brent(inWorship) - Latest Comments in “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

Ric — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:37:46 -0000

First time I've heard of this guy and this song. Thanks for bringing it to light B. I like your thought here: "Maybe God birthed this song in him, just so that he could live it out, right now."

Ric's last blog post...Escape

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

gchyayles — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:45:59 -0000

Brent, I really liked what you said about putting our hope in Jesus. I think we tend to do this with leaders in our Church too. Idolizing and mistaking their Word for God's Word because they are leaders and somehow "may know better" [not more than God though, huh?!]. It's sort of like that time when all these people are celebrating religion in the Bible; lots of symbols and religious artificats springing from the Jewish religion from the OT, and Jesus sort of blows them off and talks about how He is the SOURCE behind all those religious symbols. Anyone who is thirsty, must come to Him. Without Him, the symbols mean nothing.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I enjoyed them. I didn't and still don't know much about the story but this gave me a pretty good idea and you were very neutral. Lots of love to you.

gchyayles's last blog post...Ode to Maggie

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

inworship — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:27:58 -0000

Glad to her the hurricane has been downgraded and is passing through!

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

Fred F. McKinnon — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:24:17 -0000

Hey,
Agreed - we certainly shouldn't lose hope because of what did (or didn't happen) with a man.

Hurricane? Well, Tropical Storm - I think she's heading across FL now, so it's settling down - at least I'm back online. Posted some video of the beach on FreePlay Friday at my blog.

For the Kingdom,
Fred McKinnon
www.fredmckinnon.com
www.theworshipcommunity.com

Fred F. McKinnon's last blog post...FreePlay Friday - Weather Man Feed Monkey

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

inworship — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:16:42 -0000

Hey Fred, thanks for stopping by and thanks for all your input here and on your blog.

The song is a powerful statement of hope in our healer, God. It will continue to be that and I have no doubt it will continue to inspire, cause it speaks truth.

Also, in my saying that the song may have been "held to high", I speak again to allow ourselves to evaluate our focus. If someone is losing hope in healing because of this event, they have held the song in to high a regard, cause our God is still alive and still heals. that is all I am trying to say.

I have really appreciated my daily reads like you and the others I have listed here. You all have been very honest and balanced in your discussion and leadership through the discussion. Thanks!

How's the hurricane going?

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

Fred F. McKinnon — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:11:10 -0000

Brent,
Great comments ... I agree. I can't really blame us for getting excited over the song and testimony - it was (and the song still is) a powerful, strong anthem of God's redemption and healing grace. Would the song have stood alone w/o the video and testimony? I suspect it would've ... it was plenty popular on the Planetshakers CD before Hillsong put out the video testimony.

I dunno, I don't necessarily agree that the "song was held too high" ... maybe we overdid it ... but just because we responded feverishly to a great "something" doesn't make that wrong - as long as we don't let it become a SUBSTITUTE for the Gospel.

For the Kingdom,
Fred McKinnon
www.fredmckinnon.com
www.theworshipcommunity.com

Fred F. McKinnon's last blog post...FreePlay Friday - Weather Man Feed Monkey

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

inworship — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:12:43 -0000

C, I think there is something in what you have said that speaks to why I have written about this in the way I have written.

As I read through people's thoughts on this situation, I can see how this is bigger than anything we have seen in the CCM worship community. Nothing like this has happened before. I also, see a lot of hurt, pain, frustration and so on, but my attention is not on any of that. My attention is drawn to what I can learn from this and how I can keep myself from being in the same situation. I can only account for myself and my actions/response for this and I encourage others to do the same.

There are a lot of highly respected people in the middle of this and so that makes this more shocking. But just the fact that it is so shocking speaks volumes to what I have said, this song was held too high, otherwise, there would not have been the same reaction to it.

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

Christian — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:03:25 -0000

Gosh guys. I don't know the song or the artist. But this doesn't sound that much different from countless other incidents where people have come up with gimmicks to make a buck. What was the name of that guy who wrote that 'autobiography' about his addiction and later earned the wrath of Oprah and her minions? They felt betrayed in the way that a lot of folks here are sounding like they feel betrayed. Would his book have made the O list if it was known to be fiction? Doubtful. Is this guys song that good that he would have made it onto the Christian charts? (Wait, we've already determined on earlier threads that quality may not be essential in that case.)

The books the same book, the song's the same song - they just moved into different genres. We know that Hemingway was a drunk and Van Gogh was a nut and Jane Fonda was once a traitor and Michael Jackson is ...well - it really doesn't change their art, does it?

It's different with frauds like Ward Churchill, who have no art, no talent to speak of. Just an ax to grind. Lies are all that they really have to offer.

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

inworship — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:36:46 -0000

"If ever he needs the Lord’s healing it is now!"

I already said it, but I'll say it again. Maybe God birthed this song in him, just so that he could live it out, right now. I'll be praying for him.

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

Cheryl — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:29:12 -0000

This is truly a bizarre story. Oh btw, that is his real name, his father was one of the founding members of Planetshakers.

How sad is this though, he really is sick, mentally. Think about it, he went as far as going around wearing oxygen. What goes through the mind to come up with this story to fool millions BUT even those close to him?

