Cypress Creek Christian Church - Disciples of Christ

Cypress Creek Christian Church - Disciples of Christ Cypress Creek Christian Church is a community of people striving to Put Love First In All Things.

WE AFFIRM...
Because God first loved us, (1 John 4:19) Cypress Creek Christian Church is a faith community that recognizes and affirms that all people are made in the image of God. We welcome people of every race, gender, age, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, economic circumstance, faith background, and political affiliation to participate fully in the life of our church. This incl

udes, but is not limited to, baptism, communion, marriage, ordination, and parent/child dedications. We value a diversity of beliefs and are committed to Living the Love First Life with all of God's people.

06/07/2026

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
June 7, 2026
In Isaiah 66:13, the prophet writes:

As a mother comforts her child,
so I will comfort you;
you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

What images are important to you? People tend to love the image of God as the Good Shepherd, yet how many of us have known a shepherd well enough to provide a detailed description of what a good shepherd is like as compared to a bad shepherd? We are a bit more challenged in our modern context, but so many in the ancient world would have firsthand knowledge of a shepherd, or at least heard firsthand accounts of excellent shepherds who protected their flocks from danger or rescued a lost animal. Whenever scripture uses an image or metaphor for God, it usually has more to do with the attributes of whatever God is being compared to. God is not a smelly person desperately needing a shave who wanders the countryside getting paid to watch over other people’s animals. But there are attributes associated with a good shepherd that help us to understand God, along with a mother who comforts her child and a father who welcomes home a lost son and so many other wonderful images. When we are trying to talk about God who is infinite and mysterious, we need things that are a bit more accessible. This is where music, poetry, dance, painting, sculpture, and other expressions of art are also helpful. In the end, they are all seeking to evoke an experience of the God who will always be more than anything we can describe or know.

Thank you for being patient as I try to know you, Holy and Magnificent God. In those moments when I glimpse you, I am beyond thankful. And in those other moments when my glimpse captures something other than you, I pray for a little help in guiding me back to where I need to be. Amen.

06/06/2026

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
June 6, 2026
Yesterday, I attended a clergy event where Dr. Lisa Davidson, the Academic Dean at Phillips Seminary and Professor of Hebrew Bible, asked us a question: Do you want your doctor to provide you care based on what was known 2000 years ago? Let’s just say that we all agreed the answer was a big NO! Whether I am going in for a sore throat or major surgery, I don’t want a doctor who says, “I was trained in 9th century bloodletting as a way of removing demonic possession. If that doesn’t work, I have some very hungry leeches.” In the same way, I want to draw upon the best and most recent scholarship of the Bible. That’s not to say that a 4th century or 14th century religious writer has no insight, but scholarship is about building on what was previously learned. The Book of Revelation is an excellent example as people have, throughout the centuries, misunderstood the unique genre of apocalyptic literature, often assuming Revelation was a writing never before seen. In fact, it was a common form of literature, with the word apocalyptic meaning to unveil or unfold. It was never intended to give us a description of the future, but words of hope about the present time in which the document was written. It attempted to provide an alternative vision to those who were suffering and feeling helpless. Basically saying, “Though it may look bad, let me show you how things are viewed from God’s perspective.” Instead of trying to figure out a direct correlation between a strange reference in the Book of Revelation and some modern-day event, the three takeaways for us are: 1. God wins in the end; 2. Unjust empires/governments that bring suffering upon the weak and marginalized will fall; 3. Faithfulness to the ways of God, even in the face of suffering, is what God is inviting us to do. Interesting, those who have throughout history protected unjust governments are the first to suggest the Book of Revelation is inviting us to make those connections to the modern day, and doing so with an alarmist attitude. They want people to think that being faithful is about becoming obsessed with the 666, the Lake of Fire, or the Seven Seals (things referenced in the Book of Revelation). Instead, I think Jesus is inviting us to live love, compassion, and kindness in the face of unjust “empires” in this world. Modern scholarship helps us pull the Book of Revelation out of the hands of those who are playing a shell game with people’s lives.

There are those who seek to abuse people by using the Bible as it was never intended to be used. Continue to provide us wisdom, O God of All Wisdom, including the marvelous insights of those who have spent their lives drawing upon the best information available to us. Amen.

