Letters to a Congregation
Every Thursday I write a pastoral letter to the west congregation of The Austin Stone Community Church. These letters are simple, pastoral musings on what it looks like to live a life that is attentive to God in the midst of a shared context.
The One About Lubbock, the Apostle Peter, and How Identity Shapes Destiny
Friends, in Christ, we are not defined by our worst moments.
I am such a weak hypocrite most days. And yet, I am Ross … beloved Son of God, justified brother of Christ, a messenger of the gospel of the Kingdom. It is almost too much to contemplate.
The One About Thunderclaps, Hypochondria, and Living in Denial
What do you think about when you think you are going to die? I had opportunity to find out this last week.
The One About Remembering To Keep the Main Thing as The Main Thing
What if were to remember and to believe that God exists, and what if we allowed that reality to interrupt our view of absolutely everything else?
The One About Weddings, Wine, and The Mixed Bag of Being a Person
People are incredible. People are also the worst. What a wonderfully, messy, potential and risk-riddled endeavor it is to be a human being.
The One About Bible Plans, King Saul, and Self-Loathing
I usually read this narrative with a particular focus on David, but this time I have been fascinated with Saul. He is a tragic tale of self-obsession, neurosis, suspicion, self-loathing and a tragedy of deep insecurity. And yet he had so many things in his favor, but he just couldn’t see it.
I am more like Saul than I dare to admit.
The One About Gideon, Bravery, and Six Words That Change Everything
The presence of someone with you, who is stronger than you, really does help you to face things that you fear. Doing it alone feels really daunting.
The One About Carbs, Naps, and How God Knows What You Need
God sent an angel because He knew that Elijah was facing something that was beyond his own strength. God knew the limitations of Elijah’s capabilities and so sent him what he needed at just the right moment. And what did he need? He needed some carbs, a cold drink, and a good nap. Sometimes, in our flesh, that is what we really need.
The One About Melancholy, Old Records, and Singing vs. Sighing
David found reason to sing, where before he could just sigh. He found reason to trust, where before he only doubted. He found reason to rejoice, where before he could only lament.
The One About Triathlons, Drowning, and Lifting Our Eyes
Friends, sometimes you just have to lift your eyes. The one who made the mountains is watching over you and ready and available to help you in whatever you are facing.
His job is to make sure you don’t drown. Yours is to make sure you don’t quit.
The One About Delays, “Do Not Knows,” and Our Ongoing Need To Deify Things
As you encounter your own delays, and as you encounter your own “do not knows,” let us not be like the people of Israel who turned to the short term comfort of self-made gods. Embrace delay as an opportunity to wait on and to wait for the LORD. He always seems late, but He is always on time. Embrace limitation of knowledge as an opportunity to lean in to the wisdom of God and to trust Him that He knows what is best for you even when you can’t see it.