Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Of Father's Day and Foundations
by Tom Goodman
June 11, 2014

Here's a parable for our times: Half of the town of Kiruna, Sweden, is being moved two miles from its current site at a cost of $4 billion. Decades of iron ore mining has slowly eroded the foundations of the town built above the world's largest underground mine.

It's an expensive lesson: Lose the foundation, lose your way of life.

Across the next 40 to 50 years, some buildings will be torn down and rebuilt. Others will be taken down piece by piece and reassembled in their new locale, including a historic wooden church. The church was once voted Sweden's most beautiful building, but the ground it was built upon is giving way, so it won't last.

Some remain uncertain that the new location will be any more secure than the sagging earth they're leaving. For the relocation, the state-run mine has chosen a spot where they have deposited waste rock from the mining process.

Nevertheless, most accept the move as inevitable. "The people in Kiruna have known since 100 years ago they were living on iron ore," said Vice Mayor Hans Swedell. "They knew that sometime they would have to move."

As I said: A parable for our times.

A little apathy in our civic duties, chronic laziness in our parenting, a few bad decisions in our business, a few compromises in our church -- like the tap, tap, tap of a miner's pick, these things can slowly chip away at the foundations. The consequences aren't immediate, but over time we find we've jeopardized the life we hoped to build.

It's a good reminder for dads as we approach Father's Day. Spiritual leaders have to pay attention to the foundation on which they build their homes. But it's a good reminder for all of us who want to build something that lasts.

In Isaiah 58:12, the prophet looked hopefully for people who would "rebuild the ancient ruins" and "raise up the age-old foundations." Let's be the fulfillment of that prophecy in our own families, churches, community, and nation.

What can you do today to tend the convictions and habits that uphold the things important to you?

Celebration of Our "A Beautiful Thing" Campaign. On Sunday, June 22, we'll celebrate the conclusion of our 3-year capital campaign. We're only $25,000 short of our $840,000 goal. Help us close that gap in the next two weeks!

--Tom

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Of Father's Day and Foundations by Tom Goodman June 11, 2014 Here's a parable for our times: Half of the town of Kiruna, Sweden, is being moved two miles from its current site at a cost of $4 billion. Decades of iron ore mining has slowly eroded the foundations of the town built above the world's largest underground mine. It's an expensive lesson: Lose the foundation, lose your way of life. Across the next 40 to 50 years, some buildings will be torn down and rebuilt. Others will be taken down piece by piece and reassembled in their new locale, including a historic wooden church. The church was once voted Sweden's most beautiful building, but the ground it was built upon is giving way, so it won't last. Some remain uncertain that the new location will be any more secure than the sagging earth they're leaving. For the relocation, the state-run mine has chosen a spot where they have deposited waste rock from the mining process. Nevertheless, most accept the move as inevitable. "The people in Kiruna have known since 100 years ago they were living on iron ore," said Vice Mayor Hans Swedell. "They knew that sometime they would have to move." As I said: A parable for our times. A little apathy in our civic duties, chronic laziness in our parenting, a few bad decisions in our business, a few compromises in our church -- like the tap, tap, tap of a miner's pick, these things can slowly chip away at the foundations. The consequences aren't immediate, but over time we find we've jeopardized the life we hoped to build. It's a good reminder for dads as we approach Father's Day. Spiritual leaders have to pay attention to the foundation on which they build their homes. But it's a good reminder for all of us who want to build something that lasts. In Isaiah 58:12, the prophet looked hopefully for people who would "rebuild the ancient ruins" and "raise up the age-old foundations." Let's be the fulfillment of that prophecy in our own families, churches, community, and nation. What can you do today to tend the convictions and habits that uphold the things important to you? Celebration of Our "A Beautiful Thing" Campaign. On Sunday, June 22, we'll celebrate the conclusion of our 3-year capital campaign. We're only $25,000 short of our $840,000 goal. Help us close that gap in the next two weeks! --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.