Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Saturdays at IM: A Retrospective (part 1)

The Saturday IM Monks Brunch: September 26, 2020 Saturdays at IM — A Retrospective (part 1) • Saturday Ramblings When Jeff and I began overseeing the Internet Monk blog in 2010, we toyed around with a number of possibilities to keep it interesting and meaningful after Michael Spencer’s death. Jeff came up with the ideaContinue reading “Saturdays at IM: A Retrospective (part 1)”

War on COVID Has Become ‘We vs. Them’

War on COVID Has Become ‘We vs. Them’ Public health experts warn of a possible fall surge in COVID cases while the President continues to downplay the pandemic. Trump is quoted: “I think we’ve done an amazing job … in my opinion we’re rounding the turn,” the President said in an interview with a localContinue reading “War on COVID Has Become ‘We vs. Them’”

September odds ‘n ends from IM over the years

• If you have a co-worker who is gay, what are you supposed to do? You have options, but acting as if his life is your business isn’t one of them. This is one reason Christians are hated: we are busybodies. We do act as if other persons’ moral convictions or lifestyle choices are ourContinue reading “September odds ‘n ends from IM over the years”

Another Look: The End of the Anthropocene, by Damaris Zehner

The End of the Anthropocene By Damaris Zehner Picture a car, speeding along a highway in the morning. A voice on the radio is gabbling about some crisis. The driver’s cell phone is on, lying on the console next to her; She’s shouting at someone. In her hand is fast food, Wrapped in greasy yellowContinue reading “Another Look: The End of the Anthropocene, by Damaris Zehner”

Reconsider Jesus – The Response (Mark 1:14-15)

Reconsider Jesus – A fresh look at Jesus from the Gospel of Mark A devotional commentary by Michael Spencer Compiled and Edited by: Michael Bell Table of Contents The Response 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdomContinue reading “Reconsider Jesus – The Response (Mark 1:14-15)”

The Daughters and Dad

The Daughters and Dad I participated in services this weekend for a family that I have known almost ten years now. Our relationship began when I served as hospice chaplain for a woman who lived at home with her second husband. For some reason, we made a strong connection, and I visited often. I recallContinue reading “The Daughters and Dad”

The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: September 19, 2020

• Some of us can relate… • RIP RBG… From NPR: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the demure firebrand who in her 80s became a legal, cultural and feminist icon, died Friday. The Supreme Court announced her death, saying the cause was complications from metastatic cancer of the pancreas. The court, in a statement, said GinsburgContinue reading “The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: September 19, 2020”

Reconsider Jesus – The Message of the Kingdom (Mark 1:14-15)

Reconsider Jesus – A fresh look at Jesus from the Gospel of Mark A devotional commentary by Michael Spencer Compiled and Edited by: Michael Bell Table of Contents The Message of the Kingdom 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,”Continue reading “Reconsider Jesus – The Message of the Kingdom (Mark 1:14-15)”

Never Underestimate the Intelligence of Trees

Never Underestimate the Intelligence of Trees Here is an article from Nautilus reprinted in Getpocket by Brandon Keim.  Brandon Keim is a freelance nature and science journalist. He is the author of “The Eye of the Sandpiper: Stories from the Living World” and “Meet the Neighbors” from W.W. Norton & Company, about what it meansContinue reading “Never Underestimate the Intelligence of Trees”