In January 2009, Michael Spencer wrote a post containing his New Year’s resolutions. In the same spirit, I offer the following list for 2015. • • • 1. I am breaking off my love affair with you, food. I’m sorry, honey, it’s not you, it’s me. No, really. You’ve never been more beautiful and enticing,Continue reading “Chaplain Mike’s New Year’s Resolutions 2015”
Category Archives: Christian Seasons
Preparing for the New Church Year (4)
For our final post on preparing for the new Church Year, we will talk about some suggestions for further reading and practice. I’ve divided them into three categories. Some are my own suggestions, others have come from IM readers. Books that give an overview of the Church Year to help individuals, families, and churches graspContinue reading “Preparing for the New Church Year (4)”
Preparing for the New Church Year (3)
The freest time in our adult life was after we were married and before we had children. Having graduated from college, we were no longer bound by a school schedule. We lived in a small, iconic Vermont village where the pace of life was slow, the program of our church modest, and our income tooContinue reading “Preparing for the New Church Year (3)”
Preparing for the New Church Year (2)
Last Sunday I gave five primary reasons why I think it advantageous for Christians to form their spiritual lives — their walk with God through Christ — around the liturgical year. It enables us to live in God’s story. It keeps the main thing the main thing. It recognizes that one’s calendar forms one’s life.Continue reading “Preparing for the New Church Year (2)”
Preparing for the New Church Year (1)
Note from CM: In 2010, we did a series on “Church Year Spirituality.” November is the month when we complete the annual liturgical cycle and prepare for a new Church Year, which begins the first Sunday in Advent (Nov. 30 this year). For the next four Sundays, I will run these posts again to helpContinue reading “Preparing for the New Church Year (1)”
Jesus’ Ascension and Life as Gift
Many churches celebrate Jesus’ Ascension today, though the official observance was this past Thursday (May 29). We so often leave the Ascension out of our gospel. Christ’s “finished work,” however, includes Jesus’ incarnation, ministry, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and outpouring of the Holy Spirit — all of the above. These great events are the keyContinue reading “Jesus’ Ascension and Life as Gift”
Another Look: Easter Is a Season, Not a Day
First Published April 4, 2010. Many of us in our Christian traditions learned to celebrate Christ’s resurrection on a day — Easter Sunday. Easter is the great Lord’s Day, the climax of Holy Week, the high point of the Christian Year, marked by an explosion of color, wafting fragrance of lilies, majestic sounds of organContinue reading “Another Look: Easter Is a Season, Not a Day”
Let’s Discuss: Christmas Music Recommendations
Back in 2010, Jeff and I had dueling posts about our favorite Christmas music. Jeff’s top five were: Bells of Dublin, The Chieftains Christmas Portrait, The Carpenters Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Part Two, Various Artists If On A Winter’s Night, Sting Christmas, Bruce Cockburn He also gave honorable mentions to: A Charlie Brown Christmas, by VinceContinue reading “Let’s Discuss: Christmas Music Recommendations”
My “December” Playlist
On Sunday, Advent begins. My annual habit has been to listen to only Advent and Christmas music from the beginning of Advent to the end of Christmastide. This year, I am adding at least one playlist that consists of seasonal music about the coming of winter in our hemisphere and in our hearts. I haveContinue reading “My “December” Playlist”
Ash Wednesday with Pancho and Lefty
Sometimes I don’t know where this dirty road is taking me Sometimes I can’t even see the reason why I guess I’ll keep on a-gamblin’, lots of booze and lots of ramblin’ It’s easier than just a-waitin’ ’round to die – Townes Van Zandt Our good friend Matt Redmond just wrote a poignant piece about howContinue reading “Ash Wednesday with Pancho and Lefty”
The Internet Monk Archives 