What actually creates a peaceful life?

In this teaching on Psalm 15, John Ortberg explores the ancient biblical vision of an “unshakable” life — a life rooted in goodness, grace, truth, and the presence of God.

Psalm 15 asks:
“Who may dwell on your holy mountain?”

The answer turns out to be both beautiful and deeply challenging.

Along the way, John reflects on:

Why peace is more than a feeling
The connection between character and stability
Gossip, envy, greed, ego, and emotional formation
Positive psychology and virtue
What kind of people we become through daily choices
Why “the good life is with God”

This episode is practical, thoughtful, convicting, and hopeful all at once.

Scriptures:

Psalm 15
Matthew 6:33
Luke 23:39–43

#Psalm15 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Peace #Character #BibleStudy #Psalms #formation

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00:00 Introduction & The Mountain of Peace
00:42 Why Most People Misunderstand Peace
01:21 “Who May Dwell on Your Holy Mountain?”
01:50 Do We Actually Want Life With God?
02:11 The “Sin Room” Illustration
03:01 The Other Gods We Run After
03:41 The Question Psalm 15 Answers
03:48 “The One Whose Walk Is Blameless…”
04:38 Positive Psychology & Human Flourishing
05:21 Speaking the Truth From the Heart
06:09 Slander, Gossip & the Spiritual Life
06:28 Who Is My Neighbor?
07:32 Who Do You Admire?
08:34 Commitments, Oaths & Faithfulness
09:15 Generosity & Stewardship
09:46 “Whoever Does These Things Will Never Be Shaken”
10:17 Peace, Praise & Character Formation
11:05 What If TSA Tested Character?
11:21 Grace, Failure & the Thief on the Cross
11:52 The Invitation to the Holy Mountain

What’s the one thing that would make today a good day?
Psalm 16 says it’s simpler—and deeper—than you think.

In this teaching, John Ortberg walks through Psalm 16 and introduces a powerful idea: your life-scape—the inner world where your thoughts, desires, and attention live.

Most of us drift through our days reacting to whatever comes. But Psalm 16 invites us to something different: “I have set the Lord always before me.”

In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What shapes your inner life (your “life-scape”)
- Why chasing “other gods” leads to restlessness
- How to center your day around one transforming focus
- What it means to live with a steady, unshaken heart

This is a practical invitation to live today with clarity, presence, and purpose.


📚 Today's Resources:

Sam Storms, One Thing: Developing a Passion for the Beauty of God
Jenn Johnson, “Goodness of God” @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0FBb6hnwTo
Søren Kierkegaard, Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing

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Music Credits:
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Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF


00:00 – Opening Prayer
00:20 – What Is Your “Life-Scape”?
00:46 – Psalm 16: The One Thing
01:07 – The “City Slickers” Illustration
01:34 – What Shapes Your Inner World
02:16 – The Illusion of Life Without Purpose
03:06 – The Search for “One Thing”
03:33 – What Scripture Says the One Thing Is
03:55 – “You Are My Lord” (Psalm 16)
04:19 – The Danger of Other “Gods”
04:44 – Modern Idols (Reputation, Ego, Control)
05:05 – “You Are My Portion”
05:30 – Living Where You Actually Are
06:02 – God Speaks Through Your Heart
06:51 – How God Guides Your Thoughts
07:38 – Recognizing God’s Voice
08:04 – “I Set the Lord Always Before Me”
08:18 – Jesus: “Seek First the Kingdom”
08:49 – The Freedom to Choose Your Focus
09:09 – Practicing God’s Presence
09:27 – A Story of Unexpected Grace
10:04 – Becoming a Blessing to Others
10:19 – What It Means to Be Unshaken
10:55 – God Will Not Abandon You
11:08 – The Path of Life
11:27 – Joy in God’s Presence
11:47 – Final Prayer: Walk With God Today

Ever feel stuck in your thoughts… and don’t know how to pray?

Here’s a simple, practical method that actually works.

In this teaching, John Ortberg walks through a powerful and practical way to pray your emotions using Psalm 57.

