What if where you are right now is exactly where God wants you? On this week’s solo episode with Pastor Dave, he reflects on a powerful quote shared by renowned pastor Alistair Begg: "There's no ideal place to serve God except the place he sets you down." In a culture obsessed with chasing the next opportunity, the next city, or the next season of life, Dave invites us to slow down and consider that God's providence may already have us exactly where we need to be — for such a time as this.

What season is your life with God currently in? Discover more how God moves in the Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter of our lives with this episode’s guest, Matt Erickson, senior pastor of Eastbrook Church in Milwaukee. He and Dave discuss a renewed vision for pastoral ministry drawn from Matt’s upcoming book, “The Pastor as Gardener”. Erickson shares about how “God must increase, I must decrease” and that fruitful ministry best comes from an overflow of life with God—describing decreasing as cooperating with God through prayer, listening, and releasing control. Erickson reflects on the church’s “winter” season of decline and disorientation as an invitation to return to first things. Through scripture and the influence of other theologians like Eugene Peterson, he shares more on Jesus’ “gardener” imagery in John as a new creation. As always, the episode closes with a led prayer for rootedness and fruitfulness.

In this conversation, host Dave Ripper welcomes Dr. J.R. Briggs to explore how asking better questions can transform our lives, leadership, and walk with God. Drawing from J.R.'s book The Art of Asking Better Questions: Pursuing Stronger Relationships, Healthier Leadership, and Deeper Faith, they discuss the power of questions to connect, discern, heal, and draw out what God is already doing in us and others. The episode weaves personal stories, biblical insights (including Jesus as the ultimate question-asker), the concept of kairos moments, mentorship influences like Eugene Peterson and Gordon MacDonald, and practical ways to ask life-giving questions of God, ourselves, and others. Includes a guided reflective practice using the "inner compass" to notice God's presence and invitations.

"Is Jesus enough?" This week’s guest challenges us to ask this simple but powerful question. In this special live episode of 'Deeper Experiences with God,' recorded at Denver Seminary's Spiritual Formation in the Local Church event, host Dave Ripper interviews Dr. Howard Baker– renowned spiritual director and Professor Emeritas of Christian Spiritual Formation. They discuss Dr. Baker’s invaluable influence, the profound stages of spiritual growth, and the journey from a “without God” life to a “with God' life. Through rich storytelling, practical wisdom, and guided spiritual exercises, this dialogue offers deep insights into living a more fully integrated life with God.

What does it mean to recover the heart of Advent in a noisy and hurried world? In this episode of 'Deeper Experiences with God,' host Dave welcomes Pastor AJ Sherrill, lead pastor of St. Peter's Church in Charleston, South Carolina, and author of several books including 'Rediscovering Christmas.' Together they unpack the significance of Advent as a season of longing, waiting, and awakening to God’s presence. AJ reflects on the ways hurry, distraction, and digital overload blunt our spiritual sensitivity—and offers practical ways to slow down, pay attention, and receive Christ’s coming in fresh ways. Through the sharing of personal stories and insights, AJ invites listeners to make Advent less about consuming and self-importance, and more about cultivating desire for God in practical life ways. 

What do our emotions have to do with our relationship with God and others? Host Dave invites Dr. Todd Hall, a psychology professor at Rosemead School of Psychology and a faculty affiliate at Harvard's Human Flourishing Program, to discuss relational spirituality. They explore Dr. Hall’s journey of overcoming childhood disconnection, developing the theory of relational spirituality, and integrating psychology with theology through his life and work. They talk extensively about how emotional and relational disconnection impacts one's spiritual life and the importance of healthy attachment and vulnerability. Dr. Hall emphasizes the significance of experiential knowledge of God through scripture, emotional awareness, and meaningful relationships. As always, the episode concludes with a contemplative prayer exercise from Ephesians 3, aiming to help listeners visualize and contemplate the height, breadth and depth of God’s profound love.

