Morning News

I suppose not a few like to start the day with good news. Good luck. We have some morning newspapers still operative although some arrive about 10:00 or even by noon. I remember my paper route which I delivered pretty much on schedule, either on foot or on my bike. That paper is delivered three days a week like ours is. Our small town daily paper costs $1.50 but our big neighboring city paper is $1.00 and bigger with more news.

Not only do we have the newspapers but the radio, TV, magazines, the internet and other forms of news so we all get the news one way or another. Now, to the first page of a recent Sunday in our paper: Program helps nonviolent offenders . . .Second chance first . . .Free college plan showing positive impact . . .Reintroduction of red wolves in wild halted . . . Moving on:Autopsy pending victim of 100-mph crash . . .No charges against sheriff . . . Pickup driver deemed at fault . . . Early morning fire causes $330K in damage. Not too much enlightenment is apparent at times.

I won't go into detail with the magazines that arrived this week, nor will I discuss what I saw while rummaging through about thirty stations at random on TV. Today I received a letter which started out Do I ever have good news for you! Then this: . . .Go with me to the Mid-East where . . .we are shocked to hear and see unbelievable evil marching boldly across miles of territory to claim for itself.

But then, the good news: My friend . . .announced the development of an online theological education . . imagine, . . .an unstoppable way of educating and equipping men and women. This of course is both good and bad news depending on who reads it. Whether this helps or hinders the following solicitation for $250, $100, $50, $35 or other $ is debatable but does illustrate the juxtaposition of both good and bad news, doesn't it?

When we hear good news, we perk up. But chances are we shrug off bad news quite readily. True, bad news is at times necessary but is not always appropriate or well-timed while good news is usually befitting but too easily overlooked. The same holds true in our everyday conversations, political and religious utterances, in the classroom and family table talk. Even Senior Moments gets caught in the imbalance I'm afraid. So, be on the lookout for some good news and pass it on, OK?