Deus Misereatur

Gospel Treason: Betraying the Gospel with Hidden Idols by Brad Bigney My rating: 5 of 5 stars Not another book on marriage?!?! Yep, another book on marriage. This one is penned by Brad Bigney, senior pastor of Grace Fellowship Evangelical Free Church in Florence, Kentucky, a member and certified counselor of the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors and a member of the Association of Biblical Counselors. But it's more than just a book on marriage. This popularly written, 224 page softback is about why there are problems in marriages, how to decipher the idolatrous root of those troubles, and ways to move forward with a healthier marriage. The not-yet-married, newlyweds, older married couples, pastors, and counselors will all benefit from this work. Since there are plenty of other reviews already hovering out there, I'll simply mention a few of the aspects I appreciated. Bigney does a heartening job on unpacking conflict: "The conflict that we often resent is G...

( The first prayer is original to me. The last two prayers are primarily from Evening Prayer from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer that I have slightly modernized, and tweaked. Feel free to use them in your church, Bible Study, Discipling Group, or personal devotions. Mike ) You who are the shoot from the stump of Jesse, the branch from his roots that bears fruit, upon whom the Spirit of the LORD rests, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD, whose delight is in the fear of the LORD; and who does not judge by what your eyes see, or decide disputes by what your ears hear, but with righteousness you judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth (Isaiah 11.1-4). We call upon you for help! We are finite and thus fallible, we judge by what our eyes see and decide disputes by what our ears hear. Therefore, some of our decisions have failed, and some of our counsels have fallen through. ...

Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Lord, please hear us and for Christ‘s sake answer us. O God Most High, who uses our trials and the testing of our faith to bring about steadfast endurance in us (James 1.2-4), we ask you to lift up those who are dispirited in body or mind, those who are grieved or dreadfully disturbed with fear and anxiety, and those who are walking through troubled times in home and health. We especially ask your care for these…. Grant them recovery, refreshment and some substantial sense of restored health. O Lord of the Harvest: have regard to the prayers of your servants in this congregation; send us forth as laborers into your harvest; increase in us the Spirit of power, love and a sound mind; strengthen us to endure hardships as good soldiers of Jesus Christ; and grant that your Holy Spirit may prosper our work so that by our life and doctrine we may show forth your glory and bring forward the salvation of many. We principa...