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36 Comments for 'The Ted Haggard Scandal…No Laughing Matter'

1. On November 3, 2006 @ 4:36 pm A sad day in the news today, what is your response? « Enjoying the journey! said:

   • […] Ted Haggard Scandal…No Laughing Matter […]

   • Permalink to A sad day in the news today, what is your response? « Enjoying the journey!'s comment

2. On November 3, 2006 @ 5:19 pm Maxine Morarie said:

   • Greg,  Thank you for stepping up to the bat and leading us in prayer for Ted and his family. We needed that leadership.  Like you, my heart is very sad. I prayed the prayer you wrote with you (in tears), and will continue to pray as God brings this to my heart. Gal. 6:2 goes on to say that "bearing one another’s burdens fulfills the law of Christ." It’s so much easier when the burden is "clean", but God’s grace is just as sufficient for the other kind of burdens. I can only imagine the terrible suffering of Ted’s family…and that Ted himself is very shaken. I thought Mike Jones looked very sad in the newspaper. It took courage to do what he did, even though it was with somewhat of an agenda. May he come into the truth of the Gospel and be delivered from the way Satan has been using his body. Show us all your mighty HAND, oh Father.  It is so good that it came to light because only in the light can things be dealt with. I’ll be praying for you as you go to Charlotte, that your message will be more powerful than ever before, and that God will prepare hearts ahead of you for that message. You’re very important to me.  Maxine

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3. On November 3, 2006 @ 8:17 pm Sammi Basinger said:

   •             Hey Greg.  I just want to say that it is so great that even with all of the time in Charolette you still have time to ask us and to pray yourself also for a friend.  I too have many prayers to take on.  I hope you are liking things in Charolette.  I am just so happy to come online everyday to see what you have to say.  You make such a good point as well.  ttyl.                                   Muchlove;*                                      Sammi

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4. On November 4, 2006 @ 12:34 pm Myra Simons said:

   • Greg: I just read your blog statement about Pastor Haggard.  Thank you so much for your perspective; it is exactly the way I and my husband feel about this situation.  It’s not so much Pastor Haggard that has been hurt along with his church and family, but the name of Christ that is of huge consequence.  When I first heard this, my heart sank to my feet.  And…how Dr. Dobson must be hurting.  After all the work, the struggles and the smears that he himself has gone through in the fight for the family and marriage in our country, I know this must has hit him hard.  We will indeed pray for Pastor Haggard and his family and the church.  God knows the hearts of everyone involved including this gay gentleman.  How I pray that someone will come to know Christ at the end of all of this.  Again..thank you for your sentiments - we are totally with you.  Myra Simons

   • Permalink to Myra Simons's comment

5. On November 4, 2006 @ 1:11 pm Anonymous said:

   • Greg, Your mention of   "Be careful. Galatians 6:1 reminds us, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." That last sentence should make us all take heed. We need to watch ourselves. " was like a slap in the face for me.  A wake up call if you will. About  five years ago, Ted Haggard came to a our church on a Friday night to talk to the congregation about our pastor. He had been involved with a young women in our congregation and no one could believe it was true. Ted flew in from Colorado and presented the information of facts and what lie ahead. I know it broke his heart to get up there and see a fellow pastor, his family and his congregation devastated by the sin. When I read the headlines a few days ago, I couldn’t believe it could be true…not because Ted Haggard wasn’t human. But because he had seen and experienced first hand what can happen to a man of God, his family and his church when a leader falls astray. My heart and my theology has changed through all of this. I will be praying for the Haggard’s and those around him and his family who will work towards healing and restoration. I pray the pain of the present will be a constant reminder to those involved on how to walk in the future. Let us all remember how easy it is to stumble and fall. Let us carefully and prayerfully choose our steps. Thanks for speaking from the heart!

   • Permalink to Anonymous's comment

6. On November 4, 2006 @ 3:08 pm Becky said:

   • I heard about this on the radio.Man that is not good.

