This week's newsletter from Steve

We had a great meeting with our youth parents yesterday after church! We have amazing students, so it comes as no surprise that their parents are amazing as well! Thank all of you that joined us!

We already have quite a group signed up for our Disciple Now retreat to Lone Tree Ranch during the week of March 15-19, 2015. This is exciting for us!  We do many great events throughout the year, but there are two that I believe are vitally important for students to attend, if at all possible.  They are the Disciple Now Retreat in March, and Youth Camp in July. Both are amazing opportunities to “get away from it all” and focus our attention on Jesus, the Lord of our lives. These events also help unite our students, who come from well over a dozen schools in the area. We also highly encourage our students to bring friends with them. What a time for a friend to get to hear about the Lord, while being loved on by a great group of adults and students! Please let me know if you have any questions! 

Have a wonderful week!

This week's newsletter from Gene

Several of our seniors requested I look into a cruise to Alaska this summer. They all received email information about it this past week, but there may be some who haven’t heard about it yet. It will be August 14-22, sailing from and returning to Seattle, and it is open to anyone who would like to go. Price, including air fare, will run between $1,600 and $2,400 dollars per person, depending upon the room type selected. There is some special pricing available by booking during February, so there is a $100.00 refundable deposit due by this next Sunday, February 22. This will allow us to get more exact pricing when we determine actual interest. So far the interest has been high and we should be able to get the 15+ people needed to make the trip. You may bring your deposit by the church office anytime this week, or just put it in an offering envelope this Sunday with your name and clearly marked “Alaska” to reserve your place. We will be on the Crown Princess of Princess Cruise Line. You can look up ship information online. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact me at gene@hillcrestaustin.org.

We had a good group of seniors this past Saturday getting their computer questions answered. We will schedule another session and let you know. Thank you, Steve and Sheryl Southwell, for volunteering for this ministry. The Southwells not only want to help with computer issues, but are available to help you make decisions regarding your computers, phones, tablets, etc. There is no charge; they just want to make seniors’ lives easier and make sure they are not taken advantage of in any way. If you would like to contact them with questions, please let me know and I’ll put you in touch with them.

ICYMI Thursday

by Tom Goodman

Can we go back to this? On Feb. 9, 1942, year-round Daylight Saving Time goes into effect until the end of World War II

 

Sermon Illustration Alert: A Navy SEAL Explains 8 Secrets to Grit and Resilience

 

Ross Douthat’s NYT column critiquing the President’s prayer breakfast remarks was superb. He followed up with “The Case Against The Case Against the Crusades.” I found Douthat’s critique to be better than most conservative reactions. The President was right, of course, that Southern Christians (my forbears) were complicit in Southern lynchings and Jim Crow laws. But he used these historic blights in a one-dimensional way, because it was Christianity that corrected this darkness, too. Besides, as Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal put it, “The Medieval Christian threat is under control, Mr. President. Please deal with the Radical Islamic threat today.”

 

I’m loving this YouTube series explaining the mythology behind “The Lord of the Rings.” Very helpful for novice and fanatic alike. Here’s an explanation of Sauron’s “precious” ring:

Hecklers for Christ?

by Tom Goodman

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you
to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect"
1 Peter 3:15

Followers of Jesus are expected to be good neighbors because of our faith and good communicators about our faith.

Neither goal was achieved by the hecklers that interrupted Texas Muslim Capitol Day two weeks ago.

I’ve asked my friend, Jim Miller if I could print a proposed “Letter to the Editor” that the Statesman did not publish. Jim is a retired United States Air Force officer, a conservative Christian, and he attempts to practice Jesus’ command to “love you neighbor as yourself.” He leads “Church Without Walls Austin,” which exists to break down the walls of fear and misconception that exist between Muslims and Christians. His organization has been dialoging with mosques in the Austin area since 2008. I’ve attended a couple of his events through the years. Contact me if you want to contact him.

I wish the Statesman had published his note. Here it is:

I was saddened to see the news report from the Muslim Capitol Day in Austin last Thursday, January 29th, showing an angry protestor grabbing the microphone away from the Muslim speaker.  The disruptor claimed to be a Christian but instead acted very un-Christ-like and actually brought dishonor to the name of Jesus and all who faithfully serve Him.   My Muslim friends in Austin are owed an apology for this disruption and I humbly ask them to accept my apology on behalf of all the Christ followers in our community.

