Author Archives: Jim Killam

Blessed assurance

Posted on May 16, 2014 by Jim Killam

Editor’s note: This guest post is by our friend Jennie Anderson, who recently attended the Evangelical Press Association convention in Anaheim, Calif. What did I learn at the convention? To be completely honest, what I learned was not gleaned from … Continue reading →

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The iPad and Professional Journalists

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Jim Killam

The iPad for Professional Journalists If you’re an iPad user, or thinking about getting one for journalistic work, here’s a useful blog post from iPad Appstorm.

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Story criteria: Is it unique?

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Jim Killam

Next on our list of criteria when choosing stories to pursue for Crossfield News: The story must be unique and distinctive. That means it’s either gone unreported or underreported elsewhere. We have little interest in attending press conferences, or in … Continue reading →

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Elements of a good story

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Jim Killam

We’ve gained a few new audience members lately, so this might be a good time to run through some basics of how we do what we do at Crossfield News, and how anyone can better identify stories worth telling. Our mission: … Continue reading →

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These books go on the top shelf

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Jim Killam

During lunch conversation Tuesday at the Evangelical Press Association convention, I was asked, “Other than your own book, what are your favorite books on writing?” Here’s what came to mind, in no particular order. They aren’t all about writing. Some … Continue reading →

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Angels and demons

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Jim Killam

The movie “Heaven is for Real” cost $12 million to make and as of a week ago had raked in more than $52 million at the box office. Apparently a lot of people are interested in grappling with its central … Continue reading →

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‘Who is this man?’

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Jim Killam

At the heart of Luke’s gospel – after Jesus feeds the 5,000, heals many, raises Lazarus from the dead and calms a stormy sea  – lies the central question of all history: Who is this man? Luke builds the suspense … Continue reading →

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To engage or retreat?

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Jim Killam

Thoughts after hearing a good sermon yesterday by Pastor Eric Wait at New Hope Church in Ogallala, Nebraska: In America, we live in an increasingly profane culture that holds decreasing regard for eternal topics in the public square. Currently, though, … Continue reading →

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Is this heaven? No, it’s journalism

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Jim Killam

It helps that the topic is one my favorite movies. But what the Des Moines Register has accomplished with its “Field of Dreams at 25” package of stories, videos, photos and graphics is pretty special. Take a few minutes to … Continue reading →

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‘And now we have a movement’

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Jim Killam

The video shown below is terribly, terribly shot. If ever there was a lesson on the value of a tripod, this is it. Get past that, though, and listen to the better lesson: the importance of being a first follower. … Continue reading →

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