 |
| Window in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania |
It will be my privilege to speak on "Personal Renewal for Pastors" at the ABC-Michigan pastor's retreat April 21-23. Suggested reading to prepare for this retreat is Dallas Willard's Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God.
I'm giving this excellent book a re-read myself, and invite you to join me. I'll be making posts as I go along. I'll be e-mailing these posts to persons on my spiritual formation contact list. If you would like to receive these e-mails please let me know at: johnpiippo@msn.com.
Hearing God is to be part of the normal Christian life. Willard writes:
"God has created us for intimate friendship with himself—both now and forever. This is the Christian viewpoint. It is made clear throughout the Bible, especially in passages such as Exodus 29:43-46 [God will meet with us], 33:11 [God spoke with Moses face to face, as one speaks with a friend]; Psalm 23 [God shepherds us]; Isaiah 41:8 [God is our friend]; John 15:14 [Christ is our friend] and Hebrews 13:5-6 [God will never leave us or forsake us; God is our helper]. As with all close personal relationships, God can be counted on to speak to each of us when and as it’s appropriate." (Kindle Locations 108-111)
God loves you...
... desires to meet with you...
... speaks to you as a friend...
... has not left you alone...
... helps you.
