Chaplainmike

Pete Enns on Christians and the Old Testament

This post was first published on Peter Enns’s blog, Rethinking Biblical Christianity, on July 29, 2013. * * * When Christians run up against interpretive challenges in the Old Testament – like killing Canaanites to take their land or the meaning of the Adam story vis-à-vis science – a common way of handling these challenges isContinue reading “Pete Enns on Christians and the Old Testament”

The Homily

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands, your walls are ever before me.” —Isaiah 49:15,16 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, forContinue reading “The Homily”

Saturday Ramblings 9.1.13

Football fever is in the air, iMonks. Either that, or my neighbor is burning his trash again. But I think it is football fever. It started Thursday night when my Tulsa Golden Hurricane (singular; one hurricane is enough) lost to some team from Ohio. But we have a long way to go, right? College footballContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings 9.1.13”

ESV Omega Thinline Bible Review

I have finally come to grips with people using their iPads and iPhones for reading the Bible. No longer do I frown at people who use such technology in church. Just the other morning yours truly wanted to read something in the book of Jeremiah, but I didn’t want to get out of bed andContinue reading “ESV Omega Thinline Bible Review”

Today’s Mea Culpa

There I was, sitting at his bedside. This was a different kind of patient than those I normally see. He has been homeless. He has been in prison, convicted of a crime that disturbs me, one for which I can find little sympathy in my heart. I don’t know any details about his law-breaking, andContinue reading “Today’s Mea Culpa”

Losing The War Part III—Love In The Ruins

Note from CM: I think our discussion has outgrown its usefulness on this post. Comments are closed. * * * I believe in God and the whole business but I love women best, music and science next, whiskey next, God fourth, and my fellowman hardly at all. Generally I do as I please. A man,Continue reading “Losing The War Part III—Love In The Ruins”

I Wanna Hold Your Hand: Being Physical In A Sexual World

There’s a lot of talk about sexuality these days. Whether it’s about sex outside of marriage, LBGT issues, pederast priests, celibacy as a lifestyle, or gender change – everyone has an opinion, and most opinions are heated. Let’s take a step back from sexuality and consider instead physicality. We as a society are far tooContinue reading “I Wanna Hold Your Hand: Being Physical In A Sexual World”

Chris Smith: A Joyful and Vibrant Life: Cultivating Community as Slow Churches

Note from CM: My friend C. Christopher Smith is editor of The Englewood Review of Books, and author of several books, including the forthcoming Slow Church: Cultivating Community in the Patient Way of Jesus, (co-authored with John Pattison, IVP/Praxis, Spring 2014). You can, and are encouraged to connect with the conversation about Slow Church on ChrisContinue reading “Chris Smith: A Joyful and Vibrant Life: Cultivating Community as Slow Churches”

The Homily

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9, NIV) Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love (Revelation 2:4, NKJV). I hope you will allow me some leeway in today’s homily. I wantContinue reading “The Homily”

Saturday Ramblings 8.24.13

It has been a rather slow week here at the iMonastery. Chaplain Mike and Mule Chewing Briars baked cookies. The women spent their time complaining practicing for the iMonk flag football team. Me? I kept busy sewing uniforms and cleaning cookie sheets. An abbot’s work is never finished. Now it’s time to relax with aContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings 8.24.13”