Dear Jesus, I’ve been thinking about what it means that they called you “friend of sinners.” I know it wasn’t a title you gave yourself, it was a slur from the religious folks, who taught that the righteous should separate themselves from the wicked in order to stay pure and upright before God. You didn’t playContinue reading “Letter to Jesus 1: Friend of Sinners”
Author Archives: Chaplainmike
Another Look: Seasons and Paths of Formation
Note from CM: I’m starting a class tonight at our local United Methodist church, based upon my book, Walking Home Together. The first lesson will be about the various seasons of our lives and what characterizes them. I thought of this post as I was preparing. ❦ Little children, I’m writing to you because yourContinue reading “Another Look: Seasons and Paths of Formation”
Limping to the Pulpit
This coming Sunday, I will be preaching in the congregation where I last served as a pastor. They are in good hands now, under the ministry of Pastor Dan, and I enjoy going back now and then to see folks. I love the people there, and it is always hard to find time to see everyoneContinue reading “Limping to the Pulpit”
Music Monday: October 3, 2016
Music Monday: Piano Music for Autumn One of my favorite recordings was an old vinyl LP I had by Irish pianist John O’Conor, entitled Autumn Songs. It is, unfortunately, difficult to find these days, though if you follow the Amazon link, you might be able to procure a used copy. As I was thinking aboutContinue reading “Music Monday: October 3, 2016”
Pic & Poem of the Week: October 2, 2016
(Click picture to see larger image) From A Harvest Is the day wearing toward the west? — Far off cool shadows pass, A visible refreshment Across the sultry grass; Far off low mists are mustering, A broken shifting mass. Still in the deepest knowledge Some depth is left unknown; Still in the merriest music lurks AContinue reading “Pic & Poem of the Week: October 2, 2016”
Saturday Ramblings: October 1, 2016
October has always been my favorite month to ramble. When we were first married and living in Vermont, the fall was the best time of year — mountains ablaze with color, sapphire blue skies, fresh apple cider, and all manner of quaint little villages to visit as we wound around those ramblin’ roads. I stillContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings: October 1, 2016”
Fridays with Michael Spencer: September 30, 2016
Note from CM: Michael’s most well known articles were called “The Coming Evangelical Collapse.” I thought it would be good to re-post a few excerpts from these three pieces in light of the other discussions we’ve had this week. • • • Party Almost Over The party is almost over for evangelicals; a party that’sContinue reading “Fridays with Michael Spencer: September 30, 2016”
No Good News Here
Let me begin today by saying that, though I have some familiarity with the workings of my particular denomination, I am certainly no expert when it comes to the mainline Protestant church in the U.S. I grew up in the United Methodist tradition and have been a member of an ELCA Lutheran church for manyContinue reading “No Good News Here”
Exodus from U.S. Religion
On Saturday we referenced a recent study released by PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute), called “Exodus: Why Americans are Leaving Religion—and Why They’re Unlikely to Come Back.” The study looked at a clear trend that must surely get our attention if we are concerned with the state of the church in the U.S. Let’s talk about itContinue reading “Exodus from U.S. Religion”
Another Look: Together on a Stretch of Green
Note from CM: In honor of Arnold Palmer, my first golf hero. • • • To begin with, as I say, my introduction to golf came when I started swinging myself out of my shoes with that old cut-down ladies’ club at age three and was taken by my father to the golf course, whereContinue reading “Another Look: Together on a Stretch of Green”
The Internet Monk Archives 