This sermon was preached at North Presbyterian Church on January 8, 2012 at morning worship. It's part of a series I preached on the topic of "Sex and Loving God." During that worship service we read Matthew 2:1-12 ( because this was the Sunday nearest to Epiphany, the church holy day when we celebrate the … Continue reading Sermon #3–Sex and Loving God: Natures and Origins
Tag: discipleship
Pastor Note #28 — The Marks of Everyday Life
Bringing the Marks of Everyday Life into the Presence of the Lord Finally, I had a decent black suit. I was very pleased with that fact on this particular morning as I drove to conduct a funeral. Until a recent, successful trip to the Bargain Hut, I had been without a good black suit. I … Continue reading Pastor Note #28 — The Marks of Everyday Life
Pastor Note #27 — Are You Ready?
ARE YOU READY? Rev. Gary Chorpenning It isn’t really supposed to be a happy season – Advent isn’t. But we have tended to make it that way. Well, who can blame us? Our world has been feeling rather grim lately. Who could blame us for grabbing hold of any little occasion for happiness we can … Continue reading Pastor Note #27 — Are You Ready?
Sermon #2 — Exodus 16:1-35
This is now the second sermon in a series on the manna and quail of the wilderness journey. In this sermon, I explore how the values and priorities of ancient paganism aren't all that far away from the modern, westerner's wrestling with faith. Here's a link to the text of Exodus 16:1-35. Here's the link … Continue reading Sermon #2 — Exodus 16:1-35
Pastor Note #25 — Words of “Wisdom” from One of the Old Guys
Today, I received an e-mail from my seminary alma mater, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. It was sent out to all of their alumni, inviting them to share some "words of wisdom" for those who will be graduating in about a month. Since that sounded like a lot more fun than what I was supposed to be … Continue reading Pastor Note #25 — Words of “Wisdom” from One of the Old Guys
Pastor Note #24 — Getting in the Habit of God
Some things you must understand in order to do them. Surgery is one example of that principle that comes to mind. Conversely, some things you must do in order to understand them. Fasting is a prime example of this latter principle. From an intellectual perspective fasting is hard to understand. All sorts of plausible reasons … Continue reading Pastor Note #24 — Getting in the Habit of God
Pastor Note #23 — Marking Time
Seasons come and go, cycling from one to the next. Our calendars turn from one year to the next. Time passes along, steadily, inescapably, unavoidably, relentlessly. Recently, I was sitting in the dental chair waiting for my dentist to finish with another patient across the room. The dentist was saying something to that patient about … Continue reading Pastor Note #23 — Marking Time
Prayer Note #19 — A Christian’s Prayer at the Turning of the Year
A Christian’s Prayer at the Turning of the Year Lord Jesus, you are the Word through whom all things were spoken into existence. You are the eternal Word who was present before the beginning of time itself. And you are the Word who became flesh to live in this world of days and nights, … Continue reading Prayer Note #19 — A Christian’s Prayer at the Turning of the Year
Bible Note #6 — The Bible and Worship
The Bible is a very obliging book in at least one particular respect, and that is that the Bible explains in fairly straightforward terms what it is. That fact hasn’t caused scholars and others to refrain from arguing about the matter. That argument has been going on for centuries, off and on. But especially in … Continue reading Bible Note #6 — The Bible and Worship
Prayer Notes #13 — Casting Burdens
Dear Jesus, I am awake now more than an hour before I need to be. My fears woke me up. Or did you wake me up in order to deal with me about my fears? I feel as if I am living very randomly, driven by my impulses and whims. And these impulses and whims, … Continue reading Prayer Notes #13 — Casting Burdens
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 