Today John Ortberg discusses the first two ways recognizing and going through open doors reveals and requires us to face the truth about ourselves (Chapter 7, All the Places to Go). 1. What are my strengths and weaknesses? We have to have some sense of our strengths, weaknesses, and interests if we’re going to understand […]
“The truth about you is you don’t know the truth about you.”- John Ortberg In Chapter 7 (“What Open Doors will Teach You”) of All the Places to Go, John Ortberg writes that all of us suffer from a kind of personal blind spot. The difficulty is that when someone has a problem, the last […]
“Be . . . as innocent as doves.”- Matthew 10:16 “What the world needs is not simply isolated outward deeds but transformed character from within.”- John Ortberg John Ortberg concludes Chapter 6 of All the Places to Go by discussing the final dimension of wholehearted threshold crossing: “Be . . . innocent as doves.” Pastor […]
“So be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”- Matthew 10:16 (NIV) As John Ortberg continues Chapter 6 of All the Places to Go, he emphasizes that Jesus wasn’t a “well-intentioned dreamer who floated serenely above human difficulties and reality.” Jesus really was serious about getting His work done. Pastor Ortberg notes that part of […]
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”- Matthew 10:16 In Chapter 6 of All the Places to Go, John Ortberg writes that the sheep is not an inspiring animal, so this is an unexpected metaphor. While many sports teams have animal nicknames, no […]
“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”- John 17:18 John Ortberg continues Chapter 6 of All the Places to Go by presenting another statement that many people think Jesus actually said: “Be in the world but not of the world.” Pastor Ortberg states that his misconception has led […]
“Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. . . . He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.”- 2 Chronicles 25:1-2 (NRSV) “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I […]
“[Teddy Roosevelt] danced, just as you’d expect him to dance if you knew him. He hopped.”- Doris Kearns Goodwin, The Bully Pulpit As John Ortberg continues Chapter 6 of All the Places to Go, he writes that hopping is something we do with our whole selves. Even adults hop in moments of great joy. Pastor […]
“It’s better to go through the wrong door with your best self than the best door with your wrong self.”- John Ortberg In Chapter 6 (“How to Cross a Threshold”) of All the Places to Go, John Ortberg observes that it’s good for us to choose our doors carefully. But when we decide to go- […]
“That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and knowledge of God’s mystery, which is in Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”- Colossians 2:2-3 John Ortberg concludes Chapter 5 of All the Places to Go with […]
Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer work up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had […]
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes. but a wise man listens to advice.”- Proverbs 12:15 John Ortberg continues his discussion of ways (five and six) God’s wisdom can lead us to and help us through open doors we encounter. 5. Pray the Lloyd’s Prayer. Pastor Ortberg states that things happen […]