Adapted from psychological insights and grounded in Scripture, this ABCD prayer method helps you move from anxiety and rumination to clarity, trust, and peace.

You’ll learn how to:
- Identify what’s actually triggering you
- Name the beliefs driving your emotions
- Understand why your feelings feel so strong
- Reframe your thoughts with truth
- Move into a place of steadiness and action

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to talk to God honestly—this gives you a clear path forward.


📚 Today's Resources:
Martin Seligman - referenced for the ABC model/framework John adapted into prayer and the Psalms
Mark Twain - quote: “I have lived through terrible sufferings, horrible events, some of which actually happened.”

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Music Credits:
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00:00 – Opening Prayer
00:20 – Why We Struggle to Pray Honestly
00:46 – A Practical Method for Prayer
01:13 – Psalm 57: David in the Cave
01:35 – What Is Your “Cave”?
02:07 – Step A: Antecedent (What Triggered You?)
03:01 – Why Negative Moments Drive Prayer
03:27 – Real-Life Examples (Wallet, Mistakes, Fear)
04:10 – Step B: Beliefs (What Are You Thinking?)
05:02 – Why Writing Matters
05:20 – Naming Fear-Based Beliefs
06:17 – Step C: Consequences (Your Emotions)
06:42 – How Beliefs Drive Feelings
07:08 – Recognizing Emotional Impact
07:47 – Step D: Dispute (Challenge Your Beliefs)
08:08 – Reframing With Truth
08:32 – “Most of My Fears Never Happened”
08:56 – Living One Day at a Time
09:21 – Step E: Energize (New Direction)
09:47 – “My Heart Is Steadfast”
10:11 – From Anxiety → Stability
10:17 – Anticipating God’s Presence
10:43 – Building Life on God’s Faithfulness
11:03 – Putting It All Together
11:28 – God Works in the Cave
11:49 – Final Encouragement

What do you do with anger you can’t let go of?
What if the Bible actually teaches you how to pray it?

In Part 3 of this conversation, John Ortberg and Rankin Wilbourne tackle one of the most difficult emotions we face: anger.

Psalm 109 is one of the most shocking passages in Scripture—full of raw, unfiltered anger. So why is it in the Bible?

In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why denying anger isn’t spiritual maturity
- How the Psalms give you permission to be honest with God
- What it looks like to pray your anger instead of acting on it
- How anger can actually be transformed into something healing
- This is Part 3 of a 3-part convo on learning to pray your emotions.


📚 Today's Resources:
Life Together / writings on the Psalms — Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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00:00 – Introduction (Part 3: Anger)
00:24 – Recap: Running Toward the Storm
00:46 – “What Do You Do With Anger?”
01:08 – The Reality of Anger in the Psalms
01:34 – Psalm 109 (The Angriest Psalm)
02:21 – Why This Is So Shocking
02:51 – Owning Your Anger (OWN Framework)
03:27 – The “Alchemy” of Prayer
03:55 – Why These Prayers Are in the Bible
04:17 – Are We “Holier” Than the Psalmists?
05:08 – “Vengeance Is Mine” (Letting Go)
05:37 – Be Angry and Do Not Sin
06:02 – Can You Be This Angry and Still Follow God?
06:28 – A Real-Life Example: Unforgiveness
07:04 – Bringing People Into God’s Presence
07:37 – Expanding Perspective (God, Self, Others)
08:11 – Why This Feels Complicated
08:38 – Everyone Has an Anger Problem
09:18 – Should You Pray Psalm 109?
09:30 – Practical: Naming Someone Before God
10:00 – The Turning Point (You Have a Choice)
10:34 – Admitting “I Am Angry”
11:17 – Psalms as Medicine for the Soul
12:34 – When You’re Not Ready to Forgive
13:00 – Starting With Honest Prayer
13:46 – The Breakthrough: You Have a Choice
14:21 – Final Invitation: Bring Your Anger to God

What if the pain you’re avoiding is actually the path to healing?
And what if God already gave you the words for it?

In Part 2 of this conversation, John Ortberg and Rankin Wilbourne explore one of the most overlooked practices in the Christian life: lament.

