As John Ortberg concludes Chapter 3 of God is Closer Than You Think, he returns to the story of Jesus’ visit with Mary and Martha, reflecting that much of our life will be spent “in the kitchen with Martha”- the busyness of life. To be covered with the dust of the rabbi, we must learn […]
In Chapter 3 of God is Closer Than You Think, author John Ortberg states that worry is the prime indicator that we, like Martha, are not living in the presence of God. Pastor Ortberg continues by describing the subtle and insidious nature of worry: “Sometimes in our Martha moments we live under the illusion that […]
At the beginning of Chapter 3 (“Life with God”) of God is Closer Than You Think, author John Ortberg discusses Luke’s account of Jesus’ visit to the home of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). Pastor Ortberg notes that the story isn’t about personality types, but rather a contrast between a fundamental Decision and a fundamental […]
As John Ortberg concludes Chapter 2 of God is Closer Than You Think, he suggests that when we sense God’s hiddenness, He is up to something. that sense of God’s hiddenness often is amplified during transitional periods following a ministry downsizing or job loss. If only God would relieve our anxiety by acting quickly! It […]
In Chapter 2 of God is Closer Than You Think, author John Ortberg contrasts rainbow days with ordinary days. Rainbow days are days when God’s presence is unmistakable. Wise people learn to treasure rainbow days as gifts and store them up to recall during those times when God seems more elusive- those ordinary days. The major […]
John Ortberg begins Chapter 2 (“Where’s Waldo?”) of God is Closer Than You Think with the following quote from Armand Nicholi on experiencing God’s presence: “We may ignore, but we cannot evade, the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him. He walks everywhere incognito. And the incognito is not always easy to penetrate. […]
To conclude Chapter 1 of God is Closer Than You Think, Pastor John Ortberg presents 12 guiding principles for practicing God’s presence, which he titles “Foundational Truths of My Life with God”. He encourages people to read through the principles every morning for 2 weeks. I have selected/highlighted 5 significant principles for discussion. The author’s […]
In Chapter 1 of God is Closer Than You Think, author John Ortberg recalls the story of Elisha and his servant, as told in 2 Kings 6:8-23. The servant was terrified because they were in the city of Dothan surrounded by Israel’s enemies. After Elisha calmed his servant, he prayed: “O Lord, open his eyes so […]
We’re all familiar with the song “Jacob’s Ladder”. In Chapter 1 of God is Closer Than You Think, author John Ortberg states that the song gets the story wrong. The ladder isn’t for human beings to climb up, it’s for God to come down. God still is in the business of coming down to earth. […]
“Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”- Joshua 1:9 In Chapter 1 of God is Closer Than You Think, John Ortberg states that the most frequent promise in the Bible is “I will be with you.” God is determined to be our […]
When author John Ortberg (God is Closer Than You Think) and his wife Nancy traveled around Europe during the first year of their marriage, one of the highlights was viewing Michelangelo’s painting The Creation of Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. In that painting God is rushing to Adam on a cloud, propelled […]
It’s a spring day on the farm in Ontario. White apple blossoms fill the orchard, and dusty footprints track mud across the kitchen floor. As Ann Voskamp notes in the Afterword of One Thousand Gifts, “every breath’s a battle between grudgery and gratitude.” That’s why we must continually keep thanks on our lips. Ann listens […]