Chaplainmike

Saturday Ramblings — Nov. 22, 2014

Saturday Ramblings, Nov. 22, 2014 Greetings from Cincinnati, where Gail and I have rambled this weekend to visit the Germania Society’s Christkindlmarkt, a traditional German outdoor Christmas market featuring German foods, beer and mulled wine, crafts, music, and traditional events such as a lantern parade and a visit from St. Nicholas. These markets are commonContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings — Nov. 22, 2014”

Conversation Enders

This has certainly been the week where we have talked about words. We have discussed etiquette when commenting here. We have discussed Christians use of militaristic words. We have talked about Christian arguments. We have looked at the need to be careful when you speak. To be honest with you, I have not been thatContinue reading “Conversation Enders”

Another Look: A Word about Words

Then [Job’s friends] sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great. • Job 2:11-13 • • • My dear friend, Christians believe in words and their power. And well we should. Our sacredContinue reading “Another Look: A Word about Words”

Andy Zehner: How to win an argument . . . like a Christian

Note from CM: Andy and Damaris Zehner have been good friends for many years, and I have participated in any number of vigorous, vibrant conversations with them about matters of faith and life. iMonk readers have the privilege of reading Damaris regularly, today here’s a re-post of something Andy contributed back in 2011. • •Continue reading “Andy Zehner: How to win an argument . . . like a Christian”

Another Look: Boot Camp Blather

Note from CM: In July 2010, I wrote a rant that grew out of my attempts to comment on some other sites known for their strong views on a particular literalist interpretation of Genesis 1-2. Unlike the vast majority of the discussions here at Internet Monk, the “conversations” were nothing of the kind. I wasContinue reading “Another Look: Boot Camp Blather”

Let’s take a break today. I think we need it.

Today, we’re going to take a break from conversation here at Internet Monk. This is a “no comment” post. Why? Because on Friday there were too many comments that simply do not fit with what we are trying to do here. I was very busy Friday and Saturday and so did not follow the discussionContinue reading “Let’s take a break today. I think we need it.”

Preparing for the New Church Year (3)

The freest time in our adult life was after we were married and before we had children. Having graduated from college, we were no longer bound by a school schedule. We lived in a small, iconic Vermont village where the pace of life was slow, the program of our church modest, and our income tooContinue reading “Preparing for the New Church Year (3)”

Saturday Ramblings — Nov. 15, 2014

Saturday Ramblings, November 15, 2014 Leaves are still on some of the trees, but we could get our first measurable snowfall here in central Indiana this weekend. That means we’ll have to call off our Saturday picnic and find somewhere warm to do our rambling this week. I’m not sure I’m up for a bigContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings — Nov. 15, 2014”

How I Became an… Egalitarian

Update from CM: Comments are now closed. Update from Mike Bell: I was so disappointed with the tone and tenor of the comments, that rather than sifting through them and finding the few that actually interacted with the content of the post and contributed to the discussion, I decided to save myself the hours itContinue reading “How I Became an… Egalitarian”

Fall, or Folly? (4): As It Was in the Beginning . . .

Same as it ever was . . . Same as it ever was . . . • “Once in a Lifetime,” Talking Heads • • • This has been an interesting week for me at Internet Monk. As I’ve studied, thought, conversed, and prayed my way through these posts, I’ve gained a new clarity inContinue reading “Fall, or Folly? (4): As It Was in the Beginning . . .”