God made man upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes.*
There it is, the best explanation of things as we see them.
Newspapers may be having a hard time staying afloat these days but not for lack of bad news.
I still get one delivered to my driveway. How many times have I muttered to myself, “Okay, I’ll give you one more chance to give me some good news?” But it rarely happens.
I’ve sometimes thought instead of “Times” or “Tribune” or “Sun,” a more accurate masthead would be “The Daily Sin.”
Okay, it’s not the newspaper’s fault. Communication is the lubricant of a democracy and all that. We need to know what’s going on. The occupation is worthy.
I remember a fascination with making newspapers as a child. I’d produce a small sheet complete with clever headlines and brief copy with maybe a drawing or so. It was before the days of photocopiers so I charged “five cents a read.” I don’t remember the news, likely fairly mundane and close to home. All very innocent and “upright.”
That was before exposure years later to wayward influences and my personal “search for many schemes.” Then my news was not so fit to print . . . not large swaths of it anyway.
Even now, God knows, there’s plenty I wouldn’t want read by the general public.
That God knows is enough. That he reads it, uncomfortable enough.
At five cents a read I’d be rich.
But not always comfortably.
Happily there are new beginnings. A personal newspaper keeps coming: “Morning Mercies.”**
I’ll keep my subscription up with that one.
(Especially since it’s been paid.)
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* Ecclesiastes 7:29
** Lamentations 3:22-23
Next: Words: Goads and Nails. Coming Tuesday.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
8:57 am
Thanks for your interesting twist on sin and grace.
9:17 am
I’m afraid my “affair” with newspapers went far south as it became less of interest with emphasis on what is wrong in the world. I agree – “Daily Sin” is the biggest take which is a sad commentary on our times and the state of the world.
12:14 pm
Excellent, Hyatt.
10:06 pm
You’d think we derive some degree of satisfaction reading about the misfortunes of others. Donald Miller, in his excellent book, “Blue Like Jazz,” relates to us all like being in a lifeboat, wondering who’s the next one to be thrown over the side, discarded as having no value any longer. I wonder if, while reading about the bad news occuring, we’re thinking, “Perhaps I’m not the next one to go over after all,” and feeling safe, at least for awhile, maybe a day.
8:00 pm
Every now and then I’m obligated to dip in with a comment to justly reward your thoughtful, clever way of thinking and writing. It’s an encouragement to me. It’s more than blogger entertainment, it’s a pal helping me consider fresh views of a short life.