Deus Misereatur

  For what it's for, it's an important and helpful work. As Carson points out repeatedly, this book is not for those in the midst of misery and suffering now (though the final chapter does speak to them). Instead, it "is more in the way of preventative medicine" (247). And the reason for this is that one "of the causes of devastating grief and confusion among Christians is that our expectations are false." Once we enter into tragedy or suffering, if our beliefs are "out of step with the God who has disclosed himself in the Bible and supremely in Jesus, then the pain from the personal tragedy may be multiplied many times over as we begin to question the very foundations of our faith" (9). Carson works through first steps and false steps. Then he moves on to examine the price of sin, social evils, poverty, war and natural disasters. He pursues this track through several other important questions and topics, and ends analyzing the providence of God. H...

  ( I sent this to my congregation in my weekly letter a couple of weeks back. It's a prayer taken from 2 Corinthians 13:11 of the ESV. I hope many of you will use it in your specific situation. I would love to hear from you as you pray through this verse, especially if you begin to notice some changes -in your own heart and attitude or in your situation. The God of love and peace be with you. Pastor Mike ) “ Finally, brothers, rejoice ” - Lord, may we be a joyful people, filled with joy and thanksgiving. “ Aim for restoration ” - And may we work toward restoring relationships in our families, church, denomination, and neighborhood. “ Comfort one another ” - Lord, may we be a means of your grace in taking the comfort you have given us in our afflictions (2 Corinthians 1:3-5), bringing that comfort to others. “ Agree with one another ”  - Lord, in this social context where so many in our age are at one another’s throats, may we stand and work and walk together in faith, hope...

  (Some of this I wrote back in 20212 when I first used this resource) Nice! Very, very nice! This little piece has the ESV Psalms pointed for chanting or responsive reading (the eight, easy-to-sing chant tones are laid out in the preface/intro section of the book and are easy to figure out, especially if you have a piano app for your cell phone etc.). The print is clear and useable for most people. Good margins on the sides of each page for notations. It even includes two schedules to systematically working through the Psalms for daily prayers. A very user-friendly work that's handy-sized. Each Psalm has a very short Luther devotion that introduces each Psalm. Then, dispersed in various places around each Psalm (sometimes in the middle and at the end, sometimes simply at the end) is a Lutheresque prayer drawn from Rev. F. Kuegele and his "Book of Devotion: The Psalms". These prayers are thematically guided by the specific Psalm, and delightful meditations and prayers. I ...

  There are ways to tell stories, and then there are ways. Ned Bustard, creative director for Square Halo Books, Inc., curator of the Square Halo Gallery, graphic designer, and children's book illustrator, tells a tale wrapped in boisterous beat and gratifying graphics. "Saint Patrick the Forgiver", a 32-page glossy storybook, retells the life of Patrick with the cadence of an Irish ceilidh. It will keep the attention of young'uns and delight the elder readers to no end. Each page has large, delightful illustrations designed by the author, full of enough color and detail that kids will want to stop and ogle each picture. and the script is large enough for even the most frail-sighted reader. The story moves from Patrick's childhood to his time when he returns and spreads the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gaels. Bustard even addresses a few of the legends that are not likely to be true, in a way that mentions them without embracing them as necessarily historical. Th...

  Almighty God, Heavenly Father, you have summoned us to pray for the Church and the world that your grace and salvation might become known to all. And you have promised that as we pray in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, you hear us and answer us. And so, we pray in the name of Christ. Therefore, hear in heaven our prayer and our plea, and maintain our cause (1 Kings 8:45). For those in need; the poor and the hungry; the homeless and unemployed; those hit by the wildfires, floods, industrial catastrophes, and those helping to rebuild; the sick and lonely (…). May they receive the right help at the right time in their distress and find real relief. And so, we pray, hear in heaven our prayer and our plea, and maintain our cause . For those who have not yet believed (…); all in spiritual need (…); and those who have stumbled and fallen (…); bring them faith, hope and comfort in Jesus Christ. And so, we pray, hear in heaven our prayer and our plea, and maintain our cause . For th...