What Belongs To All – The Internet Monk Archives

Days of Planting

Some of what I’ve encountered in recent days, personally, and as a hospice chaplain… I found out that two friends, husband and wife, the man a former pastor with whom I shared a ministry, were diagnosed with Covid-19. At last report, they are not doing well, and may soon be admitted to the ER. TheyContinue reading “Days of Planting”

Wednesday Morning

By Chaplain Mike Monday, he spent five or six hours with a friend whose spouse, also a friend, had died. He sat while the grieving husband puttered and dealt with details. He made small talk, answered a few questions, and waited for an OK to call the funeral home. Tuesday, he attended another death, thisContinue reading “Wednesday Morning”

Another Look: It’s OK…to Just Be a Christian

By Chaplain Mike I thought this post from last year (4/19/10) was worth another look. I hope you will too. It’s a bit of a riff on the question asked by the prophet Micah: “What does the Lord require of you?” (Micah 6:8) In the light of last week’s discussions on “radical” and other adjectivesContinue reading “Another Look: It’s OK…to Just Be a Christian”

Sick Days

By Chaplain Mike I had to take a couple of sick days this week. That’s unusual for me. Our entire family has been blessed with good health, and even the sicknesses we’ve had have not been serious. It becomes easy to take that for granted. Two years ago I had an experience that opened myContinue reading “Sick Days”

Tell Me About Your Day

By Chaplain Mike OK, so here is a brief report of some of the stories I heard on a recent day of visiting hospice patients and their families. (Details have been changed.) In the morning I visited an older man I have come to love. He has a strong faith and contagiously positive spirit. He’sContinue reading “Tell Me About Your Day”

Mentors: James Baker Hall 1935-2009

Someone significant died yesterday. At least for writers, poets and artists in Kentucky. James Baker Hall. Poet. Artist. Writer. Teacher. Mentor. Former Poet Laureate of Kentucky, 2001-2003. Hall has been an inspiration to generations of Kentucky writers and poets. He’s had a deep influence on my son, Clay. I know that the passing of mentorsContinue reading “Mentors: James Baker Hall 1935-2009”

The Jesus Disconnect (4): Paul and J.C. Ryle On Justification, Christian Growth And Christlikeness

NOTE: Many of today’s commenters should go to New Reformation Press and buy that “Weak On Sanctification” shirt. You’d look good in it. Some texts related to being “connected” to Jesus in salvation by faith and in growing as disciples into Christlikeness. Justification by grace, Kingdom discipleship and growth following. No “”Jesus disconnect here”: ColossiansContinue reading “The Jesus Disconnect (4): Paul and J.C. Ryle On Justification, Christian Growth And Christlikeness”

What Belongs to All of Us (3)

“What Belongs to All of Us” is exactly what it says. Colossians 1:12 …giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whomContinue reading “What Belongs to All of Us (3)”

What Belongs to All of Us (2)

Isaiah 40:25 To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strongContinue reading “What Belongs to All of Us (2)”

What Belongs to All of Us (1)

These posts will celebrate the Bible’s descriptions of what belongs to ALL Christians. Christian unity cannot be found in continually debating our differences, but in acknowledging what we all possess through union with Jesus Christ. Galatians. 3:23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would beContinue reading “What Belongs to All of Us (1)”