Chaplainmike

Of Chickens, Eagles, and Other Winged Creatures

‎”We don’t first define a class of people who will be our neighbors and then select only them as the objects of our love — leaving the rest to lie where they fall. Jesus deftly rejects the question, ‘Who is my neighbor?’ and substitutes the only question really relevant here: ‘To whom will I beContinue reading “Of Chickens, Eagles, and Other Winged Creatures”

iMonk Classic: Ordinary Thoughts

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer From August 2007 First, thoughts. You go to the doctor with pain in your chest. He spends the whole hour talking about God. Is this OK? You go to a musical production of “Oklahoma.” The cast comes out and gives their testimony the entire time. Is this OK withContinue reading “iMonk Classic: Ordinary Thoughts”

Eagle Update: 8/4/12

I’ve tried to call Eagle on a couple of times recently, but always seemed to pick the wrong time, when he had a visitor or was busy with his medical caregivers. I did talk with Dee yesterday, who literally went the extra mile(s) by making a four-hour drive to see him and help him workContinue reading “Eagle Update: 8/4/12”

Saturday Ramblings 8.4.12

Welcome to the sweltering edition of Saturday Ramblings. The only place hotter than Tulsa (our fair city), Oklahoma on Wednesday was Saudi Arabia. And when the Rambler’s AC broke on Thursday, well, things in the iMonastery got pretty hot. So along with the heat, what else has been going on this week? Oh, nothing much.Continue reading “Saturday Ramblings 8.4.12”

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

Just as it takes a farmer to really identify BS, it takes a preacher to recognize self-righteousness…a preacher who has been there, done that, and who is still pretty good at it. – Steve Brown, Three Free Sins * * * I’m one of those preachers and I ought to just own up. So, hereContinue reading “Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid”

Eagle Update: 8/2/12

9:30pm — Update from Dee… Eagle has a seriously infected leg. They are planning on multiple IV antibiotics for some time to come hence he will be having a central line placed in the next day. I am hoping the red above the knee is do to serious inflammation and not infection but new culturesContinue reading “Eagle Update: 8/2/12”

Splendid Isolation

Don’t want to wake up with no one beside me Don’t want to take up with nobody new Don’t want nobody coming by without calling first Don’t want nothing to do with you Splendid Isolation I don’t need no one Splendid Isolation Warren Zevon, Splendid Isolation, from the album Transverse City I have shared beforeContinue reading “Splendid Isolation”

Eagle Update: 8/1/12

UPDATE: 8:30pm. Although the post below tries to inject some humor into this situation with Eagle, it is important for us all to realize that he is still very sick and in need of continuing prayers and support. Dee from Wartburg Watch lives a few hours away from the hospital where Eagle is, and sheContinue reading “Eagle Update: 8/1/12”

David Brooks Nails It

In his July 30 New York Times article, columnist David Brooks quotes Peggy Noonan and agrees with her when she says about this year’s presidential election: “It’s incredibly consequential and incredibly boring all at the same time.” Brooks gives the following reasons why he concurs with this observation: Intellectual stagnation: “…our big government/ small governmentContinue reading “David Brooks Nails It”

One of My Favorite Cases

A few years ago, I was involved in a unique chaplaincy situation with a patient and family that combined two of my greatest loves: pastoral care and Cubs baseball. It illustrates one of the basic principles I try to follow in pastoral ministry — Take interest in the interests of those you are trying toContinue reading “One of My Favorite Cases”