Monthly Archives: January 2013
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When Words Fail
Posted on January 28, 2013 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.As part of my studies in college, I had to take a course in linguistics. I remember a professor explaining the Whorfian Hypothesis, which asserted that our concept of the world cannot exceed the limits of our language to describe it. In other words, only as we have the vocabulary to capture something can […]
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Confession Prayer is Confessing Prayer
Posted on January 21, 2013 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.Does God forgive our sins if we confess them? The answer requires some explanation, and some backstory. Sinners Saved By Grace Even our best intentions are infected by sin that remains in the flesh. All of us can identify with Paul in Romans 7 as he wrestles with that remaining sin. The line from […]
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The Prayer Life of Recovering Pharisees
Posted on January 19, 2013 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.We often think it rather rude to lift ourselves up at the expense of others. We might grimace when our mother compares us to our sibling, telling us to “Look at Johnny. He always keeps his room clean. Why can’t you be more like your brother?” But learning through comparing ourselves with others has […]
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Prayer, the Flu and the Fiscal Cliff
Posted on January 14, 2013 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.“When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) I used to think that was a rhetorical question by our Lord, but now I’m not so sure. Jesus made that statement at the conclusion of the parable of the persistent widow (or parable of the unjust judge, depending […]
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Dear Abba
Posted on January 11, 2013 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.Abby of “Dear Abby” fame was asked a question that piqued my interest. One, because I wondered how Abby would answer it. Two, because I wondered how I would answer it. Three, because I wondered what God would say about it in His Word (hence the clever “Dear Abba” title—Romans 8:15). Here’s the question. […]
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Using Psalm 143 as a Template for Prayer
Posted on January 7, 2013 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.The psalms are wonderful guides for our prayer. What besetting sin have you fallen into again—overspending, pornography, alcohol, gambling, gluttony? Psalms 51 or Psalm 32 could provide a template for your prayer, leading you in confession of your sin. Another prospect would be to employ Psalm 143 to take you by the hand and […]
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Prayer Changes Things – But What?
Posted on January 4, 2013 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.The end of a calendar year brings a flood of communications and solicitations. I confess that amidst the avalanche that crosses my desk most go unread, many even unopened. Something in one I did open, however, caught my eye. It contained a brief article entitled, “Prayer Changes Things.” The Lord has been working mightily […]
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