Chaplainmike

iMonk Classic: Worshiping the Missional God

From a classic post by Michael Spencer — June 2007 I’ve been thinking about how much we can know about God. In particular, how does a deeply missional God work the knowledge of himself into a life like mine? …I’m looking at Abraham, and I’m wondering what he knew about God and how that knowledgeContinue reading “iMonk Classic: Worshiping the Missional God”

The Homily

When Isaac grew old, his eyes were so bad he could see only shadows. He called his eldest son, Esau, to his side. Isaac: My son. Esau: I’m here. Isaac: 2 You see that I am growing old now. I may die any day. 3 Take your hunting weaponry—your quiver and your bow—and go out to the field and hunt game for me. 4 Then prepareContinue reading “The Homily”

Saturday Ramblings 6.8.13

With the revelation this week that the NSA (No Such Agency) is spying on Americans by looking at their internet wanderings, I’m curious what our spymasters think of Internet Monk? Are there any who moonlight as commenters? Are they researching who this Mule Chewing Briars dude is? And what do they make of the SynonymousContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings 6.8.13”

Christian Traditions 101: The Seven Cardinal Virtues, continued

In my last post I talked about the human virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. I pointed out that these are considered human virtues because all decent people recognize them as good things and in some way educate their children and design their laws to encourage them. We can’t stop there, though. We haveContinue reading “Christian Traditions 101: The Seven Cardinal Virtues, continued”

Christian Traditions 101: The Seven Cardinal Virtues

Quick – name the Seven Cardinal Virtues. Can’t do it, can you? It’s funny (or maybe not) that many of us can name the Seven Deadly Sins but have no clue what the Seven Cardinal Virtues are. It seems sins are still objective, nameable things, especially the deadly ones; post-modern people can still find someContinue reading “Christian Traditions 101: The Seven Cardinal Virtues”

Summer Sounds from CM 6/6/13

Here is one of my favorite old 60’s songs — and a great song for summer — covered by my favorite artist, James Taylor, who covers other people’s material just about as well as anyone. It was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King and first recorded by The Drifters in 1962. “Up on theContinue reading “Summer Sounds from CM 6/6/13”

IM Book Review: Dallas Willard’s Best Book

The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives by Dallas Willard 1988. HarperOne; Reprint edition (May 5, 1999) Note: As of this writing, the ebook addition of this book is now available for only $3.99 on Amazon. * * * When we mentioned Dallas Willard last week, one of our commenters wrote andContinue reading “IM Book Review: Dallas Willard’s Best Book”

The Mule’s Bible

One of our regular commenters goes by the handle “Mule Chewing Briars.” He may or may not have a real name, but he does have a real style about him: He has something to say, and doesn’t mince words saying it. Mule is joining the iMonk stable of writers; we will hear from him mostContinue reading “The Mule’s Bible”

Meet The Team

As Chaplain Mike shared yesterday, he is stepping back from day-to-day writing duties here at the iMonastery in order to focus on his two “real” fulltime jobs. When we talked recently he said needed time to eat and sleep as well as work. I told him that was a personal problem and suggested if heContinue reading “Meet The Team”

A “Biblical” View of Marriage?

NOTE FROM CM: The following article was written by Robert R. Cargill, assistant professor of religious studies at the University of Iowa; Kenneth Atkinson, associate professor of history at the University of Northern Iowa; and Hector Avalos, professor of religious studies at Iowa State University. From The Des Moines Register: The debate about marriage equalityContinue reading “A “Biblical” View of Marriage?”