Winning Ways: Get Busy Living

Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.

Ten points for Gryffindor if you tell me the source of that quote.

Okay, time’s up. It’s from The Shawshank Redemption, and it’s on my mind as I prepare for this week’s message.

The Shawshank Redemption is a story about two men. There’s Andy Dufresne, who is unjustly convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment,  and there’s his friend Red. They spend many hard years in prison, but one day Andy tells Red that if he is ever freed from Shawshank, he should go to a certain town and find a certain tree in a certain cornfield, and push aside a certain rock. There he will uncover a little tin can containing enough money to make it across the border to a little Mexican fishing village. Not long after this conversation, Andy escapes from prison and Red is paroled.  Red, dutiful friend that he is, finds the cornfield, the tree, the rocks, the tin can, and the money. He also finds a letter from Andy: “Red, never forget. Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.” At that moment, Red realizes he has two choices: “Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’.”

This Sunday, come and learn why hope is such a good thing, maybe the best of things. It’s part of our series, “Restoring Lost Values.” We’re looking at Faith, Hope, Love, and Generosity. Join us @ 10!

Have You Signed Up for Our “Beautiful Thing” Banquet?

Thursday, May 12, join your church family for dinner! Preschool care will be provided, and the children and the youth will have their own meal and age-appropriate stewardship challenge while adults are in the Multi-Purpose Center.

Someone asked why we’re calling it a “Family Dinner” if the “family” is in different parts of our building. The simple answer is: we can’t fit everyone in the MPC. In addition, though, we think we can make the evening more interesting for your kids and teens if we provide a meal and a brief lesson/activity for them that is more age-appropriate.

I’m amazed at the energy and creativity that the organizers are putting into this banquet! I think you and your kids and teens will find this a night to remember! It’s free, but you have to register. Sign up this Sunday at church, or go online to:

www.HillcrestAustin.info/events/FamilyDinnerTickets

___________________________________

Each Wednesday I post my article from "Winning Ways," an e-newsletter that goes out to 1200 subscribers. If you want to subscribe to "Winning Ways," sign up here.