   • Permalink to Becky's comment

7. On November 4, 2006 @ 6:11 pm chris said:

   • Greg, Thank you for taking a leadership role on this issue of Ted Haggard.  I know we are all saddened by the allegations surronding Ted.  As I read your comments and your call to action for us to watch yourself; it became obvious to me that even in the midst of "worldly battles for our hearts" God has a plan for everything.  Some may question why did it happen; however, others will strengthen themselves because of the reminder of the promise of God. They will then move forward on this beautiful jouney of walking closer and closer with thier Lord.  Chris Aschinger

   • Permalink to chris's comment

8. On November 4, 2006 @ 9:20 pm kacy said:

   • greg, that was a very powerful prar you wrote in  the blog i will be praying for the familey and him they just showed that on the news here in st.joesph,mo i really dont knoe what else to say but it brakes my hart well im going to sign off now                                         god bless you for what you do                                          kacy

   • Permalink to kacy's comment

9. On November 4, 2006 @ 9:51 pm Neal Dahlen said:

   • I must live in a bubble. I had not heard of this until your e-mail of this afternoon. But this sort of thing is not new and, really, it is not news. Think back over the past 20 years or so . . . Jim Baker & PTL . . . Jimmy Swagert . . . Amy Grant . . . My reaction: Many that the Lord calls and plans to use mightily stay hidden or in low key positions, never raising to the summit of their calling, because of stories like this and the fear that this is what awaits them. Greg, how can we bulletproof our leaders? In my opinion, we can’t. The best we can hope for is for the local body to surround each of them like the secret service surrounds the president and ‘take one for the team’ in the line of duty to protect them. Where were those who were supposed to be surrounding Ted? Why did they let this happen? In this day and age of ‘intervention,’ I don’t think any explanation (excuse) will withstand the simplicity of the final analysis: We are obligated to one another in the body to keep surround each other. Do you have your local body surrounding you. Are they under obligation to intervene? For what its worth, Neal

   • Permalink to Neal Dahlen's comment

10. On November 4, 2006 @ 11:25 pm Greg said:

    • Thanks Neal, Yes, I am under full accountability to the elders at Grace Church in Arvada, Colorado. Pastor Jim Malouff is my accountability partner and has full access to intervene, question or confront me anytime, anywhere about anything. Thanks for asking.

    • Permalink to Greg's comment

11. On November 5, 2006 @ 1:08 am Carrie Evans said:

    • Is it just me or is Satan roaring with laughter over this?  I can almost audibly hear it.  I feel most devasted by how much damage this incident will most likely cost the kingdom.  It breaks my heart, weakens my passion, and crushes my ministry momentum.  I’ve heard him preach.  He’s amazing.  My parents are friends with an elder from this church.  I can’t imagine the heartbreak they are going through.  I still can’t hardly believe it’s true.  My dad who teeters on whether or not to be a follower of Christ had a high level of respect for this man.  My teens have seen him preach.  It just feels like such a betrayal.  I found myself today so frustrated with the cause and feeling like it’s so not worth it.  All the hours put into it  only to have one incident like this seemingly wipe out so much hard work.  It just drags the whole body down with it.  Then I remembered the basics.  Grace.  Here we are back in the never ending cycle of grace.  Sin, forgivenss and the dance that we all do with the devil.  The truly ironic part is this situation demonstrates clearly the heart of who we are and what makes us all Chrisitians.    Sin.  Without it we wouldn’t need Jesus.   Our greatest weakness is our greatest strength.  No doubt, Pastor Ted’s fall has weakened our whole body.    Do you think it’s possible that we could use this tremendous blow to gain more than we have lost?  It probably sounds like a weird question, but consider this; now more than ever opportunities abound for spiritual discussion.  Everyone is talking about this.  What if we found a way to look beyond our grief and disappointment (and embarrasment) to use this situation to teach Grace like never before?  To teach that although yes he really messed up,  and yes he was held to a higher standard because of his role, he was still a mere human.  To use this to point out that it’s because of all temptation and sin  that we need Jesus who is the only one who didn’t sin.  To remind ourselves and our family and friends not to get to hung up on ourselves or any human for that matter.  To remind all yet again that He and only He is worth placing our full trust in.  I pray that we don’t allow this situation to slow down our missions, but rather somehow we find a way to look through the mud and muck to the never ending glow of Grace. I especially pray for you Greg and the whole Dare2Share team that you are able to somehow focus on the upcoming Denver conference and the word of the Lord through this difficult time.

