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For those of you who didn’t get a copy of the music journal that was offered with The Light Meets The Dark pre-order, we thought we’d share some of Mike’s song journals that were in that book. Enjoy!
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed…” James 5.16
What?
God can’t be serious can He?
Doesn’t He already forgive me?
Doesn’t He already know every thought before I think it?
Can’t He just heal me Himself?
Seriously God, what’s the point?
Do we really need to drag other people into this?
Well…yes.
I don’t know when you’ll be reading this little journal entry of mine, but as I’m writing it, it’s just a few days after the new year. And I, along with many others have already begun my list of new year’s resolutions. Because it’s a new year, and that’s what you do, right? And in case you’re wondering, this year I’m going to do a work out called p90x. I’m going to learn French, and I’m going to commit much more time to reading, writing, and listening.
I want to know God, and enjoy Him more than ever. These are my resolutions.
Now, today I was driving home and I got to catch some other people’s pledges for the new year. A few resolutions were being played on the local radio station, and I couldn’t help but take note. Dieting, exercising, reading, one kid said he was going to watch more Nascar…. It was a terribly enlightening time I assure you. But you know, in all the resolutions I heard, not one person among them said, “I’m committing to confession. This year, I want to confess more of my sin than ever.” Yeah, crazy huh? Not one person.
Now, of course I’m joking, but I think there’s something to it. I mean, why is it that in all our promises, it’s all about doing better? Why do we base all our commitments on getting stronger, smarter, and more athletic? Why don’t we ever hear someone resolve to display more of their weaknesses?
Well, I’m sure there’s a lot of factors like ego and self and sin that go into it, but I can’t help but wonder if primarily, it’s because we have forgotten, or have never believed in the first place, the gospel. And by that I mean, the beautiful news that we are all more hopeless and wretched than we ever thought possible, and in the exact same moment, we are more loved than we ever dared to dream. You see, God calls us to confess, because unlike us, He isn’t expecting us to pick ourselves up by our bootstraps. He isn’t asking us to try harder, do better, or make stronger commitments. No. Instead, in James 5 He asks us to commit to admitting the opposite. He’s asking us to admit that we aren’t strong enough, good enough, or pure enough. He asks us to lay down our self-saving, pride-enhancing promises and pick up his robe of salvation. He asks us to be honest about how truly awful we are, so that we might actually despair of ourselves altogether. And yeah, I know that doesn’t sound like a glimmering, hope-filled, this year will be better than the last, kind of message. In fact, it probably sounds down right depressing, but believe me, that’s the only place where healing really can start. When we finally own up to what’s really going on in our hearts and minds, only then can we begin to come to terms with how impossible it is to save ourselves. And that’s when resolution ends and salvation begins.
You see, most of us adhere to the theological truth that we are depraved, but certainly not enough to admit it to other people. And what’s startling is that we have to confess to others to really believe the gospel….because then we have to. As long as people think we’re better than we are, then there’s really no need to cling to Jesus. Who needs a Saviour when we can cling to our reputation, our friendly demeanor, or our disposition, etc, etc, etc. It’s funny, because as long as we don’t have to confess, we can usually fool people into thinking that we’re much better than we actually are. In fact, I think we fool ourselves a lot of the time. And it’s mostly because we think things and do things that never get brought out into the light, so we just sort of push them out of our mind, forget about them, and try to do better next time. And what’s sad is as the church forgets how messed up she really is, then slowly but surely she also begins to forget the good news altogether. We forget we are sinners saved by grace, and pretty soon, we forget about grace altogether. And it’s not long before we replace the good news of God’s mercy with the burden laying news of trying harder and being better.
We begin to look down on people who aren’t as good at being a Christian, and we actually begin to think that we don’t really need a Saviour. Or maybe I should say, we become our own Saviour. And what’s funny is that we think we have the world fooled. We think we’re actually convincing people that we’re changing and aspiring, and accomplishing all sorts of fantastic spiritual feats. Problem is, we can’t change our hearts, and everyone can see it. We may pay lip service to Jesus, and His saving work, but the way we fly off the handle when criticized, the way we can’t say we’re sorry, and the way we keep things locked away and hidden from others gives us away.
