Rome-N-Rick

EWTN , the Global Catholic Network, is Rick Warren's favorite "Christian channel," and the "Chaplain of Divine Mercy" they program on their channel is his "favorite show" one that he likes to relax to along with his wife Kay, after a stressful day. It renews and restores him.... helps him to worship, relax, reflect and meditate.  (What would he do without his T.V.?)

"I’m an avid fan of EWTN. I make no bones about it. I probably watch it more than any Christian channel. Well, you know what? Because you have more, more, uh, shows that relate to history. And if you don’t understand the roots of our faith, that God had been working for 2,000 years, regardless of what brand of believer you are, God has been working for 2,000 years in His church. And if you don’t have those roots you’re like the cut flower syndrome. Or you’re a tumbleweed. One of my favorite shows, which you repeat often is the Chaplain of Divine Mercy. Which I love. And when I’ve had a very stressful day, I’ll come home, I’ve got it taped and Kay and I will both, we’ll listen. We’ll put it on and just sit back, relax and worship. And in the time of reflection, meditation and quietness I find myself renewed and restored. So thank you for continuing to play the Chaplain of Divine Mercy. " ~Rick Warren 

Interview with Raymond Arroyo of EWTN on his program World Over, April 2014

How many Christians, at thte leading of Rick will now meditate with their Televisions tuned in ...just like Rick?

It's odd to have a "pastor" of supposed Protestant persuasion, Rick Warren, repeatedly endorsing Roman Catholicism before a watchful world.  You'd expect a Roman Catholic "priest" to do this, but not a Protestant pastor.  Protestants, while they share some of the same Christian convictions of faith with Roman Catholics, do differ on some key issues.  And really, differences, some differences are expected.. they are OK.   Yet, time and Time Magazine again, we hear the world reknown Rick Warren applauding the Roman Catholic church and pointing his listening audience in that direction.  It is almost as if he is on a mission, maybe, to reunite those separated brethren with Rome. 

Currently, Rick is giving the Roman Church more than lip service.  He has traveled to Italy, and is sharing the limelight surrounding the 2014 Vatican conference on Marriage with representatives of various faiths. 

In attendance are Mormons, (Yes, even though Mormonism is known not for monogamy but for polygamy)  Jews, Anglicans, Muslims, Pentecostals, Southern Baptists and even Hindus who have gathered together to affirm the long held understanding they all apparently share and can agree upon...  that marriage is between one man and one woman.  

The conference, with its reportedly 30 religious "leaders"  has no religious title.  The gathering is not to talk about "God" or issues of Christian "faith."  They gather at "Humanum."  in the name of..... yes,  humanity.... to examine "the changing roles of marriage and family."

Rick Warren, for his part at the conference, reportedly told the crowd, "We want all marriages and families to  be healthy and strong."  He also commented on what it was like to be in the presence of the Pope.  He said, "Up Close you can feel the humility and compassion that others see from afar."

According to Juan Martinez, vice provost of Fuller Theological Seminary, Rick was a likely candidate for being invited because " he has influence in certain segments of the Christian world"..."as he speaks, people will listen.  He said that as Rick's perspectives are made public, they tend to become representative of a significant number of evangelicals."....(In other words,there are segments of Christianity that can be easily  influenced by what is publicized as coming from Rick's lips.) 


Now we wonder why the other leaders got their invites as well.

It's an amazing comment from a representative of Fuller Seminary.  And what is Rick saying to the world?

Rick told a reporter how he was really hoping to see Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Vatican while he is there for the marriage conference. (Isn't it interesting that those in Roman Catholicism who take vows of celibacy, seemingly know all about "marriage"....so they hold this conference? ) 

In reference to Pope Benedict, Rick Warren told reporters,
: “His books really influenced me, particularly his series on the life of Christ.”...... “He’s got a brilliant mind.”"

Rick Warren, OC Register article November 16, 2014

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/rick-warren-we-must-celebrate-marriage/#ixzz3JRQexU5h

Rick Warren, said to be so incredibly influential when he speaks, (at least according to Juan Martinez,) is pointing it out to others that he, being so well-read, knows a brilliant mind, (Pope Benedict,) when he sees one.  His words are then officially publicized for me and you, and if we do as expected, we will be influenced into reading and thinking just like influential Pastor Rick!