Freedom of Speech is one of America’s most sacred values and that must be preserved in this great country for us to remain a free people.  Even those with dissenting opinions have the right to speak in the public square.  I support Governor Abbott’s statement calling for “civility in political discourse” referencing this incident.  Let us not be afraid of the public marketplace of ideas for freedom and truth will ultimately prevail.

Jim Miller (Church Without Walls-Austin)

_________________

Some say the protests were specifically against CAIR, one of the organizers, whom some claim is sympathetic to terrorist groups. There’s certainly merit in investigating these charges, but the protester who grabbed the mic at the rally was verbally attacking our Muslim neighbors in general and not CAIR in specific.

_________________

I hope you will attend an interfaith discussion at Huston-Tillotson on Thursday, February 19. I will represent the Christian worldview on a panel that also includes representatives of the Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist faiths. The stunt at the Capitol two weeks ago shows why these discussions are needed. Good neighbors and good communicators, folks. There’s more information here.

This week's newsletter from Karen

In 2014 Chapman University released findings on a comprehensive study on fears in America. The top five fears according to their research were:

1. Walking alone at night.
2. Becoming the victim of identity theft.
3. Safety on the Internet.
4. Being the victim of a mass/random shooting.
5. Public speaking.

Would you concur with these findings? Are these fears rational? Is your top fear on the list?

Fears—it seems—are now very personal. It’s almost as if we feel that no matter where we are or what we are doing, we’re in danger. For example, if you have a fear of being a victim of identity theft, you would be on constant alert of anyone and everyone around you whom you didn’t know, wondering if they were “out to get” you.

According to the study, many factors go into the development of one’s fears - education level and specific types of television consumption as two components leading to the fears making the list. But, as believers, how are we to deal with our fears?

There are so many references in the Bible to answer this question.  Here are but a few…

Psalm 55:5 and 16, “Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me… As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me.”
Psalm 46:1-3, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?”

My prayer this week is that each of us would search in and meditate on God’s Word as it relates to our fears so that none of us would harbor any fear keeping us from being the person God intends for us to be.

This week's newsletter from Steve

This Sunday, Feb. 15, we will be having a Parents’ Meeting in the Summit at 12:30 PM. We will order pizza for you and your family at a cost of $3 per person, but you need to RSVP to me by Feb. 12 to get your order in. We will be talking about our spring activities, as well as our missions and camp plans for the summer. Hope to see our parents come out for this meeting!

We are just five weeks away from our Disciple Now Week at Lone Tree Ranch! It is hard to believe that we are already thinking about Spring Break, but it will be here before we know it! We will travel to the Lone Tree Ranch in Capitan, NM for 4 days of Bible study, skiing, horseback riding, climbing, rappelling, hay-riding, late-night dodgeball, campfires, s’mores, and relaxation! What an amazing way to get alone with God so that HE can INCREASE in our lives! Dates are March 15-19, 2015.

Cost is $250 per person, or $350 if you want to snow ski (which is completely optional). Sign-up has already begun, so get your student signed up today!

This week's newsletter from Gene

This past Sunday night, Frank Deutsch spoke at Praise Hill. Many of you don’t know Frank, but he has been around Austin for many years. He served on staff at Bannockburn, then has been with the North American Mission Board and Austin Baptist Association. Almost 30 years ago, Frank began what has become known at the “Soup Kitchen,” Austin Baptist Chapel, or as it is referred to on the street, Angel House.

This ministry serves about 300 meals a day to the down and out of Austin. The stories of how God has blessed and provided in this ministry over the years are almost endless. Our church has been fortunate to have been giving financial support for many years. These funds come as a part of your regular giving to Hillcrest through our Missions Team. We also have a group that goes to serve lunch one Wednesday a month. If you are available from about 9:30-1:00 on the third Wednesday of the month and would like to help, contact Lisa or Jami in the church office for more details.

In the 30 plus years I’ve known him, Frank has always served as an excellent role model. He is a humble man who loves the Lord and serves him by tirelessly helping others. Thank you, Frank, for your example and years of ministry. May the Lord bless you with many more years of service.

