“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NIV) The idea of “taking delight” or pleasure in the Lord is one that we modern Western Christians have a tendency to spiritualize in a way that, I think, David and ancient Israelites did not. We want this … Continue reading Bible Note #59: The Delight of Feasting on God’s Presence
Tag: God
Bible Note#58: Zacchaeus #2–Some Background
In order to understand this encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9), we need to know a little bit about the geography of the Holy Land in Jesus' time. So, let’s start with this question: where was Jericho and what was Jesus doing there? I’ll address the second question first. What was Jesus doing in … Continue reading Bible Note#58: Zacchaeus #2–Some Background
Pastor Note #139: Learning to Live without Chains in Christ’s Victory
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
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?
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
"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
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
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 #173: The God Who Speaks to Us
"Even when the Word of God strikes a man without warning, when there is a sudden conversion, and inner call, which changes all at once the direction of his life, he perceives that God has been speaking to him for a long time, that the dialogue was already going on in the darkness of the … Continue reading Quote of Note #173: The God Who Speaks to Us
Quote of Note #168: Holiness, Grace, and Following Jesus
"What then is the way to holiness? It is a narrow way and leads through a strait gate, but we cannot with justice complain that it is difficult either to trace or to follow. Many other and harder ways have been tried. On the banks of the Ganges or on the pilgrim route to Mecca … Continue reading Quote of Note #168: Holiness, Grace, and Following Jesus
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 