And this is probably why James tells us to be honest about our failures to people. Because healing doesn’t begin when we start fighting our vices and become better people, true healing starts when we become better people for the right reasons. And by that I mean grateful responsive love. Now, the more we’re aware of our hang ups and failures, the more we see our need for a Saviour. And the more we see our need for Him, the more we love Him. And the more we love and treasure Him, the more we want to live for Him. And then, not necessarily for Him at all, but because of Him, and because of His great love for us.
I mean, think about it. What is God thinking loving people like us? What is He doing wasting grace on a bunch of screw ups? Well, He’s showing us that there’s another way to create a new heart in someone other than human guilt and greater effort. He does it without pride, without fear, and without self-willed resolutions. Instead, he employs the humble grateful reaction of a sinner who’s been forgiven, and who is so in awe of that forgiveness, that they want to live in response to it.
That’s the goal. That’s what we’re aiming for. And if you have sin in your life, if you have secrets you don’t think anyone should ever know, trust yourself to the God who became sin for you, so that you might become the righteousness of God. I John says, that if we say we’re without sin, we make God a liar. So believe Him when He says He died for you while you were still a sinner, and believe that you’re so messed up He had to die for you, but at the same time, you were so loved, that He was glad to die for you. And if that’s true, then it no longer matters what you did, and in fact, the more sinful you are, the greater your Saviour is. Don’t try to cover it up and rob Him of all that glory. I know it’s scary. I know it’s terrifying, and I know that sometimes, people won’t be able to show you the grace that God can, but just do it. Even if it’s inconvenient, unsettling, or downright horrific. Unveil your sin, and let God be seen as the great and glorious redeemer that He is.
“So let them fall down
there’s freedom waiting in the sound
when you let your walls fall to the ground
we’re here now.”
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Well, I’ve been trying to confess this HUGE sin for…forever pretty much. And with the help of the God in you, Mike, I did it. Through Facebook, yes, but it’s a definite start. And yes, it made me realize how big I screwed up. I could use so many excuses, like “I didn’t really know Jesus back then” or “I was a kid, I didn’t know any better”, but that still doesn’t take away my sin. Jesus does. Prayer does. And now as soon as my friend reads my message, I’ll have more than one person praying for me. And that one person, yes, is myself. Thank you so much. I feel like crying because I feel more free. God bless good music and people that have the gift of words.
Mike,
RIGHT ON RIGHT ON, my brother… let the healing begin by confessing our flaws to each other. That is the 5th step in 12 step recovery programs that God uses to save millions of lives!!!
Yeah, I’ve been SAVED by GRACE and changed by LOVE! (That phrase is in another band’s song). It’s my Truth. Pretty powerful testimony… in awe of feeling the forgiveness and wanting to live a life that shows that gratitude!!! Great way of putting it. No, human guilt trips can never create a new heart… only keep them hurting and in chains. Thanks for helping in our healing process.
God’s Love…
this was completely mindblowing and humbling. thank you.
I really liked this song, like every word you sang matched the music, I love how its composed, like how it starts out soft and when it gets to the line “theres freedom waiting in the sound” the music rises and every time I hear this song it helps me feel that ..free and I’m actually choosing this song for a city wide talent show where I live since Im a dancer :) I actually feel like this describes the life Ive lived. This song really is touching I feel God’s presence with this song, and when I read this Journal I understood exactly what you ment because God makes us strong in our weaknesses,Ive had alot of trouble with forgiving and every time it says this is where the healing begins I feel like letting go of it all. Yall are actually one of my favorite bands because you speak to many of the problems christian and non-christians have alike therefore having God touch their heart. You all are amazing, Im not sure if you read these but still your songs touch people which is really great. God bless you guys :)
Thank you for this journal entry. It was a real challenge and blessing to me in many ways. I’ve realized that I’ve often tried to portray myself as righteous when I’m nowhere close to being that. I’m that screw up that can be perfect until Heaven.
