[Although I have called this a "Pastor's Prayer," with a slight adjustment of the language, this prayer might well work as a prayer for any Christian who wants to be a channel of blessing to the people in their lives. And what Christian wouldn't want to be a channel of God's blessing in the lives … Continue reading Prayer Note #46 — A Channel of Blessing: a Pastor’s Prayer
Tag: Jesus
BIBLE NOTE #18–Matthew14:22-33: Adventures in Water-walking with Jesus
ADVENTURES IN WATER-WALKING WITH JESUS I love this passage – Matthew 14:22-32. But I’m still not sure I understand what Peter had in mind (v.28). It all happened one dark, windy night out in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. It’s typically called a “sea,” but really it’s a large, freshwater lake. Still, … Continue reading BIBLE NOTE #18–Matthew14:22-33: Adventures in Water-walking with Jesus
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 #42 — A Prayer from Matthew 4:12-23
Read: Matthew 4:12-23 It must have been really hard, Lord, for Peter and Andrew, James and John to get up, leave their stuff behind, and follow you. I say that because I know how hard it would be for me to do that. But, Lord Jesus, why do I say … Continue reading Prayer Note #42 — A Prayer from Matthew 4:12-23
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
Pastor Note #44 — Coffee Mugs and Robust Coffee, Churches and the Powerful Presence of Jesus
There are several steady coffee mugs in my life. In our kitchen cabinets at home, we have quite a stable of coffee mugs. Coffee mugs seem to just accumulate over time. Recently, we cleared some of them out because we were running out of room on the shelves. I’m willing to drink coffee out of … Continue reading Pastor Note #44 — Coffee Mugs and Robust Coffee, Churches and the Powerful Presence of Jesus
Pastor Note #43 — Blood on the Pew (A day in March 2000)
It was Tuesday noontime. I had gone into the big, dark Romanesque sanctuary of my church in downtown Columbus, Ohio for a weekly prayer meeting with a handful or so of people, mostly not members of my congregation but rather folks who worked downtown and constituted part of my weekday ancillary congregation. As I sat … Continue reading Pastor Note #43 — Blood on the Pew (A day in March 2000)
Pastor Note #41–From the Earliest Days
From my earliest days, I have been part of a Presbyterian church. Much of my extended family was actively involved in the life and ministry of that church. Although the congregation of my youth was biblically grounded, it was not especially remarkable compared to other churches in the community. About the time … Continue reading Pastor Note #41–From the Earliest Days
Pastor Note #39: A Statement of Faith
God is not an idea or a concept but is rather a Personal Being of infinite power, beauty, and goodness. He is a Being who desires to be known and reveals himself to us. He makes himself known to us through the works of his creation and through direct experience of his Holy Spirit. … Continue reading Pastor Note #39: A Statement of Faith
Pastor Note #36–Beyond a Pentecost According to Robert’s Rules of Order
In 2012, two important Christian holy days occur in May – important Christian holy days that Presbyterian Christians have tended to be uncomfortable with. I’ll explain that statement, shall I? The two holy days are Ascension and Pentecost. First the easy part, I say these holy days take place in May this year, because these … Continue reading Pastor Note #36–Beyond a Pentecost According to Robert’s Rules of Order
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 