I am going to weigh in here on the hysteria with Duck Dynasty ( Disclaimer I don't have cable I have never watched 30 seconds of the show).
Can I remind my Christian friends of a passage I will be preaching Sunday morning at Renaissance, that Joseph was told to name Mary's son "Jesus" because " He will save his people from their sins" . Don't forget that the "their" that is there, is for his people. Most people missed the boat on Jesus because they were expecting a Messiah that would save them from other peoples sins.
If some bearded guy pays a price for his faith it won't be the first time nor the last.
My favorite bearded guy paid the price 2000 years ago ( when no one had cable) for my sins. Of that I am sure. I'd rather focus on the fact that by his suspension (on a cross) all men and women can be made right.
The thing about all dynasties is they end, on the other hand as I will hear people sing (this Saturday night ) " and he shall reign for ever and ever".

Of course you are free to call me a quack. 

Secret Sin / Unrecognized Virtue. 

I was preaching on Matthew 26 last Sunday and was struck by the irony of 26: 4 how Jesus' enemies

 " schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him." I can relate to that. I tend to think I am doing my sin secretly , that I can control it , that the deed itself isn't the worst thing but it being known to others is.

Judas thought he was so stealth too vs 14-16. If Dr Phil was here right now he might ask the famous " And how did that work out for ya?" those covert acts are without a doubt the most proclaimed acts of all time! 

Then sandwiched in the middle of all that is this very generic sort of anonymous woman. She pours out probably thousands of dollars of perfume on Jesus as an act of worship and is criticized by all 12 disciples and yet defended beautifully by Jesus and is given this promise in vs 13 " Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." 

I don't believe she was trying to draw the notice of others ( what notice she did get from all but one was not enjoyable anyway) yet it was recognized by the most significant person of all time. Think about this, you just read about her AGAIN in 2013! 

It struck me suddenly that when it comes to sin, one of my greatest fears is being found out.  This is sad when you think of how often I still do it because the God who sees all never misses one of them. You'd think I would find more motivation to shun evil from that fact. 

On the other hand when it comes to virtues, one of my biggest fears is not being seen ( being under-appreciated or being misunderstood). This is sad because my "Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward"...me (Matt 6 : 4,6,18) He never misses the good things I attempt for his glory. You would think I would find more than enough motivation to serve with all my strength, based on a fact like that. 

With a record like that ( sinning despite the fear of being found out and neglecting to do good despite a promise that he will see and reward that)   no wonder he calls me to return often to the Lords table to receive the bread and the cup. That is the very next passage to the story-line we have been thinking about.  He always knew I would be a high maintenance friend.  

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

I hear dead people...praying

OK so that is a sad rip off  of an old movie quote but I recently took the advice of another Pastor I was introduced to and bought myself a copy of "The Valley Of Vision" so I have taken the challenge to use this highly recommended prayer resource to bring some training wheels to my own prayers...The Valley Of Vision is a collection of written prayers from the Puritans (  theological giants of the likes of Baxter /Owen/Spurgeon )
You can read about the idea HERE and I may be back telling you how it's going. I am setting my phone alarm for a three times a day office of prayer. if you are interested in joining me get a copy HERE the bonded leather version looks pretty slick and I hope it becomes a dear companion in the years to come!

Straw Man

Seems that what Mark Heard used to sing about has become a ministry model...
STRAW MEN

by Mark Heard.
He set up a man of straw with an authoritarian aura 
And everybody thinks he's some kind of warrior for the Lord 
Stepping on some toes that he does not know 
And calling down fire on what he don't understand

Straw men, straw men 
Set them up for a fall when you can 
Straw men, straw men
Everybody loves to knock down straw men

He sees the masses dancing so he sternly reprimands them
A reduction of their stance to some kind of earthly hell
He don't know how to be tender can't appreciate beauty or gender
It's this pious anhedonia that he loves so well

Straw men, straw men
Set them up for a fall when you can
Straw men, straw men
Everybody loves to knockdown straw men

If true communication were ever to bless this congregation
And everyone knew just what it's like to be somebody else
And no words were hasty and all thoughts were thought through
Might our anger not find a better target than ourselves?

