Thursday, December 27, 2012

Fish Think

"If you’re going 
to be good at fishing, 
you’ve got to learn 
to think like a fish"
-Rick Warren
To Catch Fish, Learn To think Like Them 
by Rick Warren,
 11/16/12 
Christian Post,
christianpost.com


Rick wrote an article for the Christian Post recently whereby he instructed his readership, "If you’re going to be good at fishing, you’ve got to learn to think like a fish. If you’re going to be an effective fisher of men, you’ve got to think like a lost person."- Rick Warren

Really?   Did he, as pastor, just say that to be an effective "fisher of men," (as Jesus told his disciples they would be when they followed him,) you've got to (learn to) think like a "lost person.' Such a comment kinda makes a person wonder..... did he just make that up?

Did Rick Warren get this concept from the Bible? If so, where does the bible teach this? He didn't mention anything about that.  Do you wonder why?  Also, is it true that learning to think like a "lost person" will make you a better "fisher of men?"

True or not, Rick expects you and every other reader of the Christian Post, to believe what he says,  but do not let the proverbial "wool" be easily pulled over your eyes! This is hardly biblical advice. The way to be better fishers of men, in to know the word, and preach it, in season or out...

If you remember your scripture, you might recall that young Timothy was encouraged to "preach the word," in season and out of season. (2 Timothy 4:2) This would infer that any lost person was as fair game as anyone, fair game, anywhere, anytime. God's Word preached to them, would be the hook, they would perhaps believe, and subsequently be saved from the depths of their sin and ultimate condemnation for sin. Besides, it's not really that difficult to walk in the flesh, hate God and think there is some righteousness in yourself as many a lost persons tend to do. Rick suggests, that you, Christian, learn how to think like a lost person, that is, if you want to be a really good "fisher of men."

But bad enough as it is, (according to Pastor Rick,) to be a "Christian" who has no concept of what it is like to be a "lost person," look out! Pastors are (apparently,) even worse.... And wouldn;t you know, Rick makes himself out to be even worse... he's a "son-of-a-pastor! and you know how BAD they are! If you do not know, Rick here, (in this same article) will tell you... there is a big problem:

"Here’s the problem. Unfortunately, the longer you are a Christian, the less you think like an unbeliever. I don’t think like a non-Christian; I think like a Christian. In fact, I think like a pastor. That’s even worse! It’s two generations removed from the people I want to reach."  - Rick Warren                                                                                                                                

To Catch Fish, Learn To think Like Them by Rick Warren, 11/16/12 Christian Post, christianpost.com

"If you’re going to understand and reach non-Christians, you’ve got to begin with their mindset. The Bible says in Luke 6, “Jesus knew what they were thinking” (GW). In fact, multiple times in Scripture we read that Jesus knew what the people whom he was ministering to were thinking. Jesus gives us a great example of someone thinking like a fish."-Rick Warren

To Catch Fish, Learn To think Like Them by Rick Warren, 11/16/12 Christian Post, christianpost.com

No.  Jesus was not thinking like those fish.  You see, Jesus knew their thoughts because he is omniscient...  He's God.  God knows all things.  This was not some Rick Warren Fish Think technique that Jesus happened to have employ.

Rick will continue the deception and enlighten you once more with his wisdom about how wrong the church is.... (well, all those "many churches,") you can bet that he does not refer here to his preferred brand of church when he says,

"Unfortunately, many churches don't take the time to understand the people they want to reach and they don't have a strategy. They want to win people to Christ as long as it can be done in a comfortable way."-Rick Warren
Rick Warren: Jesus gave five fishing guidelines for evangelism By Jon Walker, 

But Rick has a strategy.... one that you can purchase from Saddleback.com.  In fact he has quite a few products for sale that you can implement, for a fee.

You might even say that his entire "fishing for men," concept has more to do with economics than the kingdom of God, for Rick suggests you invest a lot of money in fishing, so that you get a big return.  He says that the financial return is proportional to your investment.  The reason that you need to fish and fish well, is because money just pours out from all thoses fishes mouth! (Just like Matthew 17:27!)

Third, when you spend nickels and dimes on evangelism, you get nickel and dime results. Do you remember the story about the time Jesus told Peter to go find money in a fish’s mouth in order to pay the Roman taxes? In Matthew 17:27 (NIV) Jesus told Peter, "... go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin.” I believe there is an important lesson in that story: The coin was in the mouth of the fish! If you’ll focus on fishing (evangelism), God will pay your bills!" -Rick Warren

How Much Does Evangelism Cost? By Rick Warren Pastors.com


So church, remember....you need to change. Start thinking like unbelievers.... and stop writing things that won't appeal to unbelievers too.

