42nd out of 1,046 books
—
5,570 voters
The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth am I Here for?
by
Rick Warren
A #1 New York Times bestseller, The Purpose Driven Life will help you understand why you are alive and reveal God's amazing plan for you both here and now, and for eternity. Rick Warren will guide you through a personal forty-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 creat...more
Paperback, 334 pages
Published
February 1st 2007
by Zondervan Publishing Company
(first published May 2nd 2002)
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"God made you so he could love you" (p. 24), Warren tells us, and the purpose that drives our lives should be loving God in return. "Worship is as natural as eating or breathing. If we fail to worship God, we always find a substitute, even if it ends up being ourselves. The reason God made us with this desire is that he desires worshipers!" (p. 64)
This worldview quickly becomes incoherent. Consider these two statements, made side-by-side: "You are free to choose what you surrender to, but you ar...more
This worldview quickly becomes incoherent. Consider these two statements, made side-by-side: "You are free to choose what you surrender to, but you ar...more
He's a great marketer: his books are read as part of small groups in churches of almost every denomination. I'm glad this book seems to have positively affected so many people, but, if I am honest, I must admit that I myself was unable to read it in its entirety. To me, it seemed somewhat typical of the simplified, talk-down-to-you, kill-the-mystery, commercialized Christian devotional. But, then again, I've never been a fan of exclamation marks! I'm still waiting for the Purpose Driven board ga...more
At its best, this book is filled with porous theology that is modestly helpful to someone who has no knowledge of Christianity whatsoever. At its worst, Warren mangles scripture to fit his own agenda (40 days to find purpose in your life) and promotes personal experience over the truth found in scripture.
This book is symptomatic of feel-good consumerized Christianity so prevalent in America today. Finding your purpose in life takes far longer than 40 days and it cannot be easily summarized (besi...more
This book is symptomatic of feel-good consumerized Christianity so prevalent in America today. Finding your purpose in life takes far longer than 40 days and it cannot be easily summarized (besi...more
Dear Mr. R.W,
Thank you for writing such a wonderful book.
For years, I’ve been battling loneliness within me, always reading some help books that didn’t really help at all. Actually, I’d read your book when I was in high school and maybe I’m too young at that time or not interested at all that’s why I didn’t took it seriously. And then, one day, I just woke up and decided that I don’t want to live my life like this anymore; a life with no purpose, a life full of regrets, worry, mediocrity and anx...more
Thank you for writing such a wonderful book.
For years, I’ve been battling loneliness within me, always reading some help books that didn’t really help at all. Actually, I’d read your book when I was in high school and maybe I’m too young at that time or not interested at all that’s why I didn’t took it seriously. And then, one day, I just woke up and decided that I don’t want to live my life like this anymore; a life with no purpose, a life full of regrets, worry, mediocrity and anx...more
I suppose this book can be genuinely helpful to some people (Scott Peterson, Brian Nichols, Fidel Castro, for example have all apparently benefited from this book), but it was uninteresting to me from the get-go. I went into it with an open mind, and hoped to gain some spiritual insight from it. However, when the book immediately recommended The Purpose-Driving Journal, The Purpose-Driven Calendar, Daily Inspiration for the Purpose-Driven Life, not to mention The Purpose Driven Life DVD Study Gu...more
Apr 22, 2013
Charissa Sophia de la Rosa
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Charissa Sophia by:
My Mom
Shelves:
inspiring-books,
books-i-own-a-copy
I've heard a lot of things about this book especially from my mom who made this her most favorite. It intrigued me to know if what the people around me said was true. And now, thanks to a friend of my mom's, gave me a hardcover format of this book (which I'm very thankful for I think it deserves to be bought a copy).
I've read the preface and some introductory notes from the author recommending I shall read a chapter per day and join him in a journey of 40 days of finding purpose.
I already sign...more
I've read the preface and some introductory notes from the author recommending I shall read a chapter per day and join him in a journey of 40 days of finding purpose.
