The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life) (Paperback)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The spiritual premise in The Purpose-Driven Life is that there are no accidents---God planned everything and everyone. Therefore, every human has a divine purpose, according to God's master plan. Like a twist on John F. Kennedy's famous inaugural address, this book could be summed up like this: "So my fellow Christians, ask not what God can do for your life plan, ask what your life can do for God's plan." Those who are looking for advice on finding one's calling through career choice, creative expression, or any form of self-discovery should go elsewhere. This is not about self-exploration; it is about purposeful devotion to a Christian God. The book is set up to be a 40-day immersion plan, recognizing that the Bible favors the number 40 as a "spiritually significant time," according to author Rick Warren, the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, touted as one of the nation largest congregations. Warren's hope is that readers will "interact" with the 40 chapters, reading them one day at a time, with extensive underlining and writing in the margins. As an inspirational manifesto for creating a more worshipful, church-driven life, this book delivers. Every page is laden with references to scripture or dogma. But it does not do much to address the challenges of modern Christian living, with its competing material, professional, and financial distractions. Nonetheless, this is probably an excellent resource for devout Christians who crave a jumpstart back to worshipfulness. --Gail Hudson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly
Pastor of Saddleback Church, a Southern Baptist mega-church in southern California with weekly attendance of more than 15,000, Warren now applies his highly successful "purpose-driven" framework, developed in the best-seller The Purpose-Driven Church, to individual experience. The same principles Warren has taught to thousands of pastors to help churches be healthy and effective can also drive lives, he says. The book argues that discerning and living five God-ordained purposes-worship, community, discipleship, ministry and evangelism-is key to effective living. His 40 short chapters are intended to be read over 40 days' time, giving readers small pieces of his purpose-discovering program to chew on. Warren certainly knows his Bible. Of 800-plus footnotes, only 18 don't refer to Christian Scripture. He deliberately works with 15 different Bible translations, leaning heavily on contemporary translations and paraphrases, as an interesting way of plumbing biblical text. The almost exclusively biblical frame of reference stakes out the audience niche for this manual for Christian living. It's practical yet paradoxically abstract, lacking the kind of real-life examples and stories that life-application books usually provide in abundance. The book has flaws editing might have fixed. People are quoted without being identified, and subheads simply repeat lines of text, which tends to make the prose sound too simple. This book is not for all, but for those needing a certain kind of scriptural rock, it is solid.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Book Description
The most basic question everyone faces in life is "Why am I here?". What is my purpose? Self-help books suggest that people should look within, at their own desires and dreams, but Rick Warren says the starting place must be with Godand His eternal purpose for each life. Real meaning and significance comes from understanding and fulfilling Gods purposes for putting us on earth.

"The Purpose-Driven Life" takes the groundbreaking message of the award-winning "Purpose-Driven Church" and goes deeper, applying it to the lifestyle of individual Christians. This book helps readers understand Gods incredible plan for their lives. Warren enables them to see the big picture of what life is all about and begin to live the life God created them to live. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Download Description
Another Landmark Book by Rick Warren. 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! 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, your Creator, and his reasons for creating you. You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. 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 importantly, prepare you for eternity. The Purpose-DrivenT Life is a blueprint for Christian living in the 21st century-a lifestyle based on God's eternal purposes, not cultural values. Using over 1,200 scriptural quotes and references, it challenges the conventional definitions of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. In the tradition of Oswald Chambers, Rick Warren offers distilled wisdom on the essence of what life is all about. This is a book of hope and challenge that you will read and re-read, and it will be a classic treasured by generations to come.

From the Back Cover
A Groundbreaking Manifesto on the Meaning of Life

The Purpose Driven Life will help you understand why you are alive and Gods amazing plan for youboth here and now, and for eternity. Rick Warren will guide you through a personal 40-day spiritual journey that will transform your answer to lifes most important question: What on earth am I here for? Knowing Gods purpose for creating you will reduce your stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life, and, most importantly, prepare you for eternity.