If ever he needs the Lord's healing it is now!

Cheryl's last blog post...AH! CANADA!

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

inworship — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:27:33 -0000

C, the Milli Vanilli incident was clearly more of an issue :)

Derek, thanks for stopping by and getting involved. However, I am not sure you get what I said here. I haven't accused anyone of anything. I have simple stated that we have been given an opportunity as Christians and especially as leaders to evaluate our intent and focus. Rash? I have seen this song held to idol standards around the web. I have also seen it used appropriately. Time has no bearing on an idol in our life. It is focus and intent. Glorify God or glorify self.

Also, the comments here as well as the posts I linked to clearly understand grace. I'm not sure if you were speaking to this post or others you have seen. I have not spoken to Michael at all in this post. Purposefully. My post is not about whether he is right or wrong and it is not about how we should react to Michael. It is about our opportunities for learning through it.

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

Derek — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:49:37 -0000

I totally agree with your point about songs pointing to God, but I think your accusations are a bit broad. I don't think that people are placing their hope in songs or in worship leaders. I believe people are just taken aback because someone we thought of as a leader has confessed his sin. I understand that leaders in the church should be held to a higher standard, but why is it that when leaders confess their sin everyone jumps on the judgement bandwagon? Shouldn't leaders have the same grace from us as we would give our closest friend? If anything, Michael needs more understanding and more support in order to build him back up. This brings up another whole idea, but the gist of this is that those words that he wrote in the song do nothing but point to the Creator as Healer. I think it's a little rash to say that we've created an idol out of it, given it was only released recently.

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

Christian — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:41:34 -0000

Jeesh, I was only trying to lighten things up a little bit. I haven't seen people this upset since the Milli Vanilli disaster.

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

inworship — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:56:59 -0000

C, Actually in all seriousness, I have not talked about much of the "facts" around this case, cause all we know is what we are hearing through "unofficial" or news sources. So, his name may actually not be real...

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

Christian — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:48:09 -0000

You sure he didn't make up his name too. Googly-moochie?

Christian's last blog post...Mothers Against Drunk Driving are Madd at Jesus

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

inworship — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:32:47 -0000

Bad, agreed.

Carl, thanks.

Chris, your posts specifically have been incredible to read through. there are sure a lot of hurts and goods through all of this.

Brad, Fred's post was good and I agree. We need to let God do the breathing.

Steven, thanks for your thoughts. I wasn't trying to say that this song is an idol, but that we have been given an opportunity to evaluate whether or not we have allowed this song or any other to become an idol. I know reading through the blog world over the last month or so, some definitely felt that this song was the greatest thing in God's arsenal since sliced bread. Others saw it for what it was, a very inspirational song. I believe God will use all of this, including this song for His glory and his good. I am already reading a lot of testimony from this regarding just that.

Buddy :)

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

BuddyO — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:37:30 -0000

REV-O-LU-TION!!

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

BuddyO — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:37:07 -0000

... 'nuf said.

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

BUSH — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:04:34 -0000

i'm not so sure it has been made an idol. i think people have really connected & responded to the words of it...the message of it...the truth of it. a response to who God is in their life.

would we be saying it was an idol if this fraud & deception hadn't been true or even come out? probably not at this moment.

it probably would have eventually gotten there though...with the way the Christian Music Industry & Lifeway works. we would have books, journals, and maybe even a travel sized sewing kit with 'healer' written on the side of it.

but as for now i believe it was a song that really connected to people. it's sad to think that it was founded on deception. it's also amazing how God can use something like this no matter if it was surrounded by fraud.

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

Brad Ruggles — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:36:09 -0000

Very well written Brent. It's a great reminder for all of us that there is nothing inherently redemptive about a song, story or testimony. God can breathe on anything and use any vessel. I love Fred's post on 'When Vessels Break.'

This should really remind all of us to keep our eyes on Christ who ALONE is our salvation.

Brad Ruggles's last blog post...There’s A Monster At The End of This Post

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

Chris from Canada — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:50:52 -0000

What a crazy story. What a crazy couple of days. I have heard so many stories through my blog of people who are very, very close to Mike and are blown away by what is happening.

Chris from Canada's last blog post...Amazing video editing stuff

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

ckroboth — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:41:56 -0000

But, what really hits me in all of it is this. We as Christians have been given an amazing wake up call. A wake up call to evaluate where our hope and passion are found. Is it found in a song? No. Is it found in an amazing testimony? No. Is it found in any human at all? No. “Our hope is found in nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness.”

Brent that says it all... Awesome post brother.

ckroboth's last blog post...Like Father like Son…Love like Love

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

badguy — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:38:33 -0000

I've never heard of the guy or the song before now, so I don't have any emotional connection to this story.

It seems from the article that they are implying this guy is mentally ill. Maybe that's a ruse too??? Either way, he's still sick and needs the healer.

badguy's last blog post...Olympic Gold

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

Brandy — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:00:04 -0000

I'm sure he is. There's obviously a deeper issue at play there.

Brandy's last blog post...One of THOSE days

Re: “Healer”, I think I’ll Say Something

inworship — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:50:39 -0000

Brandy, I am sure he is working through a lot right now. I pray he is.