POWER!

Rick says,

"Did you know God does not bless self-reliant people? He blesses people who are dependent upon him and surrendered to him. God wants to use you, but you must live by his power."                                               ~ Rick Warren 

Don't you want God's blessing?

 You do not want to be "self reliant" do you?

 (Keep in mind self-reliance, in some contexts, is a very good thing... and Rick does not differentiate as to what he means... he just says "self reliance" is BAD. 

 "God does not bless self -reliant people."

Truth be told, God causes the rain to fall on all people... even those not dependent upon him.  Jesus himself said," he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

As for "blessings"  In Ephesians 1, it says, " Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." (NIV)  Or if you read the Bible that has no copyright, the KJV,  it also says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love."

What is the power of God that you are seeking to get anyhow? (God's power might be pretty amazing to obtain.) 

But Rick doesn't teach, let alone, "preach" that.  If you listen to Rick, there is no blessing from God... no God -power upon your life... until you get your act together.  "God WANTS to use you, but"....... he can't.... until you get it right and "live by his power."  To do that you first have to get his power.  How do you GET God's power?

You have to do three things... According to Rick Warren:

1. "You get God’s power by praying."
2. "You get God’s power by taking risks to obey God."
3." You get God’s power by not giving up."

Get God's Power by Rick Warren 10/26/2013

Odd. He said nothing about Jesus.  He did say that :

1. "You get God's power by praying"?  
How do we know he is talking to Christians and not just everybody and anybody? For us who are being saved, the preaching of the cross is the "power of God."  (1 Cor. 1:17-19)   All kinds of various religions and religious people "pray."  What makes "prayer"  the means of obtaining power from God?  

And prayer itself is not enough.... you must also take risks.

2. "Taking risks to obey God?".....  Why would it be "risky" to obey God?  Obedience usually KEEPS ONE OUT OF TROUBLE...or OUT of DANGER..  It's odd for a pastor to suggest that one "take a risk" to "OBEY God." God is good and it is a respite, a shelter,and a blessing to do what is right and good.  It's not "risky" to be obedient to God.  This is confusion.  Is it risky to obey God or will it bring you blessing?

3.  "Not giving up."
Not giving up what? 
Risky Rick does not say. So. apparently, you can simply imagine your persistence to be in regard to anything you want it to be... or mean.  It probably means that you will never ever.. ever.. be able to stop doing, doing doing.  You will never do absolutely nothing... and simply find
rest.

God loves you and wants you to find rest in Him. 

Jesus is the Christ who died that your sins would be forgiven..and Jesus calls you to rest in receiving God's intervention.  It is God's love and mercy and grace that we see and find in Jesus Christ... in Him is "all-power."

In Christ, you have  forgiveness of your sin. There is no imperative that you must get God's power by doing three things,  This good news is being proclaimed by those who follow Him and say yes to God's truth.  Believe God.... then  His power) is upon you and you will be saved.  Learn of Jesus and you will find rest for your souls... (Matthew 11:29.)

Why does Rick Warren circumvent the " good news about Jesus and finding rest in Him? "

Rick Warren's "biblical" concept of rest is enjoying life... and taking time for relaxation.  
In fact, in another article, at pastors.com, Rick says, "Jesus insisted his disciples take a vacation."

Jeremiah 6:15-17 (KJV)

Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?

 nay, they were not at all ashamed,

 neither could they blush:

 therefore they shall fall among them that fall: 

at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord. 

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see,

 and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, 

and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. 

But they said, We will not walk therein. 

 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, 

Hearken to the sound of the trumpet.

 But they said, We will not hearken

The Source of Church Health.. Rick Warren

Rick Warren himself set the standard of what the "health" of a "church" is.... and in 2006 he awarded,  churches with his "Church Health" Awards,.something he simply made up to stroke egos and reward those who adopted his programs and way of thinking about "church."

