This evening Christian and Coby Berdahl were on 3ABN Today and have a fantastic story. They run Shepherd's Call, both grew up in nonChristian homes and have a tear-jerking conversion story.

I am getting in the habit of having to check in each evening to see who the guest is on 3ABN Today. This program use to really bore me but now I am finding that at least half of the time I put off taking my bath to watch it.

And the music is almost always fantastic. And when it isn't so great I think it has to do with more my tastes than the talent of the artists.

Tonight Dr. James L. Marcum was on and he is a breath of fresh air. He mixes alternative and modern medicine to use the best of both worlds. Here is a link to his website. HEARTWISE MINISTRIES

It was another great program.

I think tonight's program is a repeat but good nonetheless. Danny has some kids on from Oakwood that are involved in NAPS. They have some real tear-jerking stories. The ones that are on went on some huricane missions after Katrina and Rita. Very spiritual kids and just an inspiration to hear how they talk about the Holy Spirit guideing their lives.

Not a good night for Rick Warren on 3ABN. Herb Douglass is on talking about his book Truth Matters.

The phenomenal success of the book The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren, has amazed Christians not only in America but around the world. Zondervan Publishing’s president and CEO Bruce Ryskamp said it “is more than a bestseller, it’s become a movement.” Its author, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, calls it “a guide to a 40-day spiritual journey” (p. 9).

Douglass readily acknowledges there is much of value in Warren’s book and in no way questions Warren’s motives or his sincerity:

“There is no reason to believe Warren is a wolf in sheep’s clothing as some in the Protestant world have suggested. He has been the target of many who have condemned him for a host of reasons—many of which are groundless in my opinion.”

Not a good night for Rick Warren? Sounds like he is at least somewhat supportive of Mr. Warren. Guess I am confused.

Douglass readily acknowledges there is much of value in Warren’s book and in no way questions Warren’s motives or his sincerity:

“There is no reason to believe Warren is a wolf in sheep’s clothing as some in the Protestant world have suggested. He has been the target of many who have condemned him for a host of reasons—many of which are groundless in my opinion.”


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He compares Rick Warren to Jesus feeding the 5,000. Jesus attracted a crowd when He fed their surface needs. However the people's real need was to deal with the sin problem and when Jesus tried to show the people that, they turned on Him.

Herb Douglass contrasts how Rick Warren feeds people their surface needs and attracts crowds while Adventism focuses on peoples deeper needs and grows much slower. Sounds like a great book.

Oh ok.

I must say however, I recently met a member of that church and he told me how this church has helped him get his marriage together, quit drinking, find purpose in life, and how much more at peace he is with God and peple around him. I think Rick Warren has some things the SDA church is missing and I think we have some things they are missing.

I have never been to Rick Warren's church so I have no previous experience there. But I did attend Bill Hybel's church in Chicago a couple of times and I was impressed with several things:

1. They were insanely organized. It was very easy to find the class you wanted.

2. There was a ministry for every conceivable situation such as singles, divorced, abused, teens, young adults, children's, missions etc etc etc...

3. Every new person was discipled in some sort of small group. This provided a support, a network of friends, an a place to learn more about God.

4. People weren't allowed to get baptized till they had been attneding church and these small groups for about a year. This was so they were sure this is what they wanted. But what surprised me the most was that you couldn't just be a pew warmer. You had to be mentoring someone else ....i.e. reaching out to others before you were baptized. I am not saying this is all the way it should be done but it was surprising to me to see a church without "conservative doctrines" being this strict before someone could get baptized.

5. People were very friendly at this church and I felt welcomed. I saw people who were dressed like businessmen and others who were in jeans and it didn't seem to change the welcome for either. I liked that.

However, we as a church have a message that can't be watered down. But I think there are a few things we could do better and some these mega churches could learn as well.

Just my 2 cents.

It has been interesting to read you post on this Shane. Thanks

For the first half of Herb Douglass' interview, I don't think he said a thing bad about Rick Warren. He said he is America's new Billy Graham and will not allow his church to grow beyond 3,000 members. Beyond that they have to branch out and start new churches.