Benedict could very well be a very nice person.  He might even be a very "brilliant mind" but when it comes to faith issues, one must certainly ask Rick Warren, how's Benedict's (Ratsinger's) doctrine?  It this the person, with the brilliant mind, who knoews all about the life of Jesus, the one that we should all be be learning from and listening to?

Make no  mistake, in the heart of Pope Benedicts Roman Catholicism, you can count on rosary prayers, prayers for the dead,  and a belief in purgatory.  There's also the practice of indulgences, and the belief in the assumption of Mary into heaven,where she intercedes for those who are here on earth.  Yes, no doubt, as Pope, Benedict is contemplating and meditating on Marian mysteries and practicing lectio divina, while rejecting as heretics those who dare believe sola fide, (that salvation comes by faith in Christ alone,) unless of course, like so many religious leaders  of varying faiths, they submit, like Rick,  to the brilliance of the man and the  supremacy,  of the office hat he once held.... that has now gone to Pope Francis. 


 Rick Warren would do well to point his listeners, people of all "faiths"  to Jesus, instead he points them elsewhere... and when he is  being interviewed on on EWTN... he points people ..... to the pope.

"And—as—as—our new Pope he was very, very symbolic in, you know, in his first Mass with people with AIDS. Ah, his—his kissing of—of—this deformed man, his loving the children, this authenticity, this humility, the caring for the poor; this is what the whole world expects Christians to do. And when we—when they go, “Oh, that’s what a Christian does.” In fact, there was a headline here in Orange County—and I loved the headline—I saved it. It said, “If you love Pope Francis, you’ll love Jesus.” 

~Rick Warren

Rick Warren, 4/14/2014 EWTN Interview with Raymond Arroryo

Did you catch that?..."Our" new Pope?
The pope is Rick's pope too.

"Yeah, right. Well—and the main thing is love always reaches people. It—authenticity, humility—Pope Francis is the perfect example of this. He is, uh, he is doing everything right. You see, people will listen to what we say, if they like what they see." 

 ~Rick Warren

Rick Warren, 4/14/2014 EWTN Interview with Raymond Arroryo

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 

 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? 

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

 (John 20:24-29 ESV)

rything Peter Drucker writes. His book “The Effective Executive" is a favourite I reread every year. Long before words like “empowerment” became popular, Peter was telling us that the secret of achieving results is to focus on your strengths, and the strengths of those you work with, rather than focusing on weaknesses. In fact, Peter says, making strengths productive is the unique purpose of organization. - See more at: http://www.inplainsite.org/html/rick_warren_new_age.html#RW-DruckerI read everything Peter Drucker Writes

“I read everything Peter Drucker writes. His book “The Effective Executive" is a favourite I reread every year. Long before words like “empowerment” became popular, Peter was telling us that the secret of achieving results is to focus on your strengths, and the strengths of those you work with, rather than focusing on weaknesses. In fact, Peter says, making strengths productive is the unique purpose of organization. - See more at: http://www.inplainsite.org/html/rick_warren_new_age.html#RW-Drucker

“I read everything Peter Drucker writes. His book “The Effective Executive" is a favourite I reread every year. Long before words like “empowerment” became popular, Peter was telling us that the secret of achieving results is to focus on your strengths, and the strengths of those you work with, rather than focusing on weaknesses. In fact, Peter says, making strengths productive is the unique purpose of organization. - See more at: http://www.inplainsite.org/html/rick_warren_new_age.html#RW-Drucker

For People Who Hate Church

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."   -JESUS  John  13:34

In front of the Muslim Affairs Council, March 2013, Rick Warren reminisced about how he started his church. He recalls:

"We were driving to this little condo, and I said, Don, do you go to church anywhere?"

He said," No, I hate church."

I said, "Great. You're my first member.. I'm starting a church for people who hate church." ~ Rick Warren 

Spoken to the Muslim Affairs Council, March 7,  2013, C-Span.org, Video and Transript.

People who hate church?
He recalls the story offten over the years:

"So then I asked myself, what kind of church are we going to be? And I decided, why don’t we be a church for people who hate church? There are plenty of good churches around here. Why don’t we have church for people who hate church? "  ~ Rick Warren

Rick Warren, Pew Forum, Myth of the Modern Megachurch , 2005, 

Faith Angle Conference on religion, politics and public life.

See also, Prophet of Purpose by Jeffery L. Sheller, book cover (click "read more")

Or read the book free;

and 

 In the Name of Purpose by Tamara Hertzell, quoting Rick warren Chapter 10, pg 135.

and read, 

News with Views,Hating Church, by Paul Proctor, June 19, 2005

And how does Rick do this?  

