When Life Isn't Perfect

by Timothy J. Keller, John Ortberg, Mark Buchanan

The Christian's Happiness by Timothy J. Keller
- Your bad things turn out for good, your good things can never be lost, and the best things are yet to come.

Fourth Man in the Furnace by John Ortberg
- Christ meets us in our worst trials.

Loss, Loyalty, and Lament by Mark Mitchell
- In the midst of our loss, God is still at work, and his ultimate aim is to bless.

God In Our Sorrow by Mark Buchanan
- God meets us in the whole range of our human experience.

Genres: Christian Living, Christian

Audio CD

First published April 1, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Timothy Keller was the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, which he started in 1989 with his wife, Kathy, and three young sons. For over twenty years he has led a diverse congregation of young professionals that has grown to a weekly attendance of over 5,000.

He was also Chairman of Redeemer City to City, which starts new churches in New York and other global cities, and publishes books and resources for faith in an urban culture. In over ten years they have helped to launch over 250 churches in 48 cities. More recently, Dr. Keller’s books, including the New York Times bestselling The Reason for God and The Prodigal God, have sold over 1 million copies and been translated into 15 languages.

Christianity Today has said, “Fifty years from now, if evangelical Christians are widely known for their love of cities, their commitment to mercy and justice, and their love of their neighbors, Tim Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians.”

Dr. Keller was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and educated at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. He previously served as the pastor of West Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, Virginia, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, and Director of Mercy Ministries for the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[Angela Blount · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brief audiobook is a collection of sermons from four skilled Bible teachers--the headliner being Timothy Keller, and released not long before his death.

For those looking for messages on suffering and endurance, these are some solid options. There's plenty of hard truth tempered with encouragement. (And the second guy is legitimately funny at times, which breaks up the heaviness of the subject material.)

[Grace Kenganzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of sermons is a sober listen for anyone in a place of wondering and wandering during difficult times. It’s sobering because the preachers hard truths about why suffering is part of the Christian walk. The speakers also leave an encouragement to keep trusting God and His sovereignty during difficult times because He is just as good in these times as He is in the good times.

[Renita · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE CHRISTIANS HAPPINESS
Timothy Keller

Paul tells you, if you follow Christ
Your bad things turn out for good
Your good things cannot be lost
And your best things are yet to come

Everything is necessary that He sends.
Nothing can be necessary that He withholds.

The premise is: the things that really hurt you and really kill you are:
Pride
Foolishness
Selfishness
Hardness of heart
Denial of your flaws and weaknesses
Belief that you don’t need God

Jesus did not suffer so that you would not suffer, but so that WHEN you suffer you will become like Him.


FOUTH MAN IN THE FURNACE
John Ortberg

Where in His calendar does God have your name written down? Some place/time?
And will you make it there?

LOSS, LOYALTY, & LEMENT
Mark Mitchell

Book: A Grace Disguised

GOD IN OUR SORROW
Mark Buchanan

The experience of loss itself does not need to be the defining moment of our lives. Instead the defining moment can be our response to the loss.

[Brandi Breezee · Rating 4 out of 5]

With what is going on around the world right now, this encouraged me to tears. The safest place for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego was the fiery furnace because God was with them in that fiery furnace. You, Christian, are safe because God is with you in the fiery furnace.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 great pastors, 4 comforting, yet convicting sermons. I'm not sure if this should count towards my "books read" being as they are actually sermons. But it was encouraging, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this.

[Julianna Steen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a compilation of sermons that were convicting and encouraging about how God promises to be in the furnace with us, He doesn’t promise life will be easy. Super duper short & definitely worth a listen. :)

[Dave Rench · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent 4 sermons. I needed this.

[Jenn York · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook
3 Parts, 2-10 minute sections in each.
Relatable, relevant and biblically based.
I’ll most certainly revisit this one, time and time again.

[Geetha Chandran · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 sermons , 4 preachers, on suffering and trials . Listened while driving the dirt tracks of WA

[Koko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give 5 star to Dr. Timothy Keller’s section of this audiobook. The rest was just okay.

[Caryn Demaree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio. Four sermons that I really needed and found God honoring!