By Chaplain Mike …the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. (James 1:20, NASB) In my experience, it never helps. Anger never improves a situation. Anger doesn’t work. Anger always make things worse. And anger has a multitude of unwanted consequences besides. Anger does not enable us to take forward steps inContinue reading “It NEVER Helps”
Category Archives: Spiritual Formation
On Good Works
By Chaplain Mike Whenever we have a discussion on faith and good works, it is likely that we will go down many side trails, as happened on Monday in our conversations. Today would be a good time, in my estimation, to clarify some fundamental Biblical teachings and to point you to what I think areContinue reading “On Good Works”
Joseph and the Way of Kindness
By Chaplain Mike “What is desired in a man is kindness” (Prov 19:22). If there is one major lesson I’ve learned in my six years of being a hospice chaplain, it is the importance and power of kindness. Basically, it’s my job to show kindness. I visit with patients and their families and offer toContinue reading “Joseph and the Way of Kindness”
Mary and the Contemplative Life
By Chaplain Mike “But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). The American evangelical church is renowned for its activism. We are a “can do” people, and in the Christian context that often means we see ourselves as “saved to serve.” We commend “being about the Lord’s business,” and valueContinue reading “Mary and the Contemplative Life”
Shepherds and the Doctrine of Vocation
By Chaplain Mike As I outlined yesterday, in Luke’s Christmas story (Luke 2:1-20) there are six verbs describing the actions of the shepherds in response to the Good News the angels spoke to them. The shepherds went (with haste). They found. They saw. They made known the saying that had been told them. They returned.Continue reading “Shepherds and the Doctrine of Vocation”
Paul’s Disappointing Approach to the Christian Life
By Chaplain Mike Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others. • 1Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NLT) This may beContinue reading “Paul’s Disappointing Approach to the Christian Life”
The Contexts of Faith
Much Christian piety and spirituality is romantic and unreal in its positiveness. As children of the Enlightenment, we have censored and selected around the voice of darkness and disorientation, seeking to go from strength to strength, from victory to victory. But such a way not only ignores the Psalms; it is a lie in termsContinue reading “The Contexts of Faith”
The God of Second Chances
In the early 90s, when I was a fairly young seminary student, I was working on a paper for one of my New Testament Greek courses. I had gathered up all the commentaries and journal articles that I could find on the topic, and was starting to write my paper. While reading one journal article,Continue reading “The God of Second Chances”
Nouwen on Waiting
By Chaplain Mike For your contemplation today during this season of Advent, here are some words of profound insight from Henri Nouwen. Advent is the time when we practice the discipline of waiting. We focus our attention on the hope to come. We set our hearts on God’s not-yet-seen promises rather than our unfulfilling circumstancesContinue reading “Nouwen on Waiting”
Peterson on Jesus as the Way
By Chaplain Mike Yesterday, in the light of our “Disney-ization” post, a friend reminded me of an interview Eugene Peterson did with Christianity Today’s Mark Galli back in 2005 called, “Spirituality for All the Wrong Reasons.” This discussion between two of my favorite writers examines the “Jesus way” of living the spiritual life vs. variousContinue reading “Peterson on Jesus as the Way”
The Internet Monk Archives 