....and there were GIANTS

 "How do you defeat the giants that are keeping you from being the man God wants you to be?" 

                                                            ~Rick Warren, Daily Hope with Rick Warren, Steps to Defeating the Giants By Rick Warren — January 30, 2015 

How do you? You can read his article, here.

He is being metaphorical, right?  As one contemplates the "giants" that are keeping them from being the man or woman that God wants them to be, that would be your first thought.  Warren must have forgotten that David's giant in 1 Samuel 17 that Rick refers to in this devotional, was quite real.  A taunting, bloodthirsty "giant" wasn't metaphorical for David.

And what did David do? He killed Goliath.  With one small stone loaded into his slingshot, he hit the giant of a man squarely in the forehead and knocked him out dead cold and then he cut off his head. 

Rick  has some wrong ideas.  David's experience with Goliath was not about the giant keeping David "from being the man God wanted David to be."  David didn't have an identity crisis about who he was. He was a shepherd who tended sheep and protected them from danger.  David was a man with faith in God. 

Rick does point out that David had faith and God, and that you should too.  He even puts several bible verses in this devotional page, but unfortunately, they are all used to prove Rick's points.... not the other way around.  Also,Rick neglects to mention Jesus Christ and no mention of our biggest, most enormously giant  problem that plagues us all.... sin.  

Sin is quite a giant.... in fact it is so big and oppressive that it makes us all, even the best of men, "fall short of the glory of God."

Instead of using the story of David and Goliath to reveal who Jesus is and what he has done for us, encouraging readers to see Jesus in some way, Rick relates the story a completely different light.  He says that if you want to be "great" like David, if you want to be a person with a great faith, a great dream and a great lifework.... all you got to do is... do the very things that David did.  David did four things and you can do them to:

1.  Remember how God helped you in the past. 
2.  Use the tools that God has given you now.
3.  Ignore the dream busters
            and 
4. Expect God to help you, for His glory.
 Then you storm the battlefield shouting, and slay your giants.

Notice that with Rick, it's all about you.... your greatness your great faith, your great dreams and your great lifework... and about you slaying the "giants" that keep YOU from your potential.

And notice how that giants, (in fact, all things big,) are a bit of theme with Rick.

 At the implementation of Warren's P.E.A.C.E. Plan, Rick's "global mission" was to slay the five evil giants  that plague the world.  This would be accomplished by listening to Rick and doing the five things  that, Rick said, he believes that "Jesus wants us to do" ... (under the leadership and direction of none other than... Pastor Rick!) 

Referring to Jesus, Rick said, 

 "He wants us to go into all the world and Plant faith communities, Equip servant leaders, Assist the poor, Care for the sick, and Educate the next generation. These five things make up what I call the PEACE Plan."

That's odd.  The part about "going into all the world" sounds familiar; Jesus did say "go unto all the world and".... but what Jesus reportedly said to his disciples was, "Go unto all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."  (Matthew 28:19)  Rick takes a bit of liberty in using those same words that are familiar and changing the directive that follows in order to tell us the things that "Jesus" wants us to do today.  Apparently, Rick has been having personal conversations with Jesus, conversations that have lead Rick Warrren Jesus new directive into, what Rick calls, "the PEACE Plan!

The P.E.A.C.E. Plan would attack the 5 evil GIANTS of spiritual emptiness, egocentric leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy. How is this done?  According to the plan, it's done by:

1.  Planting  faith communities. 

By "faith community" does he mean Christian church?  The word is broadly applicable. Churches have, all along been planting churches long without the help of Rick.

2.  Equipping  "servant leaders."  

Isn't this modern business term, a bit of an oxymoron? 

 Rick said of this "evil giant" to be tackled:

"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, Peace Plan Unveiling, Nov. 2003, Notes\

So we see how these  "egocentric," "self serving" and "corrupt" leaders were not really described as evil, just uneducated.  Their crime is that they "lead the church."  It's odd, isn't it, that Ricks description makes this "evil giant" looks a lot like Peter and John.... you know, "ordinary" "unschooled" men.  (See: Acts 4:13.)  Rick wanted to remedy this situation by training them to be "Purpose Driven."

and it's rather remarkable to note that the next three things has been done by Christian mean and women for years... without Rick's plan or leadership.  He, however complained that the church was nothing but a big mouth, (unless of course, you were Catholic Relief Services.)
3.  Assist the poor  
4.  Care for the sick
5.  Educate the next generation.

In short, his plan for killing those giants (all five of them) was and still is a daunting task.  All he needed to do was to get the church behind his plan  and he would have it harnessed, working together, hand in hand with the rest of humanity, and together they could save the world.

