Deus Misereatur

A Minister’s Yearning and Congregation’s Reveling: Philippians 1.25-26 I’m taking the adults of our congregation through Philippians over the next several weeks. While reading, meditating, pondering and reflecting on that particular letter, a concept slowly rose up and slid its tentacles around my mind. I find this two-pronged thought needling me day and night. It is related to something I wrote back in July 2014, “A Minister’s Glory and Joy,” [1] but it goes a bit further and maybe a bit deeper. It’s found in the middle Philippians 1.25-26: “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus , because of my coming to you again.” As I stated, it is a two-pronged thought that covers a minister’s yearning and a congregation’s reveling. A Minister’s Yearning  The mission or purpose of every minister of Jesus Christ is to declare the praises and g...

O LORD you are our judge; LORD you are our lawgiver; LORD you are our king; it is you who will save us (Isaiah 33.22). Glory to you, O God, most high; glory to you, Lord God our hope; glory to you, who delights in our prayers. O God you are our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore supply us with such unswerving steadfastness and bolstered belief in you that we will not fear; even though the earth gives way, the mountains are moved into the heart of the sea, the earth’s waters roar and foam, the mountains tremble and swell (Psalm 46.1-3); whether economies collapse, or pandemics erupt; whether ailments assault us personally or calamity crashes into our lives. For we recognize that of all people we should always walk in buoyant conviction because Christ is risen from the dead and that makes us conquerors in all of these circumstances (Romans 8.35-39). O Lord, hear our prayer. We pray for your Church in all places, including Greater Trinity Baptist Church; ...

All Saints Day Hebrews 11 I know it’s coming and it’s just around the corner. For some it will be exciting, all of that dressing up in costumes, going to parties, bobbing for apples, knocking on doors, candy surprises and all that. For others it is discomfiting – all of those ghouls and goblins, super heroes and sassy mummers, black cats and witches, not counting the tomfoolery that sometimes attends that night, as when your car gets “egged,” etc. Some Christians have no problem with the event; others think it is straight from the mind of the devil. But there is something really important that almost always gets lost on Halloween – All Hallows’ Evening. It’s the next day (1 November) which for many Christians (Catholics, Orthodox, Episcopalians, Lutherans) is All Saints Day , or All Hallows’ Day . Now, this may not be the experience of your particular Christian tradition – it’s not in my tradition either, nevertheless it’s worth the time to take a moment and reflect on the val...

Sunday Morning Prayer: O Lord God, who saved us from the constraints of fear so that we may serve you in the freedom of love; we come in confidence to pray for your World and your Church. We pray for the nations of this earth, which desire to through off any allegiance to you, and conspire together against your anointed One (Psalm 2). Put your reverence in them, cause them to discard all their bloodlust, greed and jingoistic pride; and turn them toward your righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14.17). Almighty God, thank you for the heritage and legacy of this country. We are not ignorant of its many failings, but we are grateful for its initial recognition of God-ordained liberties. Lead our leaders and govern our governors that they may love mercy, do justly and walk humbly before you in the way of your truth. We pray for our U.S. Military personnel as they serve this country, may they do so honorably and valiantly. Comfort them in their difficulti...

Sunday Morning: We lift up our hearts to you, Lord God, for your bounteous gifts and plentiful favors: rain, food, health, life, taste, sight, family, friends and vocations. And most of all we revere you because you alone are God, who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfastness and faithfulness, who keeps steadfast love for thousands of generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin. O Lord, we pray for the besieged and beleaguered peoples in our world, suffering from floods and droughts, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, unemployment and underemployment, military threats, fears and pestilence. Please establish peace, justice, recovery and efficient economies in all lands, for the good of all, so that the Gospel of Jesus may spread unchecked, and that your Church may dwell securely in peace and quietness. Guide our own leaders to throw off selfish programs, cut-throat tactics, dastardly devices and to put on what is truly legitimate and...

The Word Became Fresh: How to Preach from Old Testament Narrative Texts Dale Ralph Davis Mentor (A Christian Focus Publications imprint) Geanies House Fearn, Tain Ross-shire IV20 1TW Scotland, UK www.christianfocus.com ISBN: 9781845501921; November 2006; $16.99 5 out of 5 stars: Fresh and Friendly Many people seem to be intimidated and unsettled by the Old Testament. Even among Christians most plainly avoid reading it all the way through. They may glance at little snippets here and there; refer back to it when reading some text from the New Testament that mentions an Old Testament passage; or paste a heartwarming verse from Joshua, the Psalms or one of the prophets on their wall plaques. But truth be told, most Christians find the Old Testament, and especially the narratives, perplexing. And so do many preachers. Ask yourself two questions: (1) when was the last time you heard a sermon series or Sunday School series that walked the congregation t...

Sunday morning: O Lord God, who draws near to your people, that we may draw near to you; we come in confidence to pray for your World and your Church. We pray for the nations of this earth, which rage and rush maddeningly against your healthy boundaries, trying to gain the upper hand over you and one another. In place of their fuming and fury, bestow and work into them peace, justice and civility. Almighty God, grateful for the country where we have been born; we long to see our leaders and fellow-citizens walking in ways that tend toward peace, integrity and fairness. Guide the elections and the voters to select the right people for the good of our country and the peace of your Church. We pray for our U.S. Military personnel as they serve this country, may they do so honorably. Comfort them when depressed and worried. Preserve their families from unnerving stress. And provide for them all things necessary for their well-being. Lord, until your Son returns to right a...