Deus Misereatur

Meditations on Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training and Real World Violence by Rory Miller My rating: 4 of 5 stars Self-defense and martial arts schools are popping up all over the landscape promising to boost self-confidence, but more importantly, pledging to aid their attendees in self-protection. One will even find classes offered at the local “Y” or as part of a community college’s “Adult Continuing Education” program. The lessons feel right as instructors guide their learners through katas, sweaty times with kicking bags, repetitive maneuvers, and sparring. Sensei and karatekas train in ways of controlled violence that should assist the practitioners in viable personal defense. And yet one element is missing, thankfully for most of us. Just as in football training, all of the practice in blocking, running, strategy and tackling looks good, but it isn’t until being immersed in the mild bedlam of the games that one finds out if they have the mettle to hang tough, if t...

Thanksgiving Pt 1 Psalm 100 Lord God, through this reading and addressing of Psalm 100, come and ease the grief or worry or fretting or distractions that may be ransacking our hearts, and fill us with your joy by the Holy Spirit and through the presence and mediation of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen. Before the Turkey is cooked and eaten, before the family blows in and blows right back out, before the perspiration trickles down and stings your eyes, before the refrigerator gets stuffed with leftovers, it’s good to remember “Thanksgiving”. This is a good time to reflect on Thanksgiving, on real, genuine thanksgiving, not just as some annual time of panic and pressure. And it is a great time to ruminate over what we hopefully will do in the midst of all the hustle and mayhem. To guide us, we are going to delve into Psalm 100 – “ A Psalm for Giving Thanks .” A pattern : Before we jump into the Psalm, we should see that there is a pattern to it. First,  vers...

Sunday Morning: O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who has adopted us into your covenant people and who calls us your own; we come in this confidence to pray for your World and Your Church. We pray that you would overrule the murderous mayhem, conspiracies and chaos that seem to be flooding many nations. Restore good order and legitimate peace in every land, and bring wellbeing and tranquility to all nations – for the good of all people, and the safety of your Church.  Almighty God, thank you for this country. Keep our nation in the ways of your peace and righteous lawfulness for the good of the citizens of this land and the peace of your Church. We ask for your care, protection and provision for all our U.S. Military personnel. And we especially pray for those who are Christian Chaplains in the military – Like Matt Oliver and Rich Boyd, chaplains from our Presbytery – give them strength, wisdom, and deep insight to make Christ known to their troops and to bring t...