Deus Misereatur

  It's a subject worth much of our reflective powers. if, as Christians, we truly hold to the idea that all humans are somehow the image of God, then we need to delve into the topic with verve. The ramifications are, and can be, far reaching. It impacts how we view people of different ethnic or educational or economic tribes. It affects the way we think of women, men, girls and boys, born and unborn. Carmen Joy Imes, associate professor of the Old Testament at Biola University, addresses this matter in her easy going, though serious, manner in the new 240-page softback "Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matter". Academically written, but intended for the Jane and Joe walking through the ecclesiastical streets, this volume is clear, instructive, and straightforward. Imes's main point is that we don't bear the image of God, but are the image of God. "God's image is not something we bear; it's something we are...image isn't something we do, b...

  "God, right here. God, right there. God's handiwork is everywhere" so begins a new kids book written by Kara Lawler, author, wife, mom and dog lover. "God, Right Here" is 32-page 9x9 hardback contemplating Psalm 139:7-10, and written for kids to remind them that "God is always with you." The work is beautifully illustrated by Jennie Poh in a watercolor and pen style that's bright and attractive. "The earth is so full of God's glory" worms its way through every page, walking through the cycle of seasons several times. Winter, spring, summer, and fall, and back through again and again. It dances around the different aspects of each time of year, sometimes rambunctious, at other times quietly, "The sun rises and sets, the moon takes over the sky...And in these quiet moments, we know God is still at work. God ever near." The scenes, and script, work together taking little and older readers through country settings, mountains, ...

  O Strengthener of the weak; fortifier of the faithful, rescuer of the wayward, restorer of the repentant; we lift up our hearts and eyes and voices proclaiming that your steadfast love is good and endures forever. Thank you that by your most holy, wise and powerful preserving you govern all your creatures and all our actions; thank you that you deliver your people from their enemies, drawing them from the miry bog and setting their feet on a rock. Look on the nations – including Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, and the Netherlands – preserve the good and just, remove the evil and malicious. Open the way for your Gospel to run deep and wide in all lands. And look upon our country, Good Lord. May our leaders be noble, honorable, gracious, merciful, just and moral. May we and our fellow inhabitants support whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. We pray on behalf of your Church world-over; this congregation; Penn South Church of Christ, P...