When Rick Warren's book was THE book to read and use, I preached through it several times. I also encouraged people to read the book and to use the journal that accompanied the book as way to apply the principles Warren laid out in our lives. 

I was often frustrated during that experience because many people missed the main point of the book which is that our lives are to be lived to the glory of God instead of focusing on our own personal lives. I think Americans including American Christians have a  hard time getting out of their cultural mold of individualism which celebrates the individual instead of God.

Unless we ask people to focus on the KEY goal from which all goals flow, we will not see transformed lives.

Here is my  personal mission statement:

To love God

To love those who love God

To love those who don't know God loves them.

Do I do this perfectly every day? No. Am I tempted to be seduced by my culture and focus on myself instead of God? Of course.

I gave the book to a good friend. He bought the book by dozens and gave them out to people as a tool of witness.

Author, Rick Warren, addresses the importance of having goals. What dreams do you have and do you ever feel like giving up?

My name is Dr. Wanda Fernandopulle, and I will be facilitating the discussion in this thread as a member of the Faculty Advisory Board. This discussion is presented as a part of the Faculty Training and Development Faculty Culture Initiative.

Wanda, I am fulfilling most of my bucket list goals right now. I do have a few travel goals but I would say I am quite satisfied where I am now.

Ron

Hi Wanda,

For me being fully alive is a moment in time. The state of being alive, breathing, is continuous however being aware that you are engaged in what makes you feel alive requires checking in with yourself. Yes, we all serve a purpose for being here however our daily living experience causes us to change, update, re-evaluate, and prioritize our purpose. An example of staying fully alive is being engaged in lifelong learning (spiritually, personally, and professionally); reading and discussing The Purpose Driven Life. This is my first time reading this book and digesting his perspective on one’s purpose. I am enjoying the daily approach to each conceptual and spiritual thought. There also appears to be not only a spiritual lesson in each day but also a personal challenge to enrich yourself and the lives of others.

Deborah

Hi all;

Thank you for your contribution to this discussion forum. I believe my purpose in life is to impart the little knowledge I have to others. This purpose I think is being fulfilled by my teaching at GCU. My goal now is to continue learning and developing myself to enhance my students' learning experience. Sometimes that may be a challenge. But my prayer is that God will continue to bring into my life people who can and will help me improve my knowledge so I can continue to enhance my students' learning experience (amen). To God be the glory.

Dr. Bakare

Author, Rick Warren, addresses an important point. Are you living or are you enduring? Everything that we do, we should do with purpose.  If everyone embraced this message, how would you imagine life to be? I can envision people happier and creating many things that will make life better for everyone.

Hi Wanda;

Yes. It happens both ways. I have made a difference in a lot of people's lives. And I have not seen them  since. It is a wonderful world if we human beings can make it so.

Dr. Bakare

Salimat, As I read your comment, I thought about the power of the one-time encounter. As I read the Gospels I note that the majority of Jesus' encounters were one-time encounters. Jesus met a person one time and their lives were forever changed. 

I wonder about what impact I make in my one-time encounters.

What do you think?

Ron

The book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth am I Here for, states to trust God. As we live in a complex society, many people may ask themselves who can we trust? Are we as a country trusting in God? Are societal problems due to turning away from God? In my opinion, the world has forgotten about God. In spite of all the struggles, we still have to trust in God and know that he will bring understanding. I would love to hear your thoughts.  

As we wrap up our book discussion, I want us to think about all of our present problems. Many people are suffering, and they are wondering who to turn to. Author, Rick Warren, says to "Give it all to God." In my personal and professional life, I have learned that many things are out of my control. There comes a time when we must just trust God and know that he sees all things, and he will take care of his people. Share an experience where you had to let God work things out for you.

Hi Ron;

Sometimes we may not know that we impacted peoples' lives. It might be something we said or did. If we said something to somebody, they slept over it and applied it to their situation, and it changed their lives. We may give a little helping hand to somebody struggling. To us, it is a little help but to the receiver, it may be a big help that changed a situation in their lives. So, bottom line is: whatever we can do (no matter how little) to help other people, we should do it.

Dr. Bakare

Wanda;

This sounds like the story of my life. I have situations like this all around me. But looking and thinking about the scriptures, I learn to let go and let God as I have no other choice. The Bible says "Make all your request known unto God." With Him, all things are possible. Jesus told his disciples to pray ceaselessly until their answers come. There are sometimes things in our lives that we cannot change; we have to leave them on the altar and just keep praying about them. And in God's time (not ours), He will fix them.

Dr. Bakare

Hello All, 

I agree that no matter how small we can give of ourselves to others. Often we do not see an immediate response or reaction from our students, however every time I attend graduation I see that what I do in the classroom makes a difference.

Dr. Jones 

Wanda;

Yes, I wonder about nature (space, time, air, etc.) sometimes. It is amazing. Only if we, human beings, can appreciate nature and give God credit for it. 

Dr. Bakare