Unfortunately, his plan was not to make disciples and baptize them.  He did mean that he wanted to plant churches.  Having noted publicly, that the church was the greatest distribution method for aid and material distribution, (since there was already a church to be found most everywhere on the planet.) What Rick wanted was to build "Faith communities," and make no mistake, a "faith communities" can refer to any religion on the planet.   Now that he is selling diet books, he pushes the notion that this great  distribution center called church is a great place for people get healthier... by doing the Daniel Plan.

In reality, (not metaphorically speaking here) there are big problems that plague the world.  The ultimate being our complete separation from God in our death.  But there is good news!  Jesus Christ, the one who died and rose again, an put and end to evil by dying on the cross.   Jesus Christ, God's promise made and kept, is God's plan of peace as he freely gives his love and offers salvation to a dying world. People can have more than purpose when the gospel is not hidden or obscured.  They can have a Savior with a promise, one who is with them always and gives them a real hope when facing "giants"of any kind.  By trusting in God and believing in the one whom he sent, Jesus Christ, we can not only be courageous when facing difficulty, but have peace, because of Jesus, and Jesus  has overcome the world. (John 16:33)

"You don't need to be a giant to slay one.  You just need to shoot straight.  Remember David.

Rick Warren tweet, Jan 21, 2011

No. 
Lets set the record straight.  David had faith and the Lord was on his side. The Lord gave David victory over Goliath, not his ability to shoot.   Also, you don't need to be  a person with a great faith, a great dream or even a great life work...to be GREAT, like David, all you have to do is believe in Jesus through the preaching of the Word.

As for your great lifework.. Your works won't save you no matter how great or good they are.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.    Ephesians 2" 8-10

As for those great dreams.... Don't let those big dreams make you forget the truth about your God.
Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.  Jeremiah 23:27
 
As for that great faith...  How big a "faith" do you need before it's great? 
And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you   Luke 17: 5-6

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." ~ Jesus....                                                        John 15:5

It's Not the Gospel

There are some who preach another  gospel....

" As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."  (Galatians 1:9)

 “This book will become a standard text that we will use to train every mission team we have in 196 countries. It should be required reading in every Christian college and seminary, by every relief and mission organization, and by every local church pastor.”

       "It's a book that can change the world."

  -Rick Warren,  New York Times best-selling author, The Purpose Driven Life; Pastor, Saddleback Church

 
 What book?  

Well, it's not the bible.  The book that "can" change the world is,
 The Poverty of Nations, A Sustainable Solution, by Barry Asmus and Wayne Gruden, with foreword by, Rick Warren.  

Rick Warren is all-about "sustainability." 


At the Saddleback Church website, it tells us who Pastor Rick is.  It reads,

"Rick Warren was born in San Jose, California and earned a Bachelor of Arts from California Baptist University, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. He and his wife Kay founded Saddleback Church when he was just 26 years old and he continues to serve as the senior pastor. To many, he is Pastor Rick, but to his church, he is Papa Rick—a voice of wisdom, hope, encouragement, and vision."

"God gave him a vision for The P.E.A.C.E. Plan, a mission to fight the five giants of spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, pandemic disease, and illiteracy that devastate the lives of men, women, and children around the world. He and Kay consider it their life’s’ work to empower local churches and local leaders to create sustainable change that gives a voice to the voiceless and help to the helpless."  Saddleback.com

POP QUIZ!
(Fill in the blank:) 

_____ gave Rick the Vision for the P.E.A.C.E. Plan.

Is it then safe to say that if you are not under the tutelage of Rick, then you are not listening to  "God."  Seems logical.  But seriously.  If God gave Rick this vision for the P.E.A.C.E. plan as it says then, thats pretty serious business.

The webpage also says of Rick, that he is a voice of wisdom, hope, encouragement... and of course, vision. (After all God gave him a "vision.")  And note how Rick is  referred to as  'papa.". This is a curious thing, for Jesus, taught his disciples to call no man on earth "father" for you have one father, in heaven. Calling Rick "Papa," publican like this ....  Is just notably odd.


So, maybe he is "like a father."  Maybe calling him Papa is just a term of endearment, after all we all have fathers that we call "dad" or "papa. " Let's ignore that for a moment.... and consider this other talk of Rick being a voice of wisdom, hope, encouragement and vision.  It's nice that the writers of this webpage for Sadleback have such a high regard for their pastor, but there's a problem: Rick is habitually twisting the scripture, wresting them to say what he wants them to say.

audio  from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVth6gtHBNk ) 
 

Rick says:

"The biggest mistake that churches make is we think that sermons will produce spiritual maturity. If people don’t take notes, they forget 95% of what they hear within 72 hours. That is not going to produce spiritual maturity." - Rick Warren  Interview at Exponential Conference

Sermons don't work, according to Rick... but:

"The Purpose Driven strategy is not a church growth strategy. It is a spiritual maturity strategy. It’s bringing people closer and closer to Christ."   - Rick Warren

Rick also says that prayer and preaching doesn't work to "grow a church." These are strange things to say in the light and importance of the scriptures, (which are to be alight unto our path and a lamp unto our feet,)  don't you think?   But there's Rick, a pastor to pastors, saying such things. According to him, it's his Purpose Driven Life books, or his vision from God,... the P.E.A.C.E. Plan that Christians, and others should be desiring.....
and God is going to do great things... through Rick.

