Breath Prayers by World Class Christians

A few years ago, Rick asked his listening world if they were World-Class Christians or Worldly Christians.  Once a Christian learns from Rick which one they are, and which to be,.. (the correct answer is "world class," by the way...)  Then he will teach them, How To Think Like a World-Class Christian.   Rick Warren's words are posted here in black.)

How to think like a world class Christian

by Rick Warren

Shift from self-centered to other-centered thinking

The Bible says, “My friends, stop thinking like children. Think like mature people...” Children only think of themselves; grown-ups think of others. This is the first step to becoming a world-class Christian. God commands, “Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too.”

Of course, this is a difficult mental shift because we’re naturally self-absorbed and almost all advertising encourages us to think of ourselves. The only way we can make this paradigm switch is by a moment-by-moment dependence on God. Fortunately he doesn’t leave us to struggle on our own. “God has given us his Spirit. That's why we don't think the same way that the people of this world think."

" With practice you can develop the habit of praying silent “breath prayers” for those you encounter."

 What are breath prayers?    Are they really something to be practiced by Christians, by those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord??? 

Look up "breath prayers" on the Internet and you will see that "breath prayers" are equivalent to mantras used in Hinduism, occult practices and forms of roman catholic mysticism.  One must surely ask if this is an appropriate way to pray when Jesus answered the disciples about prayer quite differently. He told Christians to pray to God in Spirit and in truth.... to tell him what was on our mind and heart,  not to" breath" at him as if he was some inanimate thing.   I have to wonder if "breath prayers, particularly as describes is  nothing more than what the Bible calls,  “vain repetition.”  IF you do not believe me, or do not believe the Internet search you do, listen to Rick's own words....

Rick tells his reader:

"Breath prayers are nothing more than mantras. Say “Father, help me to understand what is keeping this person from knowing you.”  

"Your goal is to figure out where they are in their spiritual journey and then do whatever will bring them a step closer to knowing Christ. You can learn how to do this by adopting the mindset of Paul who said, “I don't think about what would be good for me but about what would be good for many people so that they might be saved.”

"nothing more than....mantras?"

So then, every Christian should have a mantra, and practice praying repetitiously like yogis who are Hindus do when they chant short words like "OM?"  

This is not true.  There is nothing in the Bible that would inspire a person to talk to God this way... it is not the way Jesus taught his disciples to pray.

Furthermore, to put yourself in the position of "figuring out what others need" and "where they are on their spiritual journey" is judging them and thinking that YOU have all the answers is pride.   We do not even always know what to pray, but we are assured, the spirit in us does and he also intercedes.   The way to bring someone closer to Christ is to tell them about Jesus Christ and love them as Christ loves us.. and God in Christ loves them as well.

Rick continues,

"Shift from local to global thinking "

and 

"God is a global God."

THis is not preaching Christ at all, this is a political agenda.  Actually, for the record here, God is a more than "global", he is universal... omniscient and omnipotent.  

IF you want to think about a global entity and call it "god" you might want to think of Gaia, for "Gaia" (the green goddess of old.)  This would, however, be best described as a  pantheistic god (or rather, goddess) But God created the globe and in much bigger.  He is the eternal one who put the stars in place!  God, our God, is much more than merely "Global". 

 

"He has always cared about the entire world." says Rick.

Yes Christian, and you should already know at least this... for the Bible tells us ..John 3:16...“For God so loved the world...”  Why does Warren want to use scripture to assure Christians he, not the Bible,  is right about God and in how he loves the world, how God is a "global God?"  Could it be so that Christians can think he is talking now to unbelievers and think he is evangelizing them with some point in scripture all the while Rick is merely working to change what Christians think by calling God a "global God?"?

"From the beginning he has wanted family members from every nation he created.  The Bible says, “From one person God made all nations who live on earth, and he decided when and where every nation would be". God has done all this, so that we will look for him and reach out and find him. Much of the world already thinks globally."

Rick, Are they doing "breath prayers" too?

And if they were all jumping over a cliff

like lemmings, should we do that too?

Maybe Christians, sine they support missions in every country...

do think "globally."and believe that every

toungue and tribe and nation will be gathered 

together in praise before the Lord.       

This idea of thinking globally 

is purely political at best...

earthy.

Rick says, "Much of the world already thinks globally"... but he might as well say, "But you, Mr and Mrs. America...but YOU, American Christian person, there is a problem, "you don't"  

Then comes more persuasion: The largest media and business conglomerates are all multi-national. Our lives are increasingly intertwined with those in other nations as we share fashions, entertainment, music, sports, and even fast foods. Probably most of the clothes you’re wearing, and much of what you ate today was produced in another country. We’re more connected than we realize. ...."

Ahhh yes....those Americans, those none gloabbly minded thinkers... 
(Think united nations and soverignty here) 

American churches are must have no idea that God really does love all people from all nations. and Amercians must have no idea that most of the clothes we wear come from other countries... so, why buy American?  Go ahead..  give in.  You know, we are just more connected  that we realize.... 

