Deus Misereatur

  When this 160-page paperback came in the mail, “Gospel-Shaped Marriage: Grace for Sinners to Love Like Saints,” I quickly snatched it up to check the table of contents. There it was. The very thing I had been looking for through almost 46 years of marriage, and it was in the appendix, “How to Change Your Spouse in Three Easy Steps”. I immediately flipped there and was thrilled with the shrewd depth of wisdom contained in that appendix, and knew I was going to love the book, which I did! Chad Van Dixhoorn, professor of Church History at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC., and his wife, Emily Van Dixhoorn, pulled off a veritable coup d’état against prevailing marital regimes and nuptial schemes in this small volume. Alistair Begg, who penned the foreword, explains the strategy therein clearly, “Instead of denouncing the darkness, which is easy to do, the social climate presents us with an opportunity to shine as lights in the world…viewing marriage in the context of th...

O God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, who has promised us that we have nothing to fear for you are with us, we have no reason to be dismayed for you are our God, who strengthens us, who helps us, who upholds us with your righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10): we pray for your Church throughout the nations, along with Kingsview Freewill Baptist Church, Oak Hills, Shady Nook, and Southern Oaks Freewill Baptist Church. Look upon our necessities and grant all good things essential for us to do what you have called us to. Build us up in the most holy faith, that we may be able to stand strong against all the wiles of the devil. Look on this congregation with your favor and support. In the words of your servant, Micah, help us – in all of our affairs and actions and ambitions – to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before you. Provide us with opportunities and occasions at our Sports Camp VBS to point the kids and their guardians to Jesus, to his work and way. Be pleased, ...

  Richard Phillips, a pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America (Second Presbyterian, Greenville, SC), has given a handy, straightforward, readable 220-page softback on biblical masculinity. It won't resonate with those who are happy touting their victimhood and their need to victimize women in manosphere world. But for those who really desire to grow in godly, biblical manhood, this is a fine work.  The summary statement by Jerry Bridges in the Foreword, gives the overall them and direction of the book, where "the humble man, toiling faithfully at his job, nurturing and shepherding his wife, and seeking to bring up his children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, conforms to God's picture of a real man" (xii). That covers the subjects in the book in a nutshell. Though I have a few quibbles with some smaller details, in the end this is a book worth reading and even reading with other men. As Phillips notes, "If we do not seek truth in this matter fr...

  Joel Beeke goes straight to his point. In this 80-page softback, he speaks to Christian husbands and fathers about reflecting Christ as prophets, priests, and kings in their family. It's not a book supporting male bravado and machismo. Instead, how does a man, as leader in his family, lead well and rightly? Beeke is very practical. For example, he is clear how godly husbands relate to their wives. "Give her your thoughts, your time, your talk, your tenderness, and your touch, but make sure you touch her heart before you touch her body" (32). Wow! He also addresses the important task of raising children to be adults. He includes the importance of discipline (even spanking). Beeke even emphasizes how fathers should understand their children and be understanding, but not our children's buddies. This is a great little book. Churches should buy it in bulk and distribute it freely to their men and families. This could easily be used in pre-marriage classes and marriage ...

  While strolling around in the exhibit hall during our denomination's General Assembly, I happily came across the booth for Covenant College. They were freely handing out copies of Kelly M. Kapic's new 176-page hardback, " You Were Never Meant to Do It All ". Forty days worth of readings that "pay attention to the most neglected aspect of our good  creaturely existence - our appropriate limits" (3). Each day includes 850 words or less, and then ends with reflective questions to aid readers and reading groups to find ways to be shaped by the material that day. The driving theme brings us to recognize our God-created, creaturely limits, and ask ourselves daily: are we required to overcome those "perceived shortcomings" (7)? Since God, from the very beginning, made us to be a dependent people, who because of our creatureliness are vulnerable (140-142), we have limits. And God even went so far as to say it was all very good! Therefore, we are not expe...

Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil . Our hearts, O God, grieve for those who have never repented of their sins, believed in Christ, and avowed him as Lord (…). Save them. Breach the walls of their resistance and draw them into your family. But we also pray for those whose words are trouble and deceit, who plot trouble on their beds, who set themselves in a way that is not good and don’t reject evil. Vanquish their odium and bring order and honor to fill the void. Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you...

While strolling through the exhibit hall during our denomination's 52nd General Assembly, I was delighted to meet Ashley Belknap, the Executive Director of our denominations Engaging Disability with the Gospel . Engaging Disability With The Gospel has been equipping churches to disciple and enfold kids, teens, and adults with disabilities—helping the whole body of Christ grow stronger, more connected, and more faithful to God’s call, and our congregation has become part of their network. But what made this meeting much more exciting is that I was able to see the types of visual learning curricula that they are making available through their publishing branch, Simply the Gospel . Ashley happily loaded me down with all of the samples you can see in the picture at top. Everything from the Children's First Catechism, to visual prompts parents can use during worship, and on to books and visual prompts to help the kids learn the Lord's Prayer, the Doxology, and more. The materia...