Dallas Willard - The Way Back

[@edwinwatkins8645]

My God, how I've loved this man though we never met. I've never even seen him in person but his ministry through these lectures and sermons has been a life savior. One of the most enriching ministries in my life. Oswald Chambers, CS Lewis and Dallas Willard. How much they have each meant to my Christian life!! Love Dallas so dearly.

[@hushandshimmer6502]

I felt the same way. Then in 2012 he came to lecture at the University of Toronto. Although the lectures were intended for the Divinity students I signed up anyhow. For two full days I listened to him at his lectures and learned a great deal. But what was more impressive was watching him interact between lectures-how warm, gentle and present he was with everyone he spoke with, including me. A moment of great teaching for me was on the way to his evening lecture. I had gone to a local restaurant and had left little time to wind my way back through the unfamiliar campus. The pathways were narrow and I came across two men who were ever so casually strolling along and blocking my way. Increasingly frustrated as I was afraid to be late, I scooted around them and I’m sure glared back at them over my shoulder. I then saw it was Dallas and the Dean deep in companionable discussion. Dallas smiled at me and nodded. In my head I heard his words “You’ve got to ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” I saw the mindset I had lived with most my life-hurry, hurry, push, push. I saw the peace and grace he moved through the world. The memory reminds me to, like Mary, choose what is better”. BTW We all arrived at the hall with plenty of time. One of us was peaceful, the other a little wiser. From my brief time watching Dallas, I can say he was even more than what I expected.

[@edwinwatkins8645]

@@hushandshimmer6502 My goodness, isn't that something! Two Canadians, me and you both, blessed through the ministry of this wonderful man of God. I am actually blessed by your memory of him. Does not surprise me in the least that you were left the wiser for your encounter. Dallas was more than Christian older brother; he was seer too. God bless you my brother in the Lord. I hope you are well. My guess is we will meet soon enough with this man we both love and cherish(the Lord will surely choreograph it!)in the great land beyond this one. What a time we will have of love and laughter. Boy!

[@hushandshimmer6502]

@@edwinwatkins8645 Until then Edwin. Don’t be surprised, however, when we meet, if I am a sister rather than a brother. Best regards.

[@edwinwatkins8645]

@@hushandshimmer6502 Ah, touché. You too. Lol.

[@edwinwatkins8645]

Here's the sense you got about Dallas. And this even from a distance. Oswald Chambers wrote in his ministry for poor souls like me who might not have caught it otherwise, that Jesus said to Peter, "..Feed my sheep..(John 21:17) but gave him nothing with which to feed them". The process of being made broken bread and poured out wine, Chambers went on, means that YOU(the shepherd) have to be the nourishment for other people's souls until they learn to feed directly from God. "Until", he says, "others(ie the sheep) learn to draw on the life of the Lord Jesus, they will have to draw on His life through you..". Dallas always seemed to me, in all the times I've seen him, to understand that this was the basic function he was serving. And I just love him, just simply love him, for doing so, so graciously and tenderly.

[@andreschirmer]

I pray that God gives me strengh to live at least some of the great amount of truth that I have learned through the life of this man of God. The world was simply not worthy of him.

[@jjcm3135]

Marvelous wisdom. I think it’s time for me to read his books.

[@mariocarlomagno1]

Thank you!

[@rkaylene]

When was this recorded?

[@dallaswillard]

Rebecca, I'm not sure, but I think it was around 2006.