“You may have already heard about the PEACE Plan we're developing...It is a local church-based paradigm for missions in the 21st century, and we believe God will use it to bring worldwide revival.”

The task before us is enormous, but God is equipping us by Rick Warren

The scripture doesn't work...  sermons don't produce maturity but Rick's P,E.A.C.E. Plan is what God will use, (according to Rick,) for "revival!"  One could only wonder what will be revived as he announced it to the world, it was "only the beginning" of something new that God was about to do...

“This weekend, I will begin teaching the most important series of messages we've ever taught in 23 years…We believe it is part of the beginning of a Spiritual Awakening, a Global Movement, a New Reformation.”

Rick Warren, Nov. 2003  Peace Plan Letter to Saddleback Church

God breathed scripture is apparently obsolete.  If Rick had  his way, the scripture which testifies of Jesus Christ, and all he said and did is out.  Churches are built on the cornerstone of "purpose" and he is busy as a bee, creating and passing out his own masterful platitudes, like:

"We were planned for God's pleasure
      ... so your first purpose is to offer real worship. 
We were formed for God's family
     ..... so your second purpose is to enjoy real fellowship.
We were created to become like Christ,
         ....  so your third purpose is to learn real discipleship.
We were shaped for serving God
        .... so your fourth purpose is to practice real ministry.
We were made for a mission
           ....so your fifth purpose is to live out real evangelism "

 But, then while Rick says such creative things, he also likes to say, "It's not about you." and one can note how each of these statements is about..."YOU." 

And what do you think about his verbal emphasis here on "real" ....(verses fake?)   Apparently, following Rick and his instruction is "real,"  on the other hand, the sermons and prayer and preaching  that once produced all thie things in the life of church, ....worship, and fellowship, and discipleship, and ministry and evangelism.... is not.

There is no doubt about it.... Rick has lots of little sayings.  Like invisible balloon sculptures, his twisted scripture-sounding sayings go out to to delight a crowd.  Contorted into ambiguous shapes and forms, they have the magically ability of saying whatever the hearer (or the speaker) wants to hear be said.  Inflated with lofty notions, big numbers, huge crowds and radical endeavors, it is as if  "BIG"  is somehow a measure of how great THOU really art. With scripture silenced, twisted, and tied up lin knots like a street clown's balloon  what results is a uniquely crafted marvel, one with little or no substance.  Purpose Driven church goers leave church holding not their Bible, but books written by Rick and friends.  

Sadly, as fine sounding as Rick may be, he does not preach the gospel so that people listening can be saved,. (Click on "Rick" and watch the video.)  And contrary to what he telling audiences,  all major religions do not "point to truth," and when you become a christian, Jesus is not merely a "manager" or "C.E.O."  of your life.  Sadder still, as emotional about "the gospel of Jesus Christ", as close to the verbal truth as he gets, all he says quickly lends itself, not to give you eternal life through faith in Christ, but to change your thinking and get you on his program.  It's bait and switch.

Thinking are doing a wonderful work of the Lord as they dismiss warnings from friends and family, and get into small groups doing community service projects as they strive to live out our their dreams doing what Rick defines  as a "Purpose Driven Life," in a Purpose Driven Church" with a focus on being in community and loving and serving.... the world., people tune out the real study and proper use of scripture and rely on Pastor, "Papa" Rick

" Why would God pour more maturity and wisdom into a stagnate reservoir? Following the same thought, the last thing many believers need is to go to another Bible study; What they need are opportunities to serve - where they can exercise their spiritual muscles. Your example will teach the members of your congregation to shift from an attitude of “serve us” to "service." 

Transform your congregation through service, by Rick Warren, June 2, 2004  here

"But as we mature in Christ, the focus of our lives should increasingly shift to living a life of service. The mature follower of Jesus stops asking, “Who’s going to meet my needs?” and starts asking, “Whose needs can I meet?” Do you ever ask that question?"                               We Are Commanded to Serve God by Rick Warren, August 19, 2009

 Are you so selfish and immature that you dare ask God to help meet your need? And by the way, whose needs are you going to meet today?  

"As we seek to grow and become more like Christ, we need to learn how to live a life of service."

-Rick Warren, Living a Life of Service, May 21, 2014

Daily Hope with Rick Warren, rickwarren.org

You know, Hebrews 11 is not refered to as the hall of service.... but the hall of faith.  And not only that,  Jesus, (aka God)  is the only one who can meet the needs of people... not you.... and yes, we are needy people, relying on the Lord and others too for help in our need.   Being without a need, is not a sign of spiritual  maturity. 

