A Fallen Brother
Posted 09-20-2009 at 04:17 PM by the_other_half
I've just found some news.
This is from earlier this year, around May.
For those that don't know, The Ambassador is part of the christian group Cross Movement.
He was one of the first christian rappers I heard when I was saved.
This news has hurt me. I have looked up to The Ambassador or many years.
He has the ability to present the word of God in rhyme form. His words have enspired me and helped me time and time again.
Not only that, but he came a pastor a few years back and even graduated bible college (his 2nd album was based off of his thesis he wrote for bible college).
He has been looked upon by many, as a leader. Now this leader has fallen.
But... even though he has fallen. He is a better man than me. As a matter of fact, there have been many many men who I consider much much better than me who have fallen.<BR><BR>This causes me to think and question my salvation. Not in such a way that I want to give up my salvation or anything.
But, I start to think, if men like, The Ambassador, are better men than me... is it just a matter of time before I fail as well?
Don't get me wrong. I have my issues and have failed many times before. I've caused a lot of damage to my marriage as well as some relationships.
And although my failures in the past haven't been the size of the men who are better than me, is it just a matter of time before I too fall like they did?
I'm praying for the ambassador and his family.
I've seen those same men who are better than me, go through this stage of being removed from ministry (and in some cases church) and everybody knows what happened.
Some of them get through it and some don't.
On top of that, you have to think of his wife and children. I don'tn know how old his kids are, so it might not affect him, but it will definitely affect his wife.
As I said, my failures wasn't as big as there's and yet no matter how much time passes or how much good is done, its always held against me.
Its not going to be the case of, ok.. so u fell. Everybody falls. I will forgive you because if I fall I want you to forgive me. Lets leave it in the past and work hard for the future.
Things don't play out that way.
So... when I look at myselfand say, if all i can do is expect myself to fall like this men who are better than me have fallen, and things are good in my relationships right now because of falling in the past even though it wasn't as big as these men - what will happen then?
Should I just leave now and go to another country, rent a room to live and just get everything overwith and done?
Its hard.
Its times like these that all I can think of is to live one day at a time. Read my bible, pray and try to live right. If people can't forgive me for the times i've fallen in the past, no matter how many years go by, all I can do is forgive them for the times they have fallen and hope for the best.
If (or when) this happens to me - i don't know what i would do.
Where I come from, failure isn't understood, or helped. Its just frowned upon. Isolation, rejection. Is that all that awaits me in the future?
I pray for the day when the ambassador is restored. When he is allowed to minister again. I can not judge him too harshly as we are supposed to love one another. And I too know what its like to be judged and those that do the judging do not consider themselves for when they fall.
I dunno... i guess its just one of those things. I'm glad that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. If we confess our sins He is just to forgive us. But still... knowing that God has forgiven us but stil facing condemnation from those close to us is not easy either. I guess its just one of those things.
Hurry back William. I'm praying for you.
This is from earlier this year, around May.
Quote:
A letter from Cross Movement Records:
Dear Body of Christ,
It is with much grief, severe disappointment and an overwhelming fear of the Lord that Cross Movement Records is sad to announce that we will be discontinuing the forwarding and promotion of the Artist and Minister, The Ambassador AKA William “Duce” Branch, due to recent findings of moral failure in his marriage. It is CMR’s past, current and prayerfully, future position that living in moral compromise is unacceptable and never allowable in the lives of any of the ministers that we co-labor with. We continue to hold up the teachings of Christ as the standard for all Christians and especially those in Christian leadership and public ministry. Although it is a rare find these days, discipline is still one of the true marks of the true Church.
That being said, we also know according to Hebrews 12:6 that “whom The Lord loves He disciplines.” So we know that our beloved brother Duce is under the Lord’s loving care (Hebrews 12:5-11). We at CMR solicit your prayers for him as he begins the uphill climb of restoration through the process of repentance. We also ask that you remember his wife and children in your quiet time with our Lord as well. We are reminded by Galatians 6:1, that we are to work toward the restoration of our dear brother in due season and also to do such in the spirit of meekness, considering ourselves lest we also be tempted.
Lastly, some that have had this circumstance announced to them through other sources have begun to suggest some type of cover-up or a sweeping under the carpet by CMR because of a slight delay in this statement versus the announcement that has already happened in William Branch’s church. This is the farthest thing from the truth. This matter was unbeknownst to CMR and upon discovery we have taken the proper time to speak with the Lord, The Ambassador, his church leadership and many other Christian leaders regarding this issue. After seeking wisdom and allowing the appropriate amount of time to make sure we had all the issues in full consideration, we have come forward as quickly as we were able to after completing this process.
In conclusion, we apologize for the effect that this may have on many who have followed and supported The Ambassador, Cross Movement and Cross Movement Records for many years. Despite this unfortunate occurrence, CMR and all of its artist/ministers continue committed, our resolve unaffected, with the mission of making the message of the Cross known to the world. Again, we ask for your prayers as we keep our hands to the plow, heal our wounded and worship the God of our Salvation. We remain Christ’s and your servant.
Sincerely,
John Wells
Pres/CEO
Cross Movement Records/ Issachar Media
Dear Body of Christ,
It is with much grief, severe disappointment and an overwhelming fear of the Lord that Cross Movement Records is sad to announce that we will be discontinuing the forwarding and promotion of the Artist and Minister, The Ambassador AKA William “Duce” Branch, due to recent findings of moral failure in his marriage. It is CMR’s past, current and prayerfully, future position that living in moral compromise is unacceptable and never allowable in the lives of any of the ministers that we co-labor with. We continue to hold up the teachings of Christ as the standard for all Christians and especially those in Christian leadership and public ministry. Although it is a rare find these days, discipline is still one of the true marks of the true Church.
