Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Lent with Neil Young

Lent with Neil Young 2017 Each year during Lent, I try to focus some of my musical attention on an artist and/or album from the popular culture of my lifetime in which I find lessons for the Lenten journey. In past years we’ve considered the music of Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan’s John Wesley Harding, and Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. In 2017,Continue reading “Lent with Neil Young”

Another Look: Lent is not about getting better

Note from CM: As I prepare for the days of Lent, I found this meditation from 2015 helpful. • • • Lent is not about getting better. Lent is about preparing to die. The word “lent” means “spring.” But Lent is not the spring. Lent leads to spring, as death leads to new life. Lent isContinue reading “Another Look: Lent is not about getting better”

Sermon: Just Let the View Take Your Breath Away

SERMON: Just Let the View Take Your Breath Away (Transfiguration) Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared toContinue reading “Sermon: Just Let the View Take Your Breath Away”

Pic & Cantata of the Week (Quinquagesima)

(Click on picture to see larger image) • • • EPIPHANY VIII (Quinquagesima) Bach Cantata BWV 22: “Jesus took unto him the twelve” Quinquagesima is the name for the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The name originates from Latin quinquagesimus (fiftieth), referring to the 50 days before Easter Day. Bach wrote four cantatas for this Sunday, BWVContinue reading “Pic & Cantata of the Week (Quinquagesima)”

The Internet Monk Saturday Brunch: 2/28/17 – Pancake Day 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.” BRUNCH UPDATE: Just in time for Lent, President Donald Trump has delivered his own Sermon on the Mount. You gotta readContinue reading “The Internet Monk Saturday Brunch: 2/28/17 – Pancake Day Edition”

Fridays with Michael Spencer: Feb. 24, 2017

Sometimes someone else’s sins become the light of seeing our own. Several years ago I was working with a particularly difficult young church staff member. His pattern was to do everything his way, and when negative consequences arrived, to be completely defensive. Insight into his own character wasn’t much of an interest. Finding others guiltyContinue reading “Fridays with Michael Spencer: Feb. 24, 2017”

Adam and the Genome 3: Chapter 2- Genomes as Language, Genomes as Books (Part 1)

Adam and the Genome 3: Chapter 2- Genomes as Language, Genomes as Books (Part 1) We continue our review of the book, Adam and the Genome: Reading Scripture after Genetic Science, by Dennis Venema and Scot McKnight . Today, Chapter 2- Part 1. Most people do not understand how evolution purports to work.  They thinkContinue reading “Adam and the Genome 3: Chapter 2- Genomes as Language, Genomes as Books (Part 1)”

Klasie Kraalogies: As Mist Before the Sun: The Slow Relief of Unbelief (2)

AS MIST BEFORE THE SUN: THE SLOW RELIEF OF UNBELIEF By Klasie Kraalogies Part 2 They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it’s not one half as bad as a lot of ignorance • Terry Pratchett, Equal Rites ⎈ The great difficulty in telling a long and meandering story is knowing whatContinue reading “Klasie Kraalogies: As Mist Before the Sun: The Slow Relief of Unbelief (2)”

Another Look: Why Even I Am Welcome at My Church

An imagined , but entirely possible, conversation: Concerned Christian: Chaplain Mike, if you were a pastor, would you allow gays to attend your church? CM: Sure. If they wanted to come to church, why shouldn’t I? Concerned Christian: Well, doesn’t the Bible forbid homosexuality? CM: Let’s say it does. Wouldn’t church be a good placeContinue reading “Another Look: Why Even I Am Welcome at My Church”