Half a Tree

Book Cover for
Tenth Anniversary Special Edition
The Purpose Driven Life
(His book is now "redesigned")

Trees.  They sure are beautiful!  Not only that, there are so many kinds!  Their fruit, their shade, their  stature, their structure, the way they grace the land with their uniqueness and give life, as well as harbor the lives of creatures seeking shelter is all quite amazing.  There's a lot of trees mentioned in the scriptures too, so it's no wonder Rick Warren choose something as meaningful as a tree for the cover of his newly released book pictured above, the NEW "Purpose Driven Life" book.

 Rick has been quoted in several articles talking about his new book and the reason for it.  He says, "Our world has changed dramatically over the last decade, but God's word is always relevant.  I believe now, more than ever, people need the hope, joy, and peace that comes from living our their God-given purpose." True to form, Rick delivers the information he does about things only half-right.  You see, God's word IS always relevant, and people do need hope... joy.... peace.... but what on Earth is that part about finding their God-given purpose being the thing that will give them that hope and joy and peace?  This half truth, half bible reality thing he deals out on a regular basis, makes it quite appropriate that he uses only half a tree on the cover of his new book.

Is it really half a tree?  Yes.  Note how "forty" is a special number, indicative of Rick's 40 Day "campaign" idea (which, by the way, he learned  "from the Communists." <---click here to see that post.) The picture he choose for his book from the many submissions from graphic artists everywhere, displays only half of a tree with lots of leaves.  There's no fruit, just leaves; and count them.  It is purposely pictured as a "tree with forty leaves."  The thing is, it is not a tree, but really only half of a tree.

Somehow Matthew 21:19 comes to mind.... Have you read that lately?

But back to that book and the tree... no, the half of a tree.  Zondervan's marketing executive behind the book's republication told the Christian Post that there appears to be divine intervention in the selection that was made for it's cover.  He has a point.  The cover is quite telling.  As someone once said, "A picture is worth a thousand words?"  Rick's half-truths are right there on the cover!

Make no mistake, God's word does not come back void.  There are some scripture references and even perhaps some encouraging words in this book, but the truth is that there are some important and key elements of the Christian faith that are, like half of the tree on the cover, missing from this book, often omitted or dismissed by Rick's programs, projects and peace plans.  Just the same, God's word is powerful, sharper than a two edged sword.  It will do the work that he desires, the bible tells us so, but  do we have eyes to see and ears to hear what He says?

Church enthusiasts and the leaders interested in building large church followings have been... for ten year now, embracing Rick's false vision of hope in finding this thing called "purpose."  It is a find sounding replacement for repenting, and being found.... believing in Jesus Christ.   Now rewritten and republished, the book is being promoted shamelessly once again.  In usual Pupose Driven fanfare, Zondervan announces that over the last ten years, " the Purpose Driven Life has transformed countless lives, selling more that 32 million copies worldwide." (They probably hope people who bought the first will by this one too at $26.00 a book.  

PurposeDriven.com blows their own horn of plenty too.  They tell us about Rick's new book is the "best selling nonfiction hardtack book in history.   The announce, "10 years ago, Pastor Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Life that changed the way millions of people understand their meaning and significance. This book has since become the best selling nonfiction hardback book in history.   Is that true?   (See: wikipedia)

Rick Warren himself, promotes his book saying things like, "Three things..have changed my life…2 ½ years ago  One was the overwhelming success of the book. It has been the best selling book in the world now for 3 years…in 50 languages Publisher’s weekly said it’s the best selling hardback book in American history… "

                                                                    Rick Warren.  KBMI (Moody Bible) OPEN LINE PROGRAM Interview,  October 7, 2005

Do you suppose he thinks his book, his thoughts, his widsom about the church is greater than what we learn in the bible? 

"We need more than the Bible to grow we need other believers."  

                                                                  Chapter 17,  Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

                                                                     

We need more than the Bible to grow?

"No matter how wonderful a translation, it has limitations."

                                                                                                                  Chapter 27 Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

The Bible always has limitations?
"No matter how wonderful  a translation it is.... "  ???  
Does this mean it is flawed no matter what?

"The last thing many believers need today is to go to another Bible Study."

                                                                                         Chapter 29, Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

Of course, a Bible Study is the LAST thing 

they nee.... because when people hear the whole gospel

or study the words of the Bible, 

Rick cannot pull the wool over their eyes 

with his fancy double speak.

He will happily give them a six week purpose-driven anything to study though.

