Theology is about God, and God is Spirit — so why the adjective [“spiritual” theology]? Maybe because we have accumulated a lot of experience in the Christian community of persons treating theology as a subject in which God is studied in the ways we are taught to study in our schools—acquiring information that we canContinue reading “Eugene Peterson: “Nothing disembodied, nothing impersonal, nothing in general””
Author Archives: Chaplainmike
Pastoral Joy
So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us. …For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it notContinue reading “Pastoral Joy”
The Homily
He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account. (Isaiah 53:3, NRSV) Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would beContinue reading “The Homily”
Saturday Ramblings 6.15.13
Hot enough for you, iMonks? Summer arrived here at the iMonastery this week. Mule Chewing Briars, being the new boy here, had to bum some sun screen from Chaplain Mike, while Adam Palmer protected his delicate skin by borrowing Martha’s umbrella. First Lady Denise just shook her head at all of the silliness. Me? IContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings 6.15.13”
Mingling With Monks
A couple of decades ago I read The Seven Mountains of Thomas Merton by Michael Mott. You may be familiar with this biography of a rascally and brilliant monk who spent his days at the Abbey of Gethsemane in Kentucky. That literary experience sparked a desire in this non-Catholic girl’s heart to visit a monastery.Continue reading “Mingling With Monks”
Pastor Piper Scares the Kids
UPDATE: In order to assist my “impulse control,” I will be going on a fast for the foreseen future. I will not presume to pick apart the popular Pastor Piper’s pronouncements any longer. Whate’er rants there be They will not be directed at he. * * * I’m sorry, this may represent my poor impulseContinue reading “Pastor Piper Scares the Kids”
Pastoral Suffering
Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. – 2 Corinthians 11:28 NASB * * * When I read about the Apostle Paul’s sufferings, I find it hard to relate. 2 Corinthians 11 is Paul’s resumé of his sufferings in the service of Christ. There, he writes about being imprisoned andContinue reading “Pastoral Suffering”
The Wages Of Art
Almost as soon as you open your computer you sense that something is wrong. It takes too long to load your background screen, or there is a lot of unexpected disk activity causing your hard drive to sound like a pack of dwarves in their mine, or when you open your browser there is someContinue reading “The Wages Of Art”
How I Teach My Children About Jesus
I first met Laree Lindburg at a writers’ conference six or seven years ago. We have been good friends, and even business partners, ever since. Laree, her husband, and their three boys live in a flyover state in the heartland. I asked her to share how she teaches her boys about Jesus. Welcome Laree toContinue reading “How I Teach My Children About Jesus”
Always the Road
All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth… – Hebrews 11:13 NRSV * * * All my life I’ve thought one day this wandering will be past. The place I seek willContinue reading “Always the Road”
The Internet Monk Archives 