'Purpose-Driven Life' nets award (Rick warren alert)

''The Purpose-Driven Life'' by Rick Warren has been named the 2003 Jordon Christian Book of the Year by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

Zondervan published the popular book by Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, a megachurch in Lake Forest, Calif. It offers advice on spiritual transformation and Christian living.

The book was honored during the 26th Annual Gold Medallion Book Awards Banquet at the CBA International Convention in Orlando.

At the same ceremony, evangelical leader Joni Eareckson Tada was honored with a lifetime achievement award.

Tada, who became a quadriplegic as the result of a 1967 diving accident, founded a disability outreach organization called Joni and Friends. There are more than 3 million copies in print of her book ''Joni,'' published in more than 45 translations.

> Bibles: ''The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language'' by Eugene Peterson (NavPress Publishing), Bible Study: ''My Heart's Cry'' by Anne Graham Lotz (W Publishing Group), Biography/Autobiography: ''Let's Roll!'' by Lisa Beamer with Ken Abraham (Tyndale House Publishers)

> Christian Education: ''When God Weeps Groupware'' by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steve Estes (Zondervan).

> Christian Ministry: ''Experiencing God Together'' by Henry Blackaby and Melvin Blackaby (Broadman & Holman Publishers)

> Christianity and Society: ''The Next Christendom'' by Philip Jenkins (Oxford University Press)

> Devotional: ''Night Light for Parents'' by James Dobson and Shirley Dobson (Multnomah Publishers), Elementary Children: ''All Is Well'' by Frank Peretti (Integrity Publishers), Family and Parenting: ''Blessing Your Children'' by Jack Hayford (Gospel Light/Regal Books)

> Fiction: ''Mission Compromised'' by Oliver North (Broadman & Holman Publishers), Gift Book/Poetry: ''A Family Christmas'' by James Dobson and G. Harvey (Multnomah Publishers)

> Marriage: ''Divorce-Proof Your Marriage'' by Gary Rosberg and Barb Rosberg (Tyndale House Publishers)

> Missions/Evangelism: ''Unveiling Islam'' by Ergun Caner and Emir Caner (Kregel Publications)

> Preschool Children: ''The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes'' by Ken Taylor (Moody Publishers), Reference Works/Commentaries: ''Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary'' by Clinton E. Arnold, general editor (Zondervan)

> Youth: ''Every Young Man's Battle'' by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker with Mike Yorkey (WaterBrook Press).

Notice I did NOT say the denomination sanctioned the relationships, they only recognized them, at the local levels. The denomination was PCUSA. I was being "groomed" by the local church for a leadership position, but when I saw the way the church governement was formed I had to bow out. One of the most blatant was having women over men in various offices. I offer up the teachings and writings of Paul as found in 1 Timothy 2:

7: Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
8: I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
9: In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10: But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11: Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12: But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13: For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14: And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15: Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

And in 1 Tomothy 3:
2: A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3: Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4: One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5: (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6: Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7: Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8: Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9: Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10: And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11: Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12: Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13: For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

One of the real kickers was having the pastor's wife elected as a deacon and then later an elder. We now attend a inter-denominational church that has one of the best teachers for a pastor I have heard. The service is 100% from the Bible. He does not try to tell us what God meant to say in any given passage his interpretation is literal.

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