The Purpose Driven Life What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren book review

About the book:
Licensed in over 85 languages, The Purpose Driven Life is far more than just a book; it is a guide to a spiritual journey... Once you take this journey, you’ll never be the same again.

On your journey you’ll find the answers to 3 of life’s most important questions: * The Question of Existence: Why am I alive?
The Question of Significance: Does my life matter?
The Question of Purpose: What on earth am I here for?
Living out the purpose you were created for moves you beyond mere survival and success to a life of significance—the life you were meant to live.

Five benefits of knowing your purpose:
It will explain the meaning of your life.
It will simplify your life.
It will focus your life.
It will increase your motivation.
It will prepare you for eternity.

This new, expanded edition has been created for a new generation of reader.

A New Edition for a New Generation! 4 NEW FEATURES
Video introductions by Rick Warren to chapters 1-40
An audio Bible study at the end of each chapter, with over 30 additional hours of teaching by Rick Warren.
Two new bonus chapters on the most common barriers to living a purpose driven life.
Access to an online community where you can discuss your journey to purpose, get feedback, and receive support.

My Review:

The Purpose Driven Life is one of those books that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime.  It is a book to read one chapter at a time and really focus on that days message so you can get the most out of it.  It used in conjunction with my daily devotions and it really put me in a better frame of mine about why I am spending time in devotions and how my life can really have the purpose that is God willed.

I found that this book really helped me to focus throughout the day and ask myself what my daily and lifelong purpose was.  It kept me more in line with asking about God's will and not just my own.  I think this book would be terrific also for a bible study or fellowship.  It is a great way to supplement your daily devotions.

About the author:

As founding pastor of Saddleback Church, Dr. Rick Warren leads a 30,000 member congregation in California with campuses in major cities around the world. As a theologian, he has lectured at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, University of Judaism, and dozens of universities and seminaries. As a global strategist he advises world leaders and has spoken to the United Nations, US Congress, Davos Economic Forum, TED, Aspen Institute, and numerous parliaments. Rick has also founded the global P.E.A.C.E. plan, which Plants churches of reconciliation, Equips leaders, Assists the poor, Cares for the sick, and Educates the next generation in 196 countries.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Discover the power of Faith with our #CaptiveMovie Giveaway! #FlyBy #FollowYourPurpose

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Based on a miraculous story about the power of faith, Captive is an "amazing, inspiring" drama about the spiritual collision of two lost souls, Brian Nichols (Golden Globe Nominee David Oyelowo), on the run from police and desperate to make contact with his newborn son, takes recently widowed mother Ashley Smith (Kata Mara) hostage in her own apartment. Fearing for her life and desperately hoping to see her daughter again, she turns to Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life for guidance. Ashley and her captor face a crossroads where they discover hope and light in the midst of despair in the moving film that Dick Rolfe, CEO, Dove Foundation hailed as "powerful."

DVD Release Date: January 5, 2016
Runtime: 96 minutes
Rating: PG-13 (for mature thematic elements involving violence and substance abuse)

There are over 30 minutes of bonus content on this DVD including Journey Through Darkness: Filming Captive and Faith and The Purpose Driven Life. Also included with this DVD is a Digital HD copy that can be instantly streamed and downloaded.

My review:

I was so excited to get a chance to review this film.  It has been an exciting time for Christian Cinema, it really seems to be booming and doing well. This in turn makes the quality of these films even better, and this is really good. The actors are amazing and they really make you care about each of them and what their struggles are. Both of the main characters have made poor life decisions and this makes it feel so much more true to life. I was really sucked in by their amazing performances.

I am always entranced by anything based on a true story, and the fact that God inspires the people in the film makes it even better.  In the movie Ashley starts to read the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I have reviewed a couple of version on my blog and you can check them out here. The book inspires her to think about changing her ways and living her life the way God has planned. It then begins to make Brian think about the decisions he needs to make and what he needs to do. God has a plan for all our lives and we all have a purpose. No matter how big the mistakes we have made He is always there to take us in. No sin is to big or small, we all need His Grace and purpose for our lives.

