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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
In general, I liked the message of this book, but I think it's overrated. Although there are definitely some good points, it's not all that organized and it is very repetitive. It's almost as though the author was trying to reach a certain page count, even though he didn't have that much to say. The frequent use of exclamation marks also annoys me.
I felt like I was being scolded, not mentored. I do not react well to that type of "motivation". I read this book with two friends and the discussions that we had over certain section of the book are the reason this book received a 2 star instead of a 1 star rating.
This book was recommended to me by my therapist as I recently entered a point in my life where I feel like I'm stuck in a never-ending routine. Life had become mundane and I was constantly questioning the "why" of my life. This book definitely helped me to see the bigger picture of why I was put on this Earth. Although it didn't fix all my problems, not that I thought it would, it definitely helped me change my mindset a bit. I enjoyed how each chapter was meant for a separate day...that alone made me feel like I had a bit more purpose. Even if my purpose for the day was reading this book.
I know a lot of people who swear by this book and have anecdotes about it having a profound effect on their spiritual journey. Unfortunately, I didn't find the same level of satisfaction or insight.
One of the major issues I had with this book is one that I find in a lot of Christian books, which is the frequent recitation of scripture without context or extrapolation. This book includes an excerpt of scripture which is supposed to be related to the lesson you learn each day, but there's very little detail given about why that particular scripture is chosen or the context in which it was written.
The other frustration I had with the book was that it didn't really provide many concrete tips for HOW to intuit God's purpose for your life. There was a lot about what you're supposed to do (give up your selfish desires for his, follow his plan for your life rather than your own, etc.), but most of it was told in a "you just do it" kind of way which isn't particularly helpful for those who aren't already familiar with seeking God or interpreting his presence in their life.
I think it's important for people to use whatever they find useful on their own individual faith journey and, unfortunately, this just wasn't a book that was all that helpful with mine.
One of the major issues I had with this book is one that I find in a lot of Christian books, which is the frequent recitation of scripture without context or extrapolation. This book includes an excerpt of scripture which is supposed to be related to the lesson you learn each day, but there's very little detail given about why that particular scripture is chosen or the context in which it was written.
The other frustration I had with the book was that it didn't really provide many concrete tips for HOW to intuit God's purpose for your life. There was a lot about what you're supposed to do (give up your selfish desires for his, follow his plan for your life rather than your own, etc.), but most of it was told in a "you just do it" kind of way which isn't particularly helpful for those who aren't already familiar with seeking God or interpreting his presence in their life.
I think it's important for people to use whatever they find useful on their own individual faith journey and, unfortunately, this just wasn't a book that was all that helpful with mine.
So far my thoughts are that he has some good points but often uses out of context scripture to back himself up. I'm also not a fan of how he uses so many different translations; while I get his reasons for it, I think he pushes beyond those reasons and just uses the version he likes best to get his point across whether that was the intentional message of the text or not.
I get a general feeling of arrogance. It feels like he thinks people can't possibly be "good" Christians if they haven't read his book(s).
All the negativity aside, this book does motivate positive change to some level hence the 3 stars instead of 2.
I get a general feeling of arrogance. It feels like he thinks people can't possibly be "good" Christians if they haven't read his book(s).
All the negativity aside, this book does motivate positive change to some level hence the 3 stars instead of 2.
reflective
slow-paced
Reviewed April 30, 2022
Reminder on my purpose.
Review on April 11, 2021
This is my 6th time re-reading THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE. I try to read this book every year during lent as a reminder of what my purpose in Christ should be, according to Rick Warren there are five purposes to your life:
To love God
To be a part of His family
To become like Him
To Serve Him
To tell others about Him
I love how he reinforces this with scriptures and other materials. I highly recommend this to anyone who is wondering about their purpose here on earth.
Review on May 8, 2020
This is my 5th time re-reading The Purpose Drive Life and I think this time is when it really connected for me. Maybe because I read it out loud, or maybe because while I was re-reading this book I recommitted my life to God, it can be a combination of the two but I was really impacted by this book is a strong way.
In Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I here For? he outlines the five purposes of our life, what we were created by God to do:
To worship Him
To Fellowship with His Family/Church
To grow like Christ in Character
To Serve
To be on mission with God in the world, this Great Commission
I loved that it was broken down in an easy to follow way. I have been listening to Rick Warren for over 5 years, I start my day listening to his Daily Hope podcast so it was great reading this.
If you are wondering about your purpose, if you are searching for reason, if you want to know why you are on earth, I highly recommend reading this book.
Review on April 24th, 2019
This is my fourth time reading this book. I generally read this book during Easter because of the 40 chapters and 40 days during Lent. It is a great reminder on how to find purpose in life. How to make your life not about you and create some form of impact.
