ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
October 15, 2026
Guest Writer – Roger Elliott, Church Member
I have it on very good authority that the Hebrew phrase which sounds like mayim chayim, and is prominently featured in Leviticus, Jeremiah, Zachariah, and Ezekiel, means “living waters”. It was required for purification ceremonies.
It designates water that moves and flows. The kind you can drink, which refreshes you and sustains you. Think of a spring or creek or fountain or river.
This is contrasted with the kind of water in a cistern or barrel or puddle. This water can become foul, making your new shoes muddy or breeding mosquitos.
In Psalms and John and Revelation, we hear living waters idealized as flowing from God and Jesus and those who fervently follow them. It sounds like something good that we should seek to emulate.
I wonder if we can find such flowing, refreshing, life giving waters at Cypress Creek Christian Church.
I will resist the urge to simply list 50 members of the congregation who personally give me living waters on a routine basis, for fear of leaving out the rest.
I will specifically note a few ways this church offers living waters to our direct community: Sleep in heavenly peace. NAM. Pantry bags. Blessings of backpacks and animals. The community center, including classes, FACE concerts, and group hosting. The Dickens Market. Choir and handbells, including worship, the Broadway Dinner and music festivals. Holy Grounds, mission trips, and youth group activities. An open communion table, interfaith programs, and activities. Hosting other congregations as they have a need. The HOPE center, care givers support, wedding support, Craft Crowd, VBS, sidewalk chalk, and spirit days.
I could do this for 3 more paragraphs, but Bruce would give me that look.
Let me also suggest that Living a Love First Life is exactly a manifestation of living waters. When we love, we affirm all people where they are, regardless of who they are, what demographics they represent, and where they have come from, both physically and otherwise.
As long as we continue to spread love into our church, our neighborhood, and the community at large, we will continue to experience the benefits of mayim chayim, and avoid breeding mosquitos.
