Love Beyond Reason: Moving God's Love from Your Head to Your Heart

We are all rag dolls. As the previous reviewer says, there is vast power in these titles by John Ortberg for the new Christian. Recent converts will be able to grasp concepts about love, both Our Father's love for us and our love for each other, stated in a dynamic and powerful way. It is hard to love everyone and some people in our life are really difficult. It could be our boss, a family member or a friend that doesn't pass the "easy to love" test. But Mr. Ortberg tells us why this is exactly what we need to do, so we can be in harmony with our Father's vast and unthinkable love for us. Mr. Ortberg's talent is that he explains these concepts in a way that will make sense to a newby or a seasoned believer.

While Ortberg's books appeal to a wide audience, I personally find them inspiring for people who are recent converts to Christianity or (like myself) have struggled in their walk. He is a masterful story teller and it shows in all his work. He has a way of stoking the fire and passion for a life in tune with the Holy Spirit. He reflects the philosophy of Dallas Willard and Dietrich Bonhoeffer with a much simpler tone.This book is especially good at conveying what we as Christians should expect in our walk with Christ. Chapter 7 "The Roundabout Way" is by far my favorite of the book. The book is worth the price for this portion alone. He beautifully states why periods of spiritual "dryness" are necessary for growth, and how God's way is usually not the shortest or easiest, but always the best. You'll never get bored with an Ortberg book. He masterfully "re-parables" stories to fit into modern thinking. I would recommend this book along with his others: Love Beyond Reason, Everybody's Normal Till you get to Know Them, and If You Want to Walk on Water You Gotta Get Out of the Boat. You won't be disappointed!

A few things I know, that we all want to be happy. The other thing I know is that God wants us to be happy. God in his wisdom has given the gift of teaching and fortunately for us one of his gifted teachers has writen this book explaining the key to happiness. Love and loving beyond reason. I have read many Christian books and have found John Ortberg's Love Beyond Reason the most profitable for my Christian life. To know that Jesus is scandalously ready to forgive. Love means being 'for' the one who is loved. Love delights in and enjoys the one who is loved. Love pays attention. This is how God loves us. God pays attention to us. I could go on and on . Buy this book and come and see.

This book has opened doors into my soul, some that are very painful to open. Because of how God spoke to me through this servant of His, I am dealing with some of the areas in my life that I must allow Him to cleanse as I move closer to Him. In addition, this book has provided me with tools that will help me in my spiritual journey. I can highly recommend this book to those that want to continue the journey toward God, those that aren't afraid to look inside and see what hinders them. The lessons I learned from this book are so profound that I am going to read it again. You will not waste your money if you buy it.

John Ortberg's latest book is one of a few that brings joy to my reading life.  It meets three criteria I have for my favorites as a parish pastor with strong constraints on my time. 1. It was personally enriching,  2. It will be helpful to many of my parishoners, 3. It will give me lots of sermon illustrations.John Ortberg is one of those wonderful pastors who preaches well and people love to hear him preach --  and writes well -- and people love to read him. Years ago a woman who had been abused by her husband and went through a horrible divorce told me that as much as she believed intellectually that God loved her -- she could not accept emotionally that God loved her. I gave her John Powell's book, "Why Am I Afraid To Tell You Who I Am."  She said it helped.  Now, if I can just find her again, I want to send her, "Love Beyond Reason." It will not only give some help, it will encourage some healing.Once in a while a book comes along that ends up on every parish pastor's book shelf.  This is one of those books. Get one for yourself and another for your church library. (After you've used all the illustrations!)