Tag: good news

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Hope in Surprising Places Article

Photo of classroom illustrating "Hope in Surprising places article"

Last month, I got to interview a pastor about a new ministry his church launched. I enjoyed writing it because it challenged some preconceived notions about how a ministry should serve its community. Here is a link to the Hope in Surprising Places Article.

Hope in Surprising Places: Unique Church-Community Partnership Bears Fruit

I love the chance to write an article where faith and hope are present. As I’ve written before, I used to mix up the two terms. But it’s evident in the article that this church is bringing hope to its community through the active use of faith.

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Bible motivation Proverbs

Why Is It Better to Search For Good?

Circumstances we weren’t expecting will happen. There are things we can’t plan for such as natural disasters, disease, and the unwelcome actions of others. Yet, generally, we are better off when we search for good things. This proverb answers the question, “Why is it better to search for good?”

“If you search for good, you will find favor;
but if you search for evil, it will find you!”

Proverbs 11:27 (NLT)

We really do find what we search for. Jesus said it well in Matthew 7:7. We will find what we search for. That can be troubling when we seem to find only bad news these days.

In fact, it is much more challenging for us today to find good. Mass media and social media aren’t helping us. It seems while we are starting to wind down a pandemic, war and inflation have given us more to worry about.

Unfortunately, we don’t have to search much to find bad news. But that makes it that much more important to search diligently for the good.

Several years back, my wife and I read Mark Batterson’s devotional, The Circle Maker. One passage referred to 2 Corinthians 10:5 and the phrase, “Take captive every thought.” It was a stark reminder to me how our thought life must be disciplined, especially today.

sketch notes on 2 Corinthians 10:5 "Take Captive Every Thought"
Sketch Notes Based on “Draw the Circle.”

Good Balanced with World’s Needs

This isn’t a call to pretend everything is awesome when it isn’t. We live in a broken world that needs fixing. Broken people need help that we can’t, nor should we ignore. We aren’t compassionate if we pretend everything is great when there are so many needs.

However, we won’t find any solutions if we are focused on how bad things are. We can bring hope to others. In addition, we can help those who need a hand when we know we can be part of the solution.

There is hope and a solution when we search for it. That is why it is so important to search for the good in the world. If it just isn’t out there, perhaps we can make some good happen.

Categories
Christmas holiday

Good News and Bad News

Good News and Bad News

“Bad news travels at the speed of light; good news travels like molasses.”

Tracy Morgan Via BrainyQuote.com

We have no trouble finding bad news. It practically hits us in the face every time we turn around. Doom and gloom is a trillion-dollar business. We would like to think that we prefer the good, but there is something within us that reacts more strongly to the bad. How much gossip is about the good qualities of a person anyway?

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.”

Luke 2:10 (KJV) via Bible Gateway

On the night the Messiah was born, glad tidings didn’t go to the Roman Emperor, though he ruled the known world. It didn’t go to the puppet king of Israel. In fact, when he eventually heard the good it, he reacted very negatively.

Lowly Shepherds

The people that the world thought mattered didn’t hear the good report that night. If they did, they would have kept it to themselves anyway. Good news travels generally travels like molasses!

Instead, it went to lowly shepherds. When they saw it, they did their best to share it with everyone. Still, the family of the newborn Messiah was able to keep a low profile.

Glad Tidings This Christmas

As a result, in the last couple of years, Christmas has taken a back seat to all the bad. There is plenty of bad news to go around.

  • The pandemic drags on and a new variant threatens to spread like wildfire
  • Tornadoes caused death and destruction to America’s midsection
  • Nations continue saber rattling

Therefore, we need a little joy. We need a little Christmas, even though the first one was humble and mild. We need a savior, a redeemer. Yes, we need a hero. But having someone come to save us usually doesn’t make the news. It makes for great stories, but not click-bait headlines.

Let’s pause, take a breath, and look for the good. It is out there. After all, we can do something good. There are plenty of needs out there. We don’t have to single-handedly save the world, but we can help one person, one family at a time. Let’s be kind in a world that has forgotten how to be gentle.

We can make some good news. Our actions may not travel fast and furious across the world, but they can make a big difference this holiday season.

Categories
Christianity Missions writing

Article: Disaster-Stricken States Blessed by Ohio Team

Church of God Ohio Disaster Relief Team works through the Dayton Tornado aftermath

I wrote this article on a disaster relief team that originates in Ohio. This was through the CHOGNews web site.

Disaster-Stricken States Blessed by Team from Ohio

I enjoyed getting to know the leaders and some of the workers who have worked tirelessly through some tough situations. One of the volunteers is a man I have known for several years and is related to my wife’s side of the family. Furthermore, it was great to explore the family connection and see how this group has responded to needs.

I witnessed a bit of their work when Dayton, Ohio experienced a series of tornadoes on Memorial Day, 2019. Some of their work was based out my church. Therefore, I so appreciated their efforts because as a Hoosier and Buckeye, I’ve experienced a few tornadoes and know what devastation they can cause.

I used to think everything I created had to be funny. And we sure need some comic relief in a world that has its fair share of tragedies! But I have learned that getting some good news out there, such as an article on a disaster relief team, can lift spirits just as much as a little humor. Besides, humor can devolve into negativity just as quickly as any other form of writing.

There is some good in the world. I encourage everyone to find it. Sure, we need to be informed about injustice and concerning events. But what are people doing behind the scenes that are making a positive difference? After a tornado, who is doing the clean-up and helping others get back on their feet? After a demonstration, who is reaching out and showing there can be healing and reconciliation?

We can all make a difference. It was good to interview some people that know a response to a disaster is better than shaking our heads at a new feed. They reminded me I need to do less doom scrolling and more positive action. Yes, we can all make a difference!

Categories
motivation

Good News Gives Health

Photos of a sunset and the quote: "Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones." Proverbs 15:30 (NIV)

According to Proverbs 15:30, it’s official; good news gives health. We want to hear some good news so often. But it can be difficult to find.

I’m a self-confessed news junkie. Yet, I constantly see how, if I’m not careful, it can put me in a bad mood. I’ve blogged about this before in Who’s going to bring the good news and How about some good news? 

To paraphrase many a politician, after reading/hearing the news, are you better off than you were four minutes ago? I confess that most times I am not. It can be depressing to catch up on the latest news about viruses, wildfires, and hurricanes. And don’t forget it’s an election year in the United States. Yes, news fatigue is real.

How can we find good news in the middle of all this?

  • Take a walk in nature. Every time I go out I am reminded life does go on without the constant blurb of bad news. The squirrels and chipmunks are blissfully unaware of the world.
  • Volunteer to do some good. Just doing something to help humanity can remind us that we are not helpless to offer healing and relief.
  • Look for the stories of heroism. They are out there. Behind every disaster, there are people bringing relief and comfort.
  • When you see some good news, share it. We could all use a little boost.

During dark times, we could use a little light. We can remind ourselves that light overcomes darkness. Every morning, the sun overpowers the dark. Look for the light in a messenger’s eyes and take in some good news.