"A highlight of the conference will be the 2006 Church Health Award Winners. These annual awards acknowledge churches that have made great strides in church health and balance through introducing and deepening the Purpose Driven principles in their congregation."           ~Purposedriven.com  

2006 Conference Overview

http://web.archive.org/web/20060318014352/http://purposedriven.com/en-US/Events/PurposeDrivenChurch/PDC_Overview.htm

Apparently, to be "above average" (or to get a high grade in being a church) you have to have at least 90 members.  (Funny, Jesus said, 2 or more was good enough for him; He would be there.... and Jesus is more than "above average."

"Do you realize that if your weekend attendance totals about 90 people, you’re an above average church (at least in the United States and when measuring by such numbers)?"

~Rick Warren, Eight Steps to Grow Your Church, 

pastors.com and ministrytodaymagcom

You do not want your church to be one of those "dying"  "unhealthy" churches do you?  Apparently the only cure for a dying church, according to Rick, is his teachings on how to have a healthy church.  This is nothing but manipulation to get you on board his ideas as he would have people leave behind the scriptural notion that nothing can stop God, not even a small., less than 90 person congregation.  After all, not even the gates of hell can destroy the church.

"Since the church is a living organism, it’s natural for it to grow if it’s healthy. The church is a Body, not a business – an organism, not an organization. It’s alive. If a church is not growing, it is dying.

http://pastors.com/health-not-growth/

Rick has harsh words for churches that do not join him in his thinking. He paints them as unloving toward "the lost" and self-interested.  Meanwhile, instead of talking about Jesus as our example, or talking about how Jesus showed his love, Rick uses the example of what he has accomplished....

and then he casts doubt on those who hold fast to the gospel that he just ignored.

"The most overlooked principle for church growth is we have to love people the way Jesus did. That's it! The motive behind everything we've done at Saddleback is that we love and care about lost people. The reason Jesus attracted such large crowds is because He loved people. On the other hand, I've heard churches justify their lack of growth by saying, Were small because we haven't watered down the gospel. But maybe the real reason they don't have a crowd is because they don't want a crowd! They love their own comfort more than they love lost people." ~Rick Warren

Becoming a Purpose Driven Church, Part One By Rick Warren, CBN.com,

originally posted at Rick's Toolbox for Pastors, Pastors.com

Rick says, growing a church is difficult.  

"But growing a healthy church is not that easy or simple. It involves many different factors and requires certain leadership skills. Anytime you hear a person say, This it the one way to growth, you can be sure they're wrong because there are many keys to growth."  ~Rick Warren

Who is in charge of managing a church?  You.  (Note, not God.)

Also, growing a "healthy church" will require leadership skills and other important information of all kinds that you can only get from someone who knows all the key issues, who knows what it takes...and what it will take in the future... .....Rick.

That's why I'm convinced that the key issue for our congregations in the 21st century is church health - not church growth. Focusing on church growth is the wrong focus. If we'll focus on developing healthy churches, they will grow automatically."~Rick Warren

Becoming a Purpose Driven Church, Part One By Rick Warren, CBN.com,

originally posted at Rick's Toolbox for Pastors, Pastors.com

Rick, tell us, please, How on earth do you get one of them-thar "healthy" churches?

"You must set up a purpose driven structure that allows the church to become more than just an extension of its pastor. Every church is driven by something: tradition, programs, finances, events, seekers, and even buildings. But to be healthy, it must become purpose driven." ~Rick Warren

Becoming a Purpose Driven Church, Part One By Rick Warren, CBN.com,

originally posted at Rick's Toolbox for Pastors, Pastors.com

Yes, it must become "Purpose Driven" to be "healthy"....but if it's not Purpose Driven, just like Saddleback, then what?

Walker: 

In other words, you're not interested in Saddleback clones.

Warren: 

Absolutely not! Not one of the dozens of mission churches we've planted is doing it exactly like us. We believe every church must have its own unique thumbprint. That's what The Purpose Driven Church is all about.

Becoming a Purpose Driven Church, Part One By Rick Warren, CBN.com,

originally posted at Rick's Toolbox for Pastors, Pastors.com

Now here's a parting thought to consider....

