Deeper Experiences with God

What if the most important thing you could do for your child has nothing to do with performance and everything to do with presence? In this episode, Dave is joined by Dr. David Goodman, OBGYN physician, surgeon, professor, and creator of Base Camp 322 — a free formation course designed to help fathers intentionally raise sons who know they are deeply loved. Drawing from his medical career, his fam...

Have you ever felt like you're in a season of life that's exceptionally wearisome? On this week’s episode Pastor Dave speaks with author, speaker and spiritual director, Becky L McCoy about her newly released book, In the Company of the Weary: 10 Gentle Spiritual Practices for your Tired Soul . Drawing from her own experiences of profound grief and faith burnout, Becky invites listeners to exchang...

Have you ever wondered what might be missing from your personal and the church’s corporate discipleship model? On this week’s episode with Pastor Dave, he reflects on gaps in modern discipleship, drawing from early church formation and his own pastoral experience. Contrasting his long-held model of askesis (training through spiritual disciplines of engagement and abstinence) leading to agape (Chri...

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 th...

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”...

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 u...

"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...

What names for Jesus come to mind for you this Christmas season? In this special Christmas episode of 'Deeper Experiences with God,' Dave reflects on the names given the coming Messiah in Isaiah 9:6 as invitations to encounter God’s presence more deeply. Drawing on A.W. Tozer’s insight that “what comes to mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us,” Dave explores how these n...

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’...

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...

How does looking back at the past help us understand our present and future relationship with God? In this episode of "Deeper Experiences with 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 ou...

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 Suen 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 wi...

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 Steve’s wo...

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...

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, Me...

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, highlig...

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 G...

What do children know about faith that adults often forget? In this next episode of Deeper Experiences with God , Dave sits down with Lacy 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 t...

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 Sl...

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 Ca...

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 s...

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 practice...

Welcome to the Deeper Experiences with God podcast. I’m your host Dave Ripper. My hope is that through conversations, teachings and practices on the Christian spiritual life, that you might experience an ever-deepening life with God.