Tag: faith

Bible Note #57: Zacchaeus #1–The Real Zacchaeus and That Terrible Children’s Song

~ gachorpenning ~ 6 Comments

Christians, especially American Christians, can be really good at sanitizing the gospels in order to make Jesus less offensive.  We want a version of Jesus that doesn’t make us uncomfortable, one that fits with our American way of seeing things.  The story of Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus is a case in point. One of the … Continue reading Bible Note #57: Zacchaeus #1–The Real Zacchaeus and That Terrible Children’s Song

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

Bible Note #56: Mark 10:35-45 & Serving or Ruling Over

~ gachorpenning ~ 1 Comment

So, we’ve just come out of an election.  Some Christian folks are delighted.  Some Christian folks are despairing.  Both are wrong because both are badly misguided.  The first group—the delighted group—is delighted because they believe they now have their hands on the levers of power.  The second group—the despairing group—is despairing because they believe they … Continue reading Bible Note #56: Mark 10:35-45 & Serving or Ruling Over

Pastor Note #138: The Way of Jesus: Selfless Service OR Coercion and Domination?

~ gachorpenning ~ 10 Comments

The Way of Jesus: Selfless Service OR Coercion and Domination? The Church of Jesus Christ in America has to decide whether it will embrace coercion as a tool of mission and ministry or not.  This decision is not a new one for Christians.  Throughout our history, we have frequently embraced a love affair with coercion … Continue reading Pastor Note #138: The Way of Jesus: Selfless Service OR Coercion and Domination?

Quote of Note #183: Giving Myself Away for Christ

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"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

Pastor Note #137: Other People’s Sins & Reading the Bible

~ gachorpenning ~ 1 Comment

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

Pastor Note #136: Cable News Networks Are Evil

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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

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