This was a very good movie but I do wish they had incorporated The Purpose Driven Life into the story a little more.  It was mentioned a couple of times and she read from is twice.  However, maybe this was true to the real story. I would highly recommend you see it!  It is rated PG-13 for substance abuse and violence so it isn't for your little ones, but it would be great for teens to see.  

Captive is available now to buy, but you have a chance to win a copy here on the blog.  One Buzz4Mommies' reader will win the DVD of Captive.  Please follow the instructions on the rafflecopter form and Good Luck!!  Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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The Purpose Driven Life: devotional for Kids by Rick Warren #greatgifts

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The holiday season is here and I always like to give at least one fiction book and one devotional book to my kids. As they are growing older I want something that will challenge them, yet not beyond reach.  They are really too old for little kids devotionals but not old enough for a teen one.  I am thrilled with The Purpose Driven Life: Devotional for Kids.  It is perfect for those kids not yet even tweens but not little anymore either.

Each day starts with a verse , then has it's lesson, and ends with prayer.  This is something they can do on their own or you can do as a family.  I love how the lessons relate to thing s kids are actually going through so they can see how scripture is a guide for all of us.  It helps so much for them to see themselves in the Bible and not just see old stories.  This is our History and this devotional helps to relay that.

This would make an excellent Christmas gift that will give for years to come!

Book Description
Rick Warren has touched millions of lives with his bestselling books for adults; now, Rick reaches a new generation with the transformational power of God's word.
The Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids includes 365 devotions that tie to the themes and ideas found in the bestselling The Purpose Driven Life written by pastor Rick Warren. Written at a third to fourth grade level, each devotion includes a Scripture, short message, and prayer or thought for the day to help kids discover who they are in God’s eyes.
Capturing the hearts of the new generation means ensuring they know their purpose and grow up confident of their value in God and their relationship to Christ.
God created each of his children with a purpose in mind … the time for them is now to, thoughtfully and prayerfully, start their incredible journey to finding that reason.

About the Author
Dr. Rick Warren is pastor, author, global strategist, theologian, and philanthropist. His book The Purpose Driven Lifehas been called the bestselling non-fiction hardback in publishing history by Publishers Weekly, having sold more than 32 million copies. Warren founded Saddleback Church in 1980 with his wife, Kay. In addition to a 120-acre campus in Lake Forest, CA, the church has ten satellite campuses in Southern California and three international campuses.

FREE download of “Simplifying and De-Stressing Your Holidays” and gift guide!

Disclosure: This post is on behalf of the Odyssey Adventure club, and I receive a free membership in exchange for sharing.  All opinions are my own!

Christmas is just about here and I wanted to share some great gift ideas for the whole family!  Check out this amazing service from Adventures in Odyssey and then find a few more items that I recommend at the bottom of this post! Happy Shopping and God Bless!

Holiday to-do lists often become longer and longer as we get closer to Christmas. From holiday parties to host, Christmas pajamas to coordinate, family pictures, gifts to buy, travel plans to finalize, and more, the joy of the season can often be lost in the midst of the hustle and bustle.

Adventures in Odyssey and Odyssey Adventure Club have you covered. Karen Ehman and Glynnis Whitwer, authors of Everyday Confetti, share ideas and tips for simplifying and taking the stress out of the holidays. Pointing to the real reason for the season, they offer ideas to help you keep Christ at the center. Click here for a free broadcast download to learn how to simplify and de-stress your holiday season.

Speaking of de-stressing, let me help you out with your last-minute gift shopping. One of my top recommendations: the Odyssey Adventure Club (OAC) because it offers free content for everyone, including an Advent calendar, a broadcast download with tips to create a memorable Christmas, AIO cutouts and Christmas stocking stuffer cards. Membership to the OAC costs just $9.99 a month — or even less if parents make a six-month or one-year commitment. Enrollment provides more than enough content to keep kids engaged throughout the year:

• Access to exclusive content and first looks at books and select Radio Theatre dramas.
• On-the-go access to the OAC app for both iOS and Android users.
• 24/7 streaming access to nearly 800 AIO episodes.
• A new, members-only AIO episode every month.
• A subscription to Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse Magazine, and more.

