Last Sunday’s homily (audio):

As we encounter the Scriptures for Palm Sunday in the liturgy, we find ourselves in a special place. This is the heart of the biblical narrative. The whole of Scripture is converging here, at the cross, and along with it God’s revelation of his own heart comes into sharp focus.

Although we began today’s celebration with a moment of triumph, we can’t help but notice—if we look carefully—how different this moment of triumph is than any that came before it. There’s no parade of chariots and soldiers as Jesus, the King of Kings, enters Jerusalem. No, he comes on a humble beast of burden, not a mighty war horse. He will be victorious, but it will be his faithfulness—another way of saying “love”—not superior military might, that will earn his victory.

The heart of God is revealed in the humility of his Son.

We find that this moment of unconventional triumph soon turns sour as the crowd moves from shouts of “hosanna!” —which means “save us”—to “crucify him!” This painful transition is intensified as his friends fall asleep when he needs them most. The internal pain is crystallized when Judas approaches Jesus with a kiss, only to have him unjustly arrested. Peter, the one who had said hen would never leave his Rabbi, sticks with him for a while, but ultimately succumbs himself to the spirit of betrayal. Yet Jesus goes willingly and mutely, like a lamb led to slaughter, and so acts in true love toward those whose words lacked the corresponding inner conviction.

The heart of God is revealed in the faithfulness of his Son toward those that can’t keep their best intentions, and even those who act on their worst intentions.

Jesus enters not into joy and glory before taking on pain and suffering. In his perfect humanness, he asks God to relieve him of the horror on the horizon, if possible. Suffering is never an intrinsic good. But sometimes it is an evil that must be endured, and so the Son of God allows himself to be beaten, scourged, pierced, and hung on a cross. And he takes the full weight of sin on himself. He bears it because as painful as it was, he is the only one that could withstand the purifying fire of God’s wrath toward all that is opposed to life. He allows himself to be killed to save those doing the killing.

The heart of God is revealed in the suffering of his Son to save those that would rather see him dead.

Betrayed and deserted, Jesus hangs alone to die. Yet our we are left with an image of women—women who had always been part of the story, but are only now appearing—that continue to stay and watch. Of course, women were mistreated, mistrusted, and severely marginalized in that ancient culture. Jesus clearly welcomes the marginalized and was happy to count women among his disciples. And here they are.

The men choose to pack it up and. Thinking it’s over, they head back to their old fishing job. Perhaps these women stay because they have nothing but Jesus left. They might not know it yet, but they have everything, and theirs is the right choice. They will be the first witnesses of the Resurrection, and the first proclaimers of the Gospel.

The heart of God is revealed in the special bond his Son has with those the world would rather overlook.

This Palm Sunday, may we give all glory to God in Christ for his humility, faithfulness, endurance, and love for each and every person he has made.

As we journey with our Lord Jesus to the cross, may we find ourselves drawn to the very heart of God. Amen.

WHAT IS HAPPENING

Perhaps you’re barely able to remember or imagine what it might be like rejuvenated by rivers of living water, not just physically, not just socially, but spiritually, at the deepest part of who you are.

God has word for you today.

You may not know if you’re going to make it, economically, physically, spiritually.

Can these dry bones live?

You might not know the answer, but God has spoken, and he has spoken Good News.

Can these dry bones live?

“Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones:

…these irritated and frustrated, lonely and scared, exhausted and spent, hungry and hopeless, thirsty-yet-never-seeming-to-be-quenched dry bones…

Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones:

“Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the LORD.”” (Ezekiel 37:5–6, ESV)

What Good News God has spoken. He will do it! When we have no resources left, when we are dry and cracked, jumbled up and quite literally dead, God’s holy word will bring us to life.

From this week’s sermon

Illustration by Paul Oman

Q 109. May we omit church assemblies on the Lord’s day if the magistrate forbid them?

A. If the Magistrate for a greater good, (as the common safety) forbid Church Assemblies in a time of pestilence, assault of enemies, or fire, or the like necessity, it is a duty to obey him. Because positive duties give place to those great natural duties which are their end: so Christ justified himself and his disciples’ violation of the external rest of the Sabbath. “For the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.”

Richard Baxter (1615-1691), in his book “A Christian Directory”

Desert flowers

Xenvo Pro Lens Kit for Smartphones/Laptop Cams

This has been helpful by providing a wide-angle shot for when we need more people in the frame for virtual church, but would like the camera closer for better sound. Solid quality, minimal image distortion. ($40)

VidLive.co

Web service that allows you to embed a FB Live stream on a website. I tested today and it seemed to work well. Helps with those that aren’t on FB to easily access the stream. ($7/mo)

Calendly

Web service that allows you to send a link to someone so they can book a spot on your calendar and will automatically generate a Zoom meeting link! (FREE)

Drive up Communion. What a time.

Sunday afternoon pipe.

The study is coming together.

