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radioThese are reader comments for the article 'Newsboys: Ex-lead Singer John James speaks about his fall and restoration'
Reader Comments
Posted by Matt Modrich in Chicago, USA @ 00:23 on Apr 22 2007
I like the honesty that he showed in this interview. It's hard to be honest about what's really going on in your life. I wish more people would be more honest.
I like the honesty that he showed in this interview. It's hard to be honest about what's really going on in your life. I wish more people would be more honest.
Posted by Jonny in Reading @ 12:07 on Mar 22 2007
brilliant stuff mike. I wish the church, and Christians in general, would take heed of this story. Everyone needs the support and guidance that John felt was lacking when he was in the NEwsboys, but equally, everyone needs the love and support when things go belly up. His story is a story of grace that, if we were all being honest, is mirrored in different ways in all our lives. I applaud this article, your excellent and sensitive journalism, the willingness of John James to open up, and above all, the amazing grace of God at work in his, and our, lives.
Brilliant.
brilliant stuff mike. I wish the church, and Christians in general, would take heed of this story. Everyone needs the support and guidance that John felt was lacking when he was in the NEwsboys, but equally, everyone needs the love and support when things go belly up. His story is a story of grace that, if we were all being honest, is mirrored in different ways in all our lives. I applaud this article, your excellent and sensitive journalism, the willingness of John James to open up, and above all, the amazing grace of God at work in his, and our, lives.
Brilliant.
Posted by Faith in New York, Unites States @ 05:19 on Feb 24 2007
Thank you Mike for this interview. Hearing the heart of John James and seeing God's restoration is very encouraging. We as the Body of Christ need to remember that the artists we listen to need our prayers, not our worship. Yes we can enjoy the music, but it is just that...music.
This church that helped to mentor and disciple John James and his wife is a very good example of what the Body of Christ should be like. We shouldn't judge people but we should restore people in Christ.
Thank you again Mike, for the interview, and to John James for showing us what a man of God is like. Someone with integrity, character and especially a heart that seeks after God! Allow Him to continue to pour through you, His love and compassion for His people/His Beloved Bride.
Thank you Mike for this interview. Hearing the heart of John James and seeing God's restoration is very encouraging. We as the Body of Christ need to remember that the artists we listen to need our prayers, not our worship. Yes we can enjoy the music, but it is just that...music.
This church that helped to mentor and disciple John James and his wife is a very good example of what the Body of Christ should be like. We shouldn't judge people but we should restore people in Christ.
Thank you again Mike, for the interview, and to John James for showing us what a man of God is like. Someone with integrity, character and especially a heart that seeks after God! Allow Him to continue to pour through you, His love and compassion for His people/His Beloved Bride.
Posted by G Frith in Canada @ 17:24 on Feb 13 2007
This interview adds a lot of perspective. Most of us hardcore newsboys fans simply don't allow for personal failings in the people we admire this much. It's grounding to know they can have spiritual and physical struggles as much as we do, and that they need the grace of God just the same, or more as it seems.
I would hope that this interview doesn't turn someone off the Gospel, or the 'boys ministry, but that they rather see most clearly the message of restoration and the will of God to bring John back to repentance and wholeness.
I'm going to borrow a comment from another newsboys fan, "being a wonderful person is not being perfect or never sinning, but rather one who takes responsibility for their sins and repents when they do."
John really is a wonderful person. Onya mate!
This interview adds a lot of perspective. Most of us hardcore newsboys fans simply don't allow for personal failings in the people we admire this much. It's grounding to know they can have spiritual and physical struggles as much as we do, and that they need the grace of God just the same, or more as it seems.
I would hope that this interview doesn't turn someone off the Gospel, or the 'boys ministry, but that they rather see most clearly the message of restoration and the will of God to bring John back to repentance and wholeness.
I'm going to borrow a comment from another newsboys fan, "being a wonderful person is not being perfect or never sinning, but rather one who takes responsibility for their sins and repents when they do."
John really is a wonderful person. Onya mate!
Posted by Betty in Beatrice NE @ 06:22 on Feb 13 2007
I think it took great courage on your part to do this interview. It is wonderful the power God gives us. You said you never thought you would pastor a church. I never thought I would go door to door with my pastor. And one day I did and I loved it. I drive a bus on Sunday mornings and pick up kids to go to church and then I take them home afterwards. It is a wonderful feeling to work for God!
God Bless you and I hope things keep going good for you and your family but most of all with you and God!
