Become New with John Ortberg

What if one of the greatest gifts you could give someone is helping them develop a taste for what is good?

In this reflection on Psalm 34, John Ortberg revisits the famous invitation:
"Taste and see that the Lord is good."

But this time he explores a surprising idea: every one of us is a tastemaker.

Through stories from Anthony Bourdain, insights from C. S. Lewis and G. K. Chesterton, and reflections on gratitude, beauty, and influence, John explores how our loves shape the people around us.

This episode explores:
- Psalm 34 and God's goodness
- Anthony Bourdain's life-changing oyster
- C.S. Lewis and The Weight of Glory
- G.K. Chesterton on wonder and gratitude
- How taste is formed
- Becoming a tastemaker for goodness

Scriptures:
- Psalm 34

#Psalm34 #JohnOrtberg #TasteAndSee #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Prayer #Gratitude #CSLewis #Chesterton #Psalms

📚 Today's Resources:
axis.org
G.K. Chesterton, Autobiography 
C.S. Lewis, “The Weight of Glory”

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

00:00 Taste and See That the Lord Is Good
00:18 What Happens When You Lose Your Sense of Taste?
01:12 Every Joy Is a Gift
01:53 Chivalry Is Dead (The Zombie Joke)
02:23 Anthony Bourdain's First Oyster
03:24 "It Tasted of the Future"
03:58 C.S. Lewis & The Weight of Glory
04:53 We Were Made to Taste Beauty
05:24 G.K. Chesterton & Wonder
05:56 The Birthday Present of Birth
06:19 How Taste Is Formed
07:03 Taste for Beauty, Truth & Goodness
07:34 Who Shaped Your Taste?
07:56 Loving What You Love Out Loud
08:44 You Are a Tastemaker
09:14 Helping Others Discern What Is Good
09:51 Taste and See
10:34 Don't Become a Zombie
10:50 The Lord Is Good

How do you move faith from your head to your heart?

In this reflection on Psalm 34, John Ortberg explores one of the most famous invitations in Scripture:
"Taste and see that the Lord is good."

Many people know about God. Far fewer learn to experience God's goodness in everyday life.
Drawing from the story of David, reflections from Augustine of Hippo, and a memorable scene from Prince Caspian, John shows how faith becomes real when it moves beyond ideas and into experience.

This episode explores:
Psalm 34 and the goodness of God
Knowing about God vs. knowing God
Why praise matters during suffering
The Lord's nearness to the brokenhearted
Experiencing God in ordinary life
Learning to taste and see

Scriptures:
Psalm 34
1 Samuel 21

#Psalm34 #JohnOrtberg #TasteAndSee #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Psalms #Faith #godsgoodness 

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

00:00 Psalm 34 & Learning Joy
00:26 David, Abimelech & Pretending Madness
00:50 Why Psalm 34 Is an Acrostic
01:28 Praising God During Hard Times
01:54 His Praise Shall Be on My Lips
02:29 David Among the Philistines
03:38 Magnify the Lord
04:02 C.S. Lewis, Aslan & Growing Older
04:59 Taste and See That the Lord Is Good
05:45 Knowing About vs. Knowing By Experience
06:34 Why Faith Is an Encounter
07:26 Coffee, Grace & Everyday Goodness
07:48 Mikey Likes It!
08:22 Life Is Where We Taste God
08:49 Whoever Loves Life
09:55 The Righteous Have Many Troubles
10:35 The Lord Is Close to the Brokenhearted
11:17 Run the Experiment
11:47 Taste and See

What do you pray when life hurts so much that ordinary words no longer feel adequate?

In this reflection on Psalm 69, John Ortberg explores one of the most emotionally intense prayers in all of Scripture.

Drawing a surprising connection to Howl, John examines how the Psalms give voice to grief, despair, loss, betrayal, injustice, addiction, depression, and suffering.

