Christmas in the Valley of Vision

So excited for this Christmas season at The Austin Stone.
We are going through a series with The Valley of Vision .
Which is a book of Puritan prayers that we have all grown to love. It's SO good. You should definitely get it. These people really knew how to pray.
This is going to be a preaching series but the church made a video trailer to get people excited about it! It's so good. Check it out.

Austin Stone Worship

I'm so excited to announce that our first LIVE album is coming out December 6th!!!!
We are so excited about this that we are releasing some free songs!

Our first single, " God Undefeatable ", is available for download at our new website: www.austinstoneworship.com
Go get it and let me know what you think!

We also have a lot of great resources available that you will want to check out.  Some great instructional videos, the story behind the song, chord charts, & the theology of the song. It's for everyone!

So excited for you all to be a part of what is going on at The Austin Stone. More exciting stuff coming!! Stay tuned!!

Love Shines

Such a great day today leading at The Austin Stone. I'm completely humbled that God has allowed me to be part of this church and that He has been so gracious to let me help lead worship.
Today felt different. I felt like my heart connected in a deeper way. I guess that is what happens when you start consistently getting into His word. You start to know more of who He is, and what He's done for you and you can't help but worship Him. He is so good.
We've been singing a song called "Love Shines" some of the guys wrote it and it has been such an anthem for our church.  This song came out of a prayer from the book "The Valley of Vision".
The prayer is called "Love Lustres (Shines) at Calvary" it's beautiful....here it is:

My Father,
Enlarge my heart, warm my affections,
open my lips,
supply words that proclaim 'Love shines at Calvary'.
There grace removes my burdens and heaps them on Your Son,
made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me;
There Your infinite attributes were magnified,
and infinite atonement was made;
There infinite punishment was due,
and infinite punishment was endured.
Christ was all anguish that I might be brought in,
trodden down as an enemy
that I might be welcomed as a friend,
surrendered to hell's worst
that I might attain heaven's best,
stripped that I might be clothed,
wounded that I might be healed,
thirsty that I might drink,
tormented that I might be comforted,
made a shame that I might inherit glory,
entered darkness that I might have eternal light.
My Savior wept that all tears may be wiped
from my eyes,
groaned that I might have endless song,
endured all pain that I might have unfading health,
bore a thorny crown that I might have a glory-diadem,
bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
experienced reproach that I might receive
welcome,
closed his eyes in death that I might gaze
on unclouded brightness,
expired that I might for ever live.
O Father, who spared not Your only Son that You
might spare me,
All this transfer your love designed and
accomplished;
Help me to adore You by lips and life.
O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise,
Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed,
sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood,
hell's gates closed, heaven's portal open.
Go forth, O conquering God, and show me 
the cross, mighty to subdue, comfort and save.

The song that came out of this:

Amazing Love that sent His Son

To suffer in my stead.

The sinless King who died for me,
When I deserved His death.
Yes, I deserved His death.

The Savior wept my every tear,
He groaned that I might sing.
My thorny crown upon His head,
My cross, His suffering
My cross, His suffering

Your love shines
Love shines at Calvary, Calvary
Your love shines
Love shines at Calvary, Cavary

Jesus, Glorious Risen One,
No grave could keep Him stayed.
And He who triumphed over death,
Now lives and leads my way.
He lives and leads my way.
He lives and leads my way

Your love shines
Love shines at Calvary, Calvary
And we proclaim, that Jesus reigns
In victory, victory

From the cross from the grave you rose victoriously
Son of God, King of love you reign victoriously

Love this so much.

EASTER @ the Erwin Center: Set List

This last Sunday was unique. We had our Easter service at the Erwin Center. For those of you who don't know what the Erwin Center is...it's an arena where the Texas Longhorns play basketball...it's where concerts happen...like Lady GaGa and Taylor Swift.
We had an amazing opportunity to all come together for one service in one place to worship our Risen Savior! Our congregation has not been all in the same place for 6 years or so. It was so great. Worshiping in this place and lifting up the name of JESUS. He is with us. Thank You for being with us Jesus. You are alive!

I also loved that all of our worship leaders were together on one stage. We had our Austin Stone Choir...AND...the Mwangaza African Children's Choir with us. Unbelievable.
So here was our set list:

Campus: Frank Erwin Center
Worship Leaders: Aaron Ivey, Andy Melvin, Jimmy McNeal, Emily Ward

• Happy Day- Tim Hughes (Ben Cantelon and Tim Hughes)
• Stronger - Hillsong (Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan)
• Amazing Grace - hymn (John Newton)
• Mighty To Save - Hillsong (Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan)

Sermon: "Breakfast On The Beach With Jesus" - Matt Carter

• All I Need - Andy Melvin 
• God Undefeatable - The Austin Stone (Aaron Ivey, Ross King, Matt Carter) 
• With Everything - Hillsong United (Joel Houston)

If you want to see some amazing photos taken of the day go here.

Austin Stone Live Worship

I wanted to share some exciting news with you all...we have started the process of tracking for a new live worship album at the Austin Stone.  We are so excited and feel that God's hand has been all over this and over the songs that all of the worship leaders have been writing.
I will definitely keep you updated on this, hopefully in the fall we will release our first Austin Stone live worship album!
I wanted to share the lyrics of one of the songs that we have been singing lately, not sure yet whether this will be on the record or not, but we will be singing it on Sunday for our Easter service. It's called God Undefeatable, written by Aaron Ivey, Ross King & Matt Carter.

Behold the King who conquered
And overcame our sin
Behold our Glorious Victor
Whose mercy knows know end
He is true, He is right
Death is broken, He is alive

God undefeatable, Kingdom unshakeable
In majesty and power You reign
Love undeniable, matchless and bountiful
To waken us to life You came

And now our way is certain
Our souls in You secure
Through every pain and struggle
Your victory endures
You are true, You are right
Death is broken, He is alive

The love of God is greater than we dare to hope or dream
The love of God is greater than we dare to hope or dream
The hold of God is stronger than we dare to hope or dream
The hold of God is stronger than we dare to hope or dream