When You Face a Force Reduction

by Tom Goodman

Have you been separated from something you felt was absolutely necessary for your happiness, self-worth, or security? Will you look for God to show up precisely there?

Of course we want to ask, “How can that be? How can a layoff or a hospitalization or a romantic breakup be preparation for God to show up?”

Gideon must have wondered that. After all, in Judges 7, God ordered him to reduce his troops nearly 90 percent before going into battle. And it wasn’t like he had a lot to begin with. When Gideon rallied Israel to join him in a battle against 135,000 Midianite invaders, 32,000 responded: That’s a 4-to-1 disadvantage. But then God directed Gideon to trim the fighters down to 300: That’s a 450-to-1 disadvantage! This was the number God used to win a mighty victory for Israel.

From time to time God will separate us from the things we depend on so that we can learn to depend solely on him. It’s a severe mercy, because some of the things we depend on are very dear: physical attractiveness, health, financial security, a parent, a partner. The odds of making life work without these things may seem as high as the odds Gideon faced without his troop numbers.

But Gideon found that God’s curious force reduction was just preparation to see God’s wondrous work. His story is repeated today. When you experience some sort of heartbreaking “force reduction” in your life, trust that God can use that very experience to display his glory.

The Apostle Paul discovered that God showed up strongest where Paul was weakest. When he wrote about this discovery in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, he concluded, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Look at the words he used: Boast. Gladly. Delight. We don’t always use these words when describing God’s “force reduction” in our lives. Not consistently; not yet. We may be more like Gideon, who lurched unsteadily forward toward this truth. But at least forward is the right direction!

Let’s talk about this some more this weekend. We continue our sermon series through the story of Gideon this Sunday at 10 a.m.

__________________________________________

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Refining the Troops

by Tom Goodman

Our Common Ground groups are studying Gideon’s elite 300 this morning. In verse 4, what was the verb that was used to describe what God planned to do to the army down by the water? Here is the verb in several translations:

NIV: “Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there.”

GNT: “Take them down to the water, and I will separate them for you there.”

NET: “Bring them down to the water and I will thin the ranks some more.”

Msg: “Take them down to the stream and I’ll make a final cut.”

HCSB: “Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there.”

NASB: “Bring them down to the water and I will test them for you there.

ESV: “Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there.”

NLT: “There are still too many! Bring them down to the spring, and I will test them to determine who will go with you and who will not.”

KJV: “Bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there.”

Opportunities for Spiritual Growth

by Tom Goodman

In addition to our Sunday morning program, have you checked out our opportunities for spiritual growth throughout the week?

INVITE: Bringing Friendship and Evangelism Together. I teach this class from 5:30pm - 6:30pm starting this Sunday. Every believer knows we are to share our faith, but how? In this course you will learn an evangelism style that is natural to your personality and authentic with your important relationships. This class meets for six weeks, it’s free, and we meet in A166 in the Adult Wing. Register here.

American Sign Language (ASL). This class is intended to get you started with speaking in sign language. The class will cover the basics of ASL including the manual alphabet, numbers, vocabulary, grammar, syntax, finger spelling, and Deaf culture. The class has been meeting for a few weeks but it’s not too late to get on board. They meet on Sunday nights from 5:30pm - 6:30pm in A160 in the Adult Wing.

Kids Music Theater (KMT). For Grades 1-6. A great way to develop confidence and build music skills. Kids will participate in weekly rehearsals and will perform at various times during the semester. They’ve been meeting for a month, and their performance is in another 6 weeks, but bring your kids and we’ll find a place for them! KMT meets Sunday nights from 5:30pm - 6:30pm in Room C136/139 in the Children’s Wing.

Preschool Praise Club. For children 4 years old through kindergarten. A great introduction to basic music and performance skills. These kids will participate in weekly rehearsals and perform at various times during the semester. Must have been 4 years old by 09/01/2014. They meet Sunday nights from 5:30pm - 6:30pm in Room C130 in the Children’s Wing.

Student Choir. For Grades 7-12. You’ve been hearing about this newest ministry! Middle- and high-school students can continue building and practicing their musical skills by participating in weekly rehearsals and performing at various times during the semester. They’re planning a trip to Orlando in the summer, so get on board now! They meet with Michael Slaughter on Sunday nights at 4:44pm in the Choir Room (behind the auditorium stage).

