Never worry alone. When anxiety grabs my mind, it is self-perpetuating. Worrisome thoughts reproduce faster than rabbits, so one of the most powerful ways to stop the spiral of worry is simply to disclose my worry to a friend... The simple act of reassurance from another human being [becomes] a tool of the Spirit to cast out fear -- because peace and fear are both contagious.
John OrtbergYour world could grow infinitely bigger if you were only willing to become...appropri ately small.
John OrtbergThe goal of prayer is to live all of my life and speak all of my words in the joyful awareness of the presence of God. Prayer becomes real when we grasp the reality and goodness of God's constant presence with 'the real me.' Jesus lived his everyday life in conscious awareness of his Father.
John OrtbergI need to worship because without it I can forget that I have a Big God beside me and live in fear. I need to worship because without it I can forget his calling and begin to live in a spirit of self-preoccupation. I need to worship because without it I lose a sense of wonder and gratitude and plod through life with blinders on. I need worship because my natural tendency is toward self-reliance and stubborn independence.
John OrtbergWhat repeatedly enters your mind and occupies your mind, eventually shapes your mind, and will ultimately express itself in what you do and who you become.
John OrtbergThe Holy Spirit will lead you to be with people as Jesus would be with them if He were in your place.
John OrtbergGratitude is the ability to experience life as a gift. It liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation.
John OrtbergThe miracle of Sunday is that a dead man lives. The miracle of Saturday is that the eternal Son of God lies dead.
John OrtbergPrudence is not hesitation, procrastination, or moderation. It is not driving in the middle of the road. It is not the way of ambivalence, indecision, or safety.
John OrtbergYou have a "turn" every time you have an opportunity to choose. But most of us only see a tiny fraction of the choices we have.
John OrtbergThe good news as Jesus preached it is not just about the minimal entrance requirements for getting into heaven when you die. It is about the glorious redemption of human life-your life.
John OrtbergIf you want to do the work of God, pay attention to people. Notice them. Especially the people nobody else notices.
John OrtbergGod sees with utter clarity who we are. He is undeceived as to our warts and wickedness. But when God looks at us that is not all He sees. He also sees who we are intended to be, who we will one day become.
John OrtbergThe main measure of your devotion to God is not your devotional life. It is simply your life.
John OrtbergA boss who interrupts an employee a lot is called an extrovert, whereas an employee who interrupts a boss too often is called an ex-employee.
John OrtbergThe Holy Spirit says: You are it. You are God's plan. In a thirsty world, people need to be refreshed. It is a broken world, and people need to be healed. Now get out there and do it!
John OrtbergTo love someone is to desire and work toward their becoming the best version of themselves. The one person in all the universe who can do this perfectly for you is God.
John OrtbergGod has entrusted us with his most precious treasure - people. He asks us to shepherd and mold them into strong disciples, with brave faith and good character.
John OrtbergSloth is the failure to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done - like the kamikaze pilot who flew seventeen missions.
John OrtbergThe ministry of bearing with one another is learning to hear God speak through difficult people.
John OrtbergIn reality, each thought we have carries with it a little spiritual power, a tug toward or away from God. No thought is purely neutral.
John OrtbergAs long as we have unsolved problems, unfulfilled desires, and a mustard seed of faith, we have all we need for a vibrant prayer life.
John OrtbergAcceptance is an act of the heart. To accept someone is to affirm to them that you think it's a very good thing they are alive.
John OrtbergI hate how hard spiritual transformation is and how long it takes. I hate thinking about how many people have gone to church for decades and remain joyless or judgmental or bitter or superior.
John OrtbergOver and over in the Bible, it is fear that threatens to keep people from trusting and obeying God.
John OrtbergSheldon Vanauken wrote that the strongest argument for Christianity is Christians, when they are drawing life from God. The strongest argument against Christianity? Also Christians, when they become exclusive, self-righteous, and complacent.
John OrtbergOne reason why we fail to hear God speak is that we are not attentive. We suffer from what might be called 'spiritual mindlessness.'
John OrtbergWe tend to be preoccupied by our problems when we have a heightened sense of vulnerability and a diminished sense of power. Today, see each problem as an invitation to prayer.
John OrtbergThe greatest bloodbaths in the history of the human race were recorded in the twentieth century in countries that sought to eliminate God, worship, and faith.
John OrtbergWhen preaching is done right, it can change lives. When it's done badly, my failure goes beyond the merely human.
John OrtbergIf ever there were a true "just as I am" church, if ever there were a community where everybody could bring all their baggage and brokenness with them without neat and tidy happy endings quite yet, if ever there was a group where everyone was loved and no one pretended - we could not make enough room inside the building.
John OrtbergGod is so immense that if he were 'too visible,' people would give forced compliance without expressing their heart. So God made it possible, in enormous love, for us to live as if he were not there.
John OrtbergOne of the most painful aspects of suffering is the loneliness of it. Others may offer support or empathy, but no one can walk the road to Moriah in our place.
John OrtbergEverybody wears an unseen sign that reads: Inspire me. Remind me that my life matters; call me to be my best self; appeal to whatever in me is most noble and honorable. Don't let me go down the path of least resistance. Challenge me to make my life about something more than the acquisition of money or success
John Ortberg