Deus Misereatur

 They're persistent, and crop up in surprising places: at that family gathering, at the Bible study, in Christian books and videos, rally speeches, etc. I have my own history with them. From 1990 to around 1995, I was engaged with various conspiracy theories, even (for a short time) leading a chapter of fellow travelers who thought the Communists/Trilateral Commission/Council on Foreign Relations/etc. were The Conspirators. In that season I came into close contact with White Supremacists who thought the same and touted the idea that "The Jews" were behind it all. But since leaving that all behind, I have reflected often on what made the conspiracy theories so attractive, and still makes them attractive. I have five perceptions listed below: 1 - "Conspiracy" is an easy way to explain the baffling, confusing, unsettling troubles afflicting us, or our nation, or our tribe. "Conspiracy" gives us a simple, unifying answer to what is disturbing and disorient...

  Since there are already loads of healthy reviews out there, this will be short. Zeihan's new, pre-COVID 19 volume "Disunited Nations: The Scramble for Power in an Ungoverned World" is an updating of his last two works, bringing his thesis up to 2020 and beyond. Most of the underlying ideas are still here, but maturing. Many of the author's predictions are based on geography, demographics, past actions, economics, etc. It's a very readable work, requiring no professional training to grasp. Zeihan continues to show how the Breton Woods agreement benefited the nations of the world by opening up trade, undoing colonialism, providing national and international stability, and so forth. He doesn't necessarily praise the agreement, but reports in a matter-of-fact way what it did. And now that it is unwinding, so will many of it's global benefits. Therefore, much of the book is a sketch of what the world will begin looking like as things continue to unravel and w...

  Father, because of your Son, Jesus the Messiah; because of your Holy Spirit by whom your love is poured into our hearts; and because of your strongly guaranteed promise, we make bold to pray to you. Bring the unruliness and agitation of all the nations of this world to a place of peace, orderliness, and the rule of just law so that peaceful and healthy prosperity might prevail, your church may live quietly and safely in all places, and your Gospel run swiftly and unhindered. This brings us to pray for those who lead the various nations, to include our own President, Governor, and Mayor. Surround them with those who will boldly and wisely counsel them to do right, defend the right, and lead their people to that which is right. Guide each to recognize that their office is not theirs to dispose of as they chose, but rather is given by you and accountable to you. Bring them to recognize that they – even Supreme Court Justices – will stand before you, the Judge of the living and t...

  Mighty God, who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, who says “ I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite ” (Isaiah 57:15). O dwell with us and revive us! O Lord, our Lord, we pray for Heritage Presbyterian Church, for these churches around Oklahoma City, Frontline Church, Full Gospel Assembly, Gate Church, and harvest Church; and for your church in all places and your people being hammered and hounded and hunted down world over. We all profess our love and adoration for you, and we all confess that we are saved by your invasive and merciful love. Now, Lord, cause us to become what you have made us: Children of the Living, Holy God, who are no longer wooed by the father of lies, who are no longer caught in the snares of our own lusts and pride, but those who are thoroughly loyal to you. Give us aid and strength to be intenti...

  A search for a missing prince, a gloomy Marshwiggle, chatty owls, human-eating giants, an underground civilization, a witch, magic, and enchantments. It's all there, and more. Eustace and Jill set out with Puddleglum, the Marshwiggle, to find Prince Rillian, son of Caspian the Tenth. The story is packed subtleties and witticisms that will please younger readers, and cause adults to pause and ponder. I recorded myself reading each chapter, and uploaded them to my channel on YouTube at Michael Philliber . I happily recommend the book.

  Lord God, we come to intercede for your Church and world. We ask you to strengthen this congregation that in doing all things without complaining and disputing, we may become increasingly blameless, pure in quality, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation (Philippians 2:14-15). Be pleased to make us even more harmonious and to become more clearly a sign of grace to our fractured and fragmented world. Be pleased to add to this church such as are being saved; and add to us in such a way as will mirror the new heavens and new earth, as will reflect that new Jerusalem in which will dwell people from every tribe, tongue, nationality, and economic strata, gathered around your throne exalting you and hearing you say, “ Behold, I am making all things new ” (Revelation 21:5)! We ask for your ongoing help, strength, protection, deliverance and sustenance of your Church throughout the world, especially in places where she is being pummeled and perse...

  Is It Abuse? A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims Darby Strickland P&R Publishing Prpbooks.com ISBN: 9781629956947; 16 September 2020; $19.99   Domestic abuse has been an important subject to me as a man, as a Christian, and as a Presbyterian minister, for several years. Therefore, I was delighted when Darby Strickland, a counselor and teacher at Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (CCEF), and Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing asked me to be part of a “launch team” for Strickland’s new 360-page paperback coming out in a few days: “Is It Abuse? A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims”. As soon as I received the electronic galley copy, I jumped in with both feet and was not disappointed. It is written in a comfortable style easily digestible by anyone who will take it up and read. But it is written primarily for those who desire to stand beside and help victims of domestic abuse. Therefore, t...