You don't know me and we only met once, which wasn't really even a proper meeting. You were eating lunch with a group of fellow pastors planning the launch of Riverside Baptist Church. I was sitting nearby and overheard your conversation. You might remember that I approached your table in tears imploring your group of pastors to please re-think promoting rock music in your churches.
Your group's pleasure at being asked if you were all pastors quickly faded when your heard my plea, and it of course fell on deaf ears. If memory serves, that was about 12 years ago.
I still feel the same way about the tragic decline of sacred music in Southern Baptist Churches, but for the purposes of this blog post, that's neither here nor there. I only mention the event so that if you read this, you might have a frame of reference for who I am.
I know that we'd differ on a lot of things. I'm an unabashed independent Baptist, a fundamentalist and yes I believe that the King James Bible is the only one you or anyone else ought to be using. (Get a KJV Bible here, for free!)
But I'm writing this post to somehow try and get a message to you that people still care about you. Besides Ray Boltz, the majority of hits on this website come from searches asking about you. They want to know what you're doing now. They want to know how you are. They wonder if you are preaching anywhere.
And the searches come from all over the US. Mostly from the Southeast, but plenty from out West as well. There was one from Maryland a few days ago.
I don't know where you are in life, but I wanted to tell you this, that people still care about you. And tell you that there is a balm in Gilead.
God bless you.
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself."
Galatians 6:1-3
The Ministry of Rescue and Recovery
This is a free eight lesson study designed by ordained Baptist pastor Mike Althaus to help those who've fallen by the wayside and need restoration. You may e-mail Mike Althaus at: malt55 (AT) juno.com
Note: Yes comments are welcome, but I do moderate comments and if you'd like your comment to stay unpublished, just make a note of that.
Edited 7/20/11 to add: There is a video interview with Rick Ousley located at CBS 42.
the King James is not the original language its a translation. You are a legalist.
ReplyDeleteRick can be found at several places.
ReplyDeleteHe can be heard on Tuesday nights at 7:00 pm at the HOG meeting room next to the Heart of Dixie Harley Shop. As of October 18th these services officially became GracePoint Church. I invite you come and hear him speak as a man only delivering messages from God and hear Marc Phillips and his band lead worship. You will truly be touched by what you see and hear.
I will be surprised if this message is posted considering the note I read from the moderator. Rarely are the true victims allowed to speak.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Rick Ousley -------
...a man only delivering messages from God?
He knowingly, deceitfully and deviously participated in destroying my family ----all in the name of God.
He is a charismatic phoney that, with ease, and apparently no conscious or soul, leaves a path of destruction in his wake.
Does he still put under age girls under his charismatic spell?
Does he still think he is above it all, not caring that scripture is very clear that church leaders will be held to a much higher standard than most?
Oh, that's right. I forgot. He can ask for forgiveness from God, never minding the families he has destroyed.
... and all is right with the world.
I don't know you but I do feel your pain. In part because I was also in a leadership position and failed God, my family, my profession and my friends. And I was punished deeply for my sin. I was at the complete bottom and simply wanted to die. But God who used this to break me and humble me was also there to bring me back to himself. Many did not believe I had changed even though it has been over a decade and I have not gone back to the old ways. I lost my wife and my kids for a time. I would do anything to take away the pain I caused, but I can't. I have apologized until I am blue and realize that it isn't about me being sincere or proving over and over I changed. It is about whether people can forgive and let God heal them irrespective of the injustice of what happened to them. That is what is supposed to make us different as Christians. Jesus forgives even the worst of sinners and we are asked to do the same. If we can't, then we must examine our hearts. God forgives, forgives us and asks us to forgive, even if it is time after time. People in my life now believe wholeheartedly in me but those that have affairs and such are rarely ever trusted, rarely ever given a 2nd chance even though God is a God of second chances. And I understand that we are to be wise because most people that have sinned in this way do not change, but some do, believe me. And in the end only God sees the heart. I am sorry for your loss and pain. But to keep anger within only hurts you. Trust God, forgive and if possible try and regain at least communication. Maybe God will use you to help Rick. I have gone to his new church, GracePoint and have been touched. I believe he is sincere and like me would do anything to reverse the past and like me is working hard to become the man God wants him to be. Funny, God seems to use the men who "Mess UP" more than others. I don't know why, but I am glad that Jesus loves us all and in spite of how unfair it was to him, shed his blood for all of us. His pain far exceeds ours. He will heal you and he loves you massively. Some in my family are beginning to give me a chance. It is a joy. Please consider doing the same.
DeleteLove and prayers,
Greg
Anyone can ask forgiviness from God. That's how He is.
ReplyDeleteWe miss him, forgive him and love him.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised when I moved back to Birmingham to see Rick hanging out my landlord. They are apparently good friends.
ReplyDeleteI found out after moving in, by the way, that my landlord (Rick's good buddy) has apparently scammed people all over town out of money, and has intentionally gone into bankruptcy several times for the purpose of getting out of paying his debts.
When I was a kid, attending The Church of Brook Hills with my family, I really looked up to Rick. But it would be hard for me to believe that he's really a decent person considering the people he chooses to associate with.
Rick was crucial in making Jesus a part of my teenage life many years ago in Phoenix. I will always hold him in high regards I'm my life.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand society wanting to hang someone like they did poor Rick. He is human and sinned like you and I. You know, the glass house parable.
The memories of him and his zealous charasmatic love for the Lord has stuck with me nearly 30 years later. In fact I am very involved with my church's youth group because of what he planted in me.
I wept and prayed for Rick over the last couple of years after trying to look him up to thank him and sadly found out about his problems. May God continue to work in you Rick Ousley and may His blessings be upon you.
Love your long time friend Phil K
With the Point Of Grace in mind,an investigation into the houses being built after the April 27th ,2011 tornadoes that has any connections with Rick Ousley and the builders of the homes that has been built in Shoal Creek , McDonalds Chapel and other areas that he has had his fingers in, needs to take place. The Name Of Jesus is being kept close by as a Spot Light to cover up behind them. God have mercy on their greed and the using of Jesus for their advantage. This is as it appears to me, a victim.
ReplyDelete