Face Value: Judging a Book by its Cover

Bookstores are one of my favorite places. Of course, libraries are even better because they're free. 

But on a recent shopping escapade, I was pretty disappointed (and humored!) with a some of the titles I saw. I even wrote down a few of them here:

How Not to Die

O's Big Book of Happiness

Why He Didn't Call You Back

Livin' the Moment: Getting to Ecstasy through Wine, Chocolate and the iPod Playlist

It's not a surprise that these were found in the "self-help" section. The human race has always looked to outside sources for answers to success, happiness, health and remedy. It's a lesson I need to learn, too. I am constantly seeking the approval of others and admit to "livin' the moment" every now and then. I'm not perfect; but I think we need to remember to keep our eyes focuses on the things above, rather than to other imperfect human we place with high authority (i.e. Oprah). What better person to follow than the only one who truly was, is and always will be P-E-R-F-E-C-T? I don't know anyone else who has achieved that status in human form other than Jesus. 

In our Beth Moore study, it's clear that I need to keep my attention focused on the things above. Where I look indicates what I hear, which influences how I feel and tells me what to expect. Therefore, I know that if I look to God, I know what I can expect. People, books, food, can never fully give me what I desire. Psalm 121 says, "I lift my eyes up to the hills/From where does my help come?/My help comes from the LORD,/Who made the heaven and the earth."

Case Study: Jon & Kate

They are household names: Jon and Kate (Plus 8). The religion section at the bookstore featured: "Multiple Bles8sings: Jon and Kate." While pop culture is obsessed with the unique family and, most recently, the couple's rocky relationship, I am sorely disappointed. Every People article, entertainment show and even the local news has taken a piece of the Jon & Kate Pie.  To what avail? Perpetuation of their scandalous behavior only further deteriorates their marriage and could lead to a very public divorce. Shame on the media for invading their lives, scripting their every move. The book portrays a loving, Christian family. Pre-scandal, the family seems to put prayer at the center and put their trust in God as their provider and sustainer. But what of it now? Media seem to have pitted Jon and Kate against each other. One entertainment show teased, "Up next, you'll find out why Jon and Kate aren't even sitting on the same couch in this exclusive interview."

Who will answer for their divorce when it happens? True, Jon and Kate chose to be featured on a reality TV show, but media also need to know when enough is enough. Has Princess Diana's death taught us nothing?

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. - Psalm 34:13

 

NPR: Trailblazer of Journalism

In my rapidly growing affinity for NPR, I've discovered some pretty neat people.

Barbara Bradley Hagerty is vital in the field of religion reporting. She recently published a book, "The Fingerprints of God," in which she recounts her experiences abroad with different faith groups. USA Today profiles her and others who are making an impact on religion reporting these days.

Andy Carvin is the "social media guy" for NPR. Props to him - Mashable (THE online social media guide) cited him as one of the reasons NPR is at the forefront of social media (among the top 25 followed accounts on Twitter). The article applauded NPR for increasing its listenership/readership in a time when most news outlets are being forced to change. That's something to be proud of.

According to the article, NPR has embraced changing media platforms using a three-pronged system:

1. A focus on local. Experts have predicted that the future of journalism is in hyperlocal news.
2. A focus on social media. They are on top of this. Everytime I visit my Facebook home page, NPR has a new story posted with a video or podcast link. My most recent favorite was a story with amateur video footage of the beatboxing champions. That's what I call entertainment.
3. News on "my" terms. With the "me" focus of social media, NPR has created its platform in a way that allows news consumers to build their news consumption. You can create playlists and channels based on your interests.

Either way, NPR is blazing the trail for what lies ahead in journalism. Snaps to NPR!

I lift my eyes up to the hills...

The Psalms of Ascents - that's what I'm studying this summer in my bible study. It's part of a Beth Moore series. Today we had our first meeting and already it looks like there are great things to come!

The focus is on how to worship more deeply and be more humbled in God's presence. I will definitely giving updates about the study. It's the first time I've done a bible study with a workbook aspect. And if you know me and how much I love structure -- I'm pretty pumped. I mean, who doesn't LOVE filling in the blanks and reflection questions? I guess that's the student in me!

