Posted on 07/07/2006 12:59:52 PM PDT by The Lumster
While North Korea was gearing up to launch a long range missile and five rockets into the Sea of Japan this week, sending a grim message to the entire world, out at Saddleback Church Rick Warren was announcing that he will soon be bringing his message of purpose to North Korea where he reportedly will be addressing an audience of 15,000.
God is using Rick Warren to be a messenger of peace! gushed one Saddleback member. There is great hope in Lake Forest that Rick Warren's message in that stadium will cause Kim Jong II to drop his nuclear purposes and embrace some kinder, gentler ones.
But who exactly will be sitting in that stadium when Mr. Warren steps up to the podium? Given the level of government induced starvation in that country, the average North Korean would be lucky to have the strength to walk to the stadium to hear him in the first place.
(Excerpt) Read more at worldviewweekend.com ...
I once criticized Billy Graham's trip to Russia early on in the cold war.
I've since learned that God doesn't always do things according to my script.
And, clearly, HE IS GOD and I'm not.
***Given God's confirmations of Rick's ministry in a diversity of ways, I agree with God about Rick.***
Actually, it seems that more goats are responding than sheep.
Those willing to be used of God
HOWEVER GOD DIRECTS
will see fruit.
People pleasers are . . . as Scripture says . . . a trap.
Given that we will have to give an account of every idle word . . .
I have no doubt that we'll also be giving an account of every rock thrown at God's earnest servants whom He Loves and directs.
I'm not expecting Warren to engineer an overthrow of the idiot regime.
I do expect Holy Spirit to use Warren to sow seeds that end up changing hearts . . . eternally.
God will have the last laugh at those throwing rocks at Rick.
Warren does not claim to be the Savior....you slander a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.
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Indeed.
Tends to be a habit with some around here.
***People pleasers are . . . as Scripture says . . . a trap.***
Which is exactly what RW is.
Most folks doing anything powerfully fruitful and productive for The Lord
tend to collect a ready rabble of raucus rock throwers.
I've come to consider it virtually a red badge of fruitfulness for The Lord.
The wimpy milque toasty playing church as usual crowd can have their amen corner.
Too true.
As a psychologist, I consider reflecting exceedingly sane.
I wouldn't say the same for everyone, however.
BTW, your Christian charity, wisdom and understanding are[N'T] showing again.
NOT SO. Inaccurate.
I've never heard him speak in any tone or attitude other than a humble one.
How many famous Christians do you know living on 10% of their income?
Do you?
When you match his fruitfulness, authentic, earnest Biblical caring and Biblical effectiveness EVEN IN YOUR OWN SMALLER CORNER OF THE WORLD, THEN perhaps you'll have earned MORE of a right to throw rocks at Warren. But I wouldn't recommend it even then. HIS MASTER is watching and keeps careful accounts regarding those who work unnecessary division in HIS BODY.
Have begun to believe that it
LEFT "SAD" years ago.
And has become an UNBiblical, tragic, Christ wounding outrage virtually 99% of the time.
But, I know of no way to lessen it in an open forum short of a lot of prayer and absolutely fierce moderating that I wouldn't wish on any volunteer mod.
Extremely well put, imho.
I veered away from this thread for some time. I hate the Warren bashing as well as most other 'religious' bashing that's such a custom and tradition hereon.
But I decided one ought to stand up for what's Biblically right--as Warren so overwhelmingly is--and that consistently through thick and thin.
Well said.
But we know how well the RELIGIOUIS PhD's of Jesus' dusty pathed days took Gamaliel's advice.
Some things never change, much.
Amen! Preach it Bro.
Thoroughly agree.
Having been in China extensively . . . I assure you that such meetings as Warren's in N Korea will have great benefit in a lot of lives. The waves of constructive repercussions will be extensive. His Biblical words will be copied and shared secretly many times over. They will be life and hope as Warren is walking with Jesus and sharing Jesus and they will know it.
Extremely well put. I agree thoroughly.
It didn't scratch a lot of my itches but I recognized in it someone who Loved God deeply and Loved people deeply and sought to enrich, encourage, deepen, broaden people's Biblical walk with God.
I gotta applaud that vigorously.
Thank you for standing up to divisions within the body.
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AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
Nobody in a food fight, just a fight for the truth.
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I think I'll leave that for God's commentary in His time.
PRAISE GOD FOR "THE MESSAGE" AND FOR PETERSEN. He's working on a Chinese version.
THE MESSAGE has deepened my walk with God considerably. God the Father has become much more Biblically vivid and alive as HE IS in the original languages, on reading THE MESSAGE.
I love many of the ORIGNIAL LANGUAGE headings used in THE MESSAGE such as:
GOD OF THE ANGEL ARMIES.
Wonderful translation. VERY BIBLICALLY HEAVENLY/EARTHY somehow. Very anointed. Very full of Holy Spirit's imprint.
Of course, that tends to engender rock throwing from certain types.
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! Preach it brother.
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