Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Covid-19 and the future of Church – Part 3

I wanted to draw your attention to a couple of comments made on my post last week that I think were significant. One was left after much of the discussion had concluded, so you may not have seen it. Robert F. commented: I miss congregational worship somewhat, but the practice of daily compline devotions thatContinue reading “Covid-19 and the future of Church – Part 3”

Sunday with Michael Spencer: How J.I. Packer influenced Michael’s spiritual journey

Note from CM: In tribute to J.I. Packer, who died last week, we present this post from Michael Spencer about his spiritual journey, and how Packer’s book Knowing God played a pivotal role. • • • Sunday with Michael Spencer From “Jesus, the Glory of the Christian Journey” (2009) I can’t speak for anyone else,Continue reading “Sunday with Michael Spencer: How J.I. Packer influenced Michael’s spiritual journey”

The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: July 18, 2020

The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: July 18, 2020 • • • Rest in peace, J.I. Packer From Regent College… “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15 ESV It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dr. J.I. Packer, a treasured faculty member, author, churchman,Continue reading “The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: July 18, 2020”

How to Read Covid-19 Research (and Actually Understand It)

How to Read Covid-19 Research (and Actually Understand It) Here is a helpful article from Wired magazine (hat tip; Chaplain Mike) on ways to discern whether a scientific article on Covid-19 is useful or not.  Of course, one way to judge an article is whether it lines up with one’s ideological bias or not.  ThatContinue reading “How to Read Covid-19 Research (and Actually Understand It)”

Wednesday with Michael Spencer “The lived spiritual life is a frequent contradiction.”

Wednesday with Michael Spencer “The lived spiritual life is a frequent contradiction.”  From a 2007 post: “Mother Teresa and the Mystery of God’s Absence” Christianity’s promises of the present presence and apprehension of God are not simple. In many ways, it seems to me that neither scripture nor recorded experience gives a coherent, teachable viewContinue reading “Wednesday with Michael Spencer “The lived spiritual life is a frequent contradiction.””

Mercy not Sacrifice (5): Redemptive Hospitality

Mercy not Sacrifice (5): Redemptive Hospitality We are thinking through Richard Beck’s illuminating book, Unclean: Meditations on Purity, Hospitality, and Mortality. So far, we’ve talked about disgust psychology, contagion logic, sociomoral disgust, and contempt. Beck’s goal is to help us understand the impulses we have that move us to reject or accept, to see asContinue reading “Mercy not Sacrifice (5): Redemptive Hospitality”

CoVid-19 and the future of Church – Part 2

I wasn’t expecting to write a followup to my initial post on CoVid-19 and the future of Church, but that is what has been on my mind today. It has been nearly three months since I last touched on the topic. Over the last couple of weeks, there have been a few new developments inContinue reading “CoVid-19 and the future of Church – Part 2”

Another Look: If you are not afraid…

Note from CM: I wrote this post in 2013. I don’t recall off the top of my head what prompted it, but I do know why it speaks to me today. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, indeed as it continues to surge here in the U.S. without any signs of abating, I have never feltContinue reading “Another Look: If you are not afraid…”

The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: July 11, 2020

The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: July 11, 2020 I’m sorry, but we’re in for a rather melancholy Brunch this week. I’m finding it harder to be optimistic with each passing day, and I’m grateful for your company and conversation here at the table. I keep waiting for some good news, some relief in the midstContinue reading “The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: July 11, 2020”