John Ortberg Knihy

Normální? Kdo je normální? Vy rozhodně ne! Ani nikdo z lidí, s nimiž jste se doposud setkali. Nikdo z nás není normální podle Božích měřítek. A čím více se poznáváme, tím je tato skutečnost zřejmější. V některých obchodech najdte oddělení s výrazně zlevněným zbožím. Poznáte ho podle toho, že na všech výrobcích je zvláštní štítek, na kterém stojí:"Partiové zboží. V prodeji tak, jak je vystaveno."Je to kulantní způsob, jak vyjádřit, že se jedná o "kazové zboží". Někdy je takové zboží označeno za "mírně neobvyklé". Obchod vás tak chce poctivě varovat: "Toto je oddělení se zbožím, u nějž se něco pokazilo. Určitě najdete nějakou vadu či závadu - skvrnu, která nepůjde vyprat, zip, který nepůjde zapnout, tlačítko, které nepůjde stlačit - prostě vždy tam bude nějaký problém. Toto zboží není normální. "Když jednáte s lidskými bytostmi, znamená to, že jste narazili na obdobné oddělení vesmíru. Zkuste si na okamžik představit někoho blízkého. Tento člověk je "mírně neobvyklý". Má na sobě cedulku: Pozor, vada. Sklon k podvádění, krutým slovům, pasivitě, výbuchům vzteku. Neprozradíme vám, o jakou vadu jde. Takže až ji objevíte (a vy ji objevíte!), nebuďte překvapeni. Jestli s ním chcete navázat vztah, můžete to udělat jen jediným způsobem. "Vzít ho takového, jaký je."

Loď je pro nás místem, kde se cítíme pohodlně. A když už tedy ne pohodlně, tak alespoň bezpečně - ve víru všech životních bouří, kterými procházíme. Kdežto voda, na niž máme vystoupit, je divokým živlem – něčím, co nás ohrožuje a z čeho máme strach. Vystoupit z lodi tedy vždycky znamená udělat krok víry a pustit se do neznáma. Vyjít na cestu, jejíž průběh je značně nejistý, ale jejíž konec je pro nás vždy v něčem dobrý. Najít v sobě odhodlání vystoupit z lodi znamená přijmout výzvu a začít navzdory všem nepříznivým okolnostem růst. Kráčet po vodě znamená být ochoten riskovat a důvěřovat…

Using popular games as a metaphor for our temporal lives, this six-session study neatly sorts out what's fleeting and what's permanent in God's kingdom. Being master of the board is not the point; being rich toward God is. Winning the game of life on earth is a temporary victory; loving God and other people with all our hearts is an eternal one.

In All the Places to Go ... How Will You Know?, bestselling author John Ortberg opens our eyes to the countless doors God places before us every day, teaches us how to recognize them, and gives us the encouragement to step out in faith and embrace all of the extraordinary opportunities that await. --Publisher's description.

In this six-session small group Bible study, If You Want to Walk on Water, You've got to Get Out of the Boat, by John Ortberg, participants learn how to move beyond fear, responding to God's unique calling.

This is not a book for normal people to learn how to handle difficult people ---there is no such thing. This is a book about how imperfect people can pursue community with other imperfect people. Winner of the Retailers Choice Award.

Jesus' impact on our world is highly unlikely, widely inescapable, largely unknown, and decidedly double-edged. It is unlikely in light of the severe limitations of his earthly life; it is inescapable because of the range of impact; it is unknown because history doesn't connect dots; and it is doubled-edged because his followers have wreaked so much havoc, often in his name. He is history's most familiar figure, yet he is the man no one knows. His impact on the world is immense and non-accidental. From the Dark Ages to Post-Modernity he is the Man who won't go away. And yet . . .you can miss him in historical lists for many reasons, maybe the most obvious being the way he lived his life. He did not loudly and demonstrably defend his movement in the spirit of a rising political or military leader. He did not lay out a case that history would judge his brand of belief superior in all future books. His life and teaching simply drew people to follow him. He made history by starting in a humble place, in a spirit of love and acceptance, and allowing each person space to respond. His vision of life continues to haunt and challenge humanity. His influence has swept over history bringing inspiration to what has happened in art, science, government, medicine, and education; he has taught humans about dignity, compassion, forgiveness, and hope.

Remember the thrill of winning at checkers or Parcheesi? You become the Master of the Board—the victor over everyone else. But what happens after that, asks bestselling author John Ortberg. You know the answer: It all goes back in the box. You don’t get to keep one token, one chip, one game card. In the end, the spoils of the game add up to nothing. Using popular games as a metaphor for our temporal lives, When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box neatly sorts out what’s fleeting and what’s permanent in God’s kingdom. Being Master of the Board is not the point; being rich toward God is. Winning the game of life on Earth is a temporary victory; loving God and other people with all our hearts is an eternal one. Using humor, terrific stories, and a focus on winning “the right trophies,” Ortberg paints a vivid picture of the priorities that all Christians will want to embrace.

For the new small group leader, the seasoned leader who feels their small group lacks purpose, or the leader who is working to move their small group to the next level, Leading Small Groups with Purpose is the road map to follow. Steve Gladen takes small group leaders step-by-step toward a healthy, dynamic group with focus and purpose. Every chapter includes ideas that small group leaders can implement immediately as well as ways to shape their small groups over time. Includes a foreword by John Ortberg and a free small group assessment tool ($12.50 value).

This small group study---volume 3 of the Truth for Today series---takes you though the Wisdom Books of the Old Testament and unveils truths to help you grow in your love for God and others. The Wisdom Literature explores the heights of joyful romance to the depths of human sorrow and reveals the pathway to loving God each step of the way.