Chaplainmike

Sunday Morning Meditation: Think On These Things

In Chaplain Mike’s absence, I’m going to share some words from others to give us something to think on as we prepare for our worship services on Sunday mornings. Today we’ll hear from Frederich Buechner. If the world is sane, then Jesus is mad as a hatter and the Last Supper is the Mad TeaContinue reading “Sunday Morning Meditation: Think On These Things”

Saturday Ramblings 11.3.12

Well, iMonks, it’s that time once again. Time to head to the polls and cast your vote for our next pastor, er, president. If you are still having trouble making up your mind who you will vote for, we have a friendly squirrel who may help lead the way. But before we get to that,Continue reading “Saturday Ramblings 11.3.12”

iMonk Holiday Gift Guide

I will be taking the rest of November off from writing, well, at least for Internet Monk. (I have a project to write for school, but that’s another matter.) At any rate, because I won’t have a chance to do this for another thirty days or so, and because some of the things on theContinue reading “iMonk Holiday Gift Guide”

Romans 8 and the Parable of the Prodigal

For the last several weeks I’ve been following the Apostle Paul through his letter to the Romans. I’ve done it before and I’m sure I will do it again. So far, I can’t get to the bottom of it. The veil Paul speaks of in his second letter to the Corinthians (3:14-18) keeps obscuring things.Continue reading “Romans 8 and the Parable of the Prodigal”

Five Thoughts from “Church Music Month”

As a way of concluding our “Church Music Month,” I offer the following five simple statements. I will not take time to develop these today — I have had occasion to discuss most of them during the month. I draw these conclusions from what we have heard and thought about and talked about together. IContinue reading “Five Thoughts from “Church Music Month””

iMonk Classic: The Great Pumpkin Proposes a Toast

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Undated The following toast was taped at the 4,231st Halloween Dance and Potluck, held this year in the basement of the Salem, Masachusetts City Hall. The guest toastmaster was The Great Pumpkin, well known advocate of Halloween among children. Those in attendance included a variety of witches, ghosts, fairies,Continue reading “iMonk Classic: The Great Pumpkin Proposes a Toast”

Reclaiming the Reclamation

Once again, we are fast approaching that time of the year that both earnest Christians and earnest neo-Pagans agree is a pagan festival. I mean, of course, Easter. Oops – too early (or late, depending how you count). No, it’s Christmas, obviously. At least, you might well think so from the deluge of pre-Christmas advertisingContinue reading “Reclaiming the Reclamation”

Interview: More from Miguel

Read Part One of our interview with Miguel Ruiz. In this second part, Miguel shares some insightful words about his own understanding of worship, and how he tries to meet the challenge of both drawing on tradition and ministering to younger generations. * * * You have been involved with both the contemporary evangelical churchContinue reading “Interview: More from Miguel”

Meet My Choir Director

Note from CM: When Gail and I started attending Risen Lord Lutheran Church, we were blessed and encouraged by the music. The liturgy was simple and beautiful, and the quality of musicianship high. We were impressed with the choir and soon joined. This was a personal joy for us, for Gail and I met whileContinue reading “Meet My Choir Director”

Prayers for Those Affected by Storms

I thought these prayers, sent out from the ELCA, might be helpful to those who want to voice their concerns to God regarding our neighbors being affected by Hurricane Sandy: * * * Prayer for those in the midst of the storm: Merciful God, when the storms rage and threaten to overtake us, awaken ourContinue reading “Prayers for Those Affected by Storms”