Deus Misereatur

  I am grateful for Dr. James Bruce’s article, “ Of Atheists and Oaths ”. His development of the value of oaths, how they must be in the name of God, invoking God as witness and judge, is vital. In an era when oath-taking and vow-making has become increasingly meaningless, Bruce’s commentary and critique is helpful for Christ’s people. Oaths and vows are important. Don’t make them lightly. The purpose of my short article is not to criticize Dr. Bruce’s statement. Rather, since he was at our 50 th General Assembly and publicly made an abbreviated version of his comments during a specific debate, I thought I would launch off from his comments to the issue of that particular discussion. Quick Background Briefly, there was an Overture that came to our denomination (the Presbyterian Church in America) desiring to allow atheists to be able to testify in our church courts when there is a discipline case. This particular Overture was responded to “in the negative” by our Overtures C...

  A new tool can be a pleasure to use. When hitting Estate Sales or the Hardware store I’m often looking for new tools, and once I obtain one, I quickly race home, unwrap it and start playing with it and making new projects so I can use it. Christopher J. Gordon, senior minister at Escondido United Reformed Church in California and host of Abounding Grace Radio , has given folks a new tool. It’s a teeny pamphlet, all of 31 pages: “The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality”. As a catechism, it is written in a question-answer format and has 41 of these installments. It’s handy, easy on the eyes, and filled with Scripture annotations. It’s ideal for older and younger adults and could be material for Christian education settings. The catechism runs the gamut of subjects regarding human sexuality. From creation and God’s original design to marriage and singleness, unwanted desires and self-made “identities,” marital abuse and oppression to pornography. Gordon has sensibly moved...

  O God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, Giver of all good gifts, we pray for your Church throughout the nations, to include First Nazarene of Bethany, Bethel, Calvary, and Canadian Hills Nazarene Church. Sustain us through the hard and happy times. Look upon our needs and provide all good things necessary for us to do the work you have called us to. Strangely warm our hearts and inspire in us greater and greater holiness. Kindly look on this congregation, Father, and give patience and joy to all the parents as they raise their children in your righteous ways. Aid the single that they may resist the pressures of our world and keep themselves chaste. Enrich our marriages so that they may be full of harmony, hope, and health. Strengthen the young adults to continue to follow Christ faithfully. May our children (younger and older) embrace the Christian faith we have been handing on to them with gusto and confidence. And may the fruit of the Spirit grow large in all of ...