November 6, 2006,

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

            Early this past Sunday morning (yesterday) I was wrestling with the Lord about the meeting at the Dana Point Community House. It was clear that I should hold steady until He gives permission to quit them. Once that issue was settled and I thought I was prepared for the meeting, I glanced through the newspaper.

            First, there were no articles on sexual abuse by priests - always a relief -but this morning the issue was again front and center. Then the Ted Haggard issue was vomited all over the pages. Then I read the eleventh article in the continuing series on Rick Warren which was introduced on page one under the banner, “Warren’s pitchman.”  The lengthy article featured A Larry Ross under the banner, “The spiritual spin doctor.” This very successful influence expert has worked his magic for Mel Gibson and The Passion, T.D. Jakes, Greg Laurie, Ed Young, and Billy Graham. Then there was a huge two-page spread with four stunning color pictures of the new head of the Episcopal Church, The Right Rev. Katherine Jeffers Schori. MERCY, Lord God. Have mercy on us.

            TED HAGGARD – Father forgive this modern Pharisee for trying to cover wickedness with religious words and a public persona of right behavior. Remind us all again that there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. Please continue to expose all wickedness, beginning in Your house, and especially with me.

            RICK WARREN – Bless this brilliant and skillful leader and all the leaders in Christendom. Let us be more concerned about Your input and opinions and directions than any other counsel about what the world thinks. Remind us how You were more interested in showing Yourself to the twelve and not to the world.

            KATHERINE JEFFERS SCHORI – Bless the real woman for whom You died. Set free the little girl hidden beneath all those pagan trappings that substitute form and ritual for reality and truth. Continue to dismantle all the conflicting systems and structures that isolate Your people into denominational storage yards and traps the living stones on scaffolding rather than placing them in Your House.  

            Build Your Church, Jesus, city by city. Tear down the scaffolding, clean away the debris, and polish the stones. (Actually, help us do this and adorn ourselves with the fine linen.) Let Your Bride be radiant in her awesome beauty, glowing humility, and beaming glory. Thank You for letting us live and serve You in this most wonderful / terrible, awesome / sickening, bright / dark, pregnant time. Maranatha, Jesus!

Love,