I already sign...more
Rick Warren was a customer of mine (Greatsite.com - The Bible Museum) before he released this best-selling and now extremely famous book. I find it curious that so many of my Christian friends are quick to criticize this book as being a "primer" of "Christianity 101" or an introduction to the Christian Faith and Life... and they feel it does not go deep enough theologically. That is not a valid criticism of this book in my opinion, because this book does not represent itself to be a seminary-lev...more
This is a disgusting book. The goal of this book is to make you a slave. Don't take my word for it I'll just read straight from the book: "Worship isn't for you. It's for God p.66, God smiles when we obey him wholeheartedly, You have no right to argue with your Creator. You are merely a clay pot shaped by a potter p.75 " Or the chapters titles "Thinking like a Servant " and "How Real Servants Act".
For me, the most revolting thing about the book came on p.80 and this theme was repeated throughout...more
For me, the most revolting thing about the book came on p.80 and this theme was repeated throughout...more
I don't even know where to begin with this book... It has been suggested that the information provided within is "Christian" in its delivery... Though, I would suggest to you that everything in this world that refers to itself as Christian is not necessarily so...
Simply because a book includes Bible verses does not mean that those verses have anything to do with what the Word of God is commanding of those who would follow Him... Marilyn Manson's song lyrics contain scripture, however, no one in...more
Simply because a book includes Bible verses does not mean that those verses have anything to do with what the Word of God is commanding of those who would follow Him... Marilyn Manson's song lyrics contain scripture, however, no one in...more
Apr 03, 2009
☆Brittany☆
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Christians
Recommended to ☆Brittany☆ by:
My mom
I am reading the hard cover copy but I couldn't find it on GoodReads.
I am starting this book today. I am also going to do what it suggests - only read one chapter a day for 40 days. So that means, I will finish this book in a little over a month.
The whole point of the book is to supposedly show you *why* you are on this Earth.
I've been doing a lot of soul-searching lately & I am hoping to gain some knowledge from reading this book.
"Self-help books often suggest that you try to discover the...more
I am starting this book today. I am also going to do what it suggests - only read one chapter a day for 40 days. So that means, I will finish this book in a little over a month.
The whole point of the book is to supposedly show you *why* you are on this Earth.
I've been doing a lot of soul-searching lately & I am hoping to gain some knowledge from reading this book.
"Self-help books often suggest that you try to discover the...more
This book had been recommended to me by a lot of people when I started reading it. I was in a point in my life when I was thinking about my future a lot, so it was definitely the right time for reading this book.
The book gave me a lot of encouragement and determination the find God's plan for my life. There was especially one sentence that I kept repeating to myself: "Don't waist your life in a job that does not reflect your heart." (not a direct quote)
However, there were parts of the book that...more
The book gave me a lot of encouragement and determination the find God's plan for my life. There was especially one sentence that I kept repeating to myself: "Don't waist your life in a job that does not reflect your heart." (not a direct quote)
However, there were parts of the book that...more
I read this book thinking it would offer something deep and real about the purpose of God and the purposes of peoples in the world. But it offered little more than a worn-out run-a-round of the phrase "God has a purpose for you." I know why this book is so popular - it, like many others, offers Christians the idea that "God's purpose" for you has something to do with getting ahead in life and having more money. It's that lame "name it and claim it" mentality.
I wouldn't recommend this book to an...more
I wouldn't recommend this book to an...more
Oct 09, 2008
Atomic
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Christians of perhaps type B personalities.
While the philosophy and prompts for personal reflection were engaging, I didn't learn anything new from this book. Even organizing my thoughts through the exercises in the accompanying workbook and viewing these things from Rick Warren's perspective didn't really provide me with anything fresh to help me move forward with fresh direction and purpose. Maybe this is better for a type B person, instead of someone like me?
Changed my life.
I took Warren's challenge and found that I was not where I should have been. Paradoxically, I was at that time employed by a Christian ministry highly regarded by many (and vilified by some), but I knew--I knew--that wasn't where I was supposed to be. S,o I quit my job and sought a new direction.
Not there yet by a long shot, but thanks to Rick Warren I'm on my way.
I took Warren's challenge and found that I was not where I should have been. Paradoxically, I was at that time employed by a Christian ministry highly regarded by many (and vilified by some), but I knew--I knew--that wasn't where I was supposed to be. S,o I quit my job and sought a new direction.
Not there yet by a long shot, but thanks to Rick Warren I'm on my way.
Mar 02, 2008
Drew J
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
immature Christians
Recommended to Drew by:
everyone and their mama
I think I'm the only one in the world who hated this book. It annoyed the crap out of me. It lays out a canned formula to live. Turn-off for me.
