Saddleback Lake Forest

July 31, 2010

Dear Saddleback Family,

             This weekend I am teaching on "Trusting God in Life's Changes."

             This is such an important need for all of us since the pace of change, the scale of change, and the kinds of changes we are facing today are unprecedented!

             If you know someone who is out of work... has lost a loved one ... is facing marriage or personal stress (or got toxic poison in their eyes recently!)  BRING THEM WITH YOU THIS WEEKEND.

             Both the message and the testimonies will strengthen you and those you care about.  Please share this with others.

July 22, 2010

Dear Saddleback Family,

Monday morning (my day off) I was cutting back a huge African Fire Stick plant in my yard (a smaller version is pictured below.) Even though I was wearing gloves, I somehow later accidentally got some of the toxic sap on my hands and then in my eyes. The resin is quite corrosive and burned both of my eyes. In excruciating pain, Kay called 911 paramedics who rushed me to a hospital. For the next four hours, doctors irrigated my blistered eyes with 14 liters of saline solution to flush out the poison and ease the pain. I’d have to say, I had no idea that eye burns are so painful! I was kept overnight so I could be given shots of Dilaudid and Morphine, plus Percocet, numbing drops, and several eye meds. A doctor inserted protective contact lenses to aid in healing the scarred tissue. He told me he expects a full recovery of my vision and each day it has improved.

I am NOT BLIND! — which should be obvious from me typing this note! (I asked for prayer on Twitter and all kinds of rumors started spreading) I’m now resting at home, with the pain being managed by oral meds and a regimen of eye meds to heal the damage. I expect to make a full recovery.

I have already received many kind words and prayer support. Here’s a note I received from an unbeliever on Twitter that encouraged me: @TJJohn12 Pulling for you, Mr. Warren. Although I'm quite secular, I respect your living of Christ's teachings. Good luck & get better.

Euphorbia tirucalli (African Fire Sticks, Pencil Tree, Milk Bush) grows widely across Africa. It grows well in arid semi-tropical climates like southern California The milky sap of this plant is corrosive and extremely toxic. Contact with skin causes severe burning, blistering, and pain. Contact with the eyes may cause temporary blindness for up to 7 days. May be fatal if swallowed, with severe burning to mouth, lips, and tongue. Deaths have been recorded from ingesting the sap.

Please pray that God will be glorified even in this accident.

I love you all!

Dear Saddleback Family,

LAST WEEKEND
           
I’d love to get your feedback and feelings about last week’s service with the renewal of wedding vows. Please share your thoughts about the service by writing me at pastorrick@saddleback.com.  Here’s some feedback that has already come in:

• One couple at Saddleback Laguna Woods was so excited to renew their vow for the first time in their 60-year marriage that they decided to also be baptized together this month!

• Thanks for Webcasting the service online. I watched it LIVE on my iPhone while flying on a plane with wireless! I was so touched and crying so much; everyone was looking at me!  LOL!

• Both my wife and I were so moved by the words you and Kay shared. We were on the verge of divorce, but in that service we stood and recommitted ourselves to each other before God. Thanks for saving our marriage.

• When we got home from church, I told my wife, “As Adam said to Eve “Hubba, Hubba! You’re the only woman on earth for me. We had a WONDERFUL afternoon.”

• I love our church for many reasons, but mostly for the example set by Rick and Kay. It was a great weekend message.

• Today was a total “waterworks” service at church. I cried my eyes out. Sacrificial love is so beautiful to behold.

THIS WEEKEND
I will speaking this 4th of July weekend. Bring your friends this holiday weekend! Plan a neighborhood barbeque before or after services and invite them all to attend service with you.

NEW TIME ON SUNDAY EVENING: 5:00 p.m.
We’re moving to ONE service on Sunday evenings starting this week. This is in preparation for a new Sunday evening service at Rancho Capistrano that we intend to start in addition to Lake Forest this Fall!

June 26, 2010

Dear Saddleback Family,

I could not count the times I’ve overhead people say “If you want a strong marriage, go to Saddleback.” For 30 years, one of our main goals is to strengthen marriages – whether newlyweds, step-parents, hurting marriages, those separated, or great marriages wanting to keep getting better.

I doubt there is another church that invests more time, energy, and money in supporting marriages and families.  We offer literally hundreds of specialized small groups, programs, audio series and books by our staff, pre-marriage counseling, and tens of thousands of hours of marriage coaching every year.

