[Although I have called this a "Pastor's Prayer," with a slight adjustment of the language, this prayer might well work as a prayer for any Christian who wants to be a channel of blessing to the people in their lives. And what Christian wouldn't want to be a channel of God's blessing in the lives … Continue reading Prayer Note #46 — A Channel of Blessing: a Pastor’s Prayer
BIBLE NOTE #18–Matthew14:22-33: Adventures in Water-walking with Jesus
ADVENTURES IN WATER-WALKING WITH JESUS I love this passage – Matthew 14:22-32. But I’m still not sure I understand what Peter had in mind (v.28). It all happened one dark, windy night out in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. It’s typically called a “sea,” but really it’s a large, freshwater lake. Still, … Continue reading BIBLE NOTE #18–Matthew14:22-33: Adventures in Water-walking with Jesus
Pastor Note #56 — On Marriage and Redemption
I’ve been married now for almost twenty-nine years. So has my wife. We got married at the same time. I think I can say without much hesitation that my wife and I have a good marriage. It has been a tremendous blessing to my life. Nothing in my life has quite equaled it, except … Continue reading Pastor Note #56 — On Marriage and Redemption
Poem #1 My Grandma’s Old, Orange Cat
MY GRANDMA'S OLD, ORANGE CAT My grandma had an old, orange cat Older than me when I knew him. A stern companion, Not always patient with little boys, He bore his age With as much dignity as an old cat can, Though in his last summer The flies bothered him. In the end, he liked … Continue reading Poem #1 My Grandma’s Old, Orange Cat
Backyard Note #6 — Singers, Lovers, Assassins
"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
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 