Jesus is the hope we have, but Rick says,

"Truly the church is the hope of the world!"

Rick Warren, 

The Church, The Hope of the World by Rick Warren.

Who knew?  

...." the church," (not Jesus) "is the "hope of the world." 

The Bible warns Christians of "another gospel." (Galatians 1:8;    2 Corinthians 11:4)  and another Jesus.  Be warned.  Rick Warren has some foreign ideas that are definately unbiblcal and move people away from scriptural truths of the Bible. 

 And his grandiose notion of creating  "sustainable change" is simply not the gospel. 

"So Close to Hell That I Can Smell It"

Hell?

The reality of a place called hell is an rather unpleasant thought, for it is a place where God is forever unreachable.  If hell has a smell, it would likely be more unpleasant that anything we know in this world.  Strangely, in his article, 8 Acts of a Healthy, Growing Church, by Rick Warren, he states that he wants "to get so close to hell that he can smell it." It's a rather weird thing to say, but then, in light of scripture, so are some of the other things Rick touts.

In, 8 Acts of a Healthy Church, Rick  uses the book of Acts in the bible, to show his readers the characteristics of the early church, and teach how, (if we want God's blessing,) we can do the same as they did, (Note: this is not necessarily what the bible says, but what is being taught by Pastor Rick.)  Rick's catch on the deal with God, is that you have to learn these 8 "acts" (of a "healthy" church,) from Rick. 

"There are a lot of churches that want to play it safe. They get as far away from unbelievers as they can so they don’t get tainted. I want to get so close to hell that I can smell it!" - Rick Warren

Rick accuses churches, a "lot" of them, of "playing it safe," being unwillling to take risks, like Rick, who evidently is so risky that he's willing to get close to "hell" then those other churches and Christians dare to get.) 

Rick, who claims to know almost everything, is out to convince you that he knows all about The book of Acts, but more importantly, that he knows how to get God's blessing.  The key to getting the blessing of God is apparently doing church like it was done in the book of Acts, with a catch..... it must be interpreted for us, by Rick. 

He begins the article by dropping names like B.H. Carroll, C. Peter Wagner, and G. Campbell Morgan.  You might not even know who those people are.   Rick probably never met B.H. Carroll or G. Cambell Morgan personally, but he did know C Peter Wagner well.  Droping the names of some popular names, one of which is a personal friend, Rick hopes the legacy of these men will validate what he has to say about the book of Acts.  Promising you and me a "blessing," from God.... IF....  we accept his wisdom about the early church.... validated by those three men of course, Rick teaches:

"If we echo the actions of the early church, we can expect God’s blessing on our church."  

Now that he has you trusting that he knows so much about this, and has validated it for you and me who are impressed with his wise associations of Carroll, Wagner and Morgan, it is expected that you will see...as Slicky Ricky teaches...that the Holy Spirit living inside of you is not sufficient.  

Nope.  you need to have Rick's teaching.  He says:

"If you’re a Christian, you already have the Holy Spirit living inside you, but...."  -Rick Warren

 But?...  

But what?  What follows is a long list of things that you MUST do in order to be "blessed" by God. 

Here is his list of things YOU (he says "we" so he himself is included....) "must" DO, (besides receive the Holy Spirit, because that is not enough:)

"We must maintain a warm fellowship."

"We must multiply small groups."

"We must magnify our vision of God."

"We must maximize the power of prayer."

"We must model Christ-like generosity."

(Must... must..... must.... must...must...must....must... and....)

"We must move out with God’s mission." -Rick Warren

8 Acts of a Healthy, Growing Church, By Rick Warren, October 10, 2013

Rick  has a long list of things for the Christian with the Holy Spirit "living in side of them," to get busy doing.   The thing is, those are Rick's commands, use here  to get you on his own programs.  there is no loophole, no rest... not even a choice on your part.  The Holy Spirit living inside of you when you put your faith in Jesus Christ, is not enough.  You MUST also do all these things Rick mentions.... as MUSTS.

Rick has people running themselves ragged, moment by moment doing their best to please God by maintaining warm fellowship with people in their small groups.  They must also be working to multiply and grow their groups, as well as be busy "magnifying" the "vision of God", (What is "God's vision" by the way?  Is that in the Bible or one of Rick's books?)  They must also be busy "maximizing the power of prayer," (as if we possess that power in and of ourselves.) and we must also be "modeling" of "Christ-like generosity." (Perhaps he means tithing?) As for  "mobilizing God's mission," this means promoting Rick's "movement of God."   

