The Good Stuff #1

Sometimes it feels like we are surrounded by negatives- bad news headlines, bad attitudes, bad influences... CyberYouthGroup is here to combat the bad with some good!

This post is the first in a series called "The Good Stuff," in which I point out bright spots I've noticed-things happening in the church or in the world that qualify as "Good News." They may not be earth shattering, but hopefully they help us to obey Paul's command: "If there is anything excellent or anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Phil. 3:8).

My first two selections may surprise you.

Good Thing #1: Black Gospel Music!!

There are very few things in the world quite as uplifting as black gospel music. The music is relevant, high quality, catchy and focused on God. These people know how to praise! When I was a kid, my parents would drag me every year to a black gospel music competition in our town. The full-body worship experience was irresistible. There's a lot we Presbyterians could learn from this style of worship. If you're wondering where to start, check out Joshua's Troop, an outfit from Chicago who are keeping it real.

Good Thing #2: Chick-fil-A!!

I know-you're wondering why a fast food joint could be considered a "bright spot" in our culture. Besides the delicious grub, there are a few things that have made me a devoted fil-a fan:

-They're closed on Sundays!! Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-a, believes that keeping the Sabbath is good for everyone. So no matter where you are on the totem pole, everyone working for the company knows that they will get at least one regular day off every week. When you think of the income the store forfeits every Sunday, its a pretty impressive stance to take.

-The goodies! At McDonalds, kids meals come with a cheapo toy. Know what they give out at Chick-fil-a? Educational children's books, CD's that teach kids Spanish or French, and other kinds of high quality toys with a purpose.

-Charitable Giving- Chick-fil-a supports a variety of charitable causes, from providing for needy children to marriage retreats for struggling couples (!) So I figure, a dollar spent at Chich-fil-a is a dollar well spent! To learn more about the causes Chick-fil-a supports, check out their comprehensive website.

I hope you've enjoyed this edition of "The Good Stuff." Please email me any bright spots you think I should feature in future editions.