April 5 will mark six years since Michael Spencer’s death. We will be devoting next week to some of his most memorable writings, writings that helped many of us survive wilderness journeys akin to his own. Today, I had lunch with a friend who I was encouraging to write for us. She has had a fascinatingContinue reading “Such strange grace”
Author Archives: Chaplainmike
A Lament for Lahore’s Children
Today we weep for Lahore, her children and families, and all who love peace. The Easter bombing of a playground in Lahore, Pakistan has brought the subject of Christian persecution to the forefront of the world’s attention, because the group responsible for it claimed that they were targeting Christians. The horrific attack is one more event inContinue reading “A Lament for Lahore’s Children”
Another look: Easter is a season, not a day
Many of us in our Christian traditions learned to celebrate Christ’s resurrection on a single day — Easter Sunday. Easter is the great Lord’s Day, the climax of Holy Week, the high point of the Christian Year, marked by an explosion of color, wafting fragrance of lilies, majestic sounds of organ and baroque trumpets, bright newContinue reading “Another look: Easter is a season, not a day”
Sermon: Easter at Ground Level
Easter at Ground Level Easter Sermon: March 27, 2016 Luke 24:1-12 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in, they did not find the body. 4 While theyContinue reading “Sermon: Easter at Ground Level”
A Prayer for Resurrection Sunday
A Prayer for Resurrection Sunday Hail thee, festival day! Blest day to be hallowed forever; Day when our Lord was raised, breaking the kingdom of death. All the fair beauty of earth from the death of the winter arising! Every good gift of the year now with its master returns. Rise from the grave now,Continue reading “A Prayer for Resurrection Sunday”
A Prayer for Holy Saturday
A Prayer for Holy Saturday God of light and healing, we come seeking wholeness. Jesus, the Light of the World, rests in the tomb. We wait for the coming of the Rising Sun to show us the way. Hear our prayer for his coming! Indeed, saving God, all creation waits with groaning and longing for the salvation promised toContinue reading “A Prayer for Holy Saturday”
A Good Friday Prayer by Michael Spencer
Master, this day is our day to stand and look. To be amazed and disturbed. This is a day to put away glad songs, and to see the terrible cost of our salvation. This is also a day to believe and to know what is demanded in the Great Exchange at the heart of theContinue reading “A Good Friday Prayer by Michael Spencer”
Crux probat omnia
I have begun reading Fleming Rutledge’s outstanding new book, The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ, just in time for Good Friday. She notes that the contemporary church tends to neglect the crucifixion in favor of emphasizing the resurrection. This cannot be done! Rutledge insists upon “the unique significance of the crucifixion at the heart ofContinue reading “Crux probat omnia”
Another Look: Jeff Dunn – Circle or Cross?
Note from JD: This essay owes much to the thoughts of G. K. Chesterton from his classic work, Orthodoxy. ⎈ This is an interactive essay, one that requires your participation. You will need a piece of paper, a pencil or pen or crayon or some sort of marker, and a compass or something you can traceContinue reading “Another Look: Jeff Dunn – Circle or Cross?”
Rob Grayson: The cross: religious self-projection or radical discontinuity?
The cross: religious self-projection or radical discontinuity? By Rob Grayson Most Christians agree that the central, defining feature of Christianity is the cross. I think it’s fair to say that no other religion has such a universally recognised identifying symbol. However, when it comes to what we understand the cross to mean, things get more complicated. AndContinue reading “Rob Grayson: The cross: religious self-projection or radical discontinuity?”
The Internet Monk Archives 