Who's hand, who's "unique thumbprint"... (really,) do you want to have as an identifying mark upon your church?  Your's....or the one on the right hand of God?

It is better to be:

" Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; 

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

 despising the shame, and is set down

 at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:2 

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, 

and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; 

and they shall never perish, neither 

shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

John 10:27

Rick the Gold Miner

Rick Warren, recognizing the power that one could wield if they could bridle the church has found himself a goldmine. All he must do is convince you, dear pastors, to submit to his wisdom and ways....

Apparently, you have a sleeping giant in your  midst....

"Pastor, you've got a sleeping giant in your church."

~ Rick Warren, Mining Untapped Gold Mines in Your Church by Rick Warren, pastors.com

Sleeping giant? 

Is God asleep?

Are the members of your church inept?  Lazy?  Good for nothing?

 

"Each Sunday, church pews are filled with members who are doing nothing with their faith except “keeping” it." 

~ Rick Warren, Mining Untapped Gold Mines in Your Church by Rick Warren, pastors.com

 What does he despise about the church that he speaks of it this way?

(Members who are doing nothing...")

"Nothing" is a BIG word.

How does he know?

 Is this a salesmanship line or does he know your church "members"

Is you church just a bunch of "members" or are they the precious people of God.... family?

?

 Why does he cast such "doubt" to you pastor, about your lazy,good for nothing, "sleeping giant church?"

Because Rick Warren wants to bridle your church..... and make it his own.  It's a goldmine!

And he can mine it, right under your nose.

"Mining Untapped Gold Mines in Your Church

                                                                        by Rick Warren,"

He is a gold digger, anxious to harness your congregation.

 

He has his own idea of what "the church" should be.

All he has to do in convince you, he knows better.

Will you release your members to him?

"If we can ever awaken and unleash the massive talent, resources, creativity, and energy found in the typical local church, Christianity will explode with growth at an unprecedented rate."

~ Rick Warren, Mining Untapped Gold Mines in Your Church by Rick Warren, pastors.com

"Most evangelical churches believe in the concept that every member is a minister. Many even give it a major emphasis in their preaching and teaching..."

Of course they do. 

It is a major emphasis... to make disciples of Jesus. 

Rick, however,wants to change this and make them all disciples of Rick.  Tto do this he will

play on your own insecurity and tell you ......

 

"......Still, most members do nothing but attend and give."

He says this, but really, he has no idea, (and neither do you,) about the amazing things 

God does and how he uses people in your church as they are listening 

to you preach God's word, minister to family and friends, 

sharing as they work at their jobs. These little important things 

are not good enough for Rick.

He would rather you be doing a "campaign" in your church.

Then comes the commercial.....for you to buy into the notion that YOU need Rick and 

that you, dear pastor, should hand over your congregation to his programs.: 

"That’s what our C.L.A.S.S. system is all about at Saddleback—turning your attendees into members, disciples, ministers and missionaries."

Laying Down the Law...

"The membership requirements at Saddleback are so 

high most American church members could not join us." 

                                                                                                                  `Rick Warren, Modern Reformation Magazine Interview, 2004


"As Christian leaders, we need to be above reproach... That’s why I established these Saddleback staff standards for maintaining moral integrity:

- Thou shalt not go to lunch alone with the opposite sex.
- Thou shalt not have the opposite sex pick you up 
                            or drive you places when it is just the two of you.
- Thou shalt not kiss any attender of the opposite sex 
                             or show affection that could be questioned.
- Thou shalt not visit the opposite sex alone at home.
- Thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex alone at the office, 
                          and thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex more than once 
                          without that person’s mate. Refer them.
- Thou shalt not discuss detailed sexual problems with the opposite sex in    
                           counseling.  Refer them.
- Thou shalt not discuss your marriage problems with an attender of the opposite             
                           sex.
- Thou shalt be careful in answering emails, instant messages, chatrooms, cards, or 
                           letters from the opposite sex.
- Thou shalt make your secretary your protective ally.
- Thou shalt pray for the integrity of other staff members." - Rick Warren

 The Saddleback Staff Standards of Moral Integrity by Rick Warren, 2003, pastors.com

Rick prefaced these commandments "standards" that he established for staff with, 

" I have told my staff that if any of them even flirt with temptation, I will come after them with a baseball bat, and I've told them to do the same with me. - Rick Warren

 The Saddleback Staff Standards of Moral Integrity by Rick Warren, 2003, pastors.com

Galatians 2:16- Galatians 3:3 KJV

" Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, 

but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, 

that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 

But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, 

we ourselves also are found sinners, 

is therefore Christ the minister of sin? 