How does looking back at the past help us understand our present and future relationships with God? In this episode of 'Deeper Experiences of God,' host Dave delves into the history of the Great Awakening in New England with fellow pastor, Chris Goeppner of Riverbank Church in White River Junctions, VT. Their discussion explores the importance of spiritual practices, sharing faith, and “wearing out, not burning out”. Chris shares his journey from South Florida to New England, his experiences in church planting, and the profound impact of studying Puritan leader George Whitefield's life and ministry. They discuss Whitefield's evangelistic fervor, his ability to unite different denominations, and his personal flaws, emphasizing that God can use imperfect people for His purposes. The episode encourages spiritual pilgrimages to historic sites and emphasizes the importance of personal and corporate renewal. It concludes with a prayer inspired by Whitefield for the listeners.

What stories are we each born into and how do they shape our experience of God in ways we may not even realize? In this week’s episode of Deeper Experiences with God, host Dave is joined by Jenn Suein Chen, spiritual director, co-director of Summit Clear, and author of the new book 'Dim Sum and Faith'. The discussion revolves around the intertwining journey of knowing God and oneself, especially within the scope of our families and cultures of origin. Jenn elaborates on how personal stories shape our souls, using dim sum as a metaphor for collective spiritual growth. The conversation touches on the themes of shaping, undoing, awakening, and remaking in one's spiritual journey. Reflecting on Psalm 139, Jenn underscores the importance of being known by God and the inward and outward transformative power of God's love. The episode concludes with Jenn leading a thoughtful prayer, encouraging listeners to embrace God's presence in every season of life.

Have you considered why Jesus shared so many teachings through stories, or parables? In this episode of Deeper Experiences with God, host Dave Ripper speaks with Dr. Steve Macchia, president of Leadership Transformations and author of Praying the Parables of Jesus. Together they explore how Jesus’ parables awaken spiritual readiness, creativity, and deeper intimacy with God. Born from Macchia’s work guiding students in spiritual formation, the book—created with artist Sue Skinner—invites readers to approach Scripture through artful, prayerful reflection. Throughout their conversation, Dave and Steve reflect on themes of readiness, healing, humility, and dependence on God, discussing how true transformation requires acknowledging our brokenness and cultivating spaciousness for God’s voice. Macchia emphasizes that spiritual maturity is not about knowledge or success but about faithfulness, relational engagement with Jesus, and living from a restful, receptive heart attuned to the kingdom of heaven here and now.

Have you ever thought that one of the best ways to connect with God might be through play? Join Dave for this week’s episode where he speaks with John Carroll, Executive Director of Dallas Willard Ministries’ School for Kingdom Living, about the surprising spiritual discipline of play and its role in experiencing life with God. Together, they explore themes of work, rest, burnout, and practicing Jesus’ teachings in everyday life. John shares how he’s encountered God through moments of joy, creativity, and even personal challenges—drawing deeply from the wisdom of Dallas Willard. As always, the conversation closes with a time of meditative prayer, grounding listeners in their identity in Christ.

Have you been looking for some practical steps to guide you into a more immersive daily experience with God? In this special solo episode of 'Deeper Experiences with God,' host Dave delves into a transformative method for encountering God more deeply in daily life. Drawing from his book 'Experiencing Scripture as a Disciple of Jesus,' he introduces the 'Immerse Method'—an acronym for Immersion, Meditation, Memorization, Encounter, Response, Supplication, and Experience. Each step is designed to help readers engage with the Bible in an experiential way, inspired by the teachings of Dallas Willard. Dave uses Matthew 11:28-30 to demonstrate how these steps can deepen one's spiritual journey, emphasizing a posture of reverence, anticipation, and trust.

