Deus Misereatur

  (I'm presently reading this now, and there are intriguing statements and observations that keep popping off the page at me) " The line between the Rebel and Union element in Georgetown was so marked that it led to divisions even in the churches. There were churches in that part of Ohio where treason was preached regularly, and where, to secure membership, hostility to the government, to the war and to the liberation of the slaves, was far more essential than a belief in the authenticity or credibility of the Bible . There were men in Georgetown who filled all the requirements for membership in these churches" (The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, ch. 2, p.18-9). This was U.S. Grant's recounting of what was going on in his hometown during the Civil War.  I find this fascinating and flustering at the same time. Christian churches (1) allowing the spirit of the age to dictate lines of unity, instead of King Jesus; and (2) allowing cultural/societal pressures and m...

 (From my letter to the congregation on 6 April 2022) As many of you know, Anna and I drift along visiting the different Care Groups on Sunday evenings. We call on a different gathering, enjoy the fellowship, and engage like all the rest. It’s a distinct pleasure to be able to see how the various groups interact and fulfill their purpose. If you’re not in a Care Group, I hope you will seriously and honestly consider becoming part of one.   This last Sunday evening we were in one of our groups. It was delightful to see how the kids were drawn in, to enjoy the flavorable repast, and to be encouraged by the discussion. Toward the end, the Care Group leader asked for ideas on how 2 Peter 1:3-11 could impact the folks through the coming week. After several thoughts were expressed, I mentioned that I have been memorizing these verses while out running, and I often use them to guide me in praying for the family and our congregation. And I promised that I would publish an example in...

  I have been a financial supporter of International Justice Mission (IJM) since around 2006 and have known about Gary Haugen’s aim and work throughout those years. I have been most attracted to IJM’s work toward legally ending sex trafficking and human trafficking. So, I was delighted when IJM sent me a gratis copy of this 384-page paperback, “The Locust Effect: Why the End of Poverty Requires the End of Violence” written and published by Haugen (founder and president of IJM) and Victor Boutros. I didn’t ask for it but am grateful it was sent, and so decided I would do a short review. It essentially lays out the reasons behind IJM’s purpose but has much broader application.  The first chapters are tough going because of the real-life stories of brutal injustice recounted. The remainder of the work explains why most of our poverty alleviation projects have minimal results. It’s primarily due to the lack of a viable and valuable criminal justice system in the vast majority of...

  For many, the Middle Ages are appropriately called “The Dark Ages,” mainly because that era is unknown to them and fraught with phantasmal folk tales. Recently a new 176-page paperback has surfaced to help shine some light into a few of the nooks and crannies of those years. “Reign: The Church in Middle Ages” is for kids from 12 and up. It’s a retelling of stories of men and women in the western Church who lived through those centuries. Luke H. Davis, who teaches ethics and church history at Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis, and has authored several fiction and nonfiction works, has taken thirteen of those lives and retold their tales in an enjoyable, memorable, and personable fashion. This is the second installment of the growing “Risen Hope” church history series printed by Christian Focus Publications. Davis takes on the stories of Benedict, Columba, Gregory the Great, Anselm, Wycliffe, and a host of others from the 6 th through the 15 th Centuries. He retells th...

  Rowing down the stream of Shelby Steel's "White Guilt," John McWhorter, associate professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University, adds his own paddle to the ride. "Woke Racism" is his  224-page hardback that flows along, sometimes loud and fuming, sometimes levelheaded. It's a book written not for those who have taken the red or blue pill, but for those who are pondering which way to go. His main premise is that the people who are caught up in "Third Wave Antiracism" - those who automatically assume that "racism is baked into the structure of society" (5), are actually following a religion. These, according to McWhorter, "pretend that performance art is politics" (6). The tone is mildly hostile, or at least unfavorable, to religion of any flavor or texture. That's a significant downside to the volume. Another is the populist-style sarcasm, the type one meets with in memes on social media. If the aut...

  Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages. For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses (Psalm 135:13, 5-7). We rejoice in your might and goodness and ask you to attend to our prayers as we seek your face and intercede on behalf of your Church and world. We lift up our hands, hearts and heads to you, Mighty God, for hearing and answering our prayers for restored health, for rain, and for sustaining us day-in-and-day-out. And we thank you for these gifts (…). Glory to you, Mighty Lord! Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages. We pray for this congregation, these OKC are churches: Greater New Zion Baptist Church, Greater Bethel Baptist, Greater Fellowship Bapti...