The Life You've Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People Paperback – May 5, 2015

The writer brings you into his book with humor and funny quotes from modern movies. There is a useful Bible study in the back that encourages and teaches. I would suggest buying multiple copies and doing a bible study with a group of friends. This was a very easy book to read through in a matter of days.

I recommend the book highly.Lots of good points to help in our lives

This is simply one of the best resources on Spiritual Disciplines I have encountered since Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline. "For ordinary people" is right on. I don't know how Ortberg does it, but he did, with a large dose of the Holy Spirit in him and through him. The book is well researched with great quotes and background from the best of the best the Christian tradition has had to offer on the topic of Spiritual Disciplines - Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and many others. You can tell John has lived his faith. He is honest and transparent with his failings and victories in the area of his disciplines. It is now on my "must read" list for those who ask "What should I be reading to grow my relationship with God. I've purchased 8 copies and gave them out to 8 people to read to evaluate the book for a small group curriculum we are developing. Every single one commented that they loved the word pictures and illustrations, Ortberg's honesty and transparency, and how accessible, real, and "reasonable" he makes the spiritual disciplines out to be. All of a sudden, growing deeper in my relationship with God has become more doable. ALL 8 commented what a great book this is and are extremely glad they were asked to read it for this project.

IntroductionIn his letter to the church in Colossae, the apostle Paul outlines the objectives of his Church ministry in celebratory yet nonetheless sacrificial terms. He writes: 'He [Jesus] is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me' (Colossians 1:28-29 NIV). Paul's labour and cautionary tone challenge us today. Do we, as professed Christians (followers of Christ) strive for maturity (in Greek, teleios which means fully grown or having reached a goal or end) in Christ using all the strength God provides? Or are we merely rambling, perhaps disappointingly, along a path that hinders spiritual progress? I think most of us would wish--optimistically--for growth. But what if our discipleship journey is devastatingly distorted and off track?Senior Pastor John Ortberg's, The life you've always wanted: Spiritual disciplines for ordinary people [expanded edition] describes, illustrates and explains Christian discipleship in contemporary, total-life encompassing terms. This is a crucial, urgent issue because if we cannot or do not know and experience transformation at the core, the risk is we will settle for being just informed or conformed (pp. 30-31).Main points* The transformation of the human personality through the Gospel is really is possible. It's never easy or frequently quick but we can see it happening in people sometimes (p. 9).* Spiritual growth means wanting to live increasingly as Jesus would if he were in our unique place (p. 14).* Adopting spiritual disciplines requires focused, purposeful training. Simply trying hard (even very hard) will not help us 'do the right thing at the right time in the right way with the right spirit' (pp. 43, 50).* Joy is at the heart of God's plan for human beings (p. 61). Celebration exercises our ability to see and feel goodness in and through God's gifts.* An unhurried, uncluttered life is the basis for a loving, patient, spiritual life (p. 83).* We must discipline ourselves (learn how) to pray. While Biblical prayer may be 'impertinent', 'persistent', 'shameless', and 'indecorous' (p. 95), it's also relational (with/to God) and a spiritual progress-marker, for '... where there is much prayer, there's much love' (p.106).* In place of pride, Jesus invites us to a life of humility (p. 111). Humility is the freedom to stop trying to be what we are not (p. 112).* Confession--when done wisely--helps us in our transformation (p. 130). Confession involves: preparation, self-examination, perception (we're to see our sin through the eyes of those we've sinned against), investigation, a new feeling (entering into the pain of the people we've hurt and God's pain over sin), and acknowledging and accepting God's healing grace (pp. 130-138).* When we listen to God, we receive guidance from the Holy Spirit (p. 140). But, guidance only makes sense for people who are resolved to respond by seeking the kingdom of God first and foremost (p. 152).* Receiving praise gracefully requires a well-ordered heart. It means loving the right thing in the right way to the right degree with the right kind of love (p. 166).* Meditation on Scripture helps us learn how to live in the kingdom of God here and now (p. 181).