chris_h
November 20th, 2003, 05:38 PM
What is life? Is it a race against time? A rat race? When do you win? When you earn enough money? Find true love? Some search for mystical truths. Some for escape. While science and medicine look for ways to solve the age-old question... Why am I here?
Millions are finding anwers in "The Purpose Driven Life". It's a book based on Christian views, but it's helping people of all faiths find answers. People like Lori Strickland, a mom in Chesterfield, whose favorite part of the book reads: "Often we act as if relationships are something to be squeezed into our schedule. That gives the impression that relationships are just a part of our lives along with many other tasks. But God says relationships are what life is all about."
Maybe Fidel Castro read about relationships on page 124 before meeting with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The Cuban dictator reportedly has an autographed copy of the book. The author, Rick Warren, a pastor of one of the country's largest baptist churches, writes about how you can find true happiness with a personal relationship through Christ. Those of faith and more secular thinking a like are reading in the 334 pages how focusing on themselves will never reveal our life's purpose. If you ask pastor Mark Jordan of Ironbridge Baptist Church, he'll tell you the reason for the book's popularity is simple. "I think because people are intersted in knowing what is real and what is valid", says Jordan. "I'm not surprised that corporate executives are carrying it into the boardroom and athletes are carrying it into the locker room. That heads of state are reading it, because it answers questions people are asking, you know, why are we here?"
VCU psychology professor, Dr. Everitt Worthington agrees. But he points out that many baby boomers are buying the book...and there's a reason. "Well, they're all five years away from retirement. And they're looking at living 20 more years on averyage. They're trying to figure out, 'what is the purpose that god has for me in the next 20 years of my life?'."
For Lori it's about the here and now. "I think a book like this can help us to clear our plate a little bit", she says. "Even if someone doesn't become a Christian through this book, I think it's important for them to define what's important in their lives and what do they want ot put their focus into."
Pastor Jordan says he's happy about the book's success. "The thing that I enjoy is people come to me and say 'Mark, I have wondered what it's all about...how do the pieces fit?' They read this book and the light comes on and they say 'I understand now the significance of my life'."
You can find "The Purpose Driven Life" at just about any bookstore in the Richmond area. If you'd like to find out more about the book and how you can order it over the internet, click here.http://www.wtvr.com/Global/story.asp?S=1530552&nav=0hBeJCAT
The special was on the 11:00 news for the local CBS affiliate here in Richmond, but I missed it. ChristineMarie, or anyone else that watches or can get WTVR, did you see it?
Millions are finding anwers in "The Purpose Driven Life". It's a book based on Christian views, but it's helping people of all faiths find answers. People like Lori Strickland, a mom in Chesterfield, whose favorite part of the book reads: "Often we act as if relationships are something to be squeezed into our schedule. That gives the impression that relationships are just a part of our lives along with many other tasks. But God says relationships are what life is all about."
Maybe Fidel Castro read about relationships on page 124 before meeting with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The Cuban dictator reportedly has an autographed copy of the book. The author, Rick Warren, a pastor of one of the country's largest baptist churches, writes about how you can find true happiness with a personal relationship through Christ. Those of faith and more secular thinking a like are reading in the 334 pages how focusing on themselves will never reveal our life's purpose. If you ask pastor Mark Jordan of Ironbridge Baptist Church, he'll tell you the reason for the book's popularity is simple. "I think because people are intersted in knowing what is real and what is valid", says Jordan. "I'm not surprised that corporate executives are carrying it into the boardroom and athletes are carrying it into the locker room. That heads of state are reading it, because it answers questions people are asking, you know, why are we here?"
VCU psychology professor, Dr. Everitt Worthington agrees. But he points out that many baby boomers are buying the book...and there's a reason. "Well, they're all five years away from retirement. And they're looking at living 20 more years on averyage. They're trying to figure out, 'what is the purpose that god has for me in the next 20 years of my life?'."
For Lori it's about the here and now. "I think a book like this can help us to clear our plate a little bit", she says. "Even if someone doesn't become a Christian through this book, I think it's important for them to define what's important in their lives and what do they want ot put their focus into."
Pastor Jordan says he's happy about the book's success. "The thing that I enjoy is people come to me and say 'Mark, I have wondered what it's all about...how do the pieces fit?' They read this book and the light comes on and they say 'I understand now the significance of my life'."
You can find "The Purpose Driven Life" at just about any bookstore in the Richmond area. If you'd like to find out more about the book and how you can order it over the internet, click here.http://www.wtvr.com/Global/story.asp?S=1530552&nav=0hBeJCAT
The special was on the 11:00 news for the local CBS affiliate here in Richmond, but I missed it. ChristineMarie, or anyone else that watches or can get WTVR, did you see it?