Any Michael English fans here?

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Since all of Michael English's problems, I haven't had a lot of respect for him. I am acquainted with his ex and her new husband, who are great people. BUT, I happened to catch him on TBN Wed. night, which I rarely watch. Phil Munsey was interviewing him and his wife and it was really good. He was very honest about his affair, his drug addiction, and how God got a hold of him and turned his life around.

He is much heavier than he was when he was the Christian "heart-throb", but he still has a great voice. He sang a song called "It Sounds Like Redemption" which is a reflection on the past few years of his life.

I was much more impressed with him than I had been previously.

I happened to see parts of that too and thought about how much weight he gained. I couldn't believe it was him! God can redeem anyone who is willing to put their life in His hands.

We baptized a lady this morning who worked at the Starbucks I frequent most mornings! A number of those employees have attended NLC. Redemption can take place anywhere we take Jesus!!!

[Withdrawn]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

Redemption can take place anywhere we take Jesus!!!

Nomination for QUOTE OF THE YEAR!!!

[Withdrawn]

I have noticed his weight gain. Having had weight issues myself, I feel for him. He must be embarrassed about it.

I agree with the overall tone of the replies here. I have more respect for him because of his transparency about his failings. I was at an ME concert in Cuyahoga Falls, OH when he was touring with First Call back in the early 90's. It was less than a month later that the scandal broke about his affair (I think because the woman in FC became pregnant). But I remember in that concert that for a few moments (seemed like a really long time) he sat down on the stage, broke away from the program, and started to talk about how he was struggling. Looking back, I know he wanted to confess right then and find reconciliation. I know he knew he was just going through a lot of empty motions and new he needed (wanted) to make it right. It's such a shame that nobody in his life was close enough, deep enough with him to have helped him through it. In a church full of three thousand people, nobody stepped forward to minister to him when it was SO OBVIOUS that he was crying out for it.

I think the overall christian community did him wrong. Instead of loving him back to right standing, we cast him out. I have WAY MORE RESPECT for someone who is open about when they have failed than for anyone who pretends they are perfect. What he did was wrong. And where he turned afterward was even more wrong. But, really, where else was there for him to go? To the body of Christ for healing and reconciliation? That sure didn't happen.

I'm so glad to see him with his life back on the right track. His battle scars will serve as a testimony to anyone else who would follow that same road. And I'm really enjoying his music again.

[LaGirl]

here are some pics from last monday night

[Sam]

Originally Posted by jaamez

I have noticed his weight gain. Having had weight issues myself, I feel for him. He must be embarrassed about it.

I agree with the overall tone of the replies here. I have more respect for him because of his transparency about his failings. I was at an ME concert in Cuyahoga Falls, OH when he was touring with First Call back in the early 90's. It was less than a month later that the scandal broke about his affair (I think because the woman in FC became pregnant). But I remember in that concert that for a few moments (seemed like a really long time) he sat down on the stage, broke away from the program, and started to talk about how he was struggling. Looking back, I know he wanted to confess right then and find reconciliation. I know he knew he was just going through a lot of empty motions and new he needed (wanted) to make it right. It's such a shame that nobody in his life was close enough, deep enough with him to have helped him through it. In a church full of three thousand people, nobody stepped forward to minister to him when it was SO OBVIOUS that he was crying out for it.

I think the overall christian community did him wrong. Instead of loving him back to right standing, we cast him out. I have WAY MORE RESPECT for someone who is open about when they have failed than for anyone who pretends they are perfect. What he did was wrong. And where he turned afterward was even more wrong. But, really, where else was there for him to go? To the body of Christ for healing and reconciliation? That sure didn't happen.

I'm so glad to see him with his life back on the right track. His battle scars will serve as a testimony to anyone else who would follow that same road. And I'm really enjoying his music again.

What does it say in Galatians 6 about ME and anyone else who may fail?

Here's the way we often either quote it or practice it:

"Brethren, if anyone be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, kick him/her while he/she is down. Condemn him/her soundly. Tell everyone about the failure --make it as public as possible. Make sure everyone knows how you knew all along that person wasn't going to make it and what a phony they've always been. And, above all, bury that person whether they may be dead or not. Write them off. They'll never amount to much for God from now on, no matter how often and how hard they try."

no, that's not how it reads. let's read this from the KJV:
1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.