To learn more about the Odyssey Adventure Club, visit www.oaclub.org, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Check out these other gift ideas:

Ecocentric Mom Subscriptions for Mom's to be and current Moms!

Label Daddy Label's for the Holidays!

Redan Magazines for a fun and educational gift!

The Purpose Driven Life devotional for Kids!

Lovely Candy Co. goodies for the stockings!!

An Unexpected Role by Leslea Wahl #faith #YAChristian

I recently tried something new and I am so excited I did!  I signed up for a blind book tour with JustRead Publicity Tours.  I received the book free in exchange for my honest opinion.  One of my goals this year was to get out of my comfort zone, even in reading.  I usually do tons of research before I sign up for a book tour, so this was definitely a stretch for me.  I am so glad I did!  I found a new book and author I now love and can't wait to tell you about!

The devastation of a ruined summer.

The gift of a second chance.

Can Josie learn the lessons she needs in order to discover her true self?

After a humiliating event and overwhelming peer pressure, 16-year-old Josie flees her home to spend the summer with her Aunt on a South Carolina island. Her fresh start turns into the summer of her dreams as friendships grow, romance blossoms, and a series of thefts surround her with excitement. However, when tragedy strikes someone close to her, Josie realizes there are more important things than her reputation. As she sets out to solve the mystery she has become entangled in, she not only realizes the importance of relying on her faith but along the way also discovers who God wants her to be.

My thoughts:

The premise sounded so thrilling and engaging and I couldn't wait to dig in.  When you are a teenager everything seems like such a big deal and it is so hard to put things in perspective.   I have two teens of my my own and I know that they are dealing with new issues every day.  I am so thankful for this book that has some real life issues to address, yet mixes it up and adds a fun mystery to it.  This book has just the right amount of excitement and thrills mixed with some more realistic troubles.  I loved watching the main character Josie grow throughout this book, in her life and faith.  It is hard to find good YA Christian fiction for myself and my kids so this was so refreshing.  

I really loved the focus the book had about thinking of others' troubles to put your own in perspective.  This is a lesson I am trying to relate to my own children so this was a real conversation starter.  I loved the faith lessons that were sprinkled into the book without making it feel preachy or like a lecture.  It was the perfect mix of faith, life, and fun.  I highly recommend this book to anyone with teens, or for teens themselves.  There is a little bit of something for everyone.

About the author:

I’m Leslea Wahl. For as long as I can remember I have been a creator of stories with ideas swirling through my head. I am thrilled now to be able to share some of them with others. For many years I have been driven by a belief that our purpose in life is to use our gifts to glorify God and lead others to Him. I am blessed to have found a way to intertwine my two passions by creating adventurous stories with positive Christian messages for today’s youth. Not only do I hope to entertain with my writing, but also to inspire others to find their gifts as well.

You can find out more about the author on her webpage. You can also follow her on facebook, twitter and pinterest.

A big thank you to JustRead Publicity tours for the free copy of this book!

Stream Just One More now on Angel and support stories that actually inspire. #justonemore #JustOneMoreMovieMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork #giveaway

 

Everyone reaches a moment where they feel exhausted, defeated, or ready to quit. Just One More is about what happens when someone finds the courage to keep going anyway. This is a story about second chances. About redemption. About the people who fight for one more day, one more conversation, one more opportunity to make things right. Angel is bringing audiences a film that reminds people hope is still worth fighting for. Many thanks to Angel for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions
are 100% my own.

I love watching movies  that are meaningful and have emotional storytelling. This movie is really geared towards People who connect with redemption stories and emotional dramas. This is a faith based film based on some true stories, that the directors have some personal connection to. Angel is doing what many studios have stopped doing. They are telling stories with emotional depth, hope, purpose, and heart. Just One More is not cynical entertainment. It is a film that leave

s audiences encouraged, reflective, and inspired. This is high-quality storytelling with something meaningful to say.  Watching this film isn't easy but would be a great conversation starter for both families and friends. I especially connected to an exchange in the movie where they make it clear that following Jesus won't instantly make your whole life easier. You will still go through trials and struggles, but then at least you won't be alone. He will always be with you. The movie isn't just fluff but truth and I really appreciated that.