PraiseHill. Looking for a traditional Sunday night gathering? This lay led service includes traditional hymn singing, special music, guest musicians and strong Biblical teaching in a powerful Christian fellowship. If you miss the feel of “Sunday night church” you will be excited about being a part of PraiseHill! Everyone is invited. The group meets Sunday nights from 5:30pm - 6:30pm in Room A161 in the Adult Wing.

English as a Second Language (ESL). Learn English, or help others learn English. Conversational English classes for adults. All languages welcome. The class is already underway but come and join us! We meet on Wednesdays from 6:00pm - 7:00pm in Room E241 in the Education Wing (the 3-story building).

Finding Your P.L.A.C.E. in God’s Service. Build a personal profile using your unique mix of passion, leadership gifts, abilities, character traits, and experience. God loves variety! Discover how God created you to serve him. Herb Ingram will teach this for 2 Sunday mornings during the small-group hour from 11:15am - 12:15pm. We’ll meet on March 1 and 8 in Room A161 in the Adult Wing. Register here.

History of Christianity. A basic introduction to the pivotal people, events, and issues in the Christian story. It is a journey filled with continual surprises, dismal defeats, and stunning victories. The video-based course is led by Jim Steed. We’ll meet on Sunday nights from 5:30pm - 6:30pm in Room E141 in the Education Wing (the 3-story building). This 7-week study doesn’t begin until March 22, but go ahead and register here.

The Anchor Course: Exploring Christianity Together. I lead this study designed for those wanting to explore the Christian faith and for those trying to explain it to others. Using the Apostles Creed as an outline, The Anchor Course seeks to explain what Christians believe in language that every person can understand and relate to. We’ll meet on Wednesdays from 6:15pm – 8:00pm in Room A166 in the Adult Wing. This 9-week class doesn’t begin until April 8, but go ahead and register here. To learn more about the Anchor Course, click here.

There’s one more course that’s been available at our church, but it’s almost over so be looking for future Bible studies for ladies. I’m grateful to Sharron Ingram for leading Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted on Friday mornings!

When Herb Ingram retired as our Education Minister, I took over most of his duties of directing the adult small-group ministry on Sunday mornings, the outreach efforts, and the discipleship classes (the H.I.L.L.). This would be impossible without the help of my assistant, Lisa, and the willing volunteers who run these classes. Thanks so much!

This week's newsletter from Karen

It has become an American tradition for companies to put their most creative advertising on display during the Super Bowl. Why not? They have a captive audience of millions and many of those millions are eagerly (consciously and sub-consciously) looking for products and services to make life better. Simple supply and demand.

What if next year during the Super Bowl a commercial ran for a product described as perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, and true? What if this product guaranteed to simultaneously 1) give energy, 2) be easy to use, 3) increase joy, 4) educate, 5) never be in short supply, and 6) be 100% decent? What if this product was going to be made free to everyone, but to have it would be worth more that the going price of gold? What if using it as it is intended would produce a huge return on investment?

Would there be a market for such a product?

Luckily, we aren’t waiting for a research and development team in a laboratory somewhere for such a product. It’s been on the market for thousands of years.

In Psalm 19, David describes this product - God’s word. It reads, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

My prayer is that each and every day (not just on Super Bowl Sunday) believers will be walking commercials for one of the best products ever to hit the market – God’s Word – and that those acting upon our advertising will find the great return on their investment – salvation through Jesus Christ.

This week's newsletter from Steve

We had a wonderful time with our students at our annual Football Watching Party last night! It is always fun when we pack a ton of people into one house for food, fellowship, and fun! A BIG Thank You to the Sears family for opening your home and cooking for our entire crew! May the Lord bless you!

We will begin sign up for our Spring Break Retreat this Wednesday! Each spring break, we load up the buses and head for the mountains of southern New Mexico for a week of discipleship, worship, climbing, skiing, and just enjoying the great outdoors together. Cost will be $250 per person, or $350 if your student wants to ski. We will leave on Sunday, March 15th and return on Thursday, March 19th. If you need more information on Lone Tree, please let me know!

