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.

Pickleball’s leap from pandemic craze to mainstream sport provides a starting point for imagining the explosion of Jesus’ popularity as recorded in the Gospels. What began as an obscure movement among a handful of devoted followers quickly drew crowds. Before long, it seemed like everyone wanted to experience Jesus for themselves.

But at the height of his growing popularity, Jesus began to thin the crowd. An open mic caught him saying things that didn’t sit well with people. He spoke of giving his flesh and blood “for the life of the world.”

Not exactly a winning strategy for building a following.

As a result, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

Too bad. If only Jesus had taken a different approach and kept building on his popularity, the movement he started might actually have become a global phenomenon.

Oh, wait.

— Pastor Pete

“After this, many of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him. Then Jesus gave the Twelve their chance: ‘Do you also want to leave?’ Peter replied, ‘Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We’ve already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God.’” John 6:66–69

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. But a turtle on a trail offers an important reminder about the way the world works.

You see, I’m a rabbit. That’s just the way God made me. Rather than trundling along the trail like our friend the turtle, I zip and dip and turn, racing across varied terrain and blazing my own trail. I typically don’t stop until it’s time to eat.

In this world, we will encounter both rabbits and turtles. So which is the superior creature?

Hold on. That’s a dangerous question. It’s a little like asking a parent to name their favorite child.

Both designs were conceived in heaven and have been rolling off God’s assembly line for thousands of years. Both are time-tested and reliable models. But each must also heed the warnings that come directly from the Manufacturer.

If you’ve been built as a tortoise, the danger is becoming so careful that nothing gets done. You may even be tempted to protect yourself beyond what legitimate danger calls for. As Proverbs 22:13 puts it, “The sluggard says, ‘There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!’”

So to all the turtles out there, Wisdom has this to say: “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically” (Romans 12:11).

And for all the bunny rabbits like me, the Creator’s caution is just as clear: “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way” (Proverbs 19:2). A few verses later, we’re reminded that “a man’s wisdom gives him patience” (Proverbs 19:11).

In a healthy ecosystem, you’ll find both tortoises and hares. Both have their place. Both belong.

And whichever one you are, learn to appreciate and honor the other. The turtle may need a little nudge to get moving, while the rabbit may need a reminder to slow down and look around. We all have something to learn from one another.

After all, the Creator knew what He was doing when He made both.

— Pastor Pete

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
Romans 12:9–10

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 this historic sanctuary.

When Wendish immigrants built their church in the 1870s, they chose an architectural style that reflected their belief in the authority of Scripture. Every time the pastor climbed into his lofty pulpit, the congregation gathered to hear God speak. They listened attentively, not wanting to miss His uncompromising demands or His precious promises.

The architecture of ACTS Church Lakeway reflects a more modern sensibility. But our regard for the spoken Word of God is no less elevated.

From the earliest days of Lutheranism in Texas to the present, we have held preaching at the center of our worship. We believe God still comes to us through His Word, speaking His timeless truth into our lives, again and again and again.

Buildings change. Styles change. But the Word of God stands forever.

— Pastor Pete

"That Word above all earthly powers
No thanks to them abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill,
God’s truth abideth still;
His kingdom is forever."

— Martin Luther, 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God' (1529)

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 us like a flood.

News reports. Statistics. Advertisements. Videos. Updates. Internet searches. More and more information, arriving faster and faster.

Better computers, smarter phones, and continual connectivity only deepen the flow. And in such a climate, even good information can get lost in the deluge. So what’s an overwhelmed person to do?

As you drive around the Austin area, you’ll notice the regular appearance of empty grassy depressions, little lakes behind neighborhoods, and fenced-off basins — some rather ordinary, others made beautiful with landscaping.

If you spot one of these, there’s a good chance you’re looking at a piece of our city’s stormwater infrastructure.

These detention basins serve as shock absorbers for rain. They’re designed to take the sudden rush of a Texas downpour, collect the surge, and release it slowly over time.

Maybe we need to do the same thing with what we receive on Sunday.

When you hear a content-heavy message, don’t feel like you have to absorb it all at once. Instead, ask how you might slow the flow:

Take notes and review them. Turn the main points into prayers. Memorize a key Scripture. Talk about the message with someone over lunch. Meditate on what God might be teaching you throughout the week. Share something you learned with somebody else.

Don’t simply let the Word wash over you and disappear downstream.

Collect it. Hold onto it. Let it sink in.

Because God’s Word is not meant merely to pass through us. It is meant to accomplish something in us.

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish… so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:10–11

— Pastor Pete

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 all of this tongue in cheek. But I do have a point that I’m sure we can all relate to:

We know the difference between a meal that’s merely convenient and one that’s been thoughtfully designed and expertly prepared.

When the apostle John recorded the book of Revelation, dictated to him by the risen Jesus, I’m quite confident he knew he had been given something rich. Based on what he received from the Source, he faithfully prepared a feast for those who would come to the table.

And for every invited guest who takes the time to sit, to sup, and to savor, the satisfactions are rich — and never-ending.

