Prayer Note #27 — Lord of All

Lord of heaven, Lord of earth, Lord of all time, Lord of this moment, Lord of all things living and Lord of my own beating heart, I want you to be my Lord.  I want my fleeting thoughts to be from you and for you.  I want you to be the head waters of my … Continue reading Prayer Note #27 — Lord of All

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

Prayer Note #26 — A Pastor’s Sunday Morning Prayer

Lord, my emotions are squirming around in me in a very uncomfortable way.  I know that that is caused by a wide range of pressures, stressors, foolish thoughts, genuine problems, and a real sense of overload, of having more things in my mind than I can keep track of.  Important matters are slipping through my … Continue reading Prayer Note #26 — A Pastor’s Sunday Morning Prayer

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

Prayer Note #17 — Heavy Burdens

What heavy burdens life seems to lay on me, Lord!  Is it because the burdens are heavy or because my shoulders are weak?  Is it because I needlessly toss burdens on my back that you haven't given me?  Is it because I am prone to name as burdens things that you name as gifts and … Continue reading Prayer Note #17 — Heavy Burdens

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

Bible Note #5 — Deuteronomy 13:1-5

Deuteronomy 13 1 If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship … Continue reading Bible Note #5 — Deuteronomy 13:1-5

Bible Notes #1– Jeremiah 8:6-7

This passage contains an interesting and powerful contrast.  Sinful human action is like a war horse, charging into battle.  What is such a charge like?  It is determined and direct.  It is forceful, intent on driving through every obstacle.  It is directed by a distinct purpose, the fulfillment of the rider's own intention.  It is … Continue reading Bible Notes #1– Jeremiah 8:6-7

Pastor Notes #15 — A Theology of Sex

A Theology of Sex Rev. Gary A. Chorpenning We live in an age of sexual confusion.  I suspect it might be possible to make the argument that human beings have lived in sexual confusion ever since the Fall in to sin described in Genesis 3. Forty-one years ago the Presbyterian church produced “The Confession of … Continue reading Pastor Notes #15 — A Theology of Sex

Prayer Notes #8

The following is an excerpt from much longer piece that I edited and updated from a classic manual of piety from  early seventeenth century England.  Feel free to make use of this in any way that will be helpful to the body of Christ.  Two requests:  mention where your got it and don't make money … Continue reading Prayer Notes #8