Good words from Rachel Held Evans on the myth that Christians are being persecuted today in the United States: There are indeed Christians being persecuted around the world. There are Christians who break the law by gathering together for church, Christians whose family members have been executed for their beliefs, Christians who have been imprisonedContinue reading “Redefining “Persecution””
Author Archives: Chaplainmike
The Font and the Tiny Casket
Baptism of Our Lord Sunday January 13, 2013 Recently, in my role as a hospice chaplain, I baptized a beautiful little three-month old baby girl, as she was being held in the arms of her mother in their home. The baby was terminally ill, and few days later she went to heaven. When I baptizedContinue reading “The Font and the Tiny Casket”
Ten Songs that Moved Me in 2012
I did not do a “Best Albums” list for 2012 this year. 2012 was not a banner year for me with regard to listening to music, for several reasons: Limited funds, Limited time to explore and listen to new music, See point #1. In addition, there was only one record I was eagerly looking forwardContinue reading “Ten Songs that Moved Me in 2012”
Saturday Ramblings 1.12.13
Greetings one and all. It’s that time of year once again. What time? Well, college football season has ended. The NFL season is over for me, as my Bengals once again proved to be, uh, the Bengals. Hockey? Not yet. Basketball? Doesn’t start for me until March. Ah, baseball, right? Not yet. Pitchers and catchersContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings 1.12.13”
Church Renewal Remix
In the light of Jeff’s passionate post yesterday, let’s take a look at what someone else is saying about the future of the American church (with a focus on Protestant groups). Over at sowhatfaith.com, the blog of Greg Smith, there is a ten-part series called “The Future Church (v. 2020) – 10 Shifts.” Smith describesContinue reading “Church Renewal Remix”
Saving Evangelicalism
The founder of InternetMonk, Michael Spencer, once wrote a series of essays on the Coming Collapse of Evangelicalism. I found myself not only agreeing with Michael, but cheering on the collapse of this branch of Christianity that, from my vantage point, had grown heavy with pride, selfishness, greed and fraud. Evangelicalism was imploding, collapsing underContinue reading “Saving Evangelicalism”
Genesis for Normal People
Genesis for Normal People: A Guide to the Most Controversial, Misunderstood, and Abused Book of the Bible by Peter Enns and Jared Byas Patheos Press (2012) * * * According to its authors, Genesis for Normal People is designed for “normal people…who are curious about the Bible and want to get a handle on whatContinue reading “Genesis for Normal People”
The First Story of Israel (Gen. 2-3)
* * * Genesis 2 is not another version of the creation of the cosmos. It shifts the focus to the story of Israel. – Peter Enns, Jared Byas, Genesis for Normal People Let me tell you a story. God prepared a good land, a land of abundance and promise. He formed a people andContinue reading “The First Story of Israel (Gen. 2-3)”
A Few Thoughts from Friends
Browsing around last night, I found several thoughts too good not to share. * * * Michael Newnham at Phoenix Preacher — “Things I Think” America could completely collapse and even cease to exist and Jesus still might not be at the door. The Christian era has seen the collapse of a few empires. Jesus prayed forContinue reading “A Few Thoughts from Friends”
Listen Up, People! Our God Reigns! (Gen. 1)
A Reading/Performance of Genesis 1 Listen up, people! Our God reigns! Let me tell you about our God. Way back in the beginning, he made everything that is. That’s right, I said he made everything that is! It was God, the true and living God. Not the pretender “gods” of Babylon or any other nation.Continue reading “Listen Up, People! Our God Reigns! (Gen. 1)”
The Internet Monk Archives 