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johnny2k · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 2:17 pm Post subject: Our Forty Days of Purpose!

I hope that this question will make you think, and ask yourself,

"What is my purpose in life?"

Tell me, can you answer that? And tell me, or think about it for yourself, just what is the purpose of your life? Have you ever had a close encounter with your own demise any time in your life? Do you ever wonder what you would be remembered for?

At one time, I never thought much about my own purpose. I had enough problems trying to guess what my next short term goal would be, let alone, thinking about any purpose for my life.

Won By One!

John
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johnny2k · Last edited by johnny2k on Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:08 pm; edited 2 times in total

The Discussion of "The Purpose Driven Life" Starts Here

I began telling you about this great book last fall (2004), and never went further in this topic thread. I began reading the book again on August 1, 2005, and have decided that I would attempt to post my comments on the book. I am hoping I will be able to follow through with that goal. As stated in the book, each chapter should be read in sequence, one chapter a day, from day 1 through 40. Being that I have some time limitations, reading a chapter a day will be a big challenge, let alone writing about each chapter, each day. I am going to do my best, though, and some of my comments may not be written the same day as I have read that particular chapter.

The PURPOSE of writing this post is to hopefully inspire those of you who haven't read the book yet, or that would like to read it again, to go get your copy of "Purpose Driven Life", and start in reading, and even join the conversation if you so desire.

At times, I may include several chapters in one post, we'll have to see how this goes.

The next post starts with Day (chapter) 1, "It All Starts With God". Are you ready to get started on this great journey, and find out what God's purpose is for YOU?

Won by One!
John
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johnny2k · Last edited by johnny2k on Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:10 pm; edited 3 times in total

Day 1 - It All Starts With God

First, and very importantly, the author of this great book, Pastor Rick Warren, makes it clear that this book is not a self-help book, but about God's purpose for your life. I think that this is an extremely important point to make, because you won't have to wonder when you'll be finding out how to improve your career, find success, or become all you can be in terms of what you do with your life.

Shockingly, you are going to start right off finding out that it isn't about what you want for your life, but what it is that God has planned for your life, why you were created. Yet, do not despair, as you'll soon learn that God's purpose for you is far greater than anything you may have thought you were created for!

Pastor Rick Warren wrote, "To discover your purpose in life you must turn to God's Word, not the world's wisdom." After reading the entire New Testament over the last year, I found that to be so true! I soon discovered that in God's eyes, I was no less important to Him than any King, athletic super-star, or corporate CEO. That to me was a vital revelation, and more important than anything I had learned in any self-help book ever written.

Won by Won!

John
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johnny2k · Last edited by johnny2k on Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:15 pm; edited 4 times in total

Day 2 - You Are Not an Accident

In Isaiah 44:2, we read:

In this chapter, Pastor Warren's point is that we were created by God, for whatever purpose He has for us, and that there was no mistake, no accident, in your creation. It is explained in this chapter that even if you were an "accident", unplanned by your parents, God knew exactly what you would be, that you were conceived by God, long before your parents, or any generation before you, came upon this Earth.

How important is that? Let's consider that on one side, the Bible tells us that however we came to be, God wanted us for his purpose. On the other side, a worldly secular view says that we were the result of some random chance. How difficult would it be, considering the secular view, to determine why you exist?

I have always had to struggle with the belief that I had been a product of random chance, and probably would have given up long ago had I thought there was nothing for me to contribute to Mankind, being that I felt I didn't have any great skills, above and beyond my peers. Yet, here I am, writing in this forum, and developing this website, believing that at some point, maybe I will touch somebody's life that happens upon this website, and they'll find a meaning to their life. I know I am no J. K. Rowlings, Ernest Hemingway or Rick Warren when it comes to writing abilities. But here I am, using whatever talents I have on loan from God (to use Rush Limbaugh's line), trying to make a difference in this world.

If we aren't a random chance in "nature", the only other concept of our being can only be that we were a product of God's Creation, and that there IS a purpose for us to be here!