THIS WEEKEND: YOU CAN RENEW YOUR WEDDING VOWS WITH YOUR SPOUSE!

Everyone who participates will be given a beautiful certificate as a keepsake.

                Kay and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary this week, and we have written new vows that we intend to say publicly to each other in our services.  

Then, I will invite all married couples who wish to renew their vows to each other to stand where they are and I will ‘remarry” you!  Thousands of couples have told me how much this strengthened (and often saved) their marriage when they have participated in the past.

Even if you are unmarried, you won’t want to miss this inspiring weekend, along with my message “WHY MARRIAGE MATTERS.”

Please invite your friends and neighbors to this unique service, and forward this info to others by emailing them!   I am committed to saving and strengthen your marriage!     

June 19, 2010

Dear Saddleback Family,

THIS WEEKEND: FATHER'S DAY!

• Doug Fields is teaching a message entitled, An Uncommon Adventure Requires Uncommon Thinking! Bring your dad and the other special men in your life.
• At SADDLEBACK IRVINE, I'm commissioning Jake Rutenbar our new Pastor! Jake grew up at Saddleback and was formerly our Pastor of Students at Saddleback San Clemente. We are SO excited for our Irvine Campus! JOIN me at Irvine as we welcome Jake. You'll still get to hear Doug's great message.
• Kay and I are celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary.

NEXT WEEKEND: RENEW YOUR WEDDING VOWS!

• I'll be speaking on HOW TO MAKE YOUR MARRIAGE LAST. If you've ever been married, want to marry, are currently married, or have a friend who is struggling in a marriage, don't miss this vital message. So many marriages are hurting today during this recession; you need to know these truths. Don't miss the opportunity to invite a friend today.
• At the end of service, I'm going to renew my vows to Kay and lead all married couples in renewing their vows too. It will be a tender moment for everyone and I can't wait for you to be a part of it!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Dear Saddleback Family

I am so concerned about how the recession is affecting you and all our Saddleback families, that I've rearranged our May schedule. I've moved a number of Decade of Destiny events (including the desserts) to September, so I can give my full-attention to offering you more spiritual and practical support NOW.

As I‘ve had conversations, listened, and read your emails, I know that many of you need 3 things:

1. You need strong spiritual support - to keep moving forward in this recession.
2. You need practical help in getting your financial house in order & reducing debt.
3. You need some free fun to lighten your heart and lift your mood.

So here's my Recession Relief plan for you in May:

MY MAY MESSAGES

This weekend "When You've Come Up Empty" - If you've been "fishing" for a job, a source of income, someone to marry, or some other lack in your life, DON'T MISS THIS MESSAGE based on a teaching miracle of Jesus.

May 8-9: (Mother's Day) "When You Feel You're Sinking" - The profound principles of surviving turbulent times that God wants you to learn from Jesus' miracle of walking on water.
May 15-16: Resetting Your Finances- Part 1 - Living more on less
May 22-23: Resetting your Finances- Part 2

RESETTING YOUR FINANCES IN A RECESSION SEMINAR (Fri pm/Sat am - May 22-23)
I've invited the top Christian money management expert/authors in America to help me teach this hands-on, practical seminar and budget workshop. Dave Ramsey, Ron Blue, Mary Hunt and others will join me to help you get your financial house in order and get out of debt DURING this recession. RESERVE THIS DATE NOW.

MEMORIAL DAY ALL-CHURCH PICNIC FUN- DAY! (Monday afternoon - May 31)
It doesn't cost a lot of money to have a lot of fun! I'll send you all the details.

See you this weekend!

April 16, 2010

Dear Saddleback Family,

1. Community Weekend
This weekend is Honor our Community weekend! We'll recognize and honor all teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, safety, sanitation, postal workers, and local government leaders. Make sure you invite anyone you know in these fields that serve our community to attend one of our services this weekend. We want to show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication!

2. This Weekend
We're in week three of our When You're Hoping for a Miracle: The Six Phases of Faith and I'll be speaking on "When You Can't See Where You Need to Go." Invite a friend!

We're also having a Special Super C.L.A.S.S. Saturday! Classes 101-401 will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come early for breakfast. Click here to register.

If you missed last weekend's message "When You're Running Out of Everything," I urge you to do yourself a favor and listen to it online.

3. Easter Highlights

• Here's an incredible video summarizing Easter At Angel Stadium. Watch it!
• Share YOUR Easter pictures, experiences, and stories here!