Austin Stone Institute

The most ironic thing about being a writer is how easy it is to avoid writing! Over the weekend, we asked writers to step away from the demands of everyday life and to dive into their work. It was a sweet time of community, focused writing time, and communion with God. If you know a writer, ask them how the retreat went!

Join us for another journey through our team’s family Christmas traditions! Today we’re learning how Courtney, Kalen, and Sydney celebrate Jesus' birth.

Every year, Courtney and her extended family go to her grandparents’ ranch house for a week. They call it “Texas Christmas.” (Courtney’s originally from Oklahoma!) They go hunting, ride four-wheelers, and play reindeer games!

On Christmas Eve, Kalen and her family snuggle up together and read The Night Before Christmas. In the morning, they bake a birthday cake for Jesus and sing Him a special birthday song!

Growing up, Sydney’s whole family played golf. So, on Christmas Eve or Day, they would go golfing together! Now, Sydney and her family make homemade cinnamon rolls TWO DAYS in advance (these are some serious cinnamon rolls) and go around the neighborhood to give out any leftovers.

Welcome to our first post! In the spirit of the Christmas season, our team is sharing their family traditions with you. We’re kicking off this series with John, Val, and Greg!

John and his family open a “pocket per day” leading up to Christmas. Each pocket includes a wooden piece of the nativity, a picture of the Bible story that will be read that night, and a surprise activity for that day (like “look at lights,” “get a Christmas drink,” or “sing a Christmas song together at bedtime”.) John also likes to take his time getting the living room ready on Christmas morning, joking with his kids, “It’s not quite ready yet!”

Val and her family embark on a “jammie decoration night.” They get in their pajamas and drive around to look at Christmas lights while drinking hot cocoa. They also like to watch Christmas movies leading up to Christmas!

Greg and his family open one gift on Christmas Eve. He and his boys wake up super early on Christmas morning to open a case of baseball cards (it contains 7,000 cards!) and sort through them throughout the day while cooking their Christmas meal. They end the festivities by watching a movie at the theaters.

When we listen to a story, it stays with us. At Live Lit! on Tuesday evening, our writers shared beautiful stories of people, places, and things lost and found. We couldn’t help being reminded of our own experiences, and how God has used them to grow us and build up His kingdom. The theme of this event might have been “Lost and Found”, but now these stories are yours too.

In just a few days, you’ll have the opportunity to hear from writers at The Austin Stone, who will share some of their short-form work in the cozy setting of Brentwood Social House. You won’t want to miss it!
Click the link in bio to RSVP.

ASI’s Writer Collective invites you to Live Lit!, an opportunity to hear writers from The Austin Stone share their work! (Snapping is encouraged!) From 7–9pm on December 5, 13 writers will share a short-form piece inspired by the prompt: write about something lost and/or found. ⁠
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Click on the link in bio to RSVP!

Have you ever gone on a walk to see what you can find? Now we have, and we found some curios to catalog. In the spirit of things lost and found, from 7–9pm on December 5, ASI’s Writer Collective is offering a unique opportunity: come hear 13 writers from The Austin Stone share their work at . At Live Lit!, each writer will share a short-form piece inspired by the prompt to write about something lost and/or found.
RSVP by clicking the link in bio!

To apply, or not to apply… is that YOUR question? 🤔

You won’t know until you check out our Residency Program, a two-year opportunity to train and develop theologically and in unique areas of ministry. Click the link in our bio to explore residency offerings and apply today!

“If You’re putting pause on an area of my life, that doesn’t mean that I’ve failed. It doesn’t mean that You’re withholding anything from me. It means that there’s something new for this season that I’m in.”

During her residency at The Austin Stone, Lauren became more deeply rooted in the firm foundation of Christ. But it didn’t happen overnight.

We’re sharing another liturgy from our podcast, More To It: Reframing Emotions, in hopes that you are encouraged to embrace God’s design for your emotions. Today’s writing: reframing our response.
Here’s to another !

A Liturgy for Bringing our Emotions to God
By Erin Feldman

O LORD my Strength, I cry to You
for You console my soul.

When my emotions roil,
anger and sorrow and shame
all surging within me, breakers
crashing, clashing, dragging me
into their undertow—
O LORD, help!
Please help.
Lift my head above the waves
and guide my wheezing breath
until it is held
and released,
held and released.
Teach me to rest upon You,
like a child with his mother.
O Lord, calm my soul!

O LORD my Strength, I cry to You;
You are my soul’s consolation.

When my emotions seem remote,
as distant and unknowable as pinprick stars,
and I drift through the days,
a sailor without compass or map—
comfort me with Your people.
Bring me to the joy
of presence: sitting and beholding
one another face to face.
And there, O Lord—
what a wonder,
what a mystery!
There, You satisfy us
with Your love. You renew
our weary souls in mercies
always new each morning.

O LORD our Strength, we sing praises to You.
Whether our emotions swell or shrink within our hearts,
You console our souls.

All praise be to the Lord who draws near and delivers us!
Amen.

We’re sharing another liturgy from our podcast, More To It: Reframing Emotions, in hopes that you are encouraged to embrace God’s design for your emotions. Today’s writing is about joy!
Here’s to another !

A Liturgy for Seeking Joy
By Sarah Feller

Father, I confess:
I often struggle to wrap my mind around what joy is.
Is it laughter or dinner with loved ones, delight or contentment?
What does it really mean to be joyful?

When I’m distanced by apathy, joy feels elusive: trying to strike a match in the wind.
When I’m crushed by the weight of grief, joy feels impossible: a bloom sprouting in the dead of winter.
But You, God, call me to joy anyway: Your breath, coaxing fire from embers.

Father, I ask:
When I forget Your joy, will You remind me?
Fill me with the fullness of Your joy–
For it is strength in grief, steadfastness through trial, zeal in place of apathy, an outpouring of Spirit,
A firm foundation: living in expectation
Of resurrection.

We’re sharing another liturgy from our podcast, More To It: Reframing Emotions, in hopes that you are encouraged to embrace God’s design for your emotions. Today’s writing is about depression.
Here’s to another !

When Darkness Looms
By Justin Dunton

The darkness looms again.
The sun’s light unforgivingly descends.
Waves and breakers crash in,
And I am lost.

I cry out, but the void empties my voice.
Without power to breathe, to hope, stripped of this choice,
I lie stranded in a prison of despair,
Blind and mute, without communion.

Speak to me, God.

In the silence, another voice looms.
The shadow whispers failure and screams defeat,
Wrapping its lies around my head.
O, where is the Rock to keep me from sinking?

Speak truth.

I feel no rest. No rescue.
Only the weight of the waves crushing me.
Only the depleting struggle to remain afloat.
When will this dawn break?
When will the rescue come?

Speak peace.

I believe. Help my unbelief.
Even here, in the pressing, in the crushing, lead me to trust You.
I cannot see You, I cannot feel You,
Hold me to the Rock of Your grace.

Speak freedom.

In despairing, despair has not won.
Fill my lungs to speak like the Son.
Though dying, He lives. His Spirit now sent.
Into Your hands I commit my spirit.