Cleaning Closets

By Chaplain Mike

I came home from a weekend away intent on cleaning out closets.

This urge occasionally strikes, and when it does, I’ve learned to lie down until it goes away.

Ridding home and life of clutter sometimes seems overwhelming, especially now, living in a house and at a time of life when most of it is out of sight. Motivation was easy when I had to look at the mess, and when we were tripping over it all the time.

The nest is now mostly empty, with seasonal lodging for our college students. Only the occasional visit from grandchildren leaves our floors covered with toys. It used to be that way a half dozen times a day. We have plenty of closet space, an attic that is big enough to be a third floor, and basement and garage storage.

And it’s all full.Continue reading “Cleaning Closets”

“Pray, Give, and Go” Believers

By Chaplain Mike

I was in Chicago over the weekend, and attended Wheaton Bible Church with my wife’s sister on Sunday. It has been our habit to worship at WBC when we visit the area.

WBC is an established evangelical church in what used to be the “Mecca” of evangelical Christianity: Wheaton, Illinois, near Wheaton College, evangelical publishing houses such as Tyndale and Crossway, and a large number of mission organizations. The church was founded in 1929 as the “Wheaton College Interdenominational Church,” and its meetings began on the college campus. Well-known pastors at WBC (at least in the evangelical Bible-church world) have included J.C. Macaulay, Malcolm Cronk, and Richard Seume.

One great passion of the church and its people is worldwide missions. This impulse is still, to my mind, the saving grace of evangelical Christianity.

Continue reading ““Pray, Give, and Go” Believers”

Dining In The Valley

Editor’s note: Read this essay by Joe Spann slowly and prayerfully. It was written in the midst of pain for those who are in the midst of pain.

“Son of Adam,” said Aslan.  “Are you ready to undo the wrong that you have done to my sweet country of Narnia on the very first day of its birth?”

“Well, I don’t see what I can do,” said Digory.  “You see, the Queen ran away and—”

“I asked, are you ready?” said the Lion.

“Yes,” said Digory.  He had had for a second some wild idea of saying “I’ll try to help you if you’ll promise to help my Mother,” but he realized in time that the Lion was not at all the sort of person one could try to make bargains with.  But when he had said “Yes,” he thought of his Mother and he thought of the great hopes he had had, and how they were all dying away, and a lump came in his throat and tears in his eyes, and he blurted out:

“But please, please—won’t you—can’t you give me something that will cure Mother?”  Up till then he had been looking at the Lion’s great feet and the huge claws on them; now, in his despair, he looked up at its face.  What he saw surprised him as much as anything in his whole life.  For the tawny face was bent down near his own and (wonder of wonders) great shining tears stood in the Lion’s eyes.  They were such big, bright tears compared with Digory’s own that for a moment he felt as if the Lion must really be sorrier about his Mother than he was himself.

“My son, my son,” said Aslan.  “I know.  Grief is great.  Only you and I in this land know that yet.  Let us be good to one another.”  (From The Magician’s Nephew, C.S. Lewis)

Continue reading “Dining In The Valley”

Sunday’s Gospel: Jesus, Martha, and Mary (Teaching One Another)

By Chaplain Mike

On Sundays, we hear the Gospel reading from the Revised Common Lectionary. Sometimes, I share a message based upon this text. On other weeks, I ask you to share your observations so that our readers can be edified.

Today, we’ll be teaching one another again.

Today’s Gospel
This Sunday’s Gospel text shows Jesus visiting in the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. It tells the story with which many of you will be familiar: how Martha was busy with the chores of hospitality, while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to his words. The conflict this engendered between the two sisters has sparked our imaginations and given us cause for much reflection over the years.

Above all, this is a story about discipleship—what it means to follow Jesus. In typical Lukan fashion, the disciples he portrays are unforgettable characters, so real and down-to-earth that we can easily relate to them and draw lessons from their experiences.

Continue reading “Sunday’s Gospel: Jesus, Martha, and Mary (Teaching One Another)”

Jesus Creed Reviews “Mere Churchianity”

By Chaplain Mike

There is a fine review of Michael Spencer’s book, Mere Churchianity, over at Jesus Creed today. It is part of the blog’s regular “Saturday Afternoon Book Review” series. This review was written by Matt Edwards, who has contributed to IM as one of the “Evangelical Untouchables”.

