Chaplainmike

iMonk Classic: The Mood of Advent

I have several friends who are doing Advent in their Baptist churches for the first time, and they have lots of questions about candles and logistics. I wish there were more questions about Advent itself. For example, the mood of Advent is dark and serious. It’s not the mood of Lent, which is a particularContinue reading “iMonk Classic: The Mood of Advent”

Evolution: Scripture and Nature say Yes! Chapter 8- The Religious Evolution of Darwin

Evolution: Scripture and Nature Say Yes! Chapter 8- The Religious Evolution of Darwin By Denis O. Lamoureux In this chapter Denis strives to rehabilitate Darwin’s popular image as the atheist of atheists. After all, Richard Dawkins has famously noted that while it had always been possible to reject theology, “Darwin made it possible to beContinue reading “Evolution: Scripture and Nature say Yes! Chapter 8- The Religious Evolution of Darwin”

iMonk Classic: The Unlikely Outrage of the Gospel of Light

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,Continue reading “iMonk Classic: The Unlikely Outrage of the Gospel of Light”

The Advent Question

The Advent Question Therefore we believe, teach, and confess that the congregation of God of every place and every time has, according to its circumstances, the good right, power, and authority [in matters truly adiaphora] to change, to diminish, and to increase them, without thoughtlessness and offense, in an orderly and becoming way, as atContinue reading “The Advent Question”

Advent I Sermon: Jesus’ “In-between” Coming

Mark 13:24-38 ‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory.Continue reading “Advent I Sermon: Jesus’ “In-between” Coming”

What Child is This? (Advent Meditation)

Note from CM: During Advent, I have asked some of our wonderful iMonk writers to share meditations on seasonal themes each Sunday. We begin with Pastor Dan today. I am grateful for each of these friends and gifted people, and know that what they share will help us prepare our lives for celebrating the Incarnation.Continue reading “What Child is This? (Advent Meditation)”

The Saturday Monks Brunch: Dec. 2, 2017

MONKS HAVING BRUNCH! Tomorrow, we begin a brand, spanking new church year. This calls for champagne! For mimosas! For blintzes! For cinnamon rolls! For brie! That’s right — this calls for monks to come together and have BRUNCH! Welcome to The Saturday Monks Brunch at Internet Monk! • • • THIS GUY COULDN’T WAIT FORContinue reading “The Saturday Monks Brunch: Dec. 2, 2017”

A Thought at the End of Ordinary Time

• • • A Thought at the End of Ordinary Time from Wendell Berry I know I am getting old and I say so, but I don’t think of myself as an old man. I think of myself as a young man with unforeseen debilities. Time is neither young nor old, but simply new, alwaysContinue reading “A Thought at the End of Ordinary Time”

Evolution: Scripture and Nature say Yes! Chapter 7- Galileo and God’s Two Books

Evolution: Scripture and Nature Say Yes! Chapter 7: Galileo and God’s Two Books By Denis O. Lamoureux The story of the Galileo affair has become the primary symbol of the popular understanding of the relationship between science and religion, known as the “conflict” or “warfare” model. The picture is of ignorant, superstitious religious leaders armedContinue reading “Evolution: Scripture and Nature say Yes! Chapter 7- Galileo and God’s Two Books”

Another Look: Overrated — Expressing My Opinion

The irony is not lost on this author. In this post I will share my opinion, stating my opinion that sharing opinions is overrated. And I will publish it on a blog dedicated to giving people a forum for sharing their opinions. So there. As a young minister, I soon learned the truth of aContinue reading “Another Look: Overrated — Expressing My Opinion”