Which viewpoint would you rather have?

Won by One!
John
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johnny2k · Last edited by johnny2k on Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:26 pm; edited 6 times in total

Day 3 - What Drives Your Life?

Turning back to Day 1, I mentioned this book, The Purpose Driven Life, wasn't a self-help book. But, Chapter 3 - Day 3 - is surely the self-help chapter.

In the first part of this chapter, Pastor Warren talks about what drives us. He talks about the driving forces, such as guilt, resentment, fear, materialism, and the need for approval in our lives. There are many others, but those were the five most common emotions that possibly are driving our lives. These are the driving forces that KEEP us from our Purpose Driven Life. Like all self-help books, he's able to explain why those emotions KEEP us from using our God-given talents to serve His purpose in our lives.

I was easily able to see some of those emotion-driven forces that had at one time conquered me, that kept me from the purpose of living in Him. I saw quickly how certain fears kept me a prisoner, that reduced my effectiveness in serving His Will. For example, it was Fear that had kept me from starting this topic, writing about this book in this daily thread. I can read, but I was afraid that what I had to say wouldn't mean much to anyone else, and that I wouldn't be able to express through my writing what these chapters meant to me, or each of you that are now reading this. I procrastinated for ... well, about 9 months since the very first post I made regarding this book, didn't I?

It all made sense to me when I came to the final pages of this chapter, where Rick Warren writes about "The Benefits of Purpose-Driven Living". At this point in the chapter, he discusses how knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life, simplifies your life, focuses your life, motivates your life, and most importantly, prepares you for eternity.

When I started writing in this post topic yesterday, I believe I began to answer the questions that are asked at the end of this great chapter: 1) What did I do with His Son, Jesus Christ? and 2) What did I do with all that God gave me to use? These are the questions that we are asked in our final exam, before entering eternity. I am now sure I'll pass.

Ask those questions of yourself, and do an audit of what you have done in your life. No, you do not go into Eternity through works, but through your acceptance of Jesus into your life... But that second question, are you using what God has given you in talents and abilities, wouldn't that be where we decide how many others also get the opportunity to know the Lord? Think about that!

Won by One!

John

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johnny2k · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 1:12 pm Post subject: Day 4 - Made to Last Forever

Day 4 - Made to Last Forever

When the time comes that you get to this chapter, Day 4, you will need to make several decisions. What you do with the next 36 days, and for that matter, with the rest of your life, will come down to the choices you will make based on these two questions: Do you believe in life after death? And, if the answer to that question is yes, do you want to be with God in Eternity, or not?

If the answer to the first question is no, put the book down, and go read the newspaper, another book, or watch TV. In fact, if you really believe there is nothing after this life, that when you are dead, you're dead, what are you even doing reading The Purpose Driven Life or these posts? You should be out having a good ol' time, doing whatever you want, running up your credit beyond bankruptcy, and even making other people miserable when ever you have a chance. There would be NO purpose in Life here on Earth other than living for yourself....

Of course, though, if you said "this life is all there is", for your sake, have you ever considered what the consequences are if you are wrong? If you just realized how profound that question was, then there is hope for you yet! If you now are wondering if that college Philosophy professor, that indoctrinated your thinking, was maybe off a little, then you should continue to pick up this book and read for the next 36 days!

Which leads us to question two, and the determination of how you will be finding the true purpose for your life. In this chapter, you'll be reading that this life on earth, in your present body, is just a preparation for your life in Eternity. As the time in your mother's womb was a preparation for this life, your existence now is a preparation for Eternity. You may not yet be able to answer my second question, whether or not you want to spend Eternity with God, in a place that has been prepared since the Heavens and Earth were created.

As you continue through the book from this point, assuming that you will, you'll get the answer to the question of spending Eternity with the Lord, or not. And, you're also going to find out what is needed to happen in your life to prepare you for the everlasting Glory of being with God for eternity.

