"Voyeur!" had been my wife's reply to my text message. And I suppose It was a fair assessment. I had been quite brazen about it, although I couldn't get too close for fear of disturbing the couple. Well, actually, the scene was edgier than that. I was watching and photographing a menage a trois, a … Continue reading Backyard Note #6 — Singers, Lovers, Assassins
Pastor Note #55 — The Joy and Humility of Pastoral Ministry
Last Fall, I passed my thirtieth anniversary in pastoral ministry. At one of its meetings around that time, our presbytery recognized those of us who were marking anniversaries in multiples of five –tenth, fifteenth, twentieth, etc. They started with the smaller anniversaries and worked up. It took them a little while to get to … Continue reading Pastor Note #55 — The Joy and Humility of Pastoral Ministry
Pastor Note #54 — The Church, Its Reason for Existing, and Its Stuff
There is a church of my acquaintance that, a few years ago, faced a challenging problem. The story I’m going to tell you about that church might sound to you like a fable that I’ve made up in order to teach some lesson. But the church is a real … Continue reading Pastor Note #54 — The Church, Its Reason for Existing, and Its Stuff
Pastor Note #53 — Jesus at the Door
“Sometimes the only way the good Lord can get into some hearts is to break them.” - Bishop Fulton Sheen It is far better to keep the door to your heart unbolted and open. Otherwise, God will do one of two things. He may choose to kick it in, and that can really hurt. … Continue reading Pastor Note #53 — Jesus at the Door
Bible Note #17 — Matthew 6:25-34 — God’s Orientation Toward Us
Some of the great truths of Scripture are not so much great doctrinal concepts as they are simple relational realities concerning God’s orientation toward us. What Calvin says of the Lord’s Supper can, I’m convinced, be applied to this whole category of truth. “I rather experience than understand it.” [Inst. IV. xvii. 32] Grasping these … Continue reading Bible Note #17 — Matthew 6:25-34 — God’s Orientation Toward Us
Pastor Note #52 — Ministry Q. & A. — 3/18/2013
As with most organizations, the church tends to follow the 80/20 rule. How should a pastor encourage others to get involved in church activities? Accept leadership positions? Participate in Sunday Worship? Is this even a pastor’s responsibility? Bluntly put, there is nothing that a pastor, as a human being, can do to accomplish what is … Continue reading Pastor Note #52 — Ministry Q. & A. — 3/18/2013
Pastor Note #51 — Here’s How I Do It: The Devotional Life of One Christian
Every so often people ask me about my devotional practices. I don’t think I’ve ever written about that before, but it strikes me a something that some folks might find helpful. I don’t share what follows as if to say that everyone should pattern their devotions after me. In fact, my own pattern of devotional … Continue reading Pastor Note #51 — Here’s How I Do It: The Devotional Life of One Christian
Blog Announcement–2/19/2013
Some of you have notice that sometime ago, I created a feature for this blog called, "Growth Tracks." You can find these guided reading plans in the top header of the blog pages and along the right-hand side panel. I've just added "Growth Track #4--Cooperating with Our God of Power." Please, have a look, and … Continue reading Blog Announcement–2/19/2013
Pastor Note #50 — Of Love, the Mission of Christ, and a Long-ago Visit to Pakistan
The room where we all sat was crowded and dark and made of heavy stone. It felt almost like a castle or a fortress. That wasn’t so surprising. We later found out that the building had been built by the British during the “Raj” as a garrison for their troops. Now it housed … Continue reading Pastor Note #50 — Of Love, the Mission of Christ, and a Long-ago Visit to Pakistan
Prayer Note #45 — The Arithmetic of God
Where do I find hope, except in you, Good Father? Yet, I continue to look in other places. I continue to behave as if I expect to find something better, more pleasing than you. Of course, I never find anything remotely approaching you. Everything I find is cotton candy, sugar water, candy corn. You … Continue reading Prayer Note #45 — The Arithmetic of God
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 