Kathy, do you have any idea what he means by "driven"? It almost
sounds as though the purposes he lists are to drive the believer, or
non-believer, into doing. I think of Jesus our Shepherd...........He
leads, and his sheep follow Him.
Oh well, I don't need to know what he means. I'm just curious by
nature, I guess.
Smile
Helen
>Text of forwarded message follows:
>
>
>>Helen,
>> IN a nut shell, Rick explains, mostly to the unsaved,
>> that you were created by a loving God for a purpose. You were not
>> an accident, but God the Father, took the time to design you for a
>> specific place and time to fulfill a plan that he has equipped you
>> to do. Think of it like a puzzle piece in a jigsaw puzzle. Rick
>> does not use a jigsaw puzzle as an illustration, that's my own way
>> of trying to explain it. He outlines five purposes for each believer.
>> At the beginning of the book, he explains that God is the
>> beginning of all things. Everything was created by Him and for
>> Him. Your identity is found through believing in Jesus. He
>> thought of you before you were born, and His purpose for you fits
>> into His master plan. Rick goes to great lengths to explain that
>> no one is an accident. I believe that he is hitting hard here
>> against most of his readers formal education in which evolution is
>> so prevalent. He explains that life, here on earth, is a test, an
>> opportunity to gain character and become more like Christ. Life
>> here is only temporary, however. Eternity is for real. He also
>> explains the need for salvation. While the gift is free, it isn't automatic.
>>
>>
>>The five maine purposes that Rick outlines are:
>>1. You were planned for God's pleasure, (which is right out of the
>>catechism)
>> In this purpose, he talks about developing your
>> relationship with Jesus Christ.
>>2. You were formed for God's family
>> Here he talks about baptism and the adoption into the
>> family of believers.He talks about our horizontal relationship
>> with God and then our vertical relationship with others,
>> which is love and forgiveness.
>> He also talks about the importance of being involved with
>> a community of believers here on earth, and he means, involved,
>> not just attending.
>>3. You were created to become like Christ. He doesn't mean in
>>deity, rather more along the lines of what God said in Leviticus
>>when He said, "be holy, for I am holy." Here Rick talks
>>about the importance of scripture in guiding and directing your life.
>>4. You were, "SHAPED," for serving God. Here he uses the word
>>"SHAPE," to get the reader to begin thinking about how they
>>have been equipped by God for service. If I remember right:
>> S: means Service to God,
>> H: is heart's desire,
>> A: is ability
>> P: is personality &
>> E: is experience
>> I think I got that right.
>>5. The last purpose is that you were made for a mission. He talks
>>here about thinking beyond yourself to others in your community and
>>
>>The book takes 40 days to read, reading one chapter a day. Each
>>chapter concludes with a point to ponder, scripture and a
>>challenging question about how you, the reader, will apply what you
>>have learned. around the world. He talks a lot about the great
>>commission and reaching out beyond our comfort zone.
>>
>>Sorry, Helen if I gave too much detail. I find it interesting that
>>such strong opinions have been formed by those who haven't even
>>read the material. I don't mean you. Remember, the targeted
>>audiance is mostly either non-Christians, or pew sitters. It's all
>>basic stuff if you've been an active Christian for a long
>>time. Personally, I didn't get much out of the book, but I saw
>>some people who really have come alive in Christ because this book
>>spoke their language. It's not for everyone, but I'm glad that it
>>is there for those that it does speak too.
>>In Christ's love, Kathy
>>Kathy
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>No virus found in this incoming message.
>>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/562 - Release Date:
>>12/1/2006 1:12 PM
>End of forwarded message text:
>
>John
>
>
>--
>No virus found in this outgoing message.
>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/562 - Release Date:
>12/1/2006 1:12 PM
1 Corinthians 13:2 And if I.............understand all mysteries and
all knowledge,.............but have not love, I am nothing.
|