Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Saturday Ramblings 8.11.12

Good Saturday morning, iMonks! It has been a relatively quiet week here at the iMonastery. Still, we make a mess throughout the week, not putting things away or washing the dishes or refilling the cookie jar. That’s what Saturdays are for. It’s the day we clean up and catch up. Part of that includes grabbingContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings 8.11.12”

IM Book Review: Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson Simon and Schuster, 2011 * * * How is one to think about a person like Steve Jobs? Jobs was: A counterculture anti-materialist whose life work was to create consumer products and conduct corporate business dealings at the highest level. A connoisseur of impeccable elegance and style who disregarded everyone’s adviceContinue reading “IM Book Review: Steve Jobs”

Another Look: A Perfect Life Or A Perfect God?

This is one of Lisa Dye’s first essays she wrote for us. Lisa is one of our iMonk writers who shares her life in a very real and vulnerable way. Because of this she touches hearts like none other.  Years ago, I remember hearing Derek Prince during a radio broadcast tell of a moment inContinue reading “Another Look: A Perfect Life Or A Perfect God?”

IM Book Review: Defending The Free Market

Father Robert Sirico has travelled a long twisty road from the left end of the political spectrum to the right and from a Catholic upbringing, to Protestant dabblings, to prodigal wanderings and back again to Catholicism and the priesthood. Sirico (yes, brother to Tony of the Sopranos) caught my attention a few weeks ago inContinue reading “IM Book Review: Defending The Free Market”

Not Just Believing in God, but Believing in the Humanity of People

My reading this week could not be more bipolar. Not only am I reading about Steve Jobs and corporate leadership in America, I am also reading Becoming Human by Jean Vanier, founder of L’Arche, which has communities around the world where people live with and among the developmentally disabled. In preparation for more discussion in days toContinue reading “Not Just Believing in God, but Believing in the Humanity of People”

Why “Leaders” Are Not the Church’s Greatest Need

In conjunction with today’s post, I encourage you to read the following article by Mark Galli as a complement to what I have to say here. As usual, Mark is spot on. * * * The Leadership Cult Why are we fascinated with the very thing Jesus warned us against? by Mark Galli, 11/13/2008, ChristianityContinue reading “Why “Leaders” Are Not the Church’s Greatest Need”

Gordon MacDonald on Lessons We Can Learn from Steve Jobs

The Soul of Steve Jobs What would it have taken to reach the Apple founder’s core? by Gordon MacDonald Leadership Journal, Winter 2012 * * * This week I am reading Walter Isaacson’s fascinating biography, Steve Jobs. It’s like a car wreck on the interstate — I can’t turn my eyes away. The life ofContinue reading “Gordon MacDonald on Lessons We Can Learn from Steve Jobs”

Randy Thompson: If it seems like your pastor is crazy…

Note from CM: Randy Thompson is one of our faithful readers and commenters. Randy and his wife Jill have served churches in New England for over twenty years and are now running a retreat in New Hampshire called Forest Haven where they minister to other ministers. Today’s post will help you understand why they feel this isContinue reading “Randy Thompson: If it seems like your pastor is crazy…”