Yes, I did look this up:! Here are ten bad things to happen in the US this year, in chronological order.
1. January: Over 100 troops are diagnosed with brain injuries; 2. January: Death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others; 3. February-June: Wildfires in California;
4. March-April: Tornadoes in the South: 5. May: Murder hornets; 6. January onwards: Most mass shootings in May since 2013; 7. January onward: Coronavirus; 8. May: Worst economic recession since 2008 … brought on by coronavirus; 9. May-June: George Floyd’s death, racism and police violence; 10. May-June: Declining press freedom.
So.. is there any good news this year so far? The answer is yes! Good news happens all the time, but rarely gets reported. It really doesn’t sell newspapers or advertising spots. We have to look beyond the media, sometimes just in our own back yard.
I am sure you have heard of the Hope Center. They are a non-profit volunteer organization thet has an extensive list of services they provide for those in need. The Hope Center has been behind 2 major food giveaways at Emmanuel UCC as well as other organizations in our community. Carone’s market has been instrumental in our first giveaway as well as selling us food for our food pantry at what seems to be even below their cost. There is much more good news to report, and I am sure you have some good news stories of your own.
There is a reason why the Gospels of Jesus Christ are referred to as Good News. The Gospel is Good News because it takes us from people who are dead in their sins and lost without hope, to people who are loved by God and adopted into His family. That’s the best news there is! As long as we have the Good News of the Gospels on our side, we know bad news is only temporary and we as Christians have the ways and means to make the bad good again. That is as long as we continue to believe in God and His Sone Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” We feel our purpose is being met with each hand that joins us in giving and receiving.
The Bible also tells us in Luke 1:37, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” What a powerful statement.
Make this a mantra for your days battling the bad and continue to see the good with every sunrise. Always praying for you,
