Bailouts and Bankruptcies

The Good News Today Is....our needs will be supplied. Perhaps not our wants, but our needs. This is where we have a hard time. We want so much more than we need and that is why I keep reading about bailouts and bankruptcies. The secret is to be content with having our needs supplied and to stop whining when our wants go unfulfilled. "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether in living in plenty or in want." 1Phil 4:11-12.

Today is the Day

The Good News Today Is....this is the day. "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psa 118:24 Knowing this verse does not always makes us feel like we should be glad. In the aftermath of a few hard days, it can be really hard to wake up on the right side of the bed and rejoice. However today is the day - the Lord has made it - and it is a good day.

When Tragedy Strikes

The Good News Today Is....there will be comfort in our sorrow. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 1Cr 1:3-4. A tragic car accident and our whole lives are changed...when we lose someone in a small church the whole church community is deeply affected. Pray for our church, for our Pastor and for Liz's family over the next weeks. Even though we can rest assured that she is singing in a choir of angels we will feel the sorrow for a very long time.

Are You Going to Church Today?

The Good News Today Is...we can all work together to help the poor in spirit. "Jesus answered them. 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.'" Luke 5:31 The doctor analogy works well because it's not just the doctor who helps the sick. There are nurses, med techs, CNAs, LPNs and even receptionists in a doctor's office that work together to help make us well when we are sick. It is the same in the church community. There is a pastor or minister, but then there are the deacons, the Sunday School teachers, the nursery workers, the door greeters, and a host of others that help to make the church a place where the poor in spirit can heal. When you go to church there are days when you need the healing grace offered, and then there are days when you can offer that same healing grace to others. Together we can make the church community a place of warm, welcoming healing as it was intended.

Super Heroes

The Good News Today Is....there are real life super heroes. I read that there was an on line battle for the best super hero of 2008, with Batman and Iron Man having a tight race, and Spiderman falling into a comfortable third place. I just shook my head and laughed. The things we spend our time on. I am happy there have been real life super heroes though. How about 1st place - Jesus, 2nd place - John the Baptist, and 3rd place Paul. That would be something to talk about. There really wasn't much competition, John the Baptist fully recognized he was in second place. "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie." Mark 1:7 Ahhh, a humble super hero, now there's a new concept.

I Did it Again

The Good News Today Is....we can stand up to temptations. Too much food, too much drink, spending too much money, partying too much....it's almost over...these holiday temptations. Every year I think this will be the year I don't fall into the same old trap, but my stomach tells me I ate too much, and my checkbook tells me I spent too much, once again this year. I did better than last year, but I still overdid. In the midst of the fun and laughter it really didn't seem to be a problem, but I will have to pay the consequences over the next few months; watching what I eat and paying off the credit card! "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it." 1Cr 10:13. Well, I didn't exactly find my way out before I ate that chocolate torte or bought the outrageously expensive shoes my daughter wanted...but I did do better than usual.

Merry CHRISTmas

The Good News Today Is....."Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11 Merry Christmas everyone!

Pardon Me

The Good News Today Is....forgiveness is in the air. President Bush has pardoned Charles Winters. Winters was one of three men arrested for smuggling weapons into Israel in 1948 helping Israel to establish itself as a"fledgling democracy". Presidential pardons are public acts of forgiveness that can help healing in a broken world. The other two men involved in this scheme had been pardoned years earlier by other presidents. Finally Winters was pardoned by President Bush and his family has been blessed. "Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors." Mat 6:12

Share the Joy

The Good News Today Is...that joy is contagious. Our local TV station has a section on their website called Share the Joy, and they ask people to send in photos of their holiday decorations, videos of Christmas concerts and a list of local events for us to attend during the Christmas season. I browsed through it and there were some incredibly cute videos of school children singing Christmas songs, there was a section on keeping your weight under control during the holidays, there were tips for gift buying and gift wrapping, great recipes, a section of holiday surveys, maps for holiday travel, and all kinds of tips for a great Christmas. In the list of local events there were concerts, plays, craft fairs, and more craft fairs - then way down buried at the bottom there was one event at a church. That's it - one event - out of pages of holiday joy. "But the angel said to them, do not fear, for I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Luke 2:10. While the website was spreading joyous news and fun things, they were for a season only. The angel was talking about a joy that lasts forever. Sharing the joy is what the season is all about, so while we are having fun shopping and going to craft fairs, let us not forget to share the joy of the birth of a baby that will keep our joy continuous.

