Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

God Can
by Tom Goodman
July 22, 2009

Howard Stern once shook his head after listening to her radio program and said, "Liz, you've got to clean up your act!"

Liz Curtis Higgs had shocked the king of "shock jocks"! As she admits now, though, "It wasn't my on-air show that was in trouble; it was my risky off-air escapades."

You may know Higgs as the best-selling author of twenty-two books. Many have been introduced to her through a study called Bad Girls of the Bible, with over half-a-million copies in print.

She knows something about the subject of bad girls. In her devotional book, Rise and Shine, she wrote, "By my twentieth birthday, I was spending four and five nights a week on a bar stool, Southern Comfort in my glass and longing in my eyes. Like the country song says, I was 'looking for love in all the wrong places.' I found companionship in many but comfort in none."

She was a radio personality at various stations and formats, including Howard Stern's Detroit station. It was at an oldies station in Louisville, Kentucky, that things changed. She had reached the lowest point of self-destruction, "playing dangerous games with marijuana, speed, cocaine, alcohol, and a promiscuous lifestyle," she wrote. "I'm one of those people who had to fall all the way down to the bottom of the pit before I was forced to look up for help."

"Leaning over my pit of despair and extending a hand of friendship was a husband-and-wife team who had just arrived in town to do the morning show at my radio station. Although they had enjoyed much worldly success, what these two talked about most was Jesus Christ. Even more amazing, they seemed to like and accept me, 'as is.' Simply put, they loved me with a love so compelling that I was powerless to resist it."

Higgs made her commitment to Christ on the seventh Sunday attending at a friend's church. She now impacts hundreds of thousands for the cause of Christ.

We ask, "Can God still love me after what I've done? Can God still use me in his work? Can God accept me into his eternal joy after I die?"

God can.

And that's the God we celebrate each Sunday. I'm looking forward to joining my Hillcrest Family in that celebration this Sunday, God willing! I wrap up my mission service in Zambia this Wednesday, and start the long trip home on Thursday. I can't wait to join you in worship!

--Tom

Weblog: Check out my blog, "Get Anchored." Some things to look for...

Song of the Week, posted every Sunday.
Links to Your World, interesting and informative links, posted every Tuesday.

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Winning Ways - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas	Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
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God Can by Tom Goodman July 22, 2009 Howard Stern once shook his head after listening to her radio program and said, "Liz, you've got to clean up your act!" Liz Curtis Higgs had shocked the king of "shock jocks"! As she admits now, though, "It wasn't my on-air show that was in trouble; it was my risky off-air escapades." You may know Higgs as the best-selling author of twenty-two books. Many have been introduced to her through a study called Bad Girls of the Bible, with over half-a-million copies in print. She knows something about the subject of bad girls. In her devotional book, Rise and Shine, she wrote, "By my twentieth birthday, I was spending four and five nights a week on a bar stool, Southern Comfort in my glass and longing in my eyes. Like the country song says, I was 'looking for love in all the wrong places.' I found companionship in many but comfort in none." She was a radio personality at various stations and formats, including Howard Stern's Detroit station. It was at an oldies station in Louisville, Kentucky, that things changed. She had reached the lowest point of self-destruction, "playing dangerous games with marijuana, speed, cocaine, alcohol, and a promiscuous lifestyle," she wrote. "I'm one of those people who had to fall all the way down to the bottom of the pit before I was forced to look up for help." "Leaning over my pit of despair and extending a hand of friendship was a husband-and-wife team who had just arrived in town to do the morning show at my radio station. Although they had enjoyed much worldly success, what these two talked about most was Jesus Christ. Even more amazing, they seemed to like and accept me, 'as is.' Simply put, they loved me with a love so compelling that I was powerless to resist it." Higgs made her commitment to Christ on the seventh Sunday attending at a friend's church. She now impacts hundreds of thousands for the cause of Christ. We ask, "Can God still love me after what I've done? Can God still use me in his work? Can God accept me into his eternal joy after I die?" God can. And that's the God we celebrate each Sunday. I'm looking forward to joining my Hillcrest Family in that celebration this Sunday, God willing! I wrap up my mission service in Zambia this Wednesday, and start the long trip home on Thursday. I can't wait to join you in worship! --Tom Weblog: Check out my blog, "Get Anchored." Some things to look for... Song of the Week, posted every Sunday. Links to Your World, interesting and informative links, posted every Tuesday. 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.