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The Life You've Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People
by
Ignite a deeper, more vibrant relationship with God that impacts not just your spiritual life but every aspect of your daily life.
John Ortberg calls readers back to the dynamic heartbeat of Christianity--God's power to bring change and growth--and reveals how and why transformation takes place.
The Life You've Always Wanted offers modern perspectives on the ancient path of ...more
John Ortberg calls readers back to the dynamic heartbeat of Christianity--God's power to bring change and growth--and reveals how and why transformation takes place.
The Life You've Always Wanted offers modern perspectives on the ancient path of ...more
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Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
September 29th 2002
by Zondervan
(first published 1997)
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Start your review of The Life You've Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People
I think I could read this book every 6 months and learn something new from it. It is completely filled with all kinds of GREAT information on how to improve the joy-factor in your life. I have successfully weeded out several things from my calendar that were stealing the joy from the things that matter the most to me. I have also introduced several things into my daily habits that have improved the relationships that matter the most to me. I just finished this a couple weeks ago and I am already
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I loved John Ortberg's book "If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat", so I am really looking forward to this text on spiritual disciplines. I enjoy the insights he has as well as the way he relates a story, and so look forward to learning from this book.
Adding on to my previous thoughts now that I have finished reading this book - I do love John Ortberg. It took me longer than I would have liked to get through this book, but all in all it was a really good, thought-provo ...more
Adding on to my previous thoughts now that I have finished reading this book - I do love John Ortberg. It took me longer than I would have liked to get through this book, but all in all it was a really good, thought-provo ...more
I had read this book before but enjoyed it even better the second time around. Ortberg is so good at outlining specific steps for a better Christian walk. His methods are simple yet Biblical, and his examples are pleasing and recognizable.
Excellent. Ortberg's writing style is thoroughly engaging and I will be looking out for more works by him. Highly recommend!
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I had stayed away from this book for a long time because I had misjudged the title and assumed that this was a prosperity gospel book! Sorry, Ortberg, for getting you confused with Osteen, because I was totally wrong -- this is a book about spiritual disciplines written in a way that is very accessible, down-to-earth and practical. A lot of the principles overlap with those presented in Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline but in a style that may be less intimidating, with everyday example
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Best dicipleship book out there!
Such a great one!! It took me a couple months to read but only because I intentionally went very slowly through it. Would recommend!!
An inspiring look into Spiritual disciplines based on a sound theology, that if applied, can support another stage of Christs life changing process
Another reviewer summed this book up beautifully by saying 'This book has the highest good content to bad title ratio I've ever experienced.' It's true - the title seems to suggest a dreadful, publisher chosen,self-help offering - but it isn't. This is a book about the ancient spiritual disciplines of the Christian tradition. It offers an examination of various spiritual practices that Christians have used to enhance their spiritual life and discipleship over many centuries. That said, many of t
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If this book were a motivational poster, the font would be Papyrus. But the quote would be rooted in Scripture and kind of thoughtful.
Ortberg is funny and helpfully honest in this book on spiritual disciplines for beginners. This is a book well worth my time and the cost of purchase. As a result of reading it, I've begun a new prayer habit that has already paid dividends. More than a boring how to book, "The Life You've Always Wanted" entertains with stories as it teaches the reader practical ways to embark or improve upon one's own journey of spiritual formation.
I give it two thumbs up and now look forward to discovering the ...more
I give it two thumbs up and now look forward to discovering the ...more
This book is about spiritual disciplines, or training:
"Respecting the distinction between training and merely trying
is the key to transformation in every aspect of life." -- Ortberg
"If you are weary of some sleepy form of devotion, probably
God is as weary of it as you are. " --FRANK LAUBACH
“Spirituality” wrongly understood or pursued is a major
source of human misery and rebellion against God. -- DALLAS WILLARD
Now, with God’s help, I shall become myself. -- SØREN KIERKEGAARD
(Just a few qu ...more
"Respecting the distinction between training and merely trying
is the key to transformation in every aspect of life." -- Ortberg
"If you are weary of some sleepy form of devotion, probably
God is as weary of it as you are. " --FRANK LAUBACH
“Spirituality” wrongly understood or pursued is a major
source of human misery and rebellion against God. -- DALLAS WILLARD
Now, with God’s help, I shall become myself. -- SØREN KIERKEGAARD
(Just a few qu ...more
Re-read with my 14 year old. (Read years ago! Before I had kids) simple, enjoyable. A good book to read with Nick and talk through applications and growing spiritually as we participate in the work God is already doing in and around us.
Ortberg, in a simple manner, approaches the topic of spiritual formation; of actually changing while in discipleship to Jesus. He begins with an observation: in our evangelical churches growth and maturity is not always the norm - but that this is at odds with both scripture and the desires within us for our Christian walk.
