"Joy and resentment cannot coexist." Henri Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming. New York:Image/Doubleday, 1992, page 73.
Tag: grace
Prayer Note #58–Burnishing my Clay
Father of my hope: in life and in death I belong to you; in righteousness and sin, in the light and in the darkness, in all times and in all places, I am yours. I want the fullness of your Spirit. I want to be filled to overflowing. I want to know you, not as … Continue reading Prayer Note #58–Burnishing my Clay
Pastor Note #73: No “Us” and “Them”: Race, Ethnicity, and the Mandate of Love
No “Us” and “Them”: Race, Ethnicity, and the Mandate of Love A Sermon Preached at Venice Presbyterian Church on August 20, 2017 Pastor Gary A. Chorpenning Venice Presbyterian Church Cecil Township, PA http://www.venice-church.org Acts 15:1-21 Since you can’t help but notice it, let me acknowledge that I’m going to do something here this morning that … Continue reading Pastor Note #73: No “Us” and “Them”: Race, Ethnicity, and the Mandate of Love
Bible Note #20 — Deuteronomy 22:6-7 and Cruelty to the Vulnerable and Weak
Deuteronomy 22:6-7 [ESV] “If you come across a bird's nest in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young. You shall let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself, that it … Continue reading Bible Note #20 — Deuteronomy 22:6-7 and Cruelty to the Vulnerable and Weak
Quotes of Note #6 — Humility, Self-Examination, and the Grace of God
"It is only our exaggerated sense of self-righteousness that prevents us from looking honestly at ourselves. As Christians we know that the Holy Spirit dwells within us, but we must also become aware of where we are tolerating sin if we will be successful in our war against the devil. Therefore, be specific when you … Continue reading Quotes of Note #6 — Humility, Self-Examination, and the Grace of God
Prayer Note #50 — Wandering
O my Lord and Father, I long for you. Year after year I have wandered after other food for my soul. But it was no food. It was poison. I could see that very clearly. I could see how it always diminished me. I withered. Yet, I persisted. But so did you. You persisted with … Continue reading Prayer Note #50 — Wandering
Prayer Note #49 — A Prayer for Those Who Know Their Sins Well
Without your mercy, I will die. Apart from your forgiveness, you will consume me in the fires of your holy judgment. How can I live apart from you? I would be lost entirely! Yet, how can I live in your presence? I should be devoured by your holy wrath! I will hide in Jesus. In … Continue reading Prayer Note #49 — A Prayer for Those Who Know Their Sins Well
Pastor Note #32 — “Forgive Me!”
Forgive Me! Forgiving is not one of the easier parts of the Christian faith. In fact, it’s something that I myself struggle with from time to time. I know, I know. You’re saying, “Not you! Surely not you! You are such a nice guy, such a nice, easy-tempered guy. I simply can’t believe … Continue reading Pastor Note #32 — “Forgive Me!”
Prayer Note #29 — “Thanks You, Heavenly Father” — a Communion Hymn
Thank You, Heavenly Father Gary A. Chorpenning Thank you, Heav’nly Father, for this meal, broken body of your Son our Lord. Thank you, Holy God, for wine poured out, blood of Jesus spilled for our foul sins. Refrain: Life out of death, hope from despair, sacrificial cross to throne of grace, Bread of his … Continue reading Prayer Note #29 — “Thanks You, Heavenly Father” — a Communion Hymn
Sermons #6 — Sex and Loving God: Sin and Grace, Forgiveness and Righteousness
Part 4 of my "Sex and Loving God" series, here I explore John 8:2-11 and the notion of a community of brokenness--a community of redemption. Earlier in the service, the congregation read Psalm 32 responsively, and that psalm served as a part of the biblical context for this sermon. "Sex and Loving God: Sin and … Continue reading Sermons #6 — Sex and Loving God: Sin and Grace, Forgiveness and Righteousness
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 