The Only Real Way to Live

I figure it would be a little prideful for Derek to post his own sermon, but it's okay for me. I know I'm a little biased, but I thought it was really good. It's stuck with me and challenged me this week.  

As a result, little inconveniences have served to remind me that I'm not at the center of the universe...not even my own universe. In Mark 8:34, Jesus says,"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." But taking up the cross doesn't look like my everyday struggles. (As I once thought.)

Jesus took up the only cross that matters, and He proclaimed, "It is finished!" It's not my job to try and earn some form of salvation by struggling to do good things. So what is my part? Jesus. Period. It's not about me. It's about the sufficiency of Jesus Christ in all things. He died on that cross because I couldn't. (Oh, how amazing grace is!) So things like smelly trash, my dog pooping in the floor at 4 am, and a bathtub that seems to lack a drain, are not my cross to bear. But they are great little means to the end of denying myself. 

http://www.wbcaustin.org/sermons/

Embracing Austin II

We've just experienced a thoroughly Austin weekend. Derek preached this Sunday so our friends, Will and Kaely, came down and hung out with us. We went to Hamilton Pool, ate pizza at Frank & Angie's, and watched the bats fly out to hunt.

Yes...those of you who don't live in Austin, you read right. Come to find out, Austin has the largest urban bat colony in North America. The Congress Avenue Bridge is host to up to 1.5 million of the little creatures, and August is the best time of year to watch them. So, along with a couple thousand others, we watched their nightly migration to find food. Apparently they are good to have around as they can eat anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 pounds of insects a night!

Before & After

We've been busy lately. Charlie got a new do. And we moved. Not out of Austin...actually closer in. We are renting an apartment that's cut my drive in half and cut our rent. (Yea Dave Ramsey!) The night before our move, our movers cancelled on us. But, a few good men from WBC saved the day. Thank you Matt, Matt, Michael, and Eddie!