News from Good News Ministries:
- What is Your Influence?
- Plus great links to great content!
What is Your Influence?
By: Bill Snyder (Media Director)
Late last week, I was conversing with Terry Modica (Executive Director) and troubleshooting a technical question about why a YouTube video wasn’t classified as a “YouTube Short.” I explained that because it wasn’t filmed in a vertical format, YouTube wouldn’t recognize it as a “short video.” Then we lamented our disdain for this new “influencer” style and its impact on longstanding video production values and our culture.
While it might appeal to a younger crowd it drives us crazy to watch and create videos in a vertical orientation. However, we quickly acknowledged that it is necessary to embrace this new style if we want GNM to reach more souls and a younger generation hungry for an authentic presentation of the Good News.
This led me to ponder the question: How would we capture the life and ministry of Jesus in 2025? Certainly, there would be many “vertical” video moments today’s “influencers” would love to capture. His apostles walking on water, the cleansing of lepers, the expulsion of demons, His numerous healings, the raising of Lazarus, and a triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday would be a social media influencer’s dream to witness and capture.
Why? Being one of the lucky ones to record these flashy events, if even for only a few seconds, would increase their popularity and notoriety. They might quickly gain enough views to monetize their channel, quit their job, purchase a private island, and retire comfortably. Sounds nice doesn’t it? Perhaps, that’s one of the many reasons Jesus inserted himself into human history 2000 years before we invented the cell phone camera. Jesus didn’t come to increase your popularity; He demonstrated perfect love and redeemed your soul.
Humanity has been trying to capture and express the essence of God’s love for the past two millennia and hasn’t succeeded yet. Libraries are filled with books authored by Saints who have personally experienced His love but cannot fully express it. The world’s greatest theologians struggle to provide definition and clarity about a love that has no boundaries.
No one can fully express the unfathomable Love of God.
So, as we participate in the most sacred and holiest days of our faith, let us not be busied with capturing a 30-second-sized bite of God’s magnificence to edify ourselves. Instead, just be grateful and pray “Thank you Jesus for loving me and my whole family.”
Good News Prayer Room:
Use our collection of Catholic prayers designed with your needs in mind. They will give you hope and a stronger connection to God’s love and support. What do you need prayers for today?
Visit gnm.org/prayers.
Post your prayer requests @ gnm.org/post-a-prayer.
Good News WordBytes:
WANT MORE FAITH and HOPE in TROUBLED TIMES? WE’RE HERE for YOU! Choose from a variety of topics on our website of Catholic Faith-building articles. What do you need today?
Visit wordbytes.org.
Explore our Catholic Video Library for Faith Growth
Give yourself a personal retreat day; watch videos from our library of faith-builders:
God bless you!
Every morning, I lift up in prayer everyone who helps Good News Ministries in any way (donors, volunteers, prayer supporters, etc.) and all the prayer requests posted on our site. What can I cover in prayer for you? Post your prayer request.
How else can the team and I serve you today? Visit our homepage.
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
Your servant in Christ,
Terry Modica, Author, Speaker, Podcaster,
Executive Director, Good News Ministries
gnm.org
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