Chaplainmike

Saturday Ramblings 10.12.13

Take a look at the date today. What number is missing? Eleven? Ah, but it’s college football Saturday. And how many men are there per side in football? That’s right—eleven. So can we say today is 10 (11) 12 13? Sure we can. Because we know just how important numbers are to being a Christian,Continue reading “Saturday Ramblings 10.12.13”

I am called a “Christian”

One day a vision came my way About a Christian found today A Christian who’s supposed to be caring A Christian who’s supposed to be sharing But instead a man who would knock his brother down Is what I found And he is called a Christian And in accord with his belief He gives hisContinue reading “I am called a “Christian””

Let’s Discuss: Church and Social Justice Ministries

I encourage you to go and read Ed Stetzer’s piece at CT, “New Research: Protestants Increase Involvement in Social Justice.” Stetzer cites recent research that indicates that Protestant churches in the U.S. are having a growing awareness of and involvement in social justice ministries “aimed at caring for the forgotten, disenfranchised, and oppressed.” I’d likeContinue reading “Let’s Discuss: Church and Social Justice Ministries”

Another Look: Always a Neighbor

First posted in September, 2011 A friend of mine told me of an experience he had recently. He was feeling quite sick one day, and so he went to the clinic for what turned out to be an upper respiratory infection. He couldn’t see the regular doctor, who was booked up, so the office staffContinue reading “Another Look: Always a Neighbor”

The Surplus Population

Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who dragContinue reading “The Surplus Population”

Anger, Wrath and Sloth

Wanting to punch people in the nose is probably not a good attitude with which to go around. I’m fairly sure it’s also not a particularly Christian attitude, not if I take the “Turn the other cheek” bit seriously. I’ve been angry lately. I’ve been angry for a while, in fact, and I notice I’mContinue reading “Anger, Wrath and Sloth”

A Sudden Burst of Light

So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” – Genesis 32:27 * * * If you’re lucky, there comes a moment, a moment of clarity. At this moment, “the hopes and fears of all the years” find some resolution. It involves an unveiling. Heavy drapes of self-denial are rentContinue reading “A Sudden Burst of Light”

Randy Thompson: Following the Horses in the American Parade

Note from CM: I’m happy to share a post by Randy Thompson today. Randy has been in ministry for over 27 years, with 21 years of pastoral experience in New England. These days he and his wife Jill offer hospitality, encouragement, and spiritual refreshment to other ministers at Forest Haven, a retreat center in the hills ofContinue reading “Randy Thompson: Following the Horses in the American Parade”

The Homily

Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4, NASB) But for all who did receive and trust in Him, He gave them the right to be reborn as children of God; He bestowed this birthright not by human power or initiative but by God’s will. (John 1:12, 13, The Voice) PerhapsContinue reading “The Homily”

Saturday Ramblings 10.5.13

It has been a wild week here at the iMonastery. There is considerable unrest here, to the point where we were afraid of an iMonk shutdown, just like our beloved federal goverment. The Iced Tea party was insisting on watching Wheel Of Fortune, while the Curly Wig party wanted to watch Family Feud. We settledContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings 10.5.13”