Deus Misereatur

Redemption at Hacksaw Ridge: The gripping true story that inspired the movie by Booton Herndon My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a biography of the heroic actions of Desmond Doss with a short account of the remainder of his life. The memoir is rather artless and unadorned, and yet the momentum of Doss's actions and character easily carry the reader forward. This account of Private Doss's struggles, stamina and steadfastness is a tribute to his Seventh-Day Adventist faith. "Redemption at Hacksaw Ridge" is an easy-to-read piece. Preteens, adolescents and adults alike will find it accessible, filled with examples of courage on multiple levels. Here was a Conscientious Objector who stuck to his principles against all odds and against Army brass, while willingly serving as an Army Medic with the 77th Division in the heat of heavy combat. He is credited with saving many soldiers at great risk to himself, even putting others before his own care after he had been seriously w...

The Light Princess and Other Fairy Stories by George MacDonald My rating: 5 of 5 stars Three delightful stories written for children, and those who are young at heart. If one is well versed in C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and Charles Williams, one will find MacDonald's "The Light Princess and Other Fairy Stories" familiar and friendly. Written in the 1860s, two of these are fairy tales layered under with symbolic meaning grounded in the Gospel and Christian Eschatology, and one is the re-telling of a Norwegian story with a moral. This particular set of fables will make great family reading, as well as satisfy individual pleasure. And if you chance upon the audio version at LibriVox, Clive Catterall's reading skill, along with his soothing style, will add to your enjoyment. I cheerfully recommend not only this book, but the LibriVox audio version. View all my reviews

The White Company by Arthur Conan Doyle My rating: 5 of 5 stars Written in 1891, long before the hyper-sensitivities of the more extreme egalitarianism and high-brow "tolerance" of the 21st Century. This historical-fiction about a small sliver of the 100 Years War deftly plays out the rags-to-riches rise of Alleyne, or more accurately, from cloister-to-Gold Spurs. Much of the turns-of-phrase reminded me of Howard Pyle's Robin Hood, penned around the same time. The major characters - whether men or women - are humorous, noble, brave and gallant. The storyline, action, adventure, successes, failures and dialogue are attention-keeping. There is subtle distaste toward the Roman Catholic Church and the cloister that likely reflect 19th Century England, but it does not detract from the tale. The novel will appeal to teens as well as adults. It was a fun summer read. I happily recommend the book. View all my reviews

O God, Most High, who made all things very good by the Word of your power, and are a God of order and not of 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. And, O God, we ask you to set free the many in our land conquered and consumed by their addictions to Meth, prescription meds, opioids, gambling, and so forth. And especially in Oklahoma. Guide the nations and leaders of this world – such as President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan; President John Magufuli of Tanzania; and King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand – to be judicious, equitable, and charitable...