This week's newsletter from Gene

By the time someone is around 45-50, their lives typically begin to change. The kids are out of high school and beginning their own lives either in college or working. This shift of responsibility for them begins to change how we think, what we can do with our time and hopefully, some our finances are more available for us to do things we would like to do.

There are two times in many people’s lives that are unique. For those who attend college, that is a special time of 4-5 years that we are unable to reproduce even by going back to college later in life. College years are typically filled with very little responsibility other than studies and you are surrounded by hundreds or thousands of other young people with the same circumstances. It’s a very important time as many find their mate and hopefully receive an educational basis for a profession that will take them through life.

The next 25-30 years are typically spent working lots of hours and raising a family. The next unique time comes around 50 when a person is at the peak of their profession and the kids are out of the house, bringing some freedom. Regardless what life circumstances you had leading up to about age 50, there will likely be another unique time of life that will hopefully last for about the next 20 years where life circumstances give you health and flexibility to do things.

It is this time to “do things” that we want to tap into through 2nd Half Ministries. It is very easy for us to spend all our time and money on ourselves. That’s not a good model at any point in life, but certainly not at this point. We should have involvement in church, not isolation by saying to ourselves, “I’ve raised my kids in church, they are on their own, now it’s not important for me to attend.”

Ask the Lord, “Ok, now what do you want me to do?”

God’s 300

by Tom Goodman

You’ll always find two qualities in those who serve God effectively: They are fearless and focused.

When Gideon rallied Israel to join him in a fight against their Midianite enemies, 32,000 responded. But then God “refined” them. That what the verb means in Judges 7:4. God said, “I will test them”—the Hebrew word is tsaraph and it comes from the work of refining gold. As gold is smelted, impurities separate and rise to the surface where a goldsmith can skim them off, leaving pure gold behind. When God’s refining process was done, 300 men remained.

What did it take to be part of God’s 300? If we can answer that question we’ll discover the qualities that God wants in those who serve him today.

First, be fearless.

God told Gideon to release anyone who “trembles with fear” (Judges 7:3). Two-thirds of the men voluntarily left when given the chance. They had responded to Gideon’s initial call (Judges 6:33), but then the weight of what they had signed up for settled over them, and it was too great a burden to maintain.

Fear breeds doubt, pessimism, and excuses. I may have a hundred reasons to fear, but I have to bring it under control if I’m going to be effective for God.

Second, be focused.

After 22,000 left Gideon’s side, God further refined the 10,000 that remained. Gideon was told to take them to the water’s edge and watch how they refreshed themselves. Most dropped to their hands and knees and lowered their faces to the water to drink. A handful, however, knelt down and scooped up water into cupped hands and lapped it. These were men who knew that they had to stay vigilant because the enemy was near. Even as they took care of their thirst, they maintained a posture that allowed them to watch for the enemy. God told Gideon to pick these 300 and release the majority.

It’s a quality needed in God’s servants today, too. Over and over again the Bible commands us “watch,” to “be alert.” Are you focused on the task at hand?

No doubt, 300 Israelites were no match against 135,000 Midianites, no matter how refined Gideon’s army was. They were completely dependent on God. But the men God used to defeat Midian displayed the admirable qualities of fearlessness and focus. Let’s be sure we’re famous for these qualities, too.

This Sunday, we’ll spend some more time thinking through what it means to be among God’s 300. Join me at 10!

“I just touched the hem of his garment”

by Tom Goodman

Recorded in Dallas 1927

 

I know his blood can, know his blood can make me whole,
I just touched... hem of his garment.
Blood of Jesus, blood of Jesus,
I just touched hem of his garment.

Let his blood has, let his blood has...
I just touched hem of his garment.
I was a gambler just like you, I was a gambler.
I just touched hem of his garment.

Oh his blood have, let his blood have.
I just touched hem of his garment.
I was sick and I couldn't get well, I was sick and I couldn't get well...
I just touched hem of his garment.

Let his blood have, let his blood have.
I just touched hem of his garment.
Jesus blood can... Jesus blood can...
I just touched hem of his garment.

Ohh his blood have, let his blood have.
I just touched hem of his garment.
I was sick and I couldn't get well, I was sick and I couldn't get well.
I just touched hem of his garment.

ICYMI Thursday

by Tom Goodman

How Austin's most iconic neighborhoods got their names

 

FiveThirtyEight says It’s Foolish To Define Austin By Its City Limits. While Austin the municipality may have a clear spatial definition, Austin the “place” is a much murkier thing.

