Can't find a positive news article today :(

But I'm open to suggestions. :)

Obama speaks up on his religious beliefs

Obama's religious beliefs - in his words
Being intrinsically suspect of any politician, I would like to believe that he  believes what he is saying.   I  also pray that he would use Jesus' teachings within his job. 

Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.  1 Timothy 2:1-3

Wind Parts the Red Sea

Wind Parts the Red Sea

I'm slightly amused by this news story.  I'm amused because I read it and think about the people that are going to look to is and say - see! it wasn't God or Moses, it was wind.   What they are going to fail to consider is that God controls the wind.  Of course wind could have parted the Red Sea, but it was God sending the wind - if that is indeed how he did it - to do the job.

The news story doesn't actually say that it wasn't God, but I know that's how it's going to be taken by many individuals reading it.  So while this isn't technically a good news story, I thought I'd spread a little "Good News" using it.

Disabled Youth Create Comic Book Heroes

Unity Through Comic Books?
" 'They were empowered by their own disabilities, and they should not be seen as a source of weakness,' he said."

American and Syrian disabled youth working together.  Pretty cool.  

Good News - Family reunion in the nick of time

God's work
I think this one definitely falls under "It's a God thing."

A truly selfless act

Heartbreaking but still falls under Good News
Here's someone who lived the scripture John 15:13.  I pray that God watches over this mother and child, they were truly blessed to have the man they had in their lives, even though the child will not meet him in this lifetime.

Four Way Kidney Transplant

Four-way Kidney Transplant
I already had a "good news" article picked out but decided that this was pretty awesome itself and right in our backyard... well, right in our backyard if you are from Chicago and reading this.

I see God's hand all over this one. Transplant is one of the ultimate gifts of giving.

Fields of Growth International

Lacrosse Missionaries Take Sport, Philanthropy to Uganda

 This is a pretty cool thing that they're doing.  I hope that their work spotlights the poverty and that brings other groups to help the area in other ways.

Good News - Raising Teen Awareness

Celebrity Taking Some Responsibility

I hope that Christianity comes up, although I don't know her beliefs.  What she is doing is commendable and I hope that it can somehow bring kids closer to God as well.  Maybe her help will make them more open to His message, who knows?   It's a good start though.

2 Timothy sounds alot like current society

2 Timothy 3:  ¹You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. ² For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. ³ They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. ⁴ They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. ⁵ They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

  2 Timothy4:  ³ For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

If you watch the news at all or just pay attention to people when you're in public you can easily see that these passages fit in extremely well with current times.  I don't have solutions, other than the obvious bring the Bible to more people, but I just thought it was interesting to see that the Bible has us pegged.  And I'm sure we're not the first generation that this has applied to, but I'd sure like to be the last...or raise our children to be the last.  Wishful thinking I know, but we have to keep growing and striving to be more like Christ.  The attitudes and actions listed above would melt away if we all turned to God and followed his most important commandments -
 
Matthew 22:³⁶ “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”  ³⁷ Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  ⁴⁰ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Good news for the day :)

It's a couple days old, but a good story none the less.


http://www.gnn.com/article/zach-bonner-now-a-director-ends-2478/1278831

Good News

I'm tired of the bad news I hear all the time, so I'm going to try to find good news articles and post them.  I'd love to do it everyday, but I'm not sure if I'll have the time, but we'll see.  If I can keep doing it long enough maybe it will become a habit.   If you read something that  you think might fit in with this, let me know.   

Here's the first one.

Good News Story

Prayer for 9/11

Father, continue to be with the loved ones of those lost on 9/11 as they remember that day and how it has affected their lives.  Protect all our soldiers and first responders as they put their lives on the line for us and be with their families as well to comfort them and give them peace from worry as they send them off either on deployment or to their jobs as policemen, firemen and paramedics.  Please bring them home safely.

Father, put the greatest commandment on the hearts of all people.  "Jesus replied, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important:'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  Matthew 22:37-38.  Father we need that commandment to become part of our lives, from the children on the streets to the Pastors and heads of government.  Be with us and our country and help us to do better and walk in your ways.

In Jesus' name. Amen

Fall Kick Off 9/12/10

I want to invite everyone I know, and even those I don't,  to the First Church of God's fall kick off on September 12, 2010.  And if you're not sure about it, you can consider it an early birthday present since my birthday is 2 days later.  :) 

The fall kick off consists not only of the start of a 4 week series on "The Strange & Unique Call To Life in God's Kingdom", but it is also the kick off for the children's ministry Promiseland!  There will be superheroes and puppets involved!  Who could ask for more?

In addition to that, there will be a special purity series starting at 11:00.  The lesson will cover topics like gossip, clothing and abstinence.  The girls invited are 6th grade and up.  There is a permission slip involved in the abstinence lesson on the 19th.

And as if that wasn't enough, September 12th will be the first weekend of registration for the MOUNTAIN MOVERS.  The moms and daughters Tuesday night discipleship class that meets from 6:30 until 8:00.  There are crafts, a snack and then a lesson.  Topics being covered this term are How to Make Good Friends, How to Make Good Choices and How to Grow Fruit of the Spirit.  It's a fun group! The age range is 1st through 8th grade.  And if you aren't a mom but you have a niece, neighbor, much younger sister, cousin, random child off the street that likes crafts, your welcome to come.  However, if you've picked a random child off the street I'm going to need a permission slip from the parents.... :)

Seriously, First Church of God at 4600 W. 111th Street, Oak Lawn, IL  is a great church and I hope you consider coming.  You can hear Pastor Dan's messages online at www.visitusonline.org - click on Media.