In his Purpose Driven materials he claims, "This campaign is all about the Kingdom of God, fulfilling his agenda in His world. Nothing brings more glory to God than having his churches, small groups, and his people fulfilling His Purposes. Because 40 Days of Purpose is about God's Kingdom, it is much bigger than any individual, church or denomination. We must work together "to serve God's purpose in our generation." (Acts. 13:36)   I hope and pray that your church won't miss out on this movement of God. I invite you to join us. We're waiting to partner with you on the journey of a lifetime!"  -Rick Warren

                                                                                   (Check Acts 13:36b here for meaning.)

People under Rick's tutelage, must do, do, do.  If you remember, the church, according to Rick, for the last fifty years, has been nothing but a big mouth, (better known for speaking than doing,) that is..... until Rick came with new insight from God.  Rick was tired with the big mouth church that never did anything to help people....and was always negative.

" The problem for the last fifty years is that the church has been the body of Christ, but the hands and the feet have been amputated and all that’s left is the mouth. Most of the time, we’re known for what we say and not for what we do in culture. And we’re more known for what we’re against than what we’re for. I’m tired of that and I intend to change it. "  ~Rick Warren                     The Purpose-Driven Student, An Interview, Jan. 14th, 2007

So people must now do everything perfect... perfectly balancing the five purposes laid out by Rick .  Churches and Christians are by default, labeled not "healthy."  And evidently, you should never be tired or feel ill for this is certainly a sign that God is not with you, because, as Rick states,  that:

 "one of the characteristics of people who try to minister in a church without God’s Spirit is simple – tiredness, fatigue."         8 Acts of a Healthy, Growing Church, By Rick Warren, October 10, 2013

This is a problem.  It's not the truth.

 We do get tired and weary..  Jesus himself got tired.  This does not mean Jesus did not have the power of God with him.  Christians are to live lives by faith and trust the Holy Spirit living in side of them always, not listen so some man who puts himself up on a pedestal and who does nothing but find fault with the church so that he can, by his own ideas and programs, improve upon it.  

According to Rick in this article, the early church in the book of Acts, chapter 8, did not even do church right.  "They didn't spread the gospel." 

"They didn't spread the gospel. So God applied pressure by allowing persecution to get them to spread. The Bible says, 'On that day a great persecution broke out against the church of Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered through Judea and Samaria.' Notice that: the pastors stayed home but all the people were scattered into Judea and Samaria. Why? Because that’s where He wanted them to go..." -Rick Warren

8 Acts of a Healthy, Growing Church, By Rick Warren, October 10, 2013

The disobedient church refused to share the gospel with others.  Persecution didn;t come because they refused to share the gospel, rather, it came because they did share.... after all, Saul, who later became Paul, was out to destroy the church.   He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison, (Acts 8:3) and this while all the while thinking he was doing a good service unto God. Saul was wrong. Meeting Jesus personally and realizing his sinful errors and repenting of them, Saul became a Christian himself and leaving the old man behind, he became known to the church, not as Saul, but as Paul.


The way to be "church"  according to Rick, has nothing to do with people having faith in Christ Jesus as Lord. 

"We will be the New Testament church when we magnify the vision of God, pray like they prayed, when we are filled with the Spirit and when we are generous with each other." -Rick Warren

8 Acts of a Healthy, Growing Church, By Rick Warren, October 10, 2013

...and while Rick talks about being "filled with the Spirit," note that he does not say, be tilled with the "Holy Spirit."  

Filled with what "spirit?"   (1John Chapter 4) 

It would be easy to assume, he means the Holy Spirit, but he is vague.  HE a pastor, he talks about Jesus and he even says that he himself is a "believer."

"I am a believer and I know I’m going to heaven. Nothing can take that away from me. But between now and when I go to heaven, I want to take as many people with me as possible. I hope you’ll commit to that same thing."
 

Rick's words, are like clouds without rain.  His words are all about himself, and the object of true Christian faith is invisble.  while he claims that he wants to "take people to heaven with him,"  he does not give any opportunity for someone reading this article to put their faith in Jesus Christ.... even though he hopes they will "commit" to the same thing he's committed to, (a thing that is undefined and ambiguous.) We find him not sharing the gospel, but soliticing  people to follow his teaching  and do,do, do, do, all the things he says that  they "MUST" do to be  the "church" ....without any mention of the Savior.

 
People of all faiths can be classified as "believers" for they all "believe" in something.   

Religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Mormonism and other various cults all have their followers and their own particulars of what one is to "believe" ( and do) to be called of that religion.  Rick's a "believer?"  In what?  

He does not say.

Rick also says knows he is "going to heaven,"but so does a Muslim who practices jihad.  Meanwhile, he never mentions the way to heaven is only one way, nor tell you that Jesus is the only door.... and he wants to sell you his books and programs and ways of thinking about the book of Acts.  Apparently some people are not only perfect as doing everything God demands, but are also busy working to make converts.  Unwilling to be open about the truth of God, they simply make clones of themselves... or worse.  