Straw men, straw men
Set them up for a fall when you can
Straw men, straw men
Everybody loves to knock down straw men

From Ashes and Light

Tolerance Swings Both Ways

A news item caught my attention this morning and I have a sneaking suspicion that many of my Christian friends are going to jump on this kids bandwagon...

http://foxnewsinsider.com/2013/06/06/roy-costner-iv-south-carolina-valedictorian-rips-speech-and-recites-lord’s-prayer
While I somewhat admire his cahonies...before all my Christian friends jump on his bandwagon, just be ready and prepared to be gracious when the wiccan valedictorian or the hindu valedictorians of the future pull their own version of the stunt. I think that if all faiths had the same freedom of expression within the school system (as we do outside of it) that would be OK. An absolute ban on any religious content is really a statement that all forms of faith expression are somehow "something to be afraid of" and a faith-free-zone being a superior educational environment, is after all a worldview in and of itself. All I am saying is if you want to give this kid his props and air time, be ready to be as tolerant to others. It swings both ways!

Acts 7:39

New International Version (NIV)

³⁹ “But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt."

There I was minding my own business re-reading the 1st half of the book of Acts. I had just had "two weeks off of" our series at Renaissance for Palm Sunday and Easter and was reviewing what we had covered so far before jumping back in to Chapter 15.[Yes we Baptists can do an entire Lent Season in two short sermons!We don't want anyone accusing us of becoming contemplative or something!] 

While powering through 14 Chapters the verse I've posted above really jumped me. Stephen is saying his famous last words. While his audience are scanning their minds to figure out where the nearest thow-able rock pile was in the area, Stephen does his "Walk through the Bible" proclamation. That verse is right after the Exodus section. 

The NIV translation team did a wonderful job on that last phrase I think. It spoke to me much more than the familiar: "they wished to return".

When I read 

...in their hearts returned to Egypt."

I suddenly thought that a person can live in Egypt without ever moving there. 

Where are you living (heart wise) today? 

Lord, be THOU my vision. 

Inaugural Meditations...
I didn't watch the inauguration  the lip-syncing controversy was more interesting to me (to be perfectly honest). Funny when a stage filled with so many people that use their lips to avoid the truth such a focus was placed on a singer using her lips to pretend to sing live. But that is another sermon. 
Something I read recently in Len Sweet/Frank Violas excellent new book "Jesus - A Theography" Got me thinking about how different Jesus inauguration was for his "second term". 
If his first term  was inaugurated at the nativity' it was observed and attended by more of a "Who Are They?" list than a "Who's Who"...mere shepherds and possibly a few livestock. Or maybe we could consider his Baptism at the Jordan River under John...again not really a big scene.  Len and Franks book had me thinking about the final days before his cross in Mark 14 
Unlike that front-steps-of-the-place-and-symbols-of-power, surrounded by a carefully selected list of guests Mr. Obama orchestrated (pictured above) consider Jesus inauguration (anointing) pictured in Mark 14 .
Location chosen? In Bethany ( off site from the most powerful photo-op location of the temple in Jerusalem) 
Guest List? He is reclining at the table of a leper ( really non-kosher very politically incorrect). 
Women performing at the event?   A "woman" does the anointing  (Mark doesn't comment on her moral reputation but an unmarried woman busting into a "mens meeting" and touching a single religious teacher was a real shocker) she pours really expensive perfume all over the place(actually all over Jesus feet)  making quite a scene! .
The Reaction of the Press?If you look up the reaction from even his "handlers"  you realize that just as in Mr Obama's big day, a scandal over a woman's involvement got the biggest headlines.
He really meant it when he said his kingdom was unlike anything the world could really imagine. 
I have no idea what Mr Obama will be able to accomplish in his final four years of "power". 
I don't claim to know what Jesus will do, in the rest of his term either; but I do know this , it will be whatever he has decided he will do, it will be perfectly just true and to the glory of his father and he will never have to worry for a second if his "legacy" will last.