Well Helen,
Remember, he is talking mostly to baby boomer and Gen X
people, so I believe that the word driven is used as opposed to
wandering. Also, shepherds do drive the sheep, kind of like herding
cows. I grew up on a dairy farm, so that picture works better for
me, except that I'm not a cow. GRIN! If you're thinking of driven
like craving, like driven to steal to get drugs or something, no,
that wouldn't be what he means. Remember, a lot of the people of
these two generations feel that there is no point to life. They've
been taught, all through school, that they are an accident. God
doesn't exist and when they die, that's it. He's speaking out
against this hopeless point of view to let them know that there is a
purpose for being here. It is part of a master plan. I think that
part of why there is such a draw to his writing is because those who
discover him learn that they matter, and better yet, they matter to God.
I think that that is part of the reason that the book,
"Purpose Driven Life," didn't really make a big impact on me. I've
always believed in the existence of God, and His plan for my life, so
Rick's words were nothing new for me, but for those who believe in
that "circle of life," philosophy, that really became popular through
the movie, "The Lion King," Rick's ideas offer a great deal of
hope. Believe me, the first seven chapters stress the need for
salvation first, before anything else.
Now, let's just hope that when I hit send, this gets to you. GRIN!
Kathy
At 12:13 PM 12/2/2006, you wrote:
>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.
|