Why I Love the News

It hit me as I was sitting in the TV studio last night with some of the other new interns. As I watched the 6 pm newscast, I realized some of my happiest memories growing up were watching the evening news (with CBS's Dan Rather, no less) and the local news (CBS 2 Chicago). 

Every night, like clockwork, amid Mom's microwave creations and Dad's peanut gallery comments of politicians, we'd watch the news. Sure, I wasn't always paying attention, but I associated the news with family time, dinner time and a safe, cozy home even if the news wasn't cozy. I guess it made me thankful for the things I do have in life. 

Something about the nuance of a newscast - the reporter's smooth, authoritative tone and the easy chatter in the newsroom made the anchors seems like family friends. I associate the news with hamburger helper, and doing dishes, with interspersed conversations about the "mean girls" at school or my latest homework assignment. 

Something about watching the evening news at dinnertime just gives me a sense of comfort.

I'm not even two weeks into this internship and already I can see that a lot of work goes into the news to make it the seamless broadcast viewers see from their living rooms. And it's not always pretty, either. 

Tonight, after a press conference for the latest Hoosier Lottery winner, the photog and I got a call about a fatal car crash. We traveled to the northeast side of Indy, and thankfully didn't see anything too gruesome. We then headed to the Irvington neighborhood to report on the proposed removal of a historic ice rink at Ellenberger Park. The citizens were clearly passionate about the topic and had plenty to say.

I will say one thing: I'm going to need a couple more pairs of shoes to get around at this pace. My high heels will be worn to a stubble before this summer is over. 

everything i've WISHed for

Today I began as a news intern at the Indianapolis CBS affiliate: WISH TV 8. I can't tell how I excited I've been to begin this internship. This is my first TV-based internship, so I'll really be in that broadcast, edge-of-your-seat environment.

It's been great to find other believers in this environment. On my first day, I shadowed Jim Scott at the assignment desk. He told me about a ministry he started through Old Bethel United Methodist Church. It's called Celebration Puppeteers. Jim explained that he and his team make puppets and use puppet storytelling to spread the good news. And he does this on the side, all while he's been working at WISH for over 30 years!

I take this as a sign from God to trust that he will put other believers in my life as mentors and guides, even in an industry that takes a lot of heat and criticism at times.

Overall, I am praying that God will give me the courage to be ambitious and enterprising in this internship, which I think will challenge me in ways I've never been challenged. But I know that any time I give God my complete trust, I am always happy with the results.

Where's the "Panic" Button?!?!?

(This post was written about a week ago, but due to a crazy week, publication has been delayed!)

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Events in my life tend to be thematic. 

Today, in three different mediums, I felt like God was telling me, "Stop worrying. I have better things for you to do." God really knows how to use our human methods of communications to communicate with us!

• Church. Well that's an obvious 'God-Channel.' Pastor Jeff said that all the worrying we do cuts us short of  - stop being scared and running away. psalm 51:17

• Pandora.com. This is a pretty great invention. I typed in 'Michelle Branch' as a music station, and it popped up with Jason Mraz's 'The Remedy (I won't worry my life away).' Pretty ironic? God doesn't want me wasting my energy on the trivial or inevitable.

• Cory Matthews from the '90s sitcom  "Boy meets World" - In the episode "Risky Business" Cory discovers the thrill of betting on horses, and in doing so risks losing his little sister whom he promised to babysit. 

Do I think God uses these ways to communicate with us? Sure. He's always trying to tell us something, but he's obviously not going to come over a loudspeaker and spell it all out for us. 

Role Reversal: My S + C Podcast

As a student journalist and an intern, I conduct usually 5 - 10 interviews a week. But now the tables have turned!

While in Boston for the RCC Convention, my mentor Shirley Paulson, who conducts podcasts on her blog, Spirituality + Christianity, interviewed me in Episode 21. Enjoy listening (it's about 20 minutes long).

Shirley is a Christian Science practitioner in the Chicago area. As my mentor, she has given me great insight into the role of communicator with a faith-based mindset.