Different Things God is teaching Me

Thoughts on our Brother, Joel Osteen

Many of us in the Church have accused the famed mega-church pastor, Joel Osteen, for being a "health, wealth, and prosperity gospel" preacher. [That meaning: God exists ultimately to make our life easy, better, risk-free, sorrow free, and financially prosperous]
Perhaps Joel's life speaks differently than his words. "By their fruits, shall you know them" said Jesus. [Matthew 7:15-16]

That being said, here's my tiny two-cents (and they are just "cents" because his secret life is ultimately accountable to God and His Word, not us as the Church) :

If you listen to his sermons, Joel Osteen does nothing to deny or cover up the clear truth God spoke in His Word: In this world, you will have trouble. Joel Osteen does not overlook the reality of sicknesses, disappointments, the call to wait on God and such other truths.
I believe the simple "problem" with Joel Osteen is the fact that he is (or seems to be) "overly-positive" about the outlook on life. I have yet to hear a sermon, study, or word by him (yet hopefully they're out there) that reflects and is sung to the same tune as "Job" or the "Psalmists" and ultimately the "Man of Sorrows, acquainted with grief". To say it again, I think the only semi-serious problem with brother Osteen is that he is overly-positive, imbalanced in the word he seeks to give to God's people. Being "overly positive" may not seem a bad thing; after all, we are called by God to be "rejoicing always" [1 Thessalonians 5:16] yet instead of harping on one passage and "hopping on one foot" as it were, we have to use both sides of the Sword of the Spirit.
Yes, we are to rejoice yet God also has many other passages that work in balance and unity with that. God also calls us to "weep with those who weep" [Romans 12:15], that there is "a time to weep...and mourn" [Ecclesiastes 3:4], and that to "sing songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes away a garment in cold weather; like vinegar on soda" [Proverbs 25:20]

Brother Osteen should not just be showing only the bright and the light colors in God's painting of testimony-history but also the dark and darker tones that also make up the whole picture. Neither God nor such of His people as the Psalmists, did not continually speak in joyful, positive tones. In fact, joy and hope cannot make sense if we do not also see and grasp in the other hand the pain and brokenness. Once they are seen together, shall joy and hope all the more be sweeter and more clearly proclaimed and greatly exalted.

And before we slip into a self righteousness that would deceive us into thinking we are being zealous for the truth and the fear of God, let us humble ourselves like the tax collector in the temple.
Let us have the mindset of God the Father who longsuffered and pleaded with wicked Israel and instead of being CYNICAL toward any apparent or ignorant perceptions about Joel Osteen, let us have COMPASSION and Pray-Intercede humbly for our brother...praying that God would continue to sanctify him and each of us as well, by His truth; and draw us all closer to Him. Pray Psalm 139:23-24 over him and over your own self. Worst case scenario, if I am wrong about his character and the rumors about his being a modern day heretic and false teacher are true, even then, have the mindset of God [read the book of Ezekiel] and humble your own self...and then pray Isaiah 55:6-7 over him and ask God that He would mercifully balance his life and thoughts in accordance to that Immovable Standard: His Word. Cynicism, regardless of how justified it may be, does not accomplish anything; but humble prayer does. Pray for Joel Osteen, and pray for your self. We all have our areas we need growth in.