Here’s my April 16 faith beat newsletter. To receive my latest articles, favorite religion reads and other updates in your inbox each weekend, sign-up here.
My cubicle at work is covered in post-it notes because I like to write down inspirational thoughts. They bring me comfort when I’m plagued with writer’s block or sweating another round of edits.
I’ve been considering adding a post-it with a phrase about heaven: “Eternity is already in session.” The quote comes from someone who says heaven isn’t a faraway place. Instead, it’s part of the here and now, and we bring it to light by being our best selves.
Those five words capture how I feel about my career. I’m still a rookie on the faith beat, as I mentioned last week, but I approach each article like it’s being judged on a grand scale. “Eternity is already in session” becomes “Your reputation is already at stake.
This mentality leads to some lost sleep and tears, but also to good work. By believing that the ultimate judges of faith writing are already watching, I keep myself honest.
I credit that approach with earning me some awesome recognition this week. The faith beat blog, Get Religion, praised my coverage of state-level religious freedom legislation, which made the hours I spent writing and revising that story feel worth it. I had an iced coffee to celebrate and then got back to work!
Fresh off the press from me
4 ways to tell if someone is highly religious
Supreme Court to review proposals to resolve contentious contraception cases
How much would you pay for a skullcap worn by Pope Francis?
Top religion reads
The impoliteness of talking about religion, The Atlantic
Union Theological Seminary’s controversial plan to survive, Sojourners
Celebrating Passover with all the comforts of a resort, The New York Times
Just for fun
Check out this quiz from CNN (I got a 7/10)
Kelsey Elizabeth Dallas 