Gift Giving

The Good News Today Is...you can always give of your time. No matter how much money you do or don't have in your pocket, you can always give someone a gift of your time. I love the story of the woman washing Jesus' feet with her tears. Luke 7:37-38 "When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them. " She gave a gift of service and time and Jesus was touched by her. He proclaimed that she gave him exactly what he needed. In Mark we read that Jesus said, "She has done a beautiful thing to me." It was the spirit of humbleness and true selflessness that touched Jesus. While others in the room could not look past the fact that the woman was a sinner, Jesus saw her heart, and he forgave her for her sins. We are meant to give freely of all that we have received freely. Giving is not about how much money we have - so try not to stress this holiday season, but give a gift of yourself - it might be exactly what someone else needs - and that's a beautiful thing.

So Sue Me

The Good News Today Is...our good deeds will be recorded. I was appalled when I saw a news clip that showed scenes of an accident. The headline read, "Good Samaritan's Dilemma." Apparently the court has in all its wisdom seen fit to allow a person to be sued for rescuing someone that was in a horrific car accident. The so-called victim was left paralyzed in the accident, and it could possibly have happened when a good samaritan came upon the accident and tried to remove the victim as it appeared the car might catch on fire. Hmmm....so do we stand by and let someone burn alive or do we risk the possibility of getting sued if we help them live? This should be a no brainer, we should help and we should not have to fear getting sued if we are trying to save someone's life. I sure hope that I have the courage to do the right thing if I am ever faced with a choice such as this, and that the potential legal consequences won't deter me. "So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you..."Mat 7:12. We may be persecuted on earth by men if we rescue someone, but we will be judged in heaven if we don't.

Home Alone

The Good News Today Is...we are not alone. Even those who don't have anyone to share their holiday with don't have to be alone. "He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him." 1Th5:10 Take comfort that God is with you every day. Search for Him and you will find the one who will never leave you home alone.

Blind Faith

The Good News Today Is....we don't know what will happen in the future. I'm so glad that I have limited knowledge about what tomorrow - or even today - will bring. It is hard enough to face a day with faith when we have no expectations. Jesus was telling his disciples he was going to die days before it happened. He even knew it would be a long suffering and brutal death. "I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe." John 14:29. How much more faith would it take to go down the path of life if you knew all the pitfalls before they happened? And would the joys be as joyous if we knew they were coming? I'm happy to just walk in faith and experience the joys of a day as it unfolds. If there are stumbling blocks along the way, I don't have to worry about them before they happen, I just faithfully follow the path and let God take care of them.

Cleaning Up the Mess

The Good News Today Is....we can clean up our messes. I was attempting to make some chocolate candy, out of a botched batch of chocolate fudge and the mess just got bigger and bigger and bigger. First the fudge was wrong because I put in double the milk, so I cooked it longer to make a caramel candy. However, I apparently didn't cook it long enough because the caramel wasn't hard. So I decided I would use it to make chocolates out of and maybe the chocolate would hold the caramel together. So I melted chocolate and rolled the caramel into balls and tried dipping it into the chocolate. What I ended up with was chocolate from one end of my kitchen to the other, about a thousand dirty dishes (it seemed like that many anyway), and soupy chocolate candies. Finally, I just took a deep breath and decided to clean up the mess and start over. Within about 1/2 hour I had the kitchen sparkling and some leftover caramel that would make great sauce for ice cream. Sometimes when we make a mistake, instead of trying to fix it with more mistakes, we just need to admit we made a mistake to begin with, ask for forgiveness and clean up the mess. "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord..." Acts 3:19. We can start over and our sins can be wiped out, and times of refreshing can come from the Lord. We might even have something good left over once we clean up the mess!

