The Life You've Always Wanted

Spiritual Discipline for Ordinary People

By: John Ortberg

Narrated by: Jay Charles

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

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 the spiritual disciplines. But it is more than just a book about things to do to be a good Christian. It's a road map toward true transformation that starts not with the individual, but with the person at the journey's end - Jesus Christ.

As with a marathon runner, the secret to finishing a race lies not in trying harder, but in training consistently - training with the spiritual disciplines. The disciplines are neither taskmasters nor ends in themselves. Rather they are exercises that build strength and endurance for the road of growth. The fruit of the spirit - joy, peace, kindness, etc. - are the signposts along the way.

Paved with humor and sparkling anecdotes, The Life You've Always Wanted is an encouraging and challenging approach to a Christian life that's worth living - a life on the edge that fills an ordinary world with new meaning, hope, change, and joy.

©1997, 2002 John Ortberg (P)2002 Zondervan

Life Changing

This is a life changing book. Transformative and incredible. This is a must read book.

Great identify spiritual disciplines

Easy and personable. light yet deeply informative. I enjoyed it. Will be going back and reviewing the material.

Practical advice for day to day living

This book has a lot of practical day-to-day advice that focuses on what you can do right here and now. It also talks about discipline and growth that's more than just "trying" like is so common.

Excellent!!!

I've listened to The Life You Always Wanted over and over, and each time it's like I'm just hearing it for the first time.
John Ortberg is a rare thinker because he has the ability to put to words your innermost thoughts and struggles.
Thank you, John for being so honest and down to earth human. 5 stars is not enough to express my gratitude to God in giving us
a thinker like you .

Highly Recommend

Rereading this book and recommending to everyone I know. One of my favorites on practicing Spiritual Disciplines! The audio book is delightful; one of the best narrations I’ve heard. I wish Jay could narrate every book on Amazon.

Practical, Real, and Applicable

This books is a great structure to apply daily life. Listen with someone who you love and encourage each other to apply it! simply powerful!

Easy to Identify with - Good Practical Examples

This a really good book, not only for those young in their Christian faith, but also for those who've been around and need to "re-focus". Ortberg's presentation on the spiritual disciplines was challenging, but in a way that inspires rather than discourages. He also helps the reader to set reasonable goals for prayer and meditation on scripture.

While I tend to be suspicious of most of the "positive thinking" type books, this book does a good job of addressing the perpective that God intends for us to enjoy many of the "ordinary" things in life rather than live a life of misery. But at the same time, he doesn't downplay our call to obedience and role of suffering in the Christian's life.

Overall, I thought this was a very balanced book and worth the read. It would also serve well as a devotional read on the way to work each morning.

A few of the stories were so funny I was laughing out loud in my car.

Read it.

Where does The Life You've Always Wanted rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was the first audible book I listened to, and I had nothing to compare it with. It was easy to listen to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Life You've Always Wanted?

I love how the author relates his point with a story that the listener can identify with.

What about Jay Charles’s performance did you like?

He did a great job of reading.

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Chapters 8 through 11 are missing. I did a return and reordered it and it still has those chapters missing .

The Life You've Always Wanted

This book really gives you a lot to think about in life. It's stress that takes a toll on all of us. It does not matter if you are at home or in an office; rich or poor. The things we need to focus on the most are our family units. Slow down Americia, and focus on the little things. This book helps you focus on things that don't cost a cent, just time and love. Love your neighbor as yourself. This earth is not our home.