Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Good Riddance Day
by Tom Goodman
December 25, 2013

As you begin a new year, what from the old year would you like to dump?

In New York, a business group and the city's sanitation department invited New Yorkers to dispose of their bad memories. They set up shredders in the Times Square Visitors Center and declared it "Good Riddance Day."

They took everything from photos of ex-lovers to lousy report cards. Recycling bins were available for items that couldn't be shredded, like embarrassing fashion mistakes, loathed CDs, and even tempting holiday desserts. The organizers also provided a form for people to jot down memories they wished would go away.

A grand prize of $250 was awarded to the one most creative in letting go of old baggage.

The Apostle Paul could have won an award like that. In Philippians 3:12-14, he told us that the only way to advance in spiritual maturity is to shred the past:

I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

So, let New Year's Day be "Good Riddance Day" for you! What do you need to toss?

First, forget the failures that have paralyzed you with guilt. Some of us have slowed to a crawl in the race to Christian maturity because we're dragging this mighty weight of guilt behind us every step of the way. Why do we still carry what our Savior has carried away?

But we need to forget not only our mistakes but also our successes. Believe it or not, success is as potent as guilt in slowing us down. Have you ever noticed that you can't run and pat yourself on the back at the same time? That's true metaphorically as well as literally!

Life's journey involves "forgetting what is behind" and thus "straining to what is ahead." This Sunday, December 29, I plan to take you through an Old Testament song that reminds us of how God cares for us as we walk life's path. Get ready to start your 2014 right with this important study. We meet at 10:00 a.m.

--Tom

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Good Riddance Day by Tom Goodman December 25, 2013 As you begin a new year, what from the old year would you like to dump? In New York, a business group and the city's sanitation department invited New Yorkers to dispose of their bad memories. They set up shredders in the Times Square Visitors Center and declared it "Good Riddance Day." They took everything from photos of ex-lovers to lousy report cards. Recycling bins were available for items that couldn't be shredded, like embarrassing fashion mistakes, loathed CDs, and even tempting holiday desserts. The organizers also provided a form for people to jot down memories they wished would go away. A grand prize of $250 was awarded to the one most creative in letting go of old baggage. The Apostle Paul could have won an award like that. In Philippians 3:12-14, he told us that the only way to advance in spiritual maturity is to shred the past: I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. So, let New Year's Day be "Good Riddance Day" for you! What do you need to toss? First, forget the failures that have paralyzed you with guilt. Some of us have slowed to a crawl in the race to Christian maturity because we're dragging this mighty weight of guilt behind us every step of the way. Why do we still carry what our Savior has carried away? But we need to forget not only our mistakes but also our successes. Believe it or not, success is as potent as guilt in slowing us down. Have you ever noticed that you can't run and pat yourself on the back at the same time? That's true metaphorically as well as literally! Life's journey involves "forgetting what is behind" and thus "straining to what is ahead." This Sunday, December 29, I plan to take you through an Old Testament song that reminds us of how God cares for us as we walk life's path. Get ready to start your 2014 right with this important study. We meet at 10:00 a.m. --Tom Beacon Articles Available Online: The staff newsletters that appear each week in the Beacon are also available on our website. You can find them here. Check out my weblog here. 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.