"As people whose prophetic paradigm is shaped by the radical hope of the gospel, they would reject conspiracy theories, sensationalism, and fear-mongers." Mark Chironna, The Dead Prophets Society: The Significance of Prophetic Function in the 21st Century. Self-published, 2018, page 40.
Tag: hope
Bible Note #22: Facing the Evil
Facing the Evil The year 1944. The place, Nazi-occupied Poland. The narrator, Dr. Viktor Frankl, an Jewish psychiatrist from Austria. Fifteen hundred people had been traveling by train for several days and nights: there were eighty people in each coach. All had to lie on top of their luggage, the few remnants of their personal … Continue reading Bible Note #22: Facing the Evil
Pastor Note #56 — On Marriage and Redemption
I’ve been married now for almost twenty-nine years. So has my wife. We got married at the same time. I think I can say without much hesitation that my wife and I have a good marriage. It has been a tremendous blessing to my life. Nothing in my life has quite equaled it, except … Continue reading Pastor Note #56 — On Marriage and Redemption
Prayer Note #45 — The Arithmetic of God
Where do I find hope, except in you, Good Father? Yet, I continue to look in other places. I continue to behave as if I expect to find something better, more pleasing than you. Of course, I never find anything remotely approaching you. Everything I find is cotton candy, sugar water, candy corn. You … Continue reading Prayer Note #45 — The Arithmetic of God
Pastor Note #49 — Living in Time, Living with God, Part 5 — The Future Tense of Faith
Ebenezer Scrooge, when he met the Spirit of Christmases-Yet-to-Come, said, “Of all the spirits I find you the most dreadful.” And when he says that in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, we all somehow understand what he means. The thought of that which is yet to come can … Continue reading Pastor Note #49 — Living in Time, Living with God, Part 5 — The Future Tense of Faith
Bible Note #13 — 1 Peter 1:23-25
"For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, 'All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.' (Isaiah 40:6-8)" 1 … Continue reading Bible Note #13 — 1 Peter 1:23-25
Pastor Note #34–A Pastoral Letter to Someone Who Had Suffered a Debilitating Accident
Dear "L," It was really good to see you at the church yesterday. It was very brave of you, because I could see that you were suffering a lot of pain. I don't understand why you have had to suffer so much in the last few months. I wish I did. I do know that … Continue reading Pastor Note #34–A Pastoral Letter to Someone Who Had Suffered a Debilitating Accident
Prayer Note #30 — On Depression
[from my prayer journal, January 9, 2009] I'm very tired this morning, Lord. I have been for most of the week. I've been back to swimming for exercise after a bit of a lay-off. So, I suppose the physical tiredness that I feel is partly to do with that. But, Lord, my tiredness seems to … Continue reading Prayer Note #30 — On Depression
Sermon #4 — Sex and Loving God: Brokenness and Redemption
The sermon linked to this post is the second sermon in a series on human sexuality and God. This sermon was preached at North Presbyterian Church, Elmira, NY on Sunday, January 15, 2012. Earlier in the service, we read responsively Isaiah 61:1-4. Then on this recording of the sermon, I read from Romans 1:18-32. The … Continue reading Sermon #4 — Sex and Loving God: Brokenness and Redemption
Pastor Note #29 — Looking Around the Corner
So, we’ve come to the beginning of a new year, and those seem lately to come flying around more often than once a year. The idea that time seems to move more quickly as we get older is not a novel idea. Conventional wisdom says it's true. And who am I to argue with conventional … Continue reading Pastor Note #29 — Looking Around the Corner
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 