Deus Misereatur

Reading Romans with Eastern Eyes: Honor and Shame in Paul's Message and Mission by Jackson W. My rating: 5 of 5 stars Since we live in our own social and communal fishbowls we can't often see the glass surrounding us. We may bump into the hard, transparent walls, but because we have grown up in that bowl with others, then it all feels normal, typical, even catholic/universal. Sometimes it is helpful to hear from someone who has been in different cultural aquariums, to come back to try and tell us how others have experienced life. Jackson W. (pseudonym), has lived and worked in East Asia for almost two decades as well as serving on the Asian/Asian-American Theology steering committee of the Evangelical Theological Society, has "jumped back" into our bowl to guide us in reading Romans with the eyes, experience, and imagery from another vivarium. "Reading Romans with Eastern Eyes: Honor and Shame in Paul's Message and Mission" is a 208 page education on...

“ The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.” Since righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people, we earnestly and heartily pray to you, O reigning God, for our country. Reflecting on the 5 th through 10 th Commandment, we pray that we and our fellow residents will honor fathers and mothers and all legitimate authorities, instead of affronting aging parents, teachers, police officers or magistrates. We pray that we and the people of this country would turn away from murder in its various shapes and sophistications and would pursue all lawful endeavors to preserve life. We pray that we and the occupants of this land would renounce proud sexual immorality and embrace chastity and life-long monogamy. We pray that we and the inhabitants of our nation would cast aside all ways and means tha...

At Home: The Incredible Story of The Welcome Mission by Holly Rench My rating: 5 of 5 stars It's a memoir, a series of journal entries telling a very human set of stories in a very friendly, personable way. It's not fully polished, but it's real, sometimes raw, and always forthright and frank! Holly Rench, Executive Director and co-founder of The Welcome Mission, has penned a touching series of real-life exploits, escapades, agonies and adversities of the women she has been involved with for over twelve years in this 231 page softback "At Home: The Incredible Story of The Welcome Mission". Rench unravels the tangled lives of several of her and Marcus's "adopted" adult children describing their destructive pasts and how many of them, through love and hospitality, have moved further up and further on. But the tales are also filled with pitfalls and potholes that will jar the reader's suspension system's and rattle any self-righteous lug-n...

(This morning's congregational prayer is coddled in the arms of Psalm 131) “ O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. ” O Mighty God, high and exalted, you are the greatest good, you are the utmost in integrity, and you are supreme over life and death: we acknowledge that humility is a waning virtue; thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought, we think ourselves mighty, magnificent and marvelous in our modern technologies, scientific advancements, social sensibilities, medical feats, and military competencies. All of this egoism surfaces in our national and international politics, foreign policies, and business ventures. Help us in our communities and in our country to remember that we are but human, and therefore “ surely all mankind is a mere breath ” (Psalm 39.5, 11)! That “ not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God w...

Hearers and Doers: A Pastor's Guide to Growing Disciples Through Scripture and Doctrine by Kevin J. Vanhoozer My rating: 5 of 5 stars At 58, I still love physical fitness. I run 4 miles three times a week, lift weights, and keep up with my Tae Kwon Do. Though it doesn't come easy, it did come early, and it came with loads of guidance and instruction. In my Junior High and High School years I received instruction and coaching on various aspects of running and lifting. I also received years of training from three martial arts instructors patiently guiding me through routines, sparring and weapons drills. These experiences and my present pleasure in physical conditioning has attuned my ears to the analogies in Scripture that picture discipleship as something of an aerobic fitness program. Kevin Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, picks up this work out theme in his new 296 page hardback, "Hearers and Doers: A Pastor...

Disability and the Way of Jesus: Holistic Healing in the Gospels and the Church by Bethany McKinney Fox My rating: 5 of 5 stars I picked it up because it is addressing an important subject: how we should look at healing; better ways to approach people who have disabilities or disease; and what wholeness really means. Bethany McKinney Fox, director of student success and adjunct professor of Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary, has compiled an interesting approach to the subject in her new paperback, "Disability and the Way of Jesus: Holistic Healing in the Gospels and the Church". This intriguing volume is readable, moves fairly quickly through its material, and helpfully addresses "a framework for Christian communities to be places of healing in the way of Jesus, with particular attention to members with disabilities," which the author believes is found in our Lord's own life and ministry (4). Fox begins with a chapter that examines models tha...

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. LORD, you are the One who builds the house, and watches over the city. We plant and water, but you are the one who gives the growth! Bless our congregation with fitting and fair growth; that we would grow roots downward and bear fruit upward; that you would add to our number such as are being saved. And, Mighty God, we pray for your Church all around this marvelous globe, as well as New Day Church of the Nazarene, The Fellowship at Western Oaks, Southpointe Church, and 8 th St. Church of the Nazarene; and we pray for our General Assembly that meets at the end of this month. Preserve and protect your Church from scandal and suffering; repair her breaches and breaks with the healing glue of the Holy Spirit; with th...