Review on March 30th 2018
This is my third time reading this book. I usually read this book at the start of the year or at the start of lent. I think reading a book one chapter a day for forty days requires not only dedication but it forces you to be in the Word of God.
Everyone wants to know their purpose- why am I here on earth? What is my purpose? These are questions that plague me sometimes when I feel so purposeless. I love how easy this book is to read, how we are given various call to actions and questions to ponder on.
You get from this book what you take. Rick Warren doesn't promise you purpose after this book, you need to really work and seek it.
A great read- one of my favorites.
Reminder on my purpose.
Review on April 11, 2021
This is my 6th time re-reading THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE. I try to read this book every year during lent as a reminder of what my purpose in Christ should be, according to Rick Warren there are five purposes to your life:
To love God
To be a part of His family
To become like Him
To Serve Him
To tell others about Him
I love how he reinforces this with scriptures and other materials. I highly recommend this to anyone who is wondering about their purpose here on earth.
Review on May 8, 2020
This is my 5th time re-reading The Purpose Drive Life and I think this time is when it really connected for me. Maybe because I read it out loud, or maybe because while I was re-reading this book I recommitted my life to God, it can be a combination of the two but I was really impacted by this book is a strong way.
In Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I here For? he outlines the five purposes of our life, what we were created by God to do:
To worship Him
To Fellowship with His Family/Church
To grow like Christ in Character
To Serve
To be on mission with God in the world, this Great Commission
I loved that it was broken down in an easy to follow way. I have been listening to Rick Warren for over 5 years, I start my day listening to his Daily Hope podcast so it was great reading this.
If you are wondering about your purpose, if you are searching for reason, if you want to know why you are on earth, I highly recommend reading this book.
Review on April 24th, 2019
This is my fourth time reading this book. I generally read this book during Easter because of the 40 chapters and 40 days during Lent. It is a great reminder on how to find purpose in life. How to make your life not about you and create some form of impact.
Review on March 30th 2018
This is my third time reading this book. I usually read this book at the start of the year or at the start of lent. I think reading a book one chapter a day for forty days requires not only dedication but it forces you to be in the Word of God.
Everyone wants to know their purpose- why am I here on earth? What is my purpose? These are questions that plague me sometimes when I feel so purposeless. I love how easy this book is to read, how we are given various call to actions and questions to ponder on.
You get from this book what you take. Rick Warren doesn't promise you purpose after this book, you need to really work and seek it.
A great read- one of my favorites.
inspiring
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it to be very insightful and thought-provoking. I was most impacted by the section relating to having conversations with God and meditating on His Word. God desires to be our best friend, and as with any relationship, this takes work, including having Him become a part of everyday life by speaking to Him and having focused thinking upon Him.
I found much of the content of this book ideal particularly for new believers. I wish I had this book in my possession when I first became a Christian nearly 20 years ago. Many of the principles and values addressed in this book provide a good foundation for basic Christian living, but I believe should be required reading for all Christians no matter the maturity level of one’s faith.
I was somewhat bothered by the excessive use of the different Bible translations Warren utilized throughout his book. I am aware that Warren addresses this issue in Appendix 3. But, rather than crafting his messages and conforming them to Scripture, it seemed Warren conformed Scripture, by the use of many different Bible translations, to his messages. I don’t believe the words of the Bible should be something to be toyed with by utilizing numerous Bible translations. A Christian and Bible teacher should use one translation and stick with it. Occasionally, resorting to another Bible version can be very helpful and insightful in better understanding a particular passage. However, excessively using them can plant seeds of doubt into an audience who may be trying to figure out what the Bible really says about a particular issue or subject.
I applaud Warren for writing a spectacular book and will certainly recommend this to all of my friends and family who have not yet read this insightful book.
I found much of the content of this book ideal particularly for new believers. I wish I had this book in my possession when I first became a Christian nearly 20 years ago. Many of the principles and values addressed in this book provide a good foundation for basic Christian living, but I believe should be required reading for all Christians no matter the maturity level of one’s faith.
I was somewhat bothered by the excessive use of the different Bible translations Warren utilized throughout his book. I am aware that Warren addresses this issue in Appendix 3. But, rather than crafting his messages and conforming them to Scripture, it seemed Warren conformed Scripture, by the use of many different Bible translations, to his messages. I don’t believe the words of the Bible should be something to be toyed with by utilizing numerous Bible translations. A Christian and Bible teacher should use one translation and stick with it. Occasionally, resorting to another Bible version can be very helpful and insightful in better understanding a particular passage. However, excessively using them can plant seeds of doubt into an audience who may be trying to figure out what the Bible really says about a particular issue or subject.
I applaud Warren for writing a spectacular book and will certainly recommend this to all of my friends and family who have not yet read this insightful book.