Chaplainmike

Distinguishing the Seasons

By Chaplain Mike It is late February here in the Midwest, a time that will drive you crazy. In the same week, we might have snow, ice, rain, and a 65-degree sunny day. My wife noticed that the daffodils were coming up yesterday. Today, I went outside and hosed off the deck and back walkContinue reading “Distinguishing the Seasons”

iMonk Classic: The “Real” Prosperity Gospel

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer From Sept 16, 2008 A reader sent me a very nice note yesterday, talking about a bit of the scope and direction of my writing on this blog over the years. He mentioned something I want to share with you. Hear his idea and initial direction; then I wantContinue reading “iMonk Classic: The “Real” Prosperity Gospel”

Jesus Calls Us to Perfect Love

By Chaplain Mike Today’s Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48 …No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. …If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? …In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the wayContinue reading “Jesus Calls Us to Perfect Love”

The Bad News of Self-Righteousness

By Chaplain Mike My reliable source for the culture war, prosperity gospel, and all things “trend-a-gelical” is The Christian Post. They call themselves “the nationâ€™s most comprehensive Christian news website…delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.” Actually, most of the time it’s like walking into a bad Christian bookstore withContinue reading “The Bad News of Self-Righteousness”

Saturday Ramblings 2.19.11

If you are new here at the iMonastery, each week we try to do a little light housecleaning. We put away the leftovers and take out the garbage and sweep the floors. We can make quite the mess during the week trying to keep things going here. So bear with us now as we getContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings 2.19.11”

Carrying One Another

By Chaplain Mike One of my favorite sports stories of all time comes from an incident that took place in a college softball game between Central Washington and Western Oregon in April, 2008. Sara Tucholsky, a senior for Western Oregon, stepped up to the plate with two runners on base and did something she hadContinue reading “Carrying One Another”

So, You Tell Me

Hi all. Your friendly neighborhood publisher here with a few questions for you. First of all, a great big “thanks” to each of you. Because of your loyalty to visit and spend time on InternetMonk, we are in the top 1000 of all blogs on the internet. That would be number 952 out of 1,256,299Continue reading “So, You Tell Me”

Difficult Scriptures: Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10, NIV) What is so difficult about this Scripture? I mean, the psalmist is saying … uh, he’s telling us to … uh … Ok, what do you say? How are weContinue reading “Difficult Scriptures: Psalm 46:10”

Is It a Pastor?

By Chaplain Mike The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. – 1Tim 1:5, NASB I have made my views known early and often on the subject of pastoral care, pastoral visitation, and relational pastoral ministry here at Internet Monk. In my opinion, suchContinue reading “Is It a Pastor?”

A Word about Words

By Chaplain Mike Then [Job’s friends] sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great. • Job 2:11-13 • • • My dear friend, Christians believe in words and their power. And well weContinue reading “A Word about Words”