Deus Misereatur

(The Deluded) : O LORD, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry; who sets the prisoners free; who opens the eyes of the blind; who lifts up those who are bowed down; who loves the righteous; who watches over the sojourners; who upholds the widow and the fatherless; but the way of the wicked you bring to ruin (Psalm 146.6-9) : we pray for those who are deluded by others or self-deluded, and in their delusion are ravaging their families, breaking faith with their friends, vandalizing trust and love…open their blind eyes to see themselves for who they are and what they are doing that they may no longer fault others for their own failures, turn, confess their sins, and find you forgiving them and cleansing them of all unrighteousness. O Lord, hear our prayer.   (The Heartbroken): We pray for those, who like Job, find themselves with broken hearts, crying out “why?!” and surrounded by those who will not or cannot understand....

O LORD , as the Psalm-writer says, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more (Psalm 10.17-18). For these reasons, and more, we make bold to call on you, to call on you in truth (Psalm 145.18). O great God, mighty Sovereign, we pray for our world, all the national governments and their citizens, and our own country. May sound-thinking prevail in all realms and all communities. We pray for Bxxxxxx’s home country of Cameroon, with all of the strife that has been simmering and has now begun to boil over; turn this situation around for good. Bring those in power – the leaders of various separatist groups and the president – to think out what is in the best interests of all, not just their tribe or faction. Watch over Bxxxxxx’s parents, and the many other displaced people who have fled for their lives. Preserve them, prot...

Leviticus: An Introduction and Commentary by Jay Sklar My rating: 5 of 5 stars Years ago I taught a series of classes through Leviticus for the congregation I served then in west Texas. One day as we were wading through a particularly difficult passage, one of the women shouted out, "Why are we even studying this book? It doesn't make any sense and it doesn't matter, anyway!" Jay Sklar, professor of Old Testament and dean of faculty at Covenant Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, gives students of the Bible renewed reasons to read and relish this biblical book in his 336 page softback commentary, "Leviticus". This third volume in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary series hands parishioners, pastors, and professors a learned, and yet lucid resource that will be referred to for years. Sklar's introduction alone is worth the price of the book. In the introduction the author maps out reasons for Leviticus, and how it should be read and heard. The author s...

The Heart of Domestic Abuse: Gospel Solutions for Men Who Use Control and Violence in the Home by Chris Moles My rating: 5 of 5 stars The signs are clear. He shouts at her often, sometimes smashing holes through the walls with his fists, then blaming her nagging ways for his outburst. He demands to know her every move, even placing tracking apps on her cell phone. He limits her "alone-time" with her friends because they're bad for her. Recently he took control of the family finances, even mandating that all earned income be turned over to him. Not only does he threaten to leave her and take the kids, but she found out recently that he tells the children he can't trust their mother and they need inform him whenever she does something they know he won't like. These are a few of the indications of domestic abuse. They may not be physically violent, but they are threatening, oppressive, and suffocating. If you are this family's pastor or elder, do you ignore i...

The Sackett Brand by Louis L'Amour My rating: 4 of 5 stars Energized read about a gritty form of justice in the face of handsome, successful evil. The kind of evil the uses people, then tosses them aside. The kind of justice the endures because it really is justice on behalf of others who have been wrangled and wronged, but can no longer speak. And the kind of grit that shows through impossible conditions, and yet grinds it's way forward, tumble-by-tumble, through wounds, blood-loss, and deprivation. Typical L'Amour tale, told in his gripping fashion. The kind of tale that draws the reader in, page-turning, passionate, and proud. The type of story that makes one glad of dusty valor, rugged virtue and familial vows . I happily recommend the book. View all my reviews

Lord, your servant John concluded his letter with these words: “ And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols ” (1 John 5.20-21). For these reasons we make bold to call on you, to call on you in truth (Psalm 145.18). For your church on every continent, including this congregation,  South Lindsay Baptist Church, Southern Hills Baptist, Southern Temple, and Southmoore Baptist Church, we pray. Help us to keep ourselves from idols – whether handmade or heart-made! Bring us to grow in understanding you, your purposes, your Word, and your ways for us. Deepen our perception and knowledge of Jesus who is true, and is the true God and eternal life. And draw us together in him. Bless and enrich the upcoming Oklahoma Conference on Reformed Theology. Give Harry Reeder your gracious g...

Sackett by Louis L'Amour My rating: 5 of 5 stars Out of the Tennessee mountains rides another Sackett, stumbling onto new adventures and becoming the flash-point where justice and injustice, civilization and barbarism meet. Louis L'Amour, master craftsman of story-telling, introduces us to William Tell Sackett, but also roughs out the sharp edge that divides civilization-building from might-makes-right. Even the 18th Century Blackstone's "Commentaries on the Laws of England" plays a significant role in the adventurous project. "Sackett" is a story of right and wrong, love found and almost lost, life and death, and working for the greater good rather than self-centered individualism. There are warm scenes of surprising compassion, even when it is costly. And there are moments when right finds it must stand up against might, even when it is life-threatening. If you're looking for an enjoyable read that has some meat and muscle, "Sackett" i...