This is a wonderful book for someone who needs direction in their life (not just spiritual aspects). I don't know if I went into it with high expectations or what, but I felt unfulfilled. I couldn't even finish it. It's helped lots of other people though, so it must be me.

Rick Warren's books are read as part of small groups in churches of almost every denomination. I'm glad this book seems to have positively affected so many people, but to me, it seemed somewhat typical of the simplified, talk-down-to-you, kill-the-mystery, commercialized Christian devotional. I'm still waiting for the Purpose Driven board game and the Purpose Driven action figures.

My rating doesn't reflect the quality of the message. In fact, this book was fantastic in helping me focus on big picture issues rather than small inconveniences. The rating simply reflects that I just didn't get into it as much as other books - fiction or nonfiction. Part of the reason may be the 40-day reading plan. Part of it may have been taking more than 40 days to read it because I regularly returned to previous days' messages (rather than moving on) depending on what challenges and opportunities I was faced with each day. Regardless, one of the better books I've encountered in giving advice about how to approach so much of life. Whether or not you like some of the messages and the purpose that drives the author, this book makes you remember things are so much larger than anyone's daily struggles.

Yes, we are here for a purpose. Yes, we want to honor God's reasons for making us. If you have been living for yourself, this book should turn you around and point you in a better direction.

However...

It is surely possible that God's purpose in making us will never be apparent to us, here on earth. Who am I to demand otherwise? What if my life is one thread of blue in an elaborate tapestry, and the grand picture will only become apparent on the other side of eternity?

I desire to be driven, if driven is the right term, by a desire to please the God I love. And why "driven"? Is that what God expects of us? To be driven?

Our significance should come from our intrinsic value to God, as someone He has created, not by what we can do to serve Him.

For the most part, the American church is already much too focused on "doing for God" and not nearly enough on "being with God." This book doesn't help.

I found this book very complicated.. if you'll gonna read this for consecutive days. Without a doubt, it will. But everyday of reading it is worth the effort and time. A lot of scriptures can be found and you'll be more aware of Godly realities of life. You only need forty days to finish the book. With 40 chapters, honestly, I haven't finished it yet. I just can't wait to rate and jot some review on it.

Was a good book despite the religiosity of it turning me off at times.

Some really good things to think about. Good message overall and helps point you in the right direction.