Dallas thought provoker

Willard appeals to those haunted by the question: Why don't Christians look more like Christ?

Introducing Dr. Dallas Willard

"Dallas makes goodness attractive."

DW thoughts

Dr. Willard's Vampire Christian insight:
"I'd like a little of your blood, please. But I don't care to be your student or have your character. In fact, won't you just excuse me while I get on with my life, and I'll see you in heaven." 

One of Dallas's earliest childhood memories was his mother's funeral.  The wee lad was 2 years old and tried to crawl into his mother's casket.  The sinuous knot entwining a mother and her child in The Circle of Sufficiency compelled the child to be near her.  Mother Willard's last instruction to her husband  was to "keep Eternity before the children."  

Why does my heart swell to bursting with the mother's plea?  Those would be my last words as well.  To my children and my children's children for a thousand generations until Jesus returns, please keep Eternity before you.

Two Dallas Willard memories shared by Pastor Mark Roberts:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markdroberts/2013/05/08/remembering-dallas-willard-part-1/

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markdroberts/2013/05/09/remembering-dallas-willard-part-2/

    

Timely quote of the scandal-riddled day

If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man. 

C. S. Lewis 

Little Man turns the page to Three

Sweet Morgan Jo proudly carrying her brother's
birthday cake.  

Mama Elissa made a dirt loader cake
that 3-year-old Isaiah Robert can play in.
Nothing better!

Sweet shy little laddie savoring his moment of birthday
specialness.
Taking his sweet time gliding through the Traditional Birthday Tunnel.
I love him in his fedora and spring duds. 

This photo speaks a thousand:
Dad overseeing the safety of his family in the face of fire,
while trying to be taken seriously in a bday hat.
Mom enjoying the joy of her children being celebrated.
Big Sis taking her candle-lighting task so seriously.
Birthday boy waiting patiently.
Thunder Thigh Mimi along for the happy ride
while holding up 1 finger indicating her upcoming
First Birthday.

Worshipful homegoing

Summer of 2009, found me happily side-by-side with my beloved teacher, Dr. Dallas Willard.  Nathan and Becky MacHunter told me of the Lake Okoboji, Iowa camp event where Dallas was the conference speaker.  When I asked for a picture at the pastoral luncheon, the dear saint said, "We'll have to get close."  The peaceful calm restorative unhurried patient life of Jesus oozed from Professor Willard.  Dr. Willard's brilliant and deep description of the Light Yoke inspired me to read his books and accept the incomparable invitation to become an Apprentice to Jesus.  

http://dwillard.org

Recently Dallas said, "We can worship in dying."  I pondered his meaning, and upon learning of his death a few days ago, knew that his final words, "Thank You," were spoken in worship and thanksgiving to King Jesus and his beloved family.  Dallas lived well and died in joyful thanksgiving.  

Of all the divine 'coincidences,' Dallas Albert Willard's memorial service will be at my California home church where Robert and I met and married.  Church on the Way.  If Pastor Jack Hayford participates in the service, the two most influential teachers in my life will be together:  Pastor Jack and Dallas Willard.  I told JoyFul this weekend that my next child will be named Dallas Jack or Jack Dallas.  This unlikely event will be noted on the family blog.  Keep in touch.   

Live by the slander,
die by the truth.

Thought provoking quote of the day

If our educational institutions — from the schools to the universities — were as interested in a diversity of ideas as they are obsessed with racial diversity, students would at least gain experience in seeing the assumptions behind different visions and the role of logic and evidence in debating those differences.  

Instead, a student can go all the way from elementary school to a Ph.D. without encountering any fundamentally different vision of the world from that of the prevailing political correctness.

Thomas Sowell, Economist and Thinker