So, while Rick seems to embrace the bible, the scriptures... and the importance of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, he only half embraces it.  The bible is not enough to Rick.  No Translation is adequate.  The last thing a believer needs to do is go to another Bible Study..... but hey... you can bet he believes that same person needs to purchase his book, read it and join a life group study about Rick's book or his Peace Plan.

  

In the Scriptures, wisdom is like a tree..... not half a tree. Wisdom is wholesome, vibrant, life-giving, and fruitful.

Wisdom?

Proverbs 3:18

1. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:
    and happy is every one that retaineth her.
   
   
   Proverbs 11:30
2. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
    and he that winneth souls is wise.
   
   
3. Proverbs 13:12

   
   
   Hope deferred maketh the heart sick
    but when the desire cometh,
    it is a tree of life.
   
   

   
   

   Proverbs 15:4

   
   

   A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: 

   but perverseness therein 

   is a breach in the spirit.
4. 
   

   
   

   Revelation 2:7

   
   

   He that hath an ear, let him hear what the 

   Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that

    overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life,

    which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

There is a Purpose Driven tree that is only half a tree, but God's Tree of Life, is complete.  

Revelation 22:1-2

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, 

clear as crystal, proceeding out 

of the throne of God 

and of the Lamb.

In the midst of the street of it,

 and on either side of the river, 

was there the tree of life,

 which bare twelve manner of fruits,

and yielded her fruit every month:

 and the leaves of the tree 

were for the healing 

of the nations.

The Superfluities of Rick Warren

Rick outdoes everyone and everything with his thinking and doing. According to Rick, it's never "enough" to tell someone that Jesus is the answer....

            'It's not enough to tell someone that Jesus is the answer." -Rick Warren              

                                                                                            http://www.saddleback.com/mc/m/3d100/

"Its not enough to simply proclaim, Christ is the Answer."

A Primer on Preaching Like Jesus, Part Two, Rick Warren, CBN,com

No... superfluous Rick wants to outdo even that.  He will also top you on prayer and bible reading..... because, whatever your doing.... is not enough either.

          "It's not enough to tell someone to pray, read your Bible and go to church." -Rick Warren

http://www.saddleback.com/mc/m/3d100/

In fact, it's not enough for Jesus to simply save you from your sin..... You must do more than that.

"I am not just talking about Jesus saving you from your sins.........I'm talking about letting Jesus be your savior everyday."-Rick Warren 

 purposedriven.com/blogs/dailyhope/five-winning-choices/

It's not enough to do bible study either....

"God never intended Bible Study just to increase our knowledge."

"God's word is not meant to "just inform you, but to transform you."

-Rick Warren,

 40 Days in the Word - Introductory Letter 1/2/12

In fact, Bible discussions, according to Rick Warren, will do less good to teach you about God than instant obedience...

“Instant obedience will teach you more about God than a lifetime of Bible 

discussions. ” ― Rick Warren,

God Smiles When We Obey, purposedriven.com 5/13/10 

And even simple "faith" in Jesus Christ, is never enough.... for Rick Warren.  He has to outdo that as well.  After all he is "superfluous Rick Warren", and he says that faith is more that you think it is.  It''s more than a conviction about Jesus and who he is.

"Faith is more than believing. Faith is more than thinking, 

talking, or having convictions about Jesus. "

-Rick Warren,

 Faith Is More Than Believing Daily Hope with Rick Warren

(Romans 4:5?)

   

And whatever you are doing now to please God.... Relax.... 
You are not doing enough.  There is MORE!                                              

           

"I don't know what step you need to take next, but I do know you need to take it.  
For some of you, the next step is to accept Jesus Christ into your life, for others is 
may be to be baptized   Maybe you need to join a church, get into a small group  
tithe, find a ministry, go on a mission trip or invite a friend to church.  I don't know 
what your next step is, but I do know this:  You have one.  God will never be finished
 taking you deeper in faith.  There is always a next step." 

                                                                                                                       Rick Warren, Faith Is More Than Believing  Daily Hope with Rick Warren   

Living like Christ is NOT enough of a witness.  Even Jesus had to

 use words to explain the Good News.    (Matthew 10:25?)

                                                                                       Rick Warren Tweet  3/12/11   

Rick simply adds-to, changes, re-invents or out-does everyone and everything.

"Most pastors do not understand the power of preaching. But even more 

important than that is they don't understand the purpose of preaching. 

I probably have the largest library of books on preaching in America. 

I've read over 500 books on preaching. Maybe some seminary might 

come close to that, but I am sure that no pastor comes close to 500 books 

on preaching. And as I've read them, the vast majority doesn't really 

understand that preaching is about transformation, not information.”

