Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
Come unto Jesus. And rest.
http://andyunedited.ivpress.com/2013/05/remembering_dallas_willard.
Dallas Willard went to be with his Lord this morning. Many people will miss his strong, gentle wisdom, remembering him as someone who was soaked in the presence of Christ. He was a beloved friend and writer to many. We enjoyed publishing a number of titles by Dallas (1935-2013), especially one of his signature books, Hearing God.
Perhaps twenty 
years ago I was with Dallas as he led a two-day retreat for a dozen or so of us. In particular I remember his talking about practicing the disciplines of solitude and silence, something he tried to do for thirty minutes a day. I asked him what he meant by that. And he told us.
years ago I was with Dallas as he led a two-day retreat for a dozen or so of us. In particular I remember his talking about practicing the disciplines of solitude and silence, something he tried to do for thirty minutes a day. I asked him what he meant by that. And he told us."And do you pray?" I asked.
"No.""Or meditate or read the Scriptures?""No.""Then what?""Nothing. I just sit. In the presence of Christ."
What made 
very little sense to me then has come to mean more and more to me as the years have gone by. As the pace of life has become more abuzz with activity and stimulation and distraction, I have more and more craved time to just sit, and do nothing, except be in Christ's presence. It has become a centering, still point in a topsy-turvy world. It reminds me what is important and who is important, what is a crisis and what is not.
very little sense to me then has come to mean more and more to me as the years have gone by. As the pace of life has become more abuzz with activity and stimulation and distraction, I have more and more craved time to just sit, and do nothing, except be in Christ's presence. It has become a centering, still point in a topsy-turvy world. It reminds me what is important and who is important, what is a crisis and what is not.
As Dallas taught so many, the Sabbath and Sabbath moments like the ones he described are ways of acknowledging who is in charge of the world and who is not. It reminds us that we are dependent on God and not ourselves. Our activity, our work, our intensity are not god. And by resting from those things, we acknowledge who is.
By giving away money we at once blaspheme the god of Mammon and worship the true God. By giving away time we at once blaspheme the god of Activity and worship the true One.
These I gratefully carry with me, gifts from Dallas Willard.
Posted by Andy Le Peau at May 8, 2013 11:36 AM
Early morning, we will rise up and seek You
THE LORD's PRAYER
Dear Father always near us,
May Your name be treasured and loved,
May your rule be completed in us-
May Your will be done here on earth
In just the way it is done in Heaven.
Give us today the things we need today,
And forgive us our sins and impositions on You
As we are forgiving all who in any way offend us.
Please don't put us through trials,
but deliver us from everything bad.
Because You are the one in charge,
And You have all the power,
And the glory too is all yours - forever -
Which is just the way we want it!
Dallas's rendition
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