Today's Devotions

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Showcase: Assorted Treats

  • Vampire Christians by Dallas Willard +

    Dallas Willard spoke in 2009 on the essential part of avoiding being a vampire Christian Read More
  • Seeing the unseen by Sylvia Gunter +

    As we come to the close of 2015 and welcome in 2016 Read More
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Audio & Video

Being Church-Dallas Willard, part 3

Dallas-WillardBelow are notes from Dallas Willard's talk at Tree of Life Community in Orange, CA. A video of the teaching is at the end of these notes.

Conversation / Q & A with the pastors:

Question: "What is the primary barrier to being a disciple of Jesus?"

Answer: The default system of thinking that you can be a Christian without being a disciple. This belief is rooted in the current reigning understanding among Evangelicals of what it means to be saved. Too many think salvation is only about a guarantee of going to heaven when we die. This understanding really requires nothing of believers. We only expect to have to profess certain things and perhaps associate with certain people. Discipleship then feels like a "bait and switch" in this understanding of the gospel. It wasn't part of the original invitation.

Read more: Being Church-Dallas Willard, part 3

Being Church--Dallas Willard, part 1

Dallas-WillardWhat does it mean to be a church? For Willard, it begins with Christ, and our fixing our thoughts, our minds on him. Willard uses  the Lord's prayer, especially, "hallowed by thy name" to keep Christ's identity front and center in his thoughts throughout the day. Below are  some more thoughts from this talk of Willard, delivered at the Tree of Life Community in Orange, CA. This is part 1 of 3  parts of the teaching.Part one of the video follows the notes.

Ephesians 1:15-23

Do we make the mistake of thinking that because Paul prays for us in his letter to the Ephesians that it means there is nothing for us to do?

Question: What do we do to live in the reality of the scriptures?

Read more: Being Church--Dallas Willard, part 1

Reflections to Consider

  • Warfare Spirituality

    The Trinity function as farmers of our souls, actively caring for God’s creation: an ongoing, radical reclamation of His creation. Read More
  • You are free

    The Jesus who calmed a sea of deadly, stormy waves, whose arrival sent thousands of demons cringing and cowering to Read More
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Publications

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Music

  • Magnificent

    Few songs capture the entrancing, humbling, overwhelming awe I experience in the presence of God. Magnificent, a song by U2 Read More
  • I'll Go Crazy

    I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight Every generation gets a chance to change the world - U2 Read More
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Audio & Video

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Favorites

  • Praise Adonai by Paul Baloche +

    Who is like Him The Lion and the Lamb Seated on the throne Mountains bow down Every ocean roars To the Lord of hosts  Read More
  • An Interview with Paul Washer by Tim Challies +

    You probably know Paul Washer as the man who preached the infamous "Shocking Youth Message," a sermon that has tallied Read More
  • Glorious by Paul Baloche +

    Look inside the mysterySee the empty crossSee the risen SaviorVictorious and strong Read More
  • Paul's Prayers +

    How do we pray? What should we pray for? Yes, there is the Lord's prayer--Jesus teaching his disciples, and us, Read More
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Hidden Blessings

  • Thinking on Jesus Each Hour, Frank C Laubach +

    Practicing God’s Presence To his followers Jesus said ‘Come with me, walk with me, talk and listen to me, work Read More
  • Just a Little Talk with Jesus, Cleavant Derricks +

    Now let us have a little talk with Jesus. Let us tell Him all about our troubles. He will hear Read More
  • Jesus be the centre +

    Center is a song that speaks of the essence of our life in Christ, and echoes the words the Christ Read More
  • The Community of Jesus +

    What does it mean to be a Christian? Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC, makes a compelling Read More
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