Grand Rapids, Mich., Jul. 24, 2007 – It happened at Marvin Gardens. John Ortberg destroyed his own grandmother. He took everything she had, and it was the greatest moment of his life. He had won. He was cleverer, stronger and more ruthless. He had finally become Master of the Board.
But his grandmother had one lesson left to teach him: It all goes back in the box.
For many people, life is about getting the dream job, the dream house, the dream salary and the dream car. When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box helps explain how we tend to seek out worldly things, believing they will make us happier or make us better. But what pleases God is often completely different from what we may think is important.
There is an objective to the game of life, and it isn’t to have status, power, possessions, success or wealth. It is to be rich toward God. This means giving him what he wants most – you. In this book, Ortberg reminds us through life experiences and humorous anecdotes that everything we “own” is really just “borrowed” from God. What we “own” is only temporary.
From this book, you will learn how to:
- Live passionately and boldly for God
- Find your true mission and offer your best
- Fill each square on the board with what matters most
- Seek the richness of being instead of the richness of having
Life is much like a game. We take risks, acquire property, get ahead, fall behind, gain (or lose) wealth. But the wisest player keeps in mind that When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back In the Box.
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John Ortberg is a pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in Menlo Park, Calif. He is the bestselling author of
God Is Closer Than You Think;
Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know Them;
The Life You’ve Always Wanted;
If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat;
Love Beyond Reason; and
Old Testament Challenge. He has written for
Christianity Today and is a frequent contributor to
Leadership journal.
Zondervan is the leading Christian communications company in the world. Zondervan produces Bibles, books, new media products, and children’s products from its Zonderkidz group. Visit Zondervan on the Web at
www.zondervan.com.
The PUBLISHERS WEEKLY starred review of "When the Game Is Over It All Goes Back in the Box"
Pastor and bestselling author Ortberg
(God is Closer Than You Think; Everybody's Normal Till
You Get to Know Them) offers a thoughtfully written instruction manual for
Christian "game players" of all ages. Using games as a metaphor, Ortberg
presents carefully considered tactics for succeeding in life from God's vantage
point. Each chapter weaves the rules of gaming with the Christian
journey: understanding the object of the game (being spiritually "rich"
toward God); the setup (keeping score, taking turns, preventing regret); how to
play (with rules, gratitude, and a mission); hazards (competition, greed,
losing); and winning (choosing the right trophies). Christians will especially
appreciate Ortberg’s wise counsel on being the kind of player other people want
to sit next to, as he exhorts readers to learn to lose with grace, win with
grace and forgive with grace. Perspective is key; after all, "when the game
is over, it all goes back in the box." Ortberg demonstrates finesse in bringing together the extended game imagery with various real-life stories that are by turns comical and poignant. With excellent tools for personal and group study alike, this book’s strategy offers a win-win solution. (Sept.)