06/05/2026

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
June 5, 2026
Many churches are doubling down on divorce. What I mean is that more churches are feeling the need to relegate those who have experienced divorce to a lower status in the life of the church. Depending on the congregation, this post-divorce status can look a little different, but in most cases, it means that you can attend worship and give money, but you cannot serve on the church board, teach a class, or participate in worship leadership. What’s interesting is the development of the church’s opinion on divorce. In Mark’s Gospel (the first Gospel written), Jesus is unequivocally against divorce. Luke is pretty similar, but Matthew’s Gospel (written after Mark and probably after Luke) offers an exception to the rule found in Mark and Luke. According to Matthew, divorce and remarriage are okay if the divorce was triggered by adultery. It’s interesting how the last Gospel to be written, John’s Gospel, has no record of Jesus saying anything on divorce. The Apostle Paul appears to hold the general line on divorce, yet with some additional grace and an exception of his own making. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 7, “I also have something to say to everyone else. It is from me, not a direct command from the Lord.” So, do we follow Paul or Jesus? And if we follow Jesus, do we follow Matthew or Mark’s Jesus? I mentioned in yesterday’s Etching the notion of univocality, the idea that everything in the Bible speaks with a single, harmonious voice. With a bit of snootiness, I enjoy watching those who claim univocality try to amalgamate what appear to be additional exceptions and modifications to the rule on divorce. If there is univocality to the Bible, then the one speaking has a really bad memory. Or maybe a better explanation is that in the ancient world, divorce was complicated as it is today, though the complicating factors in the ancient world were different than most circumstances today. It’s interesting how the further we got away from the actual time of Jesus, in the case of the Gospels, or the further away we got from the geographic region in which the Jesus story was told, in the case of the Apostle Paul’s travels, there appears to be some reinterpretation of the rule on divorce. It wasn’t that anyone was in favor of divorce, but like any hard and fast rule, the application of that rule in real life becomes complicated. Welcome to what it means to follow Jesus 2000 years after he concluded his ministry.

We look to you, Generous and Grace-filled God, for you are the one who knows us and loves us. We look to you for how we are to live our lives, and as we look to you, you see us as individuals seeking to live faithfully in a complicated world. Expectations of how to live faithfully on the edge of the Roman Empire centuries ago have changed because the world has changed. Your love and mercy, and the demand for justice and kindness have never changed, yet how we implement them in an ever-changing world must change if true faithfulness is our goal. Help us to perceive, as is described in Isaiah, the new thing you are doing. Amen.

Sunday's Message
06/04/2026

Sunday's Message

06/04/2026

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
June 4, 2026
There is a lot of confusion when it comes to the Bible, specifically what is called univocality. This assumption suggests the Bible speaks with one voice from Testament to Testament, from poetry to narrative, from prophetic declaration to parable. The one voice would be, of course, God’s voice. And most folks take the next step and argue divine inspiration and the inerrancy of the Bible—the ideas that God wrote the Bible and the original manuscripts have no errors or contradictions. When that is a person’s starting place, they often find themselves needing to do a lot of rhetorical and linguistic gymnastics to make things fit. The other day, I was hoping to wear a pair of pants I really liked with a new shirt. Putting them side by side, they just didn’t work. How about a different color belt or shoes? Maybe that will help blend them. Yet nothing I did was going to make that shirt and those pants look good together.

Dan McClellan, the author of the book “The Bible Says So…,” shared on one of his online videos how the Bible expresses univocality on only one topic, and that is slavery. From beginning to end, the Bible is sort of in favor of or generally neutral on the whole idea. For those trying to argue divine inspiration and univocality struggle with slavery, often saying things like, “Well, slavery back in those days wasn’t that bad.” I don’t know about you, but I find the word ‘slavery’ followed by the words ‘wasn’t that bad’ to be deeply troubling. Trying to argue the univocality of the Bible is like trying to argue the univocality of the Barbara Bush Library across from the church. What makes a library amazing is the plethora of ideas and opinions, often offering different perspectives and sometimes being in sharp contrast.

And I would suggest what makes the Bible amazing is the plethora of ideas and opinions, and sometimes they contradict one another. Like the pants and shirt that don’t go well together, no belt is ever going to make someone say, “Oh, I see how those fit perfectly.” The Bible is for me this breathtaking evolution of thought and insight, as people experience the Holy and try to make sense of those experiences in times of happiness, grief, injustice, new beginnings, uncertainty, fear, etc. My understanding of God forty years ago looked a whole lot different than it does today. That’s not to say that my understanding of God was wrong, but I needed some more life under my belt to give depth to that understanding. And I only hope it continues to gain depth.

Allow me to release my expectations and not impose upon you or the Scriptures what was never meant to be. Instead, Holy God, I yearn for a faith that embraces complexity, growth in understanding, setbacks, questions, frustration, renewal, and every other aspect of life that is intricately woven into this sacred library we call the Bible. Amen.

06/03/2026

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
June 3, 2026
Why Pride month? Yes, June is Pride month, a time in which a bit more focus falls upon those in the LGBTQ+ community. Like other months with a special focus, June provides an opportunity for additional education, acknowledgment of concerns, and questions.

January is Dry January, a time to encourage and celebrate sobriety.
February is Black History Month.
March is Brain Tumor Awareness (and Mustache March).
April is Autism Acceptance Month and National Pet Month.
May is ALS Awareness Month, along with National Stroke Awareness.
July is, of course, National Ice Cream Month.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month.
September brings a celebration of Gospel Music, along with Bourbon.
October is Hispanic Heritage Month, along with Domestic Violence awareness.
November is Native American Heritage Month.
And December… well, we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Of course, I only mentioned a few, some serious and some playful. With that said, I have come to appreciate the awareness of my lack of awareness. Years ago, I watched a documentary during Native American Heritage Month on the horrific treatment of indigenous children in this country, even into the 1970s. I considered myself pretty well read, but the documentary opened a door that I would rather have not opened, yet ignorance is not helpful when dealing with generational trauma. We need to speak the truth, otherwise we will find ourselves repeating and repeating again. We not only want to put an end to the cycle of painful mistakes, but to have the capacity to see patterns and potentialities. So often it is basically the same mistake, just under a different name.

