There is a scene early in Voyage Of The Dawn Treader—the third movie installment in the Chronicles of Narnia series—where Edmund has just arrived in Narnia to meet King Caspian sailing aboard the Dawn Treader. Edmund asks Caspian, “Why are we here?” It’s a question I asked myself over and over while watching this disaster.Continue reading “A Voyage To Avoid”
Author Archives: Chaplainmike
iMonk Classic: Talk Hard (On the Role of the Critic)
Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Undated Note from CM: Earlier this week, we published a strong post in the tradition of what I called “prophetic ridicule.” Some folks don’t like that. They take offense. They think it violates the law of love. Years ago, Michael Spencer wrote one of the best defenses concerning theContinue reading “iMonk Classic: Talk Hard (On the Role of the Critic)”
Saturday Ramblings 12.11.10
It’s countdown Saturday. Countdown to Christmas? Well, no—but if you haven’t addressed your Christmas cards yet, I suggest you get started. College football countdown? C’mon. Other than the Army-Navy game, this is a bye week for college football. No. “Countdown Saturday.” Look at the date. December 11, 2010. 12-11-10. Well, at least it’s a Saturday.Continue reading “Saturday Ramblings 12.11.10”
It’s a Wonderful Gospel
By Chaplain Mike What do you need when you have spent your whole life giving to others, sacrificing your dreams to do the responsible thing, being the person others count on when the chips are down; when you are tired of being “that guy” that everyone looks to but no one appreciates? What do youContinue reading “It’s a Wonderful Gospel”
Some More Of My Favorite Things
I like books. Ok, so that’s not exactly a revelation to those who know me. Saying “I like books” is kind of like saying Dagwood likes sandwiches. I have, well, let’s just say I have a few books. If by “few” we mean “a few thousand,” then we’re on the right track. So it cameContinue reading “Some More Of My Favorite Things”
God With Us
“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—‘tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.†As a writer, these words by Mark Twain evoke a resounding Amen deep inside me. How many times have I labored for an hour or more to fix one sentence thatContinue reading “God With Us”
Ajith Fernando on Pastoral Ministry
By Chaplain Mike In contrast to the “Disneyized” bigger, better, event and attraction oriented approach of much that we call “ministry” today, there are pastors who understand the importance of daily faithfulness, quiet consistency, regular personal interaction with those in their congregations, and ministry activities like pastoral visitation and encouraging people to fulfill their vocationsContinue reading “Ajith Fernando on Pastoral Ministry”
Ben Hur and the Nativity
Guest Post by Andy Zehner The readers of iMonk can, I’m sure, give a very good account of the theology of the Incarnation and the fulfillment in Christ of Messianic prophesies. Many can recite the second chapter of Luke from “And it came to pass in those days . . .†to “But Mary keptContinue reading “Ben Hur and the Nativity”
Peterson on Jesus as the Way
By Chaplain Mike Yesterday, in the light of our “Disney-ization” post, a friend reminded me of an interview Eugene Peterson did with Christianity Today’s Mark Galli back in 2005 called, “Spirituality for All the Wrong Reasons.” This discussion between two of my favorite writers examines the “Jesus way” of living the spiritual life vs. variousContinue reading “Peterson on Jesus as the Way”
The Real “Santa Claus”
By Chaplain Mike In this morning’s post, we talked about the difference between Biblical Christianity and the “Disney-ized” version so prevalent in America today. Another example of turning a classic tale into a shallow, sentimentalized version for mass consumption (more in our culture than in the church) is what we have done to the storyContinue reading “The Real “Santa Claus””
The Internet Monk Archives 