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Summary: 40 Days of Purpose
Review: This is a wonderful book for a 40 day devotion. Rick Warren has a writing style that really draws the reader in. It's simplistic, yet incredibly powerful and particularly enlightening.I think a lot of people are somewhat confused with the purpose of this book. Sure, I guess it could be considered a "motivational" type book, but it's true purpose is to draw the reader into a deeper understanding of what a walk with Christ is truly supposed to include. Warren touches on great points dealing with a believer's relationship with a local church, in addition to a relationship with God. In fact, he goes as far as to say that you can't truly have a relationship with Christ without fellowship with fellow believers. Some of the complaints with this book seem to focus on the fact that Warren approaches this "purpose" through the eyes of a Southern Baptist minister. In my opinion, however, that does not limit this book to readers of only that particular demonination. I believe that quite the opposite is true--I think the various translations used give a well-rounded approach to a deep walk with Christ. Conformity isn't preached, but devotion is certainly espoused. This provides an excellent Lent study or could serve throughout the year--I certainly recommend it.
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Summary: On Target Living
Review: What could be more significant that discovering one's purpose in life and living accordingly? Pastor Warren uses scriptural principles to show how one can attain a life lived on purpose. Readers who follow through with what he advocates have the potential of being tremendous blessings to other people. Warren writes "Your ministry is your service to believers, and your mission is your service to unbelievers" (p. 281). He goes on to describe how one's assignment is unique to each individual. Other people might criticize and misunderstand one's role in life, but Warren points out that pleasing God is the ultimate reward and in reality the only one of significance. Driving home his theme of making a contribution unique to the individual, he notes "If you don't make your unique contribution to the Body of Christ, it won't be made" (p. 241). The book is full of admonitions to make a difference. He emphasizes that the life of contribution is the life of satisfaction and fulfillment. It is in giving of one's time and talents that one finds and fulfills his or her role.
Connecting with other people is essential to fulfilling one's potential. On page 176 he writes "You can't practice being like Jesus without being in relationship with other people." Throughout the book he talks about communication with God and the inner nudges one experiences. Along the same lines he discusses desires and promptings as clues from God about one's role. Warren's definition of worship is worth noting. He says "Worship is a lifestyle of enjoying God, loving Him, and giving ourselves to be used for His purposes" (p. 56). This is a wonderful book that can make a significantly positive difference in the life of any reader who applies its teachings.
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Summary: THIS BOOK GOT ME WORRIED
Review: When I exercise or walk, I like to listen to motivational audiobooks. After a rapid search at Amazon, this book pop up as a bestseller in the category of self-help, with 4.5 average stars from 102 reviews. Without further evaluation, I purchased the unabridged CD audiobook. I was not aware that the book was of a religious nature, but being a Christian, I didn't get offended by that. However, I got very depressed when I realized that everything I was doing in my life was wrong. My love for my children and family was not what God wanted from me. Despite that, I continued listening hoping to learn something from the book. I reached a point when I decided to quit. If your are a Nun, a Priest, a Pastor and/or any other person who works full time in a ministry, this is the book for you. All extremes are bad, and this book is an extreme religious book. I suggest to love and obey the word of God, have a decent and loving relationship the living creatures of this planet and be productive to society. Utilize and enjoy the material things that God has provided to you, and die in peace. If there is an eternal life waiting for you in Haven, then don't worry, it is waiting for you!! Christians, see you in Haven!!! Non-Christians say hello to Satan for me and give him my warmest/burning best wishes!!! Arguellof@aol.com
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Summary: The Marketed Christian Life
Review: "Christianity is not a patent medicine. Christianity claims to give an account of the facts---to tell you what the real universe is like.. . .If Christianity is untrue, then no honest man will want to believe it, however helpful it might be: if it is true, every honest man will want to believe it, even if it gives him no help at all." C.S. Lewis, from an essay entitled "Man or Rabbit?" 1946 I'm writing as a fellow Christian, so I hope my criticisms of this book will be taken as exhortations to read something better. If you are a person seeking God, or a long time believer, I don't recommend that you read this book. I have three reasons for this:
1) Pastor Warren appeals to giving you a better life, potentially at the expense of helping you to have true faith in God. The book uses marketing, and appeals to "what the Christian life will get you" as opposed to leading you to faith in Christ alone. This is dangerous because the Christian life doesn't always promise satisfaction or some of the other things that people are touting in their reviews. (The Christian life does not need to look or feel like what Warren is espousing to be genuine, real or of value). A good Christian life is not necessarily one where you feel like you've helped yourself.. . .although that is sometimes a benefit of loving God. This kind of writing might feel good to some, but I think it will completely turn others off, or worse yet, make them think they have faith when all they have is a desire to have this kind of life.
