Deus Misereatur

Recently a woman, Rosaria Butterfield, has come to the surface. She was a Lesbian, who was also a Radical tenured professor. She has since left that lifestyle, embracing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Below are two video's from a recent presentation. I think that Rosaria has some very good observations and insights. As the issue of homosexuality continues to push itself to the forefront of our social and ecclesial consciousness, it seems to me that Rosaria's insights and experiences will be beneficial. The 1st video is her speech (35 minutes): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkJZSeUGzWw The 2nd video is the Q and A session (1 hour 23 minutes - the audio quality declines at about 24 minutes into it, but still hearable): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-AQlrcTr5w I think there's quite a bit here to encourage, and guide us in beefing up godly (Gospel) strategies. Mike

THE LITANY {Adapted, and mildly modified, from the Prayer Book of the Anglican Mission in America. Feel free to use it individually or corporately-MWP} A litany is a particular form of prayer in which there is movement between the Minister and the congregation. The Minister calls upon the people to pray for this and that (biddings), calls upon the Lord (invocations), and makes requests (petitions), and in all three instances, there is a response from the people. The original English Litany, upon which that in the Prayer Book is based, was published, with the music to be used in singing it, in 1544, some five years before the appearance of the first edition of The Book of Common Prayer. In the Anglican tradition, the use of the Litany has been particularly associated with Wednesdays and Fridays, following Morning Prayer; before Holy Communion on certain Sundays and Holy Days, and at ordinations of deacons, priests and bishops. It can be sung or said. It is also easily adapte...

     In 1 Corinthians 14, where Paul addresses a few aspects about a Christian Service, he points out the importance of worship, including prayer, being in a language that’s understandable. It’s here that he alerts us to a significant liturgical tenet: “if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up” (v.16-17).      Being able to say “Amen” to a public prayer or thanksgiving is vital to the Spirit-inspired, Jesus-taught Apostle. “Amen” comes from the Hebrew and into the Greek NT. It is a declaration of confidence, “Truth! Faithful!”     In a big sense, when you say “amen” to a corporate prayer, you are affirming a common, communal consent to that prayer: “This prayer is true!” And because we are praying with Jesus {that is, in union with Jesus} we are ass...