Pickleball, anyone?The fastest-growing sport in America has spent the past five years commandeering underused tennis courts and prompting the construction of dedicated facilities. Signs of the sport are now showing up in the back lots of bars in small towns and unincorporated communities. Imagine my surprise at discovering the Skyline Pickleball Club in Kingsland, Texas — population 7,330.Pickleba...  Read More

For a turtle, he was moving pretty fast. Until he saw me.That’s when he stopped dead in his tracks and pulled his classic maneuver. Triggered by my looming presence, he withdrew his most vulnerable resources. Shell-shocked, you might say. And once he was in that position, he wasn’t going anywhere.Why this creature left the safety of his nearby pond and wandered onto my walking trail, I’m not sure....  Read More

After a fast and furious remodeling project, I’m thrilled to unveil the new look of our ACTS Lakeway worship space.Not quite.This photo was taken last Sunday, when I had the honor of sharing God’s Word at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Serbin, Texas, during their annual Mission Festival. And the place from which I delivered that Word was an elevated pulpit, perched high above the altar and pews of ...  Read More

Lately I’ve been sensing that my brain is full. And when it reaches capacity, it doesn’t function quite as God intended.Looking around, I don’t think I’m the only one feeling this way. So what’s going on?As we move into the age of Artificial Intelligence, information no longer comes at us slowly. Unlike the measured drip, drip, drip of a steady rain, an inexhaustible amount of content can assault ...  Read More

Have you ever seen eggs this pale?You have if you’ve taken advantage of the “free” hotel breakfast lately. I’m not sure what their secret is — or how they achieve this particular shade of the lightest yellow.I’m guessing years of culinary training lie behind it. To get eggs this pale and watery, they must source chickens that are both pure white and extremely well-hydrated.Obviously, I’m saying al...  Read More

Let’s talk about the devil.Now, don’t be alarmed. This isn’t going to be a scary conversation.That’s because — at least here in Austin — the devil is nothing but a cartoon character. The great enemy of God’s people has shape-shifted into a harmless little demon named Torchy, advertising his “D_ _ N Good” tacos.Let me be clear. I’m not here to condemn the little guy for the stuff he’s selling. His ...  Read More