Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Mike Bell: Some Thoughts on Change

Note from CM: Good to hear from our friend from the north country, Mike Bell, today. As remains the case for many of us, the ecclesiastical journey continues for Mike. Here’s his latest update. • • • Seventeen.  That is the number of churches that I have been involved in, each for more than aContinue reading “Mike Bell: Some Thoughts on Change”

Wednesdays with James: Lesson Fifteen

Wednesdays with James Lesson Fifteen: Those Who Endure Are Blessed We have come to the final part of the central section in James. In this section, James has been exploring the three themes he introduced in chapter one. In the following table, you can see how themes from chapter one are reintroduced and developed here, near the end ofContinue reading “Wednesdays with James: Lesson Fifteen”

A Simple Trinity Prayer

In my email I receive and collect Richard Rohr’s daily meditations. I highly recommend them, and you can subscribe HERE. Fr. Rohr’s new book, The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation will be available October 4, 2016. You can pre-order at thedivinedance.org). In his daily meditations, Rohr is currently exploring ideas and themes about the Trinity from this forthcoming publication. InContinue reading “A Simple Trinity Prayer”

Mondays with Michael Spencer: September 12, 2016

Does the gospel change the way you look at the people the culture war tells you to fear and dislike? For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live forContinue reading “Mondays with Michael Spencer: September 12, 2016”

Pic & Poem of the Week: September 11, 2016

(Click picture to see larger image) Sign for My Father, Who Stressed the Bunt On the rough diamond, the hand-cut field below the dog lot and barn, we rehearsed the strict technique of bunting. I watched from the infield, the mound, the backstop as your left hand climbed the bat, your legs and shoulders squaredContinue reading “Pic & Poem of the Week: September 11, 2016”

Saturday Ramblings: September 10, 2016

Well, the sun’s not so hot in the sky today and you know I can see summertime slipping on away. A few more geese are gone, a few more leaves turning red, but the grass is as soft as a feather in a featherbed. • John Sheldon, “September Grass” Ah, September. The harvest begins. TheContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings: September 10, 2016”

Another Look: I Still Struggle to Speak of 9/11

Note from CM: I wrote this 5 years ago, on the tenth anniversary of the attacks on 9/11/2001. I don’t have any easier time talking about it today. • • • On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, I ate breakfast with the pastor with whom I used to work as an associate. We met atContinue reading “Another Look: I Still Struggle to Speak of 9/11”

Fr. Ernesto on tradition and old habits

Note from CM: We have often suggested that one of the most fundamental problems in American Christianity, revivalist groups in particular, is lack of appreciation for tradition. Especially the “Great Tradition” of the ancient and historic church. Of course, there is another side to all of this. Those who respect “tradition” can easily fall intoContinue reading “Fr. Ernesto on tradition and old habits”

Wednesdays with James: Lesson Fourteen

Wednesdays with James Lesson Fourteen: Business Ambitions and Rotting Riches We continue our study in the central section of the Epistle of James. In the body of this encyclical, the author takes up the three themes he introduced in chapter one, addressing them in more detail and in reverse order. The third and final theme James discusses,Continue reading “Wednesdays with James: Lesson Fourteen”