If the Psalms are the prayer book of God’s people, why are so many of them… sad? And why do we avoid praying that way?

You’ll discover:
- Why lament is essential (not optional) in spiritual life
- How lament becomes a bridge between pain and trust
- Why avoiding pain actually deepens it
- A practical way to pray honestly without getting stuck in despair

This is Part 2 of a 3-part conversation on learning to pray your emotions.

📚 Today's Resources:

A Grief Observed — C. S. Lewis (indirect thematic reference)
Naming the Silences — Stanley Hauerwas

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Music Credits:
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Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF


00:00 – Picking Up the Conversation (Part 2)
00:21 – Why the Psalms Are Full of Sad Songs
01:17 – 30–70% of Psalms Are Laments
01:44 – “How Long, O Lord?” (Psalm 13)
02:14 – What Lament Reveals About Life
02:40 – Why We Resist Lament
03:06 – What Lament Actually Is
03:36 – Permission to Bring Everything to God
04:08 – Do You Pray Like This?
04:31 – Image 1: Running Toward the Storm (Buffalo)
05:31 – Why Avoiding Pain Makes It Worse
06:04 – The Paradox of Grief
06:34 – Image 2: Lament as a Bridge
06:59 – From Pain → Trust (Psalm 13 Turn)
07:38 – How Psalms Train Us to Trust
08:04 – When Prayer Turns Into Rumination
08:52 – Using Psalms as Scaffolding
09:43 – Why Lament Doesn’t Leave You Stuck
10:11 – Learning the “Turn” to Trust
10:46 – Rehearsing Trust Like a Song
11:13 – Naming the Silences
11:48 – Training Your Heart Through Prayer
12:13 – Guided Prayer (Psalm 5)
12:58 – Key Takeaways + Preview Part 3

Most people don’t know how to pray their emotions… even after years of faith.
What if the Psalms were meant to teach you how?

In this conversation, John Ortberg sits down with author and pastor Rankin Wilbourne to explore a life-changing idea: learning to pray your emotions.

Many of us either suppress our feelings or let them control us—but the Psalms offer a better way. They give us language, permission, and structure to bring our real selves before God.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why most people struggle to pray honestly
- The difference between suppressing, expressing, and praying emotions
- A simple framework to process emotions with God (OWN: Observe, Welcome, Name)
- What “pre-reflective prayer” means—and why it matters

This is Part 1 of a 3-part conversation.

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📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.

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Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF



00:00 – Opening + Introducing Rankin Wilbourne
00:55 – What the Psalms Are Really For
01:35 – “Pray Your Emotions” (Why This Is Hard)
02:02 – Tim Keller’s Insight on Prayer
02:46 – Two Common Mistakes With Emotions
03:14 – Why Christians Struggle With Feelings
03:46 – A Better Way: Don’t Deny, Don’t Enshrine
04:17 – The OWN Framework (Observe, Welcome, Name)
05:18 – Why Naming Emotions Heals
05:40 – What Mister Rogers Got Right
06:09 – “What’s Mentionable Is Manageable”
07:12 – Pouring Out Your Heart to God
07:36 – Why We Try to Fix Instead of Feel
08:09 – Permission to Be Human Before God
08:38 – How to Actually Practice This
09:04 – Learning Prayer by Praying
09:34 – “Trust and Pour Out Your Heart”
10:00 – Why We Avoid Our Own Hearts
10:25 – The Problem of “Willed Loneliness”
11:01 – Vulnerability Before God
11:34 – Does God Really Want This From Me?
11:59 – What Is Pre-Reflective Prayer?
12:26 – When Theology Gets in the Way
13:05 – Practice: Name What You’re Feeling
13:53 – Why This Matters (Preview of Part 2)

How long can you carry something before it breaks you?
And what do you do when God feels… silent?

In this teaching on Psalm 13, John Ortberg walks us through one of the most honest prayers in Scripture: “How long, O Lord?”

When pain lingers, when answers don’t come, and when God feels distant, we face a choice. We can grumble—turning inward in bitterness and withdrawal—or we can groan—bringing our pain honestly before God.