                                                                                            - Rick Warren

Purpose-Driven Preaching:

An Interview with Rick Warren by M Duduit. pastors.com 

“Now most people think of the word of repentance they think of sandwich signs, 

turn or burn, or they think repentance means stopping all my bad actions. 

That is not what repentance is…. Repentance, metanoia, simply means changing 

your mind. And we are in the mind changing business. Preaching is about mind 

changing. Society’s word for repentance, by the way, is "paradigm shift …. 

And repentance is changing your mind at the deepest level of beliefs and values.”

                                                                                                                                 -Rick Warren

Rick Warren- Purpose-Driven Preaching: Interview by M. Duduit

"In 1 Corinthians 9 Paul says to pastors, that those who teach the gospel should make a living by the gospel but I will not accept that right because I want to serve the gospel for free. "

                                                                                                                                -Rick Warren

Rick Warren, Open Line, October 7, 2005 with Host Wayne Shepherd and Tim Morgan. 

He even outdoes God's "simple" Ten Commandments:
"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." 

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

Even his Saddleback church goes above and beyond what you might think, let alone, what actually is sufficient. In fact, Rick claims that the membership requirements are so stringent that most people cannot even get in!

"The membership requirements at Saddleback are so high most American

 church members could not join us." -Rick Warren

`Rick Warren, Modern Reformation Magazine Interview, 2004

Life Is Like a Game of Poker

"See Martha, I told you..... and you know, you have to be a pretty smart feller, like Pastor Rick, if you want to understand this thing called life.  See, all you have to do is know how to play your cards right. "

Some pastors rightly teach that sin means missing the mark of God's perfection.  Rick however, claims that the flaws in you... everything that you think is a "flaw" is simply to be thought of as a "mark of uniqueness."

He says,
"Life is like a game of poker. You have to play the hand you're dealt. So what is the hand? What are the cards?" The First Card, he said, is Chemistry -- your biology. "We are all intentionally flawed to make us unique. ... You need to reframe everything you think is a flaw in life as a mark of uniqueness."                                                        
                                                                                                                                        Rick Warren on Oprah Winfrey's Life Class

You see, you just do not have it right.  

Your thinking is all wrong until you listen to Rick who says that

  we are all intentionally.... biologically... flawed 

and apparently, we are born that way on purpose...

made this way by God... who wanted you to be unique.  

So don't look at a flaw as a flaw anymore....

 just think of your flaws as making you unique!

And what is a game of poker like anyhow? 
Luck?  Chance?  Win or loose? 

 Is it comforting to know that life is like a game of "poker"?

 Rick doesn't just say something once or twice... 

he repeats himself over and over and over. 

It's a lot like one of those commercials on TV,  like, paid advertising.

But what is Rick "advertising" for?

He has been using this poker/ cards lines 

for months now; since at least August 2012.

Talking like this is not really talking to you, but at you. 

If you hear it often enough, will you will believe 

the message?  "Life is like a game of poker."

Is it? 

Do you believe that life is like a game of poker? 
Chance, luck of the draw...... playing your cards right.

Nowhere in the scripture does it say anything like "life is like a game of poker."  Nor will you read there that when it comes to life, you just "have to play the hand you are dealt."  No.  Rick just made that up, and besides, that is just kinda a given.  Rick is getting a lot of mileage with the anaalogy thought.  He is certainly repeating the same idea over and over.. His sermons, his interviews and he writes about it in his blogs.  Why?  Maybe because it is not so antithetical to what people are into and what they are apt to believe.  

You know, there was a day when the preacher man warned his listeners about the evils of gambling and playing cards; Now the preacher simply tells his listeners that life is just like a game of cards.  

He assumes everyone plays poker and says, 
"Life is like a game of five stud poker. You don't get to mix your cards. You don't get to choose your cards. You have to play the hand you're dealt."   Rick Warren, Purpose Driven.com Even Your flaws Bring Glory to God         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        8/16/12      

Where is the gospel (good news) in thinking life is like this?  

Nowhere.

There is no good news in that.  

As usual, the gospel is missing from "inspirational" words of Rick.

See, the "good news, "(if life, as Rick says is a "poker game" )

is that God has played all the right  "cards" on your behalf.  

Against all odds, Jesus Christ was born, lived a sinless (unflawed) life, 

died and rose again from death for you.

All you have to do is believe on the one God sent,

Jesus Christ...and trust in his winning "hand of victory over sin and death."

Jesus, you see, played out your lousy cards... your bad hand, 

your wrong choices and flaws of every kind, and gained

victory for you when he died on the cross.

