If you have read my essays over the last year or two, you will notice a common theme running through them. I am learning to trust God. Yes, after nearly 38 years as a Christian, I am finally learning to let go of my need to understand and trust the Lord. It has been aContinue reading “Swim Or Float? Guess What God Wants From Us”
Category Archives: IM Recommended Reading
Follow-up Post: “Quivering Daughters”
By Chaplain Mike Consider this a follow-up to last week’s discussion on Bill Gothard and the related topics that were brought up in the comment thread, such as patriarchy, homeschooling, courtship, separatism, rules-based spirituality, and so on. It seems the post uncovered a lot of hurt, confusion, and questions. In our comments we heard fromContinue reading “Follow-up Post: “Quivering Daughters””
IM Review: Ghost Rider
So there I was in New York City for a book convention, staying in a hotel in Times Square. The first night I walked down the street and found a Virgin Music Store. In the lower level of this store were several shelves of books, including one by Neil Peart, the drummer for the CanadianContinue reading “IM Review: Ghost Rider”
One of the Stickiest Issues
By Chaplain Mike The interpretation of the creation narrative in Genesis 1 and the subsequent stories in Genesis 2-3 forms one of the battlegrounds in the current “creation wars.” However, the arguments go beyond Genesis. In fact, the stickiest issues grow out of the way the Apostle Paul makes use of the story of AdamContinue reading “One of the Stickiest Issues”
The Sad Views of Stephen Hawking
By Chaplain Mike In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, cosmologist Stephen Hawking was as blunt and clear as he could be about his views on life beyond this life. “I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers;Continue reading “The Sad Views of Stephen Hawking”
He Goes Ahead of Us
By Chaplain Mike “When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (John 10:4, NASB) This morning’s poem was a meditation on the idea (the reality!) that the Shepherd goes before us into each day and prepares the way. He leads usContinue reading “He Goes Ahead of Us”
iMonk Review Of Love Wins
It is a popular pastime in our society to deride the entertainment industry for its barrel-scraping lack of original ideas, but sometimes stereotypes exist because they’re true. Plus, barnside targets make for easy scores. Take, for example, the time-honored story of a man and a woman who can’t seem to get along, but, for someContinue reading “iMonk Review Of Love Wins”
The “Sermonator” and the Culture of Pizzazz
By Chaplain Mike I cut my teeth as a preacher and pastor in the 1970’s and 80’s. There were not many evangelical ministers in my circles who, at one time or another, did not have serious schoolboy crushes on Chuck Swindoll. Swindoll is the pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, the chancellor andContinue reading “The “Sermonator” and the Culture of Pizzazz”
The Gospel in Literary Terms
By Chaplain Mike “When I forget why the gospel matters, I read Frederick Buechner.” (Barbara Brown Taylor) And here is one example of why I agree with that testimony. The following excerpt is the thesis statement of Buechner’s book, Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale. The Gospel is bad newsContinue reading “The Gospel in Literary Terms”
Demythologizing “Radical” Christianity (2)
By Chaplain Mike I remember meeting with a friend over lunch one day. We had been in Bible college together. I had gone on into the ministry in a small church in the Vermont mountains. He never was able to find his way into “full-time ministry.” And he felt terrible about it. One of theContinue reading “Demythologizing “Radical” Christianity (2)”
The Internet Monk Archives 