Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

A Spiritual Pedicure
by Tom Goodman
October 8, 2008

Together @ 10
Watch the promotional video on our website.

Every March, Montpelier hosts a very unusual contest. Challengers arrive in the Vermont town to compete in the International Rotten Sneaker Contest.

Sponsored by the Odor-Eaters company, contestant's athletic shoes are judged in such categories as frayed laces, floppy soles, tattered body, and, of course, stench. This year's winner was fifteen-year-old Benjamin Russell, who took home the grand prize with a pair of two year-old sneakers that nearly caused the judges to pass out.

I guess you could say that, among all the contestants, he "out-ranked" them all.

Sad to say, but a lot of us in here would be hot contenders for that prize, because our feet aren't very beautiful. At least, not the way the Bible defines beautiful feet.

Isaiah 52:7 says, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news." According to that passage, it's not what your feet look like or smell like that make them beautiful. Instead, it's what your feet are doing that make them beautiful. Feet that bring good news are beautiful feet. In ancient days, there was no way to phone, fax, e-mail, or text. Messages were taken by runner.

In his imagination, Isaiah sees a messenger speeding across the hills toward Jerusalem, shouting the news that God was on his way to reign from Zion. That was good news in Isaiah's day. When Isaiah 52 was first recorded, Jerusalem was in ruins, the temple was destroyed, and the leading citizens had been marched into exile. Into that gloom came this message of hope: "I see a messenger who does not walk with plodding steps bringing bad news. No, but his feet are beautiful -- they skip, they dance, they race excitedly across the hills carrying a messenger with the good news of salvation!"

According to Isaiah 52, then, those who share the glory of God with others have beautiful feet.

This Sunday, we're offering a spiritual pedicure for anyone who wants his or her feet to be a bit more beautiful for God. Come this Sunday to learn how to be more effective at communicating God's Good News to your friends. We meet at 9:30am and 10:45am for one more Sunday!

--Tom

Weblog: Check out "Get Anchored." Every Sunday I post a new "Song of the Week." Tuesday I post some entertaining and informative "Links to Your World."

Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them!

Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail.

FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.HillcrestAustin.org

LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here

MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.

Winning Ways - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas	Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
Manage Your Subscription -- Subscribe/Unsubscribe	Contact Us About Your Subscription
A Spiritual Pedicure by Tom Goodman October 8, 2008 Together @ 10 Watch the promotional video on our website. Every March, Montpelier hosts a very unusual contest. Challengers arrive in the Vermont town to compete in the International Rotten Sneaker Contest. Sponsored by the Odor-Eaters company, contestant's athletic shoes are judged in such categories as frayed laces, floppy soles, tattered body, and, of course, stench. This year's winner was fifteen-year-old Benjamin Russell, who took home the grand prize with a pair of two year-old sneakers that nearly caused the judges to pass out. I guess you could say that, among all the contestants, he "out-ranked" them all. Sad to say, but a lot of us in here would be hot contenders for that prize, because our feet aren't very beautiful. At least, not the way the Bible defines beautiful feet. Isaiah 52:7 says, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news." According to that passage, it's not what your feet look like or smell like that make them beautiful. Instead, it's what your feet are doing that make them beautiful. Feet that bring good news are beautiful feet. In ancient days, there was no way to phone, fax, e-mail, or text. Messages were taken by runner. In his imagination, Isaiah sees a messenger speeding across the hills toward Jerusalem, shouting the news that God was on his way to reign from Zion. That was good news in Isaiah's day. When Isaiah 52 was first recorded, Jerusalem was in ruins, the temple was destroyed, and the leading citizens had been marched into exile. Into that gloom came this message of hope: "I see a messenger who does not walk with plodding steps bringing bad news. No, but his feet are beautiful -- they skip, they dance, they race excitedly across the hills carrying a messenger with the good news of salvation!" According to Isaiah 52, then, those who share the glory of God with others have beautiful feet. This Sunday, we're offering a spiritual pedicure for anyone who wants his or her feet to be a bit more beautiful for God. Come this Sunday to learn how to be more effective at communicating God's Good News to your friends. We meet at 9:30am and 10:45am for one more Sunday! --Tom Weblog: Check out "Get Anchored." Every Sunday I post a new "Song of the Week." Tuesday I post some entertaining and informative "Links to Your World." Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.HillcrestAustin.org LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.