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Summary: An Easy Read that Could Change Your Life
Review: I just finished "A Purpose Driven Life" and I enjoyed it a lot. As a previous reviewer mentioned it may not be the deepest book when it comes to philosophy and doctrine but I believe because it covers many points and aspects of where our focus should be in life it would be more than worth anyone's time to read it, regardless of how old they are or how long they have been a christian.The short chapters make it a good book for daily devotions and yet each chapter has enough "meat" in it to give a person something to work on the next day. The concepts are practical and Bible-based even if the particular translations used in some instances were there by design to fit the authors point. I don't believe there is one point or idea that was not fully supported by scripture, regardless of which translation you might be using. If you read this book from cover to cover and put the concepts into practice I don't think your life can help but be changed for the better!
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Summary: A truly amazing experience is arising out of this book
Review: Neither my girlfriend nor I consider ourselves to be Christians. Yet we both have been serious spiritual seekers for many years. Ten days ago our relationship was in a quiet period in which we weren't seeing each other at all. In separate currents that started while we were apart, we each had a series of experiences that culminated in our coming together for a joint 40-day journey as prescribed in this book. One of those experiences was this book itself. Ten days ago neither of us had any notion of seeking a book about the purpose of life. If we had, it would be unlikely that either of us would have been attracted to a book so clearly and straightforwardly Christian, and many times more unlikely that we both together would be attracted to it with eager enthusiasm. At the moment we are in Day 7 of a 40-day process. Already our days have been filled with many little experiences that we regard as evidence of the close presence of God in our lives -- a playful and joyful presence and at the same time deeply meaningful. One of the things I think has caused me to keep God at a distance most of my life is the subconscious fear that if I experienced him up close, he would probably make demands and requirements that I wouldn't be prepared to meet. The overt intent and purpose of this book is that it be a means for God to make profound and far-reaching changes in one's life. I don't pretend to understand at this moment why that factor didn't raise my defenses to such a level that I wouldn't submit myself to an open study of the book. Yet that is what seems to be happening. Many little changes are already taking place, and they all seem to be gentle, delightful, and even natural. I'm eagerly looking forward to what may come next. Since I'm doing the book with a partner, I can't comment on what I might have experienced studying it alone. However, I would heartily recommend to anyone interested in the book and for whom a partnership is a possibility, that you seriously consider taking advantage of the opportunity of a partnership. Incidentally, I'm age 70 and spiritual study has been a major theme throughout my life. This leads me to think that this book might be a godsend to anyone at any stage of life.
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Summary: It's now available in leather edition too
Review: I loved this journal companion to The Purpose Driven Life. I bought the first hardback version first but when the leather edition came out I switched to it. It's beautiful!
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Summary: Real Wisdom answering . ..What is the Purpose of My Life
Review: Thoroughly enjoyed this book and I have recommended it to many others as there is so much truth in these pages answering the age old question.... What is the Purpose of My Life. It is definitely well worth reading.
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Summary: no replacement for the Bible
Review: Our pastor asked us to replace our normal devotional with a 40 day study through "The Purpose Driven (R) Life". I'm not sure why we feel it's an okay thing to replace God's Word with a man's book, but I'm reading it any way. It's okay - kind of "basic". Oriented to a very new Christian or someone of high school age. In the spirit of the Bereans, there some things I question. For example, on page 242, Mr. Warren says that "many studies have revealed that the average person posseses 500 to 700 different skills and abilities" - but doesn not reference even one study. How do we know this is true? He goes go on to say "your brain can store 100 trillion facts". I'd like to know who counted this up? It seems to me that this would very greatly. Someone with a disabilty such as Alzheimer's might not be able to store up even one fact. There are other things I question. For example, page 203, he says that "temptation starts when Satan suggests (with a thought)...". So Satan can put thoughts in our head? Where's that in the Bible? Perhaps it's true, but I can't think of any passage that says that. James 1:14 says that temptations comes from our own evil desires. One thing about studying the Bible, is their is never any question where the Biblical reference is - it's right there in front of you. But when we study a man's book instead of the Bible, then everything is open to question. I think it's interesting that part of your book's title is a registered trademark. I see there are many other Purpose Driven (R) products out there for us to buy. I must say it leaves me with a very uneasy feeling. The apostle Paul warns us about "Super Apostles" who would peddle the word of God for profit (2 Cor 2:17, & chapters 10-13). I'm not saying that's what this is about, but I'm wary... "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and yoursoul will delight in the richest of fare. "'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. "...so it is with my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it". (see Isaiah 55)
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Summary: This book saved my life
Review: I have felt suicidal for about 6 months, feeling that life was useless, confused, and meaningless. I have never gone to church so I didn't know anything about God. Then about 10 days ago I told my friend in dispair that I was going to end my life because I couldn't handle the pain anymore. That friend prayed for me and gave me a copy of this book.
