Tag: Christian discipleship

Bible Note #46: Simon of Cyrene–A Lenten Meditation

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The old man stood among the group of worshipers, a part of the church at Rome.  He had moved to the imperial city years earlier, raised his family there.  He had joined others there in sharing the news of Jesus the Christ.  His two grown sons stood beside him, Alexander and Rufus, both now leaders … Continue reading Bible Note #46: Simon of Cyrene–A Lenten Meditation

Pastor Note #109: Living as Hopeful People in Fearful Times

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Are these hopeful times or are they fearful times?  I write these words on a warm day, after a hard winter of snow and ice.  The daffodils are poking up through the leaf litter in my flowerbeds.  The crocuses have already begun to bloom.  In fact, there are several dandelions in their yellow perkiness smiling … Continue reading Pastor Note #109: Living as Hopeful People in Fearful Times

Bible Note #45: Nicodemus & Joseph of Arimathea at the Cross–A Lenten Meditation

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His old bones ached under the weight of his burden.  Still, he thought, his pain was nothing compared to the pain of dragging a cross through the streets especially in that appalling condition.  The weight of that rough wood grinding on the shredded flesh of the man’s back must have been near unbearable. Stained Glass … Continue reading Bible Note #45: Nicodemus & Joseph of Arimathea at the Cross–A Lenten Meditation

Bible Note #43: Peter’s Denial & Following Jesus–A Lenten Meditation

~ gachorpenning ~ 4 Comments

Peter’s Denial and Following JesusDrawn from Mark 14 Peter was standing by a fire in the middle of the courtyard of the high priest’s compound.  He was standing among a group of men.  He was trying to be inconspicuous, trying to sort of blend in.     He was chilled to the core, so that the … Continue reading Bible Note #43: Peter’s Denial & Following Jesus–A Lenten Meditation

Pastor Note #108: Busyness, Rights, Responsibilities, & Church Life in 2020

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Over the past two millennia, the Church of Jesus has survived brutal persecutions, the chaos of invasions and wars, plagues, famines, revolutions, and, perhaps the most dangerous of all social conditions, the church has even survived economic prosperity.  Nothing that has happened in America or the world in 2020 will prove to be a deadly … Continue reading Pastor Note #108: Busyness, Rights, Responsibilities, & Church Life in 2020

Pastor Note #106: The Right Kind of Christmas Busyness

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Winter in Flagstaff, AZ; photo by GAC What a strange Christmas season this is for us all, unlike anything we’ve ever experienced.  I don’t suppose I really need to point that out to anyone, but I mention it just the same.  I don’t know whether this Christmas this year has been busier for you than … Continue reading Pastor Note #106: The Right Kind of Christmas Busyness

Pastor Note #105: Ministry in a Time of Pandemic

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            All over the country, churches are wrestling with decisions about how to do ministry in the midst of a pandemic.  This is an on-going challenge, because the circumstances of the pandemic are constantly shifting and changing.  Yesterday’s decisions are called into doubt by today’s news.             Over the years, I have always found that, … Continue reading Pastor Note #105: Ministry in a Time of Pandemic

Pastor Note #103: Loving Like Crazy Jesus Followers

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1 Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death? Photo by GAC A. That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul,in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,and has set me free from the tyranny of the … Continue reading Pastor Note #103: Loving Like Crazy Jesus Followers