By Chaplain Mike What do you need when you have spent your whole life giving to others, sacrificing your dreams to do the responsible thing, being the person others count on when the chips are down; when you are tired of being “that guy” that everyone looks to but no one appreciates? What do youContinue reading “It’s a Wonderful Gospel”
Monthly Archives: December 2010
Some More Of My Favorite Things
I like books. Ok, so that’s not exactly a revelation to those who know me. Saying “I like books” is kind of like saying Dagwood likes sandwiches. I have, well, let’s just say I have a few books. If by “few” we mean “a few thousand,” then we’re on the right track. So it cameContinue reading “Some More Of My Favorite Things”
God With Us
“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—‘tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.†As a writer, these words by Mark Twain evoke a resounding Amen deep inside me. How many times have I labored for an hour or more to fix one sentence thatContinue reading “God With Us”
Ajith Fernando on Pastoral Ministry
By Chaplain Mike In contrast to the “Disneyized” bigger, better, event and attraction oriented approach of much that we call “ministry” today, there are pastors who understand the importance of daily faithfulness, quiet consistency, regular personal interaction with those in their congregations, and ministry activities like pastoral visitation and encouraging people to fulfill their vocationsContinue reading “Ajith Fernando on Pastoral Ministry”
Ben Hur and the Nativity
Guest Post by Andy Zehner The readers of iMonk can, I’m sure, give a very good account of the theology of the Incarnation and the fulfillment in Christ of Messianic prophesies. Many can recite the second chapter of Luke from “And it came to pass in those days . . .†to “But Mary keptContinue reading “Ben Hur and the Nativity”
Peterson on Jesus as the Way
By Chaplain Mike Yesterday, in the light of our “Disney-ization” post, a friend reminded me of an interview Eugene Peterson did with Christianity Today’s Mark Galli back in 2005 called, “Spirituality for All the Wrong Reasons.” This discussion between two of my favorite writers examines the “Jesus way” of living the spiritual life vs. variousContinue reading “Peterson on Jesus as the Way”
The Real “Santa Claus”
By Chaplain Mike In this morning’s post, we talked about the difference between Biblical Christianity and the “Disney-ized” version so prevalent in America today. Another example of turning a classic tale into a shallow, sentimentalized version for mass consumption (more in our culture than in the church) is what we have done to the storyContinue reading “The Real “Santa Claus””
From The Publisher
Chaplain Mike’s recent post on the Disney-ization of faith has created quite a firestorm of responses. We welcome (most) all voices here at the iMonastery, and are glad we can be a home for the discussion, both measured and impassioned. I want to point out that Chaplain Mike and our other writers write as individuals. They doContinue reading “From The Publisher”
The Disney-ization of Faith
By Chaplain Mike NOTE from CM: Comments on this post are closed. Please join us on current posts for further discussion. • • • Let me say it right from the beginning — I have always enjoyed Disney movies and characters. From my infancy, when mom and dad took me to Disneyland, to my childhoodContinue reading “The Disney-ization of Faith”
Christ’s Good Works and Mine
By Chaplain Mike The Advent and Christmas season is traditionally a time for participating in good works and giving to those around us. For your contemplation today, here is a passage from one of Martin Luther’s Advent sermons on the subject. I find his words wonderfully down-to-earth and clear. In summary, Luther teaches: To God,Continue reading “Christ’s Good Works and Mine”
The Internet Monk Archives 