Evidently those Americans are too supportive of their country and what it stands for... (How selfish!) 

And if you are not a "world class" Christian, one who is busy serving the world... connecting with Rick, connecting with the world and adopting it's ideologies...you are in the unhealthy camp.  or simply  labeled as "selfish" or "self-centered," or someother thing by Rick.  If Rick thinks this is so, then he is simply wrong.

So, Are you a world class Christian doing your breath prayers... under the tutalage of Rick Warren?  Are you a World Class Christian?

Your C omission by Rick Warren   7/31/07

The Great Commission is your commission, and that means you have a critical choice to make: You will be either a world-class Christian or a worldly Christian.


Worldly Christians look to God primarily for personal fulfillment. They are saved, but self-centered. They attend concerts and enrichment seminars, but you’ll rarely find them at a missions conference because they aren’t interested. Their prayers focus on their own needs, blessings, and happiness. It’s a “me-first” faith: How can God make my life more comfortable? They want to use God for their purposes -- instead of being used for his purposes.


World-class Christians, in contrast, know they’re saved to serve and made for a mission. They’re eager to receive a personal assignment and excited about the privilege of being used by God. World-class Christians are the only fully alive people on the planet. Their joy, confidence, and enthusiasm are contagious because they know they’re making a difference. They wake up each morning expecting God to work through them in fresh ways.


Which type of Christian do you want to be?"


Yes, you can click the link  and read the whole article or find this article somewhere else on liine... but let's talk about this:

Rick says,

"Worldly Christians" look to God primarily for personal fulfillment. They are saved, but self-centered. 

Where do you look for your personal fulfillment?  Do you look to the world and worldly things... or to God? And, do you look to God for your personal fulfillment?  For example... to answer a prayer, solve a problem, give YOU...hope strength, peace, wisdom, guidance, sustainance.. children... the things you need...like maybe YOUR daily bread?  Is this selfishness? 

What on Earth is this man saying?

Now one can perhaps make the point that Rick could be talking about people who want God to be a genie and grant them every worldly wish.... every dream come true.  Maybe that the assumption presented here is just plain wrong.... but he also says so many other things...  like,

"You’ll rarely find them at a missions conference  because they aren’t interested"

Interpreted, this means that those "worldly one wont be at a purpose driven mission conference.... you see, because they are the unhealthy, worldly Christians, not the world class ones.

It's true, you probably won't see Christians who are not Purpose Driven at Purpose Driven missions anything, unless of course they are there for infoirmation.  You see, there is another kind of Christians Rick neglest to inform you about.  That would be the ones who walk humble with God and tremble at his word.  You see, these are those who have heard and who know the voice of the good shepherd and they do not have to get their marching orders from Rick .  

The worldly Christians in Warren's book, are those who reject his commercialized gimmicks, who are not so easily amused by his clever acronyms and alliterations, nor impressed with everything he says he knows.  No.  These are they who love the Word of God and they love and follow God. 

Rick tells us, "World-class Christians, in contrast, know they’re saved to serve and made for a mission. "

Yes, according to Rick these are those who have bought into his slogans...and now they know they are
world class...(world minded, global thinking citizens) who know how to pray breath prayers and have a mission to serve.... the world.

Rick tells us, "World-class Christians are the only fully alive people on the planet. "

Funny how he doesn't really talk about being born-again.

"Their joy, confidence, and enthusiasm are contagious because they know they’re making a difference. They wake up each morning expecting God to work through them in fresh ways."

By "fresh, does he mean, "new" as in, "ways" he conjures up, the next level of an important Rick Warren plan?  One can only wonder.... and remember the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, in Chapter One, who tells us in  his wise observation, "there is nothing new.. under the sun."

Ecclesiastes 1:9-11

  What has been will be again,
   what has been done will be done again;
   there is nothing new under the sun. 

Is there anything of which one can say,
   “Look! This is something new”? 

It was here already, long ago;
   it was here before our time. 

No one remembers the former generations,
   and even those yet to come
will not be remembered
   by those who follow them. 

1 Peter 1:25

but the word of the Lord stands forever." 

And this is the word that was preached to you.

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word....

Healthy Church or "Hellthy"?-- The Daniel Plan.. with Rick, Amen, Hymen and Oz

Healthy Church or "Hellthy"?

The Daniel Plan is the latest phenomena to crest like a wave over Saddleback church, her "Christian"  affiliates and satellite churches.  Advertised as, "God's prescription for your health," the observer must wonder if it really is God's prescription, or just another fancy man-made wave to ride in order to look cool.  The reason Christians should inquire about such a thing is because the true prescription, given by God however, begins and ends with the great physician, Jesus Christ... the author and finisher of our faith.  With this new "plan" being announced, it is only appropriate that one give careful consideration to what this "Daniel Plan" is, and maybe more importantly what the Daniel Plan is not.