 

SkyMall has filed for bankruptcy. @YahooTech looks back at some of its wackiest offerings. j.mp/1zE1YtM pic.twitter.com/2OWU2Sbqcl (HT: @DavidPogue)

 

Andre Crouch’s “artistic model of the relationship between Christianity and culture is just as important as the social activist model.” First Things

 

Sometimes the Onion gets it so right: Modern-Day Lancelot Offers To Pay For Abortion

 

Here’s an article about a psychologist who had done major research on forgiveness--and then had to decide to apply it when his mother was murdered.

 

Featured in Time magazine last week, we pass this massive BBQ pit every time we drive through Brenham on the way to Houston. It can be yours for $350K.

This week's newsletter from Karen

I’ve learned over the years to listen when God wakes me up in the middle of the night. Last night I woke with my thoughts on the “happily ever after story” of Ruth. But my thoughts were not focused on Ruth, but on Naomi. Remember, Naomi, her husband and two sons moved to Moab from Bethlehem because of a famine. Naomi’s sons married Moabite women (one of which was Ruth). Then Naomi’s husband and both sons died. Naomi, now a widow, knew she had to return to Bethlehem and would be at the mercy of whatever family member might take her in. Naomi did not want to subject her daughters-in-law (also widows) to the same life of poverty that surely awaited them in Bethlehem so Naomi urged them to return to their families. One of the women went home and the other – Ruth – did not.  Why?

The simple answer – Naomi. Although Naomi comes across as a beaten and defeated woman (she asks to be called Mara because she says God dealt bitterly with her), that must not have been the entire sum of her character. Naomi’s example of faith in God in the face of very difficult circumstances must have been very strong for Ruth to insist, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” (Ruth 1:16-17, ESV)

My prayer this week is to be able to set a faith example like Naomi, have that example be so strong that it causes others to see God working in the midst of my circumstances and causes them to want to follow him, and – because they’ve followed Him – to have a “happily ever after” story of their own.

What about you?  Whose Naomi will you be?

This week's newsletter from Steve

Looking forward to a great week!  I hope that your Monday and Tuesday have been filled with the love, knowledge, and wisdom that come from your walk with Jesus, and the reading of His Word! May God use you mightily to share the message of the Cross this week!

Students, our annual Football Party is THIS SUNDAY at 5:30 PM! Tons of food, friends, and FOOTBALL! Our party will be at the home of Chris and Shirley Sears, which is west on Parmer, towards Liberty Hill. I will hand out directions and a map on Wednesday!  What an opportunity to bring friends and introduce them to the folks in our youth ministry! Plus, we’ll be having a special Halftime Show just for our crew!  Plus, if you’re not into football, there will be games and a hangout space just for you! Bus will leave from the church at 4:45 PM and will be back after the game is over, so probably around 8:30 – 8:45 PM. It’s gonna be a ton of fun, so hope you’ll all be there… and bring a friend!

This week's newsletter from Gene

We had a very successful dinner for 2nd Half Ministries this past Saturday night, with 83 in attendance. The food and speaker/entertainer were excellent. We have ministries for Children, Youth, Women and Seniors, but who is 2nd Half? The general target group for this ministry is Baby Boomers. There are multiple ways to define Baby Boomers, but the age generally used by demographers is those who are born from 1946-1964. Why a ministry for this age group? Life Circumstances.

Although there are many differences, such as the leading edge verses the trailing edge differences, they have many things in common around which a ministry group can be formed. Our life experiences tend to happen based on age. For example, what is the societal “norm” for those between 5 and their early 20’s? Typically this is the time when they are getting their education to prepare them for life and are becoming independent. What’s the next “life activity?” Getting started on careers and family which takes most all our time and energy for the next 25 years or so. Our “Life Circumstances” typically begin to change around age 50 as our children are getting out of the house and our schedules and expenses adjust accordingly.

2nd Half Ministry targets the age group over 50 who will typically have these “Life Circumstance” similarities.

