Awesome Morning.

So today I had one of the most moving experiences I’ve ever had in worship.

HERE’S WHY WE DID IT
We’re in the middle of a series called “How To Be Free” at Round Rock, with each lesson coming from Israel’s first few moments of freedom in Exodus 14. Wow that’s a great text.

Today, we talked about how we can’t do freedom on our own—how that, like Israel, we have to learn to trust God to fight the battles we can’t. We talked about how, with the Egyptian army bearing down on them, Moses assured the terrified Israelites, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” And then, in a stunning moment, after God brought his people through the water, he buried the pursuing Egyptian army in the sea.

Everyone has Egyptians.

They’re the things that enslave us. The things that incite fear, worry, and anxiety in our hearts. The things we can’t beat on our own.

So with that in mind, we decided to turn those things over to a God who promises to fight for us. And we decided to mark the moment.

HERE’S WHAT WE DID
Spaced around the edge of the platform were three big clear vases filled with water, about 10 piles of stones, and a bunch of Sharpie markers. With some evocative music playing behind powerful Scriptures on the screen, people rose from their seats, walked down front, grabbed a stone, and wrote on it the name of the thing that’s been enslaving them—the thing they need God to beat.

Then, they buried their stone in the water.

It was beautiful. Lines forming down the aisles all the way to the back of the auditorium. 16-year-olds huddled beside 75-year-olds, scrawling on stones the things they pledged to turn over to God. The clanking sound of rock after rock finding its way to the bottom of the water. The tears of so many so determined to be free. Then, finally, the sight of our Egyptians lying in piles, buried beneath the waters of God’s power.

And through it all, the words of Exodus 14 ringing in our ears and hearts:

“The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

I’ll never forget it.

P.S. Round Rock folks, I’d love to hear your thoughts/observations in the comments.

Understandable.

I’m working this afternoon in a coffee shop in Austin. At this moment, about 15 yards away from me, a woman is positioned on a couch, reading a book. She’s all alone. And she’s smiling and crying and wiping tears away and taking deep breaths and crying again.

The only words I can make out on the cover of her book?

Beauty and church.

Led

I had an elder tell me today he’s going to email me every week so he knows what to focus on as he prays for me on Sunday nights.

Shepherds shepherding.

Fantastic.

Loved

Had a going-away shindig last night at church. Jennifer, the girls, and I were given food, prayer, kind words, a ridiculously generous and thoughtful money tree, and a chance to reflect on how blessed we’ve been by our Henderson family over the years.

Being a part of a church family isn’t always easy. But it’s always good.

Blank Canvas

Churches of Christ have got to give artists more ways to channel their talents for the glory of God.

And yes, there are too many ugly websites and poorly done Power Point slides. People with artistic gifts could really do our churches some favors in those departments.

But beyond that, we are missing waaay too many opportunities to communicate truth and beauty through painting, film, music, and architecture. I know there are people in our fellowships with mad skills who have never been asked to use their gifts in the context of their church.

It’s like a guy with incredible legs who’s never tried to run.

We’ve got body parts we aren’t even using.

How The Church Is Like A Disease Ward

God’s big on community.

He wired a thirst for it into our hearts. He centered the Christian faith around it. You want a Father? Sure-but he makes sure you get brothers and sisters, too.

I suppose there are a lot of reasons for this. But I like the one a mentor of mine pointed out at lunch recently.

He said, “Every person we see who lives humbly and lovingly is just one more piece of evidence that we can live that way.”

Yep.

It’s so energizing to live up close to people who get it. Radical generosity, huge faith, unflinching holiness, sacrificial love—it’s all contagious.

And the closer people are, the more quickly contagious stuff spreads.

Welcome to the church—the perfect place to spread a God virus.

Agreed?

Are We Missing Out?

Your church does some good stuff. So does mine.

But what if we could be doing a lot more good? What if our current practice was like pushing a tractor to plow a field instead of driving it?

And what if the key to revolutionary improvement was remembering the oft-forgotten part of the Trinity?

Are we missing out on what the Holy Spirit wants to do in and through us?

Thought-provoking video from Francis Chan:

So what do you think? Is this our situation? …If so, how can we fix it?

The Only 2-Year-Old I Know Who Got A Lighter For His Birthday

Last night my wife and I threw a surprise party for a good friend.

It was his second birthday.

Two years ago, he came to Christ after almost 40 years lived away from God. So we had a few of his new found family over, a cake with a “2” candle, party hats, and cookies with his name on them.

The people who came even brought gifts: a container of salt (Mat 5:13), a lighter (Mat 5:14), and a car air freshener (2 Cor 2:14-15).

It was a blast.

I hate that this was the first one of these we’ve thrown. But I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last. After all, what’s more worthy of celebration than the total transformation of a soul and a complete alteration of one’s destiny?

Happy birthday, Bill. …And many more.

What’s Your Best Church Moment?

So here’s the title slide for this weekend at Henderson. We’re anticipating a bunch of visitors, and we’ll be talking about the necessity/blessings of a church family. I’ve certainly got some experience with this, but I’d love to incorporate other people’s stories.

So—short/long, small/big, funny/serious—what’s your story? Is there a time you’ve been super-glad to have been part of a church family?

Tell me about it.