God forbid. 

For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 

For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, 

but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh 

I live by the faith of the Son of God, 

who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 I do not frustrate the grace of God:

for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, t

hat ye should not obey the truth, 

before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth,

crucified among you? 

 This only would I learn of you, 

Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Rick Warren Poem Click Here

More Effective Than a Sermon

"In many ways, your personal, authentic testimony is more effective than a sermon."-Rick Warren 

            Pastoral Leadership Means Sharing Your life Message by Rick Warren

What, exactly does he mean by "sermon." Would it be during the "sermon" time at church that "you" would talk about your "personal, authentic testimony?"

What does he mean by "sermon?"

Does he mean reading or teaching from the scriptures?

Here is Rick's list of parts to "YOUR" life message....

"There are four parts to your life message:

• Your testimony: The story of how you began a relationship with Jesus.
• Your life lessons: he most important lessons God has taught you.
• Your godly passions: The God-shaped issues you care about most.
• The good news: The message of salvation."

Pastoral Leadership Means Sharing Your life Message by Rick Warren, AoG Enrichment Journal 2008

Interesting how "your testimony" supersedes the "message of salvation."  Interesting too, is that you are the one who "began this relationship with Jesus" that Warren mentions here too.  Christian, does  God love you because you first loved Him?  No... not according to the scriptures.  God loved us first, and he did so while we were yet sinners.  While Rick would like very much to have a person believe him when he says, "It's not about you" (the famous first sentence in his book, The Purpose Driven Life,) but the teaching is mysteriously followed by teaching you how to teach YOUR testimony...YOUR life lessons, YOUIR godly passions... and the "good news" which he calls simply, "the message of salvation," which could refer to almost any religious belief of how one is "saved."

Interesting here is also how it is that "your life lessons" are more essential than the "good news" of "The message of salvation." Note how even "your" passions... "the issues you care about" most rank higher than the salvation message on Rick's list of parts to "your life message."

Why? Rick says that it is because:

" Many people who will not accept the authority of the Bible will listen to a humble, personal story. "-Rick Warren

                                               Pastoral Leadership Means Sharing Your life Message by Rick Warren, AoG Enrichment Journal 2008

Did you catch that?  He is telling people to preach what people want to hear.... YOUR story.... your "HUMBLE"  (really?) "personal, story" and this in place of what he calls biblical "authority" that man people "will not accept."  And people in the church believe Rick is right?  Why?

They are bewitched.  Like that man in Acts named Simon, Rick has convinced them that he "himself was some great one." (Acts 8:9) To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God."

They were deceived... bewitched, and so was Simon, until he repented of his sin.

If you are believing Rick, then it's time for an "AH-ha" moment...

First of all, Jesus is humble.  Second of all, the thing to be preached is not YOU... not your life, your passions or issues that you care about most, but God's Word.  This is why Paul told the young pastor, Timothy,

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, 

rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.  For the time will 

come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own 

lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth,

 and shall be turned unto fables."

2 Timothy 4:2-4

This is why Paul taught and admonished, (and admonishes even today) the church, saying, 

" But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any 

other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, 

let him be accursed.  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.  For do I now persuade men, or God? 

or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men,

 I should not be the servant of Christ." 

Galatians 1:8-9

If you listen to Rick, he will have you ignore God's Word and write your own book of wisdom to teach from... like Solomon did... we would theoretically create whole books of life lessons to learn from instead of the Bible... Yes, imagine for just a moment, will you....

