Saturday, May 10, 2008

Good News and Bad News

I really don't know why people begin conversations this way. Especially auto mechanics who are holding your car hostage. But, after putting the mini-van in the shop for A/C work, I told the guy at the counter we had been saving for 5 months to have the work done and to take it easy on me. Expense had already exceeded $1,000 when the call came. It went something like this.

Me: Hello
Guy: Hello Mr. Johns
Me: Hello
Guy: I've got good news and bad news, which do you want first heh heh
Me: what is it?
Guy: I found that part for the hose assembly your van has one of two, and I should get it first thing tomorrow.
Me: okay
Guy: I spent all afternoon taking the old one off (Read milking you for labor) and unfortunately it had leaked freon into your compressor and it too is ruined.
Me: okay, what will that cost me?
Guy: Uh, I don't really know off hand (read, Lots more money)
Me: can you give me a ballpark
Guy: I will call you back in a few
Me: By the way, what was the good news?
Guy: That I found the part I needed


Here is why I share my story with you.

1. To complain and get off my chest my frustration.
2. To eradicate the world of the phrase "good news and bad news"
Here is why: When there is bad news, no one likes to play games. Plus, if all the bad news (you owe another $420.00) is mine and the good news is yours (I found the part) Then it does not apply.

A lot of times people fear going to church because the "good news" is delivered as bad news. The church is seen as negative, and no one wants to be on the bad news end of a balanced "Good News/ Bad News " exchange. What makes the gospel so great is that in spite of our thinking that being a sinner is bad news, and not wanting to hear it from anyone especially a pious Christian, is that in fact all the bad news is take on by Christ, leaving only good news for us. Finding Christ is no more bad news, than to find that you owe an enormous debt and Christ has paid it all. The bad news that we are a sinner pales in comparison, to the good news that we have been saved from the penalty of our sin.

Romans 8:18 (NKJV)
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

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