Your entry has challenged me to make things right. I want to expose my sin. I want to show forth that I need a Savior..not myself to save me out of my situations. Despite all the hurt that I’ve gone through, I want to learn forgiveness too..because that’s what God did for me.
Thank you for writing that. I have been holding onto sin for a while and I completely terrified of what this person could do to me. But you’re right that’s it’s not about me and that God will make me a better person because of it.
I appreciate your words every time I listen to your album. You speak his Truth so clearly. I need things clearly and honestly. Thanks.
Healing Begins is the first song I heard by you guys, and shortly after, I watched the video journal. Mike, you are amazing at what you do and you are one of the few beacons of light the world has left to spread the Word. I absolutely love you guys! You have had such a huge impact on me. I am so glad that God has led me to where He has. Over the past year, my healing truly has begun and I am finally starting to show others the way.
—Thank you, Jeremy
visit me at: loveandharmony.webs.com
It’s unclear to me what you mean when you say that one has to confess to others in order to truly believe the Gospel. Are you saying that confessing to others is required for salvation? We need to be very careful in regard to what is and is not required for salvation, because this is the Gospel we’re talking about. While a Christian will not live in continual, willful sin (see 1 John chapter 3), this is a result of salvation, not a cause of it. The Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) When we say that we have to believe to be saved, we’re saying that the person has to trust Christ ALONE for salvation. If we are trusting in any work, such as confessing to others, we are not truly saved. Now it’s true that repentance is always a part of true saving faith (see 2 Corinthians 7:10), but to say that confession to others is a part a saving faith as well is to take the salvation experience and add to it a requirement that is not in the Bible. If it were me, I would be afraid that I was preaching a different gospel, and I would be afraid of the serious warning in Galatians 1:8-9: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” (NIV) I realize that these are hard words, but I believe they are necessary, and I pray that you take them to heart. I do acknowledge that we are to confess our sins to others, as the verse you quoted does say, but I’m just saying that we shouldn’t add that as a requirement for salvation…otherwise, we’re adding a work. I also understand that you may not have meant that confession to others is required for salvation. I may very well have misunderstood you. But if that is the case, you ought to be clearer, because people may misunderstand you and be led astray. Please understand that I in no way write this in a spirit of meanness. It horrifies me to think that that warning in Galatians 1 could apply to you, and I don’t what that to happen to you, or for others to be led astray.
Blessings,
-JT
I just want to thank you for listening to God and writing “Healing Begins.” I heard it months ago and knew I liked the song, but then I really got into what the lyrics were saying.
“So let ‘em fall down
There’s freedom waiting in the sound
When you let your walls fall to the ground
We’re here now
This is where the healing begins,
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you’re broken within
The light meets the dark…”
This part of the song echoed inside me for weeks as I was beginning to own up to my addiction. This song helped me to know that we can’t keep walls up especially with God. Shortly after hearing this song I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior and have been reaping the benefits since! Healing and freedom have begun and I am so thankful to have this song to sing! Thank you so much for following God and his leadership. God Bless.
How is it that all my coments made it to the very top?
Anyway, me parents are doing awesome!!! :D But now my dads in Texas to see my older brother, if you guys could join me in prayer for there safety, that would be awesome!!! Thanx!
Hi!!! Me again!!! Just wanted to say, this song is so amazing!!! I don’t know bout all you guys, but it really moves me!!! Got this song on i-tunes, wanted to get some many others, but i’m glad I at least got this one!!!
Oh, this a real picture of me, i’m the one in the pink.
YOU GUYS ARE SO AWESOME!!! YOU GUYS ARE MY FAV. BAND, AND THAT AINT GONNA CHANGE!!!
GOD BLESS!!!
Hi again! Speaking of healing, can you guys pray for my parents? ssshhh! don’t tell them i’m posting this, but there having a little problem, and my dad just forgot I said, I don’t want ice cream :)
thanx
GOD BLESS!
Hi Mike! Wow! God is really moving in you, he gives you all these words for all your journals, and there amazing!
