“As was in many of the most religious people of Jesus' day, it is possible to become fully versed in a theological tradition or excel in theological education and still have a hardened heart that never truly surrendered to the Word of God.” Costanzo, et al (for full quote, click link below)
Tag: witness
Prayer Note #69: A Prayer (Drawn from Colossians 3:12-14)
Grant that I might be a living embodiment of Christ’s saving, healing, redeeming love in this broken world.
Pastor Note #141: Getting My Bearing for These Times (Cont.): Rejecting Coercion
Coercion can never achieve the kingdom of God. I do not believe it is ever God’s desire or plan that any one group of Christians should aspire to get its hands on the levers of coercive governmental power and use that coercive power to impose its will on its unwilling neighbors. Again, coercion cannot and will never achieve the kingdom of God.
Quote of Note #209: Gracious Persuasion vs. Hostile Conquest
"This change should always be the desired outcome, rather than the pride of having won a battle and leaving an opponent flattened and humiliated in the dust." J. Crotts
Quote of Note #207: The Church & Governments
"If the church is to be the conscience of the state, it must begin with the courage to tell the truth." S. Bezner in _Your Jesus Is Too American_
Bible Note #62: Compassion & the Anger of Jesus–Mark 3:1-6
They knew that Jesus was guided by compassion for the weak and broken and not by some hard-edged interpretation of the law.
Quote of Note #176: Drawing People to Christ
"We do not draw people to Christ by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it." Madeleine L'Engle, Waltking on Water: Reflections on … Continue reading Quote of Note #176: Drawing People to Christ
Quote of Note #175: Christlike Living, the Cruciform Life
"Jesus calls his followers to a countercultural, sacrificial, and cruciform life. Christianity is not about internal morality or rigorously keeping a list of commandments. It is about becoming more like Jesus. As we grow in Christlikeness, our lives will become more reflective of the love, mercy, and justice of Jesus." Dominique Dubois Gilliard, Subversive Witness: … Continue reading Quote of Note #175: Christlike Living, the Cruciform Life
Quote of Note #174: Christlike Cultural Engagement
"Among the most countercultural things Jesus ever said, no matter the culture, were his commands in the Sermon on the Mount: 'But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also,' and 'You have heard that it was said, "Love … Continue reading Quote of Note #174: Christlike Cultural Engagement
Prayer Note #64: Anger and the Fruit of God’s Spirit
God, my Father, as I look around me,as I see the newsand read my social media feed,anger wells up in me.I am offended by what I see.This world is not as it should be.In my anger, I want to lash out.In my offense, I want to call downfire from heaven.Then, I find in your wordthat … Continue reading Prayer Note #64: Anger and the Fruit of God’s Spirit
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 