Over my time in ministry I have seen a number of moral failures. More often than not, I have watched from a distance, not knowing them personally. I have watched as these “Men of God” have been reviled as having affairs that have wrecked their families, cost them huge credibility and done tremendous harm to the churches they have served and to the body of Christ as a whole.

A number of years ago one of my closest ministry partners was found to have been having a year long affair with a ministry assistant. I was crushed, perplexed and embarrassed. I couldn’t believe that it was happening right under my nose and I didn’t see it. The moment it was brought to light, I knew it was true. All sorts of “little things” started to make sense.

I’ll never forget what my friend said to me the day I helped him carry boxes from his office out to the car, “This can happen to anyone”. I don’t know and haven’t known what to think about that statement. I do know that for the past eight years it has rang in my head as a sobering thought.

This past week a fellow church planter - a dude I have respected from a distance (I’ve known him from blogging, emailing and through a pastors forum) left his wife, two children and his thriving California church for another woman. The thought of his moral failure just kind of wrecks me.

I tossed and turned all night thinking of his wife and kids, the people of his church and the pain they are in. And even as my heart aches for them I find my concern selfishly coming back to my home and The Journey North.

One thing I know that I know that I know, my love for God and my passion and affection for my family should keep me from sin like this. BUT…should is a dangerous word.

Last night as we went to bed I pledged to my wife that today I will remain faithful. Like an alcoholic, it is important for all of us to work at managing this day that God has given us. I don’t want to live in the past (where my mistakes and sin haunt me) and I don’t want to presume on tomorrow. Today, I will seek to love the Lord my God with all my heart and all my soul and all my mind…and I will strive to love my neighbor as I would liked to be loved.

To my fallen comrade - my whole heart is with you and my prayer is that God will deal with you quickly and justly. To his family and to his church – I hurt with you and am in prayer before the Father for you.