 " Imagine how much needless frustration could be avoided if we learned from each other’s life lessons." -Rick Warren

"Write down the major life lessons you have learned so you can share them with others. We should be grateful Solomon did this because it gave us the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, which are filled with practical lessons on living.  Imagine how much needless frustration could be avoided if we learned from each other’s life lessons."

Pastoral Leadership Means Sharing Your life Message by Rick Warren, AoG Enrichment Journal 2008

Rick would apparently encourage you write down and teach your own life lessons... believing that these were "more effective than" a sermon. (And what did he mean by that word?)

Can you imagine, really...imagine... "how much needless frustration could be avoided if we learned from each other's lessons?"  If you imagine hard enough, you might even believe Rick and do what he says and teach from your life lessons... instead of the authority of the Bible, because as he said earlier...

" Many people who will not accept the authority of the Bible will listen to a humble, personal story. "-Rick Warren

Jeremiah wrote:

"And the Lord saith, Because they 

have forsaken my law which I set before them, 

and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein; 

But have walked after the imagination of their own heart..."

Jeremiah 9

Romans 1:21

King James Version (KJV)

"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."

2 Corinthians 10:4-6

King James Version (KJV)

"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled."

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

"Get Angry"?

Apparently, the best way to handle conflict, according to Rick Warren, is to get angry. 

Rick says, 

"In Nehemiah 5 the Israelites face conflict for the same reason we do today - selfishness.  So 

what can we learn from Nehemiah about handling conflict?

1. Get angry."   Nehemiah’s 5 Steps for Handling Conflict by Rick Warren September 12, 1012  @ pastors.com

Does this sound like good biblical advice?  

Is getting angry the first thing one should do in handling conflict?

Hardly.

Rick is, however, giving this advice to his minions.  

He attempts to cover this antithetical-to-scripture advice with warning not to ignor the second step he 

offers and he also used a verse from the with scripture, James 1:19 and 20... which talk about "being 

slow to anger."  Which is it?  Should one get angry.... or make angry wait a really really long time 

before you fetch him?   There is a big difference  between getting angry in order to handle conflict 

and then thinking... as Rick Warren suggests in this article, verses being prayerful and thoughtful first 

and being "slow to anger" as the scripture says. 

A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he

 that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Proverbs 15:8

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

 longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,

 faith, Meekness, temperance: 

against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22

A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil:

 but the fool rageth, and is confident.

Proverbs 14:16

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: 

fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Psalm 37:8

An angry man stirreth up strife, and a

 furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Proverbs 29:22

And what about Colossians 3:8?

I will let you look that one up yourself, 

but I will give you a clue; it doesn't say

 pastors should "get angry" in order

 to deal with conflict.

God Laughs Out Loud?

Rick has taken to tweeting things for people to read and believe.  He says, 

"When we try to plan out every detail of our lives, God laughs out loud."
 Rick Warren Tweet,  June 10, 2011

So, what picture of God do you get here?

Does God really laugh at you because you have a plan,

because you "try to plan out every detail" of your life 

and he knows so much better than you do?

And, is God really laughing at you, "laughing out loud" or does he luagh simply 

because he is thinking you are "cute" as you attempt something too big for you to do?

What picture of God does Rick Warren here offer you?

Whatever picture you get, the ironic thing about this message he tweeted recently is that 

 Rick, himself, is always telling people that they "need a plan."

He is hoping you will want one he offers....

the PEACE PLAN...

The DANIEL PLAN.

You see, Rick thinks you need a PLAN.. one of his.

He says:

"Although faith and prayer are important ingredients to bringing others to Jesus, you need to do something too! You need a plan."

Seven ways a small group can reach people for Jesus

By Rick Warren, 8/04/2004, Minstry Toolbox

 

Does the reader realize Rick just told them that simple faith was NOT enough?

"Your small group needs a plan to bring people to Jesus. Without it, you’ll never bring anyone to the Savior.

Seven ways a small group can reach people for Jesus

By Rick Warren, 8/04/2004, Minstry Toolbox

 

(You not only need a plan, but you need to purchase

a book or a program from Rick to help you plan, too.)

