Chaplainmike

Another Look: The Essential Practice of Praying the Psalms

The Essential Practice of Praying the Psalms It seems to me that there are some essential practices that attend our faith as Christians. By saying that, I do not wish to imply, or get into an argument about, whether they are obligatory or not. In some senses I think they are, and in others not. AllContinue reading “Another Look: The Essential Practice of Praying the Psalms”

Another Look: A Favorite Hymn — This Is My Father’s World

Ever since I was a child, one of my favorite hymns has been, “This Is My Father’s World”, by Rev. Maltbie D. Babcock. I’m sure what first caught my attention was its lovely melody, which is said to have been adapted from an English folk tune by Franklin L. Sheppard. This hymn (or poem asContinue reading “Another Look: A Favorite Hymn — This Is My Father’s World”

One Final Bach Cantata: For Christ the King (+ a sermon)

• • • Today on Christ the King Sunday (a day of the Church Year that was not commemorated in Bach’s time), we present a magnificent chorus from Cantata BWV 43, Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen (God has gone up with a shout), which was written for Ascension Sunday. Since the gospel message is “HowContinue reading “One Final Bach Cantata: For Christ the King (+ a sermon)”

The IM Saturday Brunch: Nov. 25, 2017 — After the Feast Edition

THE INTERNET MONK SATURDAY BRUNCH ”It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” • • • THANKS TO TED FOR THIS… • • • List of reasons for ADMISSION TO AN INSANE ASYLUMContinue reading “The IM Saturday Brunch: Nov. 25, 2017 — After the Feast Edition”

iMonk Classic: Evangelical Ecumenism and a Jesus-Shaped Guest List

Note from CM: Here is an example from Michael Spencer’s post-evangelical journey of his emergence from certain fundamentalist ways of thinking about the faith and its various expressions. This was first posted in 2009. • • • Point: evangelicalism contains within itself some almost irresistible itches from its fundamentalist DNA. From time to time, theContinue reading “iMonk Classic: Evangelical Ecumenism and a Jesus-Shaped Guest List”

Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving 2017

Happy Thanksgiving 2017 • • • A Prayer of Thanks (Updated for 2017) Thank you, Lord, In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit… For life itself, the gift I take most for granted. For my baptism and introduction to the Gospel when, as an infant, all I could do was trust. ForContinue reading “Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving 2017”

Randy Thompson: A Sense of Sin and the Joy of Gratitude (Huh?)

A Thanksgiving Meditation for 2017 A Sense of Sin and the Joy of Gratitude (Huh?!) by Randy Thompson Thanks-giving is a by-product of a certain way of looking at life, a way of looking that has eyes to see the goodness of God and the goodness of God’s creation, coupled with the awareness that weContinue reading “Randy Thompson: A Sense of Sin and the Joy of Gratitude (Huh?)”

Daniel Jepsen: The Two Pietàs, Part 2

Yesterday’s post examined the spiritual aspect of Michelangelo’s great Roman Pietà. In particular, we noted how the two figures appear idealized [despite their sorrow], reflecting the Neo-Platonic ideals of beauty on earth reflecting God’s beauty; the beautiful figures of the Virgin Mary and Jesus are echoing the beauty of the Divine. Michelangelo was not strivingContinue reading “Daniel Jepsen: The Two Pietàs, Part 2”

Daniel Jepsen: The Two Pietàs, part 1

In June of 1496 a 21-year-old sculptor arrived in Rome and within a month received a commission: a statue of the Roman wine god Bacchus, for Cardinal Raffaele Riario. However, the work was rejected by the cardinal, and the young sculptor began to look for another commission. Soon the French ambassador to the Holy See,Continue reading “Daniel Jepsen: The Two Pietàs, part 1”

Trinity 23: Cantata & Sermon of the Week

Cantata BWV 192, “Nun danket alle Gott” (Now Thank We All Our God) Now all thank God with heart, mouth and hands; He does great things for us and all our purposes; He for us from our mother’s womb and childish steps countless great good has done and still continues to do. • •Continue reading “Trinity 23: Cantata & Sermon of the Week”