We read this in a weekly meeting at church and I was impressed with this book's simple wisdom. One can read the words easily, but taking them to heart is a different matter.
I can recall reading a handful of books in my life, only a few which were theological in nature, where I got to a certain point and I had to stop, simply because I couldn't go any farther: I could not get my head...or heart... around such a concept as was being presented and I felt that pushing through or on would have been a...more
I can recall reading a handful of books in my life, only a few which were theological in nature, where I got to a certain point and I had to stop, simply because I couldn't go any farther: I could not get my head...or heart... around such a concept as was being presented and I felt that pushing through or on would have been a...more
As many reviewers here and elsewhere have pointed out, this book and its approach are theologically suspect, and based much more on marketing hype and good feelings than any real substance. You're much better off reading C.S. Lewis or John Piper any day.
I personally find it difficult to read the book at all. Even when I agree with some of Rick Warren's overall conclusions, he frequently supports those conclusions via logical fallacies, false analogies, and Bible verses quoted out of context (and...more
I personally find it difficult to read the book at all. Even when I agree with some of Rick Warren's overall conclusions, he frequently supports those conclusions via logical fallacies, false analogies, and Bible verses quoted out of context (and...more
Sep 04, 2007
Greyceeh Guevarra
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
all of my friends
Our life now here on earth is the warm-up act - the
dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice what we will
do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense. Life is a series of problems: Either we are in one
now, we're just coming out of one, or we're getting ready to go into another one.
The reason for this is that God is more interested in
our character than our comfort. God is more interested in making our life holy than He is...more
dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice what we will
do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense. Life is a series of problems: Either we are in one
now, we're just coming out of one, or we're getting ready to go into another one.
The reason for this is that God is more interested in
our character than our comfort. God is more interested in making our life holy than He is...more
Jan 29, 2013
Jo
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
christians, people who want to change for the better, yeah not really
actually when i was reading this around 4 years ago, i felt good. like "now i know what to do what to avoid" so i could go to heaven. well, that's what gullibility and juvenility can bring to you. and that's great! that's the positive part of any religion: values and ethics. but that was only until the 4th part though. i never got (and never had the intention) to read the final part (community/service/sharing). i mean NO. why can't i keep my thoughts to myself? i don't wanna share my life with a...more
when i thought my LIFE has no perfect meaning... that i was going on with boring days of 24/7 !! " PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE " came into my LIFE with a KICK of knowing what is GOD'S purpose in my LIFE !! i came to know that iam not a mistake but of GOD'S CHOOSEN ONE !! HE choose me from the FAREST CORNER of this world & appointed me to BEAR FRUITS.. FRUITS that will ENDURES FOREVER & EVER... AS YOU KNOW FOREVER IS A LONG TERM OF TIME !!
i would prefer you "ALL" to read "this" book to get recha...more
i would prefer you "ALL" to read "this" book to get recha...more
Like the Shack, not bad just not great. I think all the Purpose Driven Life merchandising bothered me some to...that could be, just me though.
I am a Christian and I find that "popular" Christian books tend to have a "hard row to hoe" with me.
I'd say, know what you believe and then read this. Works flow from a person's relationship with God, they do not bring it about.
I'm not saying that this book claims they do, I'm just saying fit the contemporary read (any contemporary work)into grounded Chri...more
I am a Christian and I find that "popular" Christian books tend to have a "hard row to hoe" with me.
I'd say, know what you believe and then read this. Works flow from a person's relationship with God, they do not bring it about.
I'm not saying that this book claims they do, I'm just saying fit the contemporary read (any contemporary work)into grounded Chri...more
Jan 02, 2009
booklady
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommended to booklady by:
Jan and Sandy
Shelves:
2005,
spiritual,
theology,
scripture,
religion,
psychology,
prayer,
philosophy,
non-fiction
Seeing Cassie's listing of this reminded me to add it to my books even though I never finished it. I did read over 3/4th of it.
