February 6, 2009
Dear Saddleback Family,
With the reality of the recession everywhere, I'm searching for as many ways as possible to help you weather this storm. As your pastor, my goal is not just to help you cope and survive this downturn, but to help you come out of it spiritually stronger, relationally healthier, and financially steadier. Families support each other in times like these.
Sticking together is extremely important in a storm. A blizzard is no time to be a lone ranger. That's why mountain climbers link themselves to each other with connections and fasteners. Then, if the wind blows a member off a cliff, the others can pull him back to safety. We're always stronger together than by ourselves. That's why I've chosen our theme for 2009 to be "The Year of Connecting." All year long, we'll be rolling out nearly a dozen new "connections" - spiritual reinforcements that will connect you to God and others in a stronger way. hEre are the first 2 new connections for you:
1. PURPOSE DRIVEN CONNECTION MAGAZINE. This is your indispensible index to everything we're preparing to help you with this year. Without a subscription, you'll miss all the helps, all the resources, all the tools, gifts, teaching, and events we've planned to strengthen you.
This week, the premiere issue of PDC magazine hit the newsstands. Wal-Mart was excited to sell over 3,000 issues on the first day! Both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times also gave it positive coverage. Here at Saddleback, over 5,000 of our families subscribed the first week. Here are some of the early reactions:
I just got my first issue in the mail and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! As I read each article, HOPE surged within me!
Incredible! Wow! I just got my first issue and instantly decided to get subscriptions for my friends and family. This is an INCREDIBLE tool! I had no idea it would be this first class.
The magazine is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! World class writers, powerful stories, practical teaching, and the graphics are over the top! How can you include the small group DVD studies at such a low cost?
Thank you, thank you! PDC arrived in the mail and I immediately devoured it. It is PACKED with spiritual food! I've never see anything this good. This will be A HIT! I am so proud of our church.
PDC arrived just when I needed it. I pulled it out of my mailbox, read the table of contents, and started weeping.
Tell me how you like it when you get your first issue. rick@purposedriven.com
NOTE: Since we've already done 40 Days of Love (the first DVD), you get a 30% discount in subscribing. Subscribe now For $20! Give your 40 Days of Love DVD and study guide to a friend to watch!
2. MY SEVEN WEEK SERIES: "CONNECTING WITH GOD"
Every single phrase of The Lord's Prayer connects you to one of God's answers to the things that stress you most.
Last weekend: The Prayer of Connection
"Our Father....hallowed be your name"
God's Intervention for your Insecurities
Feb. 7-8 The Prayer of Surrender
"Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth...."
God's Cure for your Confusion
Feb. 14-15 The Prayer of Our Needs
"Give us this day our daily bread"
God's Antidote to your Anxieties
Feb 28 -The Prayer of Cleansing
"Forgive us our trespasses..."
God's Grace for your Guilt.
Mar. 7-8 The Prayer of Release
"As we forgive those who trespass against us"
God's Healing for your Hurts
Mar. 14-15 The Prayer of Safety
"Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil"
God's Protection for your Problems
The Prayer of Blessing
For thine is the kingdom... power.... glory...
God's Solution to your Struggles
If you missed last Sunday, you can watch it here now.
Bring a friend with you this weekend.
Register for CLASS 101, 201, 301 or 401 this weekend.
Rick Warren
Saddleback Church
Purpose Driven Network