Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Matthew B. Redmond: Some Thoughts on What Is Happening at The Village Church

Note from CM: Sin rules this world through the unholy trinity of money, sex, and power. Most of the scandals with which the church has to deal have something to do with one or more of these three areas. And often, the original transgression ends up being but a small part of the problem. AsContinue reading “Matthew B. Redmond: Some Thoughts on What Is Happening at The Village Church”

A Memorial Day Meditation: Pentecost and Memorial Day

   It is an odd conjunction of special days: Pentecost Sunday and Memorial Day (U.S.A.). Memorial Day looks back and commemorates the sacrifices of the past. Pentecost, an event which grew out of the greatest sacrifice and triumph, looks forward to a new day. The one recalls war. The other anticipates peace. One emphasizes whatContinue reading “A Memorial Day Meditation: Pentecost and Memorial Day”

Sundays with Michael Spencer: May 24, 2015

If you haven’t read them recently, the relevant passages on Spiritual gifts are 1 Corinthians 12-14, Romans 12, and 1 Peter 4. Most of us who are old enough recall when we first heard teaching on the subject of “spiritual gifts,” or charismata. For me, it was in the Charismatic movement’s first wave, which involvedContinue reading “Sundays with Michael Spencer: May 24, 2015”

Saturday Ramblings, May 23, 2015: Memorial Day Edition

Saturday Ramblings, May 23, 2015: Memorial Day Edition Greetings iMonks. Today, Dan is away at the Moody Pastor’s Conference, you know, the one where all the moody, grumpy pastors congregate and complain. That leaves me, one unworthy to tie Dan’s hiking boots, to lead us in rambling on this Memorial Day Saturday. We’ll start withContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings, May 23, 2015: Memorial Day Edition”

More on “Playing the Music”

Picking up on yesterday’s post, here few more thoughts on “playing the music”… • • • Last night we went to a spring intermediate school band and choral concert (5th and 6th grade). My grandson was playing and we knew several other children and families who were involved. I have four children and have been to manyContinue reading “More on “Playing the Music””

Eugene Peterson: Virtuoso Spirituality

What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you’re equipped with power from on high. • Luke 24:49, MSG • • • Pentecost is the next great Sunday on the Christian calendar: it falls this Sunday for theContinue reading “Eugene Peterson: Virtuoso Spirituality”

A Fight about the Finish

Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to today’s feature bout. We are excited to feature two young fighters at the top of their game. They come to the ring today to trade punches, each hoping to give hell to his opponent and to settle once and for all the significance of that biblical doctrine. In this corner, representingContinue reading “A Fight about the Finish”

Randy Thompson: The Bloody God and the Bleeding God

The Bloody God and the Bleeding God by Randy Thompson, Forest Haven, Bradford, NH I’ve been reading the Old Testament. It’s a great story, despite Leviticus’ by-laws and Numbers’ numbers. However, reading it is an unsettling experience. As I started to note the body count, it seemed to me that God was a lot likeContinue reading “Randy Thompson: The Bloody God and the Bleeding God”

Sundays with Michael Spencer: May 17, 2015

God is like a Rorschach test. You know, the ink blot test, where you look at an image that really presents nothing coherent, and you describe what you see. Kind of like looking at clouds and talking about what you see. The Rorschach test is outdated and was always controversial, but it does yield one agreed uponContinue reading “Sundays with Michael Spencer: May 17, 2015”