Rating: 
Summary: Sheep can be more dangerous than Wolves
Review: This is an excellant book and is touching thousand of lives.It explains God,s book in all of its depth in an easy and understandable way. As for commerciality, the many referances to Rick Warren,s other writings are offered free of charge. Our church recently went through the 40 days of purpose challange and felt it to be a hugh success. Our Pastor received pemission to duplicate videotapes and cd roms with no charge if desired. I have read the Bible through several times and love the King James version,but also agree with the use of many translations he uses to make us see a verse made more understandable by seeing worded differently. There are millions of people out there that do not know Jesus as Lord or do not attend a church, not because they don,t believe that there is a God, but that no one has ever asked them to church. This book has become a great tool to reach the people God wants to touch. Lets not criticize a good man who has written an excellant book.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost missed a blessing listening to critics...
Review: Before purchasing this book, I read many of the reviews on this site. To my surprise, many were critical, claiming Warren used too many translations and made little or no reference to the Holy Spirit. FALSE!!!! The translations were appropriate, and there is a great deal mentioned about the Holy Spirit as you get further into the book. I found the book to be quite a blessing. It was encouraging, yet convicting. It is also an excellent tool for relationships with family and friends. I am glad that I was led to ignore the critics, and finally purchase and read and study the book.
Rating:
Summary: spontaneous fulfillment
Review: This is a powerful book that forces you to ask yourself some defining questions. I think read alongside Dr. Deepak Chopra's new book Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire, one's life can change profoundly -- or at least your perception will shift.
Rating:
Summary: From a wandering Christian...
Review: I've been struggling with God for three years since my husband died at the age of 41. I didn't feel sorry for myself (not for long anyway), but I couldn't understand the concept of trust anymore. I'd been heading farther away from faith and unwilling to attend Bible studies until my church began a "Forty days of Purpose" campaign, using this book. I knew right after the first service that something big was about to happen in my life. When I reached the chapter on surrender, I finally gave the controls of my life back to God.
My life changed radically in 40 days: from falling into sin, to finding God again, to striving to serve God and people with a fresh love and passion. I look at people now with a deep love and affection, and a desire to remove hurt and pain. I know now that God used people to love and support me these past three years. Now I want to return His love to others.
If you are a Christian, this book may change your life. If you are not, read it anyway and see what really matters in life.
Rating:
Summary: Looking for Truth in a world of Deception
Review: This book IS theologically sound and it IS a speaker of Truth and the gospel of the Savior Jesus Christ. For those who think otherwise, I challenge you to really search for the truth in the gospel of the Holy Bible and mature Christian sources - and to really ask God for truth. One of the greatest lies that Christians and searching unbelievers fall prey to is that salvation is not really a free gift from God. They are told that Christ's death and resurrection are "not enough" to get their soul to heaven. This is a LIE because it states over and over and over again in the Bible that salvation is a GIFT from God by his GRACE, so that no man can boast (Eph 2:8-9, Rom 5:20-21, etc...) The debts of our sins are so great that NO amount of works could ever have ANY reversal impact. If two men are trying to get themselves to the moon, it doesn't matter if one man can jump 3 feet and the other only 3 inches.... in perspective, neither's efforts have done any good at all! The thief on the cross next to Jesus (Luke 23:39-43) didn't have time to do ANY works... he simply had the time to put his faith in Christ, and he was saved. Unfortunately, there is a word limit here, so I cannot elaborate more. However, Rick Warren understands the concept of grace, and the Purpose Driven Life explains the truth about this subject. SALVATION IS A GIFT... however, TO LIVE A FULFILLED, TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE TAKES SOME WORK ON OUR PART (Eph 4:1)! There is a difference!! You have nothing to do with where you spend eternity other than the single decision to admit that you are flawed and need forgiveness and to accept that complete forgiveness as a gift from an unconditionally loving God. However, what you do with the life you live here, and how useful and devoted you are to God's plans does require work on your part. You must mature to be useful, and to do this it takes contant work on your part to fight the battles of this world (selfishness, pride, the list goes on...) So I suggest reading the book, and if you are skeptical, check it's references again whatever Bible translation you like - multiple ones, in fact, so there will be no doubt in your mind as to what the truth is. Find mature Christians to talk to about this.... most of all, look to God in prayer and in his Word.
