Category Archives: ‘CHOP Talk’ Blog

• But Have Not Prayer

  Posted on May 12, 2014 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.

    The beating heart of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is his address on love in chapter 13. Paul speaks of love, however, not to wax poetic, but to render cardiac care. The church was beset with sexual immorality, doctrinal division, and personal agendas.  They were a body that was plagued with heart disease […]

  Post Tagged with 1 Corinthians 13, effectiveness, fruit, growth, love, prayer, vigor
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• Snack Foods and Sanctification (2 of 2)

  Posted on May 5, 2014 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.

    A church that works properly is characterized by loving fellowship. Paul is addressing individuals.  No doubt those who read his letter would think of certain slackers and freeloaders.  Names and faces would come to mind. But Paul is not just writing just to those derelicts. He is writing to the church. He is speaking […]

  Post Tagged with 2 Thessalonians, church, disciples, example, Herr's, leadership, prayer, sanctification, snack foods, teaching, work
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• Snack Foods and Sanctification (1 of 2)

  Posted on April 29, 2014 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.

    “Busy bodies, not busybodies.” That’s what the Apostle Paul stresses as he winds down his second letter to the Thessalonians. This is what he says: “For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies” (2 Thess. 3:11). Evidently, there were a number of people in the church […]

  Post Tagged with 2 Thessalonians, church, disciples, example, Herr's, leadership, prayer, sanctification, snack foods, teaching, work
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• The Greatest Puzzle of All

  Posted on April 21, 2014 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.

    Earlier this month, student representatives from the universities of Alabama, Indiana and Texas A&M faced off against each other as part of Wheel of Fortune’s College Week. One freshman had dominated the board, amassing money and prizes on the way, including the $1,000,000 prize. The category was “character.” Vanna had turned over every letter […]

  Post Tagged with gospel, puzzle, salvation, Wheel of Fortune
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• Misplaced Faith

  Posted on April 7, 2014 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.

    My breakfast appointment was running late.  That gave me opportunity to talk with one of the servers at the restaurant we were meeting.  I had gotten to know her a little bit from previous visits, enough to know of her Roman Catholic background. With no other customers demanding her attention, the server and I […]

  Post Tagged with Catholic, evangelism, faith, gospel, Mary, Satan
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• Jesus’ Silly Saying– a children’s message

  Posted on February 17, 2014 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.

    Jesus said something really silly. He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). What’s silly about that?  The silly part is not that Jesus calls Himself a vine.  […]

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• The Power Grid for a House of Prayer

  Posted on February 11, 2014 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.

    My region was rocked by an ice storm last Wednesday.  The aftermath was catastrophic, like something out of a war movie.  Entire trees came down, some on roadways, some on houses, some on cars.  Fallen branches were everywhere, taking with them power lines. My home lost power about five in the morning.  We were […]

  Post Tagged with abide, basic training, connect, electricity, grid, house of prayer, power, prayer, shepherding
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• Christ’s Message to His Church

  Posted on January 28, 2014 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.

    (Note:  This message finished a sermon series through 1 Thessalonians.  It lays out matters of importance for every local church.) Last Sunday we concluded our study of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, looking at chapter five, verses 23-28.  Paul doesn’t introduce new material in this final section but he does emphasize some things […]

  Post Tagged with 1 Thessalonians, church, community, holy kiss, pastor, prayer, preaching
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• The Sermon Satan Didn’t Want My People to Hear

  Posted on January 20, 2014 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.

    Last week’s worship service at my church was well attended.  But I knew this week would be different. I knew it when I started study of the next passage in 1 Thessalonians, the book of the Bible I am preaching through.  It occurred to me that this is not something that Satan wants the […]

  Post Tagged with church health, Satan, spiritual warfare, unity
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• 

  Never Alone

  Posted on December 26, 2013 by sdgale in 'CHOP Talk' Blog.

    The temperature that day was in the 40s, heading to the mid-50s, unusual for mid-December in Pennsylvania.  It seemed opportune for a little prayer-strolling around the public gardens of which I was a member but had not visited in a while.  Plus, the grounds were superbly bedecked for the Christmas season.  It was daylight.  […]

  Post Tagged with communion, companionship, Longwood Gardens, prayer
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