“On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine — the best of meats and the finest of wines. In that day they will say, ‘Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.’”

Isaiah 25:6, 9

— Pastor Pete

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 Brushfire tacos with a side of Diablo sauce are especially good.

I’m just wondering whether, in the process of disarming the devil, the real Adversary is becoming a little less… adversarial.

You see, the devil isn’t just in the taco business.

He’s in the everything business.

More than that, he wants to mess with your business.

Don’t let him.

And when you’re having a hellishly difficult day, look beyond the details. Pay attention. Be alert. The apostle Peter says there may be more going on than meets the eye.

“Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour. Take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. … And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever.”
—1 Peter 5:8–10

The devil may be a cartoon character at Torchy’s.

But Scripture reminds us that he is no joke.

So stay alert. And stand firm.

—Pastor Pete

The sidewalk prophets have struck again.

LORD4giveME.

For anyone aware of their screw-ups and sins, this prayer prompt can be sweet medicine.

Grateful for the unexpected reminder, I lower myself to the pavement. Straining to get the shot, I squint heavenward.

I feel out of place down here. Contorted. Awkward. Exposed.

I’m no longer in control.

But maybe a repositioning is necessary for the experience.

If my world were upright and manageable, I probably wouldn’t even utter the words.

And if I weren’t lying here quietly, I might miss the whisper in return:

“Forgiven.”

“I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.”
1 John 2:12

— Pastor Pete

As the final days of summer drag along, the Creator reaches for a palette of brown, tan, and burnt yellow. The handful of humans who inhabit this season gaze upon brittle stems and dropping leaves and wonder aloud whether any life could possibly be left.

But God smiles.

Looking kindly upon both plants and people, He says:

“Don’t rush me. I’m not finished yet.”

—Pastor Pete

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again!” Ezekiel 37:5

“There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” Philippians 1:6

As an Iowa native, I have a love-hate relationship with cornfields.

Perhaps you share my love for these fields and the fruit that flows from them. It would be a pity if you had never savored the buttery juice of summer sweet corn dribbling down over your chin, arms and elbows. And if you’ve driven the length of the “flyover states,” you’ve certainly come to appreciate the hypnotic monotony of green corn, with its silky heads of hair swaying to the music of the Midwestern wind.

Yes, there’s lots to love about cornfields. But I should probably explain the source of my strong dislike.

My first paying job was corn detasseling. And for those who don’t know a hoe from a hornet, this is the tedious process of removing the tassels—the pollen-producing stalks at the top of corn plants—from selected rows.*

Picture a busload of teenagers being dropped off at the end of a long field and disappearing into a thick jungle of corn. Reaching high above their heads, these undersized and underpaid workers tug repeatedly until they feel the plants release their tassels with a pop. Moving down half-mile-long fields, they detassel two rows at a time. Within minutes of being herded into the maize, they are wet with dew and speckled with rash.

Have I mentioned I have a love-hate relationship with cornfields?

Ever since the disastrous episode in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), work has been both a blessing and a curse. Work is the way we interact with God’s creation. But work is also the means by which we are reminded of sin’s irreversible effect upon our world.

Think back to that moment when God said to Adam:

“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground.” (Genesis 3:17-19)

That ill promise — spoken against our world’s first laborer — explains my lingering dislike for my very first job. But every job I’ve ever held, from that time until now, has contained both joys and sorrows, satisfactions and frustrations.

So, what’s a man or woman to do?

A book of ancient wisdom suggests a path forward:

“So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?” (Ecclesiastes 3:24-25)

Perhaps that’s the secret.

Even when the work is hard, tedious or frustrating, there is still something holy about doing it — and something sacred about receiving its rewards — as gifts from the hand of God.

Even in the cornfields.

- Pastor Pete

*For you non-Iowa folk: Detasseling prevents selected plants from pollinating themselves and allows pollen from another corn variety to fertilize them, creating hybrid seed corn.

Hey friends, Pastor Pete here. And yes, this is really me writing, as it is every week.

But I have to admit that this week’s photo isn’t entirely real. My friend Jason used Artificial Intelligence to place my image in front of several racks of servers his company uses to power AI.

And although I don't always love AI, I admit that an AI revolution is upon us.

Today I returned a call from my doctor’s office to reschedule an appointment. An AI bot answered and assured me it could help. When I asked to speak to the scheduler who had called me, the bot apparently decided I was weak-willed and tried to steer me into a text-message conversation. Only after repeatedly insisting on talking to a real human did it finally connect me with the person I was trying to reach.

So how do we prepare for a monumental shift that is already changing… almost everything?

In a new book scheduled for publication this fall, church consultant Carey Nieuwhof reports that 48% of practicing Christians are now turning to AI with their spiritual questions. Yet he argues that the future of the church is not less human connection, but more. “As the world becomes more artificial, the church’s calling is to become more human.”

I think that’s a good word for us at ACTS.

ACTS is a local church where real people gather and form a living community. It’s a place where real pastors and teachers wrestle with the real Word of God and share a timely Word they believe God is speaking… to these people… in this place. And ACTS is a place where the flesh and blood of Jesus are really offered to real people, giving real hope and forgiveness.