They tend to:

Be empty nesters
Be at the latter part of their employment or entering early retirement
Have more control over their time and schedules than earlier in life
Have disposable income
Still have good health so they can do manual mission work projects.
Be independent, and travel is a part of their normal lifestyle

There are currently 176 people at Hillcrest who make up this group if we use strictly the birthdates between 1946 and 1964. Life Circumstances, as described above, place many more in this group. More next week on this ministry.

Call Me “Maybe”

by Tom Goodman

Do you have your feet on the gas and the brake at the same time?

It’s not a good technique for driving a car. And it’s not a good way to advance through life, either. If there’s something we know God wants us to do, our answer can’t be both “I’m on it” and “Give me a minute.”

That’s been our answer to God too often, though. I think that’s why we both cringe at and draw comfort from the Gideon story. Our story is too much like his story. When God called Gideon to rescue Israel from the Midianite hoards, publicly, he sounded the trumpet and rallied Israel to his side. But privately, he wavered.

How do we know? One word. Fleece.

Gideon laid out a wool fleece on the threshing floor and said to God, “If it’s really true that you’re calling me to save Israel from Midian, prove it. By morning, let the dew only settle on the fleece while the ground remains dry.” When those terms were met, though, Gideon said, “Um, what I really meant was: Make the fleece dry while the ground around it is covered with dew.” The terms were met again (Judges 6:36-40).

Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t an example of how to find God’s will. Gideon’s scheme wasn’t to confirm God’s will but delay it! It was the reluctant hero’s way of driving with his feet on the gas and the brake at the same time.

I hope you had a patient teacher when you learned how to drive. God is certainly patient with us as we learn how to obey him. God actually worked with what Gideon was willing to give him. In God’s mercy, he also nudges us past our fearful reluctance into courageous obedience.

Let’s go a little deeper into this truth this Sunday. Join me at 10am as we continue through our series called Step Up: Finding the Courage You Need.

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ICYMI Thursday

by Tom Goodman

These classic album covers were drawn on an Etch-A-Sketch

 

Personal Trainer Impressed By Man’s Improved Excuses

 

Great stories! CT's Top 10 Testimonies of 2014

 

Here’s Hoping. Obama To Imprisoned Pastor's Wife: Saving Saeed Abedini in Iran Is 'A Top Priority'

 

Of course, this was coming. Here’s a story of a baker who refused to bake a cake with an anti-gay-marriage statement.

 

Elizabeth Dias of Time recently wrote about a shift in opinion among “evangelicals” on homosexuality. Denny Burk has good reasons why you shouldn’t buy the claim.

This week's newsletter from Karen

I’m going to ask two Bible trivia questions. Before I do, close your Bible and cover the rest of this article with your hand. Promise not to look at either until after you’ve made your guess.

Question 1: Who said these words, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life?”

Question 2: Who was the speaker talking to when the words were originally spoken?

Answers: Jesus said these words to Nicodemus (were you right?).

Nicodemus did not understand what Jesus meant by being “born again,” and he had come to Jesus for clarification. I get the vibe from their exchange that Jesus felt like Nicodemus – being a Pharisee – should have known the meaning. However, he didn’t and as part of Jesus’ explanation we get the famous John 3:16.

I don’t have any statistics to prove it, but I would guess that John 3:16 is most likely the most recognized, memorized, and quoted verse of the entire Bible. And it’s no wonder. To me, it is the most succinct and simple summation of the gospel message. Had Nicodemus not asked Jesus his question, who knows, but we may not have had this verse today.

Encourage your children to follow the example of Nicodemus and question the things of faith/salvation they don’t understand (even when it is assumed they should). Make sure they know their resources (you, their Bible study leaders, prayer, other Scripture, men/women of God they trust) for finding the answers to their questions. Have them share their new understanding with their friends who might be struggling with the same question.

This week's newsletter from Steve

How long has it been since you joined the gang in Praise Hill on Sunday nights? We get to join them from time to time, and I cannot tell you how much we enjoy sitting and singing, as well as listening to the guest speakers and guest musicians that join them each week. It really is a time for anyone to come enjoy being together as the family of God! 5:30 PM on Sundays: come give it a try!

Sign-ups are still underway for the Hot Hearts Evangelism Conference on February 6-7, 2015, at Highland Lakes Camp outside of Austin. We will leave the church soon after school, and return later that night after the conference ends for the night. We will then meet up at the church on Saturday morning to head back out for the rest of the conference. Cost is $40 per person, so get signed up soon!

