John Ortberg expands on his concept of “The Soul Experiment” as he concludes Chapter 10 of Soul Keeping. When scientists conduct an experiment, John notes, they formulate a hypothesis concerning the anticipated results. John then presents three assumptions, or hypotheses, to put The Soul Experiment to the test. 1. God wants to make every moment […]
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”- John 15:5 In Chapter 10 of Soul Keeping, John Ortberg references John 15:5, noting that when we make sure- through the power of the […]
“Our souls were made to walk with God.”- John Ortberg John Ortberg begins Chapter 10 (“The Soul Needs to be with God”) of Soul Keeping by stating that the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, is permeated with the sense that the soul was designed to search for God. Pastor Ortberg explains why the soul seeks […]
“In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a while you will see me.”- John 16:16 “It is the nature of joy that all questions grow silent, and nothing needs explaining.”- Rudolf Bultmann As John Ortberg concludes Chapter 9 of Soul Keeping, he discusses Jesus’ message to His disciples shortly […]
“In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. . . my soul refused to be comforted.”- Psalm 77:2 (NASB) “He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”- Ecclesiastes 3:11 In Chapter […]
“My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you . . .”- Psalm 42:6 “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love . . . for to you I entrust my life (lift up my soul).”- Psalm 143:8 John Ortberg concludes Chapter 8 of Soul Keeping by stating that in the […]
“They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient along the way.”- Numbers 21:4 “Nothing in man seems to intent upon God as the soul. . . . The soul seeks the Might One as though he is the soul’s own home, as […]
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”- James 4:8 John Ortberg continues Chapter 8 of Soul Keeping by reminding us that the Greek word dipsuchos often is translated “double-minded.” However, we also can think of dipsuchos as meaning double-souled, split-souled, […]
In Chapter 8 (“The Soul Needs a Center”) of Soul Keeping, John Ortberg notes that Florida has a problem with sinkholes because the limestone that lies beneath the earth’s surface slowly is being dissolved by acid rain. When enough limestone is eaten away, the void simply collapses under the weight of an inadequate foundation now […]
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell.”- Matthew 10:28 As John Ortberg concludes Chapter 7 of Soul Keeping, he tells of the time he was pulling out of a parking space in a […]
“Call this world if you please ‘The vale of soul-making.’ “- John Keats As John Ortberg continues Chapter 7 of Soul Keeping, he stresses that soul formation is the most important process in the universe. While in our day self-talk often is discussed, in the Bible people talked to their souls. The difference between self-talk […]
“Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”- Galatians 6:7 John Ortberg emphatically begins Chapter 7 (“The Soul Needs a Keeper”) of Soul Keeping with the following statement: “I and no one else am responsible for the condition of my soul.” Perhaps, Pastor Ortberg notes, we operate on the […]