    • Permalink to Carrie Evans's comment

12. On November 5, 2006 @ 10:35 am Trevor said:

    • Follow the word of god and not the man who speaks the word of god, for the flesh is weak and the temptations are many along the path.  Who among us has not been tempted to experiment with drugs or lusted to touch someone we should not?  In fact, many like Ted Haggard have been more than tempted and gave in to their desires.  But only Jesus was ever perfect, so how can we expect a normal man to be perfect?  Yes, it is shocking to think of Ted engaging in unholy sex with another man, and that is what I keep picturing everytime I see him now.  But we must all overcome that, because he needs out forgivness and support now more than ever!

    • Permalink to Trevor's comment

13. On November 5, 2006 @ 1:57 pm Liz said:

    • Thank you Greg. I went to the charlette conference this weekend, and I spoke to you saturday night about how it’s changed my life, and opened my heart to become a missionary, instead of smart whizzy sports player. This recent scandal, as you said has really hurt the Christian community. However, you did not let it harm your time with those of us in charlette, and for that I thank God. but I will begin praying for Ted, his family, his church, and alll that you mentioned above because I truly was not aware of how much it was traveling around the news until i read your blog. As a matter of fact, i would also like to write a little prayer on here so that I will be reminded, and pray. Dear Lord, I praise you for all that Greg, and the D2S leaders do. But right now I lift up to you Ted Haggard, his family, his church, and all those involved, as well as Mike Jones. You know what is in their hearts, and you are the one who can open them to seeing you. so Lord please up the Christian community andyour name be some how lifted up through this hard time as well as stay strong. In your name I pray. Amen.

    • Permalink to Liz's comment

14. On November 5, 2006 @ 3:12 pm Jon said:

    • Ted Haggard personifies the smarmy, arrogant Evangelical that everybody loves to hate. He annoyed me greatly with his appearance in a documentary I saw him in - he lied his way through that one as well. He held no empathy for my beliefs or opinions, so I hold no empathy for him right now.  Pray for someone like that? I would rather poke my eyeballs out with a pin. Remember! Those who are the most vocal against homosexuals often harbor homosexual feelings themselves.

    • Permalink to Jon's comment

15. On November 5, 2006 @ 5:02 pm Mark Pritchard said:

    • I disagree with your statement that the Haggard affair is no laughing matter. Aside from the fact that we will see comedians and television hosts making a great deal of comedic hay out of this over the next several days, I suggest that it is always humorous to see pompous hypocrites hoisted on their own — you should pardon the expression — petards. This is the very stuff of irony: to see someone exposed as the very thing they publically railed against. Not only does a sober "Oh dear, I am reminded of how sinful and human and frail we all are" approach take all the fun out of the situation, but it is, itself, a smoke screen. If you’re really so conscious of your sinfulness and human frailty, you wouldn’t even be in a leadership position — you’d be mute and on your knees before God all day long. But instead you’ve chosen to put yourself forward as a role model for others — not even people like yourself, but young people. Believe me, if they really thought you were sinful and frail, they wouldn’t listen to a word you say.   For their sake, I hope you are worthy of your pedestal. Because if your young followers ever find out you’re not the person you pretend to be, they will be incensed, and you will need a lot more than the "forgiveness and healing" which Haggard’s church’s members are being told to offer. Because there’s nothing a teenager hates worse than a phony. 