This week's newsletter from Gene

We had an excellent group again this week for youth choir. That's going to be a really exciting ministry that Michael is putting together. This next Sunday we will be announcing the plans for the summer, which will probably include a major trip. If you have any students seventh grade through 12th grade, choir is the place for them to be on Sunday afternoons from 4:44-5:30pm!! It's going to be a great ministry, so encourage your kids to come be a part of it.

We have over 70 people who have purchased tickets for the second half ministry dinner this coming Saturday. There is still time to get yours. If you still haven't purchased your tickets, they are available in the church office, or they can be purchased online.

Inside-Out Leadership

by Tom Goodman

Influence flows from the inside out. This is an important lesson if you’re a parent, a church leader, a coach, or anyone else who wants to make an impact on others. Advise others to do what you’re already practicing yourself.

In Judges 6, God raised up Gideon to push back the Midianite enemies who were making Israel so miserable. But the process started with personal renewal and only then could Gideon call for national renewal.

You see, in Gideon’s own backyard there stood an altar to the pagan god Baal and his goddess consort Asherah. At this point in Israelite history, the people had adopted the Canaanite myths of their pagan neighbors. In fact, this is why God had withdrawn himself from Israel, allowing the Midianite invaders to have free reign. Gideon’s clan had a leading role in this spiritual compromise: The people in the surrounding area looked to the Baal altar of Gideon’s household as the regional center for this pagan worship.

On God’s command, Gideon used a bull to dismantle the pagan site. Then he built an altar to the Lord and used the wood that he had pulled down to light a fire and sacrifice the bull.

His personal renewal gave him the moral authority to call others to change. When the Midianites invaded Israel at harvest time for the eighth straight year, they expected the Israelites to flee to their caves as they had done every previous year. But things were different this time. Endued with spiritual power, Gideon put the trumpet to his lips and summoned the people to join him in a resistance movement. The people were ready for this kind of leadership, and they rallied to his side.

Most of us are in positions where we hope to influence others. We’re parents or coaches or bosses or church leaders. But before anyone will accept our influence in their lives, are there changes we need to make in our own backyard?

Let’s give this a deeper look this Sunday as we continue our sermon series called Step Up: Finding the Courage You Need. You can catch up with the previous sermon at our website. See you at 10 this Sunday!

Phobia List

by Tom Goodman

Here are the answers to today’s “Common Ground” quiz:

Agoraphobia: Fear of open spaces

Claustrophobia: Fear of confined spaces

Bathmophobia: Fear of stairs or steep slopes

Tachophobia: Fear of speed

Homilophobia: Fear of sermons

Acrophobia: Fear of heights

Brontophobia: Fear of thunder and lightning

Ablutophobia: Fear of washing or bathing

Triskaidekaphobia: Fear of the number 13

Hippophobia: Fear of horses

ICYMI Thursday

by Tom Goodman

Snake Slithers Out of San Diego Toilet

 

Research shows why sad music, not upbeat tunes, is best for a bad mood.

 

Optimism is good for your heart

 

Related: “A half hour of complaining every day physically damages a person’s brain, according to research from Stanford University.” Fast Company suggests 7 tips to overcome.

 

“ThinkUp, a year-old subscription service that analyzes how people comport themselves on Twitter and Facebook, with the goal of helping them become more thoughtful, less reflexive, more empathetic and more professional….ThinkUp shows subscribers more unusual information such as how often they thank and congratulate people, how frequently they swear, whose voices they tend to amplify and which posts get the biggest reaction and from whom….It reminds you that what you do on Twitter and Facebook can change your life, and other people’s lives, in important, sometimes unforeseen ways.” (NYT)

 

“With all hell breaking loose around me, it felt better to know I was part of something bigger.” In this article, the faith of Chris Kyle of “American Sniper” doesn’t seem as developed as it could have been, but I liked this line.

 

The Top 50 Countries Where It's Most Difficult To Be A Christian. Open Doors says 2014 saw the worst persecution of Christians in the 'modern era'—but not because of violence.

 

Biblical Archaeology’s Top Ten Discoveries of 2014

 

Fusion’s “Creed” set to music. Learn more about this pledge here.