This is a sure thing in a life of bad hands, chance and gamble.

But Rick doesn't say that.

Rick doesn't point a person listening him to Jesus, but then 

maybe Rick is not interested in the spiritual matters.   

He never mentions that part of our human 

flaw is our "sin," though he does bother to talk about how 

each person has flaws they were born with that are not "sinful.".

Rick says that he bought a pair of jeans once that had a tag that read,
"These jeans have intentional flaws in order to make them unique. Your 'genes' are the same way: They have flaws that make you unique. Those flaws are part of your custom design and God planned them for his purpose and glory."

                                                                 Rick Warren, Purpose Driven.com Even Your flaws Bring Glory to God   8/16/12     

Rick says, 

"You cannot become all that God created you to be until you embrace your identity — the unmistakably unique and flawed you that God intentionally made for a purpose."

                                                                   Rick Warren, Purpose Driven.com Even Your flaws Bring Glory to God   8/16/12     

So to Rick, Life is just like five-card-stud "poker."

You have to play the cards that you have been given.

And by the way... do not expect to win at that game... 

until you listen to Rick... and learn to: 

1.)  believe in yourself... (a.k.a. "embrace your (flawed) identity") 

and  2.) believe that "God INTENTIONALLY made "you" flawed for a purpose."

"God made you for a purpose" is not the gospel.

Believing in yourself.... discovering that God made your flaws....
 so you would be uniquely you....is NOT the gospel.
 A victorious life... a Christian life, is not lived 

or achieved by believing in your flawed self   

or believing that God intentionally made you flawed for his glory.    

 This is all just confusion.

The gospel is the good news of God keeping his promise and sending Jesus Christ,

It is the good news of his birth, his life, his death and his resurrection from death.

In Jesus, because of God's love, mercy and grace, our sins are forgiven....

and THAT is Good News!

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved! 
(Belief in yourself or in God's purposes will not save you.)

John 3:17

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;

but that the world through him might be saved.

John 10:9

(Jesus speaking,) I am the door: by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Acts 2:21

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever 

shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 

Yes...the gospel according to Rick is that there is hope in  your ability to play the poker hand of life.  Flaws and all, you can rejoice because there is that wild card.... the joker.

"You may not be able to control the hand that you have been dealt, but you can use your wild card to change the way you live your life by the choices you make."

                                                                             Daily Hope by Rick Warren, The Wild Card: Your Choices 8/19/12

The funny thing about that "wild card" Rick talks about on his blog, is that the wild card is YOU... and your ability to choose to do the right thing, (to play the right cards) in the "poker game" of life. 

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.

Four Laws of a Blessed Church

Four Laws of a Blessed Church


"Laws of a Blessed Church?"  


Did God already set forth his commandments in stone?  Didn't God already fullfill the requirements of the law on our behalf in Christ?  Yes... and yes!  What on earth is Rick talking about these "Four Laws of a blessed church for?


True as it is that God has already fulfilled the law in Christ, recently posted at pastors.com was this article,  Four Laws of a Blessed Church, by Rick Warren.  It seems to be a remake of a 2009 Purpose Driven article, of a similar title, Four Laws of God's Blessings. It's probably changed to appeal to a newer audience now, so it is slightly different, but the effect of reading it remains the same.  Gullible readers will be believing that "God's blessing upon your church "brings responsibility." Apparently there are Four Laws (laws that you have to be keeping) if you are, or want to be, that "Blessed Church" Rick is speaking about.

Rick's concepts are biblical, aren't they?  After all, churches do have responsibilities to carry out.  not only that, but Rick is a "pastor" and like all pastors, he uses some impressive quotes of the scripture to make his points in the mind of his readers and hearers.  He even sounds quite well versed and literate because he quotes from all kinds of "Bibles." 


Some readers, however, might be unaware of the difference between a translation and a paraphrase and they might just be glad to hear someone using the bible as they speak!  Well hooray for them, but sad for Rick who misleads people in the hows and why's of getting God's "blessing."  


Look at Rick's Laws and you will see that these "Laws" are not really "laws."  He doesn't even write them that way.  Rick just calls them laws as he teaches them to his hearers.  Look also how he uses the Bible to back what he says.


The first law, according to Rick, is for blessing to flow outwardly.   

"1. Blessing should flow outwardly."

From the Book of Genesis, he shows us how God told Abraham, "I will bless you and you will be a blessing to others." 

What blessing is he referring to?  He does not say.  and while Abraham is a great example... it is notable he doesn't mention the blessings we have in Christ.  Are you thinking yet that Rick is referring to earthly possessions and material blessings.... like finances?

