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  1. dockanz
    Eau Claire, WI
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Festschrift to Dallas Willard
    April 20, 2014
    dockanz
    Eau Claire, WI
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    I have been familiar with John Ortberg's work through talks he has given at the American Association for Christian Counselors and his book The Life You Always Wanted, which surprisingly is not a book of prosperity theology. Because I have been favorably impressed with his work in the past, I was eager to read Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You (2014).

    Ortberg is a pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in California, though he also trained as a clinical psychologist. Each of those facts are important background in this book about caring for the soul. Additionally, Ortberg was profoundly influenced by the work of Dallas Willard who in May last year. In many regards, this book is a festschrift to Willard. Not only are Willard's influences deeply felt, Ortberg went out of his way to weave many stories about the man, a welcome addition.

    Essentially, this short book is a study in how we care for the most important part of us our souls. At the outset, Ortberg seeks to define the soul so that the reader is able to proceed from a place of common understanding. Once he establishes what the soul is, he moves on to reviewing what the soul needs and eventually how the soul is restored.

    There were a few things that I particularly appreciated about this book. First, Ortberg does a commendable job of differentiating between the soul and the self. So often in modern thinking about mental health, we think only about the self, which Ortberg suggests is misguided. Rather, we should focus on the soul, which defines who we are in relation to God. In the world of Christian psychology where I do some reading and writing, this is an important distinction.

    Second, Ortberg effectively weaves in his understanding of the importance of spiritual disciplines. As one deeply influenced by Willard and involved in the Renovare conferences, he views disciplines as important. He discusses these in more depth in his book The Life You Always Wanted, though here they find an organic place.

    Finally, I really liked the last two chapters. Essentially, these deal with his final interactions with Dallas Willard. He discusses suffering and what he thinks it looks like to die well, looking at Willard as a model.

    On the whole, I would strongly recommend this book. I wish more "Christian psychology" and soul care would look like this book. It is deeply relational, hopeful, and grounded in the truth of the gospel.

    I received this book free from the publisher through the Book Look Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
  2. RWH
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Soul Keeping
    March 9, 2015
    RWH
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Over 50 years of Christian life and study and I found this book and study one of the best ever. This is a topic every Christian should know and understand, and yet it is seldom preached or discussed. What great insight on how we can walk closer to God every moment. You need this in your life. Be sure and get the DVD ... it is outstanding!
  3. bookwomanjoan
    Oak Harbor, WA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Caring for the most important part of you
    April 22, 2014
    bookwomanjoan
    Oak Harbor, WA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 5
    "Your soul is not just something that lives on after your body dies. It's the most important thing about you. It is your life." (19) Ortberg received that wisdom from Dallas Willard.

    That led Ortberg on a journey to know his soul — and to write this book. What is your soul? How do you care for it? How do you keep it healthy? That's what this book is about.

    A soul is healthy when there is harmony between the will, mind, body, and God's intent for all creation. Sin always causes dis-integration. The world we live in keeps us from attending to our souls. Our souls are fallen and needy. That need is meant to point us to God but we turn elsewhere.

    Ortberg reviews what the soul needs. One need that particularly struck me was a center. When the soul is without a center we have difficulty making a decision, we feel constantly vulnerable to people or circumstances, we lack patience, we are easily thrown, and we find our identity in externals. That's just one of the nine needs about which Ortberg writes. He also covers how to identify enemies of the soul and soul-fatigue.

    "I and no one else am responsible for the condition of my soul," Ortberg writes. (84)

    This book is an important one for each of us as we make our way in life. Reading this book has given me much to think about. I'll be paying better attention to the health of my soul. I encourage you to do the same. Reading this book will help you.

    Food for thought — if the quotes below resonate with you, you need to read this book!

    "You must arrange your days so that you are experiencing total contentment, joy, and confidence in your everyday life with God." (85)

    "Doing nothing does wonders for the soul." (136)

    "Whenever you're disappointed, whenever you don't get your way, take that disappointment as a chance to practice soul-satisfaction in God." (161)

    I received an uncorrected advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
  4. jimmyboy
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Must read !
    December 12, 2014
    jimmyboy
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This man has produced some wonderful books. and I believe this one is among his best. As a highly educated man of faith, his perspectives for the Christian, who is serious about joyfully living the life for which he/she is here on earth, are invaluable. Full of references to Scripture, the truths found in this book are not only presented in a highly readable and enjoyable fashion, but most helpful in understanding and getting the most out of one's existence.
  5. Matthew
    Mechanicsville, Va.
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Soul Keeping
    April 10, 2014
    Matthew
    Mechanicsville, Va.
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: male
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 5
    John Ortberg's book, Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You, will be labeled among one of the best books for refreshing and defining the soul. One of the many pleasures for the reader is the insight into one of Christian evangelicalisms best minds concerning prayer, devotion, and meditation, Dallas Willard. Through flashback scenes from one on one timeless conversation with Dallas, Ortberg finds a way to convey to the reader a man without material or worldly care, someone who cares for his soul, and to be connected to Christ. Regardless of one's denomination or affiliation, just to have a glimpse into Dallas Willard's life is reason alone for the book. Needless to say, the book is based upon three parts (1) what the soul is, (2) what the soul needs, and (3) the soul restored.

    Ortberg begins the book with a picturesque scene which grabs control of the mind, one with mountains and pristine sparkling waters; whereby a caretaker watches over the streams, waterways, and lakes. No one ever sees the keeper, an old man who is gratuitously paid, via a town council. After years of taking for granted the provision and beauty of the clean water, the council decides not to pay the keeper and the foreseeable occurs–yes, all polluted and contaminated water. This is Ortberg's wonderful analogy that "the stream is your soul. And you are the keeper" (10).

    The repeated theme, that you are the keeper and responsible for the condition and health of your soul is paramount, but Ortberg isn't writing a self-help book. The soul without God is lost; the will of the person devours everything in life, losing control of the body and rational thought. Inevitably, the will forms habits of sin that form against the soul; as Ortberg states, "Sin is not just the wrong stuff we do; it's the good we don't do" (67). Therefore, Ortberg defines the relationship between the soul and the person and the soul centered with God: "The soul cannot be centered without God" (102). When humanity is restless and without peace it is because the soul is not balanced.

    Ortberg utilizes some fantastic analogies and first-hand accounts to clarify his theme of Soul Keeping. His writing style and life experiences are sometimes humorous, keeping the reader's mind engaged in thought and relaxed. As well, when there is time for profound meditation upon the Scriptures, his use of the Psalms is splendid (112). In a time when Western society is engulfed in the speed of technology and fast-paced lifestyle, one of the major truths of the soul rings true, that it seeks satisfaction, liberty, and presence with God–namely, people must slow their lives down, looking upward and inward. The challenges of the world test the depths and elasticity of the soul. Like a computer, if the operating system of life is the soul, then it integrates everything, including the will, body, emotions, and seeks their harmony (38). The mind may crave for peace, but the soul craves for a unified harmony–harmony that can only come by being centered in God and living with godly obedience, according to His plan and design.

    This book is recommended to those who are seeking rest for the soul, a closer walk with God, and are too busy to read it (you get the point). The book has some great challenges for the twenty-first century individual, but also replays the timeless truths of Scripture. It is refreshing to read a book steeped in Christ worship and one which exalts God. Ortberg possesses a servant's humble heart, one which he learned through time–a good lesson for us all; life needs to be slowed down, enjoyed, and content in God's plans. Be the keeper of your soul.
Displaying items 1-5 of 20
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