Author Archives: Chaplainmike

This year Holy Saturday came earlier…and is lasting longer

This year Holy Saturday came earlier…and is lasting longer At Christian Century, Richard Lischer wonders, in these days of Covid-19, if we’ve been transported to Holy Saturday. Holy Saturday, the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, is the day the disciples withdrew and wondered and waited. But for what? They had no idea. NorContinue reading “This year Holy Saturday came earlier…and is lasting longer”

Online Communion?

Online Communion? The Covid-19 pandemic has forced local congregations online. Some of you watched my humble attempt to provide a bit of encouragement to my own little church by providing prayers, scripture, preaching, and songs from the sanctuary to folks stuck at home via YouTube (see Sunday’s post). All well and good, as far asContinue reading “Online Communion?”

Another Look: Surd Evil, Serpents, and the Cosmic Battle

Note from CM: I expressed some of the most important developments in my thinking about creation and life in this world in this post back in 2010. I continue to find it relevant, and never more than in these days through which we are living. • • • Another Look: SURD EVIL, SERPENTS, AND THEContinue reading “Another Look: Surd Evil, Serpents, and the Cosmic Battle”

A Lenten Brunch Response to Pharisaic Idiocy: March 28, 2020

Lenten Brunch Lite 5: March 28, 2020 This Lenten season has been somewhat overwhelmed by all the attention paid to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it has given us all an opportunity to ponder some fundamental aspects of what we believe and how we view the world (certainly consistent with Lent’s purpose). This morning I wantContinue reading “A Lenten Brunch Response to Pharisaic Idiocy: March 28, 2020”

My Strategies for Coping with Anxiety

I have been dealing with anxiety for a year now. Looking back, I had been dealing with anxious thinking long before that, but failed to recognize it. It was one of the reasons why I had to leave my previous church. You would think that these times we were in would cause a flare up,Continue reading “My Strategies for Coping with Anxiety”

A Theory of Everything (That Matters): A Brief Guide to Einstein, Relativity, and His Surprising Thoughts on God by Alister McGrath- Part 8, Chapter 6- A “Firm Belief in a Superior Mind”: Einstein on Religion

A Theory of Everything (That Matters): A Brief Guide to Einstein, Relativity, and His Surprising Thoughts on God by Alister McGrath- Part 8, Chapter 6- A “Firm Belief in a Superior Mind”: Einstein on Religion We are reviewing Alister McGrath’s new book, “A Theory of Everything (That Matters): A Brief Guide to Einstein, Relativity, andContinue reading “A Theory of Everything (That Matters): A Brief Guide to Einstein, Relativity, and His Surprising Thoughts on God by Alister McGrath- Part 8, Chapter 6- A “Firm Belief in a Superior Mind”: Einstein on Religion”

Lent with Mary Chapin Carpenter (5)

Lent with Mary Chapin Carpenter (5) Each year, on Ash Wednesday and during Lent, I focus attention on a singer-songwriter or album from the popular culture of my lifetime in which I find echoes of the Lenten journey. In her journey of grief, chronicled in the song set Ashes and Roses, Mary Chapin Carpenter foundContinue reading “Lent with Mary Chapin Carpenter (5)”

Tuesday with Michael Spencer: On Solitude and Silence

Tuesday with Michael Spencer (from March, 2009) Next Reformation posted this bit of a 2008 CT interview with Richard Foster. (I mainly mention Foster to light up the radar of the discernabloggers. Boo!) What is the discipline that you think we need to be exploring more at this point? Solitude. It is the most foundationalContinue reading “Tuesday with Michael Spencer: On Solitude and Silence”