Satan's game is to keep a Believer's life so busy with things that don't make a difference that thought isn't given to the things that will make a difference for eternity.

He wants us under an endless performance system where we're constantly focused on trying to regain or keep God's approval and blessings. We're not to have any sense of security or feel that were in a partnership relationship with God.

This is exactly the program Rick Warren pushes in his bestseller book, "The Purpose-Driven Life."

He reduces God to a superficial and shallow finishing school-type disciplinarian who's "testing us" even by the way we sing a song and throw out the garbage, noting all our successes and slip-ups for a big "final exam" in which we will be "audited."

"What you normally do for yourself, you begin doing for God, whether it is eating, bathing, working, relaxing or taking out the trash," Warren advises us.

He says we're being "tested by God even in actions such as opening a door for other people, picking up a piece of trash or when polite to a clerk or waitress."

When singing in church, "God's heart is not touched by tradition in worship, but by passion and commitment," writes Warren.

In the act of prayer, God's not happy with cliché words either, he says.

"Instead of saying, 'We just want to praise you,' make a list of synonyms and use fresh words like admire, respect, value, revere, honor and appreciate," coaches Warren. "Also, be specific. Give specific compliments."

"Another idea," Warren says, "is to make a list of the different names of God and focus on them."

When praying for other countries, which Warren stresses is "mandatory" because "the mission Jesus had while on earth is now our mission," the big advice is, "Get a globe or map and pray for nations by name." He admonishes, "World-class Christians pray for the world."

Warren emphasizes we are to do whatever we think God's asking us to do "even if it doesn't make sense"!

Not only that, we are to do it immediately without "any reservation or hesitation," because, as Warren reasons, "every parent knows that delayed obedience is really disobedience."

"God doesn't owe you an explanation or reason for everything he asks you to do," Warren writes, warning us God will use a "sledgehammer" to keep us on target toward becoming like Christ and, "if we're really stubborn, he uses a jackhammer."

What God cares about most, says Warren, "is that whatever you do, you do in a Christlike manner."

He writes, "True spiritual maturity is all about learning to love like Jesus, and you can't practice being like Jesus without being in a relationship with other people."

I personally don't see any love in the god Warren portrays. It's not the God of the Bible, but follows after "the god of this world," i.e., Satan. (II Cor. 4:4)

Editor's Note: I was away in Chicago for nearly two weeks and am just getting back to writing. I will update again very soon (as in another day or so).