7 Responses to You’ll Thank Me For This! »»

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1. Dave A
   Comment by Dave A | 2006/07/21 at 04:08:50

   I attempted to read Divine Conspiracy a few years ago and found it to be such a difficult read. Very heavy academically for me. I began listening to the audio message you mention above and did find Willard much more understandable. Either he speaks more simply or I got smarter me. So maybe I’ll give Divine Conspiracy another chance.

   One comment on his last paragraph above where he says:

   “If you want to keep the law, don’t try to keep the law. Try to become the kind of person who would naturally keep the law.”

   It’s that “try to become” part that bothers me. Sounds like that’s based on my efforts but I may be taking that out of context. Surely out of the context on how you think, Wayne.

   Thanks,

   Dave

2. Bob
   Comment by Bob | 2006/07/21 at 05:11:23

   Great post, Wayne. Thank you (I guess you said I’d thank you and I did!) I really like the idea of the church not being a place where we meet God but rather the church being what springs from knowing Him.

   I’ll have to sit with this quote for a bit…

3. Wayne
   Comment by Wayne | 2006/07/21 at 08:58:25

   Dave,

   I appreciate your concern with his phrasing, but the context of ‘try to become’ is to immerse ourselves in the relationship that brings transformation. I like what he adds to the fact that we do have a part in this process. It is not to act differently, but it is also not to lie on the couch hoping something better happens in u s.

   I guess I’m getting too old to worry about whether every person says it exactly right, and just embrace the truth that underlies what he’s saying.

4. Dave Aldrich
   Comment by Dave Aldrich | 2006/07/21 at 09:40:56

   After I posted what I said above I knew I was just pulling that one phrase out of context. As I continue to listen to Willard’s message I get it more.

   I think I have told you that I had battled the “works” thing for a long time. I had struggled with how I was going become more “Christ-like” by trying to figure out what was my responsibility and what what the Lord’s. What I heard from some folks was that it was more up to me to “get it right, try harder,” but my heart kept telling me that smacked more of self-effort and law obedience than a life that is transformed by being with Jesus. I know it’s more than just sitting on the couch with Him now! I know there is a cooperating with Him that we do. But He increasingly shows me that this life of transformation is first and foremost a thing of His doing. We surrender all, in an ongoing process. So is surrender a work?

   The more I focus on my failures and short-comings the more I fail and feel helpless to overcome. The more I Iook unto Jesus, as the author and perfector of this faith, the more I simply see Him and want to be with Him. I think I have given up trying to be like Jesus and instead just love the fact the He is in me and I am in Him and what a joy it is just to be. And lo and behold I am changed!

   Now how does one explain that to those of the religious mindset so it doesn’t sound like, “ya just gotta have more faith!”?

   Much love to you, Brother. The Lord has used you to open these eyes and heart of mine more than you know.

   Dave

5. ArnieB
   Comment by ArnieB | 2006/07/24 at 12:15:35

   Great post, Wayne.

   I have been a fan of Willard for some time. I too don’t always agree with all of his conclusions or the way he chooses to state things, but overall, some real good stuff.

   Dave, I encourage you to give “Divine Conspiracy” another shot. If I remember correctly, the first chapter or two are pretty difficult, but after that, it reads like another book. “Renovation of the Heart” is pretty good as well (although academic).

   ArnieB

6. Dave Aldrich
   Comment by Dave Aldrich | 2006/07/25 at 07:31:26

   Thanks, Arnie, I believe I will. I’ll have to add it to my already too long of books I want to read this summer!

   Dave

7. Joe Osborne
   Comment by Joe Osborne | 2006/07/28 at 03:02:34

   After listening to Dallas Willard I went out and picked up “Hearing God” … just started reading it, and it’s interesting and pretty acceesible. Basically talks about how God communicates with us. Seems like a good book on “how” rather than the ususal “what” we get from typical Christian preaching.

   Dave, you might want to give this one a shot, plus it’s in paperback.

   Joe Osborne

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