In his review, Edwards gives a good overview of the book, a lot of praise, and a bit of constructive criticism in the form of questions.

I encourage our IM family to check it out, and add your own comments over at Jesus Creed.

And if you haven’t gotten your copy of Mere Churchianity yet, or haven’t read it, what are you waiting for? I know you’ll be challenged and encouraged.

iMonk Classic: We thought he was such a nice boy—and then we found out he didn’t believe in Inerrancy!!

Classic iMonk Post
by Michael Spencer
From February 15, 2005

Dear Sir: What a total disappointment.

I do like your wisdom and passion. However, you have become too smart.

May God have mercy on you regarding your responsibility to adhere to the inerrancy of scripture.

The discussion on inerrancy at the BHT and here at IM always fills my mailbox with mail that I can’t answer. All I can do is make an attempt to say what I believe is a reasonable approach to Christian scripture. That approach doesn’t do well with those who need perfection in their hands before they can say they have truth in their minds. I am not an inerrantist. It’s costing me friends, and it makes me uncomfortable. Here’s some of my thoughts. I know they will make a lot of you unhappy, but I’m nailing it to the door anyway. We need to articulate what we believe about scripture in a way that comports with the real nature of the Biblical texts, not inerrant, perfect autographs no one will ever have.

When I first wrote about Why I Am Not A Young Earth Creationist, I knew that eventually I would have to write more on scripture itself. So I have, here and here.

Continue reading “iMonk Classic: We thought he was such a nice boy—and then we found out he didn’t believe in Inerrancy!!”

What I Wish I Knew My First 50 Years

Turning 51 is really nothing special. Last year was a milestone–5-0. Last year was a party in the backyard, friends coming from all over to celebrate, gifts and cakes and all-day fun.

This year is cutting grass, cleaning the garage and working on iMonk site stuff that is overdue. Hey, it has to be done sometime.

Just as there is a big difference between birthday numbers 50 and 51, there is a big difference between the first half and the second half of life. There are things I know now I wish I knew then. How would my life have been if I had…

  • realized that reading great books is a much better use of my time than reading good books?
  • not wasted time watching sitcoms other than the Cosby Show and Frasier?
  • learned the value of “measure twice, cut once”?
  • remembered to open the garage door before backing the car out that one time? (Sorry, Dad.)Continue reading “What I Wish I Knew My First 50 Years”

Saturday Ramblings 7.17.10

Ok, first off: Bucky is the smart-aleck cat. Satchel is the intelligent but not world-wise dog. And Rob is their loving but frequently frustrated owner. Get Fuzzy–the best writing in comic strips today. Some of you will say, “I don’t get it.” Read it again. Still don’t get it? Sigh…It’s time for Saturday Ramblings.

This week marks the 85th anniversary of the “Scopes Monkey Trial” in Dayton, Tennessee. There are many places to read about this online, but you can also check out the book Chaplain Mike recently reviewed and recommended. You can get the movie Inherit the Wind. Or you can just try to understand what Bucky is talking about with Rob.

Continue reading “Saturday Ramblings 7.17.10”

“What About Bob?” and Christian Ministry

By Guest Blogger Daniel Jepsen

Note from Chaplain Mike: Dan has been a good friend for nearly 25 years, and a great partner in ministry. He is pastor of Franklin Community Church in Franklin, IN. He will be one of our new Liturgical Gangstas, who should reappear here at IM in August. Welcome, Daniel!

Is it a bad thing, I wonder, that lately I have learned more about ministry by a silly movie than any of the books weighing down the shelves in my office?

The movie is “What About Bob?,” a minor classic of the early nineties.  Richard Dreyfus plays Dr. Leo Marvin, a highly successful psychologist. As he is about to leave on a four week vacation at a lake cottage, Leo relishes in the fact that the only thing interrupting that time will be a crew from “Good Morning America” sent to interview him on his new book.

Right before he leaves, however, he is introduced to a new patient, Bob Wiley (played brilliantly by Bill Murray).  Bob is a man paralyzed by fear.  He fears germs. He fears crowds.  He even fears his bladder will explode.  In their first interview, Leo offers some words that seem to help Bob cope a little.Continue reading ““What About Bob?” and Christian Ministry”