AI can inform our thinking. It can help us work, learn, create, and communicate. But it must never replace our thinking. And it certainly can’t replace our relationships.

The leaders who thrive in this new era won’t be those who reject AI. They’ll be those who learn to use these powerful tools without outsourcing wisdom, judgment, or humanity to them.

"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:7-8)

- Pastor Pete

Last weekend I sat with our ACTS family and squirmed under a sermon called, “When Busyness Gets the Best of Us.” The speaker (who definitely won’t be invited back) wondered aloud whether our nonstop flurry of human activity might actually be a poorly disguised attempt to assert control over the world.

Don’t you hate it when God’s Word hits its intended target?

In Luke 10, Jesus is invited into the home of a “Git-’er-Done” kind of gal named Martha. Martha is busy preparing dinner for Jesus. So busy, in fact, that she neglects to sit and listen to what he has to say. And she is so certain that she’s doing the right thing that she asks Jesus to reprimand her sister Mary for simply sitting at his feet:

“Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me" (Luke 10:40).

Perhaps you already know Jesus’ response:
“My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42).

Ouch.

Is it possible that you’ve been so busy serving Christ that you’ve forgotten to sit with Christ?

So, what’s the “one thing” you’ve been pursuing? What’s the target you’ve been aiming at? And if you finally hit it, will it actually provide the purpose and satisfaction you’re hoping for?

It’s never too late to change your aim and start driving toward a target worthy of your life’s effort.

Paul discovered this for himself:

“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. For his sake I have discarded everything else… so that I could gain Christ and become one with him" (Philippians 3:7-9).

Maybe the most important thing in your life is not something you accomplish.

It’s someone you receive.

- Pastor Pete

For those who don't know me, I am Jeff Schneider. My lovely wife Mara and I are parents to Ian and Erik who were on stage recently — along with Grace, Quinten, and Pastor Pete — witnessing their Belize mission trip experience. You saw (and perhaps felt yourself) emotions on stage; those were real, I felt them. Mara and I were lucky enough to meet up with the entire mission group, some 35 strong, at the tail end of their week in Belize. We saw changed people from those we dropped off the previous Saturday morning.

I joined the mission team for dinner on their final evening in Belize, we walked into a room full of people, joy and pizza. The first thing that struck us was a number of teens we didn't know looking at us with half smiles and wide eyes. We saw parents looking forward to meeting us. We felt overwhelmed with emotion, the room was filled with it.  We realized our boys just had a transcendent experience beyond what any of us could have imagined. The teens were overflowing with joy about how awesome our kids were, and couldn't wait to meet us. The parents were so thankful they could be part of the adventure with them. Pete, Ian, Quinten, Grace and Erik certainly made an impression on this group, and vice versa. We could sense bonds that would last forever.

I could go on, but words can honestly not describe what we felt. I was drawn to emotions over and over again and almost to tears several times. It is what I can only describe as God's love filling that room.
If you are a parent with teens, send them on a mission trip with our group. Ian and Mara did a trip to Costa Rica with the ACTS Network in 2025, and it was life-changing for both of them. Ian couldn't wait to go again and was key in getting Erik to go to Belize this year. As parents, we work so hard to raise our kids right. Sometimes you need to let them go and learn on their own. The Belize Mission Society and the Costa Rica leadership team created experiences that we as parents cannot replicate.We see changed people in Ian and Erik, so much for the better. A full reset from their young lives in Lakeway. A foundation for their future.

One final thought. If you don't believe in miracles, picture a group of teenagers getting up each morning to meet on the beach at 6:00 a.m. for a student-led Bible study before their day of discipleship begins. On their own. Their idea.

Through ACTS, God is 'Sending Changed People Into A Changing World.' He is putting ACTS into Action. We are forever grateful.

- Jeff Schneider

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

"The long weekend."

For pastors, those words are often code for a multi-day marathon of sermon preparation, ministry events, Bible studies, worship services, and appointments. Rarely do they describe slipping away for a few days of renewal and rest.

But recently, some dear friends from Minnesota extended a Christ-like invitation to "come away" with them "to a quiet place and get some rest" (Mark 6:31). Although their lake cabin sits 6,189 miles from the shores of Galilee, it provided exactly what Jesus once offered His disciples. The long weekend away was a welcome gift.

As we enter the final stretch of summer, perhaps Jesus' invitation to "come away" has begun to fade beneath the growing volume of everyday life. The voice of your calendar is once again louder than the gentle rhythm of waves against the shore. The pace has quickened. The demands have multiplied. And you've quietly accepted busyness as the price of living faithfully.

But Jesus offers something better.

Even now, He invites you into His rest. He longs to lift the burden from your shoulders, quiet the noise within your soul, and replace your striving with His peace. His presence is not reserved for secluded lakesides or mountain retreats. It is available wherever you are.

Whether you're standing on a dock at the water's edge or sitting beneath the white glow of fluorescent lights, Jesus is there. And His invitation still stands:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28–29).

— Pastor Pete