* Disciples must develop a 'rule of life' (pp. 200-201) along the lines of Colossians 3:17: 'And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (NIV). In other words, do everything as Jesus would do if he were in your place.*Endurance is the gift we can offer. Our spiritual transformation is based, in part, in learning how to respond to and benefit from life's trials both small and large.OrganisationThe book is organised into 13 chapters with a complete list of sources and a chapter-by-chapter study guide for use in small-group meetings and, I've found, personal study. There is a subtle and deliberate progression of ideas within chapters and across the book, as a whole, such that Chapter 12 (Life with a well-ordered heart: Developing your own 'rule of life') and Chapter 13 (A life of endurance: The experience of suffering), make better sense based on knowing and understanding what comes before. This is, of course, only to be expected in good, well-ordered, priestly (in the sense of presenting and professing the goodness and greatness of God; see 1 Peter 2:9) writing.EvaluationThe life you've always wanted is about spiritual growth/formation along strong Biblical lines for ordinary people on earth. Essentially, this is a matter of building a deep, personal relationship with God. Although John Ortberg's wisdom and guidance may cover familiar ground to those who've read other discipleship books and related curricula, I think he's successful in showing that God cares for us and that His kingdom is attainable under the right circumstances. Importantly, Ortberg isn't prescriptive about which spiritual disciplines we should practice. Rather, it's up to us to identify those barriers that prevent us from getting closer to God and overcoming them through immediate, purposive action. We can start off slowly and small (say, praying just five minutes a day if prayer is not a part of what we do) but ultimately we need to arrive at a wide, all-encompassing vision: viewing and appreciating every moment, potentially, as an opportunity to by guided by God in(to) his way of living (p. 54).In terms of usefulness, three of John's ideas and suggestions resonated strongly with me at my current stage of spiritual development and inquiry. First, as far as slowing is concerned, one piece of advice is to deliberately place ourselves in situations where we have to wait (p. 83). As recommended, I've tried waiting in the longest supermarket checkout line (with just three items in my basket) and I can truly say it's a simple yet powerful 'getting-back-on-track' experience. That said, I'm still not convinced, as a city dweller, that choosing to travel on slow, crowded buses and trains instead of driving the car is desirable or practicable. Let me see.Second, the book mentions the ministry of bearing each other's burdens (p. 124) as a cure for self-centredness. This is more, we're taught, than simply tolerating difficult people. Ortberg says we must learn to hear God speaking through them. This is purification and truth operating at a deep level.Third, when it comes to reading the Bible (something I do everyday with varying levels--I have to admit--of concentration and purpose) for transformation, the suggestion is to meditate on a short passage or story only. The goal, put brilliantly, is not to get through Scripture but to get Scripture through us (p. 188). I must remember and practice that!RecommendationI recommend The life you've always wanted as an instructive, entertaining and meaningful tool.

We saw John speak at Bayside Church in Roseville so I wanted to learn more of how he thinks. The book is very thoughtful and thought provoking in its approach of how to understand one's ability to live a life that that is in unison with ones spiritual core. First you must understand that I am not a Christian. But I do believe that our world would be a better place if even though we are not all of the same faith that we all follow the teachings of Christ. Love of one's fellow man would eliminate a whole host of issues that plague our society today; and will plague us for a long time to come if we don't change the way we treat each other. This book is written with this in mind.The little surprise. My brother Ali and I haven't spoken since our father died in Oct 2003. There is an inscription in the book form someone to "Ali" for the loss he suffered in "2003". First: Ali is not the highest of names on the Christian list of names: second 2003 was 6 years ago and an additional coincidence. Maybe there are powers out there that "work in mysterious ways", as people often tell me that God has plans for my life. Who knows? I believe that you will find this book inspiring, thought provoking, enlightening, and a pleasure to read. Better yet, if you get the chance, go and listen to John speak. He has a tremendous message that all should hear, even if you are not a Christian.