As far as health goes, people, Christian or not,  just might be healthy, they might have their act together, say and do all the correct things...but truth is, it is not the healthy who need a doctor.  IT's the sick, the weak, the lame, the blind, the deaf.  Physically speaking, it's also true that a lot of skinny, perfectly healthy people who reject the salvation offered by God in Jesus Christ are not healthy at all by God's standards. The Bible would even go so far as to suggest that these people are much more than merely ill, they are dead; dead in their trespasses and sins.  Until one comes to Christ Jesus in faith to be born again, to have their sins removed, forgiven, all people are, for lack of a better word, "hellthy;" but now Rick comes to the forefront to announce the Daniel Plan as "God's prescription."


"The Bible says that God wants you to be as healthy physically as you are spiritually," said Warren announcing the event to be known to the world as the "Daniel Plan" to his congregation.  Not giving a bible quotation or reference that says that, not mentioning where in the Bible he makes this inference from, except to say, the Old Testament book of "Daniel," Chapter One, Warren continued promoting his 2011 propaganda for purpose and health, saying, "The plan will help you feel better, look better, have more energy, get in shape, and use your body the way God wants you to."

Loosing undesirable weight is a healthy thing to do... using the example of an athlete in training to understand the Christian life is not un-biblical... Being healthy and "in shape" is good for a person's all -around well being, so it's, no doubt, a bit refreshing to Saddleback members that Rick, who always tells his followers to "get into S.H.A.P.E," is finally taking his own word acronym literally.  After being known for his own obesity, deciding that he, like so many other people, shouldn't be over weight, he is definitely making himself vulnerable as he publicly sets out to loose 90 pounds of excess weight this next year.  Not only that, he is planning to take his congregation with him as he plunges into fitness and exercise and living a healthier lifestyle.

In fact, Rick is not promoting a product like diet pills, and he is not suggesting it will be an easy fix, instead he is recommending some common sense eating, offering great diet recipes and ideas on his website and promoting a vivid concept of active living,  In addition, he is seeking counsel from what he believes to be the most knowledgeable men, who happen to be "doctors."  What could be wrong with this picture as he sets out ton this next Saddleback Plan?  The main problem is the usual problem when it comes to Rick.  It sounds like Bible, looks like Christian, tastes and smells spiritual, but at the root, it is just not biblical, and there is no Jesus in it.

.

Rick's Daniel Plan is not the Daniel-of-the-Bible's Plan at all.  Think about it.

Daniel didn't inquire of the wise men of the world; He inquired of God.  Daniel didn't refuse to eat the king's meat in order to loose weight or to be healthier.  Daniel refused the king's meat, or you might say, "Daniel "went vegetarian," because he refused in his heart to eat meat sacrificed to gods other than the true and living God.  He refused to eat meat sacrificed to idols. More importantly, Daniel didn't loose weight eating what he ate, he either remained the same as when he began or he gained it... IF he had lost any weight doing it, the king would not have viewed his diet as "healthy."

But lets talk about church health.  Will getting aboard the "Daniel Plan," as Rick calls it, be a matter of "health" or "hellth"? 

The church should know and understand the fundamental truth that without Jesus Christ as your Lord and God, you are not "healthy" at all; there is not life... no true light in you!  The harsh reality of life is that a place called hell waits for those who go through life "dissing" and dismissing the existence of God and trivializing sin, specifically their own sin, before one so holy as the God who made both the heavens and the Earth.

Meanwhile back in the Saddle, Rick Warren of Saddleback church, partners with his three friends, doctors Amen, Hymen and Oz, and puts them in charge of small groups at church announcing that these wise men will begin "personally over seeing your health plan for the next year." Unlike Daniel ,who believed God and sought out wisdom from God because he loved God with all his heart mind and strength, Rick is giving his church the wonderful wisdom of the world, (from modern-day television celebrities,) and we must mention, men who are not professing "believers" in Jesus Christ. 

There is something wrong with this picture!

Rick even composed a poem for the occasion, a sort of prayer.  Rick Warren's Daniel Plan poem:  originally posted at http://saddleback.com/thedanielplan/ 1-18-11, goes like this:

"Lord, grant me the strength that i may not fall
into the clutches of cholesterol

At polyunsaturates i'll never matter
for the road to hell is paved with butter

Whip cream is cursed and jelly is awful
yes, satan is hiding in every waffle

He appears to me as a cinnamon roll
Eager to fatten and clog my soul

So teach me the evils of hollandaise
Of ribs and pasta and mayonnaise

May I have the presence to realize
that evil lurks in in and out fries

And crispy fried chicken from the south
Lord if you love me, shut my mouth

--Rick Warren

Humorous?  Well, somewhat, in that we all know the temptation to be indulgent, but as a prayer, in this context, to joke about it, and make it look like it is someone else's fault, (like Satan's or God's ).... and not one's own?...  No. not humorous, not really. 

Open Note to Rick:

There are no "if's" about it Rick, ("Lord if you love me, ")  God does love you.... tubalard and all... every inch.  (Jesus died for you... and me... and anyone who would believe.  John 3:16!)

There is nothing you, or anyone else, can do physically to earn His favor.... all we have to do, (whatever our shape,) is come to Him, just as we are, knowing we need his grace and mercy and thus repenting of our sin. 

Believe in Jesus.