UPDATE: No disrespect to Osteen supporters, but I have a problem with the comment, "Osteen has decided to take another approach." The verse that immediately came to mind was Galatians 1:9. "If anyone preach any other gospel...let him be accursed." Who's decision was it, Osteen's or God's? We know by reading the book of Acts and most of the new testament that Christians were persecuted to no end, and are STILL going through the same things in other countries today. Why isn't persecution--something that Jesus and the apostles said that ALL who live godly will have to endure--happening in THIS country? Because we're comfortable, because we believe that we have a right to prosperity and easy living. Because most of our preachers are teaching a gospel of a 24-hour, 365 day a year windfall of blessings. Instead of storing up treasures in heaven, we want our "Best Life Now." A gospel of selling out to your flesh, of enduring hardships and going through trials, and of telling people that Jesus is the only way to salvation definitely doesn't sell, and doesn't make people feel very good. But as Paul said, "It is written, I lay in Zion a stumblingstone, a rock of offence: and whosoever believes in Him shall not be ashamed." That's why the apostles were killed. They didn't bring sunshine, they didn't preach about constant blue skies.