Deus Misereatur

Sackett by Louis L'Amour My rating: 5 of 5 stars Out of the Tennessee mountains rides another Sackett, stumbling onto new adventures and becoming the flash-point where justice and injustice, civilization and barbarism meet. Louis L'Amour, master craftsman of story-telling, introduces us to William Tell Sackett, but also roughs out the sharp edge that divides civilization-building from might-makes-right. Even the 18th Century Blackstone's "Commentaries on the Laws of England" plays a significant role in the adventurous project. "Sackett" is a story of right and wrong, love found and almost lost, life and death, and working for the greater good rather than self-centered individualism. There are warm scenes of surprising compassion, even when it is costly. And there are moments when right finds it must stand up against might, even when it is life-threatening. If you're looking for an enjoyable read that has some meat and muscle, "Sackett" i...

A Gospel Primer for Christians: Learning to See the Glories of God's Love by Milton Vincent My rating: 5 of 5 stars This little 102 page treasure-trove is exactly what the title says: "A Gospel Primer for Christians". And it clearly aims to bring out the theme of the subtitle: "Learning to See the Glories of God's Love". Milton Vincent, pastor of Cornerstone Fellowship Bible Church in Riverside, California, has compiled a fine little dossier on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This handy guide is something of a devotional systematic theology, or a visually-quick reference to aid Christian readers in "preaching" the Gospel "to themselves each day" (5). After the introduction, the book unfolds into four parts. Part one unpacks the gospel in detail. But each of the thirty-one segments are bite sized. A reader could easily take one section each day, and dwell on it's contents and the Bible proof-texts in the footnotes. Vincent makes each...

Making All Things New: Restoring Joy to the Sexually Broken by David A. Powlison My rating: 5 of 5 stars I purchased a copy at a recent conference on abuse and helping the abused. It's a small, readable book with a simple focus on a formidable subject. "Making All Things New: Restoring Joy to the Sexually Broken" is a 128 page softback artfully crafted by the veteran biblical counselor and executive director of Christian Counseling Education Foundation (CCEF), David Powlison. The author addresses both those who struggle with immoral sexual desires, and those who struggle with the impact of sexual betrayal, molestation, and assault (20). The theme is consistently positive. As the author rightly asserts, what "is perverted can be converted" (18). "Making All Things New" leads the reader through the beauty sex was intended for, the flourishing garden of wise love, self-control and delight. But it also takes up the existential reality that sex is lik...

(The Oppressed) : O LORD, a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you (Psalm 9.9-10); hear the cries of those being oppressed by abusive spouses, violent and violating adults, and neglectful caregivers…Hear their cries, come to their aid, and give them a way out of the oppressiveness. And, O rescuing, compassionate God, give us ears to hear their cries, the courage aid them, the wisdom to know how to get them to safe places, and protection in the process . O Lord, hear our prayer.   (Marital Difficulties): From the very beginning you said that it is not good for a man to be alone, and gave him a helper comparable to him that together they might fulfil their God-given task of fruitful multiplication, filling the earth, subduing it, and having dominion over the earth as your priestly, regal representatives; but things went quickly sour, with marital ...

O Lord, who knows the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, we pray for the besieged and beleaguered peoples in our world, suffering from floods, droughts, tsunamis, hurricanes, unemployment, military threats, fears and pestilence. Please establish peace, justice, recovery and efficient economies in all lands, for the good of all, so that the Gospel of Jesus may spread unchecked, and that your Church may dwell securely in peace and quietness. Guide our own leaders in this country to throw off selfish programs, cut-throat tactics, and dastardly devices; and to put on what is truly legitimate and will promote evenhanded integrity. Give ear to our concerns as we pray for those who are in unbelief and for those who have disserted the Christian Faith….may they turn around and believe in your Son Jesus Christ, and have everlasting life. We pray for our enemies that you would lead them and us from prejudice to truth; and deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty and revenge ...