First you abandon thinking and speaking in a godly fashion and learn how to think and speak differently than "Christians" do:

"If you look at most church advertising, it’s obvious that it was written from a believer’s viewpoint -- not from the mind-set of the unchurched. When you see a church ad that announces, “Preaching the inerrant Word of God!” who do you think that ad appeals to? Certainly not to unbelievers! Personally, I consider the inerrancy of Scripture as a non-negotiable belief but the unchurched don’t even understand the term. If you’re going to advertise your church you must learn to think and speak like unbelievers. The spiritual terminology that Christians are familiar with is just gibberish to the unchurched." ~ Rick Warren

Rick Warren, "We Must Learn To Think Like Unbelievers" originally posted at Pastors.com, Ministry Toolbox 

You do not, according to Rick, start with scripture texts, (ever though Paul said to preach the word both in and out of season.) Instead he recommends you ... um.... basically trick people with something they, (in their unregenerate state of being) like, and then you can give them what they don't like, the Bible:

"The ground we have in common with unbelievers is not the Bible, but our common needs, hurts, and interests as human beings. You cannot start with a text expecting the unchurched to be fascinated by it. You must first capture their attention, and then move them to the truth of God's Word. By starting with a topic that interests the unchurched and then showing what the Bible says about it, you can grab their attention, disarm prejudices, and create an interest in the Bible that wasn't there before."

  ~ Rick Warren

, Purpose Driven Church, p. 295

He also recommends that  churches, during the worship service, ditch the traditional "Christian music"  they are using for music that unregenerate people want to hear:

"Although music is usually the most controversial element of a seeker service it is a critical element that cannot be ignored. We need to understand the incredible power of music, and harness that power by being willing to set aside our own personal preferences and use the music that will best reach the unchurched for Christ."                                                                                         ~ Rick Warren

Rick Warren, Selecting Worship Music, July 29, 2002

This is odd, because if you look in the Bible, taking Daniel as an example, we see how diespite the commands of the king, Daniel worshipped God, He kept on doing exactly what   he had always done, praying and worshiping and obeying God as a believer in Him, and not trying to please or perform for man, even the king. It got him put in a firey furnace.

Rick also tells the church that they must " be sensitive to the hang-ups of unbelievers" when it comes to the worship of God:

"We must be willing to adjust our worship practices when unbelievers are present. God tells us to be sensitive to the hang ups of unbelievers in our services."   ~ Rick Warren

The Purpose Driven Church  by Rick Warren, pg 243

And did you know, few people can think?  Rick says people cannot be converted on intellectual grounds,and this, while the Bible says, "Come, let us reason together,"

 Rick teaches pastors and leaders that you want to forget about actually reasoning with people.  Forget communicating in words that can reach their intellect.... instead,  use the music most appealing to them, (see above) for this will help them feel the presence of God.
Then of course, you help them feel better about themselves and provide for their felt needs."
Telling people that mmusic is the important part of service, not prreaching or teaching is antithetical to Hebrews 4:12 that teaches us, 

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. "

Meanwhile, Rick says, 

"Worship is a powerful witness to unbelievers – if God's presence is felt, and if the message is understandable. God's presence must be sensed in the service. More people are won to Christ by feeling God's presence than by all our apologetic arguments combined. Few people, if any, are converted to Christ on purely intellectual grounds. It is the sense of God's presence that melts the heart and explodes mental barriers."   

                                                                                                                                       ~ Rick Warren

Pastors.com, Ministry Toolbox article, quoted in "Church Growth Gone Mad,"by Clay Miller, Associate Pastor, 

Outreach Ministries, Grace Community Church

Faith comes by hearing.... the word of God, not music of anykinds that one just happens to prefer.

And what is Rick warren's goal with the writing of his book?

"The goal of 'The Purpose Driven Life' is to help people develop a heart for the world." ~ Rick Warren

The Purpose Driven Life helps readers determine the focus of their lives, by Rick Warren; pastors.com)

It is rather unfortunate, for Rick and some of his friends, that the stated goal of what they are doing in the purpose Driven movement is not to help people develop a heart for God. Nope, there is evidently, and according to Rick himself, something completely different in mind. 

