Deus Misereatur

The Holy Trinity in the Life of the Church by Khaled Anatolios My rating: 4 of 5 stars Christianity is noted for many peculiarities that are paradigmatic, and at times can be perplexing. The whole notion of the Trinity likely tops the list for those inside and outside Christianity. How can we claim to be monotheistic (believers in one God) and yet claim that we believe in three persons who are divine (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit)? The “how can we” question has consumed heaps of ink and cerebral juices from Christian thinkers for most of two millennium. Then to add more bewilderment, there have been polychromatic descriptions and explanations from within Christianity that seem to talk past one another. Recently Khaled Anatolios, professor of historical theology at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and accomplished author, has pulled together and edited a new 272 page paperback on the subject, “The Holy Trinity in the Life...

Asperger's From the Inside Out: A Supportive and Practical Guide for Anyone with Asperger's Syndrome by Michael John Carley My rating: 3 of 5 stars "Asperger's From the Inside Out" is written primarily for those who have been diagnosed, or self--diagnosed, with Asperger's Syndrome (AS). Michael John Carley is the Executive Director of The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership (GRASP), and himself was diagnosed with AS at age 36. Because "Asperger's From the Inside Out" was written by someone with AS and for those with AS, it is very much a "you're not alone; you're not the only one who has struggled with this or that" kind of book. This is its primary strength. Not only does Carley define what AS is, but he also works through the emotional shock that may come from being diagnosed with AS. The author guides the reader through subjects such as lived-out peculiarities of those with AS, relationships, sex, employme...

For The New Year: "Almighty and Everlasting God, from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift; we give thee thanks for all thy benefits, temporal and spiritual, bestowed upon us in the year past, and we beseech thee of thy goodness, grant us a favorable and joyful year, defend us from all dangers and adversities, and send upon us the fullness of thy blessing; through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, ever One God, world without end. Amen" ("The Book of Worship: Approved by the General Synod of the Evangelical Reformed Church," 1947, p. 120).

The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum by Temple Grandin My rating: 5 of 5 stars Have you ever worked with anyone who is living with autism? Over the years I have been in situations where I have interacted professionally and informally with folks who have some form of autism, but I have never looked into this subject. Therefore, recently, I decided it was time to look below the surface and find out more. Temple Grandin's 240 page paperback, "The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum" was the first resource I nabbed, and how grateful I am to have picked it up. Grandin, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and accomplished author speaks on autism from the inside out. The book is her story dancing together with the life-stories of many others who live with autism. "The Autistic Brain" is, surprisingly, an easy read. In spite of the fairly technical chapters on brain formation and functionality, and the different ways aut...

Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman My rating: 3 of 5 stars I picked up "Emotional Intelligence" on the recommendation of a friend. After reading half way through the book I did a quick "Google Search" and found that the notion of emotional intelligence, or EQ as it is sometimes tagged, has some traction. From articles in "Psychology Today" to seminars, there are several professionals who are expanding the subject and making it accessible to leaders and laity alike. Even the author has his own web site, and tours the lecture-rounds. So I tucked my nose back into the book and plowed my way through the rest to the end with some heightened interest. "Emotional Intelligence" is both a rather intuitive book, and one that has worn out ruts running through it. The ruts are those that sound like the old self-esteem programs that have been promoted in schools and sell like hot cakes at the local book franchise (for ...

There is a spirit of craziness rolling like a menacing fog, seeping into some minds and hearts. The mindless bloodletting is uncalled for. Protest, demonstration, marches...that's the beauty of the American liberties. But retaliatory violence is the beginning of madness. Part of what makes Law Enforcement work properly is when the citizenry stand behind their Peace Officers, appreciating their work. They do what most of us would not want to be faced with; they go into situations that most of us would find downright abhorrent and unnerving; they are first-responders to emergencies that most of us don't know how to deal with; they are often a wall of civility, hope and safety behind which almost all of us can and do thrive. I am very grateful for the Peace Officers I have known over the years, and for the many whom I haven't known but I see doing their jobs. Because of you my family and I can live each day in relative safety - almost a mindless safety because you do your j...

Evil And the Justice of God by N.T. Wright My rating: 4 of 5 stars Terror trickles into the folds and fissures of our collective psyche, riding on the back of news sources, social media, fundraising mailers, and Amber alerts, and settling heavy on minds and moods. Since September 11, 2001 Americans, and many in the West, have been confronted rudely by the reality of the revolting and redoubtable. How can humans shovel so much inhumanity onto their fellow humans? From whence comes such malevolence and what will the outcome be? Is there no substantive remedy beyond the failed political attempts, the exhausted military efforts, and botched punitive endeavors? N.T. Wright, the onetime Bishop of Durham, winsome theologian and copious writer, took a stab at this subject some years back in his 176 page hardback, “Evil and the Justice of God”.  By simply being cognizant of the smallness of the book, the reader should quickly be conscious that such a petite enterprise will in no way tack...