Deus Misereatur

The Love of God: A Canonical Model by John C Peckham My rating: 4 of 5 stars Some theological subjects are highly controversial within Christianity, such as election, predestination, and sacramentology, to name a few. But then others would appear to be fairly straightforward, uncontroversial and standard fare; the love of God, for example. But John H. Peckham, associate professor of theology and Christian philosophy at the Seventh-Day Adventist Theological Seminary of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, reveals the storm that swirls around this subject in his new 297 page paperback, “The Love of God: A Canonical Model”. The book is noticeably intended for academic circles, but written simply enough that a patient reader of whatever educational attainment can engage with it. The first indication that “The Love of God” is going to be seriously scholastic is when the reader glances through the book and notices mounds of footnotes that mind-numbingly thunder across the b...

Innkeeper by John Piper My rating: 3 of 5 stars An imaginative, poetic piece of a meeting between Jesus and the Innkeeper 30 years later. The short tale is told from the fictitious "what if" position. In this rendition, the Innkeeper lost not only his wife but his own young sons, his arm and his livelihood in the Herodian slaughter of the innocents. Now, 30 years later Jesus returns to Bethlehem to look for the Innkeeper. The story is touching, and dedicated to "Rollin and all who ever lost a child." View all my reviews

From Stray Dog to World War I Hero: The Paris Terrier Who Joined the First Division by Grant Hayter-Menzies My rating: 5 of 5 stars "Never forgotten!" These words, or similar ones, are often printed and spoken with regard to those who have valiantly served in our armed forces. But in reality many are forgotten, especially as time grinds on. And even more specifically if the war veteran wasn't human but an animal. Yet author Grant Hayter-Menzies has sought to be faithful to these words by recalling the story of Rags in his new 216 page hardback, "From Stray Dog to World War I Hero: The Paris Terrier Who Joined the First Division." It's a perfect book for dog lovers and World War I buffs alike. This twelve chapter book easily recounts the feats of Rags in the final months of World War I after having been found around Paris and adopted by two Doughboys. Hayter-Menzies weeds through news stories, biographies and other accounts to piece together when Rags arri...

Sunday morning: Through all the changing scenes of life, in trouble and in joy, the praises of my God shall still my heart and tongue employ. Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then have nothing else to fear; make you His service your delight; he’ll make your wants His care. As a congregation, we give thanks to you, O God, for all your care and sustaining mercies. We ask you to awaken our hearts-hearts often numbed by the rush and rumble of our daily lives-awaken our hearts to be consistently thankful and grateful for the big and simple things we are given. Things like daily bread, children and grandchildren, friends, the ability to enjoy the taste of food and wine; and also a church family. For your Church throughout the world, to include the Eastern Catholic Churches, Byzantine Rite Churches, Canadian Baptist Ministries, Cooperative Baptist Association, Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Uniting Presbyterian Church of South Africa, Javanese Christian Churches, and C...

Devotions on the Hebrew Bible: 54 Reflections to Inspire and Instruct by Milton Eng My rating: 5 of 5 stars After spending several years at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson Mississippi, I walked away with some good tools. One of them was the ability to use and read the Biblical languages, Hebrew and Greek. But I noticed over the years, in all of the hurry and hustle of sermon and Bible study preparations, counseling, and pastoral ministry that my use of the Biblical languages began slipping. To remedy this I have looked around for various devotional tools that draw heavily on the Hebrew Scriptures and the Greek New Testament.I have found a few in the passing of time, though not many. Therefore I was delighted to see that Zondervan has published two small devotional volumes that revolve around the original texts [See my review of the first volume " Devotions on the Greek New Testament ."]. The newest installment is "Devotions on the Hebrew Bible" edited by...

Daily Devotional New Testament: Through the New Testament in a Year by Anonymous My rating: 5 of 5 stars To get in the habit of reading Scripture from Genesis to Revelation can be a daunting task, especially if you've never done it before. And it can be doubly dispiriting if you've tried a time or two and never gotten past the first half of Genesis. My normal counsel, when asked, is to encourage "Start small, build steam, then go for the goal!" That's what makes "Daily Devotional New Testament" a delightful project! The aim of this volume is to aid the reader to get through the New Testament in one year. To do this the publisher has broken up the daily readings into bite-size portions, so that day-by-day the reader moves through the whole New Testament in one year. The daily rhythm of the "Daily Devotional New Testament" includes two small readings from the English Standard Version (ESV), punctuated with "Reflections" for each read...

Church Unique: How Missional Leaders Cast Vision, Capture Culture, and Create Movement by Will Mancini My rating: 5 of 5 stars There are lots of programs out on the market to make your congregation hot, hip and huge. The unfortunate side of these approaches is that (1) they function mechanistically, "Our product worked on the East Coast in an upscale New England city, it'll work wherever you are. Just follow our twenty-seven DIY steps exactly." (2) And each project also promotes, or assumes, a specific theology about Church, Christian Sacraments, Worship, and even Eschatology. You can read more about these two downsides here if you are so inclined: ( http://mphilliber.blogspot.com/search... ). That's what makes "Church Unique" unique. Will Mancini, a former pastor and now founder and consultant of Auxano, takes a fresher and healthier stance in this 271 page hardback. He has pulled together some helpful tools and strategies that respect particular cong...