Day 5 - Eternity

Rick Warren's point in last night's reading is that our lives on earth a just an incubation period before our lives in heaven, and that we should act as such. His best point: that trying to understand heaven would be like explaining the internet to an ant!

But with that point, I am less sure that I can know what I should be doing. Surely even an ant who is explained the internet won't be sure whether to get a web-capable phone or sign up for AOL, so how should I know how to prepare for heaven? How will I understand God's purpose and direction for me? Prayer and the Bible seem to be the obvious, almost stereotypical answers--lets see how Rick executes.

My cynical tone is to keep me on my toes and not just reiterate what Rick Warren says. It is my way of internalizing his message.

Day 4 - Cutting

Last night's reading made two points. First that creating goals creates purpose in one's life. The book made some examples of why people lack goals or have poorly created ones. I didn't see myself falling in any of these categories, but more likely it is a combination of factors. I'm guessing that fear will be a major theme later in the book.

Second that cutting activities that don't relate to one's purposes is needed. That was on my list of seven levels of change I posted yesterday! I've already found myself cutting some distractions, like email subscriptions for newsletters I'm not really interested in. How much does one cut?

A tool for being Purpose Driven

I've had this posted on my desk for years. I consider it mostly when change is afoot. I should really use it to induce change, though.

Seven levels of change
1. Effectiveness
2. Efficiency
3. Improving
4. Cutting
5. Copying
6. Different
7. Impossible

Day 3--Readings

I've done two readings in the PDL book now. The first pointed out that the lessons I will learn will be about God's purpose for me, not my own purposes. That's a little harder to resolve with my career and harp aspirations.

The reading from last night bugged me. Rick continued relentlessly to make the case that God has a plan for everything, pre-ordained from the start of creation. I'm not so certain he's right, but I will agree that God can use his creation for His will and will take advantage of circumstances to move forward His vision. The root difference probably is that I am a divine-intervention evolutionist and Rick is a creationist. No matter, I accept that I am a tool of God's.

Day 1--Kickoff Sunday at church

What I experienced
We've set up our church with round tables to better facilitate group discussions. It also is handy when we get a nice brunch break!

After the break I talked to someone who's already read the Purpose Driven Life. We didn't talk about the book, but we did talk about his investigation into a career change. Oh boy! Not that such talk scares me, as in my inner mind I've been questioning my future since I finished my MBA. It may be just the thing to stare-down my thoughts and put them in proper perspective. But actually doing something about it, that is unnerving.

What I learned
We watched a video featuring the book's author, Pastor Rick Warren. This was broken into five segments corresponding with the five Purposes, that I assume I will be learning more about over the next 39 days. Lets see if I can get them without looking:
1. Worship
2. Fellowship
3. Discipleship
4. Ministry
5. Evangilism

I did it! Had to type over a couple times, but I didn't peek or ask my wife.

My expectations

I guess I've already given away my interest in affirming my current career and my aspirations to grow/change. Specifically, I'm looking for affirmation of my marketing/web skills as a valuable resource that I can use to serve God and others better. And find a way to make my hobby of playing the harmonica a testimony to God, too. Something more than being able to play Amazing Grace.

Tonight I start the book readings....