Okay, it looks like my messages are floating around in siber space somewhere.  Eudora and I don't seem to be getting along right now.  Anyway, I'm going to try to send this message, one more time, about the purpose driven life.  If your in box gets flooded with all of my attempts, I apologize and if none of them have gotten through to this point, then, none of you have any idea what I'm talking about and you will come to the conclusion that I'm just a bit touched in the head.  Well, you're probably right, but that's another subject!  GRIN! 
Besides, I've taken the time to straighten up my jumble that occurred from the first crash, so now, if nothing else happens, here's my response to Helen about what the purpose driven life book is about.
Kathy, who is really getting embarrassed from all her computer mishaps!

message

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         around the world.  He talks a lot about the great commission and reaching out beyond our comfort zone.


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.
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 audience 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