Deus Misereatur

  Today is the beginning of my 61st year. Who would have imagined this 6+ decade ride? I'm where my teenage self never envisioned I would have been. Most of my adolescent years I couldn't even think of myself past 21, and suspected I'd be dead by then. And yet, here I am. In this regard my soul resonates with the lines Ulysses S. Grant opened his personal memoirs with, ""Man proposes and God disposes." There are few important events in the affairs of men brought about by their own choice" ("The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant: The Complete Annotated Edition," 3). I cannot conceive of a better way to put it, in fully earthly words. I have gone places, done things, seen events, experienced moments that I had nowhere listed on my mental map. And, even through the tears, fears, grief, and heartbreak, it has been good. But it has been all too fast. 6+ decades have sped by in a few minutes. A 42 year marriage with my High School babe that is ali...

  A Prayer Shaped by Revelation 1 Lord Jesus, you are the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. You love us and have freed us from our sins by your blood and made us a kingdom, priests to your God and Father, and so to you be glory and dominion forever and ever. Lead us in your liberty and bring us to find that in your service we have true freedom. O Lord, hear our prayer. You are the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty; you are our sovereign to whom we owe all allegiance, to whom we are rightly obliged to give all of our loyalty no matter what the whisperings of our society entice us with, or the shouting voices of our world demand of us. May we live, advance, raise families, serve, evangelize, pay taxes, vote, grow old, always and ever remembering that though the world around us disputes your Lordship and reign, yet the day is coming when at your name every knee will bow, whether in heaven, on earth, or ...

  (This prayer walks through all of Psalm 62) For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken (Psalm 62:1-2) . We lift up our hearts thankful that the new and living way into your presence has been opened up through your Son, and that we have the privilege to draw near with all holy reverence and confidence. Glory to you, Lord God! How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah (62:3-4). Father, behold how your people are being bludgeoned, badgered, and beleaguered in so many places! Grant us all to be faithful witnesses, and please restore safety and sanity in those places where it is hot and hostile. Turn the hearts of the god-haters and shut down their ability to do harm. Liquidate an...

  O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure…And you will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. You will swallow up death forever; and you, O Lord GOD, will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of your people you will take away from all the earth, for you, O LORD, have spoken ” (Isaiah 25:1, 7-8); “ Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). On this great day as your Church all around this globe, in the Presbyterian Church in America, and in the greater Oklahoma City area, rejoices in the victory you have brought through the resurrection of Christ, we pray for those who have and are suffering horribly on behalf of our Lord. Please wipe away their tears and remove their reproach. Bring us all together in Christ Jesus, and bring us all to stand i...

  “ There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God ” (1 Samuel 2:2); we offer up to you our thanksgiving for all of your generosity to us (…). We pray for your churches throughout the nations. Give them all the resources they need to serve you properly and well, and the heart they need to serve you with sincerity. Deliver our brothers and sisters who are being hounded and harmed for the Faith that they may serve you in peace and joy. Add strength and encouragements to your church in hard places, such as Ukraine, Russia, Ethiopia, Myanmar, and other locations. “ There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. ” We call upon you to be with these churches around Oklahoma City, Peoples Church; Piedmont First United Methodist Church; Power House Church of God In Christ; Praise Tabernacle. Guide them in the ways of your truth and righteousness that they may show themselves your own people in e...

  (I'm presently reading this now, and there are intriguing statements and observations that keep popping off the page at me) " The line between the Rebel and Union element in Georgetown was so marked that it led to divisions even in the churches. There were churches in that part of Ohio where treason was preached regularly, and where, to secure membership, hostility to the government, to the war and to the liberation of the slaves, was far more essential than a belief in the authenticity or credibility of the Bible . There were men in Georgetown who filled all the requirements for membership in these churches" (The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, ch. 2, p.18-9). This was U.S. Grant's recounting of what was going on in his hometown during the Civil War.  I find this fascinating and flustering at the same time. Christian churches (1) allowing the spirit of the age to dictate lines of unity, instead of King Jesus; and (2) allowing cultural/societal pressures and m...

 (From my letter to the congregation on 6 April 2022) As many of you know, Anna and I drift along visiting the different Care Groups on Sunday evenings. We call on a different gathering, enjoy the fellowship, and engage like all the rest. It’s a distinct pleasure to be able to see how the various groups interact and fulfill their purpose. If you’re not in a Care Group, I hope you will seriously and honestly consider becoming part of one.   This last Sunday evening we were in one of our groups. It was delightful to see how the kids were drawn in, to enjoy the flavorable repast, and to be encouraged by the discussion. Toward the end, the Care Group leader asked for ideas on how 2 Peter 1:3-11 could impact the folks through the coming week. After several thoughts were expressed, I mentioned that I have been memorizing these verses while out running, and I often use them to guide me in praying for the family and our congregation. And I promised that I would publish an example in...