Stained Glass Masquerade

Healer (by Michael Guglielmucci)

You hold my every moment

You calm my raging seas

You walk with me through fire

And heal all my disease

I trust in You

I trust in You

I believe You're my Healer

I believe You are all I need

I believe You're my Portion

I believe You're more than enough for me Jesus You're all I need

Nothing is impossible for You

Nothing is impossible for You

Nothing is impossible for You

You hold my world in Your hands

Around two weeks ago, my significant other told me about a song she loves so much, titled “Healer” , that was created and sung by Pastor Michael Guglielmucci who was in battle with terminal cancer for 2 years, but still did a praise and worship concert in Hillsong Conference Summer 2008. The song became an anthem of faith for believers for healing, hope, and miracles. If you hear the story and see him singing with an oxygen tube in his nose, I believe you’ll be moved by the sincerity and emotions in the concert. With the story behind the song, 2nd place in ARIA chart, and 300.000 hits on YouTube, Healer became a world wide hit.

With the purpose to give a small surprise, I downloaded the clip on YouTube. While downloading, aimlessly I moved my cursor to see the related video list and found out a shocking fact.
The title is “Pastor Michael Guglielmucci faking cancer.” It’s a Today Tonight’s record on exclusive interview with Pastor Guglielmucci about his confession on faking his illness and his 16-years obsession with pornography.

Outrageously shocking. First statement appeared in my head was “How come… shame on him playing with people’s faith… Evil.” And I’m not alone, a long list of sarcastic mockingly statement easily be found on the web regarding to this issue. He was known as a leader in Planetshakers community, a well known Australian Christian community with thousands kids and youngsters as its member. Can’t imagine how many faiths are torn apart and how many person close their heart, throw their faith away because of this. Milli Vanilli once did the same with their lipsync busted moment, but this is different. This is not just an ordinary lie, this is bigger, this is huge. This is related to faith and spirituality.

But then within seconds, I feel a shame with my self, with my thought. I clearly see my self in him. The difference maybe I’m not doing it on stage with millions audience. And I think most of us will see our self in him. We are not better than Pastor Michael Guglielmucci. We are not better than him even a little. We do the same thing…Lie… only in different circumstances, different condition, and different situation, But still the same transgression… LIE.

When we take credits for something we didn’t do, we corrupt.

When we whisper our prayer and do our sins out loud, we fake

When we say Heaven on Sunday and do Hell from Monday to Saturday, we manipulate.

When we don’t reveal our self as whom the real we are, we are Michael Guglielmucci.

A man always has a reason behind what he does either it’s conscious or unconscious. The reason is always good in his/her own perspective. If someone does “something wrong” according to majority point of view or value, it is simply because the limited alternative or option he/her has and the different perspective with ours. Judgment is perspective and perception matter. Different angle will create different picture. Try to see the world by using his/her glasses. Not easy, but necessary though.

On the other hand, who we are to judge others? The world won’t be better by more fingers pointed with anger, verdict, and judgment. But for sure, it’ll be more beautiful if each of us could share love and forgiveness. We live in this world, so what to wait?! Stop judging and Start to understand. Have a great lovely day!

Stained Glass Masquerade (by: Casting Crowns)

Is there anyone that fails

Is there anyone that falls

Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small

Cause when I take a look around

Everybody seems so strong

I know they’ll soon discover

That I don’t belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too So with a painted grin, I play the part again So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people

Under shiny plastic steeples

With walls around our weakness

And smiles to hide our pain

But if the invitation’s open

To every heart that has been broken

Maybe then we close the curtain

On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who’s been there

Are there any hands to raise

Am I the only one who’s traded

In the altar for a stage

The performance is CONVINCING

And we know every line by heart

Only when no one is watching

Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free

If I dared to let you see

The truth behind the person

That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open

Or would you walk away

Would the love of Jesus

Be enough to make you stay

Well if the invitation’s open

To every heart that has been broken

Maybe then we close the curtain

On our stained glass masquerade…