Posted on 03/16/2005 4:31:11 AM PST by Rebelbase
Excerpt required.
In a nutshell:
Ashley Smith commented that she read portions of the book "A Purpose Driven Life" to Brian Nichols while he held her hostage.The book moved from #54 on Saturday to #2 yesterday on Amazon's best seller list.
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...
It is....The author , Rick Warren, is a CA-based minister. Many of my church friends have read it...there are loads of small groups which have discussed it the past few years since it's been out.
I just started reading it. Everyone I know who has read it says it's a great book.
A pretty clear indication that the human soul yearns for purpose. It can, however, only be met in Christ. Though I'm sure that most will run out, buy it, read it and come away like the rich young ruler - downcast in countenance, once they count the cost. Being a follower of Jesus is never the "crutch" that non-believers like to claim it to be. In fact, it is the more difficult choice. Being your own god is so much easier, immediate, and convenient.
Good thing she wasn't reading from "My Life," by William Jefferson Clinton. I'd hate to have that book move up the charts. Of course, had she been reading from that, he would have killed her and then himself. (He might have even killed himself first before killing her.)
it is an excellent book
I am reading this wonderful book.
I am on Day 11. : ))
Excellent book, and I'm enjoying Purpose Driven Church even more. Warren has an apostolic anointing.
Thanks, annie. Great comment!
Jude 1:3ff- 3Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. 4For certain men whose condemnation was written about[b] long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
5Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord[c] delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. 6And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home–these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. 7In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
8In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. 9But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals–these are the very things that destroy them.
11Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion.
12These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm–shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted–twice dead. 13They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. 14Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. A call to persevere
17But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
22Be merciful to those who doubt; 23snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear–hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Doxology
24To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy– 25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
- New Int'l Version
One of our local priests led a lenten mission based on that book. Everyone who attended went out and bought it. It's an excellent book. And it doesn't matter if you are Protestant or Catholic (although for Catholics, you must insert some Catholic dogma, as the author is Evangelical), there is so much "good stuff" in this book.
We covered this book over a period of weeks in Bible study.
While I did find a number of inspirational points made by Mr. Warren and it did lead to some interesting and thought provoking conversations among the group, I am glad to be back on the bible.
IMHO, Mr. Warren sometimes forgets that not everyone is a minister and some of the 'requirements' he stipulates in this book can have a discouraging effect on a person if their early on in their faith journey and start to feel they could never 'measure up'.
It works. It's good.
Great point!
Not sure I get the meaning in your response.
Please clarify. Thanks.
I read this book last year...great book that can literally change your life. My second favorite book to The Christ Commission by Og Mandino, which had a huge affect on me even tho is was written as fiction.
I'm not so sure about that.
"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father - to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen." - Rev. 1:5-6
Sometimes I think that folks think of being a priest for God in too formal a sense. We are all called to priests.
Rush mentioned it yesterday - sounds like he is reading it.
It's much easier to focus on the need for purpose and meaning, than a need for a Savior and His cross daily.
I agree with your assertion that we are all called to spread the gospel.
My remark is based on my belief that spiritual enlightenment is a journey not a destination and we must sometimes tread with care lest we fail to make that point clear and lose those who may not yet understand that.
It's my feeling that some give up on trying because they feel they could never reach a Christ like existence before understanding that nobody can and it is the genuine effort that is what counts in the eyes of the Lord.
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