58. Pinocchio Theology (Getting Real)

Which version of you shows up when you pray?In this reflection on Psalm 55, John Ortberg explores a surprising truth about prayer: God doesn't want the cleaned-up, polished, "Disney version" of you. He wants the real you.The Psalms aren't theological essays or collections of perfectly polished emotions. They're raw prayers from real human beings bringing fear, anger, anguish, confusion, and desire honestly before God.John connects this idea to the original story of The Adventures of Pinocchio, which is much darker and more spiritually suggestive than the famous Disney adaptation. Pinocchio is lovingly created by his father, rebels against him, rejects his conscience, and longs for something he cannot accomplish on his own: to become real.And that's where Pinocchio's story intersects with ours.Transformation doesn't begin when we finally become the person we think God wants. It begins when the person we actually are becomes willing to stand honestly before Him.In this episode:Psalm 55 and honest prayerWhy every emotion in the Psalms isn't necessarily an instructionBringing our troubled thoughts before GodThe surprising theology of PinocchioConscience, rebellion, and the love of the FatherBiblical echoes of Jonah and the Prodigal SonMoving from a heart of stone to a heart of fleshWhy transformation begins with getting realScriptures:Psalm 552 Timothy 3:16–17Hosea 11:3Luke 15Jonah 1–2Matthew 12:38–40Ezekiel 36:26#Psalm55 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Psalms #Pinocchio #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #HonestPrayer #Transformation🙌 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 51504EMAIL US at [email protected] OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our teamDOWNLOAD 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 - MB01V0UASAACPKEAlta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF00:00 Which Version of You Does God Want? 00:39 Learning to Pray With the Psalms 01:06 Are All the Psalms Supposed to Be "Right"? 01:49 The Psalms Are Raw Journals 02:15 Psalm 55 & Troubled Thoughts 02:43 Fear, Trembling & Anguish 03:31 Praying About Difficult People 03:55 The Two Versions of You 04:18 The Book John Never Wrote 04:44 The Original Pinocchio 05:14 Pinocchio Rebels Against His Father 05:39 God Taught Israel to Walk 06:17 Jiminy Cricket vs. the Original Story 06:39 Pinocchio Kills His Conscience 07:03 The Tragic Story of Jiminy Cricket's Voice 07:59 Pinocchio Needs Help Beyond Himself 08:50 The Prodigal Son & a Heart of Flesh 09:21 Jonah, Resurrection & Becoming Real 10:07 Transformation Begins With Reality 10:28 Pour Out the Ugly Stuff 10:56 Don't Bring God the Disney Version 11:21 Bring the Real You, Splinters and All