"We must learn to think like unbelievers in order to win them," appealed Warren. "The problem is the longer you are a believer, the less you think like an unbeliever. Your interests and values change. You must intentionally change mental gears when seeking to relate to non-Christians." Using church advertising as an example, Warren said most of it is written from a believer's viewpoint, not from the mind-set of the unchurched. He asked, "When you see a church ad that announces 'Preaching the inerrant Word of God,' who do you think that ad appeals to?"

Question:

Using the advertising example of a church advertising not being appealing to unbelievers, how might the church retain those same unbelievers who have now been lured into the church pews with Warren's idea of appropriate bait....since they are those who oppose the notion of the Word of God being preached at a church?


2 Corinthians 6 14-18
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: 
for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial?
or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?
for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said,
I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, 
and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
And will be a Father unto you,
and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Driven

driv·en  

Adjective
  1. Operated, moved, or controlled by a specified person or source of power.
  2. Motivated or determined by a specified factor or feeling.


Driven?
Who or what is "driving" you?


Press Play


The band "RUSH" ...
                                                              "Driven"

Driven up and down in circles
Skidding down a road of black ice
Staring in and out storm windows
Driven to a fool's paradise

It's my turn to drive
But it's my turn to drive

Driven to the margin of error
Driven to the edge of control
Driven to the margin of terror
Driven to the edge of a deep, dark hole

Driven day and night in circles
Spinning like a whirlwind of leaves
Stealing in and out back alleys
Driven to another den of thieves

But it's my turn to drive
But it's my turn to drive

Driven in...Driven to the edge
Driven out...On the thin end of the wedge
Driven off...By things I've never seen
Driven on...By the road to somewhere I've never been

But it's my turn to drive
But it's my turn to drive

The road unwinds towards me
What was there is gone
The road unwinds before me
And I go riding on

But it's my turn to drive
But it's my turn to drive



Don't be driven.  Be lead, by Jesus.

Keep following Jesus.


1 Corinthians 11:1-3

King James Version (KJV)
Paul speaking...
 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.



John 10:26-28

King James Version (KJV)
Jesus speaking:
But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.


Monday, December 3, 2012

Rick Warren and The Purpose Driven Church Details


http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/MK-AU093A_Adver_G_20090126220903.jpg
"Can the Church borrow the marketing tools of the world and apply them to the Church? What is the history of the Church Growth movement and its false premises? " 

 This is a good question! and it comes from the webpage perfectpeaceplan.com.  Check it out!  There you will find a video that you will want to view if you are interested in all things Rick Warren.  It's long... but well worth the watch as it is extremely fact filled, biblical and informative.   

See:
http://www.perfectpeaceplan.com/peacemedia.html


 This film is non-profit and FREE, not to be bought or sold, but you do have permission to make copies and distribute freely. To obtain a DVD, simply contact the films makers here...@ contact us for a free copy or make a donation with your request. Your support is greatly appreciated. Resources are mailed as time permits. Your patience is appreciated. Please give extra time if this material is needed by a certain date.
Written, edited, narrated and directed by Elliott Nesch. It is titled:

http://amos37.com
Church of Tares: Purpose Driven, Seeker Sensitive, Church Growth and New World Order


http://www.jewishjournal.com


http://4.bp.blogspot.com


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Rick_Warren_at_TED_2006.jpg


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http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/POLITICS/08/17/forum/art.forum.gi.jpg

Rick Warren and Kay Warren... agents of change.
http://www.assistnews.net

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Saturday, December 1, 2012

"Syncretism" ala Rick...


"My life and ministry are built on the truth that Jesus is the only way, and our inerrant Bible is our only true authority." -Rick Warren
Rick Warren Builds Bridge to the Muslims by Jim Hinch, Orange County Register Life, Feburary 23, 2012, Updated March  12, 2012

********************************************

Rick Warren, with the republication of his book, the Purpose Driven Life, is making public appearances on television.  This week, while Rick was being interviewed by CNN correspondent Piers Morgan, Morgan took the opportunity to question Rick if homosexuality is "a sin" or not.  Pastor Rick replied,
"I
t’s not a sin to love somebody,” and then added, It might be a sin to have sex with them.”
CNN News  Interview with Peirs Morgan, CNN Belief Blog, 11/29/2012
"Might be a sin?" 

He apparently knows what is not a sin, (so that what is not a sin can be embraced) but when it comes to what sin IS.. Rick is clueless, or at least willingly ambiguous.  This is surprising for someone who claims to read so much,  know and teach so much to so many people and who claims to divulge so many "secrets" if you listen to his wise words.  Rick is supposedly also "a pastor" to pastors, "America's Pastor" some would say.  Yes, it is quite surprising that he would be unable to answer Mr. Morgan's very important question with a simply yes or no.  Instead Rick said, "It might be."