2) Pastor Warren is a poor scholar. He does a lot of what Bible students call "prooftexting"; that is, he often takes scripture out of context to prove his points or sound more persuasive. I don't disagree with many of his points, but this is bad scholarship and could cause the uneducated reader to take Warren's words as God's (after all, there are an abundance of quotations from Scripture).
3) Psychologically you should be well adjusted before reading a book like this. This book is not for people struggling with their own identities. DON'T FIND IT IN THIS BOOK. . .FIND IT IN CHRIST. Reading this book is not the be-all-end-all to make your life better, or to make you more "spiritual" or "worthy" of God's love. If you're looking for something along these lines (easy to read, good motivation to love God, solid theology), but aren't sure where to go to find it, here are some suggestions. Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
Knowing God, J.I. Packer
The Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennan Manning
The Jesus I Never Knew, Philip Yancey
Pilgrims' Progress, John Bunyan
The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life, Hannah Whithall Smith
Traveling Mercies, Anne Lamott
Life Together, Deitrich Bonhoeffer
Desiring God, John Piper
Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer
Rating: 
Summary: Relevant to the Christian family
Review: This book touched us deeply. It has an important message of hope and understanding, written in tender and sympathetic style.
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Summary: This Book Transformed My Entire Family!
Review: My entire family was transformed by reading this book together. We are closer to each other than I ever imagined possible. It would be impossible for me to overstate the importance of this book to us. Prior to reading this, I had no idea why we were put on earth. It is clear and it is lifechanging. You will never be the same after reading it. I am so thankful that a neighbor bought us copies. I'm now buying them for everyone I care about. Bill McIntyre
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Summary: New Christian
Review: As a new Christian, this book left me with a lot of questions?
The book is intended for those who are secure in their walk with the LORD! Although this book is easy to read & follow, it left me feeling confused. The chapters seemed to contradict one another? I feel this book will serve as a growing tool for many, but at this early time in my walk with the Lord, I feel its too much to ponder on!
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Summary: A Wonderful Experience
Review: I'm not a religious man, so I was a bit nervous about whether this book would appeal to me. But I was hooked almost immediately, and this book has changed my life. As far as the book goes, I was very impressed by Mr Warren's chapter a day for 40 days approach. Although I frequently wanted to read ahead, I made myself stop. For the message, the bottom line is that many of us feel unfulfilled. Mr Warren leads us to a simple method to direct our mental energy, and focus on what is important. This book has led to me have a more fulfilled life, and I am truly more at ease and focused. The less religious reader will need to focus on the message, not the source, but this is easily done. Bottom line, I couldn't have been more impressed by this book or by Mr Warren.
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Summary: better than any self-help book...bar none!
Review: Broken into 40 easy to digest chapters, you will witness the days fly by. There were times where I wanted to read on ahead, but Pastor Rick Warren discourages this because you need to do a bit of reflecting on what you've just read so you can apply it to your own life. Many many biblical references and scripture verses. Along with the book were wonderful verses to memorize. My favorite two: "So in Christ, we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others" and "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do." Get in a small group & read it and discuss it together! It's very rewarding.
Rating: 
Summary: Pure Garbage
Review: If you want to fill your head with meaningless Christianese, then this is the book for you! If you want 'feel good' religion without true depth, then this is the book for you! If you want simplistic and misleading teaching, then this is the book for you! The Purpose-Driven Life: Book to avoid if you want to know your true purpose and not Rick Warren's idea of your purpose!
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