If it's true, that very sad. If not, I feel really badly for him that people are talking like this.

Perhaps one could change the song to be about healing from the terminal spiritual disease of hypocrisy, which apparently he did suffer from, and which apparently God has now begun to heal him from.

Ironically, I've just been blogging lately on the subject of spiritual pretention and hypocrisy.  Not that I wanted another illustration.

i'm still working through my emotions, but even if this is true (and it very much seems like it is), it doesn't take away from how God has moved, changed, healed, and blessed people through this song.  God can use the best of us and the worst of us for his glory.

i was really disgusted when i first read about this, but it's true that sin (and Satan) is just twisted and powerful like that.  what exactly was going on in Mike's mind and heart to lie to his family, friends, coworkers, and the general public about his health and impending death?  to me, something this serious has to come from a dark, damaged place - i don't think he did this simply to make money or have more fame, and oddly i do believe a part of him probably did want to glorify God through this song.

anyway, i'm glad he's getting professional help b/c i don't think it's so simple that we can write him off as a "bad person" or "not a real Christian."  i'm sure he's going through a lot right now, as is his family.

I think it goes to show that people, Christian or not, are always starving for attention. It's quite sad, really. We should be better than that.

This illustrates one thing that is always true...Christians are not perfect. A pastor I respect and love both personally and in ministry was recently discovered to have been sinning in a big way for a while and had to leave his ministry. I do not believe his sin negates the great things God has done through him and the people who have been saved and brought to Christ.

I am reminded that God is the only One we can fully depend on to be perfect. Only one man has ever lived His entire life sinless, and He has nail prints in His hands. When I hear of these things, I am saddened most for the person who has sinned, and I am also saddened for the way their sin affects others. However, my faith in God remains unshaken. People will always fail; He never does.

@Pickwick12@xanga - Amen!

I expect loads of Christian/Relgion bashing after this

I guess what matters and what makes a difference now is our response.

I agree with the above posters who said that the pastor's actions do not negate how God used the song despite the circumstances in which it was written and performed. It doesn't make the way people were touched/changed any less real...hopefully we can remember to exercise a Christ-like attitude when speaking about the pastor. 

he looks like that goofy uncle from Full House.

This is so sad if it's true. I've heard of people faking healing or being healed, but never one of illness like this. And so high profile. Feel sorry for the church and the family.

@Pass_the_Aura@xanga -  You know it's odd.  I've been reading and rereading Paul talking about those who preach the Gospel and their motivations.  Some do it with honest hearts, some for personal gain...and yet Paul says he doesn't care, the Gospel gets out, and God does his work independently of the intentions of those who are preaching.

It also reminds me of the Acapella song (And they Praised God) same thing.

@Doubledb@xanga - 

Confirmed. Or at least being reported as confirmed.