    • Permalink to Mark Pritchard's comment

16. On November 5, 2006 @ 6:28 pm Josh said:

    • Thank you for sharing your heart out with us. Indeed, I do feel the very same heartache when I first read about what happened a few days ago. Maybe it is the fact that we too have our own demons to fight within us that makes the whole matter even more frightening - and that a single decision we choose to make can either lead us into victory or lead us down a path where lives will be broken and hurt. You are right in saying that "The name and fame of Christ are at stake with a watching world". But even more so, in the midst of the darkness - and in no way am I reducing the sin involved - it is even now more so that God’s light can shine. And it depends on how we as the Church will respond to it and will it cause us to abandon the Truth. I guess there are two choices we can make: to either condemn, bear grievances and allow hate to consume us, or to choose to forgive (while not glancing over the sin), love and encourage. And perhaps it is a time where us as the Church can be challenged to examine ourselves. To see if we too have in many ways been pharisee-cal in the way we portray our faith. And may it remind us again that humility and love is the core crux of Christianity and that we should always keep that at heart. May we learn to seek forgiveness from others whom we have hurt as well. The greater sin (if there is ever one) in Ps Ted’s case is not that he committed sexual immorality but the fact that pride and fear took over, blocked out his reliance on Christ and allowed darkness to overwhelm. May we be wise and careful in keeping check always that we do not allow pride to prevent us from being open and accountable of our struggles. May the Truth prevail and the glory of God shine forth during this period of testing and failure.

    • Permalink to Josh's comment

17. On November 6, 2006 @ 10:16 am Alex said:

    • Wow  what a sad day.  Last Friday I got a call a call from one of my copmpany’s clients.  The first thing out of his mouth was not "Hi, how are you? but "What do you think of Ted Haggard?", in a real sarcastic way.  I responded that I though tit was sad and that he is a human and capable of doing evil just like the rest of us.  He responded with the usual "If you stand up and claim to be against something and you are doing it yourself bla bla bla…" reteric.  Then went on to recommend a "GREAT" book he had just read written by a so-called Bible scholar that proved what he had thought about the Bible all along.  That it was not God’s word and that people over time had just made it say what they wanted it to say, ets, etc, etc. I just wanted to PUKE!!!  Oh the damage done when one of us in leadership falls.  I felt like I was being accused of doing all of those things that Mr. Haggard was accused of.   A fine example of why the BIBLE(GOD"S WORD) says not to give the devil a place. This truley breaks my heart!   JESUS IS STILL ON THE THRONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

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18. On November 6, 2006 @ 10:17 am Alex said:

    • I thought  "IT"  was sad, Sorry Big Daddy, I forgot to spell check!

    • Permalink to Alex's comment

19. On November 6, 2006 @ 8:50 pm cogtruth said:

    • The situation with brother Ted Haggard is sad to say the least. There is no question that such action by anyone is wrong and sinful. The question should not be what did he do and with whom, but rather where was his prayer covering? Where were his accountablility partners? When this was happening? It can be very lonely at the "top"! Often we place certain people of God (Christian Leaders) upon a petistal. We think they are incapable of doing wrong (including sin) and then when they do, we act self righteous and condemn them to hell. Let us be reminded right here and right now that there is only one unpardonable sin and none of the actions brother Haggard is accused of even come close to that unpardonable sin! "We who are spiritual are instructed by God in His Word to minister forgiveness, reconciliation and healing to brother Haggard. To neglegt to do so makes us guilty of the sin of disobedience and unrighteous judgement. Let us ralley together in prayer for our brother. Let us pray for God’s forgiveness, mercy and grace to be ministered to him untill he is fully restored to Christ and his church!

    • Permalink to cogtruth's comment

20. On November 7, 2006 @ 5:04 am Jon said:

    • Listening to the comments above it makes it easy to see why people hate Evangelical Christians. I hear Haggard’s new documentary ‘Jesus Camp’ is out… Haggard claims homosexuality is wrong and how it is a major sin, the audience nods in agreement - little do they know.  Christians - how well do you know your leaders????

    • Permalink to Jon's comment

21. On November 7, 2006 @ 11:49 am Iris Raeshaun said:

    • I’m sooooo glad that you wrote this column and highlighted the real issue here, that Jesus’ name is being dragged through the mud. However, Jesus prevails. I feel great compassion for Mr. Haggard. He has fought a secret battle for years, winning and losing, winning and losing. Now, thanks to Jones, his inward battle is exposed and he can be prayed for and supported by forgiving Christians, feel the remaining and unfailing love of Christ for him and be healed. That’s why I like the prefix ‘re’ in Psalms 23. It says He “restores” my soul. That means God restores us again and again and again and again, even if its the same problem. Because we forgive Haggard doesn’t mean we condone his actions but we look to God above who is the author and finisher of our faith and thank God for what Haggard has taught in the midst of his battles. Although the world may be looking at our faith and Christ in a negative fashion because of this, no one and nothing can stand against God and HIs Son Jesus Christ. It if for this reason, Haggards sins, my sins, and the world’s sins that Christ died and said “It is finished.”
      Thanks again for leading in the prayer for Haggard and for the faith of others. We all must look to Jesus and not put our earthly leaders upon pedastals.

