Chaplainmike

Gospel Week: Let’s discuss some definitions

By Chaplain Mike This week our focus will be on The Gospel. You might think Christians would have this one nailed down, but many conversations continue in the church today about the definition and nature of the biblical Gospel. For example, I am looking forward to reading Scot McKnight’s upcoming book, The King Jesus Gospel:Continue reading “Gospel Week: Let’s discuss some definitions”

A Hymn for Ordinary Time (9): For the Beauty of the Earth

By Chaplain Mike On this Lord’s Day, we present a familiar hymn of praise by which we thank God for his common grace and the gifts of beauty and love that flow from it. For the Beauty of the Earth For the beauty of the earth For the glory of the skies, For the loveContinue reading “A Hymn for Ordinary Time (9): For the Beauty of the Earth”

The NT Haustafeln (House-Tables)

By Chaplain Mike We would be remiss if we did not include some consideration of Biblical teaching about family relationships during this week on Internet Monk when we are talking about them. In this post we will look at one way the apostles taught the early church to live out their faith in the home.Continue reading “The NT Haustafeln (House-Tables)”

Saturday Ramblings 8.20.11

It’s that time of week again, time to do some light housekeeping here at the iMonastery. There are brooms and rags and mops aplenty if you want to pitch in and help. Or, if you prefer, you can simply sit back and ramble… Ok, let’s start with the most important story of the week. TheContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings 8.20.11”

IM Book Review: Home

By Chaplain Mike And now here he is, Glory thought, haggard and probationary, with little of his youth left to him except the wry elusiveness, secretiveness, that he did in fact seem to wear on his skin. He stood propped against the counter with his arms folded and watched his father while his father ponderedContinue reading “IM Book Review: Home”

The Empty Church

(Chaplain Mike asked for family stories this week. Here is mine.) I was born and raised (I always thought that sounded kind of funny—I thought barns and flags and hands were raised) in southwestern Ohio. Lebanon, Ohio to be exact. Some of my ancestors were among the first settlers of Lebanon and Warren County. AccordingContinue reading “The Empty Church”

Indulgences

As a follow-up to the post on Purgatory, and to fulfill the promise therein where I said we would speak of indulgences, here we treat of that most vexed topic. Before we begin, an acknowledgement: Yes, there was Tetzel and the sale of indulgences for the dead and yes, Tetzel was in the wrong. YouContinue reading “Indulgences”

family. unique characteristics of each.

By Chaplain Mike In our consideration of God’s common grace gift of family this week, I keep coming back to this sentence: “Bottom line, life is about how we deal with the family stuff, what we do with it, where we run from it, how we get reconciled to it.” Today, we break down “theContinue reading “family. unique characteristics of each.”

Another Look: The Family (a trilogy)

By Chaplain Mike Originally posted in April, 2010 • • • THE FAMILY (A Trilogy) I. The Younger Here I am, father, at the eleventh hour once more, Reaper’s scythe poised to harvest fruit of seeds I’ve sown. Shamefaced, knowing full well the paucity of yield, I slump low with downcast eyes, near resigned toContinue reading “Another Look: The Family (a trilogy)”

A Family Story from The Book of God

Today, a story about the family, by Walter Wangerin. • • • Soon after the destruction of Sodom, Abraham struck camp and traveled south into the Negev. Near Gerar he found new pasture for his flocks, so he stayed a while. In the fall he and his men sheared the sheep, causing a daylong bawlingContinue reading “A Family Story from The Book of God”