I don’t particularly like reading a newspaper. It is very
impractical. The pages are too big, the print too small and the headlines too
depressing. Even the 6 –letter words on the street poles harass you with bad
news. If it’s not Oscar Pistorius
killing his girlfriend, it’s a Boston bomb injuring hundreds of innocent marathon
runners. Not even the radio helps sooth
the sounds of negativity and murmur. On the contrary, it only amplifies the shock
and disarray.
And magazines are no better. These glossy pages are supposed to
help you imagine a fabulous life of fashion, make-up and exotic travel
destinations. Instead you read about divorce, weight gain, failed plastic
surgeries and addictions.
I recently read an article of a well-known news editor giving tips
for PR agencies to help them get more media coverage. He said: “Write Negative stories -It's
sad but true: Most people prefer to hear bad news, or things they shouldn't do.
Take the negative angle of a story, and you'll be surprised by the traffic.”
Yes, it’s true…..the media loves negative stories
filled with heartache and pain.
Sometimes I think the principalities and powers of
darkness know this bizarre fact all too well.
Let’s imagine heaven and hell published two
separate newspapers called The Good News (Heaven) and The Bad Times (Hell).
Imagine offices full of journalists all running around for a breaking story–
some working for the Good News and others working for the Bad Times Newspaper. And
say, hypothetically, that we had to compare the readership of both papers
(taking the above fact into consideration…..). It should then come as no
surprise that the readership of the Bad Times Newspaper will be significantly
higher than the readership of the Good News.
Often times I see people read the BAD TIMES
NEWSPAPER, without even questioning the content.
Why?
Like most successful papers, the Bad Times knows
that most people, including Christians, are bad-news-hungry, and the
journalists do not hesitate to give them what they want.
What makes the Bad Times even more effective, is
their senior journalist, Mr S. Atan. He is
a brilliant but strewed writer, who only reports on negative news. Sometimes he can come up with the silliest
stories, with no real sources to confirm anything he has to say. Yet, he writes
it in such a way that it sounds believable.
Like any great writer, he uses theatre and drama to get his point
across: Circumstances, signs, assumptions and lies are craftily woven together
to construct a masterpiece. For some, his writings are genius. For others, he
is a Father of lies.
Below
are some examples of The Bad Times Newspaper Headings:
·
Yes for Depression, Discouragement and
Disillusionment.
·
Bright future -
now dead
·
Doomed to a life of failure
·
Who wants to hear good news?
·
Why serve an unfair God?
·
Values Hah!
·
Success is for everyone – accept Christians
·
You will never meet your soul mate
·
Hello Fear, Good-Bye Faith
·
Reasons why you don’t have to go to church
You can recognise "The Bad Times" readers a mile
away. When you talk to them, they give you a News Flash filled with fear, doubt
and questions. They are usually double-minded, and not really sure about
anything in life. Some of them use to love "The Good News", but over the years
they became more intrigued with the sensational "bad times" articles. They often
have sleepless nights, thinking of plans to get them out of difficult
situations. Most struggle to find rest for their souls, because they constantly
get thrown around by waves of negativity. They are always waiting for bad
things to happen.
Even though the Good News is mainly targeted for
Christians, not many like to read the paper. The articles are usually filled
with hope, faith and love, which do not appeal to everyone. It is an
exceptional paper, with well-trained senior journalists such as Mr. Paul
Apostle, Mr. Dawid King and Mr. Moses Shepherd just to name a few. The Editor
of the paper is Mr. J Esus, a reputed Author, and Eternity prize winner. Even the sources of the paper are undisputable
and the content is based on truth.
Below are some examples of "The Good News" Headings
·
Yes for Love, Faith and Hope
·
Future Bright -Living Light!
·
Destined for a life of Victories!
·
Good News for Bad Times
·
Why not serve a loving God?
·
Yes for Values!
·
Successful with Christ
·
Match Made in Heaven
·
Hello Faith, Good-bye Fear
·
Church – God’s family
Those who read the Good News have peace. Bad situations to not
shake them, but they are rooted in the love of the Father. When they give you a
News Flash, it is always positive and faith-filled, with no fear. They are
single-minded to belief only the best, to anchor themselves in the truth of the
Good News. There reality is shaped according to what they believe.
So what paper do you prefer?
The Bad Times or the Good News?
So what paper do you prefer?
The Bad Times or the Good News?
Phil 4: 5-8 (Message) - Journalist Paul Apostle for the Good News
-5 Celebrate God
all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to
all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them.
Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
6-7 Don’t fret or
worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries
into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of
God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you
down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of
your life.
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realised. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies
