Deus Misereatur

  The End of the Christian Life: How Embracing Our Mortality Frees Us to Truly Live J. Todd Billings Brazos Press ISBN: 9781587434204; September 2020; $19.99   Today, it came at me again. I was teaching a small group of people at our State Capitol and we were hunkered down examining James 4:13-17. James was correcting the brazen outlook that thinks we have control of our lives and our outcomes, while not having God anywhere in the equation (4:13). And part of James’s remedy was to point out that in light of our brevity (4:14) what we should say is, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that” (4:15). If the Lord – the Lord Jesus Christ (1:1 and 2:1) wills, we will live…and then engage in our activities. And that thought is what “The End of the Christian Life: How Embracing Our Mortality Frees Us to Truly Live” occupies itself with in 240 softback pages. The author, J. Todd Billings, Gordon H. Girod Research Professor of Reformed Theology at Western Theological Seminary

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth; stir up your might and come to save us (Psalm 80:1-2)! Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, as we pray on behalf of your Church wherever she gathers, including this congregation, along with Covenant Community Church, Covenant Life Church, Crossings Community Church and Eastpointe Community Church. May she have strength to endure the heat of day and the gloom of night. May she have courage to maintain her witness with honesty and integrity. May she be comforted in her tribulations and hold faithful in her good fortunes. Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved (Psalm 80:19) ! Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, as we pray for those who are pursuing ordination in Gospel ministry (…). May they be shaped by the hands of the master artisan into good under-shepherds, compassionate pastors, diligent and resilient in Gospel proclamation and hea