Apparently things are not light and dark, black and white.... up and down or even yes and no.  Gray. twilight thinking and and a "might-be" is all you get.  If you didn't know the truth on the matter, before you asked Pastor Rick, you still don't know.  

Rick then went on  in his conversation with Morgan to say how he and Kay Warren have homosexual friends... and how much time and money and effort they have personally given to combats and research a cure for AIDS, (a terrible and deadly blood disease that is well-known as a communicable problem within the homosexual community.)   Rick and Kay have donated millions of dollars,  he says.

It's great of Rick to have care and compassion for these hurting people, and it is great to use your wealth to make friends.  It's actually very nice that there is a big party going on here.... However, Rick's friends are intoxicated with something that is going to harm them -  sin and truth is, friends don't let friends drive when they are intoxicated. 

By being ambiguous with this answer, Pastor Rick has just let all his intoxicated friends  walk out the door with keys in their hands aiming to drive a treacherous road.  With the entire world listening and watching, looking for an answer from the pastor at the  microphone, he told them all, via CNN, that they might make it... but they might not, he just didn't know, when he told them that homosexuality "might be a sin."  He simply let their troubled souls get in their cars and drive off into the twilight where light and dark, day and night, right and wrong, mingle.



The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.


2 Corinthians 6:14 
 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?



Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? 

If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, 
because he seeth the light of this world."


This is syncretism.

Twilight is temporary.  Soon twilight will be changed to either night or day and these "friends" of Rick will be left believing there is no right or wrong in this matter.  No "light" was shed on the subject.

It was not very long ago that any pastor who believed the Bible would tell you plainly what human behaviors were sinful... based on what the scriptures claimed.  They would tell you plainly the good news of Jesus Christ's resurrection from death and invite you to repent from sin and make a proclamation of faith in Him who made the way for our forgiveness and open the way to life with God in heaven when the day comes that you die.  There's Rick on TV, and he is neither hot not cold about important issues...like Biblical authority and what the Bible says, and he makes no bones about it.... he is an "evangelical" pastor.

Heather Clark, a reporter for the Christian News Network quoted Rick making this assertion that day, 
“I make no bones about it. I’m an evangelical pastor, so my source of authority is, 'What does the Bible say about it?'...However, people will have other sources of authority.....Or, different readings of the Bible...that is very true.”  -Rick Warren

Rick Warren Uncertain if Homosexual Behavior is Sinful, Says ‘Gays’ Go to Heaven by Heather Clark Christian News Network, 11/29/2011


People have other sources of authority than the Bible and that is just fine?


This is more syncretism.
(The above link takes you to a teaching by a man, Santos Bonacci, who believes he understands all religions... and that he can  "scientifically" prove, or demonstrate how good and evil exist together and that every religion needs to agree to this notion of religious syncretism.  Be warned... He believes you pray to yourself when you pray to your "god" (universal mind) regardless the religion "god" you pray to.  He is also unaware the the truth of God  in Jesus Christ, who he claims is a "legend," and no more of a real man that Hercules, that is right before his eyes and he seeks to bring "syncretism" to the world.)

Apparently, to Rick, the Bible is only one of many (legitimate?) sources of "authority" for people to look to for answers.   (Note: The Holy Bible that is the supposed authority for Rick, is too vague about homosexuality for him to give a definitive answer on that subject.)   


Rick believes that no matter your faith .. no matter your authority.. bible or not, all  "people of faith" have to unite as one: 

"I can take you to ten million villages around the world that the only thing in it is a church. And we are in more locations than the United Nations.  We speak more languages than the United Nations.  We are a thousand more people groups than the United Nations.  You see, there are 600 million Buddhists in the world.  There are 800 million Hindus in the world.  There are a billion Muslims in the world. But there are 2.3 billion Christians in the world.  If you take people of faith out of the equation you have ruled out five-sixths of the world.  So we have to mobilize this, this, these faith groups to do—to work together on these issues that have been unsolvable.  And the church has, of course, the greatest distribution."-Rick Warren
Rick Warren personally addressing "Youtubbers"  a in You Tube Video:Rick Warren Answers the DAVOS Question” posted January 25, 2008

Note how the church has encompassed the earth.  The church is everywhere....
Just as God has said.


"I can take you to ten million villages around the world that the only thing in it is a church." 
Rick can do this?  Wow.  He, personally, has access to all the churches in the world?
Well he has sort of usurped that position...
but they do not belong to Rick, even if he says, "WE."
"And we are in more locations than the United Nations. We speak more languages than the United Nations. We are a thousand more people groups than the United Nations."
That was to puff up your "ego" church. 
To make you feel big and strong.
This is too:

"You see, there are 600 million Buddhists in the world."
"There are 800 million Hindus in the world." 
There are a billion Muslims in the world. "
"But there are 2.3 billion Christians in the world.  If you take people of faith out of the equation you have ruled out five-sixths of the world." (The Christians are, you see, " winning.")

