Have you ever been experienced? (Jimi Hendrix, 1967) We’ve been talking about religious experiences this week. The good, the bad, the ugly. Some want to write off all experiences as false and misleading. Others cling to miracles and touchy-feely stuff as the point of contact for their faith. Me? I’m all messed up. I wasContinue reading “Are You Experienced?”
Category Archives: Exploration of the Self
Dan Bouchelle: “So You Are Angry?”
Note from CM: This is one of the best posts I have read in a long time. I saw it quoted on another blog and the excerpt was so challenging to me that I knew immediately I had to read the entire piece. The fact is, many of us are angry. We are angry aboutContinue reading “Dan Bouchelle: “So You Are Angry?””
iMonk Classic: Icebergs, Onions and Why You’re Not As Simple As You Think
Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer from April 2008 Note from CM: Yesterday I had my interview with a counselor about the results of the psychological testing that is part of the ordination process in the ELCA. More about that later. It brought to mind some of Michael’s insightful writings about his own journey ofContinue reading “iMonk Classic: Icebergs, Onions and Why You’re Not As Simple As You Think”
Adam McHugh on “A Matter of Motivation”
Note from CM: I have been asking Adam McHugh to write a post for us for awhile, but he has been busy working on his new book. However, he recently sent me a note and said he had something, for which I’m grateful. His fine work on introversion has come to the forefront again throughContinue reading “Adam McHugh on “A Matter of Motivation””
iMonk Classic: In the End, God Knows Us (A Meditation for Friends)
Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer From May 3, 2009 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God… (Galatians 4:9a, ESV) I’ve been teaching Galatians for over a year, and I happened to cross this verse this week, a week marked by the passing of one ofContinue reading “iMonk Classic: In the End, God Knows Us (A Meditation for Friends)”
The Bible Does Not Speak to That
By Chaplain Mike The other day I was reading a blog that will remain unnamed. I’m not interested in interacting personally with the author or “answering” his post. I simply want to use his take on a particular subject as an illustration to make a point here today. That point is: The Bible simply doesContinue reading “The Bible Does Not Speak to That”
Carrying One Another
By Chaplain Mike One of my favorite sports stories of all time comes from an incident that took place in a college softball game between Central Washington and Western Oregon in April, 2008. Sara Tucholsky, a senior for Western Oregon, stepped up to the plate with two runners on base and did something she hadContinue reading “Carrying One Another”
A Word about Words
By Chaplain Mike Then [Job’s friends] sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great. • Job 2:11-13 • • • My dear friend, Christians believe in words and their power. And well weContinue reading “A Word about Words”
A Letter from Gilead
By Chaplain Mike My dearest children, This weekend I had the profound pleasure to visit with the Rev. John Ames, a Congregational minister from Gilead, Iowa. He came to my attention and told me his stories through Marilynne Robinson’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Gilead. Hearing him speak and weave his tales was a revelation, IContinue reading “A Letter from Gilead”
“Big” Decisions and God’s Will
By Chaplain Mike When I was a Christian young person, I heard a lot about “seeking God’s will.” This question was especially prominent at Bible college, where young men and women training to go into ministry were trying to discern God’s leading in several key areas. First and foremost, we were trusting God to leadContinue reading ““Big” Decisions and God’s Will”
The Internet Monk Archives 