This recording on six cassettes offers a blueprint for Christian living in the 21st centurya lifestyle based on Gods eternal purposes, not cultural values. Using over 1,200 scriptural quotes and references, it challenges the conventional definitions of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. In the tradition of Oswald Chambers, Rick Warren offers distilled wisdom on the essence of what life is all about. Full of hope and challenge, The Purpose Driven Life will be a classic treasured by generations to come. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author
Rick Warren is often called "America's most influential spiritual leader." He founded Saddleback Church in Orange County, California, which is now one of the largest and best-known churches in the world. He also founded the Purpose Driven Movement, a network of tens of thousands of churches from all denominations in 160 countries. He has trained over 350,000 pastors worldwide. Calling him a "spiritual entrepreneur," Forbes magazine said, "If Warren's ministry was a business it would be compared with Dell, Google, or Starbucks in impact." Rick and Kay Warren give away 90 percent of the profits from their books to charitable causes, including their global P.E.A.C.E. plan and Acts of Mercy, which services those infected with and affected by AIDS.

Dr. Rick Warren, es pastor fundador de le Iglesia Saddleback en Lake Forest, California. Es el autor del libro de mejor ventas según el New York Time, Una vida con propósito. Con más de 10 millones de copias vendidas desde su publicación en Octubre del 2002, el libro ha recibido dos veces el premio de
ECPA El libro del año en el 2003 y 2004. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

How a young person can teach us to dream

How a young person can teach us to dream
Pack your bags!
June 15, 2007 - by Katie Brazelton and Ginny Holcombe
Mikey was a 4-year-old with a dream. Every day, when his preschool teacher (my friend) announced that it was free time, Mikey made a beeline for the home goods area of the classroom. He would grab a battered suitcase and fill it with carefully chosen necessities: a plate, fork, spoon, cup, food, and an old shirt. Then Mikey would struggle to latch the case closed, before setting off on his trip around the room. Every day his teacher would ask, "Where are you headed, Mikey?"
Every day she heard the same answer: "I'm going on bacation." He had never been on a vacation and the teacher knew his single mom couldn't afford to take him on one. But Mikey did not know this. He had a dream that one day he would actually get to go on a "bacation"! Mikey didn't realize it, but every single day he was envisioning his dream.
God has given each of us a dream, a glorious purpose to fulfill while we are on this earth. Too often, as we grow older, we lose sight of that dream. The cares and worries of life often blur the vision of hope God has planted in our hearts. We focus on what we do not have, instead of God's promise to provide all we need to obey him. We must refocus on God, on his power and love for us. As we seek to trust him and realize our purpose-filled dream, there are four lessons we can learn from Mikey:
Discover your dream
Mikey was only 4 years old, but he already had a clear dream of a fun and wonderful travel adventure. He wanted to experience what he had only heard about from others and seen on television. By the way, did you know that God brings people and happenings into our lives to enable us to discover our dream, the purpose we are to fulfill? Sometimes those events occur in valleys we wish we did not have to walk through. Sometimes we learn about our godly dream through relationships with difficult people. We also learn from mountaintop events and loving relationships that bring joy and laughter into our lives. God permits things to happen in our lives that will push us toward the goal he has for us. Spend time discovering your God-given dream through prayer, reading his precious Word, and fellowshipping with other believers.
Prepare yourself for your dream
Mikey did not just think about going on a vacation, he prepared for it and repeatedly made trial runs. In the creative way of a youngster, he rehearsed for it by packing his suitcase and setting off on his journey. Even though he never left the classroom, his imagination took him to wonderful and fun locations. In the same way, we can prepare ourselves for the dream God has placed in our heart. Once you discover your dream, picture yourself living it. Find out the steps you need to take on your pathway toward an exhilarating purpose in life. Ask God to open doors of opportunity that will move you closer to his dream for you. Be willing to risk, to take each step as he lights the way.
Share your dream with others
Every day, Mikey unabashedly announced his intentions to anyone who would listen. Because of his openness, other teachers, classmates, and parents began hoping his dream would come true. Even today, more than 16 years later, his teacher still thinks about Mikey and just knows he has lived his dream of a vacation at least once in his lifetime. (We've got to believe he did - with all the passion he had toward it!) When we share our dream with others, we allow them to become encouragers for our journey. In addition, we give them an opportunity to share their resources with us. People are hungry to follow and support someone with vision! Always remember that.
Never give up on your dream
Mikey's relentless determination kept his dream alive. His routine was always the same. The smile on his face and the joy in his voice never wavered. God enables us to persevere, no matter what obstacles or setbacks we face, as we pursue the dream he gives us. As we keep our eyes on him and place our hope in his promises, we grow closer to him - and closer to the fulfillment of our dream, our purpose.
God knows the perfect timing for the fulfillment of his plan for each of his children. He works behind the scenes, even when we do not know what we should do next. We can certainly find God's promise and plan for his people in Jeremiah:
"This is God's Word on the subject: 'As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.'" (Jeremiah 29:10-11MSG)
We need to invite the vision God wants to give us, and then pack our bags with the supplies he provides. We must set out on our journey, enlisting others who inspire us. We must walk persistently and confidently toward completing the dream God gives us. We need to learn from children like Mikey and pack a suitcase for the adventure of a lifetime!
Katie Brazelton, PhD, MDiv, MA, is the author of bestselling Pathway to Purpose for Women, along with its popular companion books: Praying for Purpose and Conversations on Purpose. She is the founder of Life Purpose Coaching Centers, International, which trains Christian men and women internationally (online and in conferences) to become Life Purpose Coaches® and Life Plan Facilitators. For years, Katie was a licensed minister at the purpose-driven Saddleback Church. Now, she is fulfilling her God-given dream of opening 200 Life Purpose Coaching Centers around the world, and she invites you to join her on that adventure. Katie is thrilled to be a first-time grandmother, who also regularly gets to enjoy her daughter, son, and daughter-in-law who all live nearby. Ginny Holcombe is a contributing author to this article. She is a Life Purpose Coach/Facilitator, Speaker, and Women's Ministry Consultant for Life Purpose Coaching Centers, Intl in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Katie and Ginny can both be reached at WomensInfo@LifePurposeCoachingCenters.com, if you reference the name of this article.

