Helpful Score: 18
The author uses obscure translations and paraphrases in order to make the Bible fit his points. He also uses partial verses in order to proof text, even if the actual verse has nothing to do with the point he was trying to make. I was VERY disappointed to realize this after all of the hype about this book in the evangelical world. I guess I'll stick to just reading my Bible!
Helpful Score: 10
Self-help books often suggest that you try to discover the meaning and purpose of your life by looking within yourself, but Rick Warren says that is the wrong place to start. You must begin with God. This book will help you understand why you are alive and God's amazing plan for you. Knowing God's purpose for creating you will reduce stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life, and, most important, prepare you for eternity.
Helpful Score: 5
This book is very inspiring and makes you think. I loved the way the chapters were small and you were instructed not to read ahead so you could dwell on what you had just read. I recommend this book to anyone having a difficult time in there life spiritually and emotionally! -stolen from a amazon review
Helpful Score: 3
Wonderful, inspirational book that a busy person can read one chapter a day or a week.
Helpful Score: 3
Excellent read. Our whole church did the Bible study.
Helpful Score: 3
Forty daily readings on your purpose for being alive.
Helpful Score: 3
Life-changing. Helps answer the question, "What on Earth am I here for ?"
Helpful Score: 2
Must accept Christianity in order to get anything from this book. May help a lot of people, but not me.
Helpful Score: 2
This book is to help you determine the purpose that
God created you for. It is divided into 40 daily readings.
I think you will enjoy it.
God created you for. It is divided into 40 daily readings.
I think you will enjoy it.
Helpful Score: 2
You are not an accident. Even before the universe was created, God had you in mind, and he planned you for his purposes. These purposes will extend far beyond the few years you will spend on earth. You were made to last forever!
This book will help you understand why you are alive and God's amazing plan for you - both here and now, and for eternity. Rick Warren will guide you through a personal 40-day spiritual journey that will transform your answer to life's most important question: What on earth am I here for? Knowing God's purpose for creating you will reduce your stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life, and most important, prepare you for eternity.
This book will help you understand why you are alive and God's amazing plan for you - both here and now, and for eternity. Rick Warren will guide you through a personal 40-day spiritual journey that will transform your answer to life's most important question: What on earth am I here for? Knowing God's purpose for creating you will reduce your stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life, and most important, prepare you for eternity.
Helpful Score: 2
I gave it a half star because I did not know how to give it nothing. My review is meaningless, but Mr. Warren will have to stand before God one day and explain how he encouraged others to follow their own way and try and adapt there ways/culture into Christianity. All he showed in this book is how to take our culture and make one feel good about not following God's ways. However, I would recommend anyone that has to read this book (as I did for school and is the only reason I am listing it [others may need to as well] do so while examining it against God's Word.
Helpful Score: 2
This book will not answer why we are here. It takes verses out of context and twists them to say what they do not say and so it is just convoluted fiction. The author tried but failed to prove his points from the Bible. If you want to know why we are here you need to read The Forgotten Gospel, www.forgottengospel.com. It shows that we are created to help people, do good to others, and in so doing we show God's love to them. This is part of the Gospel but has been pushed aside because people are lazy and do not want to use their time and money to help others, especially in greedy America.
Helpful Score: 2
Make sure you're not missing the point of your life-read this book! The purpose-driven life will guide you to greatness-through living the Graet Commandment and the Great Commission.
Helpful Score: 2
The author makes it clear that the book is intended to be a 40-day spiritual journey. In the front matter there is a covenant that the reader signs to apply him or herself to that 40-day journey. I hope everyone who reads the book will do just that. Especially, paying attention to Day (Chapter) 23: "How We Grow."
Day 23 is concentrated upon Jesus molding and guiding the work of the Holy Spirit upon the believer as one matures in Christian faith and practice. As Warren says, "God wants you to grow up." It is also one of my favorite themes. It cannot be said too often; for just when we feel we have "graduated" from a particular time of learning or "achieved" a goal, we fall into the sloppy thinking that we are "there"-that we have completed every bit of growth and understanding.
Not so. Warren says, "You must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow, and persist in growing." I firmly believe that anyone who takes Day 23 seriously, open to what God can do, will find their lives blessed beyond measure. Not to mention the lives of those around them.
So, do I recommend this book? Yes indeed. And if you read it when it was new in 2002 or `03 or `04, why not read it again, in 2005? It is like a spiritual retreat that you can take whether at home or away. A vacation better than the mountains or the seaside. If you will, read it. And may every day be a Day 23 for you.
Day 23 is concentrated upon Jesus molding and guiding the work of the Holy Spirit upon the believer as one matures in Christian faith and practice. As Warren says, "God wants you to grow up." It is also one of my favorite themes. It cannot be said too often; for just when we feel we have "graduated" from a particular time of learning or "achieved" a goal, we fall into the sloppy thinking that we are "there"-that we have completed every bit of growth and understanding.
