NOT a current Pic.
If you haven’t read the current post at The Master’s Table, I want to say a big thanks to my FRIEND Clark Bunch for such a kind post.
My situation is serious. Sleep is a big issue. I need rest and it is hard to get. This cancer situation is not going to give my old life back. It may take the life I have. I choose whatever mission God has for me, the utmost need is a simple prayer on my behalf.
If what I am going through reminds you of what you have been through what you what been through in the past, I pray for you and hope others will be the same.
I am home most of the time but I am on the road on almost every day to various doctors. Tomorrow I finish my first found of chemo and have a fell week off. I am so proud to have come through radiation and to this point. Read more
The Book is now listed at the publisher’s website.
Do what you can to get the word out, thanks to all who helped get the book out. It’s almost all new material, so buy it after September and then buy another one.
MOD Update: The book is also available for pre-order at Amazon.com.
In our continuing discussion on issues related to the Scriptures, Chaplain Mike re-runs this classic IM post today. (from Dec, 2008)
Hey look! If you read carefully, you will even find another “Bible = loaded gun” metaphor!
Oh. We’re not talking about interpreting the Bible? Well….I am, so deal.
I usually just don’t say anything when I hear Biblical interpretation leave the road and head for the ditches. But doggone it, there’s some fairly basic stuff here that could be very helpful to those of you who genuinely love the Bible.
So in no particular order…
Just a few notes for those of you who read every day.
1. I am having a port surgically inserted Thursday. Chemo begins the following week. My side effects on 10 radiation treatments were average, if not less. I have no idea what this will mean.
2. My appetite is at an all time low, but I am doing OK. I need chicken soups. After that, ??
3. Depression is a very real adversary. I am God’s servant at this time and for this calling. Pray for me that I keep my eyes on the daily task and leave the results to God.
4 Thank you to all of you who have contributed in various ways. Your generosity has been a great encouragement. My job has been removed, but I have a place to stay as long as Denise is here. My insurance will run out in late February and we are working with our options for the next period of time. That is where your contribution makes a big difference.
To give support, use paypal or write denisespenc@gmail.com.
5.Keep me in your prayers. I am sleeping a lot as I try to regain my balance- a very slow process.
6. I’m a pretty poor visit, but I appreciate knowing you remember me. Pray for God’s grace, God’s strength and Gods will.
Michael Spencer
Since we’re on the subject of confession, here is a look at the subject from the personal side. Today, Chaplain Mike presents this classic iMonk post that Michael wrote in October, 2008.
Some Christians love to talk about the sins of Obama or gays or the mainstream media, but get really animated when I suggest we need to talk about our own, even if they are listed in the Bible dozens of times.
If the Gospel isn’t grabbing you by the real sins in your real life, just exactly what is the Gospel doing for you? Or you with it?
I don’t like the fact that I can give a really good talk on prayer when I rarely pray.
I don’t like it that I can read Matthew 5:23-24 and, as far as I can recall, never take a single step toward obeying it.
I don’t like that I can sin and then condemn someone else’s sin in almost the same breath.
Here’s a quick run-through on the facts of my situation.
1. I have cancer and I am receiving treatments for it. On Christmas Eve, a small mass was removed from the back of my brain. That’s the balance center, so my main symptoms are balance, nausea and appetite issues. That are all improving. I have 5 radiation treatments to go on the post-op and then it’s on to several rounds of chemo a bit closer to home.
2. At this point, writing for IM is pretty much out of the picture, and will be for a while. But I have some restoration of keyboard ability and that’s a very positive development. Meanwhile, Chaplain Mike is doing an awesome job and I especially appreciate the helpers.
3. Denise: Denise is Jesus. That’s about all I can say. One flesh. Servant. Agape love. It’s all there. Pray for her and our children. Read more
Today Chaplain Mike revisits a classic IM article from Nov, 2009 about our human finiteness. In the light of iMonk’s own unexpected health problems, this article seems especially prescient and poignant.
The news story is strange and tragic. Three college softball players go for a night time drive in the country. On an unfamiliar road, they take a wrong turn and drive into a pond….and drown.
There was a day before. A day with no thought of drowning. A day with family and friends. Perhaps with no thought of eternity, God or heaven. There was a day when every assumption was that tomorrow would be like today.
(Note: My friend Gary passed on after I wrote this piece.) My friend Gary has been the night dean at our school for more than 20 years. His wife has been in poor health, but he has been a workhorse of health. He’s walked miles every day, eaten a vegetarian diet and always kept the rest of us lifted up with his smile and constant focus on the joy he took in his salvation. Read more
A short update for all:
Thanks for all the love and continuing prayers. Am I wrong to ask for more, more and many more?
I have a cancer diagnosis. It’s complex, but has been quickly diagnosed once I was in the Markey cancer center. We know have a plan. Many weeks as some of you know, but that is my life for now.
God is meeting our needs in every was. Enjoy his love and upholding power. This is all working a mighty work in me.
It will be weeks + before I can think about regular work. I love chaplain Mike. You do the same and keep it together here at IM.
Needs now: Pray for healing of brain surgery and successful further work.
I am almost too dizzy to walk. Should improve slowly, but all that is unsure. Read more
MOD: Thank you to all who contributed comments on this post. Obviously we are not going to resolve all of our questions about church history, Roman Catholicism, the Reformation, and Eastern Orthodoxy in a single blog post about a day of listening to Catholic media. The journey will continue, but for now, comments on this post are closed. Peace.
Thanks for prayers for health. I am feeling God’s goodness and kindness each day. Still several days away from any kind of information I can share. Continue praying. I love you and count myself blessed a thousand times to be surrounded by so many who will pray for me.