Rick Warren

Dr. Rick Warren is passionate about attacking what he calls the five “Global Goliaths” – spiritual emptiness, egocentric leadership, extreme poverty, pandemic disease, and illiteracy/poor education. His goal is a second Reformation by restoring responsibility in people, credibility in churches, and civility in culture. He is a pastor, global strategist, theologian, and philanthropist. He’s been often named " America's most influential spiritual leader" and “ America’s Pastor.” (1)
As a pastor, he founded Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., in 1980 with one family. Today, it is an evangelical congregation averaging 22,000 weekly attendees, a 120-acre campus, and has more than 300 community ministries to groups such as prisoners, CEOs, addicts, single parents, and those with HIV/AIDS. Recently, the church fed 42,000 homeless people – three meals a day – for 40 days.
He also leads the Purpose Driven Network of churches, a global coalition of congregations in 162 countries. More than 400,000 ministers and priests have been trained worldwide, and almost 157,000 church leaders subscribe to Ministry Toolbox, his weekly newsletter. His previous book, The Purpose Driven Church is listed in “100 Christian Books That Changed the 20 th Century.” Forbes magazine called it, “The best book on entrepreneurship, management, and leadership in print.”
As a global strategist , Dr. Warren advises leaders in the public, private, and faith sectors on leadership development, poverty, health, education, and faith in culture. He has been invited to speak at the United Nations, the World Economic Forum in Davos, the African Union, the Council on Foreign Relations, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, TIME’s Global Health Summit, and numerous congresses around the world. TIME magazine named him one of “15 World Leaders Who Mattered Most in 2004” and in 2005 one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World.” Also, in 2005 U.S. News & World Report named him one of “ America’s 25 Best Leaders”.
As a theologian, Dr. Warren has lectured at Oxford, Cambridge, the University of Judaism, the Evangelical Theological Society, and numerous seminaries and universities. His six books are known for explaining theology in understandable ways and have been translated into more than 50 languages. Dr. Warren says he teaches theology without using theological terms and telling people it is theology. His latest book, The Purpose Driven Life, has sold 25 million copies and is the best-selling hardback book in American history, according to Publisher’s Weekly.
MEDIA QUOTES
The Weekly Standard - “… clearly among the two or three most influential Americans working from the west coast.”
The Economist - “Rick Warren is arguably the most influential pastor in America.”
The Times ( London) - “ Business and political leaders across America are turning to Rick Warren for guidance.”

Forbes - “Were it a business, Saddleback Church would be compared with Dell, Google or Starbucks.”

ABC News - “ The Purpose Driven Life is the epicenter of a spiritual shockwave taking root across America in unlikely places like offices and university campuses. It has become a movement.”

TIME - “Movie stars and political leaders aren't the only ones turning to Rick Warren for spiritual guidance. Millions of people – from NFL and LPGA players to corporate executives to high school students to prison inmates – meet regularly to discuss The Purpose Driven Life.”
(1) USA Today, Wall Street Journal, New Yorker, Boston Globe, TIME, Washington Post ,New York Times
the Better Life