That being said, we also know according to Hebrews 12:6 that “whom The Lord loves He disciplines.” So we know that our beloved brother Duce is under the Lord’s loving care (Hebrews 12:5-11). We at CMR solicit your prayers for him as he begins the uphill climb of restoration through the process of repentance. We also ask that you remember his wife and children in your quiet time with our Lord as well. We are reminded by Galatians 6:1, that we are to work toward the restoration of our dear brother in due season and also to do such in the spirit of meekness, considering ourselves lest we also be tempted.
Lastly, some that have had this circumstance announced to them through other sources have begun to suggest some type of cover-up or a sweeping under the carpet by CMR because of a slight delay in this statement versus the announcement that has already happened in William Branch’s church. This is the farthest thing from the truth. This matter was unbeknownst to CMR and upon discovery we have taken the proper time to speak with the Lord, The Ambassador, his church leadership and many other Christian leaders regarding this issue. After seeking wisdom and allowing the appropriate amount of time to make sure we had all the issues in full consideration, we have come forward as quickly as we were able to after completing this process.
In conclusion, we apologize for the effect that this may have on many who have followed and supported The Ambassador, Cross Movement and Cross Movement Records for many years. Despite this unfortunate occurrence, CMR and all of its artist/ministers continue committed, our resolve unaffected, with the mission of making the message of the Cross known to the world. Again, we ask for your prayers as we keep our hands to the plow, heal our wounded and worship the God of our Salvation. We remain Christ’s and your servant.
Sincerely,
John Wells
Pres/CEO
Cross Movement Records/ Issachar Media
He was one of the first christian rappers I heard when I was saved.
This news has hurt me. I have looked up to The Ambassador or many years.
He has the ability to present the word of God in rhyme form. His words have enspired me and helped me time and time again.
Not only that, but he came a pastor a few years back and even graduated bible college (his 2nd album was based off of his thesis he wrote for bible college).
He has been looked upon by many, as a leader. Now this leader has fallen.
But... even though he has fallen. He is a better man than me. As a matter of fact, there have been many many men who I consider much much better than me who have fallen.<BR><BR>This causes me to think and question my salvation. Not in such a way that I want to give up my salvation or anything.
But, I start to think, if men like, The Ambassador, are better men than me... is it just a matter of time before I fail as well?
Don't get me wrong. I have my issues and have failed many times before. I've caused a lot of damage to my marriage as well as some relationships.
And although my failures in the past haven't been the size of the men who are better than me, is it just a matter of time before I too fall like they did?
I'm praying for the ambassador and his family.
I've seen those same men who are better than me, go through this stage of being removed from ministry (and in some cases church) and everybody knows what happened.
Some of them get through it and some don't.
On top of that, you have to think of his wife and children. I don'tn know how old his kids are, so it might not affect him, but it will definitely affect his wife.
As I said, my failures wasn't as big as there's and yet no matter how much time passes or how much good is done, its always held against me.
Its not going to be the case of, ok.. so u fell. Everybody falls. I will forgive you because if I fall I want you to forgive me. Lets leave it in the past and work hard for the future.
Things don't play out that way.
So... when I look at myselfand say, if all i can do is expect myself to fall like this men who are better than me have fallen, and things are good in my relationships right now because of falling in the past even though it wasn't as big as these men - what will happen then?
Should I just leave now and go to another country, rent a room to live and just get everything overwith and done?
Its hard.
Its times like these that all I can think of is to live one day at a time. Read my bible, pray and try to live right. If people can't forgive me for the times i've fallen in the past, no matter how many years go by, all I can do is forgive them for the times they have fallen and hope for the best.
If (or when) this happens to me - i don't know what i would do.
Where I come from, failure isn't understood, or helped. Its just frowned upon. Isolation, rejection. Is that all that awaits me in the future?
I pray for the day when the ambassador is restored. When he is allowed to minister again. I can not judge him too harshly as we are supposed to love one another. And I too know what its like to be judged and those that do the judging do not consider themselves for when they fall.
I dunno... i guess its just one of those things. I'm glad that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. If we confess our sins He is just to forgive us. But still... knowing that God has forgiven us but stil facing condemnation from those close to us is not easy either. I guess its just one of those things.
Hurry back William. I'm praying for you.
Total Comments 4
Comments
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Wow, I have never heard of the Ambassador but I too can relate....We all fall and have things that we think can't happen in relationships do. Yes it seems that people so quickly can always remember the mistakes and will call you on them even after you have confess, repented and moving forward. No, I don't have an answer TOH we just continue to look to our maker for which all our help and strength comes. I refuse to let my pass dictate my future because the word lets us know he is just to forgive. Prolly until he comes back we will be toiled with these things in our past but to God be the glory I again repeat refuse to be in bondage when he God says you're free you're free indeed.....Keep looking to the hills from which all our help come.Posted 09-21-2009 at 12:38 AM by curlcrew2
Updated 09-22-2009 at 12:53 AM by curlcrew2 -
Amen .Posted 09-21-2009 at 09:33 AM by the_other_half
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I pray that God's love and grace will bring him back where he belongs. I've had a hard week in the christian music realm. First I saw a video of Tonex admitting that he's gay and doing adult stuff with men, and now this. Lord please re-claim their souls!Posted 09-23-2009 at 07:23 PM by evanny
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Well, I'm praying for him? Isn't it great that our God is so good that he forgives us..Posted 10-01-2009 at 12:32 AM by virtuouswoman