Betty
I think it took great courage on your part to do this interview. It is wonderful the power God gives us. You said you never thought you would pastor a church. I never thought I would go door to door with my pastor. And one day I did and I loved it. I drive a bus on Sunday mornings and pick up kids to go to church and then I take them home afterwards. It is a wonderful feeling to work for God!
God Bless you and I hope things keep going good for you and your family but most of all with you and God!
Betty
Posted by Lisha @ 22:03 on Feb 12 2007
Thanks for the awesome testimony. Really opened my eyes and encouraged me!! I didn't realise that christian bands went through all that!! And God's Power to change John James is awesome...shows what an almighty God we serve!
Thanks for the awesome testimony. Really opened my eyes and encouraged me!! I didn't realise that christian bands went through all that!! And God's Power to change John James is awesome...shows what an almighty God we serve!
Posted by Verne Bullock in Brighton, Colorado USA @ 13:49 on Feb 11 2007
John James is just a brother in Christ, a fellow traveler on the road of redemption and his story is probably no different than most of us in the body of Christ. We all fall short of the Glory of God and we all find ourselves doing and being other than Christ- like. If we were to fullfill the Law of God in Christ Jesus and confess our sins, one to another, it would be joyously apparent that there are no vessels on earth for Him to take up residence in, other than sin-full to the core - covered in the Blood - Spiritual Beings having a human experience, longing for the day when we leave this body of sin and death and meet Jesus face to face. Then, and only then, will we be like Him...In the meantime, as my pastor Don Williams told me, "Verne...God isn't sitting up in Heaven, biting his fingernails wondering how he is ever going to finish the work he started in you." "He has it all figured out, and He will complete it!" And, I believe it...
Those of us who have been the object of peoples worship, who have allowed ourselves to become somebody...must surely become nobody, that we might become somebody...it is time to put down our idols and worship the King. He alone is worthy of worship...
John James is just a brother in Christ, a fellow traveler on the road of redemption and his story is probably no different than most of us in the body of Christ. We all fall short of the Glory of God and we all find ourselves doing and being other than Christ- like. If we were to fullfill the Law of God in Christ Jesus and confess our sins, one to another, it would be joyously apparent that there are no vessels on earth for Him to take up residence in, other than sin-full to the core - covered in the Blood - Spiritual Beings having a human experience, longing for the day when we leave this body of sin and death and meet Jesus face to face. Then, and only then, will we be like Him...In the meantime, as my pastor Don Williams told me, "Verne...God isn't sitting up in Heaven, biting his fingernails wondering how he is ever going to finish the work he started in you." "He has it all figured out, and He will complete it!" And, I believe it...
Those of us who have been the object of peoples worship, who have allowed ourselves to become somebody...must surely become nobody, that we might become somebody...it is time to put down our idols and worship the King. He alone is worthy of worship...
Reply by Frank L. in Austin,TX @ 10:32 on Mar 21 2008
Verne,
Awesome comment! As someone who has struggled with addiction of various forms I am all too familiar with the abyss John James fell into. It's a place of shame, frustration, and guilt. It's a place so many Christians have been or will go. Redemption is an awesome thing....shame no more! Today, Good Friday, let us thank God for His Son Jesus Christ. Thank you for your gift, a gift I am so undeserving of!
Verne,
Awesome comment! As someone who has struggled with addiction of various forms I am all too familiar with the abyss John James fell into. It's a place of shame, frustration, and guilt. It's a place so many Christians have been or will go. Redemption is an awesome thing....shame no more! Today, Good Friday, let us thank God for His Son Jesus Christ. Thank you for your gift, a gift I am so undeserving of!
Reply by Nina in Aust @ 03:35 on Jan 6 2008
Oh so true Verne,iv been interested to see if anyone else would comment on what you have just said,lets enjoy the music for what it is,a tool to glorify and get us thinking about our lord,he is the one we worship and no other.
Oh so true Verne,iv been interested to see if anyone else would comment on what you have just said,lets enjoy the music for what it is,a tool to glorify and get us thinking about our lord,he is the one we worship and no other.
Posted by Tim in Pennsylvania, USA @ 18:46 on Feb 10 2007
I really appreciate this article! Thanks so much, it is such an encouragement to see the healing that brokenness can bring about. Praise God.
I really appreciate this article! Thanks so much, it is such an encouragement to see the healing that brokenness can bring about. Praise God.
The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.
This was interesting to read, to hear what had happen and whats happening now.
I saw The Newsboys in Brisbane in the late '80s, it was a great night.
I'll have to go to "His Church" to see how things are going.
Mark