His statements are telling.... if you have ears to hear what the spirit is saying to the churches, (Revelation 2:7 and other places.)  Rick's goal is to "help people develop a heart for the world," and this via.... a congregation of people who "hate church,"  

1 John 2:15-17

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.   For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Way-Beyond Ecumenical

Some people say Rick Warren is Ecumenical.  

Before the the Second Vatican Council, in 1962, The Pope's roman Catholic Church defined ecumenism as a relations with other "Christian" groups in order to persuade these to return to a unity that they themselves had broken... at the Reformation. The aim of the Second Vatican Council was, as the Pope at that time said, was "to seek renewal."    Rick is into "changing" the established church.  He calls it a " Second Reformation, something needed
because presumably, the church is wrong, misguided, and never doing enough without Rick's wisdom and his leadership abilities. In his outlook, it is Christians, (not the unsaved) who are in need of this "revival" and "renewal."

"If we are going to have a resurgence in our nation, a revival, a reformation, a renewal, a re-configuration of the church, when you study church history it always starts through certain stages and the first stage is personal renewal." - Rick Warren

Christian Post article, Rick Warren Shares Five things Needed For Revival to Happen in America,11/13/2013

"Father, I thank you for these who just prayed this prayer. I know that you can send a revival, a reformation, a restoration, a renewal, a resurgence that all of the forces of hell couldn’t stop. " - Rick Warren

Prayer with Mark Driscoll  at the ReSurgence Conference 2013, 

Rick prays for Christians to submit to God... but he really is getting them to pray to God about submitting to his programs and agendas that he sincerely believes are "from God."
However, Rick Warren, his thinking and his agenda of renewal is "ecumenical," quite aligned with the "renewal" of Rome.  Additionally, it is not about the church, rooted and etablished in the love of God in Christ Jesus, it goes on beyond that.  It's a new plan for the church.... a new way, a new reformation and a transformation of the old into something never seen or heard of before.  In fact, it often appears to be something at enmity with God, embracing friendship with the world. 


"The global P.E.A.C.E. coalition is a network of networks that enables strategic partnering among businesses, governments and churches...."- Rick Warren

From the Forward to a book of essays on "enterprise solutions to poverty" titled,  In The River They Swim,

 a book that Rick used as a textbook to over 400,000 church in his "network."  

" 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

*****************************
        RICK WARREN POEM  Click Here

Hillsong and Rick Warren- Conference 2013

Never, never, never.  It's a little bit like, "thou shalt not."
"Never stop learning.
          Never compare yourself.
                   Never doubt God.  Never quit.....

My word to Hillsong Conference 2013 yesterday."

Rick Warren, Facebook post, July 2,2013

 Doesn't that sound encouraging?

It is common today to hear about being a "life long learner."  While it is one thing to be humble and teachable, even curious, inquisitive and learning new things every day is is also quite possible to be ever-learning and yet never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  It states so in 2 Timothy 3:7.  As Rick Warren tweeted to the world the message that he gave to the people at Hillsong's conference, he obviously thought his message was pretty profound.  He said, essentially, "never" do this or that.  This friends, is Rick Warren, preaching LAW.  This friends is rick Warren never giving his hearers a place in which to find rest.

He is not talking about rest in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, but is instead, laying burdens on those who think his words are so wise.  For people to heed his wisdom might mean they will just by the next book he writes, since he produces so many materials for people to purchase as they learn from Pastor Rick.  He also didn;t stop with "never stop learning."  No... he gave yet another imperative, "never compare yourself."

"Compare yourself" to what?  Your neighbor?  Your parents?  God's Law?  Jesus?  To whom or what? Would doing so be envy? (Envy would be a sin.)  Rick didn't say. Why should you not compare yourself?

With no direction here, no biblical understanding being given, he is simply leaving you in the dark and making himself an authority, your commander.  The man is a task master telling you what you should never do.  What would happen if you did?  Would it mess up your  S.H.A.P.E for ministry?  Rick is piling on requirements that you must NEVER do, (as if those ten commandments given by God himself were not enough.)  Worse than the burden now placed on you to NEVER compare yourself, you must also never doubt God.

What happens if you do?  What happens  if you ever did?  NEVER is a pretty absolute word, and Rick just gave us three "nevers."  If it just so happens that you break one of Ricks commandments here... how will you ever be redeemed?  Is it possible for you to never doubt God?  Moreover, "what on earth" will God do if you dare doubt him?

