Writer of Healer
How is Mike Gugglielmucci now?
This song just kept playing in my head this morning. I was reminded right away of its writer, Mike Guglielmucci. Just wondered if there’s an update to how he is right after the controversy. But sadly, very sadly, all the results showed the old bashful, ill-titled, disgraceful articles written some 6 years ago. For those who do not know about Mike’s story, you can read it from Ryan Flanigan’s article.
Christianity today believes in grace but selectively applies it, sometimes, ugly enough, we give it to those we deem as ‘qualified’. Who is qualified of God’s grace?
His salvation, love and understanding cannot be won over in who’s-the-most-righteous competition. Because there’s no such thing. Good works can never make any man holy and righteous. They are to be received as gifts by the Giver.
God is love. That is all to it. He gives His grace and gifts salvation so freely while being just and wise.
The only requirement needed is repentance. Not apology, not mere confession, not remorse but repentance. It is genuine recognition that one is helpless and unable to save himself. It is also personal acceptance that only Jesus Christ can save and is able to forgive no matter the weight of sin he is carrying. Finally, it is truly hating sin and desiring 180° transformation.
Mike Guglielmucci knew all these. He grew up in a home where both his parents are pastors. But for long years he battled with addiction, he feared and so he lied. Sin costs us that. No matter how ‘big’ or ‘small’. Sin is sin.
It costs us freedom and peace. But thankfully, God, and only Him can deal with our hearts. He did that to Mike and He didn’t fail. Mike confessed and I believe he repented. There may not be an update as to his whereabouts but as Ryan puts it, as Mike humbled, “he is in the best place of his life right now, broken, despised by many, loved by God and closer to Him than ever before.”
I love what I read in the article, both the writing and the comments:
“Anyone can write an emo song of modern “worship”, but only a true worshiper, touched by God’s amazing grace, can sacrifice his reputation for the sake of God’s reputation and tell the truth, even if it means others may judge him. ” —Ninaruth
“Man is fickle. We are all fakers. The most seemingly honest, tell-it-like-it-is person is still putting on a show. We all give in to the illusions of this world and constantly struggle living and deciphering between what is real and what is worldly. This tension is the nature of the Christian life. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re immune to this problem. Humble yourself like Mike, and fess up. He is in the best place of his life right now, broken, despised by many, loved by God and closer to Him than ever before. Are you?” —Ryan Flanigan
“We should all know that the Church is not a place of/for perfect people but it’s a life and a lifestyle or a place for perfecting people. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” —Stephanie Armaah
Let’s walk what we talk. It may be hard but we’re never alone in this and it should be our hope that God is able to change us from glory to glory. ☺