gummy jones wrote:just started "the purpose driven life"
not exactly sure what i think about rick warren yet but, given that it is the #1 seller in american history i figured id give it a shot
Can't recall right now what it was, but we read some of his work at my church's men's group lead by our now retired Minister. Our Minister, whom I miss dearly, is one of the few people in the world I've ever trusted their judgement so deeply. He was such a deeply kind, caring, level headed man. I'd have no issue reading anything by Warren. That's not to say I'd take everything he says to heart, or not question it, but the vote of confidence by my Minister (who did preread stuff so it wasn't blanket approval) is meaningful to me.
Interesting story about my Minister. After getting out of Minister school (forgot what it's called LOL) he was assigned to a small church deep in the south (I think Mississippi but I can't remember) as an associate pastor. Part of what he did was form bonds with the other churches (denominations) in the area. As an aside he kept doing so with our church which is why we host multi denominational meetings with Catholics, all protestant groups, Jewish, Muslim etc. Very cool group and it is amazing how well everyone gets along and what you can learn. But I digress.
Back then the black churches were separate from white even within the same denomination. He formed a really close tie to one of the black Baptist churches. When the church burned down (suspected arson) he went to console them and offered the use of his church while they built a new one. He did so immediately without consulting the main Pastor and took a little grief for it (he downplays this .... humblest guy I've ever met). They used the church as he offered (and received threats) and ultimately his boss and the church received all sorts of accolades for their action in the face of unpopular public opinion etc. We forget how close we still are to those times.
Sorry to hijack the thread. Some of warren's work is pretty good.