Christian pastors proclaim the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  They encourage others to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation from sin and death ( and without hypocracy, this faith is the same that they believe.) Their hearers, actually have the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and receive God's gift of eternal life and thereby, with sin forgiven, be able go to "heaven."  Rick Warren, has his own agenda.  To get you interested in his programs and his P.E.A.C.E> plan and his teachings, like a bully, Rick paints churches in a negative light.  He is also quick to tell you that he is so much better than they are.

"There are a lot of churches that want to play it safe. They get as far away from unbelievers as they can so they don’t get tainted. I want to get so close to hell that I can smell it! "

Weird.    

Five Things Jesus Did While Here On Earth

Promoting his P.E.A.C.E. Plan,  Rick says,

"The Scripture shows us that Jesus shared the Good News, trained leaders, helped the poor, cared for the sick, and taught the children..... Our plan does the five things Jesus did while He was here on Earth."  -Rick Warren

http://www.rickwarrennews.com/peace_plan.htm paragraph 5, PEACE Plan Online Newsroom. See also: Peace Initiative, PDF here.

The five things Jesus did?

Jesus did five things, (according to Rick..) Funny.... Rick  doesn't tell his listener the really important thing that Jesus did... how Jesus died for our sin.  But  we learn how esus did "five things".... and so does Rick's "plan," (Which he calls, "our plan.")

  "Our plan does THE FIVE THINGS JESUS DID WHILE HE WAS ON EARTH."

And note too, it is not "five of the things" Jesus did, but "the five things."
 Death and ressurection,
being the Lamb of God,
is not even mentioned as one of them.

Remembering Rwanda - 2014

In 2005, TIME Magazine reported that Rick Warren had been asked by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, to help his country become a "Purpose-Driven nation".[ In response to Kagame's request, Warren enlisted over 2,000 Saddleback Church members to go to Rwanda . Business leaders and leaders of parliament in Rwanda were also involved.   Well it's 2014 and Warren is in Rwanda again, with an update on the project of making Rwanda a Purpose Driven nation.  The Christian Post, recently reported on his visit and the "Purpose Driven Church Congress" that met there.  

"I have been working with and watching the churches of Rwanda for nearly 10 years, and I believe now is the time for them to be a model to the world. It would be just like God to take a small nation like Rwanda on which the world turned its back 20 years ago in its greatest need and use it for God and for good." - Rick Warren

Rick Warren in Rwanda Announces Plans to Host All 54 African Nations at Purpose Driven Church Congress

by Alex Murashko, CHRISTIAN POST 8//13/1204

What happened in Rwanda?  20 years ago?  How did the world turn it's back on Rwanda? 

It was a  terrible thing that happened, 20 years ago.   In case you do not know or understand, what happened was that within 100 days, approxamately 800,000 people were murdered in what can only be described as genocide.  Wikipedia records that "the genocide was planned by members of the core political elite known as the akazu, many of whom occupied positions at top levels of the national government."  "The atrocious acts were carried out by the "ranks of the Rwandan army, the National Police (gendarmerie), government-backed militias including the INterahamwe and Impuzamugambi, and the Hutu civilian population."  

It was a nightmare.

"The militia typically murdered victims by machete, although some army units used rifles. The Hutu gangs searched out victims hiding in churches and school buildings, and massacred them. Local officials and government-sponsored radio incited ordinary citizens to kill their neighbors, and those who refused to kill were often murdered on the spot."  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwandan_Genocide

Back to the article:
The Christian post article reports, 

"The 12 pastors who serve on the Rwanda PEACE Plan Board of Directors joined Warren for today's press conference along with eight of more than 25 leaders that serve as Master Trainers for PEACE."

"Master Trainers?"  That's a new one... a new "title."  They are not bishops or pastors or teachers, but "master trainers. Not only that, in the article, Rick says, (emphatically so you will agree with him on the matter,)  they are "world leaders."

"These men, whether you realize it or not, are world leaders. What they are doing with churches in Rwanda is being watched by churches all around the world."- Rick Warren

Rick Warren in Rwanda Announces Plans to Host All 54 African Nations at Purpose Driven Church Congress

by Alex Murashko, CHRISTIAN POST 8//13/1204

Which churches in Rwanda?
What kinds of churches and religions are there?

Wikipedia reports that according to 2012 census, it looked like this:
56.9% Roman Catholic
26.0% Protestant
11.1 % Seventh Day Adventist
4.8% Islam
1.8% Indigenous and others 

It's interesting that the Roman Catholic Church is largest in Rwanda.  They were pretty big in 1994 too. In fact there's a lot of criticism of the church's involvement in the genocide.  

 Chris McGreal's recent litetary publication, “Chaplains of the Militia: The tangled story of the Catholic church during Rwanda’s genocide,” digs deep into the events that took place during the genocide from the perspective of those who actually witnessed the 100 days of massacre. The story doesn't paint a pretty picture of the churches, especially the Roman Catholic church.  Interestingly, now all these "churches"  whichever ones they are, are working together.  It's a P.E.A.C.E. thing .. and they are all (apparently) working together with their government and business leaders ... under the influence of Pastor Rick.

