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Harley and I aren't "damning" Warren, Marlowe. What we're doing is raising legitmate questions regarding what he's taking on. We object to the attitude of just doing something to be doing something, activity for activity's sake, the attitude that if someone is "doing something for Jeeeezuz", then no matter what it is, God will bless it. I've seen too much of that in my own time of walking with the Lord. I've seen lives ruined because they rushed in where angels feared to tread. American Christians can be incredibly naive. American Christians can be incredibly shallow, too.

I did not say Warren was naive or shallow. But I don't think it's bashing him to wonder if he knows what he's getting into.

My concern is that many American Christians practice "drive by" ministry. What I mean by that is when the going gets tough, the Christian gets to going! Our family has been involved in ministry to the poor, addicted, homeless, etc. It is a LONG TERM ministry where seeing fruit is most often scarce. Sometimes you get ripped off by those you are ministring to. Sometimes your heart gets ripped out and stomped on. It is definitely self-sacrificial in that you have to be there, loving, long-term.

I cannot discern Rick Warren's heart. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

CC&E

"I did not say Warren was naive or shallow. But I don't think it's bashing him to wonder if he knows what he's getting into."

This whole circumstance of the President of Rwanda reading Warren's book and being so impressed that he invites him over to his country to discuss it reminds me of Paul's vision of the Macedonian call. When the opportunity presents itself, what's a man/woman to do? All the "success" of the book in America could be just for such a time as this.

If I had written a similar book, first of all it would only have been printed by a vanity press, with me paying all the cost. Its circulation would probably be my family and any one else I could foist it on, and the chances of it reaching the ruler of a needy country who would take the time to read it and respond is infinitesimal, except by the grace of God.

Warren has been called to be a leader, a general, a Pastor, who, if you have read the book, leads by example. The ruler calls, he answers the call. To do less would be an insult. However no one expects him to do the actual ministry over there. That's not his gift or office. He is opening the doors for those with the gifts necessary to do the work of the ministry.

If we sit back and wait to see the fruit the harvest will be passed or the laborers will be so few that the opportunity will pass. This is not denying the sovereignty of God, He will bring His chosen in, however for us, the potential laborers, on the ground, in the bank or on our knees, He will have something to say about our neglect.

I take the article as a rallying call to enter the battle in prayer for the success of the harvest and when Warren does hold his "Rwanda telethon" to give as the Lord leads. If it is a sham, God will forgive my error, but if its of the Lord I do not want to be in the position of fighting the Lord or just being a spectator to a great work of God.