If you'll remember, John the Baptist doubted God.  He even sent a message to Jesus when he was having doubting issues... to ask him if He was the ONE.  John needed some reassurance.  And do you know what?  Jesus gave John an answer he could believe in.  While Rick teaches people that they are to "never doubt God," even the "greatest" among all who are born of women, John the Baptist, had doubts, just like you and I are known to do.

Did Jesus condemn John the Baptist for doubting? No.  He comforted him as he reminded him of the all the evidences of who he (Jesus) was.

If you'll remember, there was a man who prayed to God, telling him that he believed, but asking him to help him with his "unbelief."  Apparently God was able to help him with that also.  Pastor Rick doesn't teach about this man... or John, he is just giving you his own form of a, "Thou shalt not."  This is legalism.

and "Never quit."
................ "What on earth" does he mean?  (You could easily apply that to anything of your own liking.)

But now, about that Hillsong conference that Rick Warren boasted about with that tweet:

Warren could not attend the Conference personally, so he "skyped" instead.  The Christian Post ran an article last summer, titled, Rick Warren Talks Leadership Traps, Handling 'Haters and Critics' at Hillsong Conference by Nichola Menzie. Menzie reported on some things spoken by Rick.

"If you build your life on fear of man, God can't use you."   

~ Rick Warren

But let's look at what Rick does not say.

Do you know what or who, Christians are taught what to build their lives on?  It is not fear or fear of man.   Meanwhile, Rick does not tell you what to build your life upon from a Christian perspective, but he takes your attention elsewhere and talks about "not building".... that is not building your life on the fear of man.  The article told how "Warren reminded young leaders that they cannot let criticism bother them — 'keep your eyes on Jesus (and) live for an audience of one....You cannot follow God's voice while you're listening to the voice of others."
It sound like great Christian advice only it is given by Rick who doesn't tell you what to build your life upon and tells you that if you have fear of man... God can't "use you."

Did you know, do you remember, Peter himself, even though he was a disciple of the Master, experienced this "fear of man" thing.  Not only that, he denied knowing the Lord, being with the Lord Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times because of his fears of what man would do to him.  And do you know what?  God, our kind, loving, forgiving and gracious God, still found a use for Peter.

Rick is quoted in the articles as saying,   

"God uses people who believe Him," Rick Warren


So, if you do not believe God, then what? God will not "use" you? God used Cyrus, King of Persia, a pagan who did not "believe" Him. God used Nebuchadnezzar, who did't believe him either.. God is all-powerful and he actually uses whatever, whoever he desires... even a donkey.. God cause all things to work together for the good of those who love him, who are called according to His purpose.... (not our own unique ones.)


Yes, God wants us to to have faith, and to believe Him. However, he doesn't just want people who believe in God....(See James 2:19) but his desire is for us to believe on the one whom he sent.... his promised one, Jesus, for the forgiveness of sin.


Rick reportedly said,

"God does not respond to our complaints, God responds to our trust."

                             

         Rick Warren

Has Rick not read the verses in the Bible about complaints? Psalm 142:2; Psalm 55:2 and even Job, show us some examples of complaints... laments.. Fortunately for us, God is not a dictator and he treats us all with loving kindness and patience. He forgives sin, and He might even respond to your complaints. God actually has a "complaint department" called prayer, where, we can tell God anything, ask God anything, even complain. God does not turn a deaf ear on our difficulties or weakness. He answers when we cry out to him.


And while Rick Warren could not personally attend the Hillsong Conference 2013, some of the top pastors he suggest people follow on twitter did. There was his favored top pastor, Joel Osteen and another top pastor, Craig Groeschel of Lifechurch.tv, and Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potter's House, and Judah Smith of The City Church, too..


These folks have some things in common. (Please view the 10 minute video below to hear their silence on issues of faith in Jesus, what he saves us from and why we need to believe on Jesus to be saved.)  One thing they all have in common in the year of our Lord, 2013 is the Hillsong Conference.

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you...."                      2 Peter 2:1-3

Not Convinced?

Rick Warren missing the entire gospel of Jesus Christ:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F99wqWL4Zyg

(Click the link.  Sorry, I could not figure out how to embed this video.)

 Here, he is teaching about how God wants to bless people and he wants them to be healthy in body soul and spirit and live fulfilling lives.... but that God cannot do that.... unless that person does all the right steps, or does a specific "premise" to receive that promise.  Rick teaches that there are certain habits  which you have to practice if you want God's blessing of "spiritual health."  He says that one must love God more than anything else... all the time without fail.