And would't you know, Rwanda has been selected by Rick, to be the example for the world of his P.E.A.C.E. Plan?  It is also being dubbed by Rick and Kagame as, 'the First Purpose Driven Nation." The video at the previous link tells us, the President Paul Kigame, read Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life, and being "Purpose Driven" himself, invited Rick Warren, to come over and do 40 Days of Purpose.... with 600 churches.   (Eh.... Which ones?)

Rick gets credit for boldly... although occasionally, talking "about" Jesus Christ and for talking about forgiveness, and for personally reaching out to help a hurting world.  Seriously. But something sure seems odd when his work and talk is not focused there and instead is focused on a uniting of different churches.   Even odder is Rick Warren in the spotlight with an emphasis on the wonderfulness of Rick's Purpose Driven Life book and plan for P.E.A.C.E. in the world.  And Rick, even after these many years, still sticks to the slogans we have already heard, about the uniqueness of his special P.E.A.C.E.  plan.... and of course telling us all how "the church" might actually be able "to do good..."
if 
....he is able to mobilize the church.

"What makes The PEACE Plan unique is that it is done by local churches, in local churches, in the community," said Warren. "I could take you to 10 million villages around the world where the only thing there is the church. The church is the biggest organization on the planet and has most potential to do good if mobilized."- Rick Warren

Rick Warren in Rwanda Announces Plans to Host All 54 African Nations at Purpose Driven Church Congress

by Alex Murashko, CHRISTIAN POST 8//13/1204

Apparently, out of all the organizations... on the planet.... the church  has the most  "potential" to "do good"....  IF.

Then, speaking about the current Middle East conflict, Warren urged other countries to draw lessons from, no, "emulate," Rwanda. Warren said,

"The Middle East countries should emulate Rwanda. If the world wants to find peace and reconciliation then we can use Rwanda as a case study. The country has reconciled in the shortest possible time (after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that claimed over 1 million people), and rebuilt itself to what it is today." -Rick Warren

Rwanda: 'Rwanda Shima Imana' Attracts 34 Countries by Athan Tashobya  8/11/2014, www.AllAfrica.com

Well, that is interesting.  Rick talks about peace and reconciliation and wants people to see "Rwanda" as the example.  Christian Pastors usually talk peace and reconciliation and use Jesus as our example.  Rwanda is still working on lots of issues.

 Rick is known for picking whatever fanciful bible version Rick thinks happens fits the particular moment and using what sounds good to support his own ideas of things, rather than coming under the jurisdiction of any one particular text.  He evidently thinks it sounds good to make Rwanda "a case to study" and learn about peace and reconciliation, but is it? 

No.  The "peace" in Rwanda, is fragile.  People still hurt and mourn.  Rwanda is not known for "freedom."  

The 2013 Amnesty International report on Rwanda says, "There was almost no space for critical journalism in Rwanda. The aftermath of a 2010 clampdown on journalists and political opposition members left few independent voices in the country. Private media outlets remained closed. Efforts to improve media freedom through legislative reform, technical improvement and private sector investment, were undermined by the continued imprisonment of journalists for their legitimate work. Defamation remained a criminal offence."  In other words, to speak or act, it is expected that one be "politically correct."

And that Paul Kagame.... the current president of Rwanda.  Who is he?  What do people see in the man and his leadership?  Why had he called upon "America's Pastor," Rick Warren, to come and help him in his cause?  You have to wonder.


Rick did award Kagame with the "International Medal of PEACE" in 2009.

Rick has called upon Rwandans to create a national "Thanksgiving" holiday, 'Rwanda Shima Imana.  (Shimi Imana, translated, means, "Thank God,") and the holiday, inaugurated in 2012, by Warren, (according to Athan Tashobyu, of allafrica.com,) now has a presence in most Christian churches in Rwanda.

Rick says, 

"It is my prayer that this day becomes a national holiday just as it is in some parts of the world. Twenty years after the genocide, we are now a new Rwanda. We have seen the country develop and have nothing to hold against God, other than celebrating what He has done for our country."- Rick Warren

Rick Warren in Rwanda Announces Plans to Host All 54 African Nations at Purpose Driven Church Congress

by Alex Murashko, CHRISTIAN POST 8//13/1204

A couple of questions:

Rick declares, "We" are a new Rwanda." and he says, "our country."  Is this just friendly talk or is he this tight with the President?  Is Rwanda really Rick's "country?"  

And another question,( as Rick talks about God.)  It's really nice that the people have "nothing to hold against God" and that now they are giving thanks to God for the new beginning and the country's development; but, "God" who?    

Does this "God" have a name?  

 ......Just wondering.

