Thanks Tim for the video.

Update: Michael’s father, Danny, has released the family’s official press statement here.

First, just in case you don’t know what I’m talking about, it seems the guy who wrote Healer faked his terminal illness. You can still check out the video of the song here.

(I’ll wait while you read the article linked above.)

Yeah. Wow. I know.

Now what?

There are going to be people hurt by this. It only makes sense. There are sick and desperate people clinging to this song and, somehow, they feel letdown because the song writer isn’t really “sick.” (At least, not in the way he sings about…)

Does that lessen the truth of the song’s lyrics?

Does that somehow make the song irrelevant?

Last time I checked, God can redeem anything.

And I think he’s going to redeem this song.

We also need to pray for Mr. Guglielmucci and his family. They’re going to go through a tough time.

A tough time of his own doing? Absolutely.

But if we treat him like the world will treat him, what does that say about the One we follow?

If you’re mad at him, or upset with him, or whatever, get over it.

Oh, and if you see him, give him a hug.

‘Cause that’s just how Jesus followers roll.

Starting this week, myself and four other bloggers will take one day a week to highlight a child in need of sponsorship through Compassion who’s been waiting at least six months.

These children are in desperate need and, literally, your $32 a month can release them from poverty.

Here’s the blogs that’ll be involved:

• Toby Keathley – Monday
• Andy McMahon | Crucial Encounter – Tuesday
• caffeinatedfaith – Wednesday
• shawnw.org (that’s me!) – Thursday
• Andrea | Shalom  Existence – Friday

How can you help? Pray that we find connections for these children in need.

This isn’t some sort of arrangement we’ve made with Compassion. We’re simply doing this because we see children that need us and we’re using what influence we have to help.

Because it’s not about us. It’s about them.

What is TheCall?

TheCall is a divinely initiated, multi-racial, multi-generational, and cross-denominational gathering to corporate prayer and fasting. We believe that our nation is in desperate need of the mercy of God and a great Spiritual Awakening.  TheCall is committed to mobilizing people from all across America to gather together to petition God for His undeserved mercy for our nation in 12-hour solemn assemblies. Just as in the days of Joel, we believe that now is the time to blow the trumpet across our land, to fast, to pray, and return to the Lord with all our hearts.

Get more info here.

Will you be fasting for TheCall?