Garrison, thank you for sharing this post and including the link to DW message.
I am not a pastor, I’m just an ordinary 68 year old man who was introduced to Dallas back in 2019 by a friend. I had been a Christian for 52 years and had never heard or been taught so beautifully of what Jesus Gospel message was all about….”Repent, and believe the good news, the kingdom of the heaven is near.”
Learning that the word “repent” is not used as a threat, but rather as invitation to “change our thinking”, to “think about your thinking”. Essentially inviting us to come bring our lives, bring our little kingdoms and begin living our life with Him in His Kingdom here on earth, right here, right now.
I listened to 100’s of hours of Dallas teachings on YouTube and the consevatio websites…read his Renovation of the Heart, The Divine Conspiracy and Life Without Lack…and read many many times Living in Christ’s Presence.
God began transforming my whole life, my whole entire being of mind, body, emotions, social relationships…which I never thought possible.
I thank God for blessing me with Dallas Willard being used in my life, after his death in 2013, to mentor me and help show me what it is to begin falling in love with Jesus and helping me to understand that His Love for me is so I can become a person of love.
Thanks for letting me sharing some of the impact that Dallas has had in my life through his teachings on what life is all about….living the “with God life”!
Cleve, I am aware of both! I have learned so much from so many who have been impacted by Dallas. These posts are actually revisions of sections from my PhD dissertation on Dallas, where I also chronicled 3 of his mentees who have modeled pastoral ministry: John Ortberg, Jim Smith, and JMC.
I would love to connect and learn more from one another feel free to send me an email garrison@fbcwisner.org
Thank you for sharing your journey with me! Though younger I found Dallas during my time in seminary and was forever changed by his writings and thinking.
What I love about Dallas and his teaching on ministry is it is for everyone who considers themselves a spokesperson for Christ,
Like Paul mentions we are all ministers of reconciliation.
There is something in these truth for all of us walking the way of the apprentice and living the with God life.
Thanks for jumping in with me, I look forward to conversing more in the future.
Garrison….have you been introduced to and or ever heard of Trevor Hudson?
He’s a retired Methodist pastor and spiritual director from South Africa….he listened to some of DW teachings on cassette tapes back in either the late 70’s or mid 80’s and ended up calling Dallas and asking if he would come to South Africa to teach a group of pastors….and of course Dallas said yes…and he stayed in SA for 3 weeks with Trevor.
It’s a beautiful story and a friendship that lasted all those years till Dallas passed in 2013. Trevor has written a handful of books but one of my favorites is Seeking God. You would love it!
And of course I’m sure you know John Mark Comer….who was one of Dallas biggest protégés…Comers books are like Dallas writings except more in layman’s language:)! One of the his best books which is absolutely a must read is Practicing The Way!
Would love to hear more of your story one day or over a period of time.
So glad to meet you and hear of a young pastor:) as yourself that is preaching and teaching his congregation that everything Jesus taught is available for us to experience in this life, right here, right now…which begins as you stated by:
…..”putting your confidence in Jesus for everything and live with Him as His disciple now in the present Kingdom of God. That’s the good news. You can off load the life you spend so much time griping about anyway and take up His life.”
Garrison, thank you for sharing this post and including the link to DW message.
I am not a pastor, I’m just an ordinary 68 year old man who was introduced to Dallas back in 2019 by a friend. I had been a Christian for 52 years and had never heard or been taught so beautifully of what Jesus Gospel message was all about….”Repent, and believe the good news, the kingdom of the heaven is near.”
Learning that the word “repent” is not used as a threat, but rather as invitation to “change our thinking”, to “think about your thinking”. Essentially inviting us to come bring our lives, bring our little kingdoms and begin living our life with Him in His Kingdom here on earth, right here, right now.
I listened to 100’s of hours of Dallas teachings on YouTube and the consevatio websites…read his Renovation of the Heart, The Divine Conspiracy and Life Without Lack…and read many many times Living in Christ’s Presence.
God began transforming my whole life, my whole entire being of mind, body, emotions, social relationships…which I never thought possible.
I thank God for blessing me with Dallas Willard being used in my life, after his death in 2013, to mentor me and help show me what it is to begin falling in love with Jesus and helping me to understand that His Love for me is so I can become a person of love.
Thanks for letting me sharing some of the impact that Dallas has had in my life through his teachings on what life is all about….living the “with God life”!
Blessings Everywhere!
Cleve
Cleve, I am aware of both! I have learned so much from so many who have been impacted by Dallas. These posts are actually revisions of sections from my PhD dissertation on Dallas, where I also chronicled 3 of his mentees who have modeled pastoral ministry: John Ortberg, Jim Smith, and JMC.
I would love to connect and learn more from one another feel free to send me an email garrison@fbcwisner.org
Cleve,
Thank you for sharing your journey with me! Though younger I found Dallas during my time in seminary and was forever changed by his writings and thinking.
What I love about Dallas and his teaching on ministry is it is for everyone who considers themselves a spokesperson for Christ,
Like Paul mentions we are all ministers of reconciliation.
There is something in these truth for all of us walking the way of the apprentice and living the with God life.
Thanks for jumping in with me, I look forward to conversing more in the future.
Garrison….have you been introduced to and or ever heard of Trevor Hudson?
He’s a retired Methodist pastor and spiritual director from South Africa….he listened to some of DW teachings on cassette tapes back in either the late 70’s or mid 80’s and ended up calling Dallas and asking if he would come to South Africa to teach a group of pastors….and of course Dallas said yes…and he stayed in SA for 3 weeks with Trevor.
It’s a beautiful story and a friendship that lasted all those years till Dallas passed in 2013. Trevor has written a handful of books but one of my favorites is Seeking God. You would love it!
And of course I’m sure you know John Mark Comer….who was one of Dallas biggest protégés…Comers books are like Dallas writings except more in layman’s language:)! One of the his best books which is absolutely a must read is Practicing The Way!
Would love to hear more of your story one day or over a period of time.
So glad to meet you and hear of a young pastor:) as yourself that is preaching and teaching his congregation that everything Jesus taught is available for us to experience in this life, right here, right now…which begins as you stated by:
…..”putting your confidence in Jesus for everything and live with Him as His disciple now in the present Kingdom of God. That’s the good news. You can off load the life you spend so much time griping about anyway and take up His life.”
Blessings to you and your family!