Deus Misereatur

  Way, way back in 1987, Sinclair Ferguson - Scottish Theologian, Chancellor's Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, and assistant minister of St. Peter's Free Church of Scotland, Dundee - penned a little volume, "A Heart for God". This 132-page, handy softback tackles what it means to have a heart for God. Written with poise and piety, it is accessible for most anyone from 15 to 95.  In this wee dossier, Ferguson envelopes covenants and creation, Trinity and trust, warm-heartedness and worship, among other subjects. Each chapter revolves around one particular biblical passage germane to the topic. And the whole of the work is wrapped around having a fuller love for God. For, as the author states, how "you view God determines the quality and style of your Christian experience" (70). The material is meant to fortify faith, but also to develop devotion. "A Heart for God" is a delightful little manuscript perfect for minis...

  O Lord Jesus Christ, our great God and Savior, you gave yourself for us that you might redeem us from every lawless deed, and purify us for yourself, making us your special people, zealous for good works (Titus 2:13-14). As our great High Priest you regard the humble prayers of all who call upon you with their whole heart. Incline your ear and hear.   Remember and have mercy, O Lord, upon your Church, especially your servants who are under persecution for your sake and for the sake of your holy gospel. Confirm and strengthen your Church, enlarge and multiply her, keep her in peace, preserve her unconquerable forever, beat down Satan under our feet, heal the schisms, speedily undo and root out the growths of heresies, and quash the violence of persecutors. O Lord, hear our prayer.   Remember and have mercy, O Lord, upon those who envy and snub us and seek to do us harm; turn their hearts and forgive them. O Lord, hear our prayer.   Remember and have mercy, O L...

  Of the many Bible verses I have memorized over the years, and review regularly, these words in Isaiah have always been near and dear to my heart: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock” (Isaiah 26:3-4). That description of God in the last line is translated in various ways, The Rock eternal, everlasting strength, etc. But in the KJV and NKJV footnotes, the translators show that the Hebrew phrase can be “the Rock of Ages.” That’s the biblical background to the hymn by that title. And it’s the final verse of that hymn that gets close to what is being said in this passage: While I draw this fleeting breath, When mine eyelids close in death, When I soar to worlds unknown, See Thee on Thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee. But how does God keep his people in perfect peace when they are facing chronic pain? Or terrible troubles in their...

  [Evening Prayer guided by Titus 2:2-12] Thank you that your grace, which brings salvation to all, teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lust, and that your grace teaches us to live sober-mindedly, uprightly and godly in this present age. Therefore, we pray for ourselves and others across the chronological, economic, and sexual spans. May the older men (…) be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled. May they live and love and learn and lead in ways that are sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. O Lord, hear our prayer.  Aid the older women (…) likewise to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. May they teach the younger women what is good, and so coaching them in sobriety of thought, action and reaction. O Lord, hear our prayer. In their relationships with the older women, we pray for the young women (…) that they would learn to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their...

  Truly, LORD God, you made us not because you needed us. You made us not because you were lonely and lacked love. You made us not because you needed us to scratch some itch you had. You made us because you are love and goodness, and so desired to give and lavish that love and goodness on us! Therefore, with the 24 elders and creatures that surround your throne, we adore and worship you: “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Revelation 4:11). Hear us now, O Lord, as we pray: For the peace and security of all the nations of this world, including Ecuador, Peru, Ethiopia, and Tanzania we pray to you Lord. O God, hear our prayer; give ear to the words of our mouth (Psalm 54:2). For the safety and godly direction of the President of these United States, our Legislators, and judiciary, we pray to you Lord. O God, hear our prayer; give ear to the words of our mouth. For ...

  Mom, Dad...Can We Talk?: Helping Our Aging Parents with the Insight and Wisdom of Others (rev. ed.) Dick Edwards Crestwave Publishing Gocwpub.com ISBN: 978-1735413501; (rev. ed.) January 2021; $17.95 What can you expect when your parents draw near to their later years? Are there any waypoints that can help you navigate this period and keep it from becoming a dark time in your relationship older parents? Dick Edwards draws from decades of experience in eldercare and shares it with the reading public in this 146-page softback. The book originally surfaced in March 2009, and I wrote a review in 2013. This edition has been revised with three new, important chapters and is just as valuable as I said it was in 2013, and more! It is written for folks from all walks of life, and is a solid resource. "Mom, Dad...Can We Talk?" unfolds in eighteen short chapters that cover a number of subjects. Some chapters prepare readers for what is before them, and how it may affect them. Others...

Call Me Francis Tucket Gary Paulsen ISBN:0440412706 (ISBN13: 9780440412700) Gary Paulsen is a masterful writer! This is the second in the Francis Tucket series. It's ideal for tweens and teens, especially those who like adventure, challenges, character development, and personal growth. In these short 13 chapters readers ride along with Francis Tucket, a 14 year old who is now on his own. Moving through the prairies between Missouri and Oregon, Francis gets separated from the wagon train, becomes swallowed up in a buffalo stampede, robed by two wayfaring strangers, ends up rescuing two kids, and more. There is maturing going on, thoughtfulness, and a beautiful lack of gratuitous violence! If you need it, you can hit YouTube, find my channel, look for this book in the playlist, and listen/watch me read the whole book. I highly recommend it.