Naughty or Nice?

The Good News Today Is....there is a "nice list". With Santa always checking to see who's naughty and nice, it's good to know that there really is a "nice list" - it's not really a list but a book. "He who overcomes, will like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels." Rev 3:5 These are words of wisdom from another book...the book of truth.

Knock, Knock

The Good News Today Is.....here I am. Wherever you are, be where God has asked you to be. It is simple....here I am. "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Rev 3:20. You need to be near the door to hear the knock. When God says "here I am" you will be able to reply, "and here am I."

Let's Celebrate

The Good News Today Is....we should eat, drink and be merry. This is the season to go to endless Christmas parties and family affairs. Ecc 2:24-25 "A man can do nothing better than to eat, drink and find satisfaction is his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without Him who can eat or find enjoyment?" Our times of holiday celebration with friends, family and co-workers is a gift. When God is the center, we can enjoy.

Life is Short

The Good News Today Is....knowing that life is short we can make the best of it. The headlines on Yahoo News today talked about the closing of the Taj Mahal and that the pyramids are falling apart. The article urged that we should see these great things before they are no longer available. We may never get to Egypt or India, but we can make sure that we connect with family and friends before it is too late. Life is short - sometimes surprisingly short - as any of us who have lost a loved one to an accident or illness when they seemed much too young to die - clearly know. When they are gone is not the time to be telling them you love them, the time for that is now. "Jesus said, 'I am with you only for a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me.'" John 7:33. Don't miss a chance to fix a broken relationship or tell someone you love them - they are with you only a short time.

Traditions

The Good News Today Is...we have traditions. The even better news today is that traditions can change. Some traditions are wonderful - like baking Christmas cookies (definitely a tradition in our house) - some are not so great - even painful. I was watching Fiddler on the Roof yesterday as I was baking my Christmas cookies and was once again drawn into the story of changing traditions. It was unimaginably that the matchmaker was not allowed to make the matches - a tradition I'm glad I didn't have to grow up with. The real point I'm trying to make is that if a tradition is good then continue with it, but don't get caught up in traditions that get in the way of holding on to the truth. Religion has many traditions and traditions can make our experiences rich. Experiences can also blur our perceptions. "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." Col 2:8. It's okay to examine our traditions and insure they are not getting in our way.

A Happy Ending

The Good News Today Is....we have a story. Just like the nativity is a story of Jesus' birth, we each have a story. Our lives are a living, breathing, changing story and we can decide what the story line is. We may not get to decide how others will act in our story, be we sure can decide how we act and how we react to others, and we get to decide the ending of our story. Have you ever thought of your life as a story? Each decision you make is just another line in the story. If you want to be sure of how your story will end, invite Jesus as the savior in your story and no matter what outside influences affect your story, you will know how your story will end. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12. There really is a happy ending available - you just need to write it into your story.

What to Do?

The Good News Today Is...sometimes we don't know what to do. Do you ever get to the point where you just don't know what to do? Maybe you have too many things to do and can't prioritize, or maybe you have nothing to do and are bored. Maybe what you are supposed to do is not what you want to do. Maybe you want to do something but you don't have the ability to do it. "Is anyone in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise." Jam 5:13. It's at those times when we just can't figure it out ourselves - what we should do - that we can turn to God. There is a loving, caring, Father who wants to help you figure out what to do. We can always be assured that it will be the right thing to do.

Rain, Rain Go Away

The Good News Today Is...it's raining outside. We need the rain to soak into the ground and replenish our water supply. Yet sometimes a rainy day can be so dark and dreary and cold. In December in the northeast, we would much rather see snow, so we have a white Christmas. Today, however that's not to be - the weather man tells me it will rain all day. So rain it will be and there is nothing we can do about it. It made me chuckle to come across this verse in Proverbs; "A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day;" Prov 27:15. I guess that means rain has always had a tendency to be annoying? Today when I get annoyed with the rain I will think of this verse and smile instead of complain!