So disappointed that Fantastical 3 insists on prompting me to upgrade to a subscription when I have in fact purchased the software some time ago. One time is fine, but it prompts nearly every time I open the app. Back to the stock calendar for me, I think.

Unpacking all my books into a new space. So grateful for the ones I have read, haven’t yet read, and will never read.

This is one of the most true and challenging—yet somehow also comforting—books I have ever read. You can finish it in an hour, but consider taking an afternoon to really digest it. Then make a plan to revisit soon. I commend it to all.

Here’s a Bookmarked, Easy-to-Navigate PDF of the ACNA’s New Catechism - Anglican Pastor

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Have been using this heavily to prepare for ongoing Catechesis classes at DMAC.

Jesus is a person, not merely a principle. We share a person, not just a set of doctrines, with the world. Real religion is about real communion with the man Jesus, not merely rituals for their own sake.

Lord have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. God, in your mercy, remember all involved in the shooting at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, TX.

There are no adequate words in moments like these. I am once again driven to see how desperately the whole world needs the transforming love of Jesus, and how costly it is to be agents of that kind of love in a world still waiting for the fullness of redemption.

I was excited to receive an Osprey Arcane Small Dayback for Christmas this year, and couldn’t wait to take it out for a spin today to the movies. This is going to be one of my favorite packs for these kind of outings. Great organization, and the perfect size for me when I don’t need to be hauling all my work gear. I had a cotton hoodie, water bottle, and my “extras” pouch (meds, external battery, earphones, etc) loaded with plenty of room to spare. I could have easily have added my tablet and Bluetooth keyboard, with space left for assorted sundries.

The materials feel great, I love the understated design, and man is it comfortable!

Merry Christmas, all!

A couple of Christmas gifts from my lovely wife that will be treasured: an estate Tim West pipe that is light, smokes exceptionally well, and has a beautiful grain along with a book of Rilke poetry. The innaugeral smoke was Figgy Pudding from the Country Squire.

What a beautiful celebration of the birth of our Lord tonight with these awesome people along with many of the rest of our family in Christ. It was my honor and joy to give first Communion to my youngest daughter, Gwyneth this Christmas Eve!

Opinion - How Do Christians Fit Into the Two-Party System? They Don’t - The New York Times

“…while believers can register under a party affiliation and be active in politics, they should not identify the Christian church or faith with a political party as the only Christian one.”

This article has popped up for me a few times now. I think Keller is a wise and thoughtful pastor/theologian whose life exemplifies faithful Christian leadership.

While I would personally (of course) nuance some of Tim Keller’s thoughts on politics (and maybe even the quote above), it seems to me that we can’t be reminded enough as Christians that our ultimate loyalties are to Christ and his church.

From my vantage point, I see things thoroughly anti-Christ in each major party’s culture and platform. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with identifying the positive or prudential in either, or even to carefully consider which is “least-bad” when it comes to how to exercise your civic duties.

Nevertheless to find in those parties any part of my identity at all is, I think, asking for trouble, given the morally corrupt and divisive nature of the two-party system, and the trans-national character of the Church. I can only participate at a distance, commending the good and condemning the evil in each as best I understand them.

Where Will Pipes Be In 100 Years?

Great article on the benefits and blessings of pipes, the pipe smoking community, and what that could look like in a couple generation. Wish there was a pipe emoji!

Christianity Today sure kicked the hornet’s nest. I have a hunch that stating whether or not I agree with Galli’s opinion on the impeachment of the President probably won’t be helpful right now, so I won’t.

Nevertheless I must say as a long time CT reader and current subscriber, and as someone who listens to Galli’s podcast (without always agreeing with him, I might add)—I trust this is a considered, thoughtful opinion.

Yes, it is a relatively strong statement on an important matter, yet it is also well within the bounds of topics on which Christians may disagree and still love and support each other…and even worship together each Sunday! The brigade of mean, divisive, and ignorant comments by those that disagree is profoundly discouraging.

Christ calls us to a better way.

Was glad to get new 2019 BCPs along with ESV w/Apocrypha pew Bibles for the church today!!

St. Paul says he wants harmony in the Body of Christ so “that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:6, ESV)

This harmony with one another, where we treat each other as Christ has treated us, allows us to—even as we disagree—call attention to the goodness of God in Christ. This is the purpose of peace. If we love each other through disagreements, we show that world how salvation works. It is pure, self-sacrificial love, not simply being right, that makes things right.

When we are at peace with each other because of Jesus even when we disagree about important things, we directly confront the original lie of Satan in the Garden of Eden: “if only you knew what God knew, then you’d be like God, and God doesn’t want that!”

No! First of all, Adam and Eve were already like God, having been made in his image! It has never been about what you know.

If only we love as God loves, then we will be like God. And God absolutely wants that…for everyone!

When we live in light of the Cross, in dependence on the Holy Spirit, God restores his image in us. He unifies his church and manifests true peace. This is real spiritual warfare against that ancient serpent, and our worship and fellowship is part of that!