Join Pastor Dave Ripper for an enriching conversation with Dr. Gary W. Moon, founding director of the Martin Institute and Dallas Willard Research Center, as they explore the golden thread of Christian spiritual formation: encountering divine presence. Gary shares his framework for spiritual healing, emphasizing salvation as a journey of union with God, and offers practical questions to overcome spiritual stagnation. Through a powerful river baptism exercise, listeners are invited to experience God’s presence by releasing the past and embracing the present moment with Jesus.

Key Points and Actionable Takeaways

1. Golden Thread of Spiritual Formation: Gary identifies the core of Christian spirituality as encountering divine presence, a theme woven through church history. This encounter fosters healing and union with God, reframing salvation as a holistic restoration.
   • Takeaway: Reflect on salvation as healing, not just forgiveness. Pray, “Lord, heal me of my sinfulness,” to reconnect with God’s presence daily.
2. Salvation as Healing (Sōzō): Gary redefines salvation using the Greek word sōzō, meaning healing, to emphasize restoring all aspects of personhood (thoughts, feelings, behaviors, relationships, choices) for union with God.
   • Takeaway: Incorporate “healing” into your prayers or devotions (e.g., replace “save” with “heal” in scripture readings) to focus on holistic restoration.
3. Cup and Saucer Analogy: Gary’s analogy of aligning our “saucer” (personal will) with God’s “platter” (His kingdom) illustrates the journey toward union with God, where our will surrenders to God’s without losing our unique identity.
   • Takeaway: Visualize your will as a saucer resting on God’s platter during prayer to align your desires with God’s kingdom.
4. Seven Questions for Spiritual Growth: Gary offers seven questions to address spiritual stagnation: three vision questions (Is salvation a healing process? Is my view of God and self magnificent and loving enough?), two intention questions (Am I desperate to change? Do I recognize my will’s limits?), and two means questions (Is my rule of life holistic and ecumenical?).
   • Takeaway: Journal through these questions to assess and adjust your spiritual practices, ensuring they engage all aspects of your personhood and draw from diverse Christian traditions.
5. River Baptism Exercise: Gary’s guided prayer exercise invites listeners to stand in a river with Jesus, letting the past flow downstream and the future arrive in God’s timing, fostering presence and peace.
   • Takeaway: Practice the river baptism exercise daily, imagining standing with Jesus in the present moment, releasing past regrets and future anxieties.

Quote of the Show

“The primary activity of living as an apprentice of Jesus is to be with him in the river that is our life.” – Gary W. Moon

Connect with Gary W. Moon

• Explore Gary’s work and Dallas Willard’s archived teachings at Conversatio Divina or download the Conversatio Divina app.
• Read Gary’s books, including Becoming Dallas Willard and Apprenticeship with Jesus, available wherever books are sold.

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