Deus Misereatur

  I've run across it numerous times in my adult life. From extended family to hospice chaplain to the three Presbyterian churches where I have served. Inevitably there will be people in my life with dementia/Alzheimer's. Thus, a few years back I picked up a copy of "Second Forgetting: Remembering the power of the Gospel during Alzheimer's Disease" by Dr. Benjamin T. Mast, professor and chair of the department of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. Though I didn't read it back when I purchased it, I found it floating around my library recently and decided it was time. And I was not disappointed! This 192-page softback is straightforward in it's presentation, easily comprehended, and filled with hope for both those who have dementia and their caregivers. Dr. Mast walks readers through the physical and emotional process of dementia, and one of it's major manifestations, Alzheimer's. The description of what hap...

  Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah. World Rescuing God, thank you that in Christ Jesus all of us who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. That he himself is our peace, who has made both Jews and Gentiles, Billy Yanks and Johnny Rebs, Brazilians and Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans, Koreans and Japanese, Mongolians and Chinese, Republicans and Democrats – all who are redeemed by him, he has made one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (Ephesians 2.13-14). Be with your church all over this big, wide globe, including Heritage, and Church on the Rock, Connect United Methodist, Connecting Point Presbyterian, and Connection Church. Where, Lord, we have turned our backs to you and not our faces ...