Deus Misereatur

  This workbook is meant to take you through 52-weeks of self-care. It’s primarily for those in a relationship with a high-conflict spouse. It’s not filled with a tone of 15-step-how-tos per se. It’s really about coming to grips with your situation with a high-conflict person (HCP), and surviving. But more than just surviving, it’s about regaining your power of self-direction. As the author’s note, this book “is a wake-up call that you need to start taking care of yourself. You will see how well or sick you are at the beginning and at the end on your weekly journey to becoming a healthier human and parent” (9). There were several moments I found myself saying, “Yeah! What she just said! That’s how it feels and that’s what it’s like!” Other times the writers throw a good dose of reality in the reader’s way to make sure readers know the hard truth so as to make some rock-solid decisions. For example, “Your co-parent will never change. I can almost 100% guarantee that. But you can” (132).

  O LORD, who created the heavens (you are God!), who formed the earth and made it (you established it; you did not create it empty, you formed it to be inhabited!), you have spoken and said: “I am the LORD, and there is no other. I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I the LORD speak the truth; I declare what is right” (Isaiah 45:18-19). It is to you we come to seek your face and call for help. We pray for your church world over, including this congregation, Victory Baptist Temple, Bible Baptist, Bodine, and Calvary Baptist Church. May we all be united together by your Holy Spirit, in your true Truth, and around your Son Jesus. We additionally pray for each of the congregations in our Hills and Plains Presbytery in Missouri, Arkansas, and throughout Oklahoma, that you would guide us in truly and humbly serving you in order that your name may be glorified before all people. Take notice, O God, of the nations of the

  Theory of Racelessness: A Case for Antirace(ism) Sheena Michele Mason Palgrave MacMillian ISBN: 978-3-030-99944-5; May 2022; Hardback - $119.99, eBook - $89   It’s a hot topic, and one that can generate a firestorm of accusations, assertions, and counterattacks. The resulting temperature feels like it has been clearly rising in the last decades. There are multiple reasons presented as to why, some anecdotal, some conspiratorial, and others more socially aware. Just drop the word “racism” into a friendly conversation at work or at the mall, and immediately reactions range from lowered voices and embarrassed looks, to animated pronouncements and declarations. Recently an acquaintance from King’s College in NYC, Dr. Anthony Bradley, announced that a new discussion of the subject was brewing and that Dr. Sheena Michele Mason, Assistant Professor of English (African American Literature) who received her PhD from Howard University, was spearheading this discussion in an upcoming

  Lord God the Almighty, who delights in executing lovingkindness, justice and righteous throughout the earth, we pray for the Church and our world: For all of those who are oppressed, enslaved, abused, tormented by the cruelties of others, forced into bondage, shackled to destructive addictions, or held captive be thugs and drug cartels, we pray: Lord have mercy on them . For those who are being truly persecuted for the Christian Faith around the world, in the Middle East, Asia, and numerous other places, we pray: Christ have mercy on them . For those who are working in the name of Christ to alleviate poverty, famine, plague, and injustices of every kind, we pray: Lord have mercy on them and grant them success in their endeavors. For your Church throughout the world, this congregation, Springhill Free Will Baptist Church, Trinity, Del Baptist Temple, and Grace Baptist Church, we pray. By your Holy Spirit and Holy Scriptures, defend us all from error, lead us into all truth, and fill

  It’s a difficult topic for Americans and American Christians to get their minds around. We have been accustomed to thinking of slavery as some soiling blemish on our national past that we finally fixed by war and proclamation. Yet, the stark reality is that enslavement has been a deep part of human history all along and is still alive and well in the present. It’s economic-based, or ethnic-based, or gender-based, but it’s always about power and production and profitability. And it is a problem in our neck of the woods as well as globally. Yet there are significant approaches that churches can take to make a difference. To help, a new 224-page paperback has arrived as a guide for those desiring to address modern forms of slavery, “ Ending Human Trafficking: A Handbook of Strategies for the Church Today .” This manual is compiled by Shayne Moore, author, editor and activist, Sandra Morgan, director of the Global Center for Women and Justice at Vanguard University, and Kimberly McOwen Y

  “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 12:4-6). We have sung your praises, we have declared your great deeds, and now we give you thanks for your great favor poured out on us: for food, friends, family, health, homes, hope, vocations, voices, and vitality. We acknowledge that it is you who upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing (Psalm 145:14-16). Supreme Sovereign who sits enthroned over all, we call upon you to move the nations of the world in such ways that peace may prevail, war be averted, the Gospel unhindered, and the Church unmolested.