This Psalm shows us how to lament in a way that leads somewhere. Not by denying pain, but by bringing it fully into God’s presence.

If you’re carrying something heavy right now—a relationship, anxiety, loss, or a long unanswered prayer—this teaching will help you turn that pain into prayer.


📚 Today's Resources:

Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

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Music Credits:
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Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF


00:00 – Opening Prayer
00:18 – Psalm 13: Bring Your “How Long”
00:53 – “Will You Forget Me Forever?”
01:30 – What “How Long” Really Means
01:59 – When You Don’t Know the Finish Line
02:15 – When God Feels Hidden
02:36 – The Panic of Not Finding What Matters
03:20 – How the Body Holds Pain
03:46 – Why Pain Lingers in Us
04:15 – What Is Your “How Long”?
04:34 – Naming Real-Life Pain
05:05 – Two Ways to Respond to Pain
05:18 – Grumbling vs Groaning
05:58 – What Grumbling Does to the Soul
06:19 – What Groaning Looks Like
06:51 – Groaning = Honest Faith
07:18 – How This Plays Out in Real Life
07:37 – Warning Against Grumbling
08:02 – Groaning for the World’s Pain
08:23 – Creation Is Groaning
08:56 – When You Don’t Have Words
09:28 – God Groans With You
09:53 – The Turning Point: “But I Trust…”
10:25 – What Actually Changes?
10:56 – Lament Opens the Door to Praise
11:23 – Bring Your “How Long” to God
11:46 – When Hope Begins to Rise
12:04 – From Lament to Praise

Everyone’s talking about mindfulness… but what if we’ve missed the most important part?
What if the key isn’t your mind being focused—but God’s mind being focused on you?

In this teaching on Psalm 8, John Ortberg explores a deeper kind of mindfulness—one that begins not with your attention, but with God’s.

While we often struggle with distraction, anxiety, and rumination, Psalm 8 reveals something surprising: God is fully, constantly mindful of you. His attention never drifts. His care never wavers.
Through reflection, Scripture, and guided prayer, this teaching invites you to step into praise, re-center your mind, and experience what it means to live in the awareness of God’s presence.

You’ll also learn how to pray the Psalm—turning your attention from distraction to delight, and from anxiety to awe.

Music Credits:
Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE
Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF

📚 Today's Resources:

Thomas Merton, Praying the Psalms (1956)
Mark Ralls, “Mindful: Psalm 8,” The Christian Century, 15 May 2007.
Eugene Peterson, Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer (1991)
C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms (1958)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible (1940)
Timothy Keller and Kathy Keller, The Songs of Jesus: A Year of Daily Devotions In the Psalms (2015)
James W. Sire, Praying the Psalms of Jesus (2007)
Walter Bruggeman, Praying the Psalms: Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit (1995)

🙌 New episodes every weekday.
📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.

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00:00 – Opening Prayer
00:18 – Learning to Pray the Psalms
00:42 – From Wisdom → Lament → Praise
01:02 – Do You Struggle With Your Mind?
01:27 – Resources on Praying the Psalms
02:17 – “Lord, Our Lord…” (Starting With God)
02:50 – What “God’s Name” Really Means
03:22 – God’s Glory in All the Earth
03:49 – The Power of Childlike Praise
04:25 – “What Is Mankind?” (The Big Question)
04:55 – Why Praise Feels So Empty Today
05:46 – Why We Struggle to Praise God
06:08 – Do You Actually Want God?
06:54 – No Blueprint for Ecstasy
07:23 – Practicing Attention and Reflection
07:54 – What Is Mindfulness (Really)?
08:20 – The Universe Exists in God’s Mind
08:42 – God Is Mindful of You
09:11 – The Acorn Illustration (Are You Paying Attention?)
09:54 – God Is Never Distracted
10:14 – Because God Is Mindful… We Can Be Too
10:25 – Practicing Presence (Breath + Spirit)
10:57 – “Present to the Presence in the Present”
11:15 – Why Psalm 8 Ends Where It Begins
11:32 – You Are Held in God’s Attention
11:52 – Seeing Others as Image Bearers
12:02 – Living With Joy, Gratitude, and Praise