Deus Misereatur

It's so simple. Almost too simple. It can be memorized without much sweat, as easily as the Pledge of Allegiance; and rattled off with just as much thoughtlessness. I'm talking about the Apostles' Creed. Yet its effortless simplicity can cause it's gravity to be completely overlooked. That's where the second edition of "Rooted: The Apostles' Creed" comes into play. Raymond Cannata, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New Orleans, and Joshua Reitano, pastor of New City Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, have compiled a handy and handsome guide through the Apostles' Creed in 214 paperback pages; a directory that takes the reader inwardly into healthy reflection and brings them out into hearty revelry! As the authors note, "good theology should lead to great doxology" (118), and that emphasis lingers just below the surface throughout the whole document. The authors tease out thirteen studies that walk readers through the Apostles' ...

“ O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure ” (Isaiah 25.1). On behalf of your Church throughout the world, for this congregation, and Village UMC, Wesley UMC, Calvary MBC and Fairview MBC, we pray. For those of your people who are suffering for righteousness sake, show yourself strong on their behalf. Those who have lost their way and exchanged your glory for their own rapaciousness or their own reputation, reclaim them. Those who are working and toiling, spending and being spent for your honor, fill up what is lacking and cause your work to prosper in their hands. Finally, for the Presbyterian Church in America, we pray that the righteousness, peace and joy of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13) would hover over our denomination, the honor Christ reign supreme and the fellowship of Christ flourish. Holy God, send forth your Gospel and your enlivening Spirit, so that Jews, Buddhists, Hindu...

When my wife and I traveled to Oregon last year, we went old school (sort of). We pulled out an actual paper map, examined the roadway from Oklahoma City to our destination, Detroit Lake State Park. We looked over topography, river-ways, elevations, city locations, etc. It was very helpful, both for the big picture, but also to give us way-points, and to allow us to "adapt-and-overcome" as unplanned things happened. But the map couldn't prepare us for all we experienced, the explosion of stark terrain differences, and so forth. It was a guide that put us on the right trail, but could not prepare us for the exigencies, nor smooth them out. Luke H. Davis, teacher of ethics and church history at Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis, and author of young adult fiction, has taken in hand to map out the good life and Christian ethics in his brand new 240-page softback "Tough Issues, True Hope: A Concise Journey through Christian Ethics". This handy little manuscr...

Most people I know have learned to pray from listening to others, in one way or the other. That's the value of a new 240-page hardback "Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans" edited by the prolific author, Robert Elmer. It is handy and pleasing to the eyes, and the print is easy to look at. This breviary is a worthy investment for one's own times of prayer, and suppliants will learn at the feet of some devotional doyens. "Piercing Heaven" draws from Puritan authors arising out of the 16th to 18th centuries. Anglican priests, nonconformists, congregationalists and others are gathered into these pages to lead the way to the throne of grace, where we may find grace to help in time of need. Many of the names will be known to most, with a few surprises here and there. The editor has taken matured prayers, modernized them, and formatted them in such a way that they breathe a quiet repose. Though a particular petition may fill a page or two, Elmer has broken it ...

A delightful adventure! The return of Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy to Narnia, long generations after they had left. Filled with surprises. But the tale is also thick with purpose and meaning. Such as following Aslan, even when others won't; loyalty; commitment, even against all odds. But it is also dripping with good theology in artful ways. One of my favorite lines comes at the end. Caspian finds that he comes from ancestors who were pirates. After voicing his disappointment, Aslan states, "You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve, and that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor in earth. Be content" (211-2). I highly recommend the book. If you are looking for a grandfatherly reading of the book, you can go here to my YouTube Channel and pull up the videos of me reading each chapter - funny voices and all.

Saving God, who has promised that you would be with your people to the end of the world, we pray on behalf of your Church globally, this congregation, as well as Selecman, Skyline-Urban, Southern Hills, and Sunny Lane UMC. Since we are those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ, then may mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to us. Give us the wherewithal to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints, since certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for condemnation; ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. And, by your gracious aid may we build ourselves up in our most holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, keep ourselves in the love of God, wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life, have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; and show mercy to others with fear, hating even ...

In assurance we lift our hearts to you, O our God. As Jonathan told his armor bearer when heavily outnumbered, yet taking the daring risk to engage the Philistines, “ nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few ” (1 Samuel 14:6). We, too, are assured that there is nothing, no one, no condition, no circumstance, no competitor, no cerebral malfunction, no failure of courage, no catastrophe that can hinder you from saving, rescuing, and triumphing! And therefore, there is no created thing out there or in here that can separate us from your love! Truly in all these things we are more than conquerors, and the seal, the guarantee of this truth is Christ crucified for our transgressions, risen for our justification (Romans 8:37-39, 4:25), and ascended into heaven to hold sway! We pray on behalf of your Church world-over, this congregation, St. Andrew’s UMC, St. Mark’s UMC, St. Matthew’s UMC and Salt UMC. Raise up a defense around your people that the evil one may never get a ...