Deus Misereatur

I was asked to give the benediction for a homeschool graduating class. Here's what I said: Prayer and Benediction for Graduation 2016 Hear now the Word of God for the people of God by the Apostle of God: “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3.3-7). Remember who you are, whose you are, and why you are. Let us pray: LORD God, the Almighty, the Most High, who has made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; truly, it is ...

From Psalm 143 Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. There are many, Lord, who have been beat down and beat up. We pray for those who have been battered and brutalized, some whom we name before you…may they find shelter and refuge; bring them help and healing. And enrich those who hold out their hands to provide support and sanctuary, especially the YWCA Women’s Shelter, Jesus House, City Rescue Mission, the Wonderfully Made Foundation , and others. Hear our prayer, O Lord, and let our cry come to you . I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands ...

"Those who belong to a certain order of society - people who make big decisions that affect all of us - don't seem to have much sense of their own fallibility. Being unacquainted with failure, the kind that can't be interpreted away, may have something to do with the lack of caution that business and political leaders often display in the actions they undertake on behalf of other people" (203-4). Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work by Matthew B. Crawford My rating: 4 of 5 stars There I was in South Florida, working on the air frame of fighter jets and the internal bulkhead of an H-3 helicopter. My nicotined hands were cut and calloused, my steel-toed boots sliced, my uniform often sweat-soaked and spotted with carbon. But the work was rich and refreshing. The high point came when my then 5 year old daughter asked me, "Daddy, what do you do?" Just at that moment an F-4 launched from the flight line, roaring it's way gloriously...

Evolution and Holiness: Sociobiology, Altruism and the Quest for Wesleyan Perfection Matthew Nelson Hill IVP Academic (InterVarsity Press) PO Box 1400 Downers Grove, IL 60515 ISBN: 978-0-8308-3907-0; $30.00; February 2016 Reviewed by Rev. Dr. Michael Philliber for Deus Misereatur Intriguing. 3 Stars out of 5 There you are at a huge family reunion and everyone is related in some way. Many have the same family name, though there’s a mixture of other names through marriage, along with a plethora of body shapes, sizes, colors and regional dialects. Each group slowly huddles around folks they’re familiar with, and the reunion becomes a band of clans, all related but different. As you take the bold step to meander between clusters, you happen on one knot of people and come to the awkward realization that though this particular crowd is linked to the larger family, their assumptions and approaches to politics and religion are clearly different and outside of your purvi...

Sunday morning: From Psalm 128 Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Since Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, we pray for the church here and world over, for this congregation, as well as Redeemer PCA-Edmond; St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church; Santa Fe Presbyterian; Southminster; Trinity; Westlake; Westminster Presbyterian Church; and the Urban Mission. We ask that by his blessing, by the reforming and revitalizing work of your Holy Spirit, by the faithful reading, preaching and teaching of your Scriptures, and by the right administration of your sacraments, Jesus might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5.25-27). And we ask you to be with t...

From Psalm 47 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah. World Rescuing God, thank you that in Christ Jesus all of us who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. That he himself is our peace, who has made both Jews and Gentiles, Billy Yanks and Johnny Rebs, Brazilians and Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans, Koreans and Japanese, Mongolians and Chinese, Republicans and Democrats – all who are redeemed by him, he has made one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (Ephesians 2.13-14). Be with your church all over this big, wide globe, including this church, and Central Presbyterian Church; Covenant Presbyterian; Eastlake and Stonegate Cumberland Presbyterian churches; First Presbyterian-Edmond; First Presb...

Sunday morning: From 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. We lift up our hearts thankful that the new and living way into your presence has been opened up through your Son, Jesus; 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 . Father, behold how your people are being bludgeoned, badgered and beleaguered in so many places! Grant us all to be faithful witnesses, and 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 and bankrupt those institutions...