Greetings

The Good News Today Is.....I have to write out Christmas cards. Ok - just kidding, that's not usually good news for me, it's a chore. I write out Christmas cards and send them because I really like getting them, and I'd feel guilty just receiving them and not giving them. This year I am going to remember how the diciples greeted others when they wrote their letters. Like this greeting in a letter to the Phillipians: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God everytime I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy..." Phil 1:2-4. Now that's a Christmas greeting! That's where my heart should be as I am writing out my cards, not looking at my list to see if I am almost done. Reaching out to our family and friends should be a joy filled blessing for both of us.

Justice is at Hand

The Good News Today Is....the squeaky wheel may get greased, but the meek shall inherit the earth. You know when you are young and in school there are always bullies - it seems like their entire existence is built on making others miserable. Then you get older and enter the "real world" and they are the loud mouths that are always pushing to get ahead. They have learned that being rude and arrogant can bring immediate gratification. Then there are others who simple move out of their way. The meek who turn the other cheek and allow the them to push past them in line or take their seat in a theater. There will be justice served, for we have a just God. "... the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace." Psalm 37:11. That's a promise worth living for.

How Much is Enough?

The Good News Today Is....productivity is not always measured by production. For anyone that has ever worked in a factory or other industry where your worth is based on how much you do, it can be very frustrating. Often times we become numbers - our employee number, the number of widgets we have made, our social security number, the number of customers we've served - and on and on. In the scheme of life does any of that really matter? "Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives." Titus 3:14. It's not how much of something we do, but the spirit in which we do it and the desire to do good. Trying to always do more, instead of devoting yourself to doing good will keep your wheels spinning. We are trying to produce the fruit of the Spirit and not just fruitfully provide by increasing our production.

Arise and Shine

The Good News Today Is....there is coffee. I really need my coffee in the morning to get myself awake and feeling alive. The older I get, the more I need that caffeine. After I drink my first cup of coffee I sit down and figure out what to write about for the day. If it were before I drank that first cup of joe, I'm not sure I would make much sense. Today's good news is about starting each day. "Awake my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples." Psalm 57:8-9 It is a good thing to wake up giving thanks and praising God for another day - and that's what I always try to do - right after my coffee!

A Heartfelt Day

The Good News Today Is.....our hearts do not need to harden. "For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'" Acts 28:27 Go about your everyday and really see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and understand with your hearts. You will find that your perception of others and the world changes radically when you care enough to stop, look, listen and feel.

Shop Til You Drop

The Good News Today Is....soon the Christmas shopping advertising will be over. I must get 15 e-mails a day claiming the best sales in the best stores. With money tighter than ever for most people - the retail world has kicked advertising into high gear this year. The temptations abound to spend, spend, spend - whether you have the money or not. Remember these words from Jesus; "'Watch Out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of all of his possessions.'" Luke 12:15. Christmas is a celebration of the nativity of Jesus. Wherever did we learn that it was about shopping?

This Little Light of Mine

The Good News Today Is....there is light. "See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness." Luke 11:35. Some days we wake up and just want to crawl back into bed and put the covers over our heads. Laying under the warm covers in the darkness seems like the perfect escape to getting up and facing our day. Whether we need to go to work, run errands or go to church, sometimes we just don't feel like it. Well, we may think laying in the darkness is the best thing to do, but facing what we need to do head on is the only way to make the day better. Get up and find the light that is within you...no matter how dim it is. Find it and get going to face the day. If you concentrate on your little light it will grow brighter and your day will get better. When it is finally glowing brightly remember to share it with someone else and help them make their day better!

Are You Normal?

