As a child and adolescent, ever-entranced by the modernities of cable television, I often scoffed at the idea of public media. PBS was poor-man's entertainment, for even if you couldn't afford cable and relied on a clothes hanger as an antennae, PBS came through clearly. (Believe me, I know first-hand about these things. I spent my first 12 years in the hills and sticks of Virginia, in places out-of-reach of the cable lines.) Public radio was just as bad, to say the least. To listen to NPR meant that you had no taste in music, or were so far out-of-touch with society that you didn't know that there were any other forms of amusement.

When I moved to Waco 5 years ago (good Lord, has it really been that long?), I began working in the non-profit sector. I soon found out that many of my colleagues not only listened to NPR, but were avid supporters! For the first time in my life I was a minority on the issue, so my jeering was kept to a quiet minimum. However, as time passed and my tastes matured (or became bland), I slowly found myself listening to NPR for short segments of time. Now, in this spring of 2005, NPR is almost all I listen to.

It's truly a diamond in the rough, loud, fast-paced world of entertainment radio. NPR respects the thinking listener while providing intriguing stories that take a look from a different side of many of the top news-making stories.

Some are humorous. A few are inspiring. Others challenge your belief system. All are provoking.

As a living, thinking, breathing Christian in the west, NPR has been a breath of fresh air (no pun intended for those of you familiar with it's programming!) in the stink that is U.S. media. We Christ-followers have the obligation to have a stance when it comes to today's news. Oftentimes, we (I, especially) get caught up in news and editorials that typically side with our own set of beliefs. The problem with this is the unfortunate fact that none of our beliefs are 100% correct. One of my theology professors in college always said "Thank God that everything I believe isn't 100% correct. For if so, that would make me God." That said, we have to be willing to acknowlege that not all our thoughts and beliefs are absolutely true. Further, we have to readily challenge our convictions with the hope of strengthening some, questioning others, completely tossing out a few, and being willing to consider some new ones.

As I've turned the knob and opened my ears to NPR, I've found myself challenging those very convictions more often. There's always a bit of fear in the process, but gratitude and fortitude prevails.

Whew! Didn't really intend on a sermon, but being the genetically wordy Dowdy I am, that's what happened. My main intent was to provide a couple of links to some very interesting stories I've heard recently on NPR. I highly recommend them. Just click on them, and there should be a red "Listen" button right above the brief description of the article. Enjoy!

An absolutely hilarious commentary on a middle-aged man's attempt to live out some glory on the softball diamond.

A unique look at the war in Iraq, from the perspective of a young soldier without any answers as to why his best friend was shot and killed. The young man, with uneasiness in his voice, in referring to his friend's death says "I don't know why it happened." A simple sentence that we so often think but don't vocalize. To admit uncertainty shows weakness to many. I greatly appreciated this soldier's willingness to show weakness in an area where strength is a way of life.

A very interesting story about self-storage units. While this topic may seem drab, give it a try! It really makes some interesting points about our materialism and tendency to hoard.