To paraphrase Rick Warren, you were wired by God to consider the question of Eternity, and this chapter was a catalyst to lead you along that path. Where you'll take the path from here is your choice, one that will make a difference in your life from this point on, and then on for the Eternal Life that God has promised us.

Won by One!

John

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johnny2k · Last edited by johnny2k on Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:36 pm; edited 5 times in total

Day 5 - Seeing Life from God's View

Once again, Rick Warren was able to focus on subjects that I am very familiar with in this chapter. He discusses how WE view our lives first, and of course as always, it made plenty of sense. We view our lives from our personal life metaphors, like "Life is a circus... a game.... a race... ", etc. But then he goes into how God views our life.

"The Bible offers three metaphors that teach us God's view of Life", he writes. "Life is a test, life is a trust, and life is a temporary assignment." In this chapter, he discusses the first two - the Test and the Trust. I found it very easy to relate to this chapter, being that I have realized what a test life can be! Of course, in the Bible, there were so many people that were tested, and much of those various episodes also dealt with the Trust, where we are given something to take care of for God (like EVERYTHING we have, materially and our personal skills), and what we do with those things relate back to the Test.

There is no way I would want to try to cover everything that is written in this chapter, as it is so completely explained, I would do it an injustice to try to explain it all here. However, there were some very good points that you should know about.

To explain those points, I am willing to discuss what goes on in my own life. I've seen plenty of tests, some that I passed, others that I probably didn't get through very well. One of my biggest tests was of course when my wife Connie had passed away. There were months and months of sorrow, and I can't say that I had the most positive attitude at times. However, I did get through that test, at least temporarily. I found what I believed would be the greatest job I had in my life.

And, then, part of THAT test was related to that part of Trust, what would I do with what God gave me in that respect in my career. A test, and a trust, all at the same time, really. I'm afraid to say that maybe I didn't value that trust like I should have. I didn't go to work at times because I wasn't feeling very good, something that just doesn't impress an employer. And, things changed, the company's needs changed, and here I am, not knowing where I go from here, once again, facing a new test.

On the other side of the coin, though, I know God gave me abilities that I probably had ignored for much of my life. For as you can see, I like to write (even without using a spell checker!). The problem is, I still have a life view that I am probably not all that great at writing though. I still lack confidence in my own abilities, but hey, at least I am trying, right? I do not know if I'll ever be good enough to make an income from writing. I just see it as a way to do my ministry for my Lord, despite a lack of confidence in my abilities, and I feel I am using what He gave me for His purpose. For what I've seen in other "Blogs", possessing GREAT writing skills doesn't seem to be a pre-requesite.

So, now you see, there are things in YOUR life that you may want to look at from the God's view perspective, too. It is interesting when you really get deep into yourself, to see when there are things you have been entrusted with in your life, to see how you may have done in life's tests. It can really be an eye opener, I assure you!

Won by One!

John

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johnny2k · Last edited by johnny2k on Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:37 pm; edited 4 times in total

Day 6 - Life is a Temporary Assignment

In Hebrews 11:13-16, we read:

johnny2k · Last edited by johnny2k on Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:41 pm; edited 5 times in total

Day 7 - The Reason for Everything

Without a reason for everything, there would be no reason for anything. Without a purposeful and perfect plan of creation, there would be a chaotic happenstance resulting in life here on Earth, which defies all the odds, and boggles the minds of the top scientists and mathematicians to this day.

So, how does what I wrote above relate to this chapter, "The Reason for Everything"? Rick Warren wrote the following:

johnny2k · Last edited by johnny2k on Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:46 pm; edited 9 times in total

Purpose #1 - You Were Planned for God's Pleasure

Day 8 - Planned for God's Pleasure

johnny2k · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 4:30 pm Post subject: Day 9 - What Makes God Smile?

Day 9 - What Makes God Smile?

