"Healer" Story Update

The other day I posted the sad news about Michael Guglielmucci, former pastor and author of the song Healer. Yesterday, AdelaideNow posted an update to this sad story that sheds more light on what happened.

Here is a portion of that post (read the entire article HERE):

The father of fallen pastor Michael Guglielmucci, Danny, read this brief statement to a packed congregation to explain his son's actions.

"Today is a very sad day for our family and church family.

For many years our son, Michael has suffered from unexplained illnesses. We have been worried as we have seen him suffer and spend periods of time in hospital.

Two years ago our lives were totally turned around by the sad news of our sons' cancer diagnosis. The love and support shown by our local church and all of our many friends around the world helped us get through a very difficult situation.

During the last two years we have experienced the favor of God, his love and grace, and also the constant pain of the possibility of losing a son.

On Tuesday 12th of August we received a call to come and meet with Mike and Amanda but weren't ready for what we were about to hear. Mike began to share how he has lived a lie for the last 16 years of his life because of addictive behavior he couldn't break free from.

He loved God and would throw himself into prayer, worship, and serving God with full energy and enthusiasm but still couldn't break free.

In September in 2006, Mike had an accident and went to hospital. It was at this time, because of his torment of living a double life, Mike thought he could escape the pain by creating a diversion from his addiction to adult pornography, so he created the cancer scenario.

The pain of this addiction was so deep that he started something he couldn't stop and proceeded on a downward spiral that led to him experiencing pain and suffering that resulted in constant vomiting and many other symptoms of a genuine sufferer....

Michael wrote the song Healer because he wanted God to set him free from his addiction but hid it behind the lie of a fabricated illness.

I don't know who said it or even if I am quoting them correctly, but it is true: Sin will always take you further than you ever wanted to go and cost you more than you ever wanted to pay.

The importance of personal discipline and self-control has become so real to me as I try attempt to model these things for my teenage son. I need to model for him ways that he can protect himself from the temptations of the enemy, especially in the area of lust.

I would encourage you, my friend: Protect yourself. Guard yourself. Take steps so that you will not fall. If you are struggling with addiction of any kind, get help.

And continue to pray for the Healer to work in the life of our brother, Mike Guglielmucci.

Read more background info HERE and HERE.