The Good News Today is....that the word "normal" doesn't appear in the bible. I found this out after doing a word search, because one of today's headlines in the news was that; "1 in 5 young adults have a personality disorder." I thought "wow - that's 2o% of young adults." So if 20% are said to have a personality disorder what are they comparing that to...what is normal? I once read the book by Patsy Clairmont, Normal is Just a Setting on Your Dryer, that gives a humorous look at how to define normal, and finally the conclusion is that there is no such thing as normal - unless you are looking at the setting on your dryer. Normality aside - I do believe there is a right way and a wrong way to behave, however. (Gal 5:14) "The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" That is supposed to take care of normal.

Back to The Basics

The Good News Today Is...you don't have to know all the jargon or know the bible from front to back to be saved. "For Christ died for sins once for all" 1 Pe 3:18. That's the basic concept and accepting that Christ died for you is the point. Sometimes Christians get bogged down with fancy words and exclusive language. Not that the terms aren't important or studying your bible isn't important, but you don't have to know it all, or do it all to ask Christ to be your savior. This came up during a study we are having at church and we read a short passage in a book. There were all the buzz words in three paragraphs; justification, grace, justifying grace, sanctifying grace...and on and on. It was a little overwhelming even for a seasoned Christian. Thank goodness we don't have to know it all, we need to remember the basics - it's really quite simple and it's for everyone!

Forgiven

The Good News Today Is.....our heavenly father forgives us. "If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you." (Matt 6:14) Forgiveness is a strange thing. We can (and should) forgive others even if we don't feel like forgiving them. Forgiveness is an act of will, not an emotion. Our forgiveness does not have to be accepted by the one we are forgiving to be effective. As soon as we forgive someone, we are blessed by the act. We are set free from the burden of holding a grudge. Holding a grudge is an emotion, and it's hard work to keep it going. Give forgiveness freely, so that you might receive forgiveness freely. Lighten your burden today.

Holiday Blues

The Good News Today Is...."You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." Rom 5:6 This is what I came up with while I was frowning at the headlines this morning. Shootings in Walmart, worker gets trampled in Walmart - Black Friday. These headlines are exactly why I live out in the sticks, and why I don't go shopping on Black Friday. I try to shelter myself from some of the ugliness of the world. Yet it seeps in, and that's when I have to remind myself that Christ died for the ungodly just as much as for the believer. Unnecessary death - it gives a whole new meaning to holiday blues. May there be mercy abounding in the midst of the hurt.

Good News is Not Always Good

The Good News Today Is...also the bad news today...we have free will. If people all make the right choices then free will is a win-win situation. That is how it is intended to work. "'Everything is permissible' - but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible' - but not everything is constructive." 1Cr 10:23 If everyone in the world only did those things that were beneficial and constructive things would be different in our lives. Of course we can only control what we do with our own lives, so that's where we need to concentrate. When we have choices to make we should consider if our choice is both beneficial and constructive. The more we do that, the better we make our world.

My Thanks

The Good News Today Is......"For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son" John 3:16. That is something everyone can give thanks for.

Family

The Good News Today Is....we all have family. Well, that may not seem like good news to some of us. There are those in every family tree that we sometimes wish belonged to someone else's family tree. Maybe there are some who wished they belonged to a different family tree and not their own! But family can mean more than just blood relatives. Jesus told the disciples, "My mother and brothers are those that hear the word and put it into practice." Luke 8:21 No matter what skeletons are in your family's closet, you can be in the family of God.

The Smile of a Child

The Good News Today Is.....our children are still born innocent. When I read the news and I am bombarded with all of the pain and suffering in the world, it is hard to focus on the good. Yet as I look at a baby and there is such innocence and happiness in their smiles, I realize we are still born innocent. We can still teach our children the way they should live and we can rescue the brokenness through the innocence of our children. Invest yourself in a child and help them to grow into adults that shine with the fruit of the spirit. "let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14

