely naked and exposed before the world and God. And the really sad thing is that the devil is laughing in his face as he takes another one to their knees in his snare. I know our God is Huge and I am praying that He will use this to minister to the hearts of hundreds of people who live this secret shame of poronography and the stronghold it has on so many. Thank you for not casting the first stone Heather, your compassion is from the Lord. No amount of chemo or radiation can help this fallen man, only the Lord who he so eloquently writes about in his song. The song is true and this man must find his way to believe it and ask the Lord to heal him. I HATE poronography and the devil who inspires its lure. But I know that God can take this tragedy and turn it around for good, breaking the chains that bind so many people living this secret nightmare of the soul.
I love you Heather and am praying for your heart my friend. And I will be praying for the Lord to use this to draw many to Him.
Love and Hugs, Laurie in Ca.
by LaurelHillsong and Planet Shakers could learn from the mistakes of the Catholic church in trying to cover up these sleazy scandals.
Whether or not Guglielmucci and those Catholic priests who claim to have repented are forgiven by God is known only to God, we mortals can’t see into their hearts.
Irrespective of that, our religious institutions need to take a stand. If Hillsong and Planet Shakers were fooled, they should just get up and admit it and go from there.
But selectively using copyright protections to cover up something that makes them look bad stinks to high heaven and places them right next to the Scientologists.
Let the videos remain. Let the furor die down and let the chips fall where they may. We all need to own up to our sins and I’m not just referring to Guglielmucci.
by KathyI hadn’t heard about this until reading it here, and I am blessed to keep reading the wonderful inspiration here (I’ve had my own battle with breast cancer recently). But all I can think of is… didn’t Jesus choose the sick and fallen to teach His most important messages? And isn’t that all of us in some form or fashion? I can’t tell, the log in my eye is still too large. But the music “Healer” - doesn’t that just prove how huge and loving He truly is to funnel it through the flesh that will always plague us? I love the way music becomes such a language of Holy Spirit. WONDERFUL music & lyrics in these recent posts. And I hope I get to hear “the rest of the story”, as Paul Harvey would say, as to what else ABBA does with that man’s life (and testimony).
by MoHeather, you are such a beautiful witness and example for us all. Kathy, I presume you repented as well. It is not our place to judge ANYONE, or QUESTION what is in their heart. God will deal with all of us appropriately. I pray you will follow Heather’s incredible example…reminds me of when I needed to forgive my father’s murderer…
Peace be with you!
by Annamaria@Kathy : Just so you know, (and this is said kindly :),) they have acknowledged. The videos Hillsong have pulled are the ones where Michael was talking about the cancer in depth etc etc. You can’t delete a video someone has posted without proof they are in violation of copyright laws. You couldn’t possibly expect them to keep them up! They have also recalled the dvd’s and cd’s, and edited this out… it wouldn’t be honest of them to keep them on there of course. I don’t believe they are doing it to try and hide the dirty laundry so to speak. They have also, removed the song. Not because the song it’self is bad, but because Michael sang it while still lying to people… nasal oxygen etc. It simply cannot be supported.
Both Hillsong and Planetshakers have made statements to their churches, which have been printed in public media, and they are doing all they can to fix this, openly and without causing more pain than is necessary, or feeding the media frenzy. You can imagine how shocked they were themselves. I say give them a little breathing space to digest it all themselves… yes, there is some damage control to be done, but I don’t think they are trying to cover anything up.
So far, I think they have delt with this with an amazing amount of grace and dignity. I’m glad they aren’t shooting their own wounded, so to speak. Yes, he has to be punished, and action has and will be taken, but I don’t believe he should be crucified.
I hope this came across softly… it was intended to be.
Jens last blog post..Oracle, Thy Name is Hairdresser
by JenI am a sinner. I give my life to Christ.
Still I struggle constantly and I will continue to repent my shortcomings every day of my life. The log in my own eye is huge.
Healer is a beautiful and inspirational song, regardless of whether or not Guglielmucci has cancer.
My personal opinion (which may be completely wrong) is that Guglielmucci got caught up in his own drama, to watch that song being performed it is easy to get caught up.
Is it wrong to get caught up in such a performance? Is the experience less powerful or less valid after we find out Guglielmucci was acting?
I don’t believe so.
Is Guglielmucci forgiven? Heather and many other cancer survivors were hurt by his actions and when all was said and done, were moved to forgive him. My son is a cancer survivor and Guglielmucci’s deception offended me. But Jesus loved him enough to die for his sins, and I know that if he is sincerely seeking forgiveness, he’s got it.
Is he really repentant? He seems to be. He’s also proven that he’s a really good actor.
I personally proceed with caution, but I’m not encouraging others to agree with me and the opinion of this sinner doesn’t really matter. God knows where his heart really is and it’s not up to me to judge him.
Jen, you say that the videos that were pulled show Guglielmucci speaking in depth about his cancer.
But that is not true. They pulled all videos of Healer being performed, even those that don’t show Guglielmucci’s speech.
Look here:
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=hillsong+live&aq=f
Two days ago it was still possible to find video of Guglelmucci performing Healer. Almost all the remaining videos are in violation of copyright laws.
So they’ve erased it. I’ve only seen one other instance of such success in keeping copyrighted material off the internet, and that success was achieved by the Church of Scientology. Editing Guglielmucci’s material out of media they’re selling is one thing, but trying to take it off the internet is closing the door after the cow has already gotten out.
To me this seems way too much like an effort to sweep what happened under the rug. I personally believe the way to address this is not to attempt to hide or remove anything. Or if they legitimately decide to enforce their copyright laws, do it across the board.
It happened. So we deal with it. I believe that the selective enforcement of the copyright laws are not helping, but are adding to the problem, but that’s just the opinion of one sinner.
And I do mean my comments kindly.
Kathys last blog post..The End-of-Summer Blues
by Kathy