Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Take the 40-Day Challenge!

Are you a New Year’s Resolution maker?!? Are you debating about what resolution you'll make for 2010? It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no because I believe God wants us ALL to commit to this challenge, regardless of whether or not we’re the New Year’s Resolution type. (Just FYI: I am not a resolution person, but God has laid it on my heart to ask everyone to commit to the 40-Day Challenge for 2010.) All it takes is a few minutes/day for 40 days, BUT the results will be life-changing.

There’s an “old” book that many of you have on your bookshelves, covered in dust, because you’ve already read it. (No, I’m not referring to your childhood Bible!) It’s Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life book, which is not the biggest hype right now, but its message is still just as powerful as it was years ago. If you don’t have a copy, ask a friend if they have a copy you can borrow, or order it from Amazon (click here) or Christian Book Digest (click here). Most Wal-Marts have these in stock as well. It will only cost you around $10 (less if you buy used), but it will make a priceless difference in your life. (Christian Book Digest sells bulk 4-packs of this book at a discount if you’re interested in buying them for your entire family or a set of friends. (click here) Consider getting a group together for accountability. There’s also a DVD curriculum and other great curricula (click here) to accompany the book if you’d like to start a Purpose Driven Bible study group.)


If you’ve already read this book, I strongly encourage you to read it again. This book is like the Bible…you can re-read the same passage over and over again, year after year, and God will reveal something new to you from the same words. The Purpose Driven Life is a powerful book that has so many life-changing insights. Even if your life is going great right now, there’s so much to learn from The Purpose Driven Life. It is SOOOO worth dedicating only a few minutes/day for 40 days!!! Did you know that this book is THE best-selling non-fiction hardback book in HISTORY?!?




Now, if you haven’t read it, this statistic should tell you that you should! If you have read it, get it back out and ask God to give you new insight for 2010.

I just completed this study with our 12-year-old daughter, Meribeth, who we adopted from Colombia at the age of 11. Meribeth has experienced so much loss, abuse and trauma in her first eleven years of life that we weren’t sure we would ever be able to help her, but we knew that God would. As I was praying and searching for yet another Christian counselor for Meribeth, God told me to use the book The Purpose Driven Life as a method of helping heal Meribeth. So, Meribeth and I committed 40 days to reading this book, and it has been life-changing for both of us. God used the book to open my eyes to why He chose us to parent Meribeth as well as ways we can help her to heal. I am amazed at how God has used this book to speak directly to the broken heart of a 12-year-old girl, and at the same time, deliver powerful messages to her God-chosen mom!

The daily messages in this book are powerful and life-changing, no matter where you are in life. Even if you think you’ve got it all figured out and your life is going great and not in need of any change, I can guarantee you that God will speak to you in this book and give you fresh wisdom, as long as you commit 40 days to reading it with an open heart and mind, followed by prayer.

I pray that in 2010, as many people consider resolutions for better health, that you will consider your spiritual health as a top priority. I pray you will ask God to help you be still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10) I pray that you will take the 40-Day challenge alongside our family. It is only a few minutes every day for 40 days. It doesn’t require sweat, new shoes, or a gym membership. It only requires that you obtain a copy of The Purpose Driven Life and read a daily message for 40 days.

Our entire family, including our children, is taking the 40-Day Challenge for 2010, and we’d LOVE for you to do the same! We will begin January 1st. Will you join us? (Now, don't say NO just b/c you're busy on the 1st! You can start this book ANYTIME!!!) Pretty please?!? With a cherry on top?!?

2 comments:

Kathleen said...

Our family is going to take the 40 day challenge with you. I was able to get a copy from our local library.

Wishing you the best in the New Year.

Lorraine, AKA Forever Blessed said...

Awesome,I'm so glad you're joining us!!! We ended up starting a day late b/c of our camping expedition, so we just did Day 1 on Jan. 2. I encourage you to stick with it, read every day's passage faithfully, and if you miss a day, pick right back up where you left off. Your life will never be the same!!!

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