Deus Misereatur

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann My rating: 5 of 5 stars Intrigues and murders, subtle and sly assailants from the top of society to the bottom! A whole "culture of killing" (308). David Grann has allowed this tale of terror to tell itself, giving the investigators their due, and then adding his own unveiling examinations. The story will leave you convinced that Calvin was not far off the mark when he described the fallen nature of humanity as total depravity. I highly recommend the book because the story needs to be remembered for the sake of the violently victimized, and for the sake of the victimzers. I highly recommend the book because it is well written, and gives readers an excellent example of good writing. And I highly recommend the book to those who need to know more of Oklahoma history, or gain informative details about the birth of the Federal Bureau of Investigators (FBI). View all my reviews

The Message of Love: The Only Thing That Counts by Dr Patrick Mitchel My rating: 5 of 5 stars It’s a fuzzy subject that can evoke strong responses, and rarely gets defined because it’s assumed everyone simply “knows” what it is. I’m referring to that old four-letter word, “Love”. That’s what makes “The Message of Love: The Only Thing that Counts” by Patrick Mitchel, Senior Lecturer at the Irish Bible Institute in Dublin, and elder in Maynooth Community Church, Maynooth Ireland, such an important work. This 336-page softback is one of the newer installments in “The Bible Speaks Today” series edited by Derek Tidball. This volume is thorough, exegetical, thoughtful and engaging. In the introduction Mitchel defines love, and then sets about to show how that definition differs from the alternatives served up today: romantic idealized love; hyper-sexualized love; all-inclusive love; and universal love. The author then asserts that “Christian love is increasingly at odds with contempora...

Ah, LORD God, you once spoke through your servant Micah about the popular prophets, and how they lead your people astray, crying ““Peace” when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths. Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without divination. The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be black over them; the seers shall be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame; they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God ” (Micah 3:5-7). We pray for those who pervert and twist your truth for their own gain and greed, adulation and advantage (…). Grant them repentance, that they may escape the snare of the devil. Grant them to see what they are and what they’re doing, and how it is blaspheming your name among the unbelievers. And if they will not turn, bring their councils to nothing. O Lord, hear our prayer. Further, LORD, you promised in Micah that your Son would be born in...