Just Trust

The Good News Today Is....We have a God that we can trust. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Pro 3:5. This has always been one of my favorite verses. It reminds me that just when I think I know it all - I realize I don't have a clue. I just have to trust. I have 3 dogs and 3 cats and would have more critters if I had the time or money. I can tell you that they trust me implicitly. They know if they are hungry I will have food for them. They know if they need attention I will stop what I am doing and give them attention. The thing that really gets me is that they know if they are hurt I will make it better. Even if it gives them pain while I'm taking care of their hurt, they let me do whatever I need to do, and just look up at me with trusting eyes. Some how they know that I am only doing what I need to do to make them all better. That is the kind of trust we need to have for God. Even when things aren't going our way, we need to trust that God will only do that which is necessary to make us better. We don't have to understand it, just trust.

The Times Are Changing

The Good News Today Is.....some things never change. We all react differently to change. I happen to revel in it. Change to me is challenging, exciting and prevents boredom. There are those - including some in my immediate family - who react to change with great anxiety and it produces much stress. Our world is so rapidly changing right now that even those of us who find change exciting are starting to feel some of the stress. Our government is going through a huge upheaval and our economy is doing who knows what. The government is bailing out big corporations while Exxon-Mobil reported profits in the billions of dollars. Small businesses are closing their doors one right after another. No one can have any sense of security about the world around us at this point. The good news is that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Heb 13:8 When times get tough our focus should remain on the rock. Jesus will always be the same and will always be our savior. Some things never change.

You Are Loved

The Good News Today Is.......a special wish for all....Eph 3:17-19. "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how long and high and wide and deep is the love of Christ." Today my hope is that you know that you know that you know (without a doubt) my friends - that you are loved!

Make a Joyful Noise

The Good News Today Is....there is music in the world. I love music and at one time I used to be able to say that I really liked all kinds of music. Now I'm showing my age because I just can't wrap myself around heavy metal, hip-hop or rap. Oh well... what I do know is that one of the quickest ways to become worshipful for me is through music. It can make my day and turn a bad mood upside down. "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord," Eph 5:9 Put on some great music today and praise the Lord! It will put a smile on your face.

Be Prepared

The Good News Today Is....I am always trying to prepare. "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1Pe 3:15. I was a girl scout for many years and I remember the motto - be prepared. What I am preparing for is a little different now than it was when I was with the troop. Now I stand with a body of believers instead of young ladies around a campfire. Being prepared to answer everyone who asks for a reason why I am a believer takes a lot of preparation. As believers we have a responsibility to study the bible, fellowship with others, join in breaking the bread, and in prayer. These are the ways we prepare ourselves to be able to answer everyone who asks and to give them the reason why we have the hope that we do.

Expensive Freedom

The Good News Today Is....."You were bought at a price, do not become slaves of men." 1Cr7:23. I started to write that this is good news because we never need to be forced into a life that makes us conform to the ways of the world. Then I felt myself wondering if I would still feel that way if I lived in a "third world" country instead of the U.S.? It is a question I ponder often because I do realize just how blessed I am to live where I can have religious freedom without recourse. Our goal should be to have a faith deep enough that we believe our freedom was bought for a price and we stand on that promise no matter what the consequences are or where we live. There may come a time when we are asked to stand up and be counted as children of God and we may have to pay a price for that - are you ready?

There are Angels Among Us

The Good News Today Is....there are those who share. When my husband got sick and could not work an "angel" of the church helped us through hard times. The mother of my best friend recognized our needs and each week would give me grocery money so my children would be provided for. She continued this every week until the disability payments kicked in - we never went hungry. Acts 4:32 "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had." In a world where we have companies like Citicorp who will lay off over 50,000 employees - yet still pay their CEOs exorbitant bonuses, it is good to remember that there are still angels among us that will share and take care of those who are facing great needs. My prayer today is that the 50,000 employees who will soon lose their job will meet an angel and in that angel find the savior.

Truth or ?