What happens when modern charismatic passion meets ancient Christian tradition? In this episode of 'Deeper Experiences with God,' host Dave converses with Andrew Arndt, lead pastor of New Life East in Colorado Springs and an accomplished author, including his latest book, 'A Strange and Gracious Light.' They explore the intersections of modern Christianity and ancient spiritual traditions, highlighting how these can deepen our relationship with God. Arndt recounts his journey through 20 years of ministry and his formative experiences growing up in a charismatic church while falling in love with ancient church tradition. He describes how reading Richard Foster's 'Celebration of Discipline' and encountering the Desert Fathers and Mothers enriched his spiritual practice through different seasons of suffering and growth, encouraging listeners to press into these “thick” spiritual practices. 

How would our spiritual lives change if we could turn from distraction and linger at the feet of Jesus? In this episode of 'Deeper Experiences with God,' host Dave welcomes doctors Bruce and Carolyn Hindmarsh to discuss encountering God's presence through scripture. Bruce, a professor of Spiritual Theology and History of Christianity, and Carolyn, who teaches Spiritual Theology and New Testament Greek, have co-authored the book 'At the Feet of Jesus: A Guide to Encountering Christ in the Gospels.' 

The conversation explores themes from Ignatian spirituality, the insights of Saint Augustine, and how scripture serves as a meeting place with God. The authors share their experiences offering retreats focused on encountering God through Gospel narratives, particularly the story of Mary of Bethany. The discussion touches on overcoming distractions, the importance of preparation, and the relational nature of engaging with scripture. Bruce and Carolyn also reflect on their personal spiritual journeys, sharing wisdom for deepening one's spiritual life and providing practical advice for married couples seeking to grow together in faith. 

What do children know about faith that adults often forget? In this next episode of Deeper Experiences with God, Dave sits down with Lacey Finn Borgo, author and spiritual director, to explore both deeper and wider experiences with God through childlike faith, simplicity and exploring human senses in silence and prayer. She shares some powerful personal anecdotes, including her difficult journey through surgery and her own personal daily practice of silence. The discussion covers the importance of developing your own 'survival three' spiritual practices and the role of listening in developing a loving relationship with God and others. Borgo concludes by leading a brief, childlike prayer exercise to demonstrate a practical spiritual practice of silence and meditation. 

What if the key to a deeper, more transformative relationship with God isn’t doing more—but slowing down? In this episode of the 'Deeper Experiences with God' podcast, host Dave Ripper interviews Alan Fadling, president of Unhurried Living, about the significance of silence and rest, mastering peace, and deepening spiritual growth and leadership. Alan, an author of several books like 'A Year of Slowing Down,' 'An Unhurried Leader,' and 'A Non-Anxious Life,' discusses the foundational principles of his ministry: resting deeply, living fully, and leading effectively. They explore how to determine spiritual growth, particularly in the context of modern Christian leadership, and emphasize the necessity of rootedness and personal impact over mere organizational success.

How can we deepen our spiritual lives through stillness, surrender, and sacred tradition? In this episode, Dave speaks with Reverend Dr. Barbara Peacock about spiritual formation through an African American lens, focusing on prayer, soul care, and spiritual direction. Barbara shares her theological journey, personal struggles with depression and burnout, and the inspiration behind her book Soul Care and African American Practice. She explores historical connections to spiritual practices like Lectio Divina, linking them to notable figures in the African American community. The conversation emphasizes resilience, trust in God, and passive spirituality— inviting listeners to experience God’s love through stillness and surrender.

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.

Join Pastor Dave Ripper for a transformative conversation with bestselling author John Ortberg, a leading voice in spiritual formation. In this episode, they explore vital spiritual experiences, drawing from John’s book Steps: A Guide to Transforming Life When Willpower Isn’t Enough and the Christian roots of the 12-step program. Learn how to cultivate a deeper connection with God through practices like prayer, meditation, and scripture immersion, and discover actionable steps to overcome challenges and grow in faith. John shares insights from Dallas Willard, integrates psychology with spirituality, and leads a guided exercise to encounter God’s presence.