I would hope that one day God speaks to me like he has spoken to you! You and the guys have an amazing hunger for God! All your guy’s journaling is such a big help, you really make my day, thank’s Tenth Avenue North!!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
Ouch.
So everyone else who’s heard this song or read this journal has likely had this same thought: “Yikes, but that sure sounds like me. Playing the role of the savior in my life. Trusting in me: my good side, my character, my this, my that.” Mike, talk about a serious hit home.
I think we could say it comes down to the fact that we really don’t trust God. I mean, we say, “God, I trust you,” and then convince ourselves that we mean it in our hearts…but it’s just a head thing. It’s stuck up there with all the other Christian-ese lingo.
You know, even now I’m thinking how appropriate it would be to say “I *know* I can’t trust in myself; on my own I’m a failure, and there’s just nothing in me that makes me worth trusting.” Yet do I live like that? Do I step into a room and remember that I’m not confident because I act just right and because my hair, makeup, and clothes are trendy? Do I remember that I *really don’t* have it all together?
Do I remember that it’s Jesus Christ in Whom I live and breathe and have my being?
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galations 2:20)
Hey Mike. Great journal. I’m 14 and a freshman at Milford High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. I just wanna say that your music, and your journals have really changed my life. Your band has brought me closer to Christ. I love every song on the new album. You’re playing at The Underground tonight, which is about 15 minutes from my house. I’ll do everything I can to be there. I’d love to hear you guys in person.
In Christ,
Tristan Lana
I really love this song and all of your journal entries, will you please post an entry for Strong Enough to Save.
Hi everyone =)
This discussion is great. I’m totally stoked that the topic of confession is being examined so thoroughly…
Mike, while I most definitely agree that we, as members of the Body of Christ, must confess our sins to one another, I think we should be careful as to whom we are confessing. (I’m sure that’s implied, but you can’t be too careful?)
I think we can confess to each other on a daily basis through our humility, our actions and through apologizing/owning up to a sin committed against a brother/sister. But think of how wonderful it would be to confess our sins, even our deepest most intimate, most ugly ones, to someone who was ordained by God to handle that kind of weight and who could guide us in our spiritual growth as well! =)
Here is a perspective about confession that I wanted to share with y’all:
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Confession is considered a holy Sacrament in the Coptic Orthodox Church. To the Orthodox faithful, Confession means verbal confession by the person who is humbly confessing before a Confessor and repenting of the sins and mistakes he has made. This sets forth the absolution and forgiveness of sins.
When the Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Sacrament of Repentance and Confession, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18). **Note: He said this to His apostles…
Following the Holy Resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ said, ” ‘Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:21-23).
By saying this, the Lord Jesus Christ gave them the authority by the Holy Spirit of binding sins or loosing them, according to the circumstances and the degree of repentance of the confessing person.
Confession was practiced in the Old Testament (Lev 5:5,6), (Mt 3:6) and the apostles themselves practiced this authority (Acts 19:18), (1 Cor 5:5), (2 Cor 2:6,7), (1 Tim 5:20), and (James 5:16).
Also an important point to note, is that the priest actually doesn’t of himself absolve the person confessing; but he says, “May God absolve you”; as he does not absolve out of his own power, but obtains the absolution from God, the origin of all absolution and forgiveness.
(taken from Coptic Orthodox Q & A: http://www.suscopts.org/q&a/index.php?qid=69&catid=83)
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Just something to think about =) Agape, my dear brothers and sisters.
Just wanted to let you know that my wife and I saw you at Trinity Baptist this weekend and just wanted to let you know the show was awesome. But more than that God was in that place and I could sense His presence and I know that god spoke through you. I must admit you really seem authentic in your love for Jesus and I am so thankful to see that because that is not the case with every concert. Regarding what you said though it is so true that so often we want to hide behind this false righteousness instead of coming out into the light to be healed. We are messed up and can’t heal ourselves but can only find healing in the loving arms of Jesus. My favorite author David Roper made a statement that he lamented that even though he has been saved for years so much of himself has yet to be converted. The longer I have been a Christian the more I see the sin inside myself even moreso than when I first got saved. Thanks Mike for the show but for speaking the truth in love!!!
