Deus Misereatur

The Message of Lamentations The Bible Speaks Today series Christopher J. H. Wright IVP Academic www.ivpress.com ISBN: 978-0-8308-2441-0; June 2015; $12.80 Reviewed by Rev. Dr. Michael Philliber 5 out of 5 stars Serious and Simple It’s an odd assertion, but it clearly appears to me that lament and grief have been escorted out of the Church Sanctuary, and in many cases, forced to the leave the premises altogether.  Their absence brings many American churches to look plastic, and leaves an emotional hole in the soul of a congregation. If everything must be upbeat in a church, then after a while, only the enthused, and those who can fake enthusiasm, feel they have a place. All others are forced to weep and sorrow in the silence of their empty homes, or in the vacant quietness of their hurting hearts. Yet lamenting is a full partner in the Christian life. This is evidenced by the vocalized grief that courses through the Psalms, the Prophets and all the way to...

Sunday Morning: O God, Most High, who made all things very good by the Word of your power, and are a God of order and not confusion: we beseech you to shape the events, strategies, deliberations and relations in our land, that we may be a nation and a people who enjoy godly order and godly living; a nation and a people who honor blameless virtue and protect the aged, the unborn, the children, and the defenseless; a nation and a people who respect and promote honest work, ingenuity, quality education, and thrift; and a nation and a people who truly are a land of the free and home of the brave. We call upon you to support our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, law enforcers, firefighters and first responders, that they may be courageous in the face of duty, industrious in the face of drudgery, successful in their tasks, and led by upright, honest leaders.  Guide the nations of this world in just and equitable ways that their peoples may enjoy good and peaceful security...