Not so. Warren says, "You must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow, and persist in growing." I firmly believe that anyone who takes Day 23 seriously, open to what God can do, will find their lives blessed beyond measure. Not to mention the lives of those around them.
So, do I recommend this book? Yes indeed. And if you read it when it was new in 2002 or `03 or `04, why not read it again, in 2005? It is like a spiritual retreat that you can take whether at home or away. A vacation better than the mountains or the seaside. If you will, read it. And may every day be a Day 23 for you.
Helpful Score: 1
be cautious as scriptures are twisted by him.
Helpful Score: 1
I honestly loved this book! It was so informative and very upfront. I was very surprised by some of the things in it but overall, I learned a lot. It was "self-help" but it also strengthened my journey with God. It will make you look at your life with a microscope and help to define yourself. I didn't realize just how lost and absent from my life that I was until I got about halfway through this book. It was a great read and I have read it 3 times and it seems to get better each time.
This book would be PERFECT for the pre-graduate. I read it my Junior year and it honestly helped me decide what I want out of life and what I want to be in this life. It would make a great gift for a high school graduate, college student, or anyone that just doesn't know if they quite have "it" together.
This book would be PERFECT for the pre-graduate. I read it my Junior year and it honestly helped me decide what I want out of life and what I want to be in this life. It would make a great gift for a high school graduate, college student, or anyone that just doesn't know if they quite have "it" together.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent book when studied with another person or group.
Helpful Score: 1
I have had this book for at least five years and have read it at least once a year. The book that I ordered from PBS was for a friend. He is enjoying the book.
This is a book that takes forty days to read. You must read one chapter each day and try to make the changes that the author suggests. The changes are in the way you think, so they are easy to accomplish. My friend is in the middle of the book and told me that he is enjoying it as much as I do. Great book, great thoughts!
This is a book that takes forty days to read. You must read one chapter each day and try to make the changes that the author suggests. The changes are in the way you think, so they are easy to accomplish. My friend is in the middle of the book and told me that he is enjoying it as much as I do. Great book, great thoughts!
Helpful Score: 1
If you only read one book on what life is about, make it this one!! This book is life changing
Helpful Score: 1
Warren's famous 40 day devotional that applies the 5- Scripture based purposes from his Purpose Driven Church to the individual believer.
Helpful Score: 1
Great book, the only reason why I'm trading this one is because I have two copies!
Helpful Score: 1
I didn't agree with him from the beginning, so I didn't finish it. It is very popular, so a lot of people must get something out of it that I didn't.
Helpful Score: 1
Worth reading...and reading again.
Helpful Score: 1
A 40-day spiritual journey where you'll discover the answer to the question, "What am I here for?".
Helpful Score: 1
This book is good for someone who needs to change their life, but if you're a Christian it's probably nothing you haven't heard before.
Helpful Score: 1
A quick read, but thought provoking.
Helpful Score: 1
If you're not a Christian, I don't think it's for you.
This is a book you turn to time and time again for inspiration. I'd never get rid of my copy. Highly recommended.
This is a book you turn to time and time again for inspiration. I'd never get rid of my copy. Highly recommended.
Helpful Score: 1
This book will help you understand why you are alive and God's amazing plan for you- both here and now, and for eternity. Rick Warren will guide you through a personal 40 day spiritual journey that will transform your answer to life's most important question: What on earth am I here for? Knowing God's purpose for creating you will reduce your stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life, and, most important, prepare you for eternity.
Helpful Score: 1
This book will help you understand why you are alive and God's amazing plan for you--both here and now, and for eternity. Rick Warren will guide you through a personal 40-day spiritual journey that will transform your answer to life's most important question: WEhat on earth am I here for? Knowing God's purpose for creating you will reduce your stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life, and, most important, prepare you for eternity.
Wonderful book on life and religion.
Love love love this book!!!
Has become a classic spiritual book - excellent for small group bible study.
Catch up with your soul in this book. The ultimate self-help book!
Excellent spiritual guide
Very disappointed.
My brother, who is a retired Methodist minister, recommended this book. The first 3 chapters were pretty good and then came the chapter where Rick Warren says that you MUST go to church to totally be committed to Jesus and God. Say what?!! I don't go to church because I think most of the people who go are doing to make themselves feel good. And, 2004 the Methodist church defrocked a female minister who came out as being a lesbian. She was tried by an all male Methodist ministers and yes, she lost her job. I am heterosexual and after that happened I vowed never to darken the door of any church. My relationship with Jesus and God has nothing to do with whether or not I attend church. I quit reading the book and donated it to our local thrift store. This book has a copyright date of 1954...enough said! I highly recommend a devotional book by Sarah Young called "Jesus Calling" You will glean more from her book(s) than you will ever get from this one!
