Deus Misereatur

Ruth: The King Is Coming by Daniel I. Block My rating: 5 of 5 stars The Biblical book known as "Ruth" is one of my favorites to read and preach through. Therefore I was delighted to see that Daniel I Block, Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College, has crafted a unique commentary on Ruth titled "Ruth: The King is Coming". It is part of the "Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament," a series that Block is general editor for. This 304 page hardback is meant for seminary professors, preachers, and knowledgeable Bible teachers. The Hebrew and Hebrew grammar is presented in such a way that a mild knowledge of Biblical Hebrew will make the commentary even more valuable. Block looks at the authorial style of "Ruth" in which the initial recipients of the story are "hearers" not essentially "readers. The author of this commentary approaches his work through discourse analysis, which is not only to unde...

Infinitas by David N. Sebastian My rating: 5 of 5 stars If you're looking for a simple story line, lots of adventure, unexpected twists, dragons, wood gnomes, gypsies, rangers, wood sprites, skeleton armies, wraiths, loads of scary creatures, and a sort-of happily-ever-after ending, then this is the book for you. David Sebastian (a authorial pseudonym) has crafted a blending of story-themes in his recently published 288 page paperback, "Infinitas". This is the first installment in what plans to be a series written primarily for pre-teens and young teens. "Infinitas" follows the adventures of four teens, Drake, Kali, Harold and Ferra, from their home villa, Kordos, to a climactic conclusion as they face the Dragon Queen at the fortress castle of Infinitas. Drake and Kali are pursuing their destiny, a one hundred year old prophecy that one from the bloodline of Auturo would destroy the Dragon Queen. Both Kali and Drake are of that bloodline. Auturo had wounded ...

Sunday morning: Father, we thank you for the night, and for the lovely morning light; for rest and food and loving care, and all that makes the day so fair . Knowing that you continue to care for us and our world, we pray that you would deliver the nations, including our own country, from war, famine, pestilence, catastrophic destruction, terrorism, injustice, despotism and poverty; so that all may know you are God and rise up to give you thanks, and also that your Gospel may spread far and wide liberally, and your Church may dwell in peace and quietness. Look with kindness on our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, as well as our first responders, firefighters, doctors, nurses and peace officers, especially during this time of holiday festivities when many will be separated from their families by deployment or the call of duty. Keep them from harm, give them good leaders, and strengthen them to be people of rich integrity and justice even when under fire. Please...

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...