Deus Misereatur

The Great War and Modern Memory by Paul Fussell My rating: 4 of 5 stars Fussell's book is not what at first one might expect or even desire. Though it is about "The Great War" (World War One), it is not a history, but something totally other; "After all, I was writing not a history, only an elegiac commentary" (365). Nevertheless the work is exceptional. By walking through the literary world that swirled around the Great War - from before, during and since - Fussell has cleared away some of the mud and grime and exposed a portion of the raw soul of the trench soldiers.Yet the work is a one-ff autobiography, almost a cathartic exercise for the author as he tried hard to fathom his own war experience in World War Two. "The Great War and Modern Memory" is a work that adds flesh and sinews to the skeletal labors of history-reciting books. As we are closing out the Centenary of the First World War, I would encourage you to read some of the important ...

He Knows! Hosea 2.2-8, 14-23 (1 Peter 2.4-10) The Audio File is Here: tinysa.com/sermon/111814103612 [If you find this piece helpful, please let me know. I would like to hear your story and how this has helped. Mike] Lord God, who has been broken over our whoring hearts that have often departed from you (Ezekiel 6.9), may we be brought to grasp more fully your own brokenheartedness this day that we may more willingly seek you and know you. Amen. I’ve seen it with my own eyes; heard it with my own ears; and truth be known, sadly, I’ve done it myself more times than can be told. I’m referring to that sanctimonious smugness that assesses other’s based almost entirely on exteriors and peripherals. A person’s marriage comes crashing down in smoldering, charred embers around their feet, and then they see that “Look” in the eyes of their Christian friends, or that “harrumph” that escapes from their lips. A single parent or a couple has an unruly kid, an errant teenage...

Sunday Morning: O Lord God, Giver of all good things, in whom there is no double-mindedness nor is there any dark side (James 1.17); we come in confidence to pray for your World and your Church. We pray for your peace, justice and wholesomeness to rule and prevail in all nations (esp. Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Ukraine).   Almighty God, thank you for this country. Continue to preserve our nation economically, legally, educationally, and morally; please guide our leaders for the good of our country and the peace of your Church; and govern the mid-term elections this week that the right things and the right people will be elected. We ask for your care, protection and provision for all our U.S. Military personnel, (Thank you for Xxxxxx’s safe return). We intercede on behalf of all who are sick, struggling and suffering (esp. these)…. Raise up the beat down; turn the light of your face on those swallowed up in dark-despair; and restore each...