When I closed the post for Day 8, I told you to "go out and make God smile today!" In reading Chapter 9 today, I learned more about how to do that. I give all the praise and glory to God for giving me the ability to write about this additional wisdom I've gained today from reading The Purpose Driven Life. It is more proof of what goes around, comes around. I think God may have invented that often used cliche.

In Chapter 9, Rick Warren gives us five acts of worship that will please God. God smiles when we love Him supremely, when we trust him completely, when we obey him wholeheartedly, when we praise and thank him continually, and when we use our (God-given) abilities. For each of these five ways to give God pleasure, this chapter illustrates how the story of Noah fit in. Had not Noah made God smile, none of us would be here now! Noah loved God, trusted God, obeyed God, praised and thanked God, and he used his abilities to please God.

When it comes to the first way to make God smile, Jesus said it best, when he answered the Pharisee's question by saying, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment." [Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)]

To trust God, you have to have Faith. "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." [Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)]

I have focused on Loving God and Trusting God (faith) in this post because those two are prerequisites to praising and thanking God, obeying God, and using your abilities for His pleasure. Once you are obsessed with your love and faith in the Lord, the other three will fall into place, but would not be possible otherwise.

If you didn't love the Lord first, you wouldn't care whether you were obedient, or did anything for his favor. You wouldn't be praising and thanking God if you didn't love Him first.

I know from my personal experience now, that Rick Warren's discussion in this chapter was right on the mark. I keep these actions in my mind all the time, I practice what he has taught us. I know when God is pleased with us, when we give our all towards pleasing the Lord and making Him smile, it makes our lives better. It makes everyone's life better.

When you follow these principles, and make God smile, it also makes it possible for God to connect with many more souls. I'll close with this revelation: You can use your God-given abilities to touch a lot of lives. There are people like Billy Graham, Kurt Warner in football, Mel Gibson in the entertainment/film industry - just to name a few (there are many more) - that use their God-given abilities to share the Word with the world. They can touch millions of lives.

And then there people like me, somebody who is not a known celebrity. I may not touch nearly the number of lives that those I mentioned above do. But, it could be just that ONE person that I help lead to the Lord, using my God-given abilities to write; it could be the one more soul that God wants in His flock for His purpose. I am serving my purpose for the Lord, and He smiles!

Won by One!

John

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johnny2k · Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 2:14 pm Post subject: Day 10 - The Heart of Worship

Day 10 - The Heart of Worship

johnny2k · Last edited by johnny2k on Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:37 pm; edited 4 times in total

Day 11 - Becoming Best Friends with God

Though I read Chapter 11 yesterday, on schedule with my 40 Days of Purpose, I was unable to get a chance to post my daily writing about this great chapter. I had a lot of things going on and had been talking with several people, and God. The reason so much was going on in my life was because I had just been "released" from my job yesterday morning.

I had a lot of time to communicate with my best friend, God, during the day and evening hours. When I wasn't talking to family and friends over the last 36 hours, I was talking with God. It just happens that this fits in with the wonderful chapter that I had read yesterday, about being best friends with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I always talk to God, but yesterday was one of those days that I really needed to.

That brings up the point, which is when do you talk to God? Is is just when things are difficult, when you are being tested? You see, Satan was also trying to communicate with me yesterday, too. Satan tried to bring me down, he tried his hardest by communicating with me to put terrible thoughts in my head, and attempted to make me depressed about losing my job.

In fact, there was somebody, a good friend that I met not too long ago, that I wanted to talk to the most, and wasn't able to contact her. I needed her comforting voice I was looking forward to hearing.... He tried to tell me that she didn't care about me.

When Satan, the horrible serpent of the dark started attacking me, he almost had me convinced that I was alone in this world to fight my own battles, that the people I care about in my life didn't care. I knew those things weren't true, despite being unable to contact one of them. That was when I turned to the Lord, and asked to be protected from those moments of sorrow and solitude, to let me know that He was with me and He gave me strength to get through all the things that were going through my mind.