Is that number one even a law?  It sounds more like a suggestion. ("Should flow?")  

 "2. When we bless others, God takes care of our needs.'

Oh, now he mentions Jesus.  Jesus "guaranteed," "Anyone who gives up anything for the kingdom of God will certainly receive many times more in this life and will receive eternal life in the next world to come." 


Is this number two, another law?  It sounds more like a principal. Furthermore, if it is a "Law" then who bound to keep this law?  God?  


So, when you bless others, God reciprocates?  (And it's a law?)  Hardly.
Rick has it backwards. 
 Someone even wrote a hymn that says, "Praise God from whom all blessing flows....."  


 "3.  Our blessings to others will come back on us."

Is this a LAW?  ( If it is, it actually sounds like the Buddhist "law"of Karma.  We do know that we reap what we sow...  Jesus tells us that.  We do know too that the measure you use, it will be measured to you.. (Luke 6:38) But Rick gives his hearers some motivation for blessing others.... (while quoting the Message by Eugene Peterson, which is not a Bible translation but a paraphrase.)  Rick says, in support of blessing others, "Luke 6:38 tells us, "Give your life away and you'll find your life will be given back.  But not merely given back.  Given back with bonus and blessing."

Christian, are you a follower of Jesus, for "the bonus?"  Are you in Christ for the bonus and the blessing Peterson and Warren insist God will be passing out if adhere to this third so-called "law" or are you in Christ because of what Christ has done for you on the cross.  

4.  The more we're blessed by God the more he expects us to help others."


Again, is this written as a law? (No.) More importantly, is this a law of God?
Statements like this are written in order to provoke people to give.  Instead however of giving out of generosity or with a cheerful spirit, one is urged to GIVE because of guilt and out of abundance.  


(Which of God's infamous Ten Commandments requires one to GIVE anything to anyone?)


To make his point, Rick uses words from the Living Bible, a paraphrase, stating that God says, in Luke 12 that, "Much is required from those to whom much is given. For their responsibility is greater." Rick neglects however to mention what verse in Luke this is and he fails to convey that this verse, in context, even in the Living Bible is about punishment specifically for those who know the master's will and do not do it.  It is not about the proper reciprocation and distribution of goods or finances as Rick infers when he asks, "If your church is blessed with resources that others around the wold do not have, how do you think God wants you to use them to help (or plant) other congregations?"  Rick makes blessing all about money.  

 So, what is a blessed church and what does it look like?


The picture Rick paints  of a blessed church as one who has wealth and worldly possessions.  His Four Laws all reflect allusions to what can only be described as monetary "blessings" from God and being  given and being received back in bonus too.  Rick attempts to makes your motivation for giving all about being motivated to get "God's blessings" in return.    However, when it comes to serving, helping and even to "giving,"  Christians do not give in order to get.  No, they operate under greater principles than Warren's bizarre  repackaging of the "law" of Karma for Christians.  They are instructed in the bible to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, (and they do) .... how he said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive.'  (Acts 20:35) 


 Jesus gave us a very different picture of a church blessed by God... (Matthew 5)

• Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
• Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
• Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
• Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
• Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
• Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
• Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

What is Church?

"Church is not a place you go to but people you belong to."
Rick Warren Tweet... March 29,2012

Really?  I thought that was family.

" Church is the people you belong to." 
                                                Rick Warren

Funny, the Bible teaches that the church consists

of those who belong to the Lord.

Rick's Acronym for "church".... (The Church, the Hope of the World, 2009)


Care for and support those infected and affected;
Handle testing and counseling;
Unleash a volunteer labor force;
Reduce stigma;
Champion healthy behavior;
and
Help with medication and nutrition.

C.H.U.R.C.H.

While acronyms are sometimes helpful, this one offered by Rick 

deserves to be scrutinized by thinking individuals who would call themselves the church.

We can assume he is speaking in reference to AIDS....

but there are more problems than AIDS in this world.

and there is one solution....

Jesus Christ and him crucified for sin.

The solution is not the church as a group of concerned people who  volunteer their labor in testing for AIDS or counselling or who champion "healthy" behavior by offering condoms helping with medication reminders and advocating good nutrition.  No.  The church while concerned and caring stands looks to one greater than even John the Baptist....

and it's not Rick....(even as "great" as he makes himself and his care

  and compassion for the world and for those suffering with AIDS to be...)

The solution is Jesus Christ and we belong to Him

He bought us with a price and He paid for our sin. 




See also http://rickwarrenquotes.blogspot.com/2011/03/church-hope-of-world-rick-warren-and.html