Once upon a time, there was a village that had a great heritage of education among its citizens. For many years, the community had wonderful schools, but more importantly, great scholars, statesmen, artists and educators. Education was important to families, children and businesses. For years, it was rare to find anyone who wasn’t a graduate,Continue reading “A Parable for our Seeker-Sensitive, Purpose-Driven, Church Growth Oriented Friends”
Author Archives: Chaplainmike
A Rigney Read for the Fourth
Reading this story on a Patriotic Rally sponsored by a Lexington Baptist Church, I was reminded of one of my favorite Internet Monk essays: Christianity and Patriotism by IM contributor eric rigney. This was written several years ago, but is still timely and well thought out. Few evangelicals question this sort of thing, and noneContinue reading “A Rigney Read for the Fourth”
300 pages into “My Life”
Yes, I’m reading Bill Clinton’s “My Life.” I’m 300 pages into the ex-President’s magnum opus autobiography, and he just got booted out of the governor’s mansion by the voters of Arkansas. He learned a thing or two about how rural folks feel when they discover- at the end of a long line- that their autoContinue reading “300 pages into “My Life””
Pit Stop Update : You Don’t Make Me Crazy
Time for a “Pit Stop” update. (We’ll just give that little title to posts referring back to the original post about my Summer ’04 spiritual crisis. I’m not a NASCAR fan, btw, but in baseball we often talk about “fixing the flat,” so I can live with the title.) I’ll start by saying a hugeContinue reading “Pit Stop Update : You Don’t Make Me Crazy”
How we sound to those who don’t believe
Today I listened to the preacher in chapel. Really, really closely for a change. It probably wasn’t a good idea. See, God is giving me a gift. I’m starting to hear sermons like non-Christians hear them. I’m starting to feel what they feel, and it’s disconcerting. It’s scarey. Some of my Christian friends won’t likeContinue reading “How we sound to those who don’t believe”
The Ten Greatest Baseball Movies of All Time (?)
Christianity Today has some wonderful articles on film these days. (Hats off to CT for the increased attention to what most of us were told would send us straight to hell.) This week they have the “Ten Greatest Baseball Movies of All Time.” Since baseball is my therapy, and I want more of my peersContinue reading “The Ten Greatest Baseball Movies of All Time (?)”
Wizards or Idiots? It’s your choice
Every time Baptist Press lights one up on the subject of Harry Potter, I want to hit the pause button and ask a few questions. Assume that a child has no one to help him/her understand what they are reading. Should we be more afraid of him/her reading Harry Potter or the Bible?
Patty Loveless in Concert
Denise and I were the guests of friends at the Patty Loveless concert tonight at historic Renfro Valley. I’ve wanted to see Patty Loveless for years, so this was a nice surprise. Patty is one of the finest voices and song crafters in country music. She’s from Pikeville and Elkhorn City here in Kentucky, andContinue reading “Patty Loveless in Concert”
Do churches and numbers mean anything?
How much comfort should America take from the fact that we are a land of churches and large congregations? Does the presence of churches- especially megachurches- imply the “discipling” of Americans into a Christian faith that effects lives and culture? Do the crowds we see filling churches, stadiums and Christian events really signal a “ChristianContinue reading “Do churches and numbers mean anything?”
Whither Calvinism?
I’m a bad Calvinist. (UPDATE 4/05. I’m not longer a Calvinist.) Meaning, I’ll call myself a Calvinist, but I have more than a few exceptions and quibbles with Calvinism. So when someone in the camp speaks up plainly and says things aren’t quite perfect, I will listen. This extended quote comes from someone at PilgrimContinue reading “Whither Calvinism?”
The Internet Monk Archives 