Finally, around 4:00 in the morning, I was directed by God to finally go hit the hay, get some shut-eye, and by morning, my problems would no longer be bothering me so much. I did what my Lord and Master directed me to do, and sure enough, the directions I was given by my BEST friend, God, through the Holy Spirit, were right on the mark, and things were much better after I woke up this morning.

Yes, my case of attention deficit yesterday was extreme, and it was even difficult to concentrate on reading the chapter, let alone, write about it. But now, it's all coming to me in a flood of words, because what I am telling you is how much He loves us, and how we really need to be able to communicate with the Lord, and know that like a best friend, he is always with us, ready to care for us, and if necessary, help us make those adjustments.

I am probably not following all the words contained in this great chapter that Rick Warren as I usually have. This post is extremely directed just at letting you know that God will speak to you, be your friend, and protect you from those erroneous thoughts the devil will try to put in your mind when times get difficult. But I will tell you this: the chapter talks about CONSTANT communcation with the Lord, and continual meditation. I think that these are the things that actually got me through yesterday.

I've always believed that is hard to give advice or share knowledge that we don't believe ourselves. So, when you read this post, you will know, that these things that Rick Warren had taught me in Chapter 11 were used to apply to my life, and they stuck in my head just enough to fight off the demons.

When you read the chapter, or if you have already read it, you'll know, it is about the direct communication, the Love He has for us, the Love we have for Him, the trust in Him as our best friend. It really works. Now that you know this, if you haven't already, this is something to do with your life, to become best friends with Our Lord and Saviour. It will get you through the battles in your life. There is no doubt it does it for me!

Won by One!

John

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johnny2k · Last edited by johnny2k on Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:41 pm; edited 3 times in total

Day 12 - Developing Your Friendship with God

Back on Day 11, Rick Warren began the theme of "Becoming Best Friends With God". He explained how we need to have constant communication and continual meditation with God. He tells us that in the Old Testament, the fear of God was more common, but then with Jesus, that situation was changed, and we could then enjoy direct access with God.

Now, we see in this chapter, just how we can develop our friendship with God, utilizing what we learned in the last chapter of the book. You can be as close to God as you choose to be. As any friendship goes, it takes work to develop a close relationship with God.

First, we must choose to be honest with God. We shouldn't be bitter about what goes on in our lives, but we're told in this chapter that our candor with God about our trials, troubles and tribulations is okay. It is alright to tell our Lord about these situations in our conversation with Him. We should be open and upfront with God when we talk to Him.

Second, we should choose to obey God in Faith. To show our love, a vital ingredient of an ultimate friendship, we should obey God, out of our own choice, not because of "obligation, guilt or fear of punishment". And then have the faith that God knows what He is doing and knows what is best for us!

Third, we should choose to value what God values. As friends, we care about the same things, we grieve with each other when there is a time to grieve, and best of all, we rejoice together when there is a time for rejoice. These are true signs of friendship, both with our human family and in being friends and with God. And this is important, for God cares the most about the redemption of people. Being a friend of God means that we should share what His love is all about with our human family. Even more important is that God cares about us, that He sent His Son Jesus to the the earth for our salvation. That grace is the ultimate friendship and sign of His love for us. God values His people, and so should we.

Fourth, we should desire friendship with God more than anything else. This shows our passion for the Lord, this is what God wants to see in us as His Friends. There is no way to take a friend seriously if we don't have the passion to care so much, to desire that Love He gives us. Again, the passion comes from our personal choice to be friends with God, and shows our dedication to follow His Word, and knowing our Lord.

Rick Warren ends the chapter by saying, "There is nothing - absolutely nothing - more important than developing a friendship with God". You see, developing that friendship is accomplished by learning the principles from this chapter and the previous chapter, our relationship with God is strengthened by really knowing Him who Loves us. Make God your best friend!

Won by One!

John

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johnny2k · Last edited by johnny2k on Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:45 pm; edited 3 times in total

Day 13 - Worship That Pleases God