Rating:
Summary: the main purpose
Review: IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE FAITH THEN THIS BOOK WAS MEANT FOR YOU!IT WILL EXPLAIN WHY YOU WERE PUT HERE ON EARTH.I THINK EVERY NEW BELIEVER SHOULD READ THIS BOOK.IT IS GOOD FOR OLD BELIEVERS TO READ AND BE REMINDED OF OUR PURPOSE.I HAVE READ SOME OF THE OTHER REVIEWS AND JUST WANTED TO TELL EVERYONE THAT YOUR BEST RESEARCH FOR YOUR PURPOSE IS IN YOUR BIBLE.I THINK RICK DOES A GOOD JOB OF VERSES IN THE BIBLE TO RELATE TO EACH CHAPTER IN THE BOOK.RICK MIGHT LIKE THE MESSAGE BIBLE,YOU MIGHT LIKE THE NIV OR KJV.IT DOES NOT MATTER,USE WHAT YOU LIKE AND UNDERSTAND.I THINK THE PEOPLE THAT GOT NOTHING OUT OF THIS BOOK WAS'NT OPEN TO WHAT GOD HAS CALLED THEM TO DO OR HAVE BEEN A CHRISTIAN ALL THEIR LIVES.I DID'NT GET ANYTHING NEW OUT OF IT, BUT I STILL THINK IT IS A GOOD BOOK.IF YOU WERE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING NEW THEN I AM SORRY TO TELL YOU THAT THE MAIN BOOK (HOLY BIBLE)HAS NOT CHANGED.GOD'S PURPOSE HAS NOT BEEN REVISED.
Rating: 
Summary: Fails to address theological problems
Review: This book fails to address the real probalem with Christianity - its unacceptable theological claims. For example, Christians claim that Jesus was the 'son of God', but then they say that he was also God himself in human form. How can God be his own son?
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Amazing
Review: This book has been such a blessing in my life. It is thought provoking and has brought a whole new point of view to the way I look at worshipping and praising God, and the reason why I'm here. The best thing about it is that because the chapters are short, my husband agreed to read along with me. Up until now he has believed in God but never really prayed much, and since reading this book he has really grown in his faith and changed so much about his lifestyle and attitude. I would recommend this book to anyone and am actually purchasing a few copies for my family members.
Rating:
Summary: recommended
Review: I love reading self-help books and really enjoyed recently reading two great ones...one was this book, a purpose driven life, and the other, the nice guys guide to getting girls (a totally different type of self-help book from this one, but still a great book). A purpose driven life has really transformmed my life...after reading this book, I really feel that I am living a more fulfilled life. One of the best parts of this book was the chapter that talked about being content with your weaknesses. I know understand that when I do feel weak, it is because God is reminding me to depend on him. This teaching has definitely helped me, especially in the past few weeks. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a more fulfilled and spiritual life!!
Rating:
Summary: ANYWAY YOU SLICE IT, IT DOES THE TRICK
Review: How boring to read reviews that point out silly things, like the book is too simple and their kids can read it. So what? Maybe your kids should read it! I doubt very seriously if these folks go to church on a weekly or twice weekly basis. If you attend only during holidays, you would not find the power of the book. Why in the heck do you think every church (almost everywhere) is asking the entire congregation to read it? It is suggested in all types of churches - tons of them! When books appear too simple, it usually means, the real messsage is not being taken into the reader's heart and soul. Be still, read slow and allow the true meaning of the book sink in. It's a beautiful and successful plan but only if you allow it to be. I do wish it had more information on family and moral issues. On this note, I'd just say for those who don't think they know it all about family, read Momnmy-CEO, by Jodie Lynn. She will fill in the gaps on Christian parenting without being preachy or making anyone feel guilty. Anyway you slice it, both books do the trick and together they are amazing.
|