 

Do you, who know wht the Bible says about how people come to know JEsus

actually agree with Rick when he says, 

that without having a plan, 

you will NEVER 

bring anyone to the Savior? 

 

"Never"? 

 

Do you realize that Rick is peddling something 

and it's not the Word of God?

 

"Goal setting is the next step in planning.  You have to have a target.  If you aim at nothing you are going to hit it.  Ask yourself three questions:  What do I want to be?  What do I want to do?  What do I want to have?   Those are the questions you ask in establishing a goal."

Rick Warren, How Leaders Plan, Nehemiah: Lessons in Leadership, Part 3 of 11,

Does the average Christian reader of this 

"Bible Study" on Nehemiah by Rick Warren even realize 

that Rick just dismissed the whole Lord's Prayer concept

of a Christian praying, "Thy will be done," 

with this lesson on 

 leadership and his ideas 

of planning out your life 

and creating your own goals for what YOU WANT and 

what YOU WANT to achieve?

 

"A leader must think further in advance than everyone else to figure out what the problems are so that when you get there, you already know how you are going to deal with them."

Rick Warren, How Leaders Plan, Nehemiah: Lessons in Leadership, Part 3 of 11,

Yes, you too must anticipate and plan ahead for every detail..

.know exactly what you will eat and waer and do and what to say....

how you will deal with every problem that can arise.

(Just never mind Matthew 6: 30-34 and Matthew 10:19)

for according to Rick, you should already have this all planned out....

if you are a good" leader" anyway, at least according to Rick.

and Rick, is a man with a plan.

In fact Rick will teach "leaders" to plan...
everything in advance.  He even has a few plans of his own...

The  "P.E.A.C.E. Plan,"
The Daniel Plan.

So, are you now believing Rick when he says in his tweet, that "God laughs out loud" when people try to plan out ever detail of their lives?  Are you believing Rick when he tells you that you need to be that person planning out every detail of your life in advance, particularly if you are a leader... and this, under the tutelage of Rick?  Which is it, and what is the nature of the God that is supposed to be so happily amused?

Are you confused?

Rick says:


"Although faith and prayer are important ingredients to bringing others to Jesus, you need to do something too! You need a plan. When the four friends saw the way to Jesus was blocked, they came up with a plan to get the paraplegic to Jesus. Your small group needs a plan to bring people to Jesus. Without it, you’ll never bring anyone to the Savior."
Rick Warren, Minstry Toolbox  #166, 2004
Seven ways a small group can reach people for Jesus

So... is God laughing?  Is he laughing "out loud" as you, (and your congregations,) under the tutelage of Rick Warren's many "Purpose Driven" books and materials, make YOUR plans and decide what YOU want to do and be and purpose.. for yourself, and make BIG plans and BIG dreams for what YOU want to see happen in your life and in your ministry?  

"When we try to plan out every detail of our lives, God laughs out loud."
 Rick Warren Tweet,  June 10, 2011

Rick says, God is laughing... as if God either thinks it's cute of us humans to see ourselves in the role of trying to be God.... or that he is somehow amused to see us fail. in our attempts to do the impossible, the things that only He, as God, can actually do.

God is not amused when we put ourselves in the role of trying to be God, ,nor does he find our willfulness to be funny or amusing.  This, from what the scriptures tell us about God, is not the character of our Almighty, loving and Holy God.

Judge for yourself.... 

Is God laughing at or about such such things as us planning out every detail of our lives?  Wy would God laugh at such a thing as this?
 
Is God laughing with us...or laughing at us?  Is he laughing about this matter at all? 

What do you think? 
Is God laughing.... "out loud?"

Psalm 33 (NASB) verses 10-22

The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations;

He frustrates the plans of the peoples.

The counsel of the LORD stands forever,

the plans of His heart from generation to generation.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, 

The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. 

The LORD looks from heaven; 

He sees all the sons of men;
From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,

He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.

The king is not saved by a mighty army;

A warrior is not delivered by great strength.  

A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.

Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.

Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.