The Bible has a lot to say about prayer. Some of the places where we find wisdom and instruction on prayer don't actually use the word much or even at all. In Psalm 84, the word, "prayer," appears once, yet the entire psalm is about communing with God. And communing with God is certainly the … Continue reading Prayer Note #23 — A Bible Study on Prayer, Psalm 84:1-12
Tag: Elmira
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
Backyard Note #5 — Feeding the Stock
[From a journal entry dated July 2003] I've been busy hunting for food for our various wildlife guests. We have been collecting specimens from the Chemung River. It all started with the set of twenty or so toad tadpoles that we found in a small pool along the bank of the river. It was water … Continue reading Backyard Note #5 — Feeding the Stock
Bible Note #7 — Esteeming Christ
Isaiah 49:1-6 Lord, there are some things about this passage of your scriptures that I don’t think I understand. I know that you want me to understand your word. But sometimes that isn’t easy. Here in these verses someone is speaking about his mission – a mission he has received from you, but who … Continue reading Bible Note #7 — Esteeming Christ
Prayer Note #22 — The God of All Things
My Lord, you are the brightness of light warming the darkness and gloom. You are the great sweeping vista, when I feel stifled and suffocated and trapped. You are the verdant, well-forested hills that embrace me and hide me, when I fell exposed and vulnerable. You are the bubbling spring in the desert, the firm, … Continue reading Prayer Note #22 — The God of All Things
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
Prayer Note #20 — On a Snowy Day
What a gloriously complex and intricate world you have made for us to live in, Lord! I am so very grateful. The beauty of the white snow blanketing everything and even doing a kind of tight-rope walk along the utility lines and tiny branches of the trees seems to somehow blanket and soothe my busy … Continue reading Prayer Note #20 — On a Snowy Day
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
Prayer Note #18 — Holy Pleasures
You, O Lord, give blessings and fullness of pleasures. Your pleasures surpass all the little, passing pleasures of sin and self-service. Serving you is the richest form of pleasure, though my worldly eyes have trouble recognizing that. Correct my vision today and always, so that I will be able to see, recognize, and hunger after … Continue reading Prayer Note #18 — Holy Pleasures
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 