Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Is It a Church?

By Chaplain Mike Damaris sent me a link to an article that appeared in our local Indianapolis paper the other day. You can read it HERE. The title on the web-edition was, “Brownsburg Church Promotes God as an Expert on Sex.” I think the print edition ran a title something like, “Sex, Drugs, and Rock-n-Roll,”Continue reading “Is It a Church?”

Open Mic: Teaching about Creation

By Chaplain Mike Internet Monk reader Ben sent in the following question, asking for counsel from our IM community. Dear Chaplain Mike, On Friday, I’ve got 30 minutes to talk to a group of 11-13 year-olds about ‘creation and evolution’. They haven’t studied anything about either at school, and in the context of the churchContinue reading “Open Mic: Teaching about Creation”

A Letter from Gilead

By Chaplain Mike My dearest children, This weekend I had the profound pleasure to visit with the Rev. John Ames, a Congregational minister from Gilead, Iowa. He came to my attention and told me his stories through Marilynne Robinson’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Gilead. Hearing him speak and weave his tales was a revelation, IContinue reading “A Letter from Gilead”

Jesus Teaches God’s Laws

By Chaplain Mike Today’s Gospel: Matthew 5:21-37 what kind of world would it be… if we heard his laws with diff’rent ears if we heard them not as classroom rules designed to keep us all in line — sit up straight eyes to the front hands to yourself lips sealed — you’d better straighten up,Continue reading “Jesus Teaches God’s Laws”

iMonk Classic: “I Forgive Myself” — The Hardest Word?

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer From Feb 19, 2008 One of the things I really don’t like about run-of-the-mill evangelical spirituality is the assumption that we’re all basically clones of each other. Cheerful clones. Mentally healthy clones. Good family clones. Conservative political clones. Happy at church clones. Like the same music clones. Clones whoContinue reading “iMonk Classic: “I Forgive Myself” — The Hardest Word?”

Saturday Ramblings 2.12.11

So, have you finished all of your leftover Superb Owl snacks yet? Have you taken down your Superb Owl decorations? Had enough football? Had enough of us referring to the Big Game as the Superb Owl? Well, sports fans, here is some good news: Pitchers and catchers report in four days to Spring Training. YouContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings 2.12.11”

Catechism: A Final Word (for now)

By Chaplain Mike A number of years ago, after having read some books by J.I. Packer, including the classic Knowing God, I picked up a small book he had written called, Growing in Christ. It claimed to be a guide to Christian basics, and it focused on the Apostles’ Creed, the Sacraments, the Lord’s Prayer,Continue reading “Catechism: A Final Word (for now)”

Our Digital Life: Perils & Possibilities

By Chaplain Mike In our discussions about catechetical teaching this week, issues were raised with respect to this age of digital communication in which we now live. Greg, for example, commented, “…we are facing not just illiteracy, but an epistemology shift. Not only is generation next learning in different ways, it seems they flat doContinue reading “Our Digital Life: Perils & Possibilities”