When I finished Retreat in Daily Life the St. Ignatian Spiritual Exercises I was looking for something to fill the gap and a few of the ladies who had been in my group were going to read this so I thought I'd join them in it. None of us ever finished it; it was such a weak follow-up. Maybe I would have liked it better or gotten more out of it at another time or under di...more
When I finished Retreat in Daily Life the St. Ignatian Spiritual Exercises I was looking for something to fill the gap and a few of the ladies who had been in my group were going to read this so I thought I'd join them in it. None of us ever finished it; it was such a weak follow-up. Maybe I would have liked it better or gotten more out of it at another time or under di...more
This is a book every living soul should have on its bookshelf either because they've read it for themselves or to-read. I saw this book everywhere but never wanted to read it. After the death of my grandparents I began to think about the meaning of life and my purpose. I bought this book at a book fair and it was like food to my soul. My only complaint is a good one it is a book that can not be read in one sitting because it takes you on a 40 day spiritual journey answering your deepest life que...more
I felt this was a wonderfully thought provoking book. I was surprised at the negative reviews posted below. I agree that you need more than 40 days, but I took this as a start for many to get real with how they are spending their time and are we serving where God is calling us. I have facilitated many Bible studies where we spend indepth time in scripture. We felt this was a welcome addition to our other studies and I plan to continue working on my Purpose. I would recommend to any who want to d...more
This book offers a great insight into what a Christian life should be like. I would recommend this book to seasoned and new Christians alike. It also works great as a group study.
Publisher's Summary
The Purpose-Driven Life 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?...more
Publisher's Summary
The Purpose-Driven Life 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?...more
After having read this book I definitely DO NOT approve of it! It underscores the basic ideology of having a life driven by your own heart. It brings together godly concepts and scripture and adds a twist that is unacceptable. As the Lord has said in jeremiah 23,
Thus says the Lord of hosts:
“Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you.
They make you worthless;
They speak a vision of their own heart,
Not from the mouth of the Lord.
They continually say to those who despise Me,
‘The...more
Thus says the Lord of hosts:
“Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you.
They make you worthless;
They speak a vision of their own heart,
Not from the mouth of the Lord.
They continually say to those who despise Me,
‘The...more
"America's Pastor" is leading America down the "wide path of destruction" mentioned in John 7:14. This is not a book about the Gospel of Jesus Christ---it is an expose' promoting a "man-centered," New Age, ecumenical, "unity-at-all-costs" betrayal of the true gospel of Christ.
Dr. Warren has compiled a "self-help" book rife with postmodern psycho-babble designed to take the reader's focus away from Christ, and instead focus on ourselves, which is not what we are supposed to be doing as Christians...more
Dr. Warren has compiled a "self-help" book rife with postmodern psycho-babble designed to take the reader's focus away from Christ, and instead focus on ourselves, which is not what we are supposed to be doing as Christians...more
This book allows you to discover, who you are and what your purpose is.
It is a books that speaks of why, how and what. A book that has transforming pieces of ' golden nuggets. Light bulb moments, which opens your eyes to what is possible.
It does not preach to you, but talks to you with reason. Allows you to discover ' whose you really are' Without condemnation, but touches you lovingly and wants you to listen, be still and know that God is real and is just waiting for you to open your eyes to tr...more
It is a books that speaks of why, how and what. A book that has transforming pieces of ' golden nuggets. Light bulb moments, which opens your eyes to what is possible.
It does not preach to you, but talks to you with reason. Allows you to discover ' whose you really are' Without condemnation, but touches you lovingly and wants you to listen, be still and know that God is real and is just waiting for you to open your eyes to tr...more
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| Bored With This One | 34 | 195 | May 10, 2013 10:14am |
Richard Duane Warren.
As philanthropists, Rick and Kay Warren give away 90 percent of their income through three foundations: Acts of Mercy, which serves those infected and affected by AIDS; Equipping the Church, which trains church leaders in developing countries; and The Global PEACE Fund, which fights poverty, disease, and illiteracy.
More about Rick Warren...
As philanthropists, Rick and Kay Warren give away 90 percent of their income through three foundations: Acts of Mercy, which serves those infected and affected by AIDS; Equipping the Church, which trains church leaders in developing countries; and The Global PEACE Fund, which fights poverty, disease, and illiteracy.
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“we are product of our past but we dont have to be prisoners of it.”
—
439 people liked it
“Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more money, but you can't make more time. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time.
It is not enough to just say relationships are important; we must prove it by investing time in them. Words alone are worthless. "My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action." Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is "T-I-M-E.”
—
389 people liked it
More quotes…
It is not enough to just say relationships are important; we must prove it by investing time in them. Words alone are worthless. "My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action." Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is "T-I-M-E.”

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