Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Three Days Among the Mainlines

Unless you’ve been brought up in the insular confines of fundamentalism, it’s going to be hard to understand what it’s been like for me spending three days with “the other kind” of Christians this week. “The other kind” in this instance are mainline protestants, almost entirely Presbyterian Church USA, ELCA Lutherans, ECUSA Episcopalians and aContinue reading “Three Days Among the Mainlines”

Sabbatical Journal 1/Peterson Seminar (Conclusion)

I’m back home from sabbatical orientation and my three days with Eugene Peterson. Thank you Louisville Institute for your investment in my life and your incredible graciousness for these three days. Last night, Peterson talked about his own sabbatical experiences, which took place 23 years into his pastorate. He took off an entire year, wroteContinue reading “Sabbatical Journal 1/Peterson Seminar (Conclusion)”

Sabbatical Journal 1/Peterson seminar (continued)

It’s am amazing privilege to spent this time with the man who has been a spiritual director in absentia to so many of us. Based on what I’m hearing in this sessions, Peterson’s next two books should be real expressions of his heart. No one anywhere has a more encouraging message on the possibilities withinContinue reading “Sabbatical Journal 1/Peterson seminar (continued)”

iMonk 101: Grace Is As Dangerous As Ever

Here’s a good piece (I think) from the Spring of last year: Grace is as Dangerous as Ever. You can’t talk about grace too much around the blogosphere as far as I am concerned. When grace is understood, you either get in the flow or you resist the Spirit. One is scary and the otherContinue reading “iMonk 101: Grace Is As Dangerous As Ever”

Coffee Cup Apologetics 35

Podcast 35 Thinking about “I Can’t Continue To Call Myself A Christian.” I’ve got more to say about this in another podcast. Monday Morning Insight post of “I Can’t Consider Myself a Christian.” The podcast website is Coffee Cup Apologetics. All the episodes of Coffee Cup Apologetics are now on iTunes. Go to iTunes andContinue reading “Coffee Cup Apologetics 35”

Recommendation but No Review: Divine Canine by the Monks of New Skete

I don’t have a dog, but I’ve had several in the past and I want another one. I’m trying to make up my mind on that one. We loved our Scottie, and Denise loves German Shepherds. We could always love a mutt or two. I could stand the time thinking about something other than theContinue reading “Recommendation but No Review: Divine Canine by the Monks of New Skete”

Riffs: 02:13:08: The White Horse Inn, Law/Gospel and Why I Want My Sermon On The Mount Back

UPDATE: Dr. Michael Horton offers some helpful input in the comments. I appreciate his interest in this discussion. I love the White Horse Inn. Never miss it. I love Michael Horton and Rod Rosenbladt especially. I love the Law and Gospel distinction. I use it. I teach it to my students. I stress it toContinue reading “Riffs: 02:13:08: The White Horse Inn, Law/Gospel and Why I Want My Sermon On The Mount Back”

Review: Simplify by Paul Borthwick

You know a book is different when it starts with the question of whether you need to buy the book at all. In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis talks about the spiritual values of simple pleasures. There are a world of things, Screwtape says, that the “enemy” doesn’t mind humans doing at all: sleeping, eating,Continue reading “Review: Simplify by Paul Borthwick”

The Vilesidious Letters: On Christian Schools

As C.S. Lewis (apologies, sir) said, it is not difficult to come into this kind of correspondence, once one knows the trick. This “letter” appears to be about Christian schools. Hmmmmm….You can leave Vilesidious a comment, but I don’t think he’ll answer. Dear Slimebeetle, It is with mixed amusement and amazement that I read yourContinue reading “The Vilesidious Letters: On Christian Schools”