At the ministry where I work, we have a little guy I’ll call “Charles.” A middle-schooler growing into a young man. Charles is a church kid, and he’s a Christian. He’s also very, very serious about impressing the adult Christians around him. He wears a tie every day. Almost no one on our staff doesContinue reading “Converting the Consumers: Directions for the Lenten Journey”
Category Archives: The Pit Stop Updates
The Ecclesiastes Attitude
It is the tradition of this web site to hear my confessions, my struggles and my emotions. “Confessional†blogging on my part has touched hundreds of readers and convinced one or two that I am unfit to be in the ministry or even a professing Christian. So be it. This is what’s set on myContinue reading “The Ecclesiastes Attitude”
iMonk 101: Out of Business With God
Early on in my blogging career, I encountered some of the ideas of N.T. Wright and a strong dose of the theology of Robert Capon. It’s safe to say that both “saved me” in a way that I need to revisit frequently. Here’s an early essay where I was just getting a feel for whatContinue reading “iMonk 101: Out of Business With God”
Repenting of The Wrong Kind of “Male Leadership”
Here’s the answer to the trivia question “What is the closest the iMonk came to becoming a Muslim?” In October of 1995, Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan sponsored what was called the “Million Man March” on the mall in Washington, D.C. While probably less than half a million men attended, the march wasContinue reading “Repenting of The Wrong Kind of “Male Leadership””
Who and What are Forming You?
Every time I feel like I have lost my way in the Christian life, I find myself back looking at monasticism, and the lessons I learned in two decades of reading Thomas Merton. I’m not attracted to Catholicism, but I am very much attracted to the tradition of self-conscious, disciplined spiritual formation into a discipleContinue reading “Who and What are Forming You?”
Startle Us, O Lord: Jesus Talks To A Gay Man
Every so often the internet will provide you with something that you will never hear anywhere else. I’ve found it this morning, and I hope you will read and share it. It’s entitled “Jesus Talks To A Gay Man,” and it is from a remarkable post by Steve at Ragamuffin Ramblings. It is a retellingContinue reading “Startle Us, O Lord: Jesus Talks To A Gay Man”
Eugene Peterson: A Voice That Must Be Heard
I am always aware that those who read the Internet Monk may not realize that when you hear my voice, you are really hearing the voice of those who have influenced me. There is no one who has influenced me more than Eugene Peterson. There is a lot I could say about all of Peterson’sContinue reading “Eugene Peterson: A Voice That Must Be Heard”
God of storms, seas, floods and earthquakes: Some thoughts on the Tragedy
[I would encourage everyone reading this post to stop right here, go to Samaritan’s Purse or the charity of your choice, and give to relieve and rebuilt the affected nations. Then we can do a bit of thinking.] UPDATE: Here’s how I fit all of this into an actual sermon at my church. I haveContinue reading “God of storms, seas, floods and earthquakes: Some thoughts on the Tragedy”
Donald Miller pulls me out of the pit: A review of “Blue Like Jazz” and “Searching for God Knows What”
I can still hear Miss Morris, my senior English teacher, saying it: “Too many “I’s. Too many “me’s.” We were writing essays, and she was simply correcting us with one of the cardinal rules of good essay writing: the essay was about the thesis statement, not about “I,” “me,” or “my.” The reader didn’t needContinue reading “Donald Miller pulls me out of the pit: A review of “Blue Like Jazz” and “Searching for God Knows What””
Vote Utopian!: The Christian in a Quandry
Imagine Jesus lived in a republic, and could vote. There are several candidates running for Governor of Galilee. The two candidates with the most support are Publius, who wants slavery to continue and expand, and Adrian, who wants many forms of slavery to be done away with, though not all. There are other candidates, likeContinue reading “Vote Utopian!: The Christian in a Quandry”
The Internet Monk Archives 