Deus Misereatur

  Today is the beginning of my 61st year. Who would have imagined this 6+ decade ride? I'm where my teenage self never envisioned I would have been. Most of my adolescent years I couldn't even think of myself past 21, and suspected I'd be dead by then. And yet, here I am. In this regard my soul resonates with the lines Ulysses S. Grant opened his personal memoirs with, ""Man proposes and God disposes." There are few important events in the affairs of men brought about by their own choice" ("The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant: The Complete Annotated Edition," 3). I cannot conceive of a better way to put it, in fully earthly words. I have gone places, done things, seen events, experienced moments that I had nowhere listed on my mental map. And, even through the tears, fears, grief, and heartbreak, it has been good. But it has been all too fast. 6+ decades have sped by in a few minutes. A 42 year marriage with my High School babe that is ali...

  A Prayer Shaped by Revelation 1 Lord Jesus, you are the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. You love us and have freed us from our sins by your blood and made us a kingdom, priests to your God and Father, and so to you be glory and dominion forever and ever. Lead us in your liberty and bring us to find that in your service we have true freedom. O Lord, hear our prayer. You are the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty; you are our sovereign to whom we owe all allegiance, to whom we are rightly obliged to give all of our loyalty no matter what the whisperings of our society entice us with, or the shouting voices of our world demand of us. May we live, advance, raise families, serve, evangelize, pay taxes, vote, grow old, always and ever remembering that though the world around us disputes your Lordship and reign, yet the day is coming when at your name every knee will bow, whether in heaven, on earth, or ...

  (This prayer walks through all of Psalm 62) For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken (Psalm 62:1-2) . We lift up our hearts thankful that the new and living way into your presence has been opened up through your Son, and that we have the privilege to draw near with all holy reverence and confidence. Glory to you, Lord God! How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah (62:3-4). Father, behold how your people are being bludgeoned, badgered, and beleaguered in so many places! Grant us all to be faithful witnesses, and please restore safety and sanity in those places where it is hot and hostile. Turn the hearts of the god-haters and shut down their ability to do harm. Liquidate an...