This is another look at a post first published here last December. It is the story of the first ones to hear the announcement that the Messiah had been born and placed in a manger. It’s a great reminder to us all that losers are welcomed by our Lord. 8 That night there were shepherds stayingContinue reading “Another Look: The First To Hear”
Author Archives: Chaplainmike
The Magnificat vs. Today’s Gospel (2)
Today, I had marvelous conversation with an African-American woman who had grown up in Mississippi, moved to Indianapolis, whose family had relocated to other rust-belt cities like Chicago and Detroit in the 1960’s and 70’s. She could talk about picking cotton, participating in civil rights marches, employers who were members of the Ku Klux Klan,Continue reading “The Magnificat vs. Today’s Gospel (2)”
Contradicting the World’s Propaganda
Long before I read N.T. Wright and other contemporary authors, my eyes were opened to what Scot McKnight calls “The King Jesus Gospel” through the work of the great Roman Catholic Biblical scholar, Raymond E. Brown. His two little books, A Coming Christ in Advent, and An Adult Christ at Christmas, though considered “liberal” byContinue reading “Contradicting the World’s Propaganda”
The Magnificat vs. Today’s Gospel (1)
Scot McKnight ran a post earlier today called, “Justin Holcomb and the Soterian Gospel.” In it, he commented on a piece by one of the pastors at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, designed to answer the question, “What Is the Gospel?” McKnight rightly commends Holcomb for an excellent presentation of a certain kind of “Gospel”Continue reading “The Magnificat vs. Today’s Gospel (1)”
Go Forth to Meet Him
Monday Merton Musings, December 19, 2011 Go Forth to Meet Him The week before Christmas has arrived. The words we hear from Thomas Merton today for our weekly meditation are brief but searching. For Christmas will come this year, just as it did long ago in Bethlehem. As on that occasion, some will be readyContinue reading “Go Forth to Meet Him”
Another Look: Building a Cradle for Jesus
Originally posted Dec. 1, 2010 Where meek souls will receive Him still The dear Christ enters in. • “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” Brooks I am not good at working with my hands to fashion beautiful artistic creations. Never have been and probably never will be. I’m better with books and people and such, andContinue reading “Another Look: Building a Cradle for Jesus”
Advent IV: There Are Few Words
Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2012 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38 Prayer of the Day Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that would obstruct your mercy, that willingly we may bear your redeemingContinue reading “Advent IV: There Are Few Words”
iMonk Classic: No Big Thing
Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer From December, 2007 I want to start this post with a quote from a typical ambitious evangelical church that wants to grow. Get big. Add lots of people. Become “mega.” Get the crowds and their kids in the doors. But I’ve decided not to insult you. If you don’tContinue reading “iMonk Classic: No Big Thing”
Saturday Ramblings 12.17.11
What a busy week it’s been here at the iMonastery. It is like a miniature Santa’s workshop around here! Martha O’Ireland has been busy making fudge with a wee bit of special Irish “juice” in them. Damaris has knitted us all scarfs. Adam is composing a Christmas opera. And Joe Stallard, our erstwhile webmaster, is still tryingContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings 12.17.11”
Tim Tennent: It is time we become “deep, thick and different.”
I have been waiting to make this available to you for awhile. Earlier in the fall, Ben Witherington posted an address spoken by President Timothy Tennent for the Fall Convocation at Asbury Theological Seminary. I’ve wanted Internet Monk readers to hear his words ever since I first read them. In the light of Jeff’s post yesterday,Continue reading “Tim Tennent: It is time we become “deep, thick and different.””
The Internet Monk Archives 