About the Film
Just One More follows Jess, a recovering addict struggling with shame, doubt, and the weight of
her past, whose life unexpectedly collides with Charles, a dying man praying that God would
use him “just one more” time. As their stories intertwine, Jess begins to discover forgiveness,
healing, and the hope to fight for a future beyond addiction.
This is an emotional, character-driven story about redemption, perseverance, and the
life-changing impact one person can have on another. At its heart, Just One More is about choosing hope one more time, even when life feels impossible.
This is the kind of movie that stays with audiences long after the credits roll.

This is a story about second chances and it’s emotional, inspiring, and incredibly human. Stream Just One More now on Angel and support stories that actually inspire.


One Buzz4Mommies reader can win a $10 Amazon giftcard.  This giveaway is only available to those in the United States. You can only win one gift card for this giveaway, so if you are a winner on another blog you cannot win here. The sponsor is responsible for mailing out prizes. Please follow the instructions on the giveaway form and good luck!

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Waiting in Hope by Kelley Ramsey & Jenn Hesse #waitinginhope #infertilityawareness #ivf #infertility #infertilityjourney

April 24th through 30th is infertility awareness week. Did you know that 1 in 5 women suffers from infertility and miscarriage? I had no idea it was so high but I am honestly not surprised. I have a personal connection to infertility and I know how hard and lonely it can be. That makes me so grateful to share about Waiting in Hope ; 31 Relfections for walking with God through Infertility by Kelley Ramsey and Jenn Hesse. A huge thank you to the publisher and Frontgate Media for sharing this copy with me in exchange for my opinions.

Waiting in Hope gives women an uplifting, accessible resource to comfort, guide, and strengthen them through the journey of infertility. Featuring 31 reflections that address specific aspects of waiting and hoping, each chapter weaves personal narrative, Scripture, and prayers to encourage women longing for a child.

Weary moms have their pick of hundreds of Christian devotionals and books offering encouragement for the trials of motherhood. Women who suffer miscarriage can also choose from a handful of resources, thanks to an industry trend making space for books on grief. But what about the one in eight women who face the heartache of infertility? Where can they turn for comfort and guidance while grieving their dreams and grappling with unfulfilled longing?

Waiting in Hope fills the gap for a biblically grounded, gospel-driven resource that specifically addresses the unique struggles of infertility. Offering 31 reflections filled with biblical wisdom, testimonies, and personal narrative, Waiting in Hope helps women work through their complex emotions, grow in their faith, restore strained relationships, and move forward in their journeys with perseverance and confidence in the Lord. 

-Much needed Christian resource for the nearly 10 percent of women who face infertility, childlessness, and extended waiting for a child
-Compassionate, biblically rich devotional that doesn't give false hope or platitudes
-Provides an infertility-specific, journal-like companion to use continuously throughout your journey

As seasoned infertility ministry leaders, Jenn Hesse and Kelley Ramsey have committed to help women turn to Jesus as their hope in sorrow. This book is the resource they wish they'd had ten years ago in the middle of their infertility grief. Women need to hear the good news that Jesus is with them in their wait, and that they can live a life of purpose regardless of how their wait ends.

This is a beautiful devotional that comforts and does not preach at you.  There are four sections and each leans on hope. There are personal stories, Bible events, and scripture in each chapter. Every chapter ends with a way to reflect, pray, and act. You can take it at your own pace. Either reading everday or whenever you feel called to.  I especially am thankful for the ending chapters.  There is one for the husbands, because this effects them too.  There is also a chapter on salvation in case you don't already walk with the Lord. In all struggles He can heal and comfort you.  

A verse I leaned heavily on during my own struggles was Proverbs 3:5-6 

"Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (ESV)

To find out more information or to purchase the book check out the Waiting in Hope website. You can also enter to win a copy of your own here.

I am praying for all the women and families out there who are currently struggling with infertility or miscarriage. I pray for hope, peace, comfort and grace for these families.