Winning Ways - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas  Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
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“Where There’s Life, There’s Cope”
Hillcrest Church Office
September 17, 2003

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Here is this week’s WINNING WAYS . . . .


“Where There’s Life, There’s Cope”
by Tom Goodman

When the novelist Tom Clancy was on “Larry King Live” a few years ago, he was asked about the difference between reality writing and fiction writing.  He said, “The difference between reality and fiction?  Fiction has to make sense.”  And we know he’s right . . .   Reality doesn’t always make sense.

But the Bible repeatedly encourages us to react to our trials with joy:

“Let your trials be an opportunity for joy”  – James 1:2
“Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you. . . ”  – Colossians 1:24
“We . . . rejoice in our sufferings”  – Romans 5:3-4
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice . . .”  – 1 Peter 4:12-13
Now, you have to understand that James and Paul and Peter are not saying it’s wrong to cry.  They’re not saying we paint a smile on our faces and pretend we’re not really aching inside.  There is a kind of irony in their words meant to catch attention by surprise.  They’re telling us that we can take charge of the attitude we have toward hardship.  They’re saying if sorrow comes from the pain and confusion and frustration of difficulties, then a sense of joy can come from seeing something productive come out of difficulties.

This Sunday we’ll continue our morning series called “On-Purpose Living” with a message called “On-Purpose Trials.”  We’re going to look at six things that we can gain from difficulty:

Look on trials as a chance to grow.
Look on trials as a chance to experience the presence of God.
Look on trials as a chance to witness.
Look on trials as a chance to re-evaluate your priorities.
Look on trials as a chance to turn our thoughts to our true home.
Look on trials as a chance to discover Jesus.
Bring a friend, and I’ll see you at 8:30 or 10:45!
– Tom


COMING THIS SUNDAY . . . .

“FREAKY SUNDAY!”  I’m sure you’ve heard of the popular movie, “Freaky Friday.”  The story’s built around a mom and daughter who deeply misunderstood each other until one “Freaky Friday.”  A freak event put the mom in the daughter’s body and the daughter in the mom’s body.  They understood a lot more about each other after spending some time in the other person’s “skin.”  Our youth Sunday School classes have announced this Sunday, September 21, as “Freaky Sunday.”  Parents will attend their teen’s classes and the youth will attend their parents classes.  Some important items will be discussed, so make sure to support this event this week!
BAPTISM is scheduled for this Sunday.  Contact me at 345-3771 or tomgoodman@hbcaustin.org if you’re interested in this important step of discipleship.
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