John Ortberg concludes Chapter 12 of Soul Keeping by considering the second and third levels where the soul gets trapped. 2. Sinfulness. The next ring on the target, sinfulness, has to do with our orientation. Pastor Ortberg defines the difference between sinful acts and sinfulness: “Sin is a deeply entrenched pattern way below the surface- insidious- […]
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”- John 14:27 John Ortberg concludes his discussion of sustaining grace in Chapter 11 of Soul Keeping by listing six indicators of […]
“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 […]
“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 […]
“My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”- Psalm 84:2 As John Ortberg concludes Chapter 6 of Soul Keeping, he reiterates that the soul never will be satisfied without God. When Pastor Ortberg was a young associate pastor at his first […]
“Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.”- Mark 4:5-6 “Superficiality is the curse of our age.”- Richard Foster, Celebration of […]
“Though you have not seen him [Jesus] you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy; for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”- 1 Peter 1:8-9 John Ortberg concludes Chapter 2 […]
“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”- Romans 8:6 John Ortberg continues Chapter 2 of Soul Keeping by discussing Dallas Willard’s understanding of the “parts” of the inner life, all integrated by the soul. Dallas uses a series of concentric circles to illustrate his […]
“I don’t deserve a soul, yet I still have one. I know because it hurts.”- Douglas Coupland, The Gum Thief John Ortberg concludes Chapter 1 of Soul Keeping by observing that we speak of the soul as a source of strength, yet we also speak of the soul as fragile. There is something about the […]
John Ortberg dedicates Soul Keeping to the late Dallas Willard (1935-2013), noted Christian author and long-time professor of philosophy at USC. Soul Keeping is based on what Pastor Ortberg learned over the years as he sought Dallas’ wisdom in understanding the human soul. Dallas once gave the following advice when John expressed dissatisfaction with his […]
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.”- Genesis 2:7 Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You is the most recent book from author and pastor John Ortberg. In the Foreword by Dr. […]
As Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 15 of Prayer, he poses four questions to help us evaluate our situation with regard to prayer. Pastor Keller asks us to imagine that our soul is in a boat, a boat with both oars and a sail. 1. Are you “sailing”? If your are sailing, you are living the […]