Earmarked for Adventure

Do you like movies? If you do, you can understand how God made you and I for adventure, at least according to Pastor Rick.  He assumes a lot about what kind of movies we find appealing... and completely disregards books as an example.... but movies, it seems, is what he thinks will prove that you and I were made for "a great adventure."

"You and I were made for a great adventure—it’s why we like movies." ~Rick Warren 

God Created Us For Adventure by Rick Warren Ministry Today Mag.com, 

Life itself is actually an adventure in and of itself, but apparently we have to long for adventure.  Did you know that God made us to long for his adventure? 
(Note: "h" is not capitalized in "his.")

"God made us to long for adventure — his adventure.”

~Rick Warren 

God Created Us for Adventure by Rick Warren 12/16/2011

http://purposedriven.com/blogs/dailyhope/

Rick often quotes from the Message... originally written as a novel by Eugene Peterson.... subsequently turned into a "Bible," but it's not a translation.

“God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of His Son and our master Jesus.” 1 Cor. 1:9 (Msg)"                                                                        ~Rick Warren 

  Saying Yes to God (Printable Message Notes)by Rick and Kay Warren http://purposedriven.com/day10/

And so why does he use The Message?   

 He uses it because the translations of the original languages do not say what he wants to present to the "church."  He only wants to make his own point.  You see, he rather scratch your adventurous ears than tell you about fellowship with Jesus and how you need Him.   He rather talk to you about you getting to have a "spiritual adventure" (like a great movie) one that "God" wants to take you on... with Rick Warren leading the way.  

However, there is nothing about a spiritual "adventure" in the verse Rick references in any of these other, truly translated, presentations of the Word.  Like a pied piper, Rick is misleading those who have itchy ears away from truth with his craftily selected words.

KJV reads: "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son                         Jesus Christ our Lord."

NIV reads: " God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus                         Christ our Lord."

NASB reads:  "God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with 

                     His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

TLB reads: "God will surely do this for you, for he always does just what he says,                             and he is the one who invited you into this wonderful friendship with                           his Son, even Christ our Lord."

Even the Living Bible, which is not a translation, does not fabricate the tale being told by Rick Warren about God giving you some kinds of a spiritual adventure.  What God actually did, was give you life and if you are a believer, he has given you eternal life.  He brings you into fellowship (friendship) with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who, by the way, is Lord, does not "Lord it over" us.  /in fact, he calls us friends.

 Rick says that God's will for you is to "live and lead in a spiritual adventure."  He says that God's plan is not for you to lead a mundane life.

"Never forget that.” God’s will for you is to live and lead in a spiritual adventure. The life that God plans for you is not a mundane boring life. It is an adventurous life."        ~Rick Warren 

http://pastors.com/re-ignite-passion-ministry/

So much for being a mom at home with little ones... that must not be God's will or plan, as that can be pretty "mundane," dull, boringm tedious, monotonous, tiresome, wearisome, uneventful, unexciting, uninteresting, repetitive, ordinary, routine, .... commonplace.  Rick offers a adcenture, a spiritual adventure instead.

You might wisely think to ask yourself...."Spiritual"  .... What spirit might that be of?  (The Bible, you might know, says that you should try, (test)  the "spirits," whether they are of God... for  many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1.)   

In 2006, PurposeDriven.com told people that the spiritual adventure was Rick Warren's P.E.A.C.E. Plan.  We wwere also told that Pastor Rick was created by God to implement this P.E.A.C.E. Plan.  It was described as a "wild ride" an "amazing spiritual adventure."   

"Please prayerfully consider attending this workshop to begin the process of preparing your church to engage in the P.E.A.C.E. Plan. Rick Warren has said repeatedly, “This is why God made me. Everything else I have done was simply preparation for the P.E.A.C.E. Plan.” If you choose to lead your Church to participate in the P.E.A.C.E. Plan it will be a wild ride and an amazing spiritual adventure for your members as they get God’s heart for the world, as God uses them to change lives, and together we bring global glory to God! 

http://web.archive.org/web/20060318015829/purposedriven.com/en-US/Events/PurposeDrivenChurch/PDC+PEACE+Seminar.htm

John 17:14

"I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."     ~ Jesus Christ

Matthew 24:9

" Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.  ~ Jesus Christ

"The influence of the book keeps amazing me everyday as I get requests for autographed copies. I have signed books for 1) All the Supreme Court Justices 2) One for Fidel Castro (!) 3) One for the President of Peru (these last 2 were spanish editions), and I even got a note saying that everyone on Air Force One was reading the book recently.  But all this is not about us. God's intention is much bigger than the book. It's all about the global glory of God! We intend to leverage the attention that the Purpose Driven Life has garnered to bring about a whole new way of thinking and acting in the church about our responsibility in the world. "

~Rick Warren

Peace Plan Letter Saddleback.com

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