I was reading through some old files the other day, and I came across a NYT column by David Brooks about the film, “Where the Wild Things Are.” I remember enjoying the film; his commentary on it prompted my thinking and imagination even more. For Brooks, the movie shines light on the matter of personalContinue reading “Wild Things I Cannot Control”
Category Archives: Spiritual Formation
A Wise Word about Spiritual Formation
By Chaplain Mike I have not been able to get this sentence out of my mind since reading it in the foreword to Carlson and Lueken’s book, Renovation of the Church, discussed here last week. It speaks to the salutary effects that seasons of disorientation can have on our spiritual formation. Can it really beContinue reading “A Wise Word about Spiritual Formation”
Meditating on Scripture
By Chaplain Mike I was convinced at an early point in my adult Christian life that learning, loving, and living the Bible was essential to my Christian growth. My journey for much of the past thirty-five years has been primarily about studying and teaching the Scriptures. If I had not been a pastor, I wouldContinue reading “Meditating on Scripture”
There Must Be a Reason?
photo © 2010 Peretz Partensky | more info (via: Wylio)By Chaplain Mike I was reading through some of the Archives and came across a couple of paragraphs by Michael that got my attention in the context of where I am personally right now. To be frank, the wilderness I’m in has gotten hotter, dryer, andContinue reading “There Must Be a Reason?”
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”
How I Got to “OK”
By Chaplain Mike From the start of my ministry three decades ago, there were aspects of being an evangelical pastor that I simply did not “get.” I would hear other ministers speak and tell about what God was doing at their churches, learn about their approaches and their programs, listen to testimonies from folks inContinue reading “How I Got to “OK””
Easter People (3)
By Chaplain Mike Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren…” (Matthew 28:10) Thus far in our series on the “newness of life” that is ours in Christ we have discussed: Our new baptismal identity in Christ. We have died and our life is hidden with ChristContinue reading “Easter People (3)”
Living as Easter People (2)
By Chaplain Mike “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4) During Eastertide, we are examining texts from Paul’s epistles that discuss the “newness of life”Continue reading “Living as Easter People (2)”
Living as Easter People (1)
By Chaplain Mike We’ve had many posts here at Internet Monk commending the use of the church calendar for spiritual formation. When we follow the Church Year, we live in the story of Jesus. We anticipate his coming in Advent. We celebrate his incarnation in Christmastide. Our mouths drop in amazement at the revelation ofContinue reading “Living as Easter People (1)”
Demythologizing “Radical” Christianity (3)
By Chaplain Mike This is the third post in our series, the one in which the ol’ chaplain may find himself in a position of having to defend the appearance that he is contradicting himself or at least being inconsistent. First, let’s review: We’ve been responding to Skye Jethani’s articles at Out of Ur, redefiningContinue reading “Demythologizing “Radical” Christianity (3)”
The Internet Monk Archives 