The Good News Today Is......we know the truth. " 'What is the truth?' Pilate asked." (John 18:38) While Pilate didn't understand what the truth was, we clearly have no excuse to be confused. The truth is readily available to us, in our bibles, on TV, on our computers, in many books. We have an abundance of resources. The truth is in the beauty of nature, in the starry skies, in the everyday miracles of life. We know the truth. All we have to do is accept it.

Be Kind Today

The Good News Today Is....there are bumper stickers that say - "Do random acts of kindness." With a barrage of negative bumper stickers, whenever I see this one a breath a sigh of relief. There are still people in the world that believe in kindness. I saw another bumper sticker one time that brought a sigh of sadness, it went like this - "I like Jesus just fine - it's you Christians I can't stand." A very sad truth, too many of "us Christians" have forgotten to do random acts of kindness. We have forgotten to act like Christ. Just for today practice doing random acts of kindness and maybe tomorrow it will come easier. Psalm 145:4,7 "One generation will commend your works to another. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." To be remembered for our Christ like actions and leave a legacy for our children to follow is a noble goal to aspire to.

Mercy Me

The Good News Today Is.....God gives His mercy to many - 1Ti1:13 "Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief." Thankfully God does not judge in the same way our fellow humans judge us. Even if we have made some big mistakes God can be merciful. When we change our ways, repent from our sins, and accept our savior we are given a clean slate in the eyes of God. We do not have to be caught in a circle of darkness and sin - we have been given a choice. God will set us free.

Step By Step

The Good News Today Is....life is to be lived step by step. Gal 5:25 " Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Sometimes we might take giant steps and sometimes we might take baby steps, but we should always stay in step with the Holy Spirit. Don't run ahead or fall behind, just take life one step at a time and you will always have a helper right beside you. And then you will have the fruit of the Spirit, and all will know by your actions and your deeds.

That's What Friends Are For

The Good News Today Is......we have friends. "If one falls down his friend can help him up." Ecc4:10 When we're little and fall down and get a boo-boo our friends feel our pain almost as much as we do. They cry with us and hold our hands as we get our band-aids. When we grow older sometimes our bruises are not so obvious, but our friends are still willing to hold our hands and cry with us. Our friends are willing to pray for us in our times of trouble when we might be going down the wrong path. Pray for your friends this day - that's what friends are for!

Who Holds YOUR Hand?

The Good News Today Is...."My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2. How can anyone go wrong if their help comes from the Lord? The maker of heaven and earth can help any one of us. As for me - I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand - that's great news!

What We Will Be

The Good News Today Is...... 1Jo3:2a "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known." Do you know how much hope is in this simple sentence? If I am already all that I will be as a child of God I might as well throw in the towel right now. Thankfully I am changing every day from glory to glory until I get it right. And, thankfully it hasn't been made known to me all that I will be, because then I would definitely throw in the towel, knowing that I could never be good enough. Yet in my faith in God's word I can have hope - and not just hope, but hope everlasting.

Encourage One Another

The Good News Today Is......we don't have to do this alone. "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1Th5:11 We are meant to help each other and encourage each other everyday. Do you know someone that needs a little encouragement? Pick up the phone and give them a call. When someone is looking down at the grocery store - give them a smile. Not only will it make you feel better, but perhaps they will return the favor just when you need it most.

A Renewable Spirit

The Good News Today Is..... we have but to ask..."Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10) So you've had a bad day - the good news is that you can ask God to correct your heart and your attitude and to renew your spirit - for you have not received a spirit of fear, but a spirit of sonship!

Be Still

The Good News Today Is.....Psalm 37:7....

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes." It doesn't matter what happens around us, only how we let it affect us inside. When life is tough, be still and wait patiently on the Lord. If we take the time to quiet ourselves and take our problems to God, we will have no need to fret.

Peacemakers

The Good News Today Is...."blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9 We are all called to be peacemakers, which is so very hard to remember during an election year. What better reward for being a peacemaker, than to be counted as a son of God? In any way we find possible in our own lives, let us remember to be peacemakers; at home; at work and within our communities.

God Is God

The Good News Today Is......that God is still God no matter who is president.