He writes in a way that is accessible for the common person (by this I mean he writes as most modern writers do: with fluffy little stories and anecdotes) but weaves enough de ...more
He writes in a way that is accessible for the common person (by this I mean he writes as most modern writers do: with fluffy little stories and anecdotes) but weaves enough de ...more
Ortberg's book has clearly influenced one of my favorite book's Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. This is a simple but helpful guide to spiritual disciplines.
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One the few truly practical spiritual life books I've ever read. I will revisit the truths presented here often. A fabulous help.
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Convicting. Practical. Humbling. Encouraging. Highly, highly recommend!
A good book from Ortberg about many down to earth topics in a christian life. Encouraging and challenging at the same time.
I gave this book 5 stars for the lasting impact it had in my life. I had seen John Ortberg preach some years ago and bought several of his books. I had read some of the others, but did not read this until I found I was struggling with some of the issues he highlights so well here. I was debating making a major life change, one that would allow more time for God and others in my life, and this book was a perfect thing to read slowly and thoughtfully during that process. John's writing seems very
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John Ortberg wrote The Life You’ve Always Wanted with a mind toward, as the subtitle tells, “ordinary people.” I suppose this means that he was not writing for the holy—or, perhaps more accurately, that he wrote for those that know they’re not holy. If this is you, The Life You’ve Always Wanted could the book you’ve always looked for. But a word of caution is in order.
Ortberg writes with a friendly voice, casual and familiar. And when he’s not reflecting on the words of some spiritual giant or ...more
Ortberg writes with a friendly voice, casual and familiar. And when he’s not reflecting on the words of some spiritual giant or ...more
This is good. Easy to read. Would recommend.
I loved this book...until the last chapter. Quite honestly, the last chapter kind of ruined the book for me. As someone who has undergone unfathomable suffering in life and read extensively on suffering in the Christian life, I did not feel that Ortberg adequately touched on this very important subject. And for people like me, who are enduring trial after trial (and by trial I don’t mean sitting next to a chattering child on an airplane while trying to concentrate on writing), this was really up
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Our church is using this book as a focus for Lent this year. Sermons and small-group discussion all focus around the chapters and themes.
Chapters 1-3 focus on Why, and How, we should "morph". I appreciate the focus on "training" instead of "trying" to become more like Christ.
Chapters 4-11 each cover a different spiritual discipline: celebrating, slowing down, praying, servanthood, confessing, guidance, secrecy, and scripture. They're a bit out of order in the separate "participant's guide" and ...more
Chapters 1-3 focus on Why, and How, we should "morph". I appreciate the focus on "training" instead of "trying" to become more like Christ.
Chapters 4-11 each cover a different spiritual discipline: celebrating, slowing down, praying, servanthood, confessing, guidance, secrecy, and scripture. They're a bit out of order in the separate "participant's guide" and ...more
I read Dallas Willard's "Spirit of the Disciplines" which Ortberg notes inspired this volume (I think he called it "Willard for Dummies"). What I love about Ortberg is that he comes across as somewhat vulnerable and always entertaining in his story-telling. Of course, his ideas are also very helpful. . .more helpful, practically speaking, than Willard. His concept of 'slowing' of stepping out of the constant sense of rushing to what is next and never enjoying the present. I'm glad I read Willard
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If you've read other spiritual formation/spiritual disciplines books, you probably won't find anything new here. But if you need a refresher, like I did, you'll find Ortberg's presentation accessible and inviting. I do find the title regrettable, however, in that it can be misleading unless you understand that "the life you've always wanted" is the life God planned for you. It probably isn't a life of wealth, power, and success. It's a life of fulfillment, living the destiny He created you for.
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I don't give five-star reviews that often, but this book is an excellent read! Every Christian should seek this book out and read it cover to cover; it has a message all people of the Way need to hear! If, for some reason, you can't/won't read it, listen to it on audio or attend a Bible class based on it; seriously, it's that good!
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Powerful book. I learned a lot from reading this.
This is a great first book on spiritual disciplines. It's practical and relatable.
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John Ortberg has a very down to earth manner of writing, and I think the book gave a very refreshing take on spiritual disciplines. I would recommend this book.
When I first approached this book, I'll admit I was skeptical. The title alone was just enough to put me off. It just sounded rather cliche. A book that gives you steps to be fulfilled in life in a rather shallow kind of way. It is a book that is looking to have you become fulfilled in life, but it isn't looking at it in an entirely shallow way. Instead it is about the idea of spiritual formation, becoming more like Christ, particularly through the practice of spiritual disciplines.
As I started ...more
As I started ...more
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