This book is proving to be a great teaching as I walk with Christ. I highly recommend this for new as well as established Christians. Accompany it with the Purpose Driven Journal and you'll have a wonderful set of study tools.
A nice pocket or companion version of "The Purpose Driven Life" by: Rick Warren. From the back cover:
Simplify you life
Reduce your stress
Focus your energy
Give your life meaning
Prepare you for eternity.....
Discover the principles that have transformed millions of lives around the world. Excerpted from "The Purpose Driven Life", named bestselling book of the year, 2003 & 2004.
Simplify you life
Reduce your stress
Focus your energy
Give your life meaning
Prepare you for eternity.....
Discover the principles that have transformed millions of lives around the world. Excerpted from "The Purpose Driven Life", named bestselling book of the year, 2003 & 2004.
A very spirtual book about finding out why you were put here on earth and what you can do to live a happy life.
me and my husband and another couple got together weekly and read this book.
wonderful read.
laura c.
wonderful read.
laura c.
I really enjoyed how the book made you take a close look at yourself. Got alot out of it.
This is excellent source to accompany the book "Purpose Driven Life". Or could be used alone. It directs the Living Word of God to the very heart of a person and challenges us all to some really deep reflection. This could be used as an individual study or with a group.
Wonderful book!!!! Nothing more to say!!! Great to read!!
Great book. Inspirational, instructional, and rewarding.
All I thought it would be and more. I'll read many times before I'm done.
Our church did this study--life changing thoughts in this book
Thought provoking and inspirational guide. I took the course using the book (not this particular book, I want to keep my copy to re-read) and thoroughly enjoyed it.
"Timeless,profound,compelling and transforming, this book is a priceless gift for everyone who wants to know their purpose and fulfill their destiny."
I thought this book was wonderful. It really makes you think. Even though you can only read one chapter a day, the chapter sure gives you enough to make you think.
This is an excellent book to read!!
What can I say about this book that hasn't already been said?
Very good book. Helpful and makes you really think.
This is a great book for anyone who wants to understand their purpose in this life. You could read it in 40 days, and it's fairly easy to read and understand. However, the concepts are profound in their simplicity, so I lingered over each "day" for a week! A wonderful book that I'm happy to share!
#1 Bestseller...everyone should read it
Timeless, profound, compelling and transforming, this book is a priceless gift for everyone who wants to know their purpose and fulfill their destiny. It is life-changing and explains our real purpose on earth and states profound truths in simple ways. You'll never be the same after reading this!
This book has become wildly popular. It made me think.
Synopsis
This guide for living draws on the Christian tradition, and is written by the author of the bestselling THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN CHURCH. In 40 short pieces, intended to be read and studied in 40 days, Pastor Rick Warren quotes extensively from scripture, offering not a self-help guide but, rather, a guide that seeks help in God. Warren sets forth an approach to living based on understanding and fulfilling God's purpose for us. The basic principles of the Purpose-Driven Church are worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism.
This guide for living draws on the Christian tradition, and is written by the author of the bestselling THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN CHURCH. In 40 short pieces, intended to be read and studied in 40 days, Pastor Rick Warren quotes extensively from scripture, offering not a self-help guide but, rather, a guide that seeks help in God. Warren sets forth an approach to living based on understanding and fulfilling God's purpose for us. The basic principles of the Purpose-Driven Church are worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism.
Counsel on direction for your life
This book has been on the bestseller lists for many months for good reason.
I found this book very easy to read and understand. It's a great book for those "looking for answers".
excellent book, christian based, wondering what your on earth for... this book is for you!
Readings/reflections for 40 days - on the meaning of our lives. Thought-and spirit-provoking for Christian individuals, partners or groups.
Very good book.
This book is very intriguing and clarified many difficult issues to talk about. I highly recommend reading this book because it helps you understand what your purpose in life is. Enjoy!
I've heard it all before. God loves you, you are here to serve God; the only way to serve God and have an eternity in heaven is through Jesus Christ; the Bible (in it's many versions and translations)is the word of God....yada, yada, yada....All this as a prelude to spend an eternity with God. No thank you. I find the thought of living blissfully happy and praisng God for E T E R N I T Y eternally and blissfully boring. Don't forget that quite a few of those blissfully happy angels and Watchers rebelled against this eternal bliss and abandoned the blissfully happy "Eternity" ship.
This book will be helpful for those who "believe" and have "faith" in this Bible story and for those who are afraid of dealing with the wrath and smiting of this loving and forgiving God.
This book will be helpful for those who "believe" and have "faith" in this Bible story and for those who are afraid of dealing with the wrath and smiting of this loving and forgiving God.
