Songwriter a Fraud

[GraceAmazing]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

I think when he was singing/penning the song that he was crying out for healing in the midst of the dark cave he was living in.

I couldn't agree with this statement more. I am a songwriter and more often than not I write about myself...so usually between every line of a song is the "real" story!

I woke up today and listened to this song and really it is a great song! It's a song that will minister to almost everyone at one stage or another in their life. I'm just saddened that he went to the extremes that he did...

[GraceAmazing]

Originally Posted by 1399

Oh there is, for sure-- but I hope we never find out. Hopefully, the whole family can move on and deal with everything in the privacy of Godly counsel.

He touched thousands, if not millions of lives through this song and his fake testimony. He may have been faking the cancer, but I believe that he had a whole lot of sincerity in his actions.

I believe when he ministered to folks personally, he meant it. When he sang that song, he meant it.

You know, I am glad he does not have cancer.

Yes, I agree...I hope we never find out! And I too am glad he does not have cancer and I'll take it a step further...I pray he NEVER gets it!!! I'm not so sure I agree that he had sincerity in his actions, but I do think I understand the point.

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by GraceAmazing

I couldn't agree with this statement more. I am a songwriter and more often than not I write about myself...so usually between every line of a song is the "real" story!

I woke up today and listened to this song and really it is a great song! It's a song that will minister to almost everyone at one stage or another in their life. I'm just saddened that he went to the extremes that he did...

Sing that song with your heart and let God move. It's still an anointed song!!

[GraceAmazing]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Sing that song with your heart and let God move. It's still an anointed song!!

I did today and did God move!!!! It was awesome! I'm so glad I decided to go ahead and sing it! It was worth it!

[TRFrance]

I don't mean to be harsh toward this guy, and I actually like the song.... but I have to speak frankly here:

It's interesting that a song that's been such a blessing can come out of the soul of someone who's such a liar and a fraud.

Just the same way, someone who is a liar and fraud can preach a message that also "blesses" many people. I say this because there seem to be so many (on this forum and elsewhere) who have continually made the argument that:

A.... so-and-so is obviously saved/used by God, because they've written such beautiful Christian songs... and/or
B.... if so-and-so weren't saved how could they preach such "powerful" and "blessed" messages?

I think sometimes too many folks (even some self-described "apostolics") seem to mistake talent for anointing; to me, such a mindset is unfortunate, and just opens one up to possible spiritual deception down the road.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

I think when he was singing/penning the song that he was crying out for healing in the midst of the dark cave he was living in. I am NOT justifying his fraud or anything. I just see a broken individual who needs the message of the song God gave him.

Once again, it just goes to prove that God does indeed, use people whose lives are in a mess and does receive glory from it. However, because of the brokenness of this man's life, it will have negative implications, not only for his family but for other in the body of Christ.

Thus it behooves us as leaders to practice saying, NO to sin when it seeks to dominate our lives. To the minister who says that never happens to them, I say they a liar. Sin seeks to dominate all of our lives, especially ministers.

May God have mercy on this man and his family and grant them beauty for ashes!

Amen MOW, there but for the grace of God go you or I.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by steve p

Suppose.....God allowed this to happen....to see how we would react to it....I dont know how theologically correct that is....im no theologian...but...just suppose...God thought..."I wana see how my children will react and to whom they will turn to when they find out about this" ...Just a thought....

We are all a flawed people. Some folks sins go before them to the judgment (the setting of things right) others come behind them to the judgment.

May this exposure change this man's heart, and the fire that burns the wood, hay and stubble remove all that is unlike his God.

We sang this song this morning, glad I was not distracted with this knowledge, God can use even one's dishonest attempt to glorify Him!!!

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

I think when he was singing/penning the song that he was crying out for healing in the midst of the dark cave he was living in. I am NOT justifying his fraud or anything. I just see a broken individual who needs the message of the song God gave him.

Once again, it just goes to prove that God does indeed, use people whose lives are in a mess and does receive glory from it. However, because of the brokenness of this man's life, it will have negative implications, not only for his family but for other in the body of Christ.

Thus it behooves us as leaders to practice saying, NO to sin when it seeks to dominate our lives. To the minister who says that never happens to them, I say they a liar. Sin seeks to dominate all of our lives, especially ministers.

May God have mercy on this man and his family and grant them beauty for ashes!

Amen, to a Godly response to flawed humanity.

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by TRFrance

I don't mean to be harsh toward this guy, and I actually like the song.... but I have to speak frankly here:

It's interesting that a song that's been such a blessing can come out of the soul of someone who's such a liar and a fraud.

Just the same way, someone who is a liar and fraud can preach a message that also "blesses" many people. I say this because there seem to be so many (on this forum and elsewhere) who have continually made the argument that:

A.... so-and-so is obviously saved/used by God, because they've written such beautiful Christian songs... and/or
B.... if so-and-so weren't saved how could they preach such "powerful" and "blessed" messages?

I think sometimes too many folks (even some self-described "apostolics") seem to mistake talent for anointing; to me, such a mindset is unfortunate, and just opens one up to possible spiritual deception down the road.

Salvation has nothing to do with the anointing. God will cause His anointing to be upon whomever He chooses for whatever purpose He chooses. The person doesn't have to be saved or even in a right relationship with God. God anoints for the purpose, primarily, of touching those who need the message, in word, song or whatever.

These things happened to Mike because of decision he made. At any time he could have stopped and asked for help. He didn't. He chose to try to handle it himself and destruction has followed. I can imagine him desperately wanting deliverance and promising God over and over that he would stop only to let the flesh reign instead of Jesus. I don't think for a moment, that he was malicious or had some grand plan to get rich or to deceive people. I do believe that he felt trapped and and unable to get free. That is what the enemy does to us. God loves him so much that He allowed all of this to come to light to set Mike free!

It is so sad that it had to come to this, but Jesus comes to the rescue of broken vessels when they cry to Him. May Mike and his family cry out to the Healer!

I have folks in our church who know Mike (they've been to Planet Shakers) and they are devastated like everyone else. Sorry, I'm fresh out of stones to cast. Please don't bother loaning me any of yours.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

Salvation has nothing to do with the anointing. God will cause His anointing to be upon whomever He chooses for whatever purpose He chooses. The person doesn't have to be saved or even in a right relationship with God. God anoints for the purpose, primarily, of touching those who need the message, in word, song or whatever.

These things happened to Mike because of decision he made. At any time he could have stopped and asked for help. He didn't. He chose to try to handle it himself and destruction has followed. I can imagine him desperately wanting deliverance and promising God over and over that he would stop only to let the flesh reign instead of Jesus. I don't think for a moment, that he was malicious or had some grand plan to get rich or to deceive people. I do believe that he felt trapped and and unable to get free. That is what the enemy does to us. God loves him so much that He allowed all of this to come to light to set Mike free!

It is so sad that it had to come to this, but Jesus comes to the rescue of broken vessels when they cry to Him. May Mike and his family cry out to the Healer!

I have folks in our church who know Mike (they've been to Planet Shakers) and they are devastated like everyone else. Sorry, I'm fresh out of stones to cast. Please don't bother loaning me any of yours.

I have done that very thing myself, and it is terrifying when you are trapped by your own fears. But God is gracious and merciful. I am praying for this man and his family, that God will not just heal him but make him whole.