Tag: christian faith

Pastor Note #139: Learning to Live without Chains in Christ’s Victory

~ gachorpenning ~ 2 Comments

Here’s a truth that is very dear to me.  When Jesus went to the cross, he did not merely take my guilt with him.  He took my sin.  He died not merely to gain forgiveness for me but to set me free from the power of sin.  In his resurrection from death, he demonstrated not … Continue reading Pastor Note #139: Learning to Live without Chains in Christ’s Victory

Quote of Note #190: Racism and Division in the Church

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"The Church must speak out with one voice against bigotry and racism. We have been too quiet. The time is now. A platform has been placed in front of us and we must speak with clarity and truth. We've made a mess of things, but there is a way forward. It will require us to … Continue reading Quote of Note #190: Racism and Division in the Church

Quote of Note #178: Our Broken Selves

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"I understand why people work so hard to conceal their suffering. They don't want other people to think something is wrong with them. But, beloved, there is something wrong with all of us. We live in a fallen, sin-stained world, we all suffer its effects--yes, even those of us who call Jesus Christ our Lord … Continue reading Quote of Note #178: Our Broken Selves

Quote of Note #177: True Christian Discipleship

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"Orthopraxy. . . is demonstrated in relationship to God, his word, and people who are made in his image. Becoming an expert in doctrine does not make one a disciple. On the contrary, Jesus taught that the clearest evidence that we are truly disciples is when we 'love one another' as he has loved us … Continue reading Quote of Note #177: True Christian Discipleship

Quote of Note #176: Drawing People to Christ

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"We do not draw people to Christ by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it." Madeleine L'Engle, Waltking on Water: Reflections on … Continue reading Quote of Note #176: Drawing People to Christ

Pastor Note #134/Bible Note #55: Love of Jesus, Love of Neighbor

~ gachorpenning ~ 9 Comments

“Almighty God, you have taught us through your Son that love is the fulfilling of the law.  Grant that we may love you with our whole heart and our neighbor as ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.[1] Luke 10:25-37 (NIV)25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he … Continue reading Pastor Note #134/Bible Note #55: Love of Jesus, Love of Neighbor

Quote of Note #172: The American Dream

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"Throughout scripture, we are told that there is no lasting joy in the things of this earth--that they decay, grow boring, and bring ultimate destruction as consumers of our rapt attention. We are reminded that we come into this world with nothing and go out the same way. Yet, we in America have given divine … Continue reading Quote of Note #172: The American Dream

Pastor Note #132: Anger and Following Jesus

~ gachorpenning ~ 5 Comments

In my youth, which took place in those dark days before the existence of computers and apps on mobile devices, it was very difficult to say definitively how often, if at all, a given phrase appears in the Bible.  These days, of course, it is a matter of a few moments of thumb typing, and … Continue reading Pastor Note #132: Anger and Following Jesus

Quote of Note #167: Knowing God

~ gachorpenning ~ 1 Comment

"Under the image of the Trinity, we discover that we do not know God by defining him but by being loved by him and loving in return. The consequences of this are personally revelatory: another does not know me, nor do I know another, by defining or explaining, by categorizing or by psychologizing, but only … Continue reading Quote of Note #167: Knowing God