LightGrams
September 14, 2017
Volume 21, Number 31
You need to hear about Amiah Van Hill of Hayden, Idaho. This second grade student has been selling lemonade, like thousands of other young children do. But Amiah has a different purpose in mind. She’s not out to buy toys, clothes, or a new pet; she wants to pay off the school lunch debt of the Cour d’Alene Public School District.
You can’t help but smile when you read that story and see a photo of this adorable little girl. That’s the whole idea of The Good News Network. Amiah’s story is there, along with stories about free telephone service offered to hurricane victims, a rescue of a stranded newborn seal from a steep cliff, and a stranger who put up a new mailbox for a blind woman to keep her from walking onto the street.
The popular news media of television and newspaper only occasionally (seldom?) carry stories like this. An old adage among publishers says, “If it bleeds, it leads”, meaning the stunning and sensational stories get the headlines. As a result, some of us have virtually stopped watching the news or reading newspapers. Our blood pressures thank us for our decisions.
I’m glad I stumbled onto the web site of The Good News Network. I’ve bookmarked it, and plan to visit when I need reminders that there is still much good in this world.
And truly there is much good in our world. If you doubt that, go to a playground or a mall; observe the children. These young ones have not yet learned to be cold and judgmental; they generally enjoy the simplest of things around them. Even Jesus loved being around children: “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).
To see more good in our world volunteer for a service project. Visit a nursing home; offer to help prepare boxes of food at your local food bank; take time to listen to the stories of an elderly neighbor. “Service” sounds like a self-emptying activity, but you’ll find that you receive more than you give. This again is the teaching of Jesus: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).
I’ve saved the best news for last; I hope you’ll spend time reflecting on this: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). That simple message is the essence of the Gospel – a word which literally means “good news”.
Could you use a little good news today? Just look up!
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2017, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.