Chaplainmike

Another Look: Depression, the Bible, and the Perils of Being Too Spiritual

Originally posted in 2011. The other day I was reading a blog that will remain unnamed. I’m not interested in interacting personally with the author or “answering” his post. I simply want to use his take on a particular subject as an illustration to make a point here today. That point is: The Bible simply does not speakContinue reading “Another Look: Depression, the Bible, and the Perils of Being Too Spiritual”

Sermon: Things may get tough, but it’s not the end of the world

SERMON: Things may get tough, but it’s not the end of the world Prayer of the Day O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without you nothing is strong, nothing is holy. Embrace us with your mercy, that with you as our ruler and guide, we may live through what is temporaryContinue reading “Sermon: Things may get tough, but it’s not the end of the world”

Pic & Passage of the Week: November 13, 2016

(Click on picture for larger image) • • • Hence contemplation is a sudden gift of awareness, an awakening to the Real within all that is real. A vivid awareness of infinite Being at the roots of our own limited being. An awareness of our contingent reality as received, as a present from God, asContinue reading “Pic & Passage of the Week: November 13, 2016”

Saturday Ramblings: November 12, 2016

RAMBLER OF THE WEEK The person we acknowledge as our Rambler today has been one of our generation’s wilderness poets. This week Leonard Cohen died at age 82. Here is an excerpt from Larry Rohter’s remembrance in the New York Times: Leonard Cohen, the Canadian poet and novelist who abandoned a promising literary career to become one of theContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings: November 12, 2016”

I won’t talk about the election, but I will say this

My main point: I think we should stop saying “It’s OK. God is on the throne.” • Ryan Patrick McLaughlin • • • I have determined not to make the election a topic of conversation with anyone, at least at this point. As for me, it is time to just get back to living andContinue reading “I won’t talk about the election, but I will say this”

Mike the Geologist: On the Grand Canyon and the Flood (2)

Note from CM: We welcome back Michael McCann, aka Mike the Geologist, to do a series blogging through a book about the Grand Canyon, one of earth’s great natural wonders. Young earth creationists have tried to explain this magnificent geologic marvel by appealing to a great worldwide flood in the days of Noah. Let’s see how theirContinue reading “Mike the Geologist: On the Grand Canyon and the Flood (2)”

Open Mic Nov. 2016: The Day After Edition

Open Mic Nov. 2016: The Day After Edition I figured that, because of the election yesterday, readers would be distracted and not pay much attention to most anything I might put up today. So, let’s have our November Open Mic. By the time you read these words, it will probably be clear who the nextContinue reading “Open Mic Nov. 2016: The Day After Edition”

Election Day Special: Bob Is Angry on Election Day

Note from CM: Michael originally wrote this for the 2008 election. • • • Today being election day, and many of my evangelical friends being in somewhat of a foul mood, for reasons that, as of 12:28 p.m., are suspected and not yet clear, I found myself thinking about a fellow I’ll call Bob. IContinue reading “Election Day Special: Bob Is Angry on Election Day”

Sermon: One who gave me great gifts (All Saints Sunday)

Note from CM: Today’s sermon is not a message from a text, but a testimony from my life. We celebrated All Saints on Sunday, and it is right up there as one of my favorite Sundays of the year. Not only do we get to sing “For All the Saints” and other great hymns, but weContinue reading “Sermon: One who gave me great gifts (All Saints Sunday)”

Pic & Poem of the Week: October 30, 2016

(Click on picture for larger image) • • • When in the soul of the serene disciple With no more Fathers to imitate Poverty is a success, It is a small thing to say the roof is gone: He has not even a house. Stars, as well as friends, Are angry with the noble ruin.Continue reading “Pic & Poem of the Week: October 30, 2016”