Deus Misereatur

Recovering Leadership: Musings of an Addict Leader by Thomas Hill III My rating: 5 of 5 stars I had never met him before, though his children attended the same private school my sons did, yet we had never crossed paths. But just this last week we met for the first time at a surprise birthday party thrown at his home. During those three hours we explored each other's histories, hobbies and hopes. It was in the middle of our comfortable discussion that Thomas "Tom" Hill III, CEO of Kimray, Inc., discovered I do loads of book reviews and asked if I'd be willing to review his book. After a thoughtful pause I asked what the manuscript was about and he responded, "Leadership!" I agreed, and so was handed to me his recently published, 287 page hardback, "Recovering Leadership: Musings of an Addict Leader". It is written in such an easy way that I was able to complete it in two evenings. Though "Recovering Leadership" is about leadership, i...

LORD, faithful in all your words and kind in all your works: we are grateful that you uphold all who are falling and raise up all who are bowed down. Truly, the eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing (Psalm 145.13b-16). It is to you we pray: Grant, Almighty God, that all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours (1 Corinthians 1.2) may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. We ask this for your people world over, for this congregation, and for Grand Blvd Baptist Church, Greater Trinity Baptist, Heavenly Heights Baptist, and Henderson Hills Baptist Church. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.  Guide the people of all the nations, including South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, and Sri Lanka, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good. Lord, in your ...

Rediscovering Humility by Christopher Hutchinson My rating: 5 of 5 stars (NB: I have just completed a second reading of this fine book today (4 January 2024). I heartily agree with everything I said below that I wrote in 2018. I'm so convinced in the quality of this book that I have purchased copies for all of my deacons and elders and will lead them through this book in the first half of this new year). "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble," and synonymous statements, echoes through Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. It shows up in Proverbs, comes forth from the lips of Jesus, spills onto the page in James and 1 Peter, and even floats to the surface in Revelation. Humility is an important subject, and a difficult quality. Christopher Hutchinson, Senior Pastor of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Blacksburg, Virginia, has given us some help in thinking about the virtue of humility in his new 252 page paperback, "Rediscovering Humility: Why...

O God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, who has promised us that we have nothing to fear for you are with us, we have no reason to be dismayed for you are our God, who strengthens us, who helps us, who upholds us with your righteous right hand (Isaiah 41.10): we pray for your Church throughout the nations, along with Grace Covenant Church, Grace Fellowship, Grace Place Baptist Church, Grace Pointe Baptist, and Graceway Baptist Church. Look upon our necessities and grant all good things essential for us to do the functions you have called us to. Build us up in the most holy faith, that we may be able to stand strong against all the wiles of the devil. Look on this congregation with your favor and support. In the words of your servant, Micah, help us – in all of our affairs, actions and ambitions – to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before you (Micah 6.8). Thank you for the occasions and opportunities you provided us last week, especially with our Vacation B...

Disruptive Witness: Speaking Truth in a Distracted Age Alan Noble IVP Academic InterVarsity Press PO Box 1400 Downers Grove, IL 60515 ISBN: 978-0-8308-4483-8; $16.00; July 2018 There’s that creepy, uneasy sense that things are just not right. You face it with the growing social media superficiality, flaming tweets and posts, fashionable causes, mounting “offendedness” or “triggeredness,” constant remaking of personal identities, and the perpetually prevalent shrug of the shoulders with the roll of the eyes and a “whatever”. Alan Noble, assistant professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University, cofounder and editor in chief of  Christ and Pop Culture , and contributing author to  The Atlantic , Vox, BuzzFeed, The Gospel Coalition,  Christianity Today , and  First Things , addresses these trends, and more, in his brand new 208 page work, “Disruptive Witness: Speaking Truth in a Distracted Age”. Noble talks to twenty-first century Christians in a ...

O God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, who has promised that you will never leave us nor forsake us, so that we may boldly say, The LORD is my helper, I will not fear, what can man do to me (Hebrews 13.5-6) we pray for your Church throughout the nations, including Followers of Christ Baptist Church; 40 th Street Baptist; Glorieta Baptist and Grace Community church. Look upon our needs and provide all of the good things necessary for us to do the work you have called us to do. Stir up the glowing embers of our hearts, stoking the fires of joy, love and holiness in us that we may be encouraged to remain faithful to you and consistent in their lives. Look on this congregation with your favor. In the words of your servant, Paul, help us to increase more and more, aspiring to lead quiet lives, to mind our own business, and to work with our own hands, that we may walk properly toward those who are outside, lacking nothing (1 Thessalonians 4.11-12). Further, we lift ...

The Biggest Win: Pro Football Players Tackle Faith by Joshua Cooley My rating: 5 of 5 stars Sports metaphors run aplenty in Sacred Scripture. Whether it's martial arts (boxing, wrestling) or running, the toil, aim, strain, practice and perseverance all give a unique picture to the Christian life. That's what makes Joshua Cooley's new little 160 page paperback, "The Biggest Win: Pro Football Players Tackle Faith" such a fun and useful book. Cooley, accomplished writer of 20 years, and full-time children’s minister at Chapel Hill Bible Church in North Carolina, has woven together an enjoyable work of insights from several Christian players on the Super Bowl LII winning team, the Philadelphia Eagles, and what Scripture says about various subjects. The manuscript is primarily devotional matter for younger athletes, though sports enthusiasts of most every stripe will gain plenty from the material. Cooley began interviewing Carson Wentz, Nick Foles, Zach Ertz, Tre...