“Lo, How a Rose” — Experiencing the Power of Beauty Classic iMonk post by Michael Spencer December 2004 It was Christmas of 1968. I was a seventh grader at Estes Junior High School. School was a huge part of my world. My father was beginning down the road to depression. I was an only child,Continue reading “iMonk Classic: “Lo, How a Rose…” — Experiencing the Power of Beauty”
Author Archives: Chaplainmike
An Advent Tradition I Forgot to Mention
In 2008, Michael Spencer drew attention to a resource guaranteed to provoke wonder in our hearts and minds during Advent. I regret that I am late in pointing you to this Advent Calendar in 2012, but don’t let that stop you. Take a few moments each day to meditate on some of the most remarkableContinue reading “An Advent Tradition I Forgot to Mention”
Silence. Please.
I am convinced more and more every day — and especially in the light of tragic events yesterday — that the wisdom Christians in the U.S. need to learn is found in the Book of Job. Now when Job’s three friends heard of all these troubles that had come upon him, each of them set outContinue reading “Silence. Please.”
Saturday Ramblings 12.15.12
Welcome to the very last Saturday Ramblings ever. Next Saturday would be December 22, and we all know the world is ending on the 21st. So load up now on all those extra helpings you’ve been bypassing. No need to diet this week. And we are loaded here this week with extra helpings of goodies.Continue reading “Saturday Ramblings 12.15.12”
Advent: The Process of Making a Way
They are working on our street now. Several years ago, we had a major flood in our town and now they are laying large drains under the street to prevent the kind of damage many local home and business owners suffered. In addition, they are using the opportunity to beautify the downtown area and ourContinue reading “Advent: The Process of Making a Way”
Year ’round Christmas Music
I love Christmas music. Not, mind you, most of the cheese that passes as Christmas music, sung by artists knowing they can make a quick buck by whipping out a few “Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire” stanzas. (I especially love Jewish singers, like Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond, putting out Christmas albums.) I loveContinue reading “Year ’round Christmas Music”
The Darkness Of Advent
Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. (Isaiah 50:10, ESV) Those who have been reading for a while know of my struggles with the feelings of darkness that, at times, seem to be crushing theContinue reading “The Darkness Of Advent”
The Horizontal Gospel (Richard Rohr)
One of the greatest contributions of those who are helping us see the fullness of the Gospel today through the New Perspective and other emphases upon the Kingdom is that they are raising our understanding of the horizontal meaning of Jesus’ work closer to the significance it holds in the New Testament. “God-centered” interpretations ofContinue reading “The Horizontal Gospel (Richard Rohr)”
Return to Sister Winter
Tinsel and Lights by Tracey Thorn Merge Records (2012) You loved it as a kid And now you need it more than you ever did It’s because of the dark You see the beauty in the spark That’s why, that’s why The carols make you cry Joy, joy… Sentimentalism, in my view, is the enemyContinue reading “Return to Sister Winter”
IM Book Review: Why George Bailey Is My Hero
The God Of The Mundane: Reflections on Ordinary Life for Ordinary People by Matthew B. Redmond Kalos Press (2012) * * * “For we want to be the George Bailey whose significance has been revealed. However, we do not want to be the George Bailey who leads a mundane life, void of the excitement ofContinue reading “IM Book Review: Why George Bailey Is My Hero”
The Internet Monk Archives 