Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Friends and Associates”
Our Bible verse for today: “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” Philippians 4:11 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Truly content friends have a calming influence on us.”
Dallas Willard was a professor of philosophy at the University of Southern California. He was especially known for his writings on Christian spiritual formation. Dallas was one of the greatest Christian thinkers and writers of our day and his work has had a profound influence on many Christian leaders over the last fifty years.
One of Dallas’ most firmly held personal beliefs, and one that is often repeated and quoted by others is, “You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry and anxiety from your life.”
Dallas modeled that in his own life. Despite his success, fame, and fortune, Dallas and his wife lived their entire adult lives in the same very small and very modest two bedroom home, furnished with inexpensive but cared-for furniture. They intentionally lived a simple and unhurried life, keeping their focus on the things that truly mattered in life.
Dallas was a friend and mentor to Richard Foster, who wrote the classic Christian work “Celebration of Discipline”. Richard spent a lot of time with Dallas and was greatly influenced by him. Richard wrote of his friend, “He was simple, quiet, peaceful, and serene. He had a stilled and quieted soul.”
Richard also said that spending time with Dallas always had a calming effect on him. Being with Dallas helped Richard to relax as the cares, worries, and anxieties of life seemed to melt away.
Have you ever known people like that, people who seem to radiate a deep sense of contentment and a quietness of soul? Just being with them makes you more peaceful and serene. I’ve had the good fortune to have known several people like that.
In the first church I was the pastor of (Bancroft Baptist), there was Dick DeGrow. Dick was a retired pastor in his 70s who served as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, and the church custodian. He was kind and gentle and never seemed to be in a hurry. I, on the other hand, was a newly retired Naval Officer trying to figure out how to be a Pastor. I was hard-charging and bull-headed, believing I was single-handedly storming the gates of hell with a water pistol. Good ole Dick would just smile and gently ask me to sit and talk for awhile. I always did and it always did me a lot of good.
I encourage you to find your own Dallas Willard or Dick DeGrow. Better yet, why not set a goal to become one? It happens by being with people like that and just soaking it in – allowing their peace and contentment, which just seems to radiate out of them, to wash over you and to have a calming influence on you.
Truly content friends can have a calming influence on us.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 