"But the truth is that there is enough time and enough wealth to go around. The people in the churches every Sunday outnumber the people who are on the streets and the number of people who are on welfare. If the church took up the responsibility of caring for the poor, of living internationally, of … Continue reading Quote of Note #183: Giving Myself Away for Christ
Tag: Christianity
Quote of Note #182: Holy Spirit-Empowered Non-violence
"I quickly came to understand that non-violence takes more strength than violence--and it takes more than just human strength. It takes God's strength working in human beings to produce self-control, gentleness, and the other fruit of the Holy Spirit. God's power comes in our weakness and brokenness." John M. Perkins, Dream With Me: Race, Love, … Continue reading Quote of Note #182: Holy Spirit-Empowered Non-violence
Pastor Note #137: Other People’s Sins & Reading the Bible
When reading the Bible, do you ever find yourself convicted about some sin in your life? Do you find that the Bible sometimes points out something about the way you’re living that just isn’t right with God? That’s uncomfortable, isn’t it? Let me suggest a surefire way to keep that from happening. Try to always … Continue reading Pastor Note #137: Other People’s Sins & Reading the Bible
Quote of Note #181: Political Idolatry
"That American Christians are known among many not for our primary allegiance to God's kingdom, but rather for our allegiance to wealth, power, and voting blocs suggests that the very fabric of our churches has become idolatrous. Thus the idols plaguing the American church are not made of wood, metal, or stone, but instead lie … Continue reading Quote of Note #181: Political Idolatry
Pastor Note #136: Cable News Networks Are Evil
What follows will read like a rant. I’m sorry about that. Try not to traffic in rants. So, let me ask that you take it as a plea—a plea from the heart of a pastor who is concerned for your spiritual well-being. If you watch more than an hour or so of some 24-hour cable … Continue reading Pastor Note #136: Cable News Networks Are Evil
Quote of Note #180: The Christian & Partisan Politics
"In culturally polarized times, it can be tempting to find comfort in a partisan Christ who will place a halo over our politics. But the biblical Jesus calls us to renounce the world and follow him--to allow the gospel to lead us." Jonathan K. Dodson, The Unwavering Pastor: Leading the Church with Grace in Divisive … Continue reading Quote of Note #180: The Christian & Partisan Politics
Quote of Note #179: Spiritual Wisdom and Justice
"Spiritual wisdom is false unless it goes beyond pious sacrifices and regulated worship services and enters into the bloodstream of society by giving justice to the downtrodden, the lonely, and the destitute, and ending the oppression of social outcasts (Isaiah 1:10-20; 29:13-24; 58-59; Amos 5-6; Micah 2-3, 6)." Calvin G. Seerveld, Biblical Studies and Wisdom … Continue reading Quote of Note #179: Spiritual Wisdom and Justice
Quote of Note #178: Our Broken Selves
"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
"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
"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
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 