Become New with John Ortberg

Become New
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Join John Ortberg each day for 10 minutes of spiritual guidance on the person we are becoming.

  1. 10. Who May Dwell on the Holy Mountain? (Psalm 15 Explained)

    22H AGO

    10. Who May Dwell on the Holy Mountain? (Psalm 15 Explained)

    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  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 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. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 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

    13 min
  2. 9. Psalm 16 and the Secret of a Steady Heart

    1D AGO

    9. Psalm 16 and the Secret of a Steady Heart

    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  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 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. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE 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

    14 min
  3. 8. A Simple Way to Pray (Psalm 57)

    2D AGO

    8. A Simple Way to Pray (Psalm 57)

    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.” 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 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. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 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

    13 min
  4. 7. A Dangerous Prayer That Can Set You Free

    3D AGO

    7. A Dangerous Prayer That Can Set You Free

    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 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 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. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 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

    17 min
  5. 6. Why We Don’t Know How to Lament

    4D AGO

    6. Why We Don’t Know How to Lament

    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 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 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. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE 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

    14 min
  6. 5. Why We Don’t Know How to Pray Our Emotions (with Rankin Wilbourne)

    MAY 8

    5. Why We Don’t Know How to Pray Our Emotions (with Rankin Wilbourne)

    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. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 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. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE 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)

    16 min
  7. 4. How to Bring Your Pain to God (Psalm 13)

    MAY 7

    4. How to Bring Your Pain to God (Psalm 13)

    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  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 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. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE 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

    14 min
  8. 3. Renew Your Mind with Psalm 8

    MAY 6

    3. Renew Your Mind with Psalm 8

    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. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ 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

    14 min
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Join John Ortberg each day for 10 minutes of spiritual guidance on the person we are becoming.

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  • Creator
    Become New
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1.1K
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © 2026 Become New with John Ortberg
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