Category Archives: The Second Half of Life

Grace and The Gospel in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”

I love my Shakespeare, and I love relating what I teach to my students to the Gospel. Those of you who haven’t read Shakespeare will have to excuse me for indulging my passion for The Bard. My AP English IV students just finished reading Shakespeare’s, “The Tempest.” The last few years, this play has risenContinue reading “Grace and The Gospel in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest””

The Spencer Family Holiday Newsletter

This is what we send out to our friends all around the country. It’s two PDFs, one pretty big. If you have any interest in praying for us or just keeping up with our family, we’d be honored if you read it. Page 1 of the Spencer Holiday Newsletter Page 2 of the Spencer HolidayContinue reading “The Spencer Family Holiday Newsletter”

Thoughts on Thanksgiving Weekend 11:24:06

Around hundreds of thousands of Thanksgiving dinner tables, millions of Americans will take a moment and share with one another what they are thankful for in the past year. Because Thanksgiving doesn’t require any particular confession of faith, it’s close to a universal experience for Americans, and one that most of us treasure more andContinue reading “Thoughts on Thanksgiving Weekend 11:24:06”

“Why are my peers so immature?”

My daughter writes me today, and asks why Christians, especially those her age, are so immature. My daughter is a smart, well-above average person in many ways. It’s not the first time I’ve heard that question from her, or from other smart, above average young people. It’s encouraging these days to know that some youngContinue reading ““Why are my peers so immature?””

Eyes Wide Shut: Denise Spencer and the Struggle to Stay Awake

Life with the iMonk is exciting. And if you believe that, I’ve got some land in Florida to sell you. My wife has written an entertaining essay about her struggle to stay awake when I am anywhere in the vicinity. Those of you who are looking forward to the excitement of marriage may want toContinue reading “Eyes Wide Shut: Denise Spencer and the Struggle to Stay Awake”

Quitting Soccer: Thoughts From Mom and Dad

From time to time I like to do something on here for the parents in the audience. This post will require you to read a post at Clay’s blog, but it will be worth it to read Denise’s excellent response. Clay Spencer has written a post recalling one of the most painful episodes of hisContinue reading “Quitting Soccer: Thoughts From Mom and Dad”

The Man in the Shadow of Adultery

I have been wanting to write this major essay on adultery for almost four years. It was just never there. Yesterday, for whatever reason, I knew it was ready for “birth,” and so in a few hours this morning, it arrived. It is a plea for men who are somewhere in the vicinity of committingContinue reading “The Man in the Shadow of Adultery”

As the last child walks away: Clarity at the Crossroads of Life

UPDATE: Denise’s post of this weekend’s events. We’d been gone from Lexington about 5 minutes when Denise started crying. “Twenty-one years I’ve been cooking for my children. That’s a big chunk of your life.” You have such thoughts on the day you take you son to college. You stand at the crossroads, the haze lifts,Continue reading “As the last child walks away: Clarity at the Crossroads of Life”