photo by GAC "The truth is that civility is not something that stands over against biblically based convictions in a kind of 'tension' relationship. To put it bluntly: the obligation to be civil is itself a matter of biblical conviction. This is very clear, for example, in 1 Peter 3:15. . .'Always be prepared to … Continue reading Quote of Note #161: The Biblical Mandate for Civility
Tag: Religion & Spirituality
Quote of Note #158: Christianity and Nationalism
“Mr. [Middleton] Murry holds that ‘the real conflict that is preparing is the conflict between Christianity and anti-Christian nationalism’: but surely a nationalism which is overtly antagonistic to Christianity is a less dangerous menace for us than a nationalism which professes a Christianity from which all Christian content has been evacuated.” T. S. Eliot, Christianity … Continue reading Quote of Note #158: Christianity and Nationalism
Quote of Note #155: Loving Jesus & Serving the Common Good
photo by GAC "When we take on the mindset of Christ, we do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit and refrain from exploiting our status or position for selfish gain. We also, in humility, empty ourselves for the sake of the kingdom and our neighbors. This entails standing in solidarity with our neighbors when … Continue reading Quote of Note #155: Loving Jesus & Serving the Common Good
Pastor Note #123: The Gospel Art of Apologizing
The art of apologizing is something that has to be learned. We tend to assume that apologizing is an act that everyone just naturally knows how to do. And I suppose in every day, little mishaps, the simple but sincere “I’m sorry” is sufficient to cover matters. But in most matters bigger than minor, … Continue reading Pastor Note #123: The Gospel Art of Apologizing
Quote of Note #154: The Inclusiveness of Loving my Neighbor
Photo by GAC "It is intriguing to me that when Jesus points to the centrality of love, he also invokes a metaphor which is not familial (e.g.. 'brother' or 'friend') or ethnic (e.g. 'your people'), but almost geographical: we are to love the neighbor -- the one next to us, who happens (by providence) to … Continue reading Quote of Note #154: The Inclusiveness of Loving my Neighbor
Quote of Note #151: The Universal Need for Salvation and Healing
"Beloved, all of us--and I do mean all of us--desperately need healing. All of us are fragmented. All of us are broken. All of us have been diminished by what took place in the beginning in the Garden of Paradise. All of us need deliverance. All of us need to be loved. All of us … Continue reading Quote of Note #151: The Universal Need for Salvation and Healing
Gary’s Blog Resources for Lent and Holy Week
Let me start this “Blog Note” by first thanking all of you who follow for continuing to check in on my posts. I’ve been going through a bit of a life transition in the last few months that has interfered with my posting. But I think I’m getting back to a place where I will … Continue reading Gary’s Blog Resources for Lent and Holy Week
Quote of Note #150: Dependence on God
Song Sparrow; photo by GAC a "To depend on God is to be free of men, things, and self. It is to be able to take pleasure in all his gifts, without being the slave to any. It is to be able, as occasion demands, to spend and to save, to speak and to forbear, … Continue reading Quote of Note #150: Dependence on God
Bible Note #41: Building Up and Healing with Words
“Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing.” Proverbs 12:18 [NET] This verse is built on a recognition of the power of words. And the couplet begins with a warning about the destructive power of words. It is very tempting to launch out now on a … Continue reading Bible Note #41: Building Up and Healing with Words
Quote of Note #103: Pride and Sinning with Words
"The mother of all sin is pride. Those who are being harsh and critical think they are right. In fact, they are certain they are right. Fools are filled with pride. 'I don't really care about you and what you think,' the fool tells himself. 'It's my view or no view!' As Proverbs 18:2 puts … Continue reading Quote of Note #103: Pride and Sinning with Words
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 