    • Permalink to Iris Raeshaun's comment

22. On November 7, 2006 @ 1:15 pm Ashley Buckner said:

    • It’s sad isn’t it? There is someone who is very close to me who is living a homosexual lifestyle and it breaks my heart everytime I see him. It also hurts when I look at society and see that they accept him and his lifestyle that hurts me and my family so bad with open arms. And then to see this scandal come up with someone who was such a spiritual leader in our country is also devestating. And even more devestating is the point you made. No matter how this turns out God’s name is being dragged through the mud. It’s heart breaking. It hurts God so much and I hurt when I see it so I can not imagine how God must feel. One of the worst things is how tolerant some people are about it. I mean yes, hate the sin, not the sinner, but you still need to remember to hate that sin. Too many people are like, "well they’re so nice so who cares that they are gay? We should just accept them." No, We should not accept that. We should pray for them and most certainly not accept it. God himself said that it is despicable. Who are we to argue? Signing off Ashley P.s. I kinda went off on a rant of my own there, didn’t I?

    • Permalink to Ashley Buckner's comment

23. On November 7, 2006 @ 3:02 pm Scott Eaton said:

    • To Jon who post above: Jon, at least from your posts, you sound kind of antagonistic toward Christians and Christianity. Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs?  I’d love to hear about them.

    • Permalink to Scott Eaton's comment

24. On November 7, 2006 @ 4:20 pm BigDaddy said:

    • Ver yfunn yAlex. I think I will live though. The most we can do is pray in this situation with Ted. Ask what God has revealed to YOUR heart through all of this. How does this bring you closer to the Creator and did this challenge your moral wisdom?

    • Permalink to BigDaddy's comment

25. On November 7, 2006 @ 5:48 pm lane said:

    • So Mark, the downfall of another human being is a source of merriment for you?  And I thought it was the Evangelicals that lacked compassion… By the way, Greg doesn’t put himself on a pedastal or position himself as a role model. He is straightforward about his shortcomings, which is why he points teens to the only perfect role model- Jesus Christ.  I say this because I have known Greg for over 20 years.

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26. On November 7, 2006 @ 10:39 pm Lance said:

    • Christians are always saying to me…’oh..God doesn’t rank sin’.  This is part of the bait and switch of evangelism….where one is invited into a relationship with Jesus on the basis that ‘God loves you…no matter who you are or what you’ve done….and no sin is worse than the other….and …blah blah blah…’  And then once you’re in the Pharisee system, the bait of grace switches to the Christian sub-culture and its multi-layered beliefs and sub-beliefs about ‘godly’ sin (the sins that pastors commit) and ‘naughty’ sin (the sin that the ’sinful’ people commit.."  And every so often a creep like Greg Stier comes along and says something like this…  "If the purchase of drugs was all that happened then that’s bad enough. If drugs were taken then it’s worse yet. If homosexual sex was involved then that’s simply horrible." And the real Pharisee beliefs of these ‘pastors’ are revealed.  They’re not quite standing up in the temple and praying ‘thank God I’m not like those sinners’…..but they’re implying it with comments like…."we must stand by Pastor Ted in his ‘recovery’….and ‘we are shocked and dismayed’…blah blah blah….  Church leaders are using Ted’s fall to elevate themselves - pride through negative comparison - every pastor from James Dobson to Greg Stier.  Every one of you is a sinner who every Sunday (at least) commits the abomination of pride (proverbs 16:5) by standing up in front of people and making out that you’re more ‘holy’ than you really are. The hard truth that your stubborn pride won’t let you see..is you are just as sinful as Ted Haggard, and just as reliant on God’s grace through Christ’s blood sacrifice as anyone else on the planet. Never forget that…and in the meantime……..woe to you blind guides.