   

The true gospel message is "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." This is because Jesus, fully God and fully man, (Colossians 2:9) loved God the father perfectly and completely, and was obedient as a son, even unto death.  God has some lists, like the ten commandments, but in reality, only Jesus, because he is perfect, holy, faithful and true, can fulfill God's law perfectly, not you.  

Jesus does this and then as the Lamb of God, he even dies for your sin, in your place, on your behalf.  This is good news for sinners who cannot do everything perfectly right all the time in order to obtain God's blessing.... and Rick circumvents that "good news" and lays God's law on you for YOU to fulfill without fail.  He makes small mention of Jesus, and then lays one you all the many things you MUST do in order to be blessed.  

Here, on Lary king, he stated that one must love Jesus AND have a purpose:

Rick Warren Interview on Larry King, March 26, 2005: 

[Excerpt from CNN Transcript]

KING: You can, though, Rick, have a purpose-driven life and be an agnostic or an atheist, can't you? Still do good, still help others, still have purpose?
WARREN: Absolutely, you can help other people. I believe that we were made for a purpose, and that purpose is really to know God and to serve God and to love God, and to serve other people by -- serve God by serving others. You know, you can't really serve God directly, Larry, not here on Earth. The only way you can serve God is by serving other people.
KING: Since you believe in God, if an agnostic or an atheist is doing good, God appreciates it, according to you, right?
WARREN: God wants us all to be loving to each other, there is no doubt about that. In fact, Jesus wouldn't have made any distinction between someone who was of a different background. The issue was, do they love him and do they have a purpose? Are they following his purpose? See, I believe that we were made by God and that we were made for God. And that until we understand that, life isn't going to make sense. Now, really when it comes to...

- See more at: http://www.inplainsite.org/html/purpose_driven_seeker_friendly.html#sthash.7tgIUBSX.dpuf

"...

 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, 

and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves 

will not move them with one of their fingers.

 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: 

they make broad their phylacteries, 

and enlarge

 the borders of their garments,

And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, 

and the chief seats in the synagogues,

And greetings in the markets,

 and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; 

and all ye are brethren."

-Jesus

Here is Joel Olsteen in 2012, like Rick Warren he is also missing the point, circumventing the gospel.  He is however, convincing all who will believe him in his fancy words, like Rick Warren, that  Jesus died so that they could have everything they need in this life for an abundant earthly life of "health."

New Reformation - New Evangelization

"Dr. Rick Warren is passionate about attacking what he calls the five “Global Goliaths” – spiritual emptiness, egocentric leadership, extreme poverty, pandemic disease, and illiteracy/poor education. His goal is a second Reformation......"

Daily Hope with Rick Warren, About Rick Warren

"The mission of Tom Peterson and Catholics Come Home to bring souls home to Jesus and the church is critically important during this challenging time in our history. I fully support this New Evangelization project.”
                                                    —Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life

Catholicscomehome.org, 12/20/12   The book endorsement by Rick Warren

 Watch the Advertisement for the book featuring Rick Warren by clicking the frame above.

Browse the book here.  And please do read the book's description written by the publisher.
Does it sound like it could describe anyone else you know?  

     
We are in the midst of a New Evangelization 
and I believe this book is a signal moment in its success.” 

—Dr. Scott W. Hahn, author of

 The Lamb’s Supper and Signs of Life

“This book’s powerful message contains both a heartfelt invitation — ‘Catholics, come home!’—and an encouraging statement of an often overlooked fact— ‘Catholics come home!’ With enthusiasm, humility, and
 wisdom born of his own lived experience 

Tom Peterson lays 
out the salient reasons for both.”


—Patrick Madrid, author of Envoy for Christ: 

Twenty-Five Years as a Catholic Apologist

“Catholics Come Home is a powerful sacramental, a means of grace. It is a willing, waiting taxi to take us home, to our home away from home, the 
Catholic Church, the mystical body of Christ.”


—Dr. Peter Kreeft, author of Handbook of Christian Apologetics

“Catholics Come Home inspires each of us to share God’s love 

with others, in order to help change the world for the better, for eternity!”

—Roma Downey, Touched by an Angel actress, 

and co-producer of the History Channel series The Bible

“[Tom Peterson] has a statistically verifiable program of bringing people back to the Church.”

—Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York

Recommended reading:
 Let us Reason.org....Article  Rick Warren’s Catholic Conduit
Spiritwatch.org Article  What is Wrong with Eccunmenical?