I wanted to say that I LOVE this song and the message it brings. Don’t stop making music until the Lord calls for it. You guys are the best!!!!!!!!!
So Mike, I know you have to be extreemly busy and everything… but can you PLEASE make these more frequent!? They are so true and uplifting and amazing. All of your journal entries are. The amazing part about it, is that God has given you this talent, and you are chosing to use it for Him, and doing a great job. Keep up the awesom work, the band is always in my prayers.
God bless :)
Wow hearing this was amazing. You were definitely blessed by God in writing this. It has strengthened me and made realize that I NEED to rely more on God and less on myself. When I fist hears this song I was really passive about it because I just didn’t get it, but after having read this its probably on my list of top five..MayGod continue to bless you and keep you strong. :)
I really needed to hear that, I guess that i thought that because no one wants to hear my confesions that i should just give up and only confess to the Lord. But sometimes it does not feel real, i cant really see him so its like confessing to no one. I am ashamed of that. My family all goes to church, i am always with my cousins hanging out after and before. We help out quite a bit.
They always say that i am a push over and i am to nice. I dont tease the boys, I try not to make fun of people or judge. If someone asks me for a favor i do it. And my cousins (the same age as me) treat it like a bad thing, but i enjoy helping. I feel like i am not helping enough. I want to help out at an animal shelter, theriputic riding center and go on a mission trip to Africa but my dad will not let me go on the mission trip, he says that i am to young. But everyone tells me that i have the comprehension of like a 25year old and i am only 14. I have a lot of motherly insticts and i watch out for everyone. I get praise and people talk about me a lot. Sometimes i like it and i really dont want to. I dont want to be praised for all my good actions and just ignored for my bad. Or told that i would never do anything bad. I try not to but i do. I am only human. I am a sinner like everyone else.
I think that i am just very confused. But thank you A LOT for you writings and your songs. They helped me be who i am today. Helped me get through my darkest hours. I have gone through a lot in my life, mostly just the past 2 years. I think that God lets bad things happen so that we learn to trust him and then good things happen. I just keep remembering that no matter how bad your own life is there is someone else who has it a lot worse and we should pray for them. I am not perfect, im weak and not worth it, but Jesus loves me anyway, and i love him!!!!
Amen! God is so amazing and awesome! Keep spreading God’s love and good news!!!!! As what we are called to do as Christ followers=D
Thank you so much Mike for this message! I find that far too easily I slip into the selfish mind set of trying to make myself better, like the most important thing in the world is to feel good about myself. But it’s so true that healing begins when I bring my sins out to the light! I need to be reminded of this. Life is crazy and I get caught up in my schedules, plans, etcetera and forget that my goal in life is to treasure the Savior that brought me out of the darkness and into the light.
Thank you again and God bless!
I really appreciate what you wrote especially your line regarding the Gospel “the beautiful news that we are all more hopeless and wretched than we ever thought possible, and in the exact same moment, we are more loved than we ever dared to dream”
This phrase almost exactly word for word has been one that I have been learning this past year and a half and to once again stumble upon it on your site is encouraging to me because it is the Gospel. That is the Good news. There is nothing we can do to make God love us more and nothing we can do to make him love us less. Romans 1:17 “-a righteousness FROM god is revealed-” we do not have to make ourselves right before him.
I am happy to report that the lord has finally broken though to me with his Gospel and that I understand his grace (as much as we can grasp grace). I have found freedom in him for the first time from trying to live the ‘christian life’. The Lord speaks to me most though other people, movies and music and I would just like to share how much your bands lyrics have encouraged me this year and that the lord has truly used them to minister to my heart. The songs, “Beloved, Times and By your Side” in particular have had great meaning for my journey this past year.
So know this, your labor in the lord has not been in vain. Continue to seek him and write the music that you have been for it speaks truth in a way that most Christian artists do not get. Continue to speak the Gospel for that is our call, all that we do is live in the light of what Christ has already done for us, and out of gratitude, love Him and the world.