    • Permalink to Lance's comment

27. On November 8, 2006 @ 7:06 am Jon said:

    • Hi Scott,  I am not anti-Christian at all. I know many who are very nice people. I am no more anti-Christian than I am anti-Jew or anti-Muslim. I just dont like hypocrites. I find it sad that people choose to follow hypocrites like Haggard, and then defend him after what he has done. There is no sin in being homosexual, or enjoying some of what it has to offer, but surely the sin is in the hypocrisy of it all.  I dont believe in the Christian doctrines at all, personally I find it all nonsense - but I wouldnt go out of my way trying to convert people into something that could or could not be true, neither would I become so obsessed with it to take it all as 100 per cent truth. I know your answer to this would be ‘he wont ask me to do that’, but if Jesus come back to earth and told you to fly a plane into a building, would you do it? In short, Christians and Christianity is fine by me so long as you cut out the self-righteous rubbish and fundamentalist views. Didnt Jesus tell you to look out for wolves in sheeps clothing, by their works you will recognise these men? If I were you, I would be very careful who I listen to on the worship platform in the future.

    • Permalink to Jon's comment

28. On November 10, 2006 @ 8:56 am Scott Eaton said:

    • Hey Jon: I appreciate your feedback.  Hypocritical Christians tick me off too.  But this is really why we NEED Jesus Christ.  It is not because Chrisitans are good or better than you or anyone else.  It is because we are sinful - and at times we are hypocrites.  Christianity is not the move from vice to virtue, but from vice to grace. Have you ever seriously considered Jesus’ own claims about himself?  Have your ever really looked at the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in comparison to all other religious figures?  Before you write off Christianity and more importantly Jesus Christ, you owe it to yourself to really check it out.  Unfortunately most people have only ever seen a caricature of Christianity and not the real deal.  I would challenge you to take a look at Jesus Christ for who he really is.  Are you willing?

    • Permalink to Scott Eaton's comment

29. On November 10, 2006 @ 3:57 pm Jon said:

    • Hi Scott, genuine thanks for your concern. I have seriously looked into Christianity and Jesus claims. I have personally come to the conclusion that the Bible is all based on Astrology. I have a website that I could post if you wish to look at it should you be interested in my opinion. 

    • Permalink to Jon's comment

30. On November 10, 2006 @ 4:16 pm Scott Eaton said:

    • Jon - if you think Christianity is bogus, why are you lurking around here?  Are you sure you have no doubts?  If I’m wrong, I’m happy with my life and you are happy with yours.  But if you’re wrong, I end up in heaven and well, you don’t.  It would be hell for you.  This is why we share what we share.  It is genuine love and concern. 

    • Permalink to Scott Eaton's comment

31. On November 11, 2006 @ 5:03 am anne edwards said:

    • Hi Greg, I think you’re right on the money that we should be uplifting Ted and his entire family and their church family as well.  Asking God to work for His own glory in the midst of this mess is appropriate as well.  And praying (and even giving thanks) for the man who broke this into the open is a good thing as well…we’re told to pray for those who misuse us.  But I do take a bit of issue with your saying that Pastor Ted is one of the most influential Christians on the planet.  Perhaps in your little corner of the planet in Denver.  But I can’t think of many believers in Spain or Europe or the UK or China or Africa or even perhaps in Mexico who have heard of him.  So I question his influence…  Just a thought.  Influence is all in the mind of the beholder.  And God is no respecter of persons.  Pastor Ted’s sin is just as bad as any one of our sins that we commit each day.

    • Permalink to anne edwards's comment

32. On November 11, 2006 @ 11:30 am Jon said:

    • Well Scott, I came here since I searched for Ted Haggard in google and this site came up… it was interesting to see what Christians think of it all. What you are doing now is using emotional blackmail to seal your point. If I were Muslim, and you were wrong, you’d be the one ending up in hell! But I have no doubts. I have checked both sides of the argument, and have sided with atheism, I hope you have come to your choice by checking both sides. Anyhow good luck to you and I hope your life brings happiness. 