This book was hard for me...I had issues with knowing we all have a purpose but for some the purpose seems "pointless" or "meaningless", and I had an especially difficult time with this....
Good start for guidance.
Good book
My entire read this book several years ago. It is a fascinating and easy to understand book, even for new Christians. One thing: Rick Warren does not do justice to the sacrament of baptism. He considers it merely symbolic of a believer's relationship to Christ rather than Christ saving us.
wonderful....
For a comparison chart of this author's beliefs to the Bible go to:
http://rock-to-salt.cephasministry.com/church_growth_movement_n_purpose_driven_church.html
http://rock-to-salt.cephasministry.com/church_growth_movement_n_purpose_driven_church.html
A good book to provoke some thought and answers to tough decisions. It also raises new questions and incite.
I used this along with the purpose driven life.. I did not write in it so it is brand new...
A must read!
Excellent study!
A roundbreaking manifesto on the meaning of life. If you only read one book on what life is all about---make if this one! This book is life-changing.
If you are wondering Why your here this book answers all those questions and helps you figure out where your going in life it really helps.
Not quite what I was hoping for....
Excellent, superb, and wonderful!!!
ISBN 0310205719 - I'll read almost any book, and really have an interest in anything related to any religion. That said, I truly disliked this book. Still, I'm basing my review on the writing itself. The writing is average and has the tone of being directed at a not-too-intelligent child, which is perhaps fitting - obviously Warren believes that few, if any, people really understand the lessons of the bible.
Meant to be read over a 40 day period, allowing the reader to ponder the questions posed by the author, The Purpose Driven Life serves literally no purpose whatsoever to the non-Christian - there's little for you to learn here that isn't better learned from scholarly texts on Christianity and, really, if you believe in God but not in Jesus-the-son-of-God (even if you believe in Jesus as a prophet), this book comes nowhere near talking to you. For the average Christian, it might spark an interest in re-visiting those things you thought you already knew about being a good Christian. And for the devout Christian, you don't need to read this book.
I was somewhat happily surprised to discover the author's hand in my pocket only a few times, encouraging the reader to buy his journal and other items. Truthfully, I expect more money-mooching from any religion, especially one in which you are commanded to tithe (page 72), so it was a pleasant surprise.
Mostly, I was offended by Warren's apparent assumption that the reader really is a nitwit. One of many examples: on page 65, he rails on about the "misuse" of the word "worship" - he is incorrect and could have simplified things by pointing out that one use of the word is a verb and another is an adjective, but he preferred to come across as a chastising and belittling second grade teacher.
Warren did show a sense of humor periodically, referring to Groucho Marx and "watching too much television". In the end, it's possible that he himself quoted the greatest reason to NOT read this book: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." Last I checked, Warren was a man and his "roadmap" is just another re-tooling of "rules" taught by the men who lead any form of Christianity. I say keep your money and, if you really think God needs it, give it to your church, not Rick Warren.
- AnnaLovesBooks
Meant to be read over a 40 day period, allowing the reader to ponder the questions posed by the author, The Purpose Driven Life serves literally no purpose whatsoever to the non-Christian - there's little for you to learn here that isn't better learned from scholarly texts on Christianity and, really, if you believe in God but not in Jesus-the-son-of-God (even if you believe in Jesus as a prophet), this book comes nowhere near talking to you. For the average Christian, it might spark an interest in re-visiting those things you thought you already knew about being a good Christian. And for the devout Christian, you don't need to read this book.
I was somewhat happily surprised to discover the author's hand in my pocket only a few times, encouraging the reader to buy his journal and other items. Truthfully, I expect more money-mooching from any religion, especially one in which you are commanded to tithe (page 72), so it was a pleasant surprise.
Mostly, I was offended by Warren's apparent assumption that the reader really is a nitwit. One of many examples: on page 65, he rails on about the "misuse" of the word "worship" - he is incorrect and could have simplified things by pointing out that one use of the word is a verb and another is an adjective, but he preferred to come across as a chastising and belittling second grade teacher.
Warren did show a sense of humor periodically, referring to Groucho Marx and "watching too much television". In the end, it's possible that he himself quoted the greatest reason to NOT read this book: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." Last I checked, Warren was a man and his "roadmap" is just another re-tooling of "rules" taught by the men who lead any form of Christianity. I say keep your money and, if you really think God needs it, give it to your church, not Rick Warren.
- AnnaLovesBooks
Wonderful Book!
Wonderful book! Helped my tremoudously!
Find out what your purpose in life is within 40 days with this awesome guide.
good spiritual guide
I started this book, but there was something about it that didn't sit well with me, so I never finished it.
This book is in good condition, but has a small amount of writing and underlining in it.
EXCELLENT BOOK-MADE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LIST. THIS IS HARDBACK BOOK WITH DUST COVER.
No slip cover
