"'The first thing to do in responding to God's presence and Word,' Basil Pennington repeatedly told me, 'is to notice what God is doing and to keep out of God's way. The second is to align ourselves with and participate in God's transformational actions in the world.' God is active and present in the world. … Continue reading Quotes of Note #3 Cooperating with God
Quotes of Note #2 Discipleship
"The gospel is not a doctrine of the tongue but of life. It cannot be grasped by reason and memory only, but it is fully understood when it possesses the whole soul and penetrates to the inner recesses of the heart." John Calvin, Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, … Continue reading Quotes of Note #2 Discipleship
Quotes of Note #1 Healing and Redemption
". . . Jesus is working to restore the original vision of creation. Jesus starts from the innermost part of us, the seat of our relationship with God, and works outward to include our physical being. This process is like what [C. S.] Lewis called 'death working backwards,' as the ravaging effects of the Fall … Continue reading Quotes of Note #1 Healing and Redemption
Pastor Note #65 — A Congregational Vision for Prayer and Healing
A Vision for Prayer & Healing in the Life of our Church The Ministry of Prayer in the Life of our Congregation The presence of God is sought and found in a diligent and unremitting pursuit of God through prayer. Prayer is not the work of a few. It … Continue reading Pastor Note #65 — A Congregational Vision for Prayer and Healing
Pastor Note #64 — Marriage: And Now for Something Completely Different
Marriage: And Now for Something Completely Different Is there really a good reason why marriages of more than two people should be forbidden by law? Is sex a necessary part of marriage as it is now defined by the Supreme Court of the United States? Or is it now conceivable that an intentionally non-sexual relationship … Continue reading Pastor Note #64 — Marriage: And Now for Something Completely Different
Pastor Note #63 — Mission Field America
Recently, I read about a church that had a sign at the exit from its parking lot, a sign that people read as they were leaving the church. The sign said, “You are now entering the mission field.” It’s a bracing thought and one that is more and more obviously true in North America. American … Continue reading Pastor Note #63 — Mission Field America
Pastor Notes #62 — The Lordship of Jesus Christ and Your Church’s Reason for Being
The Lordship of Jesus Christ and Your Church’s Purpose for Being What is your church’s purpose at this period of our history? What is its reason for being at this particular moment in its life as a congregation? These are important questions that churches can easily get out of the habit of asking. In fact, … Continue reading Pastor Notes #62 — The Lordship of Jesus Christ and Your Church’s Reason for Being
Prayer Note #54 — Seeking My True Self in God
SEEKING MY TRUE SELF IN GOD My Father, my Lord, my Redeemer: I love you. I love you for who you are. I see in you the very essence of all that is worthy of my worship, the very foundation of all that is good and worthy of desiring. To desire you, long for you, … Continue reading Prayer Note #54 — Seeking My True Self in God
Prayer Note #53 — A Lenten Prayer
A Lenten Prayer of a Busy Christian “Transcribed” by Pastor Gary A. Chorpenning What do you want me to do, Lord? Isn’t that what I’m supposed to ask you in this season of Lent? I don’t mean to be rude to you, God, but I have to confess that my life is already really busy. … Continue reading Prayer Note #53 — A Lenten Prayer
Prayer Note #52 — To the God of Light
Lord, you are all glorious, and the light of your presence pierces the deepest darkness of sin, sorrow, evil, despair. There is no darkness so thick, so impenetrable, so oily that the Light, Life, Love of your Being cannot invade and evaporate it. That is the truth of who you are. And so I ask … Continue reading Prayer Note #52 — To the God of Light
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