#book note

I remember you were so happy I receive it safe

Thank you 😘💖💖💖💖 Yuu @yuushishio for your little gift for my birthday

4/09/19

I recently read a book called Pale Fire by Vladimir Nobokov. The Commentary was interesting to read as well as Kinbote's thoughts.

On a non-book related note, G has decided to help me with getting his brothers books in order. He also showed me a journal book or whatever they're called on a call. It's locked though so he can't open it yet. It's been a good month so far.

The Purpose Driven Life (Rick Warren) - book note

Seeing Life from God’s View - Chapter 5

The way you see your life shapes your life.

Your unspoken life metaphor influences your life more than you realize.

Bible says, “Do not conform yourself to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God.”

The Bible offers 3 metaphors that teach us God’s view of life:

- Life is a test, life is a trust, life is a temporary assignment.

Chapter 6. Life is a temporary assignment

God is very blunt about the danger of living for the here and now and adopting the values priorities, and lifestyles of the world around us. When flirt with the we temptations of this world, God calls it spiritual adultery. The Bible says, You are cheating on God. If all you want is your own flirting way, with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. James 4:4 (msg)

Imagine if you were asked by your country to be an ambassador to an enemy nation. You would probably have to learn a new language and adapt to some customs and cultural differences in order to be polite and to accomplish your mission. As an ambassador you would not be able to isolate yourself from the enemy. To fulfill your mission, you would have to have contact and relate to them.

But suppose you became so comfortable with this foreign country that you fell in love with it, preferring it to your homeland. Your loyalty and commitment would change. Your role as an ambassador would be compromised. Instead of representing your home country, you would start acting like the enemy. You’d be a traitor.

The Bible says, “We are Christ’s ambassadors." Sadly, many Christians have betrayed their King and his kingdom. They have foolishly concluded that because they live on earth, it’s their home. It is not. The Bible is clear: “Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.”

God warns us not attached to what’s around us because it is to get too temporary. We’re told, “Those infrequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for word all contains will pass away.”

In order to keep us from becoming too attached earth, God to allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life -longings that will never be fulfilled on this side of eternity. We’re not completely happy here because we’re not supposed to be! Earth is not our final home; we were created for something much better.

A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree. Proverbs 11:28 (Msg)

1. It All Starts with God

The Purpose of your life life is greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It's far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions.

Self-help books teach: Consider your dreams, clarify your values, set goals, aim high, go for it, believe you can achieve your goals, never give up, etc.

There is an alternative to speculation about the meaning and purpose of life. It's revelation. Ask from the Creator.

Build you life on eternal truths, not pop psychology, success-motivation, or inspirational stories.

2. You Are Not an Accident

God doesn't play dice. Albert Einstein

"... You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something." Psalms 139:15 

God's motive for creating you was His love. Bible says, "Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, has settled on us as the focus of his love." Eph. 1:4a (Msg)

God was thinking of you even before he made the world. In fact, that's why he created it! God designed this planet's environment just so we could live in it. We are the focus of his love and the most valuable of all his creation. Bible says, "God decided yo give us life through the word of truth so we might be the most important of all the things he made." James 1:18

The Bible tells us, "God is love." it doesn't say God has love.

If there was no God, we would all be "accidents."

"The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what He does for us." Rom. 12:3 (Msg)

3. What Drives Your Life?

There are many circumstances, values, and  emotions that can drive people's lives. The Most common five are: guilt, resentment and anger, fear, materialism, and the need for approval.

GUILT: God specializes in giving people a fresh start. The Bible says, "What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! . . . What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record." Psalm 32:1

FEAR: You must move against fear with the weapon of faith and love.

MATERIALISM: It's a misconception that having more will make me more happy, more important, and more secure, but all three ideas are untrue. Possessions only provide temporary happiness.

One key to failure is to try to please everyone.

* Without a purpose, life is motion without meaning, activity without direction, and events without reason. 

THE BENEFITS OF PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIVING

1. It gives meaning to your life.

2. It simplifies your life.

"A pretentious, showy life style is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life." Proverbs 13:7 (Msg)

3. It focuses your life.

You become more effective by being selective.

Apostle Paul said, "I am focusing on all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead." Phil. 3:13

If you want your life to have impact, focus it!

Stop trying to do it all. Prune away even good activities and do only that which matters most.

4. It motivates your life.

Purpose always produces passion.

5. It prepares you for eternity.

You weren't put on earth to be remembered. You were put here to prepare for eternity.

Many people spend their lives trying to create a lasting legacy on earth. But, all achievements are eventually surpassed, reputations fade, etc.

Living to create an earthly legacy is a short-sighted goal.

From the Bible we can surmise that God will ask us two crucial questions:

1. What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ? Did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust him?