God of the Universe, provide us with a passion for learning, and not just the answers as if we were taking a test. Encourage our curiosity that we might learn enough to make good and just choices, as we give up those things that are neither good nor just. Amen.

For those attending the event on Saturday (9am–3pm), Tackling Those Clobber Texts, and are wanting to carpool, please co...
06/02/2026

For those attending the event on Saturday (9am–3pm), Tackling Those Clobber Texts, and are wanting to carpool, please contact the church office or reach out to Pastor Bruce.

06/02/2026

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
June 2, 2026
We are already into June — how time flies when you’re having fun. Now I don’t want to make too much of this, but I need to say something to Cypress Creek Christian Church. We have tough days around the church. There have been numerous times when I have gone home shaking my head wondering how we were going to solve a problem or whether God’s call to ministry was intended for someone other than me. With a handful of less than good days, and we all have them, I feel as if I can say that we are having fun. Well, maybe instead of fun, I would offer purposeful, impactful, and joyful. Time does seem to fly when you feel as if you have purpose, this purpose is making an impact, and both you and the people you’re impacting find joy. Church has always been hard, but since the pandemic, it has taken on a new level of hard. For many churches, the pandemic and the culture shift that occurred around it have brought dramatic drops in worship attendance, significant financial challenges, staff layoffs, and a lot of blaming. This makes church life less than fun for everyone, and that lack of fun is clearly felt by those who might be visiting the church. It’s rare for a week to pass without me having a conversation with a clergy colleague who finds themselves in what feels like a congregational death spiral. I empathize with these ministers who often stepped into churches that were already unhealthy, purposefully challenged, and financially struggling. Unfortunately, a new minister’s enthusiasm is quickly and completely quashed by those who have allowed themselves to slip into a survivalist mindset. As much as I believe in miracles, when a church gets there, it is nearly hopeless. And even more important, it is not fun. So this is a long way to saying, “Thank you!” There is still plenty of work for us to do as a church and many things we can improve upon, but I am humbled to serve a church where there is purpose, impact, and joy. And yes, it is fun… most every day.

Holy Spirit, O Source of Inspiration, we give you thanks for the way you empower and guide us for the work we are being called to do. Even on those challenging days, keep before us a sense of purpose that honors the ways of Jesus and glorifies you. Amen.

06/01/2026

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
June 1, 2026
Prayer for the Week: Eternal Source of Love, provide me peace amidst the chaos. When foundational components of daily life are shaken and the underpinning of my faith appears tenuous, I seek to know you as Rock and Resolute. Provide me peace amidst the chaos, a peace that comes from knowing that you are unshaken and that the tenuousness I feel will dissipate in your steadfastness. Amen.

05/31/2026

Cypress Creek Christian Church, Rev. Bruce Frogge, preaching

CONSIDER A GIFT AS A PART OF WORSHIP! https://secure.myvanco.com/YJT0/home
You can also send a check by mail to:
6823 Cypresswood Dr. Spring, TX. 77379


Music Credits:
Music under copyright presented under Christian Copyright Services License No. 12264 for online performance from Cypress Creek Christian Church. Motion picture clips and contemporary music presented using CCLI License No. 2366409.

House of the Lord - CCLI Song # 7168995
Jonathan Smith | Phil Wickham
© 2020 Be Essential Songs; Cashagamble Jet Music; Phil Wickham Music; Simply Global Songs

How Great Is Our God - CCLI Song # 4348399
Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | Jesse Reeves
© 2004 Rising Springs Music; Vamos Publishing; worshiptogether.com songs; Wondrously Made Songs

Holy Spirit - CCLI Song # 6087919
Bryan Torwalt | Katie Torwalt
© 2011 Capitol CMG Genesis; Jesus Culture Music

You Say - CCLI Song # 7071357
Bebo Norman | Jason Ingram | Lauren Daigle | Mike Donehey | Paul Mabury
© 2018 Appstreet Music; CentricSongs; See You At The Pub; Fellow Ships Music; Formerly Music; ICM Crescendo Royalty Publishing; So Essential Tunes

Come to the Table - CCLI Song # 7036352
Ben Glover | Ben McDonald | Dave Frey
© 9t One Songs; Ariose Music; Mike Curb Music; Pencil Prophet Publishing; Run Run Milo

Blessed Be Your Name - CCLI Song # 3798438
Beth Redman | Matt Redman
© 2002 Thankyou Music Ltd

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6823 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX
77379

Telephone

+12813767113

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