Thank you and God bless
Amazing Mike . . . I literally just 10 minutes ago finished talking with a friend where I completely missed the opportunity to put these words of yours into practice. Then I come home to read this journal . . . makes me think I should call her back up and confess a few things. Thanks for being so open and real with us! I love y’alls music and the hearts behind it! Maybe now I’ll finally move past the just-listening-to-the-songs stage, and start putting some of them into practice. Thanks again . . . looking forward to seeing you guys in Texas soon!!!
I wanted to thank you for this discussion on grace. I agree that the church, and each of us individually, is so prone to pride and independence. The idea that we can create, or recreate, or better ourselves on our own is so prevalent in our society. EVERYTHING sends us the message to perfect ourselves for our own pride, for others to approve of us, or whatever it is. The community that can be different: that can ask us to rely on God, and on each other, is what the church is all about. Where we can strive, and fail, and admit that with humility? May we all work to live that, to be in our weaknesses. Thanks for the reminder!
Thank you Mike, for using your God given gifts to reach people. Like you said in your Strong Enough To Save video, God doesn’t need us. But He will use us, if we let Him. Thank you for letting Him use you.
Someone commented that Christ isn’t a Band-Aid, and I agree, He is much more like hydrogen peroxide, painfully fizzing on our wounds to clean them, not hiding them at all. We are the ones who put Band-Aids on our wounds to hide them from sight. This just makes it harder to let the light in, because we have to rip them off and get used to people seeing our scars. The words you have penned are so encouraging as is the music you sing. You are able to encourage so many people in such a good way.
Thanks, and I’ll see you in Ohio in October!!!!
Mike, your words really got to me. You’re right. We have to learn to confess the things we do wrong, and God will help us with the rest.
I know it’s a long shot, but I’m wondering if the band would perform at a benefit on October 2nd for my stepdaughter Joran Frogner who was in a car accident in March and has traumatic brain injury, can’t walk or talk, and is back in Delray Medical Center with MRSA. It’s planned for Caloosa Park in Boynton but may move to Lake Worth because of parking issues.
That was beautiful, encouraging, and eye-opening Mike. :) I’ve always been secretive, quiet, shy, and a bit antisocial, so for me confessing to another mortal, human (most likely judgemental) being would be “inconvenient, unsettling, or downright horrific”. But if it means revealing the Savior living in me and what He’s done, I’ll suck it up and get through it the best I can.
Mike, my main man Mike, I can’t believe I missed this one. I’m just reading it today. Maybe I did, although I would have surely remembered. I print just about everything you write (Journal items) and save them and reread them. You’re something, you know that? I so needed this today, I can’t even begin to tell you, it’d be a journal entry from “Dippsy Doodle Laurie”. You make it so, I don’t know, I can’t find the words to describe how I feel right now about what you wrote. Only that it’s me you’re speaking of, I can take sentences from your paragraphs and paste them to my head, I would too, and walk around with them, I’m not proud, not in the least. And after I found Jesus I didn’t care what people thought (you know what I mean), what mattered was Him, and that He loves me so much, He can’t deny Himself, He can’t help it. And who the heck am I?? I think its better I’m reading this at work; I’d be sobbing at home. Just last night after saying The Lord’s Prayer, I asked him to watch over my compassion child – to keep him safe and healthy, and then I had no other words to speak then just a groan or two, what can I possibly say to Him…I can only ask that He looks into my heart. I so want H iim to say “well done good and faithful servant”, is that wrong? I do things now because I WANT TO, and I have to say that feels so good. I found myself this morning on my way to work talking your song to Him (Times), and not even realizing it, but it’s what I finally found to speak. Anywho, I guess this IS turning into a journal. I just gotta say thank you Mike, thank you, you put these scriptures?, stories?, problems?, into a way that is right on – other than the Bible (smile), although sometimes I have to read scripts a couple times to really GET it. You know in church last week (Grace Point Baptist Church in Washington Crossing, PA), I teach bible study to pre-k, as well as a class of autistic children. I truly and honestly can say I’d rather spend every waking moment with these children than do anything else. For the pre-k, it was the story of Joseph. I put on a red robe and some hat thing and a big ‘ole red ruby ring. The kids were in awe and they got it, they actually got the moral of the story (usually they laugh, talk, cry, (you know, or you will soon). My autistic kids love Noah’s Ark. My one boy Matty, he recently went blind due to Limes disease, can you believe it!???!?!?, was in his system for a very long time. He’s one of the smartest and precious kids I know. He’s 8 and beautiful, love the way he says my name, not LORI, but Laurie. The strength and courage he has is overwhelming, I’d like to kick myself in the butt when I complain about something ridiculous. Sorry, I gotta stop now. ? Again, thank you Mike, and I thank your parents for raising you and I thank your wife and your daughter, and I thank God for you. Planting seeds, changing lives, one step/person at a time, that’s what YOU’RE doing. God bless you, love you (and the guys). Laurie S.