People of faith?  He just lumped them all together like they are all the same.  

They are not all the same.  

They do not all walk in the light...

John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light
 of life.


This abandonment of Christian Doctrine
in order to walk in darkness and half-light
instead of light 
is: 
 Syncretism.

40 bible verses about syncretism: here.

"So we..." (Perhaps you noticed, Rick has just put himself in charge of ALL churches everywhere.)"... have to mobilize this, this, these faith groups (which ones?)  to do—to work together (Sync?) on these issues that have been unsolvable.  (no solution?... Really?  What about the cross, what about Jesus...to these people in other religions who are working their way to God instead of coming to Him by faith?  What about love, compassion, truth, "light" ...things like that?)
and the church has, of course, the greatest distribution."-Rick Warren



Of course the church has the greatest distribution...
those apostles did what the Lord commanded.  
They preached the good news to the ends of the world... 
to every tongue and tribe and nation, just like he said.
and they didn't stammer, or fumble for words when 
asked if homosexual behavior is a sin.
No.  They were humble...
and quite separate in their thinking
 from the thinking of the rest of the world.
they believed Jesus was the only way...
the door.

And they warned us about knowing the scriptures and of 
being humble.



Rick says the church is great.... really great... speaks more languages, has more people groups that the United Nations..  He asserts that there are more Christians in the world than there are people of other religions.    He says too that the church, consisting of people working together.... people of all faiths harnessed under the direction of Rick Warren will solve the worlds problems when the church (finally) does what it is suppose to do and become useful for the distribution of goods and services and united with all people of faith peacabley to save humanity from the five evils in the world.


Have you read about Rick Warren's PEACE plan?
(His plan to save the world?)

  It's a plan to get all faiths united and working together, and he believes that is the only thing to slay these five evil giants that he is attempting to rid humanity of, and this is to bring peace and "save the world."  To combat the evils of:


1) "spiritual lostness"  (changed from the original, to "spiritual emptiness")
2) "ungodly leaders" (changed to "Self-serving leadership)
And he defined ungodly leaders in the world for us to by saying, ""Not only have these leaders not gone to seminary or Bible school, they haven’t even gone to high school or primary school. They have no training whatsoever -- and yet they lead the church. This must be remedied." ~  Rick Warren  November, 2003, (http://www.saddlebackfamily.com/peace/Services/110203_high.asx) 
3) poverty
4) disease
5) illiteracy



Rick wants to :

Plant churches that promote reconciliation  (See Saddleback resources)  
Equip servant leaders  (with his sanctioned materials for leadership)
Assist the poor  
Care for the sick
Educate the next generation

Where is the Prince of Peace in all of this?  He is suspiciously missing.  "Spiritual lostness" fell off of the map.  Apparently people just have unfulfilled lives without purpose... or maybe without prayer or without worship... BUT not a savior, the ONLY ONE, who will save them from sin.

Rick, he's really not sure if homosexual activity... men with men, women with women constitutes "sin" even though he quotes the many versions and paraphrases of the Bible that he does.  Besides, according to Rick, gay relationships are "legal," it just "not a big issue" to him. 

 "I have biblical views regarding what marriage is about. I am not in favor of redefining marriage, I'm not. It's not illegal to have a gay relationship, so it's not a big issue to me." -Rick Warren
                                   Christian Post article,  Rick Warren on Gay Marriage: 'Tolerance Does Not Mean Approval' by Stoyan Zaimoa  November 27, 2012



And Rick is definitive as to what will be the salvation of the world.... and it's YOU.  The way to end death and suffering, the way to "kill those five evil giants" that plague our world, is his PEACE plan his "holistic strategy....  "a "three legged stool" between business  governments and churches... or rather people of faith."

"The global P.E.A.C.E. coalition is a network of networks that enables strategic partnering among businesses, governments and churches...." - Rick Warren
Forward to a book of essays on "enterprise solutions to poverty" titled,  In The River They Swim,
 a book that he will "recommend" as a textbook to over 400,000 church in his "network."  


".....I stood up at the end and I said, let me just take five minutes to share with you why - going back to these three legs of the stool - government will never get it done on its own. Business will never get it done on its own. Churches and synagogues and mosques and temples and everything, we have to work together. We have to team tackle this." -Rick Warren
Pew Forum Event Transcript, The Future of Evangelicals: A Conversation with Pastor Rick Warren, November 13, 2009

This is syncretism.  

John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,  neither let it be afraid."-Jesus