One of the greatest concerns I have for the emerging generation is the growing pervasiveness of “mircro-communication” in their lives. I recently saw a 15 year old girl featured on “Nightline” who sends 30,000 text messages on her phone each month. Do the math: that’s 1,000 per day, 62 per waking hour, or one … More Combatting Soundbite Christianity
I miss the iMonk, Michael Spencer, whose cancer diagnosis came around Christmas in 2009. He now celebrates Christmas with the saints above and One who came down to earth to save us that first scandalous Christmas two thousand years ago. Here’s an excerpt from a classic Advent sermon by the iMonk called “The Unlikely Outreach … More iMonk: The Scandal of Christmas
I was raised Lutheran, and am sort of glad I did somedays. Lutherans get grace better than most. For no one was more bothered by their own depravity more than Martin Luther, and no one was more amazed by God’s grace — God’s Redemption Act Covering EVERYTHING — than Luther as well. I like to … More My Problem With Grace
We’re all like lumps of clay that over time have been shaped and molded by dozens of influential hands — and experiences and words and ideas and moments and conversations and books and dreams and successes and failures — but mostly people. I am a firm believer in learning from people of different persuasions, and … More Some Key Influences
As many of you are aware, the Internet Monk, Michael Spencer was a beloved influence and favorite writer of mine. He passed away recently after a short bout with cancer. By the grace of God he was able to finish his first book for publishing shortly before becoming ill. His book, “Mere Churchianity: Finding Our … More “Mere Churchianity” Sneak Peek
“Real grace is simply inexplicable, inappropriate, out of the box, out of bounds, offensive, excessive, too much, given to the wrong people and all those things.” -Michael Spencer, Internet Monk
The past week I’ve been mourning the loss of a good friend — though we never met in person. If you never knew the Internet Monk, Michael Spencer, it is never too late to get to know him. He has left us a treasure trove of writings and podcasts that will continue to reach many … More Remembering Michael Spencer (1956-2010)
My blogging friend and brother in Christ, Michael Spencer, the Internet Monk, has gone home to be with the Lord tonight. I’ll bet he was hanging on to celebrate one more Easter Sunday on earth before he went to thank Jesus in person for his costly sacrifice. I will miss Michael’s writings and voice greatly. … More Michael Spencer, 1956-2010
Michael Spencer (Internet Monk) is a well-known Christian blogger who has been a special part of my journey the past couple years as I’ve enjoyed his daily writings and especially his western Kentucky accent and candor on his weekly Internet Monk Radio Podcast. I’ve never met Michael but I feel like he is a good … More Prayers For A Dying Friend
The following post is from one of my favorite blogging friends Michael Spencer, known to most as the Internet Monk. Michael was recently diagnosed with cancer and is beginning that battle now. He wrote this piece only weeks before the diagnosis. Please lift up the iMonk in your prayers and check out his writing ministry … More “There’s Always A Day Before” (by Michael Spencer)
The Internet Monk had an article on the Role of the Sermon in Evangelical Worship. I have been doing a lot of thinking and having a lot of conversations about Bible teaching and sermon crafting. The role of the sermon in evangelical church life can hardly be overstated. What other human institution or organization banks everything … More The iMonk on the Role of the Sermon
Why do so many Christians, notably conservative Evangelicals and Reformed brothers and sisters, often put the glorification of God at odds with human attempts at excellence? Does striving for greatness always lead to human pride and undercut the magnification of God? Does a strong focus on the needs and concerns of human beings always result … More Man-Centered vs. God-Centered 1: Introducing the Debate
I have updated my original post (see italics) and added a direct quote from iMonk. Michael Spencer, the Internet Monk, has a post this week entitled “Is Evangelism Child Abuse?” He is responding to the newest attack on religious people and leaders — the view that attempts to evangelize and convert people (especially young teenagers) is … More Is Evangelism Child Abuse?
1. My number one favorite blog that is a part of my daily diet of reading is Jesus Creed with Scot McKnight. It’s hard to top the variety of topics and the depth of discussion found there. I have been honored to have some of my writings featured there. I admire Scot as a reputable … More My Top 3: Blogs
If you would like hear more about the so-called “End of Christian America” check out the following interview by Kevin Swanson of Generations With Vision Broadcast with The Internet Monk Michael Spencer.
If you care about the current and future state of Christianity in America and evangelicalism in particular, there has been a storm of articles and debates popping up all over the place as of late. I commented briefly upon Michael Spencer’s “Coming Evangelical Collapse” posts a couple months back. His bleak predictions were subsequently picked … More The Demise of American Christianity: Good or Bad?
What happens when the gospel of the Jesus-shaped Kingdom of God is intermixed with a political ideology? Answer: Listen to any political talk show pushing a political agenda while buttressing it with religious rhetoric usually involving the phrase “Judeo-Christian” values. Michael Spencer, the Internet Monk, offers a very timely reminder to the millions of American … More “The Limbaughization of Christianity”
The Internet Monk Michael Spencer recently devoted 3 blog posts to describing the coming Evangelical collapse in America. I recently posed the same question: “Is the Evangelical Church in America sinking?” I think I want to bring my observations from the perspective of a youth pastor since that is where I’m currently ministering. The evangelical … More SINKING (2): A Church Health Lesson from our Teens
What is the future of the evangelical church in America? I just read a devastating post by fellow blogger the Internet Monk predicting a sooner-than-later collapse of the evangelical church in America. While this prediction maybe distanced theoretical speculation for some, it is an urgent wake up call to those of us youth pastors laboring … More SINKING (1): Is the Evangelical boat sinking?
Kingdom Harbor 