The fog

How about that fog last week? Got to try out those fog lights didn't you? Question is did you ever turn them off? Lots of people still driving around with their fog lights on.

One night after dark my wife and I were driving to Lake Arrowhead, CA in a borrowed, four-wheel-drive truck. We were on one of those roads that hugs the side of the mountain. You know. The kind of road where the only thing between you and death is a flimsy rail about a foot off the ground?

Not a problem until the fog rolled in. It was bad. We slowed way down. Couldn't see anything in front of us. Eventually I rolled down my window and drove by keeping my eye on the double yellow line next to me. I thought we were gonnna go Thelma & Louise for sure!

Sometimes life is like that. Life gives us a raw deal. God gives us the silent treatment. People give us the cold shoulder. The fog rolls in. Good news is my wife and I eventually made it to Lake Arrowhead where we spent a romantic couple of days. And we can make it through the fog of life, too. Let's talk about how at all four weekend worship gatherings. Join us Saturday in Cedar Park or Round Rock or Sunday in North Austin.

Phony!

I love Boston Baked Beans. You know what I'm talking about? Candy coated peanuts? Sweet and crunchy? Love 'em! Recently my wife bought a box for me. I couldn't wait to start pounding beans. The box was huge! What I didn't know until I opened it was that inside the box was a bag. The bag was only half as big as the box. And even the bag was only half full! Boston baked bummer. Is it just me or are they putting less and less product in the same packaging?

Things aren't always what they appear to be. That's not only true at the grocery store. It's true at work. On campus. Even at church. If I am not all that I should be, that doesn't make me a phony. If you think I'm something other that what I am, that doesn't make me a phony. But when I pretend to be something other than what I am, that makes me a phony. That makes me a hypocrite.

Why do we do that? Why do we pretend to be something other than what we are? Do we even know when we're doing it? Can we stop? That's what we're going to explore at all four weekend worship gatherings. It's going to be cold and wet. I'm already over it. Unpack the raincoats, grab the umbrellas, and join us Saturday or Sunday. In Cedar Park, Round Rock, or Austin. We'll have hot coffee waiting.

Kicking tires

Have you been a first-timer at Calvary Austin in the last several weeks? We're really glad that you've been kicking the tires. Given the opportunity to learn more, we're confident that you'll want to close the deal and make this your church.

Every month we offer a class for newcomers called New to Calvary - N2C for short. Turns out this is the week. After all four weekend worship gatherings in all three locations, we'll be offering a helpful and informative 30-minute class. We'll take about 15 minutes to tell you about us (1) who we are - our values, (2) what we do - our mission, and (3) where we're going - our vision. The rest of the time is Q&A because we want to know you and begin a relationship.

This weekend I'll be talking about fear. Nearly 200 times the Bible says not to be afraid. We're going to talk about some of the things we're afraid of and what God has to say about fear in His Word, the Bible. So plan now to join us for this message about fear and to stick around for N2C!

What are you doing tonight?

When's the last time you really connected with God in worship? Or experienced community with like-minded worshipers? That's what our gathering tonight is all about. At 7:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, people who attend our weekend gatherings in Cedar Park, Round Rock, and Austin converge on our Parkfield campus for an interactive worship gathering we call First Wednesday.

Our worship space will be completely transformed tonight for worship-in-the-round. There will be visuals. Scripture readings. Silent prayer. Communion. Dessert. Each month we are taking a different Bible verse that says "one another" as our theme. Tonight's theme is "Love One Another." There will be a pizza party for kids through fifth grade in our children's worship space. So TIVO American Idol, load the people you love into the car, and check out First Wednesay at Calvary Austin!