Chaplainmike

Another Look: Mud Season and Me

These are the ugly days. Before the new season springs forth in delicate color and texture, the world looks like a frat house the day after. The grass is patchy, brown and nubby, and with every step comes the possibility your sneaker treads will lose the battle with God’s good mud. Whatever snow remains crouchesContinue reading “Another Look: Mud Season and Me”

We dream of a million kites

More Music for Lent from Patty Griffin… In the middle of the night We try and try with all our might To light a little light down here In the middle of the night We dream of a million kites Flying high above The sadness and the fear

Walter Brueggemann: True Self-Denial

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake ofContinue reading “Walter Brueggemann: True Self-Denial”

Lent II: God in Unexpected Disguise

Sermon: Lent 2 God in Unexpected Disguise Mark 8:31-38 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took himContinue reading “Lent II: God in Unexpected Disguise”

The Saturday Monks Brunch: February 24, 2018

TRIBUTE TO BILLY GRAHAM EDITION Billy Graham died this past week. He was the face of evangelicalism in the second half of the twentieth century, distinguishing it as a defined movement between fundamentalism and mainline Protestantism. Today, we devote our brunch to discussing this iconic figure and his legacy. Today, there is a new meaningContinue reading “The Saturday Monks Brunch: February 24, 2018”

Another Look: A Path to Wonder

Note from CM: The death of Billy Graham, the face of U.S. evangelicalism in the 20th century, made me a bit nostalgic and reflective of my own journey through that world he helped create. Tomorrow, we will have a special Saturday Brunch dedicated to Graham and his legacy, but for today, walk with me throughContinue reading “Another Look: A Path to Wonder”

Testing Scripture: A Scientist Explores the Bible- by John Polkinghorne, Chapter 9- Other New Testament Writings

Testing Scripture: A Scientist Explores the Bible– by John Polkinghorne Chapter 9- Other New Testament Writings Polkinghorne notes there are ten other books in the New Testament, but he is only going to highlight a few of them. The first is Acts. Its opening verses addresses someone called Theophilus. Since the name means “lover ofContinue reading “Testing Scripture: A Scientist Explores the Bible- by John Polkinghorne, Chapter 9- Other New Testament Writings”

Breviary on the Beatitudes

Matthew 5:1-12, Kingdom NT When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the hillside and sat down. His disciples came to him. He took a deep breath, and began his teaching: “Blessings on the poor in spirit! The kingdom of heaven is yours. “Blessings on the mourners! You’re going to be comforted. “Blessings on theContinue reading “Breviary on the Beatitudes”

Another Look: Lent — “From that point on…”

We have begun our way into the Lenten season. It may be a good time for a refresher on the relationship of this season to the Gospel story. In our January 7, 2011 post, “Epiphany and the Days to Come,” we pointed out that the Epiphany season is representative of the first half of theContinue reading “Another Look: Lent — “From that point on…””

On Resurrection and Eternal Life (4)

As a hospice chaplain, my work revolves around supporting the dying and their families. I officiate many funerals. I deal with questions about death and what happens after people die. I am asked regularly about mysteries beyond our human experience in this life. On Mondays we are delving into this subject, considering what Gerhard LohfinkContinue reading “On Resurrection and Eternal Life (4)”