Author Archives: Jim Killam

The church and expensive perfume

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Jim Killam

A bit random and off-topic today, but it tracks with a conversation I’ve been having with a friend. Here goes … There’s one story from the gospels I always have trouble with. It’s where Jesus lets Mary, the sister of … Continue reading →

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When spectacle obscures story

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Jim Killam

Everything is Awesome!!! If you’ve seen “The Lego Movie,” I’ve just triggered that obnoxious, earworm of a song to start playing again in your head. You’re welcome. I’m aware that most critics loved this movie. It’s smart, cynical, funny and … Continue reading →

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Aristotle’s eye for story

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Jim Killam

The Greek philosopher Aristotle identified six elements of drama: plot, characters, theme, dialogue, rhythm and spectacle. Those elements still apply today, whether we’re talking about a stage play, a written feature story or a YouTube video. Here’s a quick look … Continue reading →

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The call of adventure

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Jim Killam

If you haven’t noticed, story is big right now. Tell your story. Tell your company’s story. Live a better story. As a writer, I like this trend. I’m predisposed to see life as a series of story ideas. The best … Continue reading →

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Every street; rainy day

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Jim Killam

Author Mark Sayers is one of today’s best cultural observers. In his new book, “Facing Leviathan,” he deconstructs our consumer / spectator culture and talks about the need for leaders to break free of it. The “society of spectacle” is … Continue reading →

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Blogging from your mission trip

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Jim Killam

From our friend Bruce Herwig at Trinity Church in Redlands, Calif., here’s good advice on blogging from your short-term mission trip. And thanks, Bruce, for the plug for our book!

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O.J., TV and wretched excess

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Jim Killam

The TV networks already are rolling out their programming for the 20-year anniversary of that slow-speed freeway chase involving O.J. Simpson, Al Cowlings and the white Ford Bronco. June 17, 1994, revealed some of the absolute worst about celebrity-obsessed American … Continue reading →

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In disaster aftermath, God’s stories don’t stop

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Jim Killam

I’m writing this on an airplane after spending the past two days in Covington, Louisiana, helping to train ReachGlobal’s Crisis Response staff to be reporters. Of all mission work, crisis response offers some of the best opportunity for bragging on … Continue reading →

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The stream and the banks

Posted on May 28, 2014 by Jim Killam

Historian and philosopher Will Durant liked to see the big picture. The history of the whole world, for instance. Between the 1930s and the 1970s, he and his wife, Ariel, wrote an 11-volume opus called “The Story of Civilization.” They … Continue reading →

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Story criteria: Urgency of need

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Jim Killam

Before 24-hour cable news networks that label anything from a terrorist bombing to a celebrity divorce as “Breaking News,” news editors relied on The Associated Press. A big story would crossed the wire with the label, “URGENT.” Meaning: Pay attention … Continue reading →

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