Chaplainmike

iMonk: The “Real” Prosperity Gospel

Excerpt from a classic Michael Spencer post, September, 2008 * * * The real prosperity gospel isn’t the overt appeal to wealth. It is the more subtle appeal to God guaranteeing that we are going to be happy, and the accompanying pressure to be happy in ways that are acceptable and recognizable to the communityContinue reading “iMonk: The “Real” Prosperity Gospel”

The Shepherd-King in the Temple

In the liturgical calendar, today is “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Here are a few exegetical and contextual notes about today’s Gospel text. I love beautiful church buildings. In my own faith journey, my imagination has been captured by the wonder of natural light filtered through stained glass windows, the “lift” felt as one gazes up towardContinue reading “The Shepherd-King in the Temple”

Circus Notes from C.P.

One of my favorite places on the web to find (unintentional) humor is The Christian Post. It is the quintessential source for “news” emerging from the evangelical circus. Here are a few of the headlines and stories they have run recently that have made me laugh, scratch my head, and/or say “What?!”: My favorite headline:Continue reading “Circus Notes from C.P.”

Saturday Ramblings 4.20.13

It has been a rough week for us all, iMonks. It’s in times like these I long to retreat to a true monastery and shut out the world. Unfortunately, that is a vocation only a very few are called to. For the rest of us, we must walk in places where bombs and fertilizer factoriesContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings 4.20.13”

Our Therapist, Who Art in Heaven

“When God Is Your Therapist” By T. M. Luhrmann Published: April 13, 2013 New York Times * * * I have started reading T.H. Luhrmann’s book, When God Talks Back: Understanding the American Evangelical Relationship with God, and hope to be reviewing it soon. In the meantime, I noticed that she had an op-ed pieceContinue reading “Our Therapist, Who Art in Heaven”

CM’s Five for the Road

OK, my friend and colleague Jeff Dunn has upped the ante. In honor of his good friend Don Mann, I can understand why. Back in September of 2010, Jeff and I did dueling “Top Five Albums” posts here on IM (links below). Being the notorious wafflers we are, at that time we had to listContinue reading “CM’s Five for the Road”

My Five Albums

Don Mann was laid to rest this week in Ohio. Don was my brother-in-law’s brother-in-law. He fought the cancer than claimed a lung, then his voice, as fiercely and bravely as anyone I have known. While he was not a blood relative, Don was a good friend, one I was privileged to know for nearlyContinue reading “My Five Albums”

A Simple Man with a Song

George Beverly Shea, the gospel singer best known for singing on Moody Radio and at Billy Graham’s crusades, died yesterday at the age of 104. You can read the full obituary and tributes HERE. Here is the simple song that became his testimony of faith. Rest well in Jesus, Bev.

An Outline: My Journey from Evangelicalism to the Lutheran Tradition

Here is an outline from two talks I gave at the church where I am currently learning and serving. It is just an outline, so if you have questions or want clarifications on anything, ask away. My purpose was to describe my personal reasons for why I, as a Christian, have moved from the cultureContinue reading “An Outline: My Journey from Evangelicalism to the Lutheran Tradition”

The Great Divide

To the bath and the table, To the prayers and the word, I call every seeking soul. – Inscribed on a church bell in Wisconsin * * * I did a couple of talks at my church recently, discussing my transition from evangelicalism to the Lutheran tradition. As I talked, words from several iMonk commentersContinue reading “The Great Divide”