This episode explores:
- Psalm 69 and honest prayer
- The language of anguish
- Why God welcomes our deepest pain
- Jesus and "zeal for Your house"
- The danger of bitterness and despair
-  Protecting the soul in suffering
- Learning to live in a howling world

Featuring reflections on:
- Allen Ginsberg
- John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath

Scriptures:
- Psalm 69
- John 2:13–17

#Psalm69 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Suffering #Grief #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Hope #psalms

📚 Today's Resources:
John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath  

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

00:00 Psalm 69: A Cry of Anguish
00:25 Allen Ginsberg's Howl
01:28 When Pain Needs a Voice
02:23 Suffering That Feels Powerless
03:01 Loss, Illness & Betrayal
04:05 Save Me, God
04:35 The Waters Have Come Up to My Neck
04:56 Worn Out Calling for Help
05:17 Zeal for Your House Consumes Me
05:52 Anger, Justice & Imprecatory Prayer
06:39 The Turning Point: "But..."
07:33 John's Reflection on His Father's Death
07:57 Protect My Soul
08:24 The Grapes of Wrath Illustration
08:57 What Suffering Can Do to a Person
09:33 God Hears the Needy
09:55 Living in a Howling World
10:27 Meaning, Service & Hope
10:37 May God Protect Your Soul

How do you actually learn to love God?

In this reflection on Psalm 31, John Ortberg explores one surprising pathway to loving God more deeply: curiosity.

Drawing from theologian Cornelius Plantinga Jr., relationship researcher John Gottman, and Dallas Willard, John invites us to think about building a "love map" for God.

This episode explores:
- Psalm 31 and loving God
- Curiosity as a spiritual discipline
- John Gottman's concept of love maps
- Fascinating biblical images of God
- The mystery and wonder of God's character
- Learning to love God with all your mind

Scriptures:
- Psalm 31
- Deuteronomy 6:5
- Matthew 22:37
- Luke 23:46
- Psalm 78

#Psalm31 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #LoveGod #SpiritualFormation #DallasWillard #JohnGottman #BibleStudy #Psalms #ChristianFaith

📚 Today's Resources:
Cornelius Plantinga, “Intellectual Love of God,” Pro Rege, March 2016
John Gottman, The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships 
Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy 

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

00:00 Learning to Love God
00:31 Psalm 31: Love the Lord
01:11 The Greatest Commandment
02:15 Cornelius Plantinga on Loving God
03:01 Are Christians Interested in God?
03:29 Lovers Become Fascinated
03:50 John Gottman & Love Maps
04:48 The Jalapeño Ketchup Story
05:55 Curiosity as a Spiritual Discipline
06:25 Fascinating Images of God
07:13 God Like a Warrior Awakening
07:41 Via Negativa & Via Analogia
08:30 Dallas Willard on the Wonder of God
09:25 What Must It Be Like to Be God?
10:19 Letting God Be God
11:03 Giving God the Benefit of the Doubt
11:44 "God, You've Got Some Explaining to Do"
12:27 Loving People, Loving God
12:45 Learn More About God Every Day

What if grace has a rhythm?

In this teaching on Psalm 46, John Ortberg explores stillness, spiritual disciplines, grace, and the river of life that flows throughout Scripture.

Drawing from A River Runs Through It, John shares a powerful picture of spiritual formation through the practice of learning God's rhythms.

This episode explores:
- Psalm 46 and God's presence
- The purpose of spiritual disciplines
- Grace as power, not merely forgiveness
- The river in Eden and Revelation
- Jesus as the source of living water
- The practice of stillness
- Learning the rhythm of grace

Featuring reflections from:
- Norman Maclean
- Dallas Willard

Scriptures:
- Psalm 46
- Genesis 2
- John 7
- Revelation 22

#Psalm46 #JohnOrtberg #Grace #SpiritualFormation #Prayer #DallasWillard #ARiverRunsThroughIt #Stillness #BibleStudy #Psalms

📚 Today's Resources:
Norman MacLean, A River Runs Through It, and Other Stories

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

Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.
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Music Credits:
Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE
Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF

00:00 The Rhythm of Grace
00:24 A River Runs Through It
00:56 All Good Things Come by Grace
01:24 Learning God's Rhythms
02:09 The Metronome & Spiritual Formation
03:19 There Is a River
04:14 The River in Eden
04:40 The River in Revelation
05:20 Jesus and the Water of Life
06:06 Grace Is More Than Forgiveness
07:28 Grace as Power
08:16 The River Is Jesus
09:04 Seeking Power Without Grace
09:49 Be Still and Know That I Am God
10:17 Practicing the Pause
11:05 “I Am Haunted by Waters”
12:31 There Is a River
12:39 Be Still