Thanks for the devotional and video for “Healing Begins,” Mike! Amidst my pride and persistence to be stubborn, I am having to learn in a painfully slow manner what it takes to find healing for the broken places in my heart. Isaiah 61:1 reminds us that Christ has come to bind our broken hearts, but we must realize that it takes our vulnerability to His workings for true change and restoration to occur. We must let our “walls fall to the ground,” as you say in the song, and allow Christ into the wounds as the salt that burns yet heals. Healing can be so painful, and amidst the pain, the enemy may seek to draw us away from Christ, but we must understand that Christ is not a Band-Aid that covers, but the catalyst that heals by removing the infection, whatever that infection may be. I recognize this to be part of the refining fire - the cleansing flame that draws us nearer to Him! May we invite and endure, for the reward is greater than we’ll ever understand!
Wow. Thanks Mike, I’ve never thought of it that way before.
Mike,
You have shown us so much through your journals in a way that inspires me to live with Christ in the drivers seat. There’s no other way it should be. Thank you for all that you do through your music and your journals, Tenth Avenue North is such a blessing to this fallen world. You guys are amazing.
~ Always smile ‘cause ya know Jesus loves ya! ~
It’s called good news for a reason
Also don’t be afraid obey the Word like when you pray or worship in public because Jesus will honor you when you honor Him.
The following scriptures I read recently really touched me:
“Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.” -1 Corinthians 11:3-10
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” -2 Timothy 3:16
*If your church doesn’t go according to these two scriptures, don’t be afraid to stand out. Isn’t it better to obey God than the crowd in the church?
*An encouragement from your Creator
P.S., after I read this entry, I found this Bible verse that relates to it perfectly! ?“He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I… am weak, then I am strong.” ~2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
Mike, this is awesome. I think so many of us fall into that trap of trying to be our own savior and thinking that we don’t need Jesus. I know I was like that for some time during my life, and it felt amazing and liberating when I realized how much I truly needed Jesus and how far I had fallen in trying to save myself. It’s SOOOO amazing that He loves us that much, even though we don’t deserve it! You are a true man of God, Mike, and I hope that you and Tenth Avenue North can continue to spread the gospel to all who need to hear it. God bless you!
-Erin
I don’t think Mike’s a preacher, because he does much more than just preach. All of these journals have been awesome, and really make me think about my own faith with God. Great stuff, I love Tenth Avenue North, God bless you guys!!! :)
Hey Mike, do you feel as though God is calling you to preach? I’ve never actually saw anywhere where you consider yourself a preacher, but I think sometimes others can see things in ourselves that we can’t see..yet. I was called into teaching Sunday School a few years ago & at first I didn’t think it was for me. People kept telling me that’s what they felt my calling was, but I never truly stepped into it until this past year. I love your insight & would love to speak to you about a few things sometime in the future. We will see you guys on Sept. 18th in Cincinnati, at The Underground. Would be nice to chat with you before/after the concert if possible!
Man, that’s amazingly true…..i mean we have one amazing God to love us like our God does.
Mike you preach the gospel in a way that’s so diffrent and it helps me &others understand the beautiful wonders of God