Yesterday was Veterans Day here in the U.S., a day to thank those who have served our country in the military. I read an interesting piece by Tobin Grant at RNS which suggests that religious people (Christians, in the research) are more likely to be veterans. I don’t know how much stock I put in what’sContinue reading “Open Mic: Faith and Military Service”
Author Archives: Chaplainmike
Another Look: Examine Yourself?
A man named Andrew contributed a short story on theopenend.com about hypochondria. In it, he wrote: Today I have lymphoma. Yesterday was bowel cancer. I curiously palpate my underarms, searching for that slippery lump, stealthily hiding from my grasp. I check again, and again. I then move up to my neck, again massaging for lumps. My temperatureContinue reading “Another Look: Examine Yourself?”
Richard Beck on a faith of deepening contrasts
The following is a quote from a recent post by Richard Beck at his blog, Experimental Theology. I encourage you to click the link and read the entire piece. It’s especially fun the way he teases out his point with references to Johnny Cash, Dorothy Day, and Flannery O’Connor. He describes a phenomenon I’ve seenContinue reading “Richard Beck on a faith of deepening contrasts”
Rejoicing in the Lord is your strength
The other day, as I was working on one of my books, a book for caregivers, I decided to do a chapter on how maintaining a spirit of joy can strengthen us in the midst of difficult circumstances. My text, of course, was Nehemiah 8:10, which ends with the familiar biblical meme, “The joy ofContinue reading “Rejoicing in the Lord is your strength”
Sundays with Michael Spencer: November 8, 2015
Note from CM: The other day I told my wife that it was probably time to empty the lateral file that sits in our bedroom. It has a blanket over it and our TV and other AV equipment sits on top of it now. Hidden beneath the blanket and inside the drawers are files thatContinue reading “Sundays with Michael Spencer: November 8, 2015”
Saturday Ramblings: November 7, 2015
Dark November is advancing and so I’ve chosen a black beauty of a Rambler for us to ramble about in today. Isn’t this ’57 wagon magnificent? Well, what are you waiting for? Hop in, and let’s ramble! Since we are rapidly approaching the end of this liturgical year and the beginning of Advent, today’s RamblingsContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings: November 7, 2015”
The communion of saints
I believe . . . in the communion of saints • The Apostles’ Creed • • • One of the basic teachings of Christianity that I turn to often in my work as a hospice chaplain is that of the communion of saints. It comes to mind often at this time of year, with All SaintsContinue reading “The communion of saints”
“The overwhelming giftedness and goodness of life”
This is our hope: Words emerge from silence, the silence remains. • Wendell Berry • • • It doesn’t get any more basic than this. Here is foundational perspective for life, from a master wonderer and wordsmith. We wake up each morning to a world we did not make. How did it get here? HowContinue reading ““The overwhelming giftedness and goodness of life””
Questions about Penal Substitutionary Atonement
Now before I became a Christian I was under the impression that the first thing Christians had to believe was one particular theory as to what the point of [Jesus’] dying was. According to that theory God wanted to punish men for having deserted and joined the Great Rebel, but Christ volunteered to be punished instead,Continue reading “Questions about Penal Substitutionary Atonement”
Discussing Scot McKnight’s “How Our Culture Challenges Church”
American culture challenges the church at its deepest levels. In the church the authority is God in Christ through the Spirit but in culture authority resides in the individual and in the will of “we the people.” • Scot McKnight • • • Read Scot McKnight’s article, “How Our Culture Challenges Church.” Scot has writtenContinue reading “Discussing Scot McKnight’s “How Our Culture Challenges Church””
The Internet Monk Archives 