I spent the entire day yesterday listening to Catholic radio. I took in EWTN and Ave Maria in about equal portions, along with a couple of archived hours of Catholic Answers. I thought it would be interesting to the IM audience today to hear some of my thoughts on the “Catholic radio” experience.
Let me say a couple of things. First, some good Catholic friends have told me not to do this. Not because it is counter-productive as much as simply a bit distorted in its picture of the Church. EWTN is one kind of American Catholic experience, but it’s very much its own culture and flavor. There is lots more going on, some not as conservative, some far deeper and richer in flavor. I hope I counted all of this as I reflected on what I was hearing. Read more
This week: Some Advent music and lessons learned while sick.
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Today’s music:
Bob Bennett
High Street Hymns
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download
C.S. Lewis, in one of the last chapters of Mere Christianity, says that the quality of life among the “new humanity” is such that those of us around them would know there was something different- otherworldly- at work. The spiritual life that they possessed was so different from the merely material, biological life we all possess that “something” would be qualitatively, observably different.
Have I known such people? Many of us would say that we have, but I wonder how many of us would also say that those with the evident presence and life of Jesus shared other characteristics as well?
This can become a “chicken or egg” conversation because we know that God works in a synergy of gracious beginnings and loving responses, but his choices of where to begin this process can’t be mapped or anticipated. In my own life I cannot help but see how many of those who came to have the tantalizing reality of Jesus in undeniable ways had been brought to places few of us would choose from life’s menu. Read more
I am continuing reposting the 2005 series on Mental Illness.
Is there mental illness in the Bible? This question seeks to move us toward the question of mental illness and the Gospel.
The focus of the Bible is Jesus Christ. When we talk about anything else as it is presented in the Bible, we must be aware that no matter important it might be to us, it is not the main concern of the Bible itself.
For example, I may desperately want to have the Biblical teaching on parenting, but I must start with the admission that the Bible is not a book on parenting. As it shows me parenting, and as I learn from that presentation, I am still on the road to Jesus Christ and the Gospel. So if we find mental illness in the Bible, we should expect that the portrayal of mental illness will not answer all of our questions, but will serve the purpose of the ultimate presentation of Jesus Christ as our salvation. Read more
Welcome to IM’s popular feature, “The Liturgical Gangstas,” a panel discussion among different liturgical traditions represented in the Internet Monk audience.
Who are the Gangstas?
Father Ernesto Obregon is an Eastern Orthodox priest.
Rev. Joe Boysel is an Anglican (AMiA) priest and professor of Bible at Ohio Christian University in Circleville, Ohio. (Ask him about famous alumni.)
Dr. Wyman Richardson is a pastor of a First Baptist Church (SBC) and director of Walking Together Ministries, a resource on church discipline.
Alan Creech is a Roman Catholic with background in the Emerging church and spiritual direction.
Rev. Matthew Johnson is a United Methodist pastor.
Rev. William Cwirla is a Lutheran pastor (LCMS) and one of the hosts of The God Whisperers, which is a podcast nearly as good as Internet Monk Radio.
Eric Landry is the editor of Modern Reformation Magazine. In addition, he is a PCA church planter in southern California.
Here’s this week’s question: How do you preach Acts 4:32-5:11 (Ananias and Sapphira) without becoming an Old Testament legalist or obscuring the Gospel?
UPDATE: Commenter Louis says: “Fr. Ernesto sees God as above morality. Boysel interprets the event legalistically–God has the right to smite you if you sin once (or perhaps, sin against the Holy Spirit). Richardson thinks God smacked them down for getting too uppity (too Pharisaical). Cwirla brings up the issue of primitive communism–enforced, apparently, by the Holy Spirit–and thinks that such slayings were a regular occurrence. Landry blames their situation on the devil. May I suggest that none of these interpretations show Christianity, or God, in a particularly good light.” What do you think? Read more
I’m supply preaching these days at a small Presbyterian church in town. I usually arrive half an hour early, turn on the heat and just enjoy the silence of the sanctuary until the congregation arrives.
Most of my folks live right around the adjacent blocks, some within walking distance. Last Lord’s day, two older ladies arrived together, having walked from just around the corner.
“Yes,” one said, “we had a conversation with the girl that’s moved in across the street. We invited her to church and she said she might come. But she wanted to know if she brought her boyfriend, would she have to leave.”
For a moment, I was puzzled, but then it began to be clear to me.
“I’m guessing she lives with her boyfriend, right?” Both ladies nodded with a bit of embarrassment. Co-habitation is hardly an unusual situation in southeastern Kentucky, but it’s still not a frequent topic with your minister. Read more
Like any and all Riffs, these are simply some of my thoughts inspired by other posts and discussions. Not a throw down, etc.
This morning at evangel, Joe Carter voiced some of his frustration at the way the “law/Gospel” distinction sounds to his ears. I’ve wrestled with this myself on this site. Then, in the comments, Carter responded to Jared Wilson- and quoted him- in regard to the relation of the Gospel and sanctification, which he described as “behavior change.” (Quote follows)
Indeed, you did and I think you did a good job. But I also think you added in some stuff that leads to the very problem I’m referring to. For example:Then, why, for the love of God, do we preach all manner of behavior modification, none of which could save a single one of us, when only the gospel saves.
You seem to be implying that “behavior modification” (i.e., sanctification) is not important. Now I know that this is not what you are saying. But how should other people who may think this statement is to be taken quite literally, be expected to respond? You are creating what could be considered a false dichotomy. Yes, only the gospel saves. But does that mean that Christians are not required to modify their behavior?