    • Permalink to Jon's comment

33. On November 13, 2006 @ 10:52 am David Perkins said:

    • "The name and fame of Jesus Christ?"  Sorry, preacher, but the name and "fame" of Jesus is quite secure. It’s us fallen humans who are risk! The Ted tragedy is not so much that another human has failed God sexually (we all fail God in one way or another) but that he was a hypocrite in publicly opposing what he himself indulged in.  And his influence is in direct proportion to how hypocritical he was.  Christians need to get back to worshipping God and following Christ and not worshipping politics and following political "Leaders!" May the love of Christ and the forgiveness of God inhabit your whole being. David Perkins Lay preacher Fort Worth, Texas

    • Permalink to David Perkins's comment

34. On November 13, 2006 @ 7:34 pm Taylor said:

    • Greg, all I can say is what you said yourself, only Ted, Mike and God know what went on. But if he did do this, He is going to be mocked and forever thought as a hypocrite. I think that is enough of a punishment from  fellow sinners. God will always forgive and accept his children. Yet, I’m not saying that what he supposedly did is right. I think that what what he is accused of is very, very wrong!!!! That is what gives Christians a bad name.

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35. On November 14, 2006 @ 12:53 am Sol Whitten said:

    • It saddens me when I see another brother fall.  I understand how people feel betrayed ,let down and  deceived. I have been blessed by some of the teaching that Ted Haggard has shared, about being a "Life Giving Christian".  There is one thing that is obvious about the truth, it will always be delivered by people who don’t totally measure up to it. But just because the mailman is flawed it doesn’t change the content of the letter.  The fact that Ted was exposed just reminds me how much God loves him and all who call on His name. The Lord chastens His own, those he loves and the chastening of the Lord is always painful, but when it is done it produces Godly Character.  For you see the truth of our preaching and teaching is not validated in that we never fail but that when we do how we respond.  When I talk to others I remind them that the most powerful lessons in life are in our failures.  You see God is not concerned about our ministries, He is concerned by our character.  Brother Ted is in for some hard times, he is now unemployed not to mention the relational fall-out he will experience with his family and friends, trust is so hard to get back when it is broken.  I know this is painful for all of us who call on the Name of Jesus Christ, but this is about redemption and our perfecting in Christ.  Thank God we have a loving Father in heaven who won’t let us get away with anything.  Fellow believers yes those who are not of us will cast stones at us and use this as an opportunity to validate their own sin which they display proudly for the world to see. The lesson they are teaching is Ted’s mistake is, he is not one of them, calling "Evil good and good evil." But remember when they do cast stones you only need to be concerned if Jesus is holding a rock in His hand,  Last I looked He didn’t, instead He says, "Neither do I condemn you, Go and sin no more".  My word for Ted Haggard and all of us is, there is forgiveness, grace, mercy and life In Christ Jesus our Lord who died on the cross to pay for our sin!   

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36. On November 14, 2006 @ 1:08 pm Jerry Woodward said:

    • Ted Haggard is a sad example of the church forcing someone to be something they are not.  Homosexuality is not the sin the mainline church makes it out to be.  If you read the entire story of Sodom you will learn that before the angels came God vowed to destroy the entire region not just Sodom.   The sin of Sodom was not Homosexuality but an out of control group of people wanting to rape what they thought were men.  Scripture is clear that there would have been women and children there too wanting to do the same thing.  When the church throws Homosexuals out and deny them to be who God crated them to be the church looses any influence on Godly behavior. The "sin" of Ted was being unfaithful to his wife.  The "sin" of homosexuals is some are unfaithful to their spouses, live immoral lives and all that goes with it.  The church needs to wake up.  The hetrosexual world matches as much or more in their immorality.  As the church lies about what the Bible really says you can expect more of this to happen.  Sadly, the suicide rate for teenages and others caught up in being told they are evil is high.  God has preserved a group of God fearing homosexuals who love and worship God according to the Bible.  Our ministry is hampered by the harm done to homosexuals by the church.  Often the response is if God is like the way cChristian people have treated me then I want nothing to do with Him. The end results of the lies the church uses in everyone is hurt and many are driven from the church. If you don’t think this applies to you, know that when you speak these lies not only are the homosexuals hurt but their families and friends are hurt.  Often the only remedy is to leave the church. God wants us all to be reaching out to the unsaved and preparing them for the salvation through the grace of God until the day we are all waiting for. 

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