This is a book about the second turning. In the first turning, a Christian experiences the transformation from a natural person to a spiritual person. Instead of “self” being the center of life — exploring, cultivating, adoring it — God becomes the center. This miracle is brought forth by the Holy Spirit giving us newContinue reading “The Second Turning: or How JT, a Field of Dreams, a Marble Tomb, and Learning to Do Nothing Saved My Life”
Author Archives: Chaplainmike
Evangelicalism as a Way Station
I want to say something in praise of evangelicalism today. Evangelicalism has played an important role in my spiritual formation, and I know from experience that it has done the same in the lives of many others. The graph of my spiritual history is simple: from mainline Christianity to adolescent rebellion to spiritual awakening throughContinue reading “Evangelicalism as a Way Station”
Internet Monk Makes the New York Times!
I received an email from Shawn Askinosie today. Shawn is a criminal defense lawyer turned confectioner. His company, Askinosie Chocolate in Springfield, Mo., makes highly regarded bean-to-bar artisanal chocolate with 10 percent of the profits shared with the company’s cocoa farmers in Ecuador, Honduras, the Philippines and Tanzania. He was interviewed by an opinion pageContinue reading “Internet Monk Makes the New York Times!”
An Entry Level Guide to the Lutheran Perspective
I just read a brief and winsome introduction to The Christian Faith from a Lutheran Perspective by Peter W. Marty, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa, as well as a noted speaker and author. Pastor Marty covers many of the key teachings from the Lutheran tradition in a simple but not simplisticContinue reading “An Entry Level Guide to the Lutheran Perspective”
Easter Monday Reflections
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothesContinue reading “Easter Monday Reflections”
Holy Week with Duccio: Appearance behind Locked Doors
Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands for our offenses given; but now at God’s right hand he stands and brings us life from heaven. Therefore let us joyful be and sing to God right thankfully loud songs of hallelujah! Hallelujah! So let us keep the festival to which the Lord invites us; Christ isContinue reading “Holy Week with Duccio: Appearance behind Locked Doors”
Holy Week with Duccio: Deposition
Faithful cross, true sign of triumph, be for all the noblest tree; none in foliage, none in blossom, none in fruit your equal be; symbol of the world’s redemption, for your burden makes us free. – “Sing, my Tongue” Venantius Honorius Clementianus Fortunatus (ca. 535-600) trans. by John Mason Neale
Footnotes on Holy Saturday
“It is rare to hear a sermon about Easter Saturday; for much of Christian history the day has found no place in liturgy and worship it could call its own within the triduum, or three-day festival spanning Good Friday and the Day of Resurrection…” – Between Cross and Resurrection: A Theology of Holy Saturday Alan E.Continue reading “Footnotes on Holy Saturday”
Saturday Ramblings 3.30.13
It is Holy Saturday, iMonks. It’s a day for quiet meditation, silence, solitude. It’s the day before The Day. And without The Day, we are eternally lost. Yet as you prepare for the joy of tomorrow, don’t let’s rush past the despair of today. Now that I have effectively driven all happiness from your day,Continue reading “Saturday Ramblings 3.30.13”
Holy Week with Duccio: Crucifixion
I am one who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath; he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light; against me alone he turns his hand, again and again, all day long. He has made my flesh and my skin waste away, and broken my bones; he has besieged and envelopedContinue reading “Holy Week with Duccio: Crucifixion”
The Internet Monk Archives 