Sniffing out the news: Stop, Look & Listen- not necessarily in that order.

"It has gotten to where watching the news is like watching a televised version of the National Inquirer! I'm sick & tired of it!!!
How can we get just the news...the real news? ~L.C. of Georgia"








I don't watch news anymore. I read it from a variety of papers online- different sources so I can recognize the biases. Learning to recognize bias and how to pull out facts from commentary is a skill that takes time and intentionality.

Listen-
I listen to National Public Radio and other podcasts that focus on specific areas.  While several of the shows on NPR do have biased hosts the news itself tends to be well reported with more details than the TV soundbites. It's a good idea to keep in mind that podcasts and radio talk shows are not reporting news. They either explore more details of a news story or they present a commentary. It will be biased but can still be informative.

Look-
I read news stories from CNN, Washington Post, New York Times and several others from different countries. Foreign news agencies tend to not have the same bias about happenings in the US or around the world- still biased but different. I try to challenge my own bias by reading a variety of view points. I also make sure to notice if what I am reading is editorial or a news story. (Editorials are commentary on facts- opinion.)

Stop...

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When I see posts that get spread around on social media with alarming or inflammatory headlines I pay attention to the author or publisher. Is it a recognizable news source or is it a blogger, a site name that is not a news agency or even a satire site? I see people share those all the time thinking they are legitimate news stories. The Onion and The Babylon Bee are satirical and are different than the bloggers and pundits who are commenting on the news but present their opinion as fact. Both types of sites want to stir up emotion for their benefit whether that is to drive people to their site for ad revenue or to persuade people to their point of view but it's not journalism.

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...and look some more.
If it is a story I truly care about or is very alarming I look for links to the facts being reported or I go ahead and do my own internet search to verify facts. That often means going to local news from where the story originated or looking to agencies that track specific data that is mentioned in the article.


Grandpa* knows best~
It takes work but it is what my grandfather taught me to do with print news- learn for myself what is happening and then decide what my opinion is.

*My grandfather taught me more about how to learn and how to think than anyone I have ever known. The Great Depression forced him to drop out of school in the 8th grade but he never stopped learning, reading or thinking.

Heather M. Flood served as her mother's Daily Reporter for several years before growing up. She has taught and written history, government, and geography curriculum for 13 years to home school classes. She is also the co-founder and education director for an adult education nonprofit, Hope Academy of Savannah, that helps adults find their hope and pursue their purpose.

Christmas Carol Contemplations: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

The world was dark and they were watching for danger in the night when suddenly the night was ablaze with a terrible light! They were terrified.  

"Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide..."

And with those words their world was changed forever.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pemq/6300016658/in/photostream

I've always liked this carol but felt a bit confused by it. The words themselves speak of finding rest and peace but the melody is anything but peaceful. Yet still I find myself drawn to this song with it's seemingly discordant lyrics and tune.

Listening to the Pentatonix version with its rapid progression and driving voices I am reminded of when the angels suddenly appeared in the dark lonely night to some shepherds watchful for danger. Bursting in on their night with their powerful presence they were quick to speak into their fear with truth; a message that will lead them to the source of perfect peace. (Luke 2:8-20)

Much like the world the shepherds lived in, this Christmas our world is anything but peaceful. Our lives can feel heavy at times. Fears both personal and global can steal our strength and rob us of courage.

Maybe that's what the original carol writer had in mind when he brought together the comforting lyrics with courage inspiring chords resulting in an anthem that calls to the fearful telling them,

"Fear not! We have good news!

Go quickly to the one who can give you Peace."

We need someone to step into our fears, point us to rest and help us lay aside our dismay. Perhaps then we may embrace each other in brotherly love and find comfort and joy.

My prayer today: Thank you Jesus for bringing me courage when I want to hide or close myself off from the world. Give me your peace so I may open my heart to the brother or sister I am afraid to welcome into my life. Remind me of how you came to forgive me so I will be able to give grace and forgiveness. Help me to remain in your rest when all around me beckons me to busyness and worry. Thank you for embracing me and help me to embrace others. You make me able and I have nothing to dismay.

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"

God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's pow'r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Fear not then, said the Angel
Let nothing you affright
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's pow'r and might
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Read more: Pentatonix - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Either-Or

Or. It's a word I run into a lot lately.

Definition from Dictionary.com, Image from Microsoft Publisher

Whether it's in the media, heated discussions about hot button issues or high pressure sales from the overly beautiful sales reps at the mall kiosks. It almost always shows up when someone wants to pressure people into making a stand and in situations where it feels like pressure of ‘the Squeeze’ requires an immediate response. It can also show up in the questions I ask myself about life in both choices I have to make and when I’m looking for the ‘why’ behind the hard things in life.  It implies there are only two choices. Either this or that.

The problem with the word ‘or’ is the people presenting the choices ‘this or that’ are the ones defining the problem and influencing the answer. It implies they have a handle on what the situation is and therefore know the only possible options and that influences the outcome. The person on the receiving end of the choice presented by ‘or’ suddenly thinks those are the only two possibilities.

Illustration by W.W. Denslow

In a way the people who are presenting the choices are like a Las Vegas magician who says look over here when in reality his hands are working behind his back to do something else and then what you thought you were looking at is not the real trick at all. It's much like that scene in the Wizard of Oz when the wizard is flashing fireballs and thunderous responses pressuring Dorothy into thinking there is only one choice (run away) but then Toto runs behind the curtain exposing the carnival man pulling the levers and pushing the buttons. Suddenly Dorothy's perspective changes completely and with that she becomes aware of two things- she’s been manipulated and there are other choices she can make.

Yet not every ‘either-or’ question is a result of manipulating someone’s perspective. The ‘or’ can also come from a perspective limited by ignorance. It reminds me of a time the disciples asked Jesus, ‘Why is this guy blind? Is it because of his sin or his parents’ sin?'

Jesus’s response makes me think there's another problem with the word ‘or’ - it limits perspective. And maybe for humans that limited perspective is true sometimes but the funny thing about Jesus is he has a very different perspective on the problems we face.  He sees what we don’t see when we are faced with what we fear, don’t understand or what hurts us.

When Jesus was faced with that ‘why’ question by the disciples they thought there were only two possible root issues. Either, or. What happens when you choose to not be limited by the word ‘or’? Jesus replies with another small, powerful word- but.  His response is not to answer their limited question, rather he shines a light on the bigger meaning of the man’s life and God’s purpose in it. He explains the ‘but’ that matters most because we want to know the ‘why’ before we make a choice.

Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:3-5, ESV, emphasis added)

He focuses on what is eternal instead of the temporary. They're looking for a situation that can be resolved and explained by man but he is looking at it and saying, “Hey, I'm God. I see what you can't see. I see your real need and I see what's really important.” The ‘but’ that matters most is that the light of God’s glory shines in a dark world so more people can know Him before it is too late

So now, when I'm faced with 'either-or' decisions I find myself looking for the 'but'. Sometimes that means taking a step back looking for the sleight of hand and the man behind the curtain. More often it means asking myself, 'What does Jesus see that I don't? And how can I bring hope and light before the day ends?'

Who is Heather M. Flood word association-
Need? Coffee.
Love? Jesus.
Need? Okay, Jesus first then coffee.
Purpose? Love God, love people.