Our relationships with each other are constantly under attack. The enemy wants us divided to isolate us. We must all be in the business of restoration. Let us all put our pride aside and work to restore broken relationship with those that we have had conflict with. I believe this chapter is extremely important and relevant to many situations going on in the church today. As Rick Warren states:

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Relationships are always worth restoring

Many great points in this chapter. A community is takes many things to be successful. Honesty amongst each other being one of the key components. If we are not honest with each other we can not trust each other. And we need to trust each other in order to depend on each other. This is extremely important. Humility is also big in this area. The ability to deny yourself for the sake of someone else is paramount to growing together as a unit. We as a church must continue to grow in these areas so that we can reflect the image of Christ more and more.

Rick Warren makes four key points in this chapter. In real fellowship people experience:

- authenticity
- mutuality
- sympathy
- mercy

In order for us to grow in the Lord we need each other. We are a connected body that thrives off of each other. This is why in many books of the Bible we are encouraged to fellowship with one another and to not be divided. Because we need each other. Like Rick Warren this is more than fellowship.. "Its experiencing life together".

The Church was setup by Christ for a reason. So many feel that they can make it without being a member of Church. They are seriously misinformed. Rick Warren pointed out some really good points about the Church. A point that he kind of touched on but directly address was that without a Church family you are vulnerable to be targeted and attacked. You are isolated and an easy target for the enemy. We all have our struggles and we all need help from one another. Thank God for ALM.

Love is the most important thing above all. Because God is love everything he does is out of love. God desires us to be the same. What stuck out to me is when Rick Warren pointed out how the best way to express love is time. I personally received that and intend to put more effort into this. Nothing can take the place of time.

God has sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world to take the punishment for our sins. By believing in him we are brought into the family of God. This is something that is very difficult to understand. However, it is a very special thing because being in God's family bring many benefits and rewards. I thank God for desiring me to be a part of his family.

My Presumptions:

Have you ever sat and thought about the benefits that you have by being in the Kingdom of God? I challenge everyone to take some time to evaluate the benefits...

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The most common mistake Christians make in worship today is seeking an experience rather than seeking God.

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God's omnipresence and the manifestation of his presence are two different things. One is a fact; the other is a feeling.

So so true Mr. Warren. Many times we get so caught up on the feeling and emotions that we have. Worshiping God is not able feelings...

Very good chapter here. I have been encouraged through this chapter to make sure that all my worship is sincere and challenged to come out of my comfort zone. Rick Warren explains that God is pleased when our worship is accurate, authentic, thoughtful, and practical. We must worship God in spirit and in truth.

My Presumptions:

We cannot fake sincere worship to God. He knows our hearts. I challenge everyone to get real with your worship to God. Open up to him and allow yourself to give him glory.

Rick Warren had some very good points as he continued the topic of being a friend with God from chapter 11. He added that:

1. I must choose to be honest with God
2. I must choose to obey God in faith
3. I must desire friendship with God more that anything

The point that stuck out to me the most was about just being honest. How many times to we lie to ourselves about our relationship with God. You must be honest to God. That is the only way allow God to really reach you.

My Presumptions:

Lets just...

Wow... Friends with God. Even after reading this chapter, singing the Israel song, and reading the scriptures I still find it hard to fathom that God considers us his friend. He is almighty and supreme above all, we are weak and wicked, yet he still calls us friends and wants to have a relationship with us.

In this chapter Rick Warren touches on this subject. He goes into two secrets of a friendship with God:

1. Trough a constant conversation.

2. Trough continual meditation.


My Presumptions:

This chapter was packed with great quotes, scriptures, and points. So many to choose from. His mains points were about the heart of a worshiper. He states that there are three barriers that block our total surrender to God: fear, pride, and confusion. He also touched on how people view surrendering to God as a bad thing because of how the world views the word surrender. Very good chapter here.

My Presumptions:

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Nothing is more powerful...

There is a point that Rick Warren made that hit me once I read it and stayed with me. As I was reading the rest of the chapter I could barely focus because this point was on my mind. He stated that:

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Instant obedience will teach you more about God than a lifetime of Bible lessons. In fact, you will never understand some commands until you obey them first. Obedience unlocks understanding.

My Presumptions:

Let us...

Out of the many great points made in this chapter, the point I enjoyed the most was when Rick Warren pointed out how to do everything to the glory of God. He stated that it is:

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By doing everything as if you were doing it for Jesus and by carrying on a continual converstation with him while you do it.

My Presumptions:

In this chapter Rick Warren states that everything was made to give God glory. He states 5 ways that we can give God Glory as well. They are:

- By Worshiping him
- By loving other believers
- By becoming like Christ
- By Serving others with our gifts
- By telling others about him

He ends the chapter with a challenge to everyone, asking us will we live for ourselves or for God.

My Presumptions:

If we live our lives with the goal of giving God glory, it will make following the Word of God much...

This chapter really hit on somethings that God has been showing me lately. The point of this earthly life being temporary is something I believe alot of Christians miss. Rick Warren states:

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To make the best use of your life, you must never forget two truths: First, compared with eternity, life is extremely brief. Second, earth is only a temporary residence. You won't be here long, so don't get too attached.

So true Mr. Warren. If we can only get this, we would...

In this chapter Rick Warren discusses seeing life from God's view and he raises some interestng points. He explains that everyone has a view of thier life called a "life metaphor" and that this "metaphor" determines your expectations, values, relationships, goals, and priorities. He goes on to explain that the Bible offers three life metaphors and they are: Life is a trust, life is a test, and life is a temporary assignment. What stood out to me the most was the point of life being a trust. Alot of us really dont view the earth as the Lords. Everything belongs to him and...

This chapter was packed with so many deep points. This has to be my favorite chapter so far. Rick Warren pointed out alot of great points. One was:

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While Life on earth offers many choices, eternity offers only two: heaven or hell.

Relating to that he also states:

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When you fully comprehend that there is more to life than just here and now, and you realize...

I believe that realizing what drives us is the first step towards finding our purpose. Rick Warren gives some really good insights on this subject. Here are a few that I thought were profound:

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Guilt driven people are manipulated by memories.

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Being controlled by the opinions of others is a guaranteed way to miss God's purpose for your life.

There were two points that really stuck out to me. The first was when Rick Warren states that..

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While there are illegitimate parents, there are no illegitimate children.

This statement gives hope to all that come from broken homes or even just imperfect parents. Everyone has been created uniquely and for a divine purpose. The other point that stuck out to me was when Rick Warren stated that God...

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Chapter 1 in Purpose Driven Life sets a solid foundation for this book. When searching for something you first must know where to start looking as well as where not to look. Rick Warren sets the stage here by letting everyone know that you can not look inside of yourself to find your purpose, you must look to God. He also adds something interesting. He says that you can find success but still not fulfill your purpose.

I liked the way he explain the two ways that people attempt to find their purpose. They do it either by speculation or revelation. In my opinion the revelation...