The moment I started reading this book tears began to flow down my cheeks. Why had I never heard this before? God made me so he could love me and sent Jesus Christ to earth so I could know him and know what I'm to do with my life. I've always celebrated Christmas but didn't understand the Jesus thing. For the first time it made sense. My life is not an accident. God has purpose for my life, not just here on earth, but mor importantly, forever. As I read this a whole new world opened up to me. Jesus Christ has come into my life and I am s muh different, better person. For me, this book was literally life-saving. I thank God that I got the message before it was too late.
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Summary: Inspiring and insightful
Review: Indeed, an inspiring work, which aligns our being to the higher laws of fruitful living. Recommended for all working adults. I would also strongly recommend an upcoming bestseller and all-time inspirational classic which is Emerson Lee's Time-Honored Wisdoms on Wealth creation, which offers 70 golden secrets of fruitful living & constructive wealth creation.
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Summary: Christians are already in heaven
Review: That all people can be "purpose driven" is a uniquely well-to-do American privilege, and one hopes that that Rick Warren is not forcing the idea backwards onto Scripture as a way of making the Bible "speak to today." Imagine, if you will, a poor destitute child laborer in China getting her hands on Warren's book -- would his message have any meaning to such a person? Isn't it true that only we Americans and western Europeans can relate to ideas such as "40 day spiritual journey", "reducing stress", "focusing energy and simplifying decisions" and "giving meaning to your life"? These phrases, from Warren, are mostly foreign to the apostles, but common currency for us. I am not saying that such idea are wrong (indeed, they are helpful), but they belong to us and we should be slow to recast the Christian life in our own terms. The apostle Paul directs us Christians to set our minds on the above world where Christ is seated (and where we are seated with him). Paul locates Christians as Already in Heaven (see Col 3:1-3 and Eph 2:6)! Paul's preaching is relevant for even the destitute slave worker in China. For, in Christ, slave Christians with ruined lives are already re-created. Christians don't, as Warren argues, "become what we were created to be", but we already are. That is, Jesus has already made us what we were meant to be, and it does not take a 40 day journey to start to become what Christ made. In redemption, Christ makes us new, and so we already are a new creation and are already fitted for heaven (we already have our existence there!). This applies to the Christian slave laborer in China, or the affluent Western Christian reading Rick Warren's book. Christianity is not about being "purpose driven" to reach what Christ wants us to be, but it is about being what we already are - we are in Heaven in Christ! We American Evangelicals are obsessed with evaluating our internal conflicts and gauge levels; this book is finely suited for us.
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Summary: I agree for everyone
Review: This is a really good book and helps just about everyone. I just finished another book that is kind of a twist for a spiritual book because it is about Money. The author is very spiritual etc. See the Intersection of Joy and Money.
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Summary: For God so 'loved' the world.
Review: If people and their dreams are not important then God is a poor creator because He made us so 'self' driven. If the purpose of Christianity is to become less ourselves and more God, then God didn't love humanity, he just loves Himself. But we know that's not true, God loves us and has a purpose for everyone's life if we dare reach out and believe Him for greater things. Cults teach people to become 'less themselves' and to embrance a 'higher self'. Christianity is preaching this same thing if I read these pages correctly. I disagree, God loves humanity, even our humanness - that's what He came to perfect.
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