Author Archives: Chaplainmike

My “Most Influential” Books (1)

The other day Scot McKnight posted this: A reader asked me to post my Top Five favorite, most influential, book list. What is yours? Here is my list: Martin Buber, I and Thou Augustine, Confessions Dante, Divine Comedy John Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship It got me thinking. I responded in the comments withContinue reading “My “Most Influential” Books (1)”

A Special Day in Baseball

From a Major League Baseball press release last week… Major League Baseball is commemorating Jackie Robinson Day on Sunday, April 15, 2012 with a League-wide 65th anniversary recognition of Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson breaking the game’s color barrier in 1947. To highlight this special occasion, all players and on-field personnel will once again wearContinue reading “A Special Day in Baseball”

Exuberant Easter!

Easter Oratorio, BWV 249 J.S. Bach The soundtrack in my mind during the Easter season is all Bach, timpani and trumpets, and bright celebration. These days I have been listening to a shimmering 2011 recording of the JS Bach Easter and Ascension Oratorios by the Retrospect Ensemble. Easter Oratorio is one of five works byContinue reading “Exuberant Easter!”

More Connected and Never Lonelier?

“We are living in an isolation that would have been unimaginable to our ancestors, and yet we have never been more accessible. Over the past three decades, technology has delivered to us a world in which we need not be out of contact for a fraction of a moment. In 2010, at a cost ofContinue reading “More Connected and Never Lonelier?”

Fridays in Ephesus (1)

Fridays in Ephesus (1) The Drama of Ephesians During Eastertide on Fridays, we are reflecting on insights from Timothy Gombis’s recent book, The Drama of Ephesians: Participating in the Triumph of God. • • • “Ephesians, then, is a drama, portraying the victory of God in Christ over the dark powers that rule this presentContinue reading “Fridays in Ephesus (1)”

If It Walks Like A Duck …

Ozzie Guillen is an idiot. The manager of the Miami Marlins was interviewed by Time magazine for an online article, released last week. In the interview, Guillen—again, a baseball manager, not a foreign diplomat or spokesman—spoke about how he feels about Fidel Castro. “I respect Fidel Castro. You know why? A lot of people haveContinue reading “If It Walks Like A Duck …”

Journey into New Life (1)

It is Eastertide, the Great Fifty Days during which we celebrate the victory of the risen Christ, remember his appearances, prepare for his Ascension, and prayerfully wait for the power of the Spirit to come at Pentecost. I have long thought that this was an especially good time for the Church to gather together inContinue reading “Journey into New Life (1)”

iMonk Classic: Icebergs, Onions and Why You’re Not As Simple As You Think

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer from April 2008 Note from CM: Yesterday I had my interview with a counselor about the results of the psychological testing that is part of the ordination process in the ELCA. More about that later